Travel 2026: Super Bowl Demand, Scottish Castles, And Trending Destinations For Solo Travelers

05 Feb 2026 by Simon Mayorga in Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Celebrities, Cuisine, Escape, Europe, Event, Fame, Films, General, Home, Hotels, Islands, Latin America, Money, Pleasure, Power, Restaurants, USA

The latest news from Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo includes insights on soaring Super Bowl hotel demand,  Scottish castles, trending destinations for solo travelers, solar-eclipse getaways for 2026, and ski season getaways.

Time to “Get A Room” for the Super Bowl 

Super Bowl LX is already sparking a huge surge in hotel demand, according to Hotels.com data. 395% YoY increase in Santa Clara hotel searches

  • $415 average nightly rates, a large increase from the previous year
  • 235% YoY increase in hotel searches for nearby market San Jose, with average nightly rates around $395
  • Rates 5-10x higher at 2- and 3-star hotels near Levi’s Stadium, with nightly prices exceeding $1,000 in some cases.

Rates drop nearly 90% following week for nearby hotels averaging $100 per night.

Ready to Set Sail? Wave Season is Here  

The prime time for cruise bookings is happening now through March, and Expedia released a Wave Season Outlook, revealing the top trends shaping travelers’ plans this year. Strong demand for Caribbean escapes continues, as it remains the most sought-after region for 2026 sailings.

Solo Travel: Trending Destinations for Independent Explorers 

Solo travel is surging, and Expedia‘s latest data shows strong interest in walkable urban hubs and cultural capitals at home, alongside beach escapes and vibrant international cities abroad.
From historic streets to tropical shores, these destinations combine safety, accessibility, and experiences that cater to independent travelers.

Cancun

Domestic Hotspots: 

San Francisco (+145% YoY)

Los Angeles (+60% YoY)

San Diego (+60% YoY)

Dallas (+55% YoY)

Washington (+55% YoY)

Boston (+45% YoY)

Miami Beach (+30% YoY)

New York City (+25% YoY)

 

International Favorites: 

Cancún (+105% YoY)

Dublin (+90% YoY)

Puerto Morelos (+90% YoY)

Punta Cana (+65% YoY)

London (+35% YoY)

Paris (+30% YoY)

Tokyo (+20% YoY)

Honolulu (+15% YoY)

Feel Like a Faithful or a Traitor: Scotland’s Most Dramatic Castles on Vrbo 

Are you a Faithful… or a Traitor?

That’s the question on everyone’s mind as Season 4 of The Traitors once again takes over our screens from Alan Cumming’s spectacular Scottish castle.

The good news? You don’t need to be a Faithful or a Traitor to live out your own castle fantasy. Since the Season 4 premiere, searches for vacation rentals in Scottish have increased 15% on Vrbo as fans dream of experiencing the show’s stunning backdrop for themselves.

Vrbo has rounded up a collection of incredible, show‑inspired castles across Scotland where travelers can channel the mystery, drama, and grandeur of The Traitors with no blindfolds or roundtables required.

Searches Skyrocket 445% for Summer’s Total Solar Eclipse and Other Major Events 

From championship games and global music tours to once-in-a-lifetime celestial events, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for event-driven travel. According to Hotels.com search data, travelers are already planning trips that will put them front and center for some of the biggest moments of the year.


  • Winter Sports’ Biggest Event     (February 6-22, 2026): The world’s top athletes descend on Northern Italy to compete in thrilling snow and ice sports. Many travelers are eager to experience the excitement firsthand, making Milan (+135%) and Cortina d’Ampezzo (+280%) both see increases in YoY searches.
  • 100 years of Route 66 (May 1-3, 2026): America’s most iconic highway turns 100 this year, reigniting interest in nostalgic road trips and small-town stays along Route 66. Early data shows increased summer demand across some of the most iconic towns on Route 66, from Illinois to California.
    • IL: Chicago (+30%), Springfield (+50%)
    • AZ: Flagstaff (+15%)
    • CA: San Bernardino (+50%)
  • Solar Eclipse (August 12, 2026): A total solar eclipse will be visible across parts of Europe and the Arctic, making it one of the year’s most anticipated natural phenomena.
    For 2026, Greenland (+55%), Iceland (+445%), and several cities in Northern Spain (+125%) are expected to have the best views.

For more of the most anticipated events of 2026 read the full forecast here.

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Simon Mayorga

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