Active Travel 2026: The Year the Travelers Got Moving Again!
- Sarah Buckley
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
From biking through Tuscan vineyards to hiking Patagonia’s peaks, 2026 is all about motion, meaning, and magnificent experiences.
By: Sarah Buckley, TravelAnne Staff Writer
Whether it’s a 2-week escape or a 2-day weekend getaway, TravelAnne is your trusted advisor!
In 2026, luxury travel isn’t slowing down—it’s lacing up. The year’s most coveted itineraries are built around motion: cycling through vineyard lanes at golden hour, hiking into wild silence before a chef-driven dinner, kayaking past coastlines you can’t reach by road. This is active travel redefined—less about conquest, more about immersion, wellness, and the quiet thrill of earning the view.
A New Golden Age of Active Luxury
Travelers are trading lounge chairs for hiking boots and discovering that the ultimate indulgence lies in movement. Luxury active travel has evolved into one of 2026’s most exciting trends—combining adventure, wellness, and style.“People rediscovered the joy of moving during the pandemic,” says Tom Hale, founder of Backroads. “Now, they want to explore the world through that same lens of energy and connection.”
Boat-Based Adventures: The Cruise Reimagined
Forget the buffets and ballroom dancing—today’s travelers crave movement and immersion. Companies like Backroads and Butterfield & Robinson have reimagined the cruise experience. Guests unpack once aboard a sleek river or yacht vessel, then spend each day biking, hiking, or kayaking through scenic ports such as the Rhine Valley, the Galápagos, or the Greek Isles.Every evening ends with fine wine, local cuisine, and a view that changes daily.
Single-Hotel Stays: Settle In, Then Set Out
Courtesy DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co
Luxury doesn’t always mean constant motion. DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co. and Explora Lodges are perfecting the “stay-put” model—rooted in one exceptional hotel or lodge while venturing out daily. Imagine mornings hiking from Blackberry Farm into Tennessee’s misty hills or cycling from a single villa through Tuscany’s Chianti vineyards.These itineraries marry comfort and adventure, with Michelin-level dining, personalized guides, and an unhurried pace that encourages deeper connection with place.
Cross-Country Challenges: The New Status Symbol
For travelers who crave accomplishment, long-distance expeditions are the new badge of honor. Trek Travel’s coast-to-coast USA ride spans thousands of miles, while DuVine’s Adriatic to Mediterranean route crosses Italy in a week of wine, grit, and glory.Even on foot, ambitious treks such as Bhutan’s 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail prove that meaningful adventure isn’t just about miles covered—it’s about what you discover along the way.
Pilgrimage Paths and Soulful Routes
Once sacred, pilgrimage paths have become cultural touchstones. Spain’s Camino de Santiago now attracts nearly half a million travelers each year, many joining curated hiking tours blending Michelin-starred meals with history. In Japan, the Kumano Kodo trail offers temple stays, hot-spring soaks, and refined kaiseki dining along the way.These routes connect body and spirit—travel that transforms as much as it inspires.
The E-Bike Revolution (and Rebellion)
Courtesy Butterfield & Robinson
Electric-assist bikes are leveling the playing field, letting couples, families, and multi-generational groups explore together. Yet some purists still prefer traditional rides—leading Backroads to introduce e-bike-free itineraries for those who like to earn every climb.Either way, the focus remains the same: slow, sustainable, scenery-driven travel where you can savor both the ride and the destination.
Women-Only and Family Adventures
Adventure has gone inclusive. Operators such as AdventureWomen, Butterfield & Robinson, and Backroads are curating female-led expeditions and family-friendly journeys designed for connection, not competition. Expect private guides, spa evenings, and luxury lodges that celebrate community as much as challenge.
Gravel and Lodge-to-Lodge Escapes
Gravel biking—off-road, scenic, and unhurried—is booming. Trek Travel and boutique operator KC&E Adventures lead the trend, offering customized rides through Icelandic valleys, Vermont farmland, or Italy’s unpaved strade bianche.In the mountains, lodge-to-lodge and hut-to-hut treks are redefining comfort in the wild. From Peru’s Sacred Valley to the Dolomites, travelers enjoy gourmet meals, fine wine, and restorative beds between breathtaking trails.
Culinary Motion: Eat, Explore, Repeat
For many, the best reward after a long hike is a perfect meal. Culinary-active tours blend indulgence and exercise: DuVine and Tourissimo offer chef-guided itineraries in Italy, while Backroads’ “Active Culinary” trips through Provence pair truffle hunts with vineyard rides.It’s proof that luxury adventure can satisfy both body and palate.
Just Do It!
However you like to move—by bike, boot, paddle, or e-assist—2026 is an invitation to travel with intention and come home changed in the best way. When you’re ready, TravelAnne will curate the right pace, the right property, and the right details—so your only job is to show up and savor the journey.
Ready to redefine your next adventure? Whether you crave the Alps, Amalfi, or the Atacama, we’ll design an active journey tailored to your style.