Plan your next trip to Europe! Join over 1,000 Europe-loving travellers and get exclusive access to the latest curated travel news, expert tips, and inspiration from across Europe, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
Share
đź’ŚWhat's changing in travel...
Published 8 months ago • 6 min read
​
Thoughtful Travel, Ahead
One Trend Worth Noticing
I’ve been thinking a lot about how travel is going to feel different in 2026 — not faster, but more immersive.
One trend I’m watching closely? Museums are changing. And honestly, it’s about time.
For years, museums have struggled — tighter budgets, fewer visitors, and approachability.
But what’s coming next feels like a reset.
In Europe, especially, museums are becoming places you enter into, not just walk through.
London is leading the charge. The V&A East Storehouse, which opened recently, lets visitors do something almost unheard of: you can actually request objects from the collection to see up close — and in some cases, even touch. No more, “look but don’t linger.”
Its sister space, V&A East, opens in spring 2026 and continues this idea that collections shouldn’t be hidden away — they should be shared.
Elsewhere in London, the expanded London Museum is rethinking how museums interact with the city itself. One gallery literally looks out onto passing trains — visitors inside watch the city move, and commuters catch fleeting glimpses of history as they pass. I love that idea: culture woven into everyday life, not sealed off from it.
This shift toward transparency, extended hours, and behind-the-scenes access is happening because museums are asking a hard question: how do we stay relevant? And the answer seems to be connection.
​
That said — and this is important — here’s your slow travel permission slip.
If you love museums, this is going to be an incredible era to travel. But if you don’t? You don’t owe anyone a museum visit just because you’re “supposed to.”
Remember, slow travel isn’t about checking cultural boxes. It’s about choosing experiences that you genuinely love.
And that, to me, is what thoughtful travel in 2026 is really about.
👉 One of my favourite things about this community is how well-travelled you are. If you know of a European museum offering a more immersive experience, I’d love for you to share it — just reply to this email.
In this week's newsletter:
Stories I Shared This Week
Travel Hack Worth Sharing
Ask Me About Europe
Selected Reads For the Week
Things I Can’t Wait to Share
​
What I Published This Week
WĂĽrzburg, a small Bavarian city on the Main River, invites you to wander past baroque beauty and wine hills and slow down without an agenda.
Mainz reminded me that travel doesn’t always have to be love at first sight to be worthwhile. Sometimes a place teaches you something simply by not being your favourite.
Here’s a tip I use on every single trip (or when working for clients).
I always sort hotels by lowest price first — but I never book the cheapest one.
Saving on accommodations means more money for long lunches, museum tickets, wine bars… or even an extra night. But the cheapest hotel is often cheap for a reason.
No matter which platform you use (I’m partial to Booking.com), sort by price, then immediately filter out anything with low ratings.
From there, work up, not down.
I only look at hotels with top reviews — think 9/10 or higher. I scroll until I find that sweet spot where price, comfort, design aesthetic, and location all line up.
And yes, I read the reviews. Especially now.
If every five-star review sounds a little too perfect, overly polished, and glowing with praise… that’s usually a sign to dig deeper. Real travellers are specific. They notice the little things.
(FYI, I know firsthand that some hotels pay writers (and now AI) to churn out glowing reviews, which is why I always look past the “perfect” praise)
Want me to do this part for you?
I curate accommodation recommendations using this exact method — so you get great stays without the hours of scrolling and second-guessing.
👉 Inquire about my trip planning services by replying to this email
Ask Me About Europe
READER QUESTION:
How early should I book a hotel?
Thanks, Mark, for your question.
MY RECOMMENDATION:
A Short answer? It depends on your comfort level — but waiting too long doescome with risks.
If you leave it too late, the hotel you actually want might be sold out, or prices can jump fast as your dates get closer. Yes, last-minute deals exist… but I wouldn’t plan a trip around hoping to snag one.
Here’s how I think about timing.
You can book a hotel too early, which is why I almost always choose properties with free cancellation. Travel plans change. Prices fluctuate. Flexibility matters.
If my trip is more than six months out, I’ll book something refundable and keep an eye on rates. If a better option pops up later, I can switch without stress.
One more thing to watch for: if prices feel unusually high for the time of year you’re travelling (and it’s not peak season like summer or Christmas), there’s often a reason. You might be visiting during a local festival, conference, or major event specific to that destination.
A quick check of the city’s event calendar can explain a lot — and save you from overpaying or scrambling later.
Do you have a question about Europe?
Hit reply to see it answered in an upcoming issue.
Worth Reading This Week
Me, at the hot springs spa in Karlovy Vary
Planes, Trains & Automobiles — not just that movie classic, but the reminder that how we move through Europe often matters just as much as where we’re going.
This week’s reads are all about choosing the journey thoughtfully, slowing things down, and letting the in-between moments become part of the experience.
I’m creating a free 3-part virtual travel event for Europe-bound travellers, covering 2026 updates and itinerary planning— details coming soon.
I’m creating a self-guided tool to help travellers plan slower, more realistic itineraries for their European trips— launching late January.
The new travel planning tool is with the beta testers from this community — I'm waiting for their feedback.
I’m moving this newsletter to Substack to create a better experience for you, easier access to past issues, and more ways for us to connect — no action needed on your part, more details soon.
Plan your next trip to Europe! Join over 1,000 Europe-loving travellers and get exclusive access to the latest curated travel news, expert tips, and inspiration from across Europe, delivered to your inbox every Saturday.
​
​