We are preparing for a departure to Southeast Asia with three weeks ahead of us, and the first question that arises is never “where to sleep,” but “what are we going to do there.” The choice of activities structures the itinerary, determines the daily budget, and influences satisfaction upon return. Leaving without having identified a few strong experiences risks spending ten days going through generic visits that look the same from one country to another.
Travel activities focused on learning: the rise of skillcations
Since 2024-2025, tourism observatories have documented a significant growth in stays where the main activity is no longer sightseeing, but intensive learning. The Walloon Tourism Observatory refers to skillcations: trips built around a skill to acquire rather than a checklist of places to tick off.
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Specifically, we are talking about local cooking workshops over several days, pottery or artisanal dyeing workshops, immersive language programs, or structured retreats focused on advanced well-being (cryotherapy, longevity protocols). The principle is simple: return with an additional know-how, not just photos.
For those looking to organize this type of stay, you can find activities on A Fabulous Trip and filter by destination to spot experiences that go beyond classic tourism. The idea is not to eliminate cultural visits, but to give them a more concrete thread.
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A three-day workshop in a pottery studio in Japan or a Moroccan pastry course in a riad does not necessarily cost more than a standard organized excursion. Feedback varies on the quality of instructors depending on the destinations, but the “supervised learning” format generally generates significantly higher satisfaction than traditional guided tours.
Urban exploration: discovering a city beyond its monuments
In 2026, urban exploration is identified as a trend in its own right in tourism reports. We are not talking about visiting the historic center with an audio guide, but about discovering transitioning neighborhoods, cultural wastelands, second-hand markets, and micro-artistic scenes that tourist circuits overlook.
This type of activity works particularly well in large metropolises, but also in medium-sized cities that are developing an alternative offer. Here are a few formats that often come up:
- Street art tours led by local artists, who explain the political or social context behind the murals. You can find them in Bogotá, Berlin, Lisbon, or Marseille.
- Neighborhood food tours, which include five or six stops at family-run stalls rather than restaurants listed in guides. The budget remains moderate, and the food is better.
- Architectural walks in urban rehabilitation areas, where you can see the city transform in real-time, with a focus on local urbanism.
The advantage of these activities for travelers: they are available almost everywhere in the world, do not depend on the weather, and often cost less than major tourist attractions.
Nature and adventure activities: going beyond simple trekking
Trekking remains a classic, but travelers seeking a memorable journey benefit from diversifying their activities in nature. We are seeing a rise in hybrid formats that mix physical effort and sensory discovery.
Kayaking in calm waters in mangrove areas or fjords offers access to ecosystems that are inaccessible on foot. In Costa Rica, Norway, or Thailand, these outings usually last half a day and require no prior experience.
Guided overnight camping, with stargazing in areas with low light pollution, is another option. The Atacama Desert, the Moroccan Sahara, or certain areas of Yellowstone National Park offer this format. The cost varies greatly depending on the level of comfort, but the experience leaves a lasting impression.
For families, nature activities work particularly well when they include a clear objective: identifying bird species, collecting geological samples, tracking animal footprints with a naturalist guide. A child who actively participates retains more than a child who follows a group.
Immersive cultural trips: local traditions and festivals
The growth of cultural tourism has been documented worldwide for several years. What is changing is the nature of the demand: travelers are seeking less the grand national museums than immersions in the living traditions of a region.
Participating in a tea ceremony in Japan, attending a mask festival in Burkina Faso, or taking part in a family grape harvest in the south of France: these activities impose a slower pace, but they anchor the trip in a local reality that tourist circuits do not show.
Here are a few criteria for choosing this type of activity:
- Ensure that the experience is led by locals, not by an external operator reproducing scripted folklore.
- Prefer periods when the tradition is genuinely practiced (religious festival, harvest, village celebration) rather than off-season reenactments.
- Plan some free time after the activity to extend exchanges, without immediately jumping into another program.
This format of travel requires more preparation in advance, as dates are fixed and spots are often limited. It is advisable to book several months in advance for the most sought-after events.
The choice of activities remains the most direct lever to transform a trip into a lasting memory. A journey organized around two or three strong experiences, rather than a dozen quick visits, allows time to soak in each destination. The rest of the itinerary naturally builds around these key moments.