Kathimerini Greece Newsroom
For today's travelers, a trip is no longer simply about getting away for a few days. More and more, people are investing in experiences, personal growth, and memories that last long after they've returned home.
What was once a simple vacation has gradually become a reflection of who we are, or who we'd like to become. From wellness-focused "glowcations" and skill-building retreats to stargazing adventures and marathon getaways, the way people travel is changing rapidly.
And it's a trend that many Cypriots are embracing too, as travel becomes less about ticking destinations off a list and more about returning home with a story to tell.
Chasing the glow
One of the fastest-growing travel trends among younger travelers, especially Generation Z, is the "glowcation", a blend of the words "glow" and "vacation."
Instead of spending a weekend simply lounging by the pool, travelers are booking trips focused on beauty, wellness, and self-care. Think Korean skincare treatments in South Korea, Ayurvedic wellness retreats in Sri Lanka, spa escapes in Estonia, or even medical tourism trips to Turkey.
According to travel platform Skyscanner, nearly one in three Gen Z travelers plans to book beauty treatments or visit cosmetics stores while traveling.
For many, the goal isn't just relaxation; it's returning home feeling healthier, refreshed, and, quite literally, glowing.
Learning while traveling
Another growing trend is the "skillcation," where holidays double as opportunities to learn something new.
Rather than spending days sightseeing, travelers are signing up for workshops and retreats that teach practical or creative skills. Pottery classes in Morocco, painting retreats in France, and cooking courses in Italy are becoming increasingly popular.
The idea is simple: if you're already taking time off, why not come back with a new skill as well as new memories?
It's a trend that could easily resonate with Cypriots, who are increasingly looking for more meaningful travel experiences rather than traditional package holidays.
Looking up at the stars
After the pandemic, "astro travel" has become one of the tourism industry's fastest-growing niches.
These trips are built around celestial events and dark skies. Many travelers head north to witness the Northern Lights in Norway, Sweden, Finland or Iceland. Others travel specifically to watch meteor showers, solar eclipses, or rare comet appearances.
Specialized accommodations now offer glass roofs, panoramic windows, and even in-room telescopes, allowing visitors to enjoy spectacular views of the night sky without leaving their hotel.
Some destinations also offer guided stargazing tours led by astronomers and astrophysicists who explain the wonders of the universe in simple, easy-to-understand language.
For amateur photographers, astro-tourism often includes workshops on night photography and astrophotography, helping travelers capture galaxies, stars, and rare celestial events.
Running toward a destination
For fitness enthusiasts, holidays are increasingly becoming opportunities to pursue sporting goals.
Known as "fitcations," these trips combine travel with physical activity, whether that's yoga retreats, hiking adventures, cycling tours, or participation in major sporting events.
Marathons have become a particularly popular reason to travel. Events such as the Athens Authentic Marathon, the New York City Marathon, and other iconic races now attract runners from around the world who build entire vacations around race weekend.
Others use travel as an opportunity to learn a new sport, from surfing in the Atlantic and kickboxing in Thailand to high-altitude running camps and mountain biking adventures.
Instead of simply seeing a destination, travelers experience it through movement.
The concert is the destination
The rise of "gig-tripping" may be one of the most recognizable travel trends of recent years.
Massive tours by artists such as Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, and Coldplay have inspired hundreds of thousands of fans to travel abroad just to attend a concert.
What starts as a ticket purchase often becomes an entire holiday.
The trend extends beyond music. Major sporting events, Formula 1 races, international football tournaments, and cultural showcases such as the Venice Biennale or Art Basel are increasingly driving travel decisions.
Even the venues themselves have become attractions, from the Sphere in Las Vegas to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.
More than a getaway
For many travelers in 2026, the question is no longer "Where should I go?"
It's "What do I want to experience?"
Whether it's chasing wellness, learning a new skill, running a marathon, photographing the stars or flying abroad to see a favorite artist, travel is increasingly becoming an investment in personal experiences rather than simply a break from everyday life.
And for Cypriots, who are among Europe's most frequent flyers thanks to the island's reliance on air travel, these new trends are reshaping not just where people go but why they go in the first place.
