Feeling the January slump? :airplane: Discover the top 10 cheapest travel destinations for 2026, with return flights starting from just £44! According to Skyscanner's latest research, Lyon, France takes the crown as the most affordable getaway this year — with average flights costing just £1…
If you're dreaming of a family beach vacation, road trip or national park adventure in 2026, you’re right on trend. A growing sense of nostalgia and a desire to slow down will shape how families travel, along with trips inspired by favorite TV shows, books, and movies. And if a big getaway isn’t in the cards, you’re not alone. Shorter trips are set to play an outsized role in 2026 as well.
Photos of 2026 New Year's celebrations around the globe
People pose for pictures near illuminated decorations on New Year's Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Mumbai, India.
Rafiq Maqbool, Associated Press
Fireworks explode Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand.
Sakchai Lalit, Associated Press
People cheer during the 2026 Taipei New Year's Party celebration Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in front of the Taipei City Government Building in Taipei, Taiwan.
ChiangYing-ying, Associated Press
Fireworks burst over the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the New Year celebrations in Sydney, Australia.
Rick Rycroft, Associated Press
Revelers ring in the new year early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China.
Ng Han Guan, Associated Press
Fireworks explode from the Taipei 101 building Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during the New Year's celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan.
ChiangYing-ying, Associated Press
People strike a giant bell minutes after midnight Thursday Jan. 1, 2026, to celebrate the New Year at the Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press
People gather Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, before the New Year's countdown event in front of the Bosingak pavilion, where the annual New Year's bell-ringing ceremony is held, in Seoul, South Korea.
Lee Jin-man, Associated Press
People attend the New Year countdown event Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, to celebrate the start of 2026 in the Central district of Hong Kong.
Chan Long Hei, Associated Press
People burn old resolutions to mark the New Year minutes after midnight Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Zojoji Buddhist temple in Tokyo.
Eugene Hoshiko, Associated Press
Performers ring in the new year early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, at the Juyongguan Great Wall on the outskirts of Beijing, China.
Ng Han Guan, Associated Press
Fireworks are launched Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, above the My Dinh national stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.
Huy Han, Associated Press
Revelers use their smartphones to film falling balloons and confetti early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, during a New Year countdown event at a shopping mall in Beijing.
Andy Wong, Associated Press
A man sits on a cliff Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Beirut, Lebanon, as the country's last sunset of 2025 is seen over the Mediterranean Sea.
Hassan Ammar, Associated Press
People ride a chair carousel Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, at the Christmas fair on the Red Square on New Year's Eve in Moscow, Russia.
Pavel Bednyakov, Associated Press
Drones light up the night sky early Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, to celebrate the New Year in Busan, South Korea.
Kang Sun-bae, Yonhap
Pope Leo XIV waves after a moment of prayer Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in front of the nativity scene that adorns St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.
Andrew Medichini, Associated Press
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
