Already making travel plans for the new year? Discover 15 surreal experiences to add to your travel wishlist.
The new year has arrived, and with it comes the perfect moment to plan (or daydream about) the trips you want to add to your wishlist. Here at TUI Musement, our editorial team has rounded up 15 travel experiences that’ll take you from epic events to fantastic otherworldly locations.
From parties on a floating beach club to seaside marathons and even a total solar eclipse in Iceland — keep reading to kickstart your year of travel.
Table of Contents
Toggle1. Phuket (Thailand): Party on a floating beach club
Imagine a beach club with an infinity pool, DJ sets, and icy cocktails… that floats! Off the coast of Phuket, in the crystal-clear waters of the Andaman Sea, you can live a dreamlike experience at Yona Beach Club, a floating platform featuring an infinity pool, restaurant and lounge areas. Hop aboard and suddenly find yourself in a micro-world suspended between sky and sea — perfect for a party or a day of pure relaxation.
You can choose the more chilled morning session, with soft music and a relaxed vibe, or the afternoon, when the atmosphere becomes livelier with DJs and performers. Either way, epic photos and unforgettable moments are guaranteed.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Phuket, Thailand
- Highlights: The floating beach club with infinity pool, music, and ocean views
- Best time to go: December to April, during the dry season
- Best for: All different types of travellers — couples, groups of friends, and even families, with various packages available (morning, afternoon, ladies)
2. Lanzarote (Canary Islands): Barbecue on a volcano
The idea is so surreal it almost sounds fake, right? And yet it’s tantalisingly real. In Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park, you can barbecue over volcanic heat. The landscape looks like something from another planet and the geothermal heat rising from below ground is used to grill meat and vegetables, creating an experience that’s half gastronomic and half natural spectacle.
Watching food cook over a crater surrounded by black volcanic rocks, is one of those things you won’t easily forget.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Lanzarote, Canary Islands (Spain)
- Highlights: Tour of Timanfaya National Park and barbecue powered by geothermal heat
- Best time to go: All year round, thanks to the mild climate
Looking for more inspiration on Lanzarote? Check out the guide by our local expert Rebecca.
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3. Cape Verde: Explore Boa Vista by catamaran
Boa Vista, in Cape Verde, is a truly special destination, with its dunes and turquoise sea. And sailing on a catamaran off its coast makes it that much more magical. Simply lie back on the nets suspended above the water and watch the island drift by, framed by endless beaches and tiny islets.
The catamaran cruise comes in both family-friendly and adults-only versions. In both cases, you can expect snacks and drinks on board, swimming stops and a fresh perspective on Boa Vista’s coastline.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Boa Vista, Cape Verde
- Highlights: Coastal catamaran sailing, swimming stops, relaxation, drinks and snacks
- Best time to go: November to June, when the weather is drier and more stable
4. Italy: Experience the Cinque Terre like a VIP
The Cinque Terre is famous worldwide, yet many people choose to visit it in a ‘hit-and-run’ mode, via packed trains, rushing from one village to the next, with little calm and lots of crowds. In 2026 treat yourself to the opposite experience: a private tour, with a guide just for you, relaxed timing and the freedom to choose where to linger longer.
With private tours from Monterosso or from the cruise port of La Spezia, you can hop on the 5 Terre Express train, visit the five villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore), and spend the whole day listening to stories and curiosities shared by a knowledgeable local guide.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Cinque Terre, Liguria (Italy)
- Highlights: Private guided tour, train transfers between villages, scenic stops, flexible and customisable itinerary
- Best time to go: Spring and early autumn, when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller
Tip: The experience becomes much more affordable for groups of 5 to 10 people. If you’re travelling with family or friends, it’s a special experience that will take your trip to the next level.
5. Barcelona: Follow in Gaudí’s footsteps on the centenary of his death
The year 2026 marks 100 years since the death of Antoni Gaudí, the visionary architect who turned Barcelona into an open-air museum. There’s no better year to visit his most iconic works: Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Passeig de Gràcia, and of course, the Sagrada Família.
Strolling through the city while admiring the curved lines of his creations, the colourful mosaics, and the fairytale-like facades is a magical experience — his fantastic works blur the boundary between reality and imagination.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Barcelona, Spain
- Recommended tour: Private walking tour of Gaudí’s highlights with a local guide
- Best time to go: During spring and autumn (when there’s less heat and fewer crowds)
- Best for: Art lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and fans of iconic landmarks
- DIY itinerary: Barcelona in 2 days
6. Italy: Visit Milan during the Winter Olympics
This year Milan will be in the international spotlight for the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympic Games, scheduled from 6 to 22 February 2026.
Milan will be one of the beating hearts of the event, with the opening ceremony at San Siro, ice competitions in the city, and a nonstop celebration with events, installations, fan zones, and a packed cultural calendar. The best part? You can experience the Olympics while also enjoying the very best of the city — museums, restaurants, boutiques, and happening neighbourhoods.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Around Milan. Competitions and events will take place at San Siro Stadium, Pala Italia Santa Giulia, Milan Hockey Arena, Forum di Assago
- When: From 6 to 22 February 2026
- Best for: Sports enthusiasts and anyone who loves the atmosphere of major international events
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7. Cyprus & Rhodes: Run a marathon with sea views
If you love running, 2026 is the perfect year to take on a marathon overlooking the Mediterranean. The TUI Cyprus Marathon, in Paphos, takes place on 8 March. It starts at legendary Aphrodite’s Rock and then follows the coastline all the way to the harbour and the medieval castle.
On April 26 it’s Rhodes’ turn, with a marathon that takes you running between the sea, medieval walls, and ruins from the island’s many historical eras. A truly atmospheric and emotional experience.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Paphos (Cyprus) and Rhodes (Greece)
- When:
- TUI Cyprus Marathon: 8 March
- TUI Rhodes Marathon: 26 April
- Best for: Runners of all levels, with various options from marathon to half marathon, 10km, 5km and a kids race
8. South Korea: Admire the cherry blossoms
If you’ve always wanted to see cherry blossoms but the crowds in Japan intimidate you, why not focus your plans on South Korea instead for 2026. Here, the bloom usually happens between late March and mid-April, starting in the south of the peninsula (Jeju, Busan, Gyeongju) and then moving up toward Seoul and the northern cities.
Don’t get us wrong: there’ll still be plenty of people admiring the blossoms, but most of them will be locals. This way, you can combine neighbourhood festivals, street food, and futuristic districts with beautiful white-and-pink avenues that look straight out of a Korean drama.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Gyeongju
- When: Roughly late March to mid-April (exact dates vary each year)
- Best for: Romantics, photographers, K-drama fans
9. Japan: Ski on Hokkaido’s perfect powder
Anyone who loves skiing knows that Hokkaido is synonymous with fantastically fluffy white powder. Winter after winter, this northern region of Japan gets abundant snowfall and soft, dry snow — ideal for skiing or snowboarding.
Resorts like Niseko, Furano, and Kiroro have become a paradise for those who love ‘champagne powder’, Japanese hot springs (onsen), and warm, comforting food after a day on the slopes.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Hokkaido (Niseko, Furano, Kiroro, Rusutsu)
- Best time to go: December to March, with peak powder between January and February
- Best for: Skiers and snowboarders who want to experience what many call the ‘perfect’ snow
Looking for more Japan inspiration? Discover 15 iconic places to visit.
10. Iceland: Witness the total solar eclipse
On 12 August 2026, Iceland will be one of the best places in the world to witness the total solar eclipse.
For a few minutes in broad daylight the light will dim as if it were sunset, the temperature will drop, and the Sun’s disk will be completely covered by the Moon. Experiencing this live is one of those moments that fills you with wonder for the world we live in. The event will happen again in Europe in 2027, and then won’t return to the old continent until 2061.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Iceland. Some of the best viewing spots include the Reykjanes Peninsula, the Reykjavík area, and the Westfjords.
- When: 12 August 2026
- Highlights: August is perfect for pairing the eclipse with a road trip among geysers, waterfalls and volcanoes
11. Morocco: Explore the Berber villages of the Atlas Mountains
From Marrakech you can head up into the Atlas Mountains and, in just over an hour, find yourself among green valleys, snow-capped peaks and Berber villages. One of the best ways to explore the area is on a 4×4 tour with an expert local guide. The experience often includes a traditional lunch in a local’s home and mint tea stops, giving you a closer look at Berber culture.
A place where silence, clear skies and a slow rhythm reign, it’s a surreal contrast to the chaos of Marrakech’s medina.
The experience at a glance
- Where: High Atlas, departing from Marrakech
- Recommended tour: 4×4 excursion in the Atlas Mountains with lunch in a Berber village
- Highlights: Easy hikes, off-road tours, village visits, lunch and tea in Berber homes
- Best time to go: Spring and autumn (for more pleasant temperatures)
12. South Africa: Go on safari in Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park is one of the few parks where you can go on a self-drive safari. Simply rent a car, enter the park and follow the scenic roads in search of elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos.
It’s hands down one of the most incredible experiences around — driving along a paved road while, just a few metres away a herd of elephants cross the savannah.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Kruger National Park, South Africa
- How it works: Enter with your own car, follow speed limits and park rules, stop at rest camps
- Best time to go: May to October (dry season, when wildlife sightings are easier)
13. Kyrgyzstan: Discover the last frontier of wellbeing
If ‘surreal’ for you means a place where time has stopped, then Kyrgyzstan is your destination for 2026. Here you can join retreats that combine yoga, meditation, and nature, with sessions in the Tien Shan mountains, overnight stays in yurts, and moments of relaxation on the shores of Lake Issyk-Kul.
It’s the kind of trip that takes you far, far away from everyday life with few devices, countless stars in the sky, a peaceful silence, and centuries-old traditions.
The experience at a glance
- Where: Kyrgyzstan (Issyk-Kul area, mountain valleys, hot springs)
- Highlights: yoga, meditation, light trekking, thermal baths, slow rhythms
- Best time to go: June to September, when mountain passes are accessible
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14. USA: Cruise along Route 66
On 11 November 1926, US Highway 66 (aka the ‘Mother Road’ connecting Chicago to Santa Monica) was officially established. In 2026 this legendary road turns 100, and celebrations, vintage car rallies, events and exhibitions are planned across all the states it crosses.
Cruising along this highway in its centenary year will take you back to a time of old-school rock music, motels, neon signs and no-frills diners.
The experience at a glance
- Where: From Chicago (Illinois) to Santa Monica (California), about 3940km
- Ideal duration: Around three weeks to enjoy it at a relaxed pace
- Best time to go: Spring or autumn, avoiding the extreme desert heat of midsummer
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15. Trans-Mongolian Railway: Go on a (slow) train adventure
The Trans-Mongolian is one of the most fascinating railway routes in the world: it connects Russia, Mongolia, and China, partly following the ancient tea-caravan route.
It’s the opposite of a whirlwind trip: days on the train watching forests, steppes, and deserts roll by; stops in cities you might never have considered; time to read, chat and just observe. It captures an almost surreal slowness, especially if you’re used to flights and quick transfers.
The experience at a glance
- Where: From Ulan-Ude (Russia) to Ulanqab (China)
- Duration: From Moscow to Beijing it’s one full week of travel, plus stops to visit the cities
- Best time to go: May to September, when temperatures are milder
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