Such a great read. I’ve tried to be much more intentional with where I go this year, leaning into slow, mindful travel more than ever. I love the idea of a live drawing retreat! I’ll have to look into that..
Thanks, Evelyn! Slow travel is key to avoiding burnout - and considering what's really aligned with your values rather than tourist checklists. The life drawing in Florence was wonderful. Hope you're enjoying your travels!
Such a good post. I lean towards travel in the stars and the book one.. I’m climbing Cotopaxi in Ecuador in Feb and I legit checked my Astro chart to see if it aligned. I’m balancing that very physical trip with other trips that allow me to read and relax in an alpine scenery
Love this, Claire — “whycations” might be my new favorite word. We’ve spent the past year slow-traveling one month at a time, and our “why” has shifted with each place — from curiosity to belonging to rest. The destination changes, but the intention deepens. -Kelly
Love this! Being intentional about where *we* want to go rather than being influenced by the algorithm leaves space to really appreciate a place and a culture. Here’s to more thoughtful and meaningful travel!
These trends seem spot on in terms of how I'm planning my travels for 2026 🤯 Planning trips around my astrocartology and more on the feeling I want to have/ what I want to achieve rather than a bucket-list place.
What I love here is how Claire reframes travel as a return to essence — not another form of consumption, but a pilgrimage of purpose. Each trend she lists points to the same hunger: to matter again, to feel aligned, to rejoin a human rhythm that the algorithm can’t chart.
The seven currents shaping this new era of whycations say it all:
1️⃣ Purpose over place — traveling not to escape, but to restore.
2️⃣ Hotels with a past — sleeping where stories still echo.
3️⃣ Testing relationships through travel — finding out who we are when the itinerary falters.
4️⃣ Retreat into a good book — trading the noise of productivity for the quiet rebellion of reading.
5️⃣ Travel written in the stars — aligning movement with meaning, guided by the cosmos.
6️⃣ Farm stays for rural escape — remembering the body through the work of the hands.
7️⃣ Road trips return — reclaiming spontaneity, one unplanned turn at a time.
Together, they sketch a world where travel becomes less about the passport stamp and more about spiritual coordinates — the inner landscapes we hope to navigate along the way.
Maybe 2026 won’t just be the year of whycations. Maybe it’s the year travel finally comes home — not to geography, but to intention.
Love this and can very much relate as I lost my job and need to really prioritize travel!! I’ve been thinking a lot more about why I want to travel and what my goals are for each trip and it has definitely changed some of my destination priorities!
This was a really interesting read. I feel like the 'whycation' should be the standard, not just a trend.
Hunting destinations is not sustainable - neither for the environment nor for oneself. The big question is WHY do we want to see a specific place? Is it because of a pretty picture on Instagram? Or do we actually want to experience a new place, its history, culture and people? Gain a new perspective? Or create space to reconnect with our passions? I believe it all brings us back to slow travel. Why give our already stressed minds another itinerary to rush through, without enjoying the little things?
Create space to breathe. Enjoy the small moments that make travel memorable. If we just work through a list of destinations and things to do, we might be able to say that 'we've been there', but won't return with the same feeling of deep fulfillment that comes from knowing and pursuing your 'why'.
Absolutely, Theresa! There are so many travel opportunities out there it's about finding those that align with our values rather than ticking off a list.
Such a great read. I’ve tried to be much more intentional with where I go this year, leaning into slow, mindful travel more than ever. I love the idea of a live drawing retreat! I’ll have to look into that..
Thanks, Evelyn! Slow travel is key to avoiding burnout - and considering what's really aligned with your values rather than tourist checklists. The life drawing in Florence was wonderful. Hope you're enjoying your travels!
Such a good post. I lean towards travel in the stars and the book one.. I’m climbing Cotopaxi in Ecuador in Feb and I legit checked my Astro chart to see if it aligned. I’m balancing that very physical trip with other trips that allow me to read and relax in an alpine scenery
Oh wow Haley, that sounds absolutely perfect. Have an amazing time!
For farm stays, coffee tours could be an idea. Especially farms that offer the entire experience from plant to processing, to roasting to brewing.
Absolutely! I did a coffee tour in Bali and loved it.
Oooo I love these points. I’ve been thinking about this for my next trip abroad . Still not sure where but this is helpful.
Glad to hear that - happy travel planning, Diana!
Bringing intentionality to vacations!
Yes! Every time. Thanks for your comment!
Love this, Claire — “whycations” might be my new favorite word. We’ve spent the past year slow-traveling one month at a time, and our “why” has shifted with each place — from curiosity to belonging to rest. The destination changes, but the intention deepens. -Kelly
Yes, Kelly! That sounds amazing.
Love this! Being intentional about where *we* want to go rather than being influenced by the algorithm leaves space to really appreciate a place and a culture. Here’s to more thoughtful and meaningful travel!
Absolutely - thanks, Jade!
These trends seem spot on in terms of how I'm planning my travels for 2026 🤯 Planning trips around my astrocartology and more on the feeling I want to have/ what I want to achieve rather than a bucket-list place.
That's so cool! I think a lot of us are feeling this way.
What I love here is how Claire reframes travel as a return to essence — not another form of consumption, but a pilgrimage of purpose. Each trend she lists points to the same hunger: to matter again, to feel aligned, to rejoin a human rhythm that the algorithm can’t chart.
The seven currents shaping this new era of whycations say it all:
1️⃣ Purpose over place — traveling not to escape, but to restore.
2️⃣ Hotels with a past — sleeping where stories still echo.
3️⃣ Testing relationships through travel — finding out who we are when the itinerary falters.
4️⃣ Retreat into a good book — trading the noise of productivity for the quiet rebellion of reading.
5️⃣ Travel written in the stars — aligning movement with meaning, guided by the cosmos.
6️⃣ Farm stays for rural escape — remembering the body through the work of the hands.
7️⃣ Road trips return — reclaiming spontaneity, one unplanned turn at a time.
Together, they sketch a world where travel becomes less about the passport stamp and more about spiritual coordinates — the inner landscapes we hope to navigate along the way.
Maybe 2026 won’t just be the year of whycations. Maybe it’s the year travel finally comes home — not to geography, but to intention.
Love this and can very much relate as I lost my job and need to really prioritize travel!! I’ve been thinking a lot more about why I want to travel and what my goals are for each trip and it has definitely changed some of my destination priorities!
Thanks Stephanie and sorry to hear you lost your job, that sucks. It sounds like you have exciting travel plans!
Travel plans that can only take shape when I start a new job 😆😆 but yes lots of dreaming over here!
What a fun post! So much to think about as plans emerge for everyone as the new year approaches. Gracias!
My pleasure! 🙏
This was a really interesting read. I feel like the 'whycation' should be the standard, not just a trend.
Hunting destinations is not sustainable - neither for the environment nor for oneself. The big question is WHY do we want to see a specific place? Is it because of a pretty picture on Instagram? Or do we actually want to experience a new place, its history, culture and people? Gain a new perspective? Or create space to reconnect with our passions? I believe it all brings us back to slow travel. Why give our already stressed minds another itinerary to rush through, without enjoying the little things?
Create space to breathe. Enjoy the small moments that make travel memorable. If we just work through a list of destinations and things to do, we might be able to say that 'we've been there', but won't return with the same feeling of deep fulfillment that comes from knowing and pursuing your 'why'.
Absolutely, Theresa! There are so many travel opportunities out there it's about finding those that align with our values rather than ticking off a list.
Thanks, Dave!
I’m all for this — so refreshing. My newsletter focuses on the how. My latest post talks about the first step: identifying a theme to guide your trip.
I’d love to hear your thoughts and maybe explore collaborating on future content in this space. Cheers!