Need to journey higher in 2026? Join with native communities and clap eyes on this 12 months’s complete photo voltaic eclipse with Intrepid’s new adventures in Europe.
Trails that lace by way of lesser-trodden mountains and journeys that go to once-neglected monasteries in pressing want of preservation are simply a number of the highlights of Intrepid’s new and up to date Europe journeys for 2026. However whereas journey is the through-line that hyperlinks all these numerous departures, there are nonetheless surprises to be discovered within the type of first-time journeys to the Faroes, Arctic cruises to witness uncommon celestial phenomena and weird household holidays that encourage you to ditch the all-inclusives in favour of offbeat experiences on the shores of Greece and the far-flung forests of Finland.
1. Marvel on the complete photo voltaic eclipse from a polar ship
Few folks can declare to have seen a complete photo voltaic eclipse – a lot much less from aboard an Arctic ship (with a sauna, two Jacuzzis and a fleet of Zodiacs to whisk you off for on-land excursions). Sure, the Iceland to Greenland: Whole Photo voltaic Eclipse in Depth actually earns the appropriate to be labelled ‘as soon as in a lifetime’. Setting off from Reykjavik, you’ll head in the direction of Greenland by way of iceberg-dotted fjords and distant villages, arriving at Scoresby Sound – a big fjord system of the Greenland Sea – on the level of totality (12 August 2026). Contemplating the final complete photo voltaic eclipse north of the Arctic Circle was in 2015, this actually is a date on your diary. All through, you’ll be accompanied by a world-renowned writer and eclipse professional, Michael Zeiler.
2. See the Balkans’ lesser-known corners in type
On the lookout for an up-and-coming vacation spot for 2026? Why not soak up two on Intrepid’s new Premium Montenegro and Albania journey. You’ll uncover the dashing duo with the assistance of professional guides and genuine experiences. Specifically, in Albania, you’ll go to the once-outlawed Orthodox monasteries of the Drino Valley, deserted within the Nineteen Sixties after the communist authorities refused to recognise these non secular establishments, relegating them to an period of disrepair. Having lately been added to the World Monuments Watch, it’s by no means been extra essential to assist the preservation and safety of those non secular refuges. In Montenegro, you’ll additionally get a unique perspective on the Bay of Kotor by way of a scenic boat journey.
Learn extra: 26 completely new Intrepid journeys and experiences
3. Step right into a silver-screen journey on the Faroe Islands
The cinematic landscapes of the Faroe Islands belong on the large display screen (certainly, Tips on how to Prepare Your Dragon and Bond movie No Time to Die each used the islands as their backdrop). This 12 months, Intrepid is bringing all of the drama of the archipelago to you for the primary time. On the brand new Discover Faroe Islands journey, you’ll admire the grass-roofed homes of Torshavn – one of many world’s smallest capitals – earlier than venturing out to the 100-house seaside settlement of Gjogv and the dual sea stacks of Risin og Kellingin. Boat excursions of Bordoy island and Bond-featured Kalsoy will launch one other dramatic day that ends with a slice of heimablidni (residence hospitality) on a 16th-century Faroese farmstead.
4. Glamp with the youngsters in Greece
Intrepid’s new Greece Household Vacation is a group-gathering Greek getaway with a distinction. First up, ditch the all-inclusive and deal with the youngsters (and yourselves) to a dose of tradition, strolling amid the traditional ruins of Delphi and Olympia – residence to the primary Olympic Video games. Subsequent, a spotlight is certain to be the prospect to unwind with three days’ glamping in lovely bell tents beside the coastal village of Galatas. Primarily based on a household owned eco farm (with an all-important swimming pool), you’ll keep only a five-minute boat switch from the dual islands of Poros (famend for his or her lamb, olive groves and whitewashed homes), with ample unplanned time for swimming, kayaking and cooking Greek meals collectively.
5. Recognize ‘friluftsliv’ (open-air life) in a Norwegian cabin
Norwegians’ peaceable way of life is based upon ‘friluftsliv’ – a profound reference to the pure world. On this new Norway: Hike, Bike & Kayak journey, you’ll really feel these advantages for your self by holidaying, Norwegian-style, in a collection of scenic cabins. Some nights, you’ll sleep beside by a glacial river in Loen, within the shadow of the mighty Mount Skala (one in all Norway’s highest peaks); others will likely be spent bedding down in Gudvangen, between steep cliffs and deep fjords. Daytime actions embrace kayaking journeys on the Naeroyfjord, bike adventures previous the small farms of Flam and hikes amid the Ice Age panorama of the Briksdal glacier.
6. Scale Albania’s legendary Accursed Mountains
Up for a problem? The brand new Hike the Albanian Alps journey is an epic, eight-day journey among the many mist-wreathed peaks and plunging, pine-filled valleys of the Accursed Mountains (or Albanian Alps), protecting as much as 18km per day. This consists of the route from Theth to Valbona by way of two nationwide parks the place, since there’s no highway connecting these two villages, the one approach to get from one to the opposite is by foot. Remoteness alongside the route is what makes this journey memorable – at occasions, you’ll need to remind your self you’re in Europe in any case.
7. Get hands-on with crafts and cooking in Finland
Finland is formally the world’s happiest nation, in keeping with the newest World Happiness Report – maybe as a result of they spend extra time in saunas than on screens. The Finland Household Vacation entices everybody to lookup and admire nature, with time for forest bathing (and tree hugging) amid the matchstick pines of Halipuu. Along with all that point open air, there’s additionally a brand new hands-on cultural expertise close to Rovaniemi, the place you’ll go to a neighborhood household on their Lappish farm to strive the craft of felting utilizing wool from their very own sheep. You’ll additionally bake conventional kampanisu pastries and calm down, Nordic-style, round an open hearth.
Learn extra: Take a master-led calligraphy class in Tunisia
8. Immerse your self within the drama of Iceland
Street-trippers love Iceland for the Ring Street, a round freeway that loops across the island’s predominant sights. However you actually you might want to get out of the automotive to really feel the panorama’s visceral power. On Intrepid’s new Iceland: Hike, Bike, & Raft journey, you’ll take within the trio of pure sights that makes up the Golden Circle (Thingvellir Nationwide Park, the Geysir Geothermal Space and Gullfoss waterfall), earlier than mountaineering alongside (and swimming in) the Reykjadalur thermal river. There’ll even be a hike to south Iceland’s lesser-known Nauthusagil Canyon and a sea kayaking journey from the fishing village of Stokkesyri. However the spotlight will certainly be a scenic coastal cycle across the Westman Islands, recognizing puffins nesting amid hovering sea cliffs.
9. Assist younger folks with disabilities within the Balkans
The Balkan nations have the sunny climate and cultural attracts of southern Europe – however with out the crowds. Intrepid’s Discover the Balkans journey provides a tantalising style of the area, zipping by way of Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Croatia over ten days. New for 2026, you’ll go to Zvuci Srca cafe in Belgrade, which gives alternatives to younger folks with developmental disabilities and their households, in an effort to reverse the statistical actuality that solely 13% of Serbia’s disabled neighborhood are employed.
10. Weave your personal piece of historical past in Scotland
The Premium Scotland tour guarantees a very ‘braw’ time, with stays in sensible accommodations akin to Aberdeenshire’s 13th-century Meldrum Home, distillery tastings alongside the Speyside Whisky Path and expert-led excursions of Edinburgh and Glasgow. This 12 months, Intrepid has additionally added two new experiences. In Stirling, you’ll create your personal tartan at a neighborhood workshop led by Radical Weavers and over on the Isle of Skye, you’ll spend a full day visiting pure landmarks, together with the Outdated Man of Storr mountain and the shiny, green-coned hills of Fairy Glen, on the Trotternish peninsula.
11. Write your personal Transylvanian story in Romania
There’s way more to Transylvania than vampires. Although this new Mountaineering in Romania: By way of Transilvanica Path does embrace a go to to Bran Fort (claimed to have been the inspiration behind Dracula’s citadel), you’ll even be venturing deep into the Carpathian Mountains on the Transilvanica path – an historic long-distance route, maintained by Intrepid Basis companion, the Tasuleasa Social Affiliation. Stops alongside the path will embrace visits to such curiosities because the Sucevita Monastery (one in all eight painted church buildings within the Bucovina area listed by UNESCO), in addition to small mountain villages.
Learn extra: 13 new energetic journeys and experiences
12. Assist Spanish neighborhood tourism in Andalucia
With stories of overtourism and protests in Spain grabbing the headlines, it’s by no means been extra essential to journey responsibly. The Highlights of Andalucia journey goes past the large sights and dives deep into Spanish tradition, with a flamenco class in Seville and a tapas-tasting tour in Granada. New for 2026, you’ll additionally discover the Granada Geopark in a 4WD – one in all Spain’s 18 UNESCO-protected geoparks, designated for his or her geological curiosity (to not point out their camera-summoning surroundings), the place you’ll sleep in a century-old cave resort, nonetheless owned by the unique farming household who first lived right here.
13. Meet inventive communities in Greece and Turkey
Athens and Istanbul are two of the world’s nice cultural cities – however on the brand new Greece & Turkey Journey: Athens to Istanbul journey, you’ll uncover not solely these must-see stops, but additionally the agricultural communities that join them. Within the mountains past the lesser-visited Greek metropolis of Xanthi, you’ll meet an organisation of ladies creating homewares and equipment in conventional kinds. Veering off the overwhelmed path additional nonetheless, you’ll get to style espresso and pies made by the ladies of north-eastern Greece’s Pomak neighborhood of Bulgarian-speaking Muslims within the village of Pachni.
Discover out what else is new for 2026 with The Items – a group of latest journeys and experiences to encourage a 12 months of journey.
