What’s the hottest trend in travel for the New Year? Adventure seekers are craving vacations that serve not just as an escape, but as a chance to evolve. In 2026, travelers are looking for experiences that challenge, teach, and inspire. From learning to cook like a pro to connecting with local culture during a dance class, vacationers are blending excitement with hands-on personal growth.
These types of “skillcations” are transforming the way people think about travel. Hilton’s 2026 Trends Report shows that 72% of travelers want their time off to be about pursuing passions, trying something new, and coming home with stories that thrill and skills that stick. Whether it’s practicing a new technique, tackling a physical challenge, or taking a deep dive into eco-conscious living, travelers are returning home not just refreshed, but also enriched.
The beauty of a skillcation is that it leaves a mark long after the trip ends. Looking to join the movement? Here’s where intrepid explorers can jet off to in 2026 to make the most of their PTO and embrace a “New Year, New You” mindset.
Ride the Waves in San Diego, California
At San Diego’s legendary Hotel del Coronado, guests can learn the art of surfing from top SoCal instructors. Partnered with Jamie O’Brien, the pro who conquered the Pipeline on Oahu’s North Shore, the hotel hosts his first-ever mainland surf school. Here, gentle waves and top-notch coaching make for the ideal environment for beginners to learn how to hang ten.
Dance the Hula in Honolulu, Hawaii
During a stay at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort, skillcationers can choose their own adventure. Boasting a saltwater lagoon, stand-up paddle yoga, five pools, and an exhilarating 77-foot slide, this is a hotel where boredom is simply not on the itinerary. Travelers can swim, ride an aqua-cycle, snorkel, and more. But, for the ultimate, culturally immersive experience, join the resort’s hula lessons, offered four times a week at the Waikiki Starlight Luau. Round it out with a lei-making experience or an island day trip to the movie-famous Kualoa Ranch to return home with some serious aloha spirit.
Create a Cultural Connection in Goa, India
India’s Hilton Goa Resort, cradled on the terraced slopes of Saipem Hills with views of the Nerul River, offers a culturally rich escape. For full immersion, guests can join the Mapusa Market Experience, created in partnership with local experts from Soul Travelling. During this adventure, they’ll wander a buzzing bazaar filled with spices and handmade goods, engage with local vendors, learn the skills of negotiation, visit a seed nursery and bakery, and gain insights into daily life and traditions.
Yearning for more ways to explore? During their stay, adventure seekers can also travel Goa’s network of scenic backwaters and discover the region’s deep-rooted fishing traditions firsthand on the resort’s Backwater Fishing & Crab Catching Experience. Led by a seasoned local expert, this program takes participants on a journey through traditional sluice gates, teaches the basics of using a fishing rod, and explores the cultural significance of fishing in everyday Goan life. Guests then try their hand at crab catching for a first-hand foray into local techniques.
Tackle a Rainforest Trek in Costa Rica
Nestled in the heart of Costa Rica’s lush Osa Peninsula, Botanika Osa Peninsula, Curio Collection by Hilton is heaven for nature lovers. Surrounded by some of the world’s most biodiverse forests, this eco-friendly resort is an unparalleled gateway into adventure and discovery. Join in the signature Monkey Tour for an immersive look at the peninsula’s playful primates. Led by expert guides, this tour winds through vibrant rainforest trails, where guests will enjoy up-close encounters with white-faced capuchins, howler monkeys, and squirrel monkeys in their natural habitats. Along the way, fascinating insights into the region’s unique ecosystem are shared, creating a thrilling and educational journey ideal for all ages.
Cook Like a Pro in Singapore
Hilton Singapore Orchard, situated in the heart of the city’s premier shopping and entertainment district, is home to the famed Osteria Mozza, the only Asian outpost from MICHELIN-starred chef Nancy Silverton. Here, the Chef’s Showcase offers a hands-on Pasta and Pesto Workshop at the restaurant’s Mozzarella Bar. Participants learn practical culinary skills, including shaping various types of pasta and preparing pesto from scratch using Chef Nancy’s signature recipe during an experience that encourages creativity, attention to detail, and confidence in the kitchen. What follows is a delicious three-course lunch and a take-home kit with fresh pasta, a self-made jar of pesto, cheese, and a recipe card that allows guests to continue practicing their newfound skills at home.
Practice Ancient Arts in Kyoto, Japan
ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts - Washi Paper Making
ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts - Japanese Tea Ceremony
At ROKU KYOTO, LXR Hotels & Resorts, travelers can immerse themselves in centuries-old Japanese traditions through a series of artisan-led workshops. In one, guests dip into the delicate craft of washi paper making as they learn how to transform mulberry bark fibers into hand-pressed sheets. In another, those with an eye for design can try kintsugi, the poetic art of mending broken potteries from ROKU KYOTO with lacquer and gold dust, guided by master Hiroki. Rounding out the experience options is a tranquil tea ceremony in a historic teahouse relocated from Kyoto’s revered Daitokuji Temple, which offers a serene cultural pause. Meanwhile, the resort’s handicraft porcelain making class, which is taught by third-generation master Kano Shoukoku, lets guests shape, glaze, and kiln-fire their own ceramic works of art by using the special clay containing the earth from ROKU KYOTO construction site. Each workshop blends mindfulness, tradition, and creativity, offering keepsakes that hold both beauty and meaning.
Get Educated on Agave in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
For a spirited seminar, head to Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, where guests can sip their way through Mexico’s agave heritage at the resort’s Agave Study at Peacock Alley. This educational tasting journey celebrates the depth and diversity of agave spirits, from tequila in Jalisco to smoky mezcal in Oaxaca, paired with regional delicacies that spotlight provenance and craftsmanship. This multi-sensory cultural experience, rooted in ancient tradition, fosters connection to the land and its people while serving as a flavorful exploration of Mexico’s most iconic plant.
Reel in a Craveable Catch in Key Largo, Florida
At Baker’s Cay Resort Key Largo, Curio Collection by Hilton, guests can take the meaning of “fresh catch” to a new level. The Dock to Dish program sends eager participants out on the water with skilled captains to reel in their supper, then brings them back to the kitchen to prepare it side by side with culinary pros who guide them through the cooking process and showcase how to utilize every edible element of the catch. Paired with fresh herbs and spices from the resort’s rooftop garden, this hands-on experience delivers an authentic taste of the Florida Keys. If that’s not enough, the resort’s Eco-Educator leads daily nature walks to explain the Keys’ ecosystem, serving as an interactive science class.
Gear Up for Gladiator Training in Rome, Italy
When in Rome … learn to fight like a gladiator. At Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel, guests can join the official Gladiator School, located right on the hotel grounds. This family-friendly experience allows aspiring battle masters to learn the ancient art of combat. To amp up the fun, each participant dresses in full gladiator gear, wearing a traditional tunic, Roman sandals, a belt, and protective gloves, while wielding a wooden training sword. Training includes sparring in battle styles like Gallus, Provocatores, and Thracian, allowing kids (and kids at heart) to get both a workout and a crash course in Roman history.
