11 unique holiday ideas that will delight everyone in the family in 2026

When planning a family vacation, it can be difficult to please everyone. Dad wants to go somewhere in the mountains, while Mom wants to vacation at a beach resort, and the kids… well, they just want to go somewhere fun. While these traditional options always make for a great holiday, in 2026, why not choose something a little more exciting? Expedia has shared some travel trends to look out for in 2026, including trending destinations, book-based travel, sports tourism, jet-setting, and more.

One holiday I can’t wait to experience is a sports tour, where I can participate in regional sports like rugby in New Zealand. I’m also quite interested in planning jet-setting trips based on some of my favorite movies and TV shows (hello, Croatia, inspired by a popular movie that was turned into Netflix People We Met on Vacation). If you’re planning a family (or solo, group of friends, or couples) vacation for 2026, we’ve got you covered with our list of unique vacation ideas that can serve as a starting point for planning an entire trip.

Classic ride

Road Trip 1

Gather your best friends and get ready for the ultimate girls’ road trip on Highway 1 through San Luis Obispo County. Despite parts of the highway being closed for nearly two years, the section of Highway 1 near Ragged Point will fully reopen in March of this year, meaning LA and San Francisco will be connected again. Plan your trip around the extraordinary spring wildflowers, where you can visit Montana de Oro State Park and take a four-mile hike to see millions of flowers in bloom. Additionally, this region of California has a thriving wine region with over 30 different wineries. Visit the Sinor-LaValle farm for wine and oysters, or sample natural wines at Scar of the Sea Wines.

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A culinary road trip through the Carolinas

If you like cooking competitions like Top chefthen head to the Carolinas, where the hit show Season 23 is filming. Start in one of the directions on this list, but make sure to hit every point. In Charlotte, North Carolina, visit Supperland, a restaurant that takes southern food to the next level, especially with desserts like the Cheerwine float. Midwood Smokehouse is a popular spot for BBQ. Then in Greenville, South Carolina, Scout’s Donuts is a local option for a sweet breakfast. As night falls, head to Scoundrel, the city’s only Michelin-starred restaurant, for French bistro-style fare.

Sports tourism

Singapore Grand Prix

In October, Formula 1 will head to Singapore, and if you’ve ever dreamed of being pit-side, this could be your chance. COMO Metropolitan Singapore offers hotel packages that get you as close to what it is as possible. You’ll get VIP access to the race, including pit-land and grid-state views, food, and drinks. In addition to the excitement of F1, the package includes a two-night stay at a resort that offers a rooftop swimming pool with stunning views.

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I’d book this package as part of a larger trip to Singapore, where you can explore street markets and stroll through the enchanting Cloud Forest botanical gardens. Be aware that the F1 package can only be accessed by joining COMO Club, the brand’s free membership program.

Miami, Florida

While you may think of Miami as just a beach and party city, the city is entering sports tourism in a big way in 2026. In addition to being home to major league sports teams like the Miami Heat (NBA), Miami Dolphins (NFL), and Miami Marlins (MLB), the city will host three of the biggest sporting events this year: the Miami Open, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, and the FIFA World Cup. These events take place in March, May, and June to July respectively. One hotel that will put you right in the middle of the action is the Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, where you can enjoy the best sports, sun and surf, and Miami’s hottest nightlife.

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Disney Adventure to New Zealand

If you don’t want to focus your entire trip on a sporting event, but rather make it part of a larger itinerary, an Adventures by Disney guided group tour to New Zealand is an ideal choice. This 12-day trip is perfect for families with older children (10+) who can enjoy everything this trip has to offer, including a glider canopy tour, a jet boat ride along the Dart River and a traditional Māori welcome. Your first sporting experience begins with learning about the national rugby team, the All Blacks, and the relationship between the club, Aotearoa and Māori culture. Then try sailing on an America’s Cup Yacht through Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour.

Jet setting

Emily’s Mediterranean cruise in Paris

If you are glued to the famous Netflix show Emily in Paris, You’ll learn that Emily moved from France to Rome, Italy, looking for her next big adventure. One way to experience your own European adventure is a Mediterranean cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line. While there are several itineraries to choose from, this 10-day Mediterranean from Barcelona to Venice will have you on the ultimate Emily in Paris inspired vacation.

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Just like in season 2 of the show, you’ll visit the French Riviera, where you can soak up the sun and enjoy the great atmosphere before heading to Rome to see the Spanish Steps and the Colosseum. The cruise also visits Florence, Salerno, and Messina, Italy; Corfu, Greece; Kotor, Montenegro; Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia, and ending in Venice, Italy.

Underwater fun

Baird Bay, Australia

One of the world’s most pristine snorkeling locations is remote Baird’s Bay on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. Here, you can swim with sea lions and Australian bottlenose dolphins in protected rock pools. The waters are generally calm, allowing you to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Best of all, all the equipment you need will be provided for you. Each sea tour is approximately 4 to 5 hours long, and runs from October 1 to April 30. And if you can’t get enough of this natural wonderland, you can book one of Baird Bay’s two waterfront villas, which sleep six or eight guests, depending on which villa you choose.

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Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji

Visiting Fiji is on my bucket list, and one place that highlights the region’s incredible diversity is the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Savusavu, Fiji. This family-friendly property is known for highlighting ecotourism with hands-on activities for all members of the family. Think things like working to restore giant clam habitat, planting mangroves, and more. The resort also offers PADI certification for families, which can be completed in just three days. Besides having fun at the resort, families can drive to local villages in Fiji to learn about daily life from the locals.

Get out into nature

Camp Wandawega

For families looking to get away from the crowds and explore nature, Camp Wandawega in southeastern Wisconsin is a great option. The campground is on 25 acres on the north shore of Lake Wandawega. It has a long history, from a Prohibition-era tavern to a mid-century family resort. Your family can stay in a variety of accommodations, from vintage cabins and tents to historic buildings. Just don’t walk in expecting a five-star luxury resort. The resort is quite simple, but that’s part of its appeal.

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During your stay, you can enjoy everything from water sports such as canoeing and fishing, forest walks and outdoor games. Think of it as an old-fashioned summer camp that everyone in the family can join.

A Much Better Adventure Explore the Tian Shan Mountains in Kyrgyzstan

Whether you’re a solo traveler who loves seeing new places or a couple looking to push themselves, trekking through Kyrgyzstan with Much Better Adventures is sure to be the trip of a lifetime. This nine-night trip gives you an all-access pass to climb one of Central Asia’s most beautiful mountains. Throughout the trip, you will be accompanied by a certified guide to lead a small group of 12 climbers. Included in the overall cost are all meals, accommodation (including one night in a yurt), all the equipment you need, and local transfers. Highlights of the trip include kayaking on Lake Issyk Kul and hiking Skazka Canyon.

Lodi, California

If you’re like me, and your idea of ​​getting out into nature is sitting on a patio sipping a glass of wine while overlooking a beautiful view, then Lodi, California, needs to be on your list of potential vacation spots in 2026. The Northern California wine region is known for fewer visitors and approachable wines. In addition to the many wineries to visit (85 to be exact), you can also enjoy cycling the vineyard routes, bird watching, and kayaking on the Mokelumne River.

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