From key tourism developments and exciting new launches to much-awaited film releases and flight routes, World Expeditions and its two European brands, UTracks and Walkers' Britain & Europe, choose below the top destinations you should explore in 2026… and why. 

Italy's St Francis Way  
WHY: With Italy marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi on 3 October 2026, the milestone year makes it a profoundly special time to walk the St Francis Way, retracing the footsteps of one of Christianity's most venerated figures for a unique spiritual experience. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: St Francis Way: Rieti to Rome with UTracks follows the final section of the month-long pilgrim route inspired by the life of St Francis of Assisi; departs April-October, 8 days from £1,040 per person; more options available 

Nepal 
WHY: In 2026, Nepal will mark 75 years since opening its borders to foreign visitors. While climbers had been exploring Everest's north side since the 1920s, the south remained off-limits under the isolationist Rana regime until its fall in 1951, which launched the country's commercial tourism era. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Tick off the trip of a lifetime as you follow the historic route on the Everest Base Camp Trek in Comfort with World Expeditions and discover the benefits to local communities, environment and travellers; departs September-May, 17 days from £2,050 per person 

Uzbekistan 
WHY: Centrum Air's new direct flights from Manchester to Tashkent will make Uzbekistan easier to reach from next April. 2026 will also see the launch of a new high-speed train to Khiva, while the new Centre for Islamic Civilisation will be home to Uzbekistan's most sacred treasure, the Uthman Quran. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Uzbekistan by Bike with World Expeditions is a unique cultural journey on two wheels across the country's historic crossroads; departs in May and September, 15 days from £3,660 per person 

Northern England 
WHY: Northern England is set to shine in 2026, with the Lake District marking its 75th anniversary as a National Park, the Yorkshire Dales serving as the backdrop of the new 'Wuthering Heights' film and the Coast to Coast path launching as England's newest National Trail after major improvements. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: The longest option on Wainright's beloved path, the 20-day NEW! Coast to Coast Rambler Walk with Walkers' Britain & Europe makes it easier to spread the distance and walk at a slower pace; departs March-September, 20 days from £2,130 per person; more options available 

The Alps 
WHY: The majestic Alps are set to dominate the big screen in 2026 with two highly anticipated films – 'Switzerland', a sweeping drama starring Helen Mirren that was filmed on location and the reboot of the 1993 cult classic 'Cliffhanger', that was recently shot in the mountains of southern Austria. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Cycling dedicated bike paths and hiking peaceful alpine trails, Austrian Lakes Hike & Bike with UTracks is the perfect soft adventure in the Austrian Alps; departs May-October, 9 days from £1,180 per person 

Tibet 
WHY: In 2026, the 'kora' will take place during the Tibetan Year of the Horse, an auspicious time believed to multiply the spiritual merit of this sacred pilgrimage. Occurring only once every 12 years, it offers travellers a unique cultural and spiritual depth to their journey to Mount Kailash. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Journey to Mount Kailash with World Expeditions and join Tibetan pilgrims on the sacred 'kora' for a powerful spiritual journey steeped in centuries of tradition; departs in May, 18 days from £4,390 per person 

Ireland 
WHY: Reasons to return to the Emerald Isle in 2026 include exploring Dingle Peninsula, newly crowned 'Ireland's Greenest Place'; discovering new trails at the recently expanded Connemara National Park; and marking the 30th anniversary of the Sheep's Head Way, a hidden gem near Cork. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Revel in the wild beauty of Ireland's southwest corner as you are NEW! Walking in West Cork – The Sheep's Head Way with Walkers' Britain & Europe; departs April-October, 6 days from £650 per person 

Morocco 
WHY: Both British Airways and Jet2.com have announced new services to Morocco, which last year overtook Egypt to claim the top spot as Africa's most-visited destination. The nation will remain in the spotlight this winter as the host of the continent's biggest sport event, the Africa Cup of Nations. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Morocco Explorer with World Expeditions is a journey of discovery that reveals both iconic highlights and hidden gems, with locally guided insights and stays in traditional riads; departs April-December, 12 days from £1,690 per person 

Greece 
WHY: Greece is known for its archaeological sites – and with Crete's Minoan Palaces gaining UNESCO status, the upcoming opening of the Amphipolis tomb and the new star-studded 'Odyssey' film shot on location, 2026 is the year to discover – or rediscover – the country's long and storied past. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Walking along the ancient 'Skala of Delphi' footpath and exploring the trails beneath the awe-inspiring Meteora are among the highlight experiences on Ancient Greece on Foot with UTracks; departs March-October, 8 days from £880 per person 

Kyrgyzstan 
WHY: Known for its dramatic scenery, Kyrgyzstan is set to stand out in 2026 as the host of the VI World Nomad Games. In addition to a series of modern infrastructure investments, the Games will offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the living heritage of nomadic cultures. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Developed with experienced Kyrgyz guides and staying in traditional shepherds' yurts with nomadic families, the NEW! Kyrgyzstan Horse Trek with World Expeditions is one of the most authentic ways to experience Kyrgyzstan's traditions and dramatic scenery; departs July-August, 11 days from £2,290 per person 

Scotland 
WHY: 2026 promises to be a great year for travel to Scotland, with the launch of new services from budget rail operator Lumo, the grand reopening of Inverness Castle and an updated announcement on its new National Park. Adding to the excitement, Glasgow will host the XXIII Commonwealth Games. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of the Highlands and get NEW! A Taste of the Great Glen Way and Loch Ness with Walkers' Britain & Europe; departs March-October, 6 days from £1,290 per person 

USA 
WHY: As the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, travellers to the U.S. can immerse themselves in this historic milestone while taking in the cultural vibrancy of its cities and exploring its breathtaking landscapes, from majestic national parks to scenic coastlines and remote wilderness. 
- BOOK THE TRIP: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain Trails with World Expeditions brings to life western USA's most famous National Parks; departs June-August, 14 days from £4,090 per person 

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For more information and bookings please contact: 
World Expeditions: www.worldexpeditions.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5060 
UTracks: www.utracks.com, 0800 0744 135/+44 (0) 20 8875 5069 
Walkers' Britain & Europe: www.walkersbritain.co.uk, 0800 008 7741/+44 (0) 20 8875 5070 

* Travel to the starting point and from the finishing point of each trip not included in trip prices * 

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PR/media contacts: 
World Expeditions | UTracks | Walkers' Britain & Europe
020 8875 5060 
Tom Panagos pr@worldexpeditions.co.uk 
Gordon Steer gordon@worldexpeditions.co.uk  

Notes for editors: 

• One of the very first operators in what has now become a very popular area in travel, since its inception in 1975 World Expeditions has earned itself an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys.
• World Expeditions remains independently owned and a truly global company, with seven offices around the world, including the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
• The two factors that distinguish World Expeditions from its competitors, the number of inclusions and the exceptional value of its trips, can be found today in nearly 500 stand-alone itineraries across all continents, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed for those travellers who want to 'take the paths less travelled'.  
• Always innovative, it was, among others, the first operator to offer cycling holidays in India (1977), China (1978) and Vietnam (1990) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980), Tibet (1981) and Japan (1999). As of 2011 World Expeditions is the only commercial company to offer the Full Nepal Traverse of the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail.  
• An advocate of thoughtful, responsible travel, World Expeditions operates permanent, exclusive eco-campsites, designed to increase travellers' comfort levels, in the Himalaya (Everest, Annapurna) and Australia's Red Centre.
• The European division of World Expeditions, activity holiday specialists UTracks and Walkers' Britain, cover over 35 countries across the British Isles and the continent, with more than 400 stand-alone itineraries, from short four-day breaks to longer, month-long itineraries.
• The World Expeditions Travel Group consists of 16 travel brands in total, also including Adventure South, Australian Walking Holidays, Great Canadian Trails, Great Walks of New Zealand and North America Active.