From Japanese islands to European cities and tropical escapes, these are the places catching my attention for 2027 — and why I’d be looking at them now.
If you’re already thinking about where to travel in 2027, you’re my kind of person.
I am absolutely the woman who can be sitting beside a beautiful pool, cocktail in hand, researching where we should go next. It’s a problem I’m not particularly interested in fixing.
But when I started looking at the newly released travel predictions for 2027, something interesting stood out.
Travellers aren’t necessarily looking for the biggest, most famous or most expensive destinations anymore. They’re looking for places that offer something a little different, experiences that feel worthwhile and opportunities to make their travel money go further.
And I love that.
Skyscanner’s Australian Travel Trends 2027 report found that 78% of Australians intend to travel as much or more in 2027, even while cost-of-living pressures continue to influence their decisions.
So where would I be looking?
Here are ten destinations I’d put on the shortlist.
Japan isn’t exactly a secret anymore, but Okinawa offers a completely different experience from Tokyo, Osaka or the ski resorts.
Think turquoise water, beautiful beaches, island culture and a slower pace of life.
Even more interesting? Skyscanner’s Australian report identified Okinawa as one of its best-value destinations, with a 16% year-on-year drop in the flight-price data it analysed.
That doesn’t mean every flight in 2027 will be cheaper, but it’s certainly a reason to investigate.
I’d go for: A family beach holiday paired with a few days exploring mainland Japan.
My booking tip: Compare flights into Okinawa with flying into Tokyo or Osaka and adding a domestic connection. Sometimes the best itinerary isn’t the most obvious one.
If you love a gorgeous resort, warm weather, beach days and delicious food, Vietnam deserves a place on your list.
Da Nang recorded an 81% increase in Australian flight-search interest in Skyscanner’s trend data.
And I can understand why.
It’s a destination where I’d be comparing beautiful beachfront accommodation with the cost of similar experiences in more established luxury holiday destinations.
You also have Hoi An nearby, which adds culture, shopping, food and a completely different atmosphere to the trip.
I’d go for: A resort-based family holiday with a few days exploring Hoi An.
My booking tip: Compare hotel packages carefully. A room that includes breakfast and transfers can be better value than a cheaper room-only rate, especially for families.
Expedia has named Hyogo among its emerging destinations for 2027.
And this is exactly the sort of place I’d consider adding to a Japan itinerary rather than simply returning to the same big cities.
Hyogo is home to Kobe, Himeji Castle and hot-spring destinations, offering a combination of history, food and beautiful scenery.
We’re already planning another Japan adventure in 2027, and one thing I love about the country is how easy it can be to combine very different experiences within one holiday.
I’d go for: A cultural stop between larger destinations, with time for food, sightseeing and a traditional Japanese stay.
My booking tip: Before buying separate train tickets, work out the actual cost of your planned journeys. A rail pass isn’t automatically the cheapest option.
Marseille caught my attention because Skyscanner reported a 98% rise in Australian search interest.
Southern France will always have a certain appeal, but I love the idea of looking beyond the most obvious glamorous hotspots.
Marseille offers Mediterranean scenery, colourful neighbourhoods, seafood, markets and access to the beautiful Calanques.
It’s the kind of place where I could happily spend my mornings exploring and my afternoons somewhere overlooking the water.
I’d go for: A European summer holiday combining city life with coastal experiences.
My booking tip: Compare accommodation in Marseille with nearby coastal towns before committing. Location can make a huge difference to both cost and the type of holiday you’ll have.
I love that an Australian destination made Expedia’s list of emerging places for 2027.
The Tweed, in northern New South Wales, is all about gorgeous countryside, rainforest, coastal scenery and beautiful places to eat.
Sometimes we become so focused on international travel that we forget how extraordinary Australia can be.
And a shorter escape can still feel incredibly special.
I’d go for: A long weekend with beautiful accommodation, great food and a little exploring.
My booking tip: Consider travelling outside weekends and school-holiday peaks if your schedule allows.
This one is for anyone who feels like they’ve already visited the obvious European destinations.
Tbilisi recorded a 77% increase in Australian search interest in Skyscanner’s data.
Georgia offers a fascinating combination of history, architecture, food, wine and dramatic mountain scenery.
It’s not somewhere I’d book without researching the practicalities carefully, but it is absolutely somewhere I’d like to learn more about.
I’d go for: A culture-and-food-focused trip, potentially combined with time in the mountains.
My booking tip: Research flight connections, entry requirements, travel advice and ground transport before falling in love with a hotel.
This one is particularly close to my heart because we’re heading to Lapland during our upcoming European winter adventure.
Snow-covered forests, reindeer, cosy accommodation and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights — it’s the sort of trip that feels completely different from our usual Australian summer.
I think there’s something incredibly special about taking children somewhere that feels almost magical.
But it’s also the kind of destination where planning matters.
Winter accommodation, activities and transport can add up quickly.
I’d go for: A proper winter experience rather than trying to squeeze everything into one day.
My booking tip: Compare the total cost of accommodation and activities. A more expensive property with meaningful inclusions might work out better than paying separately for everything.
If you’ve followed our travels for a while, you’ll know how much we love skiing and snowboarding.
The Austrian Alps are high on our list for our upcoming winter trip, and I’m particularly excited about exploring the St Anton area.
For me, a great ski holiday isn’t just about the slopes.
It’s about the mountain villages, the restaurants, the views and those lovely evenings after a full day outside.
I’d go for: A family ski holiday with a mix of mountain time and exploring.
My booking tip: Don’t compare ski accommodation on room price alone. Factor in lift access, transport, equipment hire, lessons and any lift-pass benefits you already hold.
Expedia identified South Lake Tahoe as its fastest-growing destination in the 2027 report, with a 195% increase in flight and accommodation searches.
And while it’s famous for winter sports, it’s also a beautiful summer destination.
Think lake views, hiking, outdoor adventures and mountain scenery.
This is exactly the kind of destination that reminds me you don’t always need to visit somewhere in its most famous season.
I’d go for: A mountain holiday, either in winter for skiing or summer for outdoor adventures.
My booking tip: Compare the total cost of visiting in different seasons. Accommodation, activities and transport can change dramatically.
This is one I’m particularly excited about because we’re planning a family trip to the Solomon Islands in 2027.
It’s not one of the destinations highlighted in the trend reports above. It’s my own pick.
I love the idea of exploring somewhere that feels less familiar, with incredible water, island scenery and experiences that are different from the big resort destinations.
For me, luxury travel doesn’t always mean marble bathrooms and enormous breakfast buffets.
Sometimes it’s about being somewhere extraordinary.
I’d go for: An island adventure with plenty of time on the water.
My booking tip: Check domestic transport and transfer arrangements before booking accommodation. In island destinations, getting to your hotel can be a significant part of the overall cost.
One of the biggest themes in this year’s travel research is the idea of being more intentional.
Booking.com found that 81% of surveyed travellers would consider choosing a destination based on how they want to feel rather than simply where they want to go.
I actually love that approach.
Maybe you want a week of doing absolutely nothing beside a beautiful pool.
Maybe you want to take your children skiing for the first time.
Maybe you want to explore somewhere completely unfamiliar.
Or maybe, like me, you want a little bit of everything.
My advice? Start researching early, stay flexible with destinations and dates, and don’t assume that the most popular option is always the best one.
The best holiday isn’t necessarily the most expensive or the most Instagram-famous. It’s the one that feels right for you.
And if it happens to include a gorgeous hotel and a cocktail by the pool? Even better.
Love,
Research behind this article
Destination trends reflect search data and traveller surveys, not guarantees of future prices or availability.