As December approaches and those long, summer days fade into a distant memory, many of us are dreaming of our next trip.
And according to new research, it’s not just sun-worshippers who are searching for next years getaway.
From birdwatching to coffee tours, it seems that more travellers are planning trips around experiences they want to have, not just places they want to see.
Analysing search data, travel company GetYourGuide has published its first Hidden Trends List, revealing the top experiences British travellers have on their travel to-do list.
Whether you’re looking for inspiration for your next trip or simply curious what other people do on holiday, read on to find out the ‘hidden’ travel trends for 2026.
Whether it’s canoeing at a national park or taking a cooking class, many more Brits are prioritising activities for their 2026 holidays
Bird watching
While it was once viewed as a boring or old fashioned hobby by many, it seems that bird watching is having a renaissance.
The data shows that 55 per cent off UK travellers are eager to go birdwatching on their next trip while nearly half now see the pastime as ‘cool again’.
Millennials are leading the way with their interest in birdwatching, with 8 in 10 being interested in birdwatching on holiday.
And it’s not just British holidaymakers who love bird watching; Ariana Grande is said to be a fan too.
Bird watchers could catch a glimpse of a fire-tailed sunbird, a species that is found primarily in the Himalayas and parts of Southeast Asia
The pop singer who plays Glinda in Wicked revealed on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast that she enjoys bird watching and uses an app to identify birds by sound.
Among the destinations known for birdwatching that have experienced some of the highest increases in searches in 2025 are Oman’s Daymaniyat Islands, Vietnam’s Cat Ba National Park and Thailand’s Doi Inthanon, where travelers can see birds as they hike and kayak.
Walking tours
Once the staple of cruise passengers and coach trips, walking tours are again having their moment.
GetYourGuide has seen a 30 per cent increase in bookings for walking tours.
What’s more, almost two-thirds of UK travellers agree that ‘walking tours are cool again’.
While you might imagine guides with loud speakers and clueless tourists, walking tours are a great way to see a destination and pick up local knowledge
More than half of UK travellers said that ‘discovering local food and drink spots’ is the primary driver for booking walking tours.
The best news is that many walking tours are free and operate on tips.
Besides general city tours, many companies offer specialised options like Jack the Ripper, Street Art or Harry Potter tours.
Food tourism
If you can’t overindulge on holiday, when can you?
GetYourGuide found that 42 per cent of Brits eat more than three meals a day on holiday while 16 per cent admit to having five or more meals.
Almost 6 in 10 UK Gen Z travellers said they ‘always’ indulge more on holiday, which is driving GetYourGuide’s 46 per cent rise for UK customer food tour bookings.
Obi, a tour guide from Brixton, London said: ‘Food isn’t just a side note anymore, it’s the whole reason people are traveling.
Pop Brixton, a community-focused space in London, is pictured. It’s a popular spot for food lovers
‘I’ve had visitors hop on a train from Paris just for a taste of London’s food scene, then head straight back.
‘Once you’ve tried Brixton’s flakiest patty, you’ll understand why it’s worth the journey.’
Coffee culture
Whether it’s sipping single-origin brews on a Kenyan coffee farm or mastering the art of espresso in a Roman café, it’s clear that Brits love coffee.
Almost three quarters of British Millennials would pick a destination just for its coffee scene while a third of UK travellers now rank coffee culture above nightlife when planning their next getaway.
Many Brits are swapping tea with coffee! Just remember: no cappuccinos after noon
GetYourGuide data found sales of coffee tours rose by 110 per cent from 2024 to 2025.
Matteo Di L’orenzo, guide at Specialty Coffee Workshop and Tasting in Rome, said: ‘In Rome, the coffee culture has evolved, with traditional cafes accompanied by new wave establishments.
‘But unwritten rules still exist, like no cappuccinos after noon’.
Early mornings
Fancy a sunrise breakfast from the summit of Mount Batur in Bali? You might have to share with the monkeys
Swapping late nights at the club for setting the alarm for 6am, more than half of Brits said they wake up early to experience the top attractions without the crowds.
Whether it’s getting up at the crack of dawn to witness the Switching on of the Lights at the Vatican or a sunrise Marrakech Balloon Flight – there’s an experience for every early bird.
GetYourGuide saw a 64 per cent increase in morning tour tickets in 2025 compared to the same time period in 2024.
Destinations best experienced at sunrise, like Mt. Batur in Bali and Snowdon Peak in Wales, are experiencing some of the highest search growth on the platform.
Workshops
A vacation could be the perfect chance to learn a new skill by taking a workshop or class
Fancy learning how to bake bagels in New York or forge a samurai sword in the heart of Japan?
According to GetYourGuide, in 2026, travellers will swap sunbathing for skill-building.
Data shows that almost 8 in 10 of British millennials are the least likely to sunbathe on holiday and would prefer to learn a new skill or practice a sport when they go away.
GetYourGuide UK booking data confirms the trend; tickets purchased to workshops increased 73 per cent year-over-year.
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