Travel

This year is shaping up to be one of travel niches. Night owls will be embracing their dark sides and teetotallers will be enjoying juice pairings, while literary types will be looking to plan bookish getaways and runners will start lacing up in new surroundings.

Meanwhile, all-inclusives are making a comeback (with a difference), and more of us are set to experience life on the farm. Plus, AI — and bot booking agents— will continue to transform the way we travel.

These are the latest trends set to shape how we see the world.

Read the entire article: How travel will look in 2026—here’s what you need to know | National Geographic

Getting into hot water Hundreds of tourists are flocking to hot springs in a small town in Tasmania, Australia.

However, there was one small wrinkle in their trip planning. The hot springs are actually an AI “hallucination” that erroneously appeared on a travel advice website and was widely shared before people figured out what

Read the entire article: It could have been the scariest night of her life. Instead, it was a travel story for the ages | CNN

Travelers are now locking in their summer 2026 trips early, months before the typical booking rush usually begins. Flight seats vanish, and popular destinations fill fast, turning hesitation into a risky move almost overnight.

With peak-season demand piling up and fewer options available, waiting often comes with a higher price tag and can send a trip back onto next year’s bucket list.

Read the entire article: January 2026 bookings spike for summer travel | National News | mydailyrecord.com

America’s national parks are treasures worth exploring, and the best part? You don’t always have to open your wallet. With 63 official national parks and more than 400 additional sites managed by the National Park Service, there’s no shortage of stunning landscapes to discover.

Some parks charge entry fees—typically $20–$35 per person or per vehicle—but there are plenty of ways to enjoy the beauty for free. (Just be prepared: getting there can sometimes cost more than the entrance fee. Alaska, however, is a win for free-entry lovers.)

For travelers with flexible schedules, 2026 brings an added bonus: 10 federal “fee-free” days when you can enter national parks at no cost.

Read the entire article: 20 Gorgeous U.S. National Parks That Are Free Every Single Day in 2026

Numerous special events, festivals and road trips are planned throughout 2026 in order to celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66, an iconic highway spanning eight states from Illinois to California.

Read the entire article: America Will Celebrate The Centennial Of Iconic Route 66 In 2026

“TSA expects 2025 to be another record setter following major improvements this year to make airport security more seamless and secure,” said TSA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Administrator Adam Stahl.

“DHS Secretary Noem implemented REAL ID, launched family and military lanes, and ended the shoes off requirement.

Read the entire article: TSA prepares for holiday travel season to cap record year | Transportation Security Administration

Airline boarding passes can be a mystery of acronyms, but one code could mean the difference between getting on a flight or being left behind.

That unlucky code is “GTE,” “gate,” or “see agent,” which indicates the lack of a seat assignment. In some circumstances, it could mean the aircraft is actually oversold and travelers risk being bumped from the flight, according to travel blogger Dan Miller, who experienced the dreaded “see agent” on his own boarding pass earlier this year, detailing the experience

Read the entire article: This One Code on Your Boarding Pass Could Mean You Don’t Have a Seat—What to Know

U.S. travelers are ready to try something new. Airbnb recently released its winter travel report for the 2025/2026 season, and Americans aren’t sticking to old-standby spots this year.

Overwhelmingly, U.S. travelers are turning towards under-the-radar destinations for winter sports and non-traditional beachfront getaways for their warm-weather plans.

Read the entire article: These Are the Top Trending U.S. Destinations for Winter 2025, According to Airbnb