We’re always down for a new travel trend. Whether it be the renaissance of train travel, cruises becoming cool again, or slower-paced trips, they’re always on the money.
That’s why we were intrigued by Expedia naming the top trending destinations for 2026. The online travel agency has collated real-time search data from its app and website to uncover which hotspots across the world are gaining traction among intrepid travellers.
Top of the list is Big Sky in the US, which has seen search interest soar by 92 percent. Nestled in the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains in Montana, Big Sky is a skiing haven, with 4,350 vertical feet and more than 250 runs. In the summer, there’s mountain biking, ziplining, hiking and more.
Okinawa is the second-most trending spot in Expedia’s list, up by 71 percent. While Japan is best-known for the buzzing nightlife of Tokyo and the ancient heritage of Kyoto, Okinawa is an island haven, home to blue waters, white sand and the Iriomote jungle, a treasure trove of natural beauty (if you’re lucky, you might spot the rare Iriomote wildcat).
Rounding out the top three is Sardinia in Italy, with interest up by 63 percent. In-the-know travellers have long seen the island as a winning alternative to Sicily, or the mainland’s more popular beachy enclaves, like the Amalfi Coast. Of course, no trip to Italy is complete without gorging on local cuisine and in Sardinia, you’ll find some of the best fresh seafood in the country. There’s also plenty to do aside from restaurant-hopping and sunbathing, from exploring ancient sites like the Nuraghe of Barumini or scaling up the Gorropu Gorge.
Other destinations included the UK’s only entry on the list, the Cotswolds, where visitors can live out their British countryside fantasies; the capital of Tasmania, Hobart; and the snow-capped peaks of Savoie, in the French Alps. Read the full list below.
The biggest travel destinations in 2026, according to Expedia
- Big Sky, US
- Okinawa, Japan
- Sardinia, Italy
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam
- Savoie, France
- Fort Walton Beach, US
- Ucluelet, Canada
- The Cotswolds, UK
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
- Hobart, Australia
ICYMI: This is Europe's best destination for guaranteed winter sun this season.
Plus: The best travel destinations for 2026 have been named by National Geographic.
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