Make 2026 Your Best Year Yet With These 16 Epic Travel Experiences

More than just visiting a destination, travel allows us to step beyond the ordinary and discover the extraordinary. These epic travel experiences redefine the way we see the world, offering moments of awe, connection, and creating memories that last a lifetime.

From wildlife safaris and historic sites to culinary delights and spiritual encounters, these experiences ignite our sense of wonder and curiosity. We invite you to explore some of the most epic travel experiences around the globe, hand selected and available on our premium tours. Plus, we introduce some amazing new journeys to the Insight Vacations portfolio for 2026.

1. Walk the Columbia Icefield Glacier Skywalk after hours in Canada

A highlight of our Canadian Rockies and Pacific Coast premium tour, enjoy an after-hours visit to the Columbia Icefield Skywalk in Jasper National Park, Canada – an awe-inspiring, cliff-edged, glass-floored walkway rising 918 ft (280 meters) above the Sunwapta Valley offering sweeping views of the valley and Columbia Icefield.

The experience features fossils, waterfall views and incredible glacier landscapes along a one-kilometer interpretive walkway, and it’s yours away from the crowds.

2. Learn Louisiana’s story with a Cajun and Creole cooking demo

Calling all foodies, 2026 will see the first departures of Soul of the Deep South, and Soul of the Deep South, A Women Only Tour, a 9-Day deep dive into the tastes and sounds of the American South. Though it’s hard to focus on just one of the epic travel experiences on offer on this journey, this demonstration of the regions famous Cajun and creole cuisine will both connect you to history and give you recipes for a lifetime.

On day 7, following an insightful look at Destrehan Plantation to learn about the lives of both the free an enslaved that lived there, you’ll join Local Expert “Spuddy” for a live cooking demo of his signature smoked Cajun meats. He’ll share the rich history and origins of Cajun cuisine and may invite you to help in the kitchen. Then you’ll enjoy a hearty lunch featuring authentic regional dishes.

2. Spot wildlife on safari in Sri Lanka

Imagine, in the beautiful setting of Sri Lanka, heading out on morning and evening game drives with an expert ranger, spotting Asian elephants near waterholes, crocodiles basking on shores, and hopefully, the rare Sri Lankan leopard. Yala National Park is one of the epic travel experiences on our new Wonders of Sri Lanka tour for 2026. Located along Sri Lanka’s southeastern coast, hugging the stunning Indian Ocean, Yala was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1900 and became a national park in 1938. Interestingly, it was originally used as a hunting ground for the elite during British rule. Today, Yala is home to 44 mammal species and 215 bird varieties.

Stay in the stylish Jetwing Nala eco-resort and, between safaris, enjoy guided nature walks, observing vibrant birdlife like kingfishers, bee-eaters and herons in the wetlands. From the golden shores of Colombo to the misty highlands of Nuwara Eliya, you’ll experience the many faces of Sri Lanka on this unforgettable journey.

4. Dine at a Croatian island winery

Join us on our new journey Adriatic Escape visit Krk, one of the oldest inhabited islands in the Adriatic. Here you will explore the walled city alongside your Local Expert – visiting St. Mary’s Cathedral and see the formidable Frankopan Castle, once home to one of Croatia’s most influential noble families. To top this off you will then savor a Farm-to-Table lunch at a family-owned winery. Here, you’ll discover the island’s deep-rooted viticultural traditions while sampling dishes crafted with local ingredients and paired with wines found nowhere else in the world. Just one of the decadent, epic travel experiences on this stylish 10-Day journey though Croatia, Slovenia and Italy.

5. Early doors at London’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show

A must visit for any green fingered traveler, London’s Chelsea Flower Show is the world’s most famous garden exhibition, showcasing stunning floral displays, innovative designs, and horticultural excellence, attracting garden lovers and visitors from around the globe every year. Not to mention it is a favorite of the Royals.

Join us for early doors access to this horticultural extravaganza on our British Gardens and the Chelsea Flower Show, European Affair and Chelsea Flower Show, and delight in a grand selection of some of Europe’s finest gardens as you travel.

6. Glide the canals of Venice in a gondola

Eternally epic and a top bucket-list experience, riding a gondola in Venice offers an unbeatably romantic journey through shimmering canals and historic neighborhoods. Gliding past centuries-old architecture and under picturesque bridges, it is the ultimate way to soak up the city’s timeless charm, beauty and rich history. Our new Adriatic Escape premium tour is one of the many journeys on which you can enjoy this timeless experience.

7. Lunch and private concert at Club Ebony, Mississippi, USA

For music lovers, a trip to the American south is a pilgrimage to pay homage to some of the founding fathers of blues, rock ‘n’ roll and soul. On our new Soul of the Deep South, and Soul of the Deep South, A Women Only Tour, you’ll be immersed every day in the musical history of this region, through a huge range of epic travel experiences.

Experience the soul of the blues with a delicious lunch at the legendary Club Ebony in Mississippi. Since the 1940s, this historic venue has hosted icons like Ray Charles, Count Basie, and B.B. King, who later bought the club to preserve its legacy. A local musician will teach you the 12-bar blues, share stories of the club’s vibrant past, and help you craft an original song. Then, enjoy an intimate live performance that brings the music to life—an unforgettable journey into Mississippi’s rich musical heritage.

8. Dine at home in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

When discovering a new country and culture, there is little more epic than getting right into the heart of the people that live there. Especially when it is a destination with a profound story to tell. On our Treasures of the Balkans journey, you’ll not only discover a fascinating region, but have the chance to dine with a Sarajevo family in their own home. Enjoy exceptionally tasty home cooking, learn about the local specialties and savor warm hospitality as you learn about life in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslavia before, during and after the devastating war.

A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, this experience advances the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 10 & 11: Reduced Inequalities & Sustainable Cities and Communities, and you can take part on our Treasures of the Balkans and Eastern Capitals and Dalmatian Riviera premium tours.

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9. Meet a Buddhist monk at Isurumuniya Temple, Sri Lanka

The Isurumuniya Temple is set in a peaceful setting with intricate rock carvings and a serene lotus pond, the temple offers a tranquil backdrop for spiritual connection. During your visit on our new Wonders of Sri Lanka tour, you’ll participate in a blessing ceremony led by a practicing monk, immersing yourself in age-old Buddhist rituals.

Feel the calming rhythm of traditional chanting as the monk invokes peace, protection, and prosperity, providing a rare insight into Sri Lanka’s spiritual traditions. This intimate encounter allows you to connect deeply with the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage, leaving you with a profound sense of tranquility and understanding. A moment that captures the timeless beauty of Sri Lanka’s spiritual landscape.

10. Take the ultimate Asheville foodie tour

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville, North Carolina, is a vibrant mountain city known for its thriving arts and culinary scene. A  stunning destination on our Spectacular National Parks of Eastern USA premium tour, get to know this great city not just with your feet, but with your taste buds.

Expertly curated, enjoy a fun and educational walking food tour of Asheville’s culinary favorites that spotlight the region’s signature farm-to-table, local flavors. Taking a seat at several acclaimed eateries, enjoy outstanding food and drink pairings, designed by some of Asheville’s most notable chefs, brewers, and mixologists.

11. Relax with a Hammam Spa with body scrub in Morocco

Who doesn’t love a spa afternoon? Imagine relaxing with your newfound female friends, in the traditional home of the Hamman, at a wellness center that has been family run for generations. Just one of the highlights awaiting you on of our Treasures of Morocco, A Women Only Tour. The origins of hammam can be traced back to the migration of Arabs to Morocco in the early 7th century, and this is just one of the stylish ways on offer to immerse yourself in Moroccan culture on this 11-day tour of the country’s markets, mosques and cuisine.

12. Stay in a Finland hotel with Northern Lights dancing above you 

In magical Lapland there is an actual hotel with laser heated panoramic glass ceilings, so you can have the best chance to witness the spectacular Northern Lights, all from the comfort of your private cabin! The boutique Aurora Village in Ivalo Finland, is located hundreds of kilometers above the Artic Circle and surrounded by beautiful wilderness, yet still only a short drive from town, and is your stylish first night on our Northern Lights of Scandinaviapremium tour. It is important to note that the northern lights are a natural phenomenon and therefore sightings cannot be 100% guaranteed, but now is a great time to see them at their most majestic, as explained further in this article 12 Natural Phenomena Happening In 2026 Worth Traveling For.

13. Get up close and personal with Patagonia’s Perito Moreno glacier

Stretching 30 kilometers, this rare advancing Perito Moreno Glacier often cracks with thunderous calving sounds into Lake Argentino below—nature’s spectacular display. There’s nothing quite as epic as taking in panoramic views of the from the elevated boardwalks that highlight its immense scale.

Book your place on our new 12-Day Heart of Patagonia premium tour and join a Local Expert who will share insights into Patagonia’s glaciers, their centuries-long influence on the landscape, and the impact of climate change. Visit the Glaciarium, an advanced interpretive center exploring glacier science through interactive exhibits, films and installations and dive into the fascinating story of the vital role glaciers play in shaping the region. Just one of the epic travel experiences awaiting you on this stunning new journey, with first departures in 2026.

14. Join a Monument Valley BBQ cook out, Nevada, USA

A destination in itself, America’s Monument Valley Navajo Tribal National Park is one of the world’s most iconic natural landscapes. Characterized by its towering sandstone buttes, mesas, and spires, rising dramatically from the desert floor, it holds deep cultural and historical significance for the Navajo people, who call it Tsé Biiʼ Ndzisgaii, meaning “valley of the rocks”.

A highlight of our Wonders of the American West and America’s Magnificent National Parks premium tours, you do much more than just visit, you’ll deepen your knowledge and connection with the first nations of this land as you travel to Monument Valley by way of off-road vehicles to the cookout site. On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll enjoy a delicious barbecue dinner with members of the Navajo Nation, think tasty tacos and fry-bread, whilst surrounded but the traditional stories, dance and songs of this great ancient culture. Your experience advances UN Global Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

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15. Take High Tea like royalty at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan, Egypt

Follow in the footsteps of Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie as you enjoy high tea at Aswan’s famous Old Cataract Hotel, as the sun begins to set. The perfect moment to relax in style and reflect on all you have absorbed whilst in Egypt. And that will be a lot!

A legendary colonial-era luxury hotel built during British rule, the Old Cataract Hotel opened in 1899 and has hosted many notable guests and royalty. Perched on the Nile’s banks, its striking architecture combines Victorian elegance with Egyptian influences, offering guests a glimpse into Egypt’s rich past while enjoying breathtaking views of the river and surrounding desert. Discover this on Wonders of Egypt and Splendours of Egypt.

16. Admire Patagonia from horseback

Integral to Argentina’s cultural identity and history, the gaucho, a skilled rancher and cowboy, symbolizes the spirit of the pampas, while horses are essential tools for rural life. The deep bond of horses and gauchos reflects Argentina’s cattle-ranching heritage and connection to its vast, fertile plains.

On our new Heart of Patagonia tour, at Estancia La Península—a working ranch amidst stunning southern landscapes—you’ll ride horseback along trails used by local gauchos. As you traverse the windswept terrain, learn about traditional Patagonian ranching life while taking in sweeping views of the fjord and the surrounding steppe on this epic travel experience. Just one of the many highlights that await as this 12 -Day journey takes you deep into the heart of one of the world’s most beautiful landscapes.