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Prioritizing your health has never been easier or more in demand. Bring the kids. Go solo. Socialize with strangers in the sauna. Have a glass of green juice or champagne. Wellness your way is the new mantra. Here are the trends, resorts, retreats and destinations that promise to make wellness travel less like a doctor’s visit – and more like a vacation.

Wellness seekers want to be social

We are social beings and, amidst a global loneliness epidemic, travelers are craving connection. In response, spas and hotels are creating more communal spaces and ways for travelers to engage.

Saunas will double as entertainment venues

Saunas have long been social hubs in Nordic countries – gathering places where friends and strangers would sweat it out and reconnect. The concept has swept across North America and Europe, but now we’re catching on to a sauna group ritual known as aufguss. Meaning “infusion” in German, these 15-minute performances are hosted by a trained aufgussmeister in a large communal sauna.

Women’s needs (menopause and more) are a top priority

After years of neglect, the health industry is finally waking up to the unique needs of women through their full life cycles. Women can sign up for female-specific counseling to improve hormone health, and support menstruation and fertility. Mothers-to-be can sign up for solo babymoon trips supported by a network of expert doulas, midwives and wellness professionals. 

Wellness trips will be a family affair

With childhood obesity and screen time on the rise, more parents are trying to instill healthy habits in their kids from an early age. Spas, once largely adults-only spaces, are tapping into this young market and creating programming aimed at young ones, teens and multi-gen travelers.

You’ll embrace your spiritual side with singing bowls and full moon ceremonies

After submitting ourselves to vagus nerve stimulators, red light therapy and vitamin shots, we’re returning to more spiritual wellness practices that often take place outdoors and with others.

You’ll train your brain

Pioneering retreats have devoted entire programmes to neuro health. Protocols include state-of-the-art technology like photobiomodulation, a technique that applies LED light to the brain at different wavelengths to boost mitochondrial function. Now, resorts are embracing lo-fi ways guests can train their brains and continue the practice back home.

Destinations in Demand for Wellness Vacations:

USA: Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania

International: Greece, Italy, Canada

A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveler US.

Water levels on both the Rhine and Danube rivers continue to remain low, sometimes approaching record lows, causing havoc throughout the river cruise industry. In several locations in Germany and the Netherlands, the Rhine fell to record levels, while parts of the Danube are experiencing the same.

According to the BBC, in Lobith, Netherlands, where the Rhine crosses from Germany in the Netherlands, water levels were, for a short time, the lowest they’ve ever been in recorded history.

River cruise lines are responding as best they can.

“Sections of the Danube and Rhine Rivers are currently experiencing exceptionally low water levels,” Viking wrote on its “Updates on Current Sailings” page. “As a result, select Viking river itineraries may be modified… In various water-level situations, when disruptions occur, we can implement “ship swaps,” allowing guests and their luggage to transfer to their exact same stateroom on an identical sister ship on the other side of the affected section of river.”

Uniworld Boutique River Cruises is doing the same, when it can. In a Facebook post, a Uniworld guest posted the change in their itinerary, which was originally Basel to Amsterdam on the S.S. Antoinette, departing Aug. 9. The itinerary now requires guests to switch to the S.S. Elisabeth about half-way through, with a significant change in ports visited.

While several cruise lines use the same ship-swap systems to deal with the water levels, not all have enough ships to do so. Bus rides and hotels stays, along with cancellations are piling up.

Even Uniworld, which is able to do some ship swaps, is having to resort to hotel stays for some itineraries. An Aug. 9 cruise on the S.E. Emilie from Belgrade to Vienna now requires guests to fly to Budapest for a two-night stay, then transfer to the Trafalgar Reverie.

Year after year, this iconic destination continues to stand out, welcoming millions of travelers seeking unforgettable experiences across Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum, and Holbox.

Beyond the famous all-inclusive resorts, this Mexican state offers a massive network of distinct destinations ranging from bustling nightlife to tranquil jungles. You can dive deep into its offerings by focusing on these key highlight

• One of the most visited destinations in Mexico.

• Excellent air connectivity from North America.

• Year-round warm weather.

• White-sand beaches and turquoise waters.

• Outstanding value compared to other destinations.

• Wide variety of accommodations for every traveler.

Did You Know?

• Quintana Roo is home to the second-largest coral reef in the world.

• Riviera Maya has one of the world's largest underground river systems.

• More than 6,000 cenotes are hidden throughout the Yucatán Peninsula.

• Tulum features the only Mayan archaeological site overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

• Holbox is one of Mexico's few car-free islands.

From unplugged camping trips to a noticeable shift towards domestic travel, this season’s travel trends span a broad range of topics, but all speak to the financial and geopolitical uncertainties that most clients are facing as they plan trips. Amid strong demand and rising prices, travelers would do well to book early and remain flexible, while advisors should be prepared for limited availability and potential pivots. 

Trend 1: Staying Domestic

US bookings have grown this summer, with the most-booked states being New York, Florida, California, Texas and Hawaii. Top cities include New York City, Las Vegas and Chicago. Multiple Midwestern states have also seen an uptick, mostly due to demand for regional amusement parks, national parks and events. 

Trend 2: Setting Sail

Summer cruise bookings have increased significantly year over year, led by ocean and river cruises and expedition sailings. 

Trend 3: Oh Canada

Increase in bookings to Canada are up for the summer, with Vancouver, Toronto and Banff leading the increase. The cities seeing the fastest year-over-year booking growth include Quebec City, Richmond, and Ottawa.

Trend 4: Set-Jetting and World Cup Destinations

The ongoing set-jetting trend (visiting popular film and television locations) continues this summer. Also, with the the 2026 FIFA World Cup, travelers are showing increased interest in North American host cities across June and July. Searches are up significantly for Kansas City, Philadelphia, Monterrey, Mexico, Atlanta and many more destinations that are hosting matches. 

Trend 5: America’s 250th Anniversary Is Driving Road Trips

America’s 250th anniversary with celebrations across the nation peaking in July — is driving a surge in road trips this summer. In fact, 71% of Americans plan to drive to their next vacation.

It includes everything from stargazing and moonlit hikes to night markets, lantern festivals, and nocturnal wildlife safaris.

Why Noctourism Is Trending in 2026
Several factors are accelerating this trend:

•Cooler temperatures in warming climates

•Fewer crowds and quieter attractions

•Rising interest in dark-sky conservation

•Deeper access to local nightlife & traditions

•Unique photography opportunities

As destinations adapt, cities and rural regions alike are extending their tourism hours—creating safer, curated nighttime experiences.

Top Destinations:

•USA: New Orleans, Louisiana and areas with low light pollution. Alaska for viewing the Northern Lights, Hawaii for manta ray night snorkel

•Nature-Focused: Locations with bioluminescent bays (e.g., Jamaica) and dark-sky locations (e.g., deserts in Africa).

Noctourism (nighttime tourism) is generally safe, but it carries inherent risks compared to daytime travel, including, but not limited to, potential for theft, accidents, and exposure to wildlife. It requires careful planning, proper gear, and, in wilderness areas, expert guidance to manage risks like difficult terrain, low visibility, and unexpected, cool temperatures.

Oil prices have jumped roughly 40% from the start of this year, putting serious strain on worldwide markets and the larger travel industry. As reported by AAA, gas prices have risen upwards of 35%, climbing from an average of $2.98 just last month to $3.98 this past Thursday.

With concerns around oil and gasoline only continuing to grow, most airlines have significantly struggled to contend with mounting fuel costs. New data from the International Air Transport Association shows that jet fuel went from $99 on Feb. 27 to $197 on March 20, putting serious strain on most airlines’ operations.

How Rising Oil Prices Will Impact Travelers

As airlines feel the pressure brought on by these dramatic fuel hikes, most of them have raised the average cost of airfare to get a better handle on the increasingly uncertain economy.

More recently, Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, told ABC News that ticket prices might have to go up by about 20% to help cope with the soaring cost of fuel. If that wasn’t an already grim enough assessment, Kirby said he doesn’t anticipate fuel costs dropping anytime soon.

All this being said, most travelers can expect some challenges ahead when it comes to mapping out any vacations for the near future. Forbes found that airfare for the summer travel season has already risen by 17%.

Additionally, airlines such as United mentioned that they might resort to scaling back on less in-demand flights on their regular schedule. As per Kirby’s memo, this would likely result in a 5% cut for flights such as overnight redeyes and less-popular travel days throughout the second and third quarters of the year. This policy follows the strategy of several other prominent airlines who confirmed they’d likely cut flights should customer demand decrease within the foreseeable future.

“We’re certainly going to be nimble in terms of capacity to make sure that supply and demand stay in balance,” said Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines.

With this in mind, it is recommended to get a head start on summer travel schedules, locking in airfare before there’s any further increases in airline costs. Of course, booking ahead of time also gives travelers ample opportunity to cancel their flight for a full refund if the trip itself doesn’t work out.

Celebrity Xcel is Celebrity Cruises newest Edge-class cruise ship, known for its innovative design, expanded venues and new entertainment like the Magic Carpet (a floating platform) and unique stage shows, offering immersive destination-inspired experiences for travelers.

The amped Navigator of the Seas® delivers a maxed out adventure in just a few short days. 

Iberostar Selection Paraíso Maya Suites, the perfect hotel for families on the Riviera Maya. This resort gives you the Caribbean experience while also placing you at the heart of the Maya civilization, one of the most fascinating cultures of pre-Columbian America.

The American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the world's leading association of travel professionals, is the global advocate for travel agencies, the travel industry and the traveling public.

Cruise Lines International Association is the world's largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community.