It’s easier to imagine summer cocktails on a Mediterranean terrace than it is to actually carve out time to plan them. That’s where most people go wrong—waiting until it’s too late, watching airfare climb, and settling for what’s left. If you’re wondering how to plan your 2026 travel year without the stress, I’ve created a simple 5-step framework to help you map out your 2026 adventures with intention and ease. Let’s get ahead of the chaos, shall we?

Whether you’re dreaming of a major milestone trip or sprinkling your year with weekend getaways, this method helps you make the most of your PTO—and your travel budget.

1. Set Your Travel Goals

Start by asking: What do I want more of this year? Rest, culture, family time, adventure?

Choose a few core themes for your travel year, then match them with destinations that deliver. For example, if 2026 is your “slow mornings and scenic views” year, maybe Tuscany or the South of France belongs on your list. Prioritize those over impulse ideas that pop up later.

2. Review Your 2026 Calendar

Pull up next year’s calendar and look for gold: long weekends, school breaks, milestone birthdays, or anniversaries. These are natural anchors for travel. Mark them now, and you’ll never again wonder how it’s already October and you’ve only taken one trip. Get ready to plan your 2026 travel!

Pro tip: A single Friday off in February can become a 4-day wellness retreat somewhere warm. Planning ahead turns scattered PTO into something powerful.

3. Establish a Yearly Travel Budget

Instead of budgeting trip by trip, look at your annual travel spend as a whole. Think of it like a portfolio: one or two signature experiences plus a few shorter trips.

Want help matching destinations to your budget and style? That’s my specialty. We’ll look at your goals and financial comfort zone together, and I’ll only recommend options that align.

4. Match Trips to Season and Distance

Long-haul destinations (like Southeast Asia or multi-country Europe) deserve 10+ days. Save them for school breaks or extended PTO. Shorter weekends are best reserved for quick flights or domestic gems.

Example: A National Park hiking trip in June and a Provence escape in September. Each in their ideal weather window, each mapped to your calendar.

5. Lock in the Big Trips Early

Choose your “anchor” trips—the ones with the most logistics or emotional investment—and get them on the books. These might be bucket-list journeys, anniversary trips, or family celebrations.

Booking early often means better flight routes, exclusive hotel perks, and more customization. And that’s before we talk about the joy of having something to look forward to.

Your 2026 travel year is a blank canvas. Planning it now means smoother schedules, better pricing, and a lot less scrambling. By this time next year, you could already be packed for your next adventure instead of saying, “We should’ve planned something.”

Ready to design your best travel year yet? Schedule your complimentary call, and let’s start filling in your map.