Travel Your Heart Out with 2026’s Happiness List

Every year, G Adventures releases its annual Where to Travel list, looking at hot destinations for the upcoming year. But, this year, it’s doing things differently. Following the release of the brand’s new Travel your heart out brand positioning, which isn’t about filling passports, but filling lives, G Adventures wanted to explore how travel can change people, and its power to create lasting happiness.

Introducing the new Travel your heart out: Happiness List 2026, informed by global consumer research that looks beyond where people should go, and instead focuses on the experiences and moments that spark happiness, purpose and fulfilment.

The findings reveal that travel can be a huge driver of long-term happiness and, for many travellers, it’s less about where they go, and more about the experience and how they feel.

88% of respondents agree¹ travel contributes to their long-term happiness, and 82% report feeling happy² in everyday life when they have a trip booked, compared to only 41%³ without a holiday on the horizon.

TRAVEL MOTIVATION

It’s not just where you go, but how you feel -Travellers across generations are placing emotional fulfilment over ticking off famous sites. 63%⁴ saying they choose trips based on experiences over destinations, rising to 72%⁵ among 25–34 year olds, and 80%⁶ among adventure travellers⁷, highlighting how purpose-driven travel is shaping a new era of exploration. The desire to feel something – awe, wonder, joy, connection – is outpacing the urge to simply “see” something.

The power of connection and belonging – The study reveals that quality time with loved ones and joyful shared memories are the strongest contributors to happiness when travelling. 52% said time with family or a partner made them happiest on a past trip.

Purpose-driven travel and understanding your place in the world – G Adventures believes that travel can drive understanding, overcome fear and be the fastest path to peace. 80% of travellers surveyed say travel makes them more understanding and empathetic of other cultures and 64% say being part of a community is important to them, while 72% say it helps them better understand themselves and their purpose – a sentiment strongest among 25–34 year olds (82%)⁸.

Ethical travel is also a growing priority. 87% say they are thoughtful about who they travel with and their ethics, and 75% avoid experiences that don’t support the ethical treatment of animals. 79% say that it’s important to them to avoid overcrowded destinations and opt for more off-the-beaten track options or off-peak times of year⁹.

Decompressing, disconnecting, and finding wonder – In an always-on world, the results show travellers are craving time to pause and breathe. 75%¹⁰ say they feel happier with longer holidays (two weeks or more), and 66% want to relax and de-stress, particularly 55–64 year olds (70%).

But it’s not just rest they’re seeking. 43% say they want to be active and explore on holiday, and 43% want to feel a sense of wonder. Many find that happiness in open, untamed landscapes, with 38% of respondents who put very remote destinations in their top their places ranking it as their top happiness driver and 39% representing the same for mountain environments.

This growing appetite for balance, between activity and stillness, connection and solitude, reflects a new emotional dimension to travel: one that prioritises presence and perspective as much as escape.

Not just a break, but a breakthrough – Supporting G Adventures’ belief that travel should be a breakthrough, 38% of travellers surveyed are seeking a trip that offers the notion of something ‘new’ and ‘different’ to their everyday lives, along with the desire to learn about how people in other parts of the world live. 44% said they wanted a trip to help them feel alive and energised.

Going local – Modern travellers want to experience life like a local, not a visitor. 63% prefer trips that allow them to live like a local, and 89% value staying and eating in locally owned places – supporting communities while getting closer to the heart of a destination. Sustainability is front of mind too: 63% actively consider reducing their carbon footprint through rail or public transport¹¹.

Taste the destination – There’s the age-old saying ‘The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach’ and travellers seem to agree. 32% of travellers surveyed ranked ‘experiencing different foods and drinks to those I have at home’ as one of their top three drivers of happiness when travelling, with travellers aged 35-44 being the most likely to rank this as their number 1 if it is in their top 3 (35%).

THE TRAVEL YOUR HEART OUT HAPPINESS LIST

So, where and when are travellers truly their happiest selves? The data reveals that beachy bliss, city exploration, ocean escapes, sampling foods and drinks different to those at home and experiencing the culture of a destination top the global happiness chart. Based on the findings, G Adventures is on a mission to make 2026 the happiest travel year yet. The experts at G Adventures have selected 10 new travel experiences based on where travellers say they feel happiest and what motivates them to travel. These trips are guaranteed to leave travellers with smiles on their faces, a full heart, a renewed sense of community and the knowledge that they will leave the world a better place than when they found it.

1. BEACH TIME IN INDIA: Beach time topped the happiness chart, with city exploration close behind when travellers were asked what made them happiest when travelling and this 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip in India perfectly balances both. Travellers will dive into the buzzing colonial streets and cultural hubs of Kochi and other historic towns, immersing themselves in colourful markets, temples and back-street charm. Then the group will shift gears, taking in the golden sands and swaying palms of Kerala’s coastline and the laid-back beaches of Goa. With city energy by day and beach bliss by afternoon, this trip is crafted to maximise two of the greatest happiness drivers: meaningful cultural engagement and serene nature breaks The 14-day India: Kochi & Goa’s Golden Beaches tour starts from $1549*.
2. EXPLORING NEW CITIES IN THE STANS: New cities, longer journeys, historical immersion, natural beauty and destinations that are far beyond the ordinary – this new 23-day journey through The Stans as part of the National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures collection ticks all the happiness boxes. From wandering the ancient streets of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara, to marvelling at natural wonders like Kaindy Lake’s sunken forest and the red rock cliffs of Charyn Canyon, this this region, shaped for centuries by the Silk Road trade, invites a deep sense of wonder, belonging and global connection, leaving travellers more in tune with the world – and themselves.

The new 23-day Journeys: Echoes of the Silk Road starts from $10999*.

1. ON THE OCEAN IN ANTARTICA: Remote landscapes and time on the water were among the biggest happiness boosters, and there’s nowhere more profound to experience both than the Antarctic. Aboard the new G Expedition, Antarctica Classic is a true adventure of immense scale and visual splendour. This 11-day journey through the South Shetland islands and Antarctic peninsula takes in shuffling penguins, huge whales and scenery that’s nothing short of spectacular. Daily lectures from experts and frequent zodiac expeditions across the water are part of the exhilarating itinerary, as are polar plunges into the frigid Antarctic Ocean.

The 11- day Antarctica Classic starts from $14499*.

1. EXPERIENCING NEW FOODS AND WINES IN MOLDOVA: For those who find happiness in the joy of new foods and beverages on the road, this new seven-day Moldova trip is a true celebration of culture through cuisine. Travellers will explore underground wine cellars sampling the largest collection of exclusive wines in the country, join locals making traditional dishes and visit an eco-friendly cheese factory in a converted school. It’s about so much more than new flavours; every meal tells a story and every shared table builds a friendship in this often overlooked European gem.

The new seven-day Moldova Discovery starts from $2299*.

1. SLOW DOWN, AVOID THE HOTSPOTS AND EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE OF A DESTINATION LIKE A LOCAL: In a world that’s always rushing, time to slow down, skip the obvious and uncover some of the world’s most interesting places is what many travellers seek most. And that’s the idea behind G Adventures’ three new Local Living trips in France, Morocco, and Iceland. Designed to bypass crowded tourist hotspots and support tourism dispersal, the Local Living collection encourages travellers to stay longer in fewer places, using local transportation, family-run accommodations, and community experiences, creating happiness through genuine human connection. Settling into a destination like locals, travellers will stay in guesthouses or homes, dine in local restaurants and spend time with members of the community. From a week spent in the High Atlas mountains in a family-run B&B, meeting local artisans, planting trees alongside villagers and hiking with local shepherds, to a remote hamlet stay in East Iceland, relaxing in geothermal pools, meeting quirky wildlife and warm-hearted locals and wandering coastal trails to sites of Icelandic folklore and spiritual tradition, these trips are about connection to the land, the locals and a lifestyle that embodies finding joy in the simple way of life.

The new six-day Local Living Iceland – Bakkagerdi trip starts from $3179*.

1. A SENSE OF WONDER – ‘ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY’ IN EGYPT AND MOROCCO: Few experiences evoke awe like a total solar eclipse and, in August 2027, travellers can witness six unforgettable minutes of celestial magic as the moon blocks the sun for the longest land-based time in decades. G Adventures has launched five new eclipse trips in Egypt and Morocco, offering nearly 400 travellers VIP access to eclipse viewing in prime path of totality locations, including from the deck of a boat on the Nile in Egypt and an exclusive viewing party in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Blending ancient wonders with a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event, these trips are a must-have on the happiness list.

The nine-day Morocco Eclipse 2027: Wonders of the Earth and Sky trip starts from $5499*.

1. CONNECTING WITH FAMILY IN ECUADOR: Over half of travellers surveyed said time with family made them happiest on a past trip and this new National Geographic Family Journey to Ecuador is sure to deliver treasured family memories. From chocolate tasting and rainforest hikes to stays in jungle lodges, families will deepen their connection with the world, and each other on this nine-day adventure. Bonding over discovery and adventure, families will learn about nature, history and Indigenous traditions, with plenty of interactive and adventurous activities for all ages to be enjoyed together.

The nine-day Ecuador Family Journey: Volcanoes and The Amazon starts from $4549*.

1. SUPPORTING WILDLIFE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: Ethical travel and supporting wildlife emerged as key considerations for travellers when surveyed and this trip delivers both in abundance. Travelers will witness Africa’s most iconic wildlife in their natural habitats while discovering the vital role even the smallest species play in the ecosystem. Venture into the wild heart of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, learn what it takes to be a guide in South Africa’s legendary Kruger conservancy, and unwind amid the sophistication of the Cape Winelands – a guaranteed ticket to purpose-driven happiness.

The 17-day Geluxe Southern Africa: Kruger, Victoria Falls & Zimbabwe National Parks starts from $16849.

1. DE-STRESS AND RELAX WITH SRI LANKA SAILING: Gentle rocking waves, sleeping under the stars, swimming in clear blue waters, enjoying fresh local dishes prepared by an on-board chef and watching the sunset over the ocean; it doesn’t get much more relaxing than this. Sailing Sri Lanka: South Coast starts departures this month, and offers travellers the opportunity to sail along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, exploring remote beach towns, fishing villages and historic sites, along with plenty of time for swimming, surfing or just relaxing on the deck of the 54-foot catamaran, watching dolphins and blue whales in the water below.

The seven-day Sailing Sri Lanka South Coast trip starts from $2499*.  

1. FEEL ALIVE, ENERGISED AND CONNECTED IN NEPAL: Nepalese hospitality shines bright on this breathtaking 12-day Geluxe adventure that brings travellers closer to nature, culture and community. Travellers will hike from village to village along the base of the Annapurna range, sharing smiles and stories with locals while savouring traditional Nepali cuisine. OMG Days include cycle rides around Pame or boating and yoga next to Phewa Lake, while the OMG Stay at a riverside camp on the banks of the Seti River offers a cosy, safari feel. This is adventure at its purest; a journey that awakens the senses, fills the heart, and reminds travellers that happiness is found in connection.

The 12-day Nepal: Annapurna Hiking, Rafting and Chitwan National Park trip starts from $5299*.