The way experienced travelers book their trips is changing fast. Anyone still planning the way they did ten years ago risks shoulder-to-shoulder queues at famous sights, towns that have shut up shop for the season, and adventures they wish they had never signed up for.
Tailor-made tour operator Audley Travel has revealed the trends shaping how its premium clients will travel in 2027. Some of them are genuinely exciting. Others come with trade-offs that travelers over 50 need to understand before they hand over a deposit.
Trips Are Now Planned Around Feelings, Not Just Sights
Audley’s specialists report that more clients now start by explaining how they want to feel on a trip, rather than simply listing what they want to see.
Alex Bentley, Head of Product at Audley Travel, links this to a world that has become more connected yet more disconnected. He points out that while AI can supply information, it cannot understand what an experience actually feels like.
That matters for anyone tempted to let a chatbot build their next itinerary. A plan that looks perfect on screen can turn out exhausting, rushed or flat in reality, and there is no refund for a wasted week.
The Adrenaline Trips That Split Travelers Down the Middle
One of the more surprising trends is a rise in experiences people either love or refuse outright. Audley says clients give an instant yes or no when these are suggested.
The examples are not for the faint-hearted. They include crossing the Drake Passage on the way to Antarctica, a stretch of ocean known for rough seas. There is also the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China, the steep and narrow rocky trail of Angels Landing in Utah’s Zion National Park, and the cramped, claustrophobic Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City.
For travelers over 50, the risks are personal rather than headline-grabbing. Severe seasickness, vertigo, knee strain on steep descents and panic in tight spaces can turn a dream trip into a miserable one.
None of this means these experiences are off-limits. It means an honest look at fitness, balance and medical history is essential, along with a check that travel insurance covers the activity in question.
The Famous Hotspots Travelers Are Now Avoiding
Rising visitor numbers at the world’s best-known destinations are pushing travelers toward places offering similar experiences with far fewer people, and often a more authentic feel.
In Sri Lanka, that means swapping the Cultural Triangle for small rural properties, typically with fewer than ten rooms, on tea estates and in national parks and rainforests. In Japan, travelers are choosing the peaks and gorges of the Iya Valley on Shikoku over the Japanese Alps. In China, Shangri-La and Tiger Leaping Gorge are replacing the heavily visited Guilin and Yangshuo area.
French Polynesia is seeing interest in lesser-visited islands such as Tikehau, prized for its views of the Milky Way, along with the remote Marquesas and the Austral Islands. Aranui’s new ship, Aranoa, makes its maiden voyage to the Austral Islands in the spring. These islands see roughly 100 visitors a year.
The same thinking applies between countries. South Korea is drawing travelers for cherry blossoms and fall colors instead of Japan, while Croatia is being chosen as an alternative to Italy for weather, history, culture and food.
The catch with remote destinations is distance from help. Fewer visitors usually means fewer services, limited medical facilities and longer journeys if something goes wrong. Anyone with a health condition should ask detailed questions before booking.
Family Trips Are Being Split Into Chapters
Multi-generational travel can strain even close families when everyone wants something different. Audley’s answer for 2027 is building in days where family members break away to follow their own interests.
In Sri Lanka, one person might hike with a local guide while the rest take a city tour. In Cairo, one family member could explore Coptic Cairo while the others join a food tour, each with expert local guides.
It is a smart way to avoid the simmering resentment that comes from one person dragging everyone else along to things they never wanted to do.
Slow Travel Is Getting Even Slower
Slow travel is no longer just about spending longer in fewer places. Audley is seeing demand for experiences that are themselves slowed down.
Examples include a walking safari to look for polar bears in northern Manitoba rather than flying over, and exploring the coastlines of Japan or Vietnam by cruise, with sea days for rest and port days for culture. In Europe, walking and hiking itineraries in Spain and Portugal are growing, with the Camino proving especially popular.
Slow does not mean easy, however. Long walking days add up, and travelers who overestimate their stamina can find themselves struggling far from the nearest town.
Off-Season Travel Comes With a Catch
Crowds are pushing more travelers to book outside peak season and accept the compromises that come with it.
Switzerland in November may bring less reliable weather, but the panoramic Bernina Express and Treno Gottardo run all year and carriages are far less packed.
In Canada, bear watching in May or October can mean local restaurants and attractions have not opened for the season or have already closed. The reward is fewer people and, in May, the chance to see cubs freshly out of hibernation.
The risk is arriving unprepared. Without research, an off-season trip can mean limited dining options, reduced transport and shuttered attractions in the very town that was meant to be the base.
After Dark Is Becoming Prime Time
Alongside continued demand for solar eclipses and the northern lights, Audley reports a rise in evening experiences built around light.
These include firefly encounters in Ubud, Cambodian temples seen by torchlight, and a drone show at Uluru telling the story of the Anangu people, the traditional custodians of the land.
Night experiences are magical but bring their own hazards. Uneven ground, steps and poor visibility are worth considering for anyone with mobility or eyesight concerns. A good flashlight and sturdy shoes make a real difference.
Going Back, This Time by Water
The final trend is what Audley calls boomerang cruising, where travelers return to a destination they loved and explore it further by boat. Examples include the rivers of Assam in India and Australia’s Kimberley region.
Sean Atton, Global Head of Cruise at Audley Travel, explains that the first land trip sparks the interest, and a cruise on the return visit reaches places that are hard to get to while still leaving time for the land experiences clients enjoyed first time around.
What This Means for Your Next Trip
These trends point to a smarter, more personal way of traveling, but only for those who plan carefully. Before booking for 2027:
- Be honest about your limits. Seasickness, vertigo and claustrophobia are reasons to skip an experience, not push through it.
- Check your insurance. Confirm that adventurous activities and remote destinations are covered.
- Research off-season closures. Find out exactly what will be open before committing to a quieter month.
- Ask about medical access. In remote areas, know how far the nearest hospital is.
- Use human expertise. A specialist who has been there can tell you how a place will feel, not just what it contains.
The trends in this article are drawn from 2027 travel trends research published by Audley Travel.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.