Responsible travel specialist G Adventures has introduced the new Travel your heart out: Happiness List 2026, informed by global consumer research that looks beyond where people should go, and instead focuses on the experiences and moments that spark happiness, purpose and fulfilment.
The findings reveal that travel can be a huge driver of long-term happiness and, for many travellers, it’s less about where they go, and more about the experience and how they feel.
And, 90% of Irish respondents agree travel contributes to their long-term happiness, and 76% report feeling happy in everyday life when they have a trip booked, compared to only 31% without a holiday on the horizon.
TRAVEL MOTIVATION
It’s not just where you go, but how you feel -Travellers across generations in Ireland are placing emotional fulfilment over ticking off famous sites. 64% saying they choose trips based on experiences over destinations, rising to 77% among 25–34 year olds, and 82% among adventure travellers, highlighting how purpose-driven travel is shaping a new era of exploration.
The desire to feel something – awe, wonder, joy, connection – is outpacing the urge to simply “see” something.
The power of connection and belonging – The study reveals that quality time with loved ones and joyful shared memories are the strongest contributors to happiness when travelling. 58% said time with family or a partner made them happiest on a past trip.
Purpose-driven travel and understanding your place in the world – G Adventures believes that travel can drive understanding, overcome fear and be the fastest path to peace. 81% of travellers surveyed say travel makes them more understanding and empathetic of other cultures and 67% say being part of a community is important to them, while 78% say it helps them better understand themselves and their purpose – a sentiment strongest among 25–34 year olds (81%).
Ethical travel is also a growing priority. 80% say they are thoughtful about who they travel with and their ethics, and 75% avoid experiences that don’t support the ethical treatment of animals. 81% say that it’s important to them to avoid overcrowded destinations and opt for more off-the-beaten track options or off-peak times of yea9.
Decompressing, disconnecting, and finding wonder – In an always-on world, the results show travellers are craving time to pause and breathe. 69% say they feel happier with longer holidays (two weeks or more), and 66% want to relax and de-stress, particularly 75+ year olds (74%).
But it’s not just rest they’re seeking. 43% say they want to be active and explore on holiday, and 40% want to feel a sense of wonder. Many find that happiness in open, untamed landscapes, with 43% of respondents who put very remote destinations in their top 3 places ranking it as their top happiness driver and 30% representing the same for mountain environments.
This growing appetite for balance, between activity and stillness, connection and solitude, reflects a new emotional dimension to travel: one that prioritises presence and perspective as much as escape.
Not just a break, but a breakthrough – Supporting G Adventures’ belief that travel should be a breakthrough, 36% of travelers surveyed are seeking a trip that offers the notion of something ‘new’ and ‘different’ to their everyday lives, along with the desire to learn about how people in other parts of the world live. 46% said they wanted a trip to help them feel alive and energised.
Going local – Modern travelers want to experience life like a local, not a visitor. 59% prefer trips that allow them to live like a local, and 87% value staying and eating in locally owned places – supporting communities while getting closer to the heart of a destination. Sustainability is front of mind too: 64% actively consider reducing their carbon footprint through rail or public transport.
Taste the destination – We’ve all heard the age-old saying ‘The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach’ and travellers seem to agree. 22% of travelers surveyed ranked ‘experiencing different foods and drinks to those I have at home’ as one of their top three drivers of happiness when travelling, with travelers aged 18-24 being the most likely to rank this as their number 1 if it is in their top 3 (33%).
THE TRAVEL YOUR HEART OUT HAPPINESS LIST
So, where and when are travelers truly their happiest selves? The data reveals that beachy bliss, city exploration, ocean escapes, sampling foods and drinks different to those at home and experiencing the culture of a destination top the global happiness chart. Based on the findings, G Adventures is on a mission to make 2026 the happiest travel year yet. The experts at G Adventures have selected 10 new travel experiences based on where travelers say they feel happiest and what motivates them to travel. These trips are guaranteed to leave travelers with smiles on their faces, a full heart, a renewed sense of community and the knowledge that they will leave the world a better place than when they found it.
- BEACH TIME IN PANAMA: Beach time topped the happiness chart, with city exploration close behind when travelers were asked what made them happiest when travelling and this brand new 18-to-Thirtysomethings trip perfectly balances both. Young travelers start in vibrant Panama City, soaking up its dynamic mix of history and modern energy before heading off-grid to the San Blas Islands, where Indigenous-owned accommodations offer a rare chance to disconnect from screens and reconnect with life’s simple pleasures. With turquoise waters, traditional huts and boat trips between islands, happiness comes easily as travelers get into the rhythm of island life.
The six-day Panama: Sandy Beaches and San Blas Islands starts from €779.
- EXPLORING NEW CITIES IN THE STANS: New cities, longer journeys, historical immersion, natural beauty and destinations that are far beyond the ordinary – this new 23-day journey through The Stans as part of the National Geographic Journeys with G Adventures collection ticks all the happiness boxes. From wandering the ancient streets of Khiva, Samarkand and Bukhara, to marvelling at natural wonders like Kaindy Lake’s sunken forest and the red rock cliffs of Charyn Canyon, this this region, shaped for centuries by the Silk Road trade, invites a deep sense of wonder, belonging and global connection, leaving travelers more in tune with the world – and themselves.
The new 23-day Journeys: Echoes of the Silk Road starts from €6,749.
- ON THE OCEAN IN THE ARCTIC: Remote landscapes and time on the water were among the biggest happiness boosters, and there’s nowhere more profound to experience both than the Arctic. Aboard the new G Expedition, the newly-launched Arctic Expeditions offer close encounters with icebergs and glaciers, robust wildlife policies and the opportunity to disconnect in this remote region. Plus, with David Attenborough’s new Frozen Planet available now, travelers can fill up their happiness bucket while they wait for their trip of a lifetime.
The 11- day Realm of the Polar Bear starts from €6349
- EXPERIENCING NEW FOODS AND WINES IN MOLDOVA: For those who find happiness in the joy of new foods and beverages on the road, this new seven-day Moldova trip is a true celebration of culture through cuisine. Travelers will explore underground wine cellars sampling the largest collection of exclusive wines in the country, join locals making traditional dishes and visit an eco-friendly cheese factory in a converted school. It’s about so much more than new flavours; every meal tells a story and every shared table builds a friendship in this often overlooked European gem.
The new seven-day Moldova Discovery starts from €1299.
- SLOW DOWN, AVOID THE HOTSPOTS AND EXPERIENCE THE CULTURE OF A DESTINATION LIKE A LOCAL: In a world that’s always rushing, time to slow down, skip the obvious and uncover some of the world’s most interesting places is what many travelers seek most. And that’s the idea behind G Adventures’ three new Local Living trips in France, Morocco, and Iceland. Designed to bypass crowded tourist hotspots and support tourism dispersal, the Local Living collection encourages travelers to stay longer in fewer places, using local transportation, family-run accommodations, and community experiences, creating happiness through genuine human connection. Settling into a destination like locals, travelers will stay in guesthouses or homes, dine in local restaurants and spend time with members of the community. From a week spent in the High Atlas mountains in a family-run B&B, meeting local artisans, planting trees alongside villagers and hiking with local shepherds, to a remote hamlet stay in East Iceland, relaxing in geothermal pools, meeting quirky wildlife and warm-hearted locals and wandering coastal trails to sites of Icelandic folklore and spiritual tradition, these trips are about connection to the land, the locals and a lifestyle that embodies finding joy in the simple way of life.
The new six-day Local Living Iceland – Bakkagerdi trip starts from €1899
- A SENSE OF WONDER – ‘ECLIPSE OF THE CENTURY’ IN EGYPT AND MOROCCO: Few experiences evoke awe like a total solar eclipse and, in August 2027, travelers can witness six unforgettable minutes of celestial magic as the moon blocks the sun for the longest land-based time in decades. G Adventures has launched five new eclipse trips in Egypt and Morocco, offering nearly 400 travelers VIP access to eclipse viewing in prime path of totality locations, including from the deck of a boat on the Nile in Egypt and an exclusive viewing party in Chefchaouen, Morocco. Blending ancient wonders with a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic event, these trips are a must-have on the happiness list.
The nine-day Morocco Eclipse 2027: Wonders of the Earth and Sky trip starts from €3079
- CONNECTING WITH FAMILY IN ECUADOR: Over half of travelers surveyed said time with family made them happiest on a past trip and this new National Geographic Family Journey to Ecuador is sure to deliver treasured family memories. From chocolate tasting and rainforest hikes to stays in jungle lodges, families will deepen their connection with the world, and each other on this nine-day adventure. Bonding over discovery and adventure, families will learn about nature, history and Indigenous traditions, with plenty of interactive and adventurous activities for all ages to be enjoyed together.
The nine-day Ecuador Family Journey: Volcanoes and The Amazon starts from €2559
- SUPPORTING WILDLIFE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: Ethical travel and supporting wildlife emerged as key considerations for travellers when surveyed and this trip delivers both in abundance. Travellers will witness Africa’s most iconic wildlife in their natural habitats while discovering the vital role even the smallest species play in the ecosystem. Venture into the wild heart of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, learn what it takes to be a guide in South Africa’s legendary Kruger conservancy, and unwind amid the sophistication of the Cape Winelands – a guaranteed ticket to purpose-driven happiness.
The 17-day Geluxe Southern Africa: Kruger, Victoria Falls & Zimbabwe National Parks starts from €9499
- DE-STRESS AND RELAX WITH SRI LANKA SAILING: Gentle rocking waves, sleeping under the stars, swimming in clear blue waters, enjoying fresh local dishes prepared by an on-board chef and watching the sunset over the ocean; it doesn’t get much more relaxing than this. Sailing Sri Lanka: South Coast starts departures this month, and offers travelers the opportunity to sail along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline, exploring remote beach towns, fishing villages and historic sites, along with plenty of time for swimming, surfing or just relaxing on the deck of the 54-foot catamaran, watching dolphins and blue whales in the water below.
The seven-day Sailing Sri Lanka South Coast trip starts from €1519.
- FEEL ALIVE AND ENERGIZED IN GUATEMALA: Sometimes a solo trip is just the thing to wake up the senses and remember just how big, diverse, welcoming and exciting the world can be. On the brand new Solo-ish Guatemala trip, travelers will experience the thrill of discovery while learning to make traditional Guatemalan dishes, exploring the ancient ruins of Tikal and visiting local Indigenous villages where they will have the opportunity to browse artisan markets. And, because it’s part of G Adventures’ Solo-ish style of trips, this trip balances independence and community, offering a journey that recharges the spirit, offers community and friendship and celebrates the joy of self-discovery.
This nine-day Solo-ish Guatemala starts from €1299.
