G Adventures is on a mission to make 2026 the happiest year ever, with new travel list focused on emotional fulfilment
October 29, 2025 – Every year, G Adventures releases its annual Where to Travel list, looking at hot destinations for the upcoming year. But, this year, we are doing things differently. Following the release of our new Travel your heart out brand positioning, which isn’t about filling passports, but filling lives, we 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 fulfillment.
The findings reveal that travel can be a huge driver of long-term happiness and, for many travelers, it’s less about where they go, and more about the experience and how they feel.
85% of respondents agree1 (that number jumps to 89% when looking at just American respondents) travel contributes to their long-term happiness, and 76% report feeling happier2 in everyday life when they have a trip booked, compared to only 35%3 without a vacation on the horizon.
TRAVEL MOTIVATION
It’s not just where you go, but how you feel -Travelers across generations are placing emotional fulfillment over ticking off famous sites. 61%4 saying they choose trips based on experiences over destinations (73% for just Americans), rising to 68%5 among 25–34 year olds, and 73%6 among adventure travelers7, 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. 51% 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. 79% of travellers surveyed say travel makes them more understanding and empathetic of other cultures and 65% say being part of a community is important to them, while 68% say it helps them better understand themselves and their purpose – a sentiment strongest among 25–34 year olds (75%)8.
Ethical travel is also a growing priority. 80% say they are thoughtful about who they travel with and their ethics, and 74% avoid experiences that don’t support the ethical treatment of animals. 82% 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 travelers are craving time to pause and breathe. 70%10 say they feel happier with longer holidays (two weeks or more), and 63% want to relax and de-stress, particularly 55–64 year olds (71%).
But it’s not just rest they’re seeking. 43% say they want to be active and explore on holiday, and 37% want to feel a sense of wonder. Many find that happiness in open, untamed landscapes, with 36% of respondents putting very remote destinations in their top 3 places they feel happiest and 35% choosing mountain environments.
This growing appetite for balance, between activity and stillness, connection and solitude, reflects a new emotional dimension to travel: one that prioritizes presence and perspective as much as escape.
Not just a break, but a breakthrough – Supporting G Adventures’ belief that travel should be a breakthrough, 37% of travelers 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. 39% said they wanted a trip to help them feel alive and energized.
Going local – Modern travelers want to experience life like a local, not a visitor. 61% prefer trips that allow them to live like a local (that number jumps to 71% for US only), and 85% 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: 62% actively consider reducing their carbon footprint through rail or public transport11.
Taste the destination – We’ve all heard the age-old saying ‘The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach’ and travelers seem to agree. 30% of travelers 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 those aged 18-24 being the most likely to rank this as their number 1 if it is in their top 3 (29%).
THE TRAVEL YOUR HEART OUT HAPPINESS LIST
So, where and when are travelers 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 travelers say they feel happiest and what motivates them to travel. These trips are guaranteed to leave travelers 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.
- BEACH TIME IN PANAMA: Beach time topped the happiness chart, with city exploration close behind when travelers were asked what made them happiest when travelling and this brand new 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip perfectly balances both. Young travelers start in vibrant Panama City, soaking up its dynamic mix of history and modern energy before heading off-grid to the San Blas Islands, where Indigenous-owned accommodations offer a rare chance to disconnect from screens and reconnect with life’s simple pleasures. With turquoise waters, traditional huts and boat trips between islands, happiness comes easily as travelers get into the rhythm of island life.
The six-day Panama: Sandy Beaches and San Blas Islands starts from USD $899 pp. - 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 travelers more in tune with the world – and themselves.
The new 23-day Journeys: Echoes of the Silk Road starts from USD $6999 pp. - ON THE OCEAN IN THE ARCTIC: Remote landscapes and time on the water were among the biggest happiness boosters, and there’s nowhere more profound to experience both than the Arctic. Aboard the new G Expedition, the newly-launched Arctic Expeditions offer close encounters with icebergs and glaciers, robust wildlife policies and the opportunity to disconnect in this remote region.
The 11- day Realm of the Polar Bear starts from USD $7499 pp. - 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. Travelers 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.
The new seven-day Moldova Discovery starts from USD $1499 pp. - 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 six-day a remote hamlet 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.
Local Living Morocco – Atlas Mountains starts at USD $699 pp.Local Living Iceland starts at USD $2199 pp.
- 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, travelers 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 travelers 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 USD $3599 pp.The 10-day Egypt Eclipse 2027: History and The Heavens trip starts from USD $5999 pp.
- CONNECTING WITH FAMILY IN ECUADOR: Over half of travelers 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 USD $4799 pp. - SUPPORTING WILDLIFE IN TANZANIA: Ethical travel and supporting wildlife emerged as key considerations for travellers when surveyed and this Jane Goodall Collection trip Travelers who are keen to learn about and support wildlife and ethical travel will find the trip of a lifetime with this incredible 10-day experience in Tanzania. Part of G Adventures’ Jane Goodall Collection, this trip includes witnessing animals in their natural habitat on safari in Ngorongoro Crater, hiking to the peak of Mt. Mokorot and walking in the footsteps of Dr. Jane Goodall where she lived and researched chimpanzees in Kigoma and Gombe Stream National Park.
The 10-day Geluxe Tanzania starts from USD $6599 pp. - DE-STRESS AND RELAX WITH SRI LANKA SAILING: Gentle rocking waves, sleeping under the stars, swimming in clear blue waters and watching the sunset over the ocean; it doesn’t get much more relaxing than this. Sailing Sri Lanka: South Coast launches this month, and offers travelers the opportunity to explore 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 with an icy drink in hand.
The seven-day Sailing Sri Lanka South Coast trip starts from USD $1699 pp. - FEEL ALIVE AND ENERGIZED IN GUATEMALA: Sometimes a solo trip is just the thing to wake up the senses and remember just how big, diverse, welcoming and exciting the world can be! On the brand new Solo-ish Guatemala trip, travelers will experience the thrill of discovery while learning to make traditional Guatemalan dishes, exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal and visiting local Indigenous villages where they will have the opportunity to browse local artisan markets. And because it’s part of G Adventures’ Solo-ish style of trips, there is plenty of time dedicated to making connections and solo exploration.
This nine-day Solo-ish Guatemala starts from USD $1499 pp.
About G Adventures
G Adventures isn’t just a travel company, we’re a movement. Since 1990, when social entrepreneur Bruce Poon Tip set out to change the way people see the world, we’ve been leading the way in community tourism and small-group adventure travel. With more than 850 life-changing trips in 100 countries across all seven continents, we help travelers connect deeply with local people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, all while having a blast.
But it doesn’t stop there. With us, travel is about passion, purpose, and making a difference. Our ‘G for Good’ social impact commitments ensure every journey supports local communities, with over 130 community tourism projects powered by our non-profit partner, Planeterra, and our industry-first Ripple Score™, which tracks how much of our travelers’ money stays local. And through our Trees for Days initiative, we’ve planted over 3 million trees (and counting), one for every traveler, every day they are on trip with us, helping communities and the planet to thrive together.
At G Adventures, we believe in changing lives through travel, and not just for the traveler. Our unique company culture fuels a global community that transcends borders, connecting people with purpose and spreading joy, curiosity, and humanity in everything we do. We’re not just about seeing the world, we’re about making it better, together.
Learn more and join the movement at www.gadventures.com.