How to travel in 2026
Making sustainable holiday choices doesn’t mean sacrificing memorable experiences
words LULU GRIMES
Off-algorithm places
Over-tourism and fighting through crowds doesn’t deliver a restful holiday, nor does queuing to see an ‘Instagrammable’ view. Travellers are opting to skip the obvious and find more real, sustainable experiences elsewhere. Travel company Intrepid publishes a ‘not hot’ list, which suggests places that are both less visited and tourism-ready.
Popular destinations are leaning into shoulder and off-season activities, such as Scandinavia in February (take thermals), promoting local sustainable development and helping local communities gain a better quality of life. Sometimes, all you need to do is move one or two roads away from the madness to a different neighbourhood, or opt to stay in a nearby town, area or city – for example, Le Marche instead of Tuscany. The same goes for picking where to eat. Social media is full of ‘must visit’ lists, but give yourself time to explore, ask locals for advice, and in many cases, follow your nose to cafes, street-food vendors and restaurants. If something smells good, then it probably tastes even better.