Holiday Inspirations
Where should you go in 2026?
Recent research confirmed that 71%1 of people want to take an overseas holiday, to relax and spend time with family and friends, and are open to exploring somewhere they've never been before.
With this in mind each year ABTA provide suggestions of destinations that aren’t always front of mind when booking holidays. Here are some inspirational ideas to explore lesser-known places, or get a new take on a familiar one, in 2026.
People are increasingly seeking out experiences including great local food and wine, rich culture, or sporting activities, like cycling or hiking. Holidaymakers are also looking to dig a little deeper into their destination to discover a more authentic experience. The ABTA ‘Destinations to Watch in 2026’ lists each destination in detail, highlighting some of the amazing things you can do in each location.
When you’ve made your choice, or want to find out more about where you are thinking of going, be sure to contact the well-travelled and knowledgeable staff here at Gates Travel.
The following destinations are selected by ABTA experts, reflecting customers’ sentiment and trends in the market, rather than being a simple selection of the ‘most popular’ or most visited locations.:-
1ABTA's Holiday Habits Report 2025-26
Things to do in Borneo
The island of Borneo is home to unspoilt rainforests, enormous cave systems and the iconic Mount Kinabalu, and is an ideal destination for those seeking adventure and new experiences.
Borneo also has spectacular and diverse national parks with unforgettable wildlife and many natural wonders, making it an exceptional place for those with an appreciation for wildlife.
Mount Kinabalu, one of the island's UNESCO World Heritage sites, presents a challenge for trekkers fit enough to reach its summit, but it also has trails and gardens around its base for the less adventurous.
For a less tiring, but equally rewarding, way to experience the island's flora and fauna, take a boat safari along the Kinabatangan River for a chance to see crocodiles, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants.
Things to do in Colombia
With idyllic beaches, historic cities, rainforests and truly great coffee, Colombia was already firmly on the radar for UK travellers. With the most recent series of the BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World culminating in Colombia's Peninsula de la Guajira, its profile is growing further.
Colombia is an underappreciated South American country, but it is rapidly gaining a following amongst discerning travellers. The capital Bogotà is worth a few days of your time, with buzzy nightlife and some top-class art galleries including the Museu Del Oro, full of pre-Hispanic treasures.
The city of Medellìn has had a troubled past, but now is truly reborn with fashionable districts such as Poblado and Laureles and, once more, great nightlife.
Beach lovers will find Colombia a paradise, with the Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona on the Caribbean, a standout choice with a large number of stunning beaches. Those with a little more time should head to Providencia, a magical tropical island with crystal clear water, ideal for snorkelling and diving.
Things to do in Egypt
A history dating back over 7,000 years, now showcased in a spectacular new museum.
In November 2025, the much anticipated Great Egyptian Museum opened in Giza on the outskirts of Cairo. Only a short distance from the pyramids and Sphinx, the museum houses over 100,000 artefacts from ancient Egypt, with main attractions including the awe-inspiring works of art from Tutankhamun's tomb, and two ships dating back to 2500 BC made to carry the Pharaoh Khufu into the afterlife.
Ancient Egypt was all about the Nile and a river cruise is the best way to visit the wealth of temples and historic sites which line its banks.
On your Nile journey, head to Karnak and marvel at the imposing forest of massive columns that make up the Hypostyle hall in the temple of Amun.
Things to do in French Polynesia
Things to do in French Polynesia Palm-fringed beaches, dark blue lagoons – a vision of paradise increasingly popular with UK holidaymakers.
French Polynesia has been a byword for the ultimate island escape for hundreds of years and, as part of the Pacific Islands, fits firmly with a growing trend identified by ABTA for people to take 'The Longest Haul' – holidaying on the other side of the world to the UK.
The Polynesian people, immortalised in the art of Paul Gauguin, may well be the true treasure of the islands, with their incredibly warm and welcoming nature.
There are hundreds of islands that make up the archipelago, but your trip will almost certainly start in the main island, Tahiti.
Things to do in the German Baltic Coast
Pretty resorts, miles of sandy beaches cliffs and forests – welcome to the German Riviera. This lovely area is a holiday favourite for Germans but not so much known to outsiders who may be looking for a beach break in the milder temperatures of northern Europe.
Easy to get to by train from Hamburg and Berlin, the area is primed to capitalise on the growing interest in rail-related holidays.
Rϋgen is Germany's largest island with the fashionable Binz beach lined with lovely seaside villas and the dramatic Königsstuhl chalk cliff towering over 100 metres in the Jasmund National Park, which is also filled with beech forests. Go for a hike, hire a bike and visit the atmospheric towns of Putbus and Göhren.
For a taste of the coast's rich history head to Heiligendamm, affectionately known as the 'White Town by the Sea', the country's oldest seaside resort and characterised by sophisticated neo-classical buildings. Spoil yourself with a spa treatment in one of the upmarket hotels and people watch as you stroll the promenade.
Things to do in Grenada
Grenada, where fertile soils produce fragrant spices, as well as lush rainforest for those seeking a new Caribbean experience.
St George, the capital, is one of the most attractive cities in the Caribbean. St George and the rest of the 'The Spice Island' really come alive in the 'Spicemas' celebrations throughout the summer with a succession of concerts and parties culminating in August, when colourful, flamboyant performers parade and dance through the streets.
Grenadian food, as you might expect, is delicious and you are in for a real treat when you sample 'oil down' – a stew of meat, coconut milk, breadfruit, green bananas – and of course, the island's flavoursome spices. Everyone's favourite, chocolate, flourishes here; to try some of the best head to the Belmont Estate for an interesting insight into the Estate's 300 year history.
Grenada is also home to many rum distilleries. A visit to one is not only fun and informative, but a chance to add a bottle to the chocolate and spices you can take back as a souvenir of your time on the island.
Things to do in the Islands in the Gulf of Naples
Just a short ferry ride from Naples and the Amalfi Coast, these islands are a 'must visit' for new visitors and confirmed Italophiles.
The idyllic Capri has been a byword for glamour and luxury since Roman times. Wander through the chic shops of Capri town, dine in one of its many excellent restaurants and check out the yachts in the Marina Piccola. No trip to Capri would be complete without a boat trip into the stunning blue grotto at midday when the light is at its best.
Ischia is a green, wooded mountainous island with hiking options for the energetic, including up the highest peak, Mount Epomeo. For a more relaxing time, head to one of Ischia's many beaches or soak your aches away in the Poseidon Gardens thermal pools. Another two of the most beautiful gardens in Italy are on the island, La Mortella and Villa Ravino, which offer a combination of beauty and tranquillity. The capital Ischia Porto is a lively town and the views from the imposing castle 'Castello Arogonese' are breathtaking.
The island of Procida, with its pastel coloured fishermen's houses, is a picture-perfect destination which has been used a backdrop for films such as The Talented Mr Ripley. More laid back than its neighbours, it offers a chance to unwind and soak up the atmosphere of this lovely part of the world with the view from the hilltop castle down to the Marina de Corricella, one of the loveliest in Europe.
Things to do in La Rioja
People are increasingly looking to explore some of the lesser-known areas of Spain, with the Basque Country among those already seeing growth. With La Rioja its neighbour, and the River Ebro dividing the two areas, it's only a matter of time before interest expands across the river to La Rioja too.
Situated in northern Spain, La Rioja is home to the country's most famous wine and a great recommendation for those wanting to savour a truly authentic Iberian experience away from the better-known tourist spots.
Start your trip in the capital Logroño which has some of the best Tapas bars in Spain, where you can join local people in the historic quarter along the Calle del Laurel and Calle San Juan.
Of course, a visit must include a trip to one of La Rioja's many wineries. Marquès de Riscal is a stand out, with its Frank Gehrydesigned hotel, or you could drop in at one of the many bodegas in the interesting town of Haro, which is home to some of the marquee names in Rioja production.
Things to do in Luxembourg
Historic towns, fairytale castles and beautiful countryside, Luxembourg packs a great deal within its borders and has recently seen a 6% year-on-year rise in visitor numbers.
Start your trip in the prosperous Luxembourg City, situated on a dramatic river gorge, and discover The Grund district, a charming jewel at its heart. Highlights include the Grand Ducal Palace and a walk along the lovely Chemin de la Corniche. Luxembourg City is a great base for day trips and the chance to take advantage of the country's free public transport.
A short trip away is the old town of Vianden, where you can choose to walk up to its well-preserved castle or, if you're feeling lazy, take a chairlift. A short distance away another impressive castle beckons, the Chateau de Bourscheid, which gives any other fortification in Europe a run for its money.
Nature lovers should head to the delightful Mullerthall woods where hiking trails pass through beech groves, streams, canyons and cave systems, offering relaxing and refreshing hours away from the hustle and bustle.
Things to do in Serbia
From its hip and buzzy capital to its spectacular national parks, Serbia is ripe for discovery by those seeking a lesser-known European destination.
The capital, Belgrade, renowned for its nightlife and its brutalist, communist-era architecture, makes for a striking sight. Head for a cocktail or two in the hip Dorćol quarter and get a taste of the city's ancient past in the Kalemegedan Fortress.
You'll find a different kind of urban feel in the Hapsburg-era city Novi Sad, which has a laid-back vibe, except when hosting the world-renowned Exit festival over the summer, in the Petrovaradin Fortress.
Serbian food and wines are delicious – sample some of the very best on offer on a trip through the wineries of Fruška Gora or on a farm in Vojvodina.
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