Unexpected European destination tops 2026 trend report

A surprising destination is inspiring next year's holidays, and it's just the latest twist in a growing trend for coolcations.

While most travellers associate sun, beaches and heat with a break away, a growing move towards heading to cooler climates has been seen a boom over the past few years.

And now the ultimate 'coolcation' has been crowned one of the top travel trends by website, Pinterest.

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Searches for 'Scotland highlands aesthetic' have boomed by 465 per cent, according to the Pinterest Predicts 2026 Report.

Think mountainous landscapes shrouded in mist, tartan-clad heroes, steam trains chugging across viaducts, standing stones and castles.

And the Highlands certainly ticks the 'cold' box, with average temperatures just 17 degrees in the summer and what locals call 'dreich' (cold and wet) days common.

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And while Harry Potter's Hogwarts is famously inspired by Scotland, more TV shows have likely infiltrated everyone's travel dreams.

Outlander, the romantic time-travelling drama starring Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan, set in the Highlands, likely has travellers dreaming of finding their true love in the wilds of Scotland.

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And the standing stones in the show may not be real, but next year you can go to a new visitors centre at the Standing Stones of Calanais, which inspired them.

The renowned Neolithic monument on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, is "known for evoking a powerful, mysterious, and atmospheric feeling in visitors" tourism bosses say.

In fact, Visit Britain has a whole marketing campaign based around 'set jetting' to see places TV shows and films were made.

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Another TV show, hit reality game The Traitors, which has UK and American versions, was filmed in a Scottish castle.

Its influence is also likely being felt in the travel dreams of millions around the world.

Then there's the cult romantic fantasy books such as A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, which are set within mysterious mountainous worlds.

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Indeed adding another dose of popularity to moody holidays is the rise of what booking.com has called 'romantasy retreats' - a blend of romance and fantasy.

It says "enchanted castles, mystical forests, medieval banquets and masquerade balls set the stage for otherworldly romantasy retreats," adding it found seven in ten travellers would be interested in visiting a place inspired by those vibes.

Alaska, Norway and Canada are other popular coolcation spots on the up.

But you don't have to fly that far, though, to embrace it.

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This winter Sydney was billed as the perfect 'colocation' capital by tourism bosses.

The popular Vivid festival is among the attractions to see in the coldest months.

Tasmania, with floating saunas and old stone pubs is another obvious Aussie choice.

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Nearly 30 per cent of Aussies want to travel for sport

Other travel trends on the up, Pinterest found, is the continuing popularity of travelling for sport, such as to see motor racing.

Football is also a top sport to see on holiday

That's only set to rise with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

There's also the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy just weeks away.

Taking part in sports such as white water rafting is also part of a boom in what they dubbed 'darecations.'