Travel in 2027: eclipses, quieter destinations and a fresh look at China
Usagevpn.com – Travel plans for 2027 are likely to be shaped by a more deliberate mindset. Rather than simply chasing the best-known destinations, many holidaymakers will be looking for trips that feel restorative, distinctive and worth the time involved. Health-focused breaks, slower itineraries and less crowded places are expected to sit alongside major astronomical events and a renewed interest in film-inspired journeys.
For travellers, this could mean adjusting both the timing and purpose of a holiday. Some will plan around rare natural spectacles; others may move beyond famous capitals and heavily photographed resorts in search of smaller cities, rural landscapes and locally rooted experiences.
An exceptional year for sky-watchers
August 2027 will bring one of the year’s defining travel moments: a total solar eclipse on 2 August. Often described as the “eclipse of the century”, it is expected to be the longest total eclipse visible from easily accessible land during the 21st century.
Egyptian locations close to the point of greatest eclipse are set to experience more than six minutes of totality, when the moon completely covers the sun. Southern Spain will again be an important viewing region, with totality expected in Cádiz, Marbella and Málaga. Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Saudi Arabia are also among the countries on the eclipse path.
The event offers a strong reason to plan early. Eclipse travel typically requires careful choices about viewing location, transport and accommodation, while clear skies are crucial to the experience. Travellers considering the journey may also use it as an opportunity to explore the wider region rather than treating the eclipse as a brief stopover.
Space enthusiasm is also likely to remain high following Artemis II’s lunar flyby in 2026 and with Artemis III planned for some point in 2027. The mission schedule gives astronomy fans another reason to pay attention to the year ahead.
Star Wars nostalgia could inspire new set-jetting
2027 marks the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, creating an opening for a more nostalgic form of screen tourism. Cinema re-releases may bring the original films back to audiences, while travellers could be drawn to landscapes associated with the franchise.
Possible stops include Guilin’s dramatic limestone karsts in China, Lake Como in Italy and Jordan’s Wadi Rum. These places offer more than a recognisable backdrop: each has a distinct natural or cultural character that can reward visitors who look beyond the film connection.
Set-jetting has already become a familiar way for people to choose where to travel. The anniversary may shift the emphasis from the newest streaming hit to locations linked with a long-running cultural phenomenon, combining destination discovery with a sense of shared nostalgia.
From second cities to genuinely under-the-radar places
Interest in alternatives to major tourist hubs has been growing. European “second cities” such as Basel, known for its lively art scene, and Cambridge, where visitors can take punt cruises on the River Cam, demonstrate the appeal of destinations outside the usual capital-city circuit.
In 2027, that search may go further still. As social media can transform a little-known place into an overcrowded attraction with startling speed, some travellers may begin bypassing even established second-city choices. A significant share of travellers already say they actively want to avoid busy destinations: research by Skift found that 42 per cent would do so.
“Respect the City”
That desire may direct more attention towards places sometimes described as undertourised: destinations with room to welcome visitors but less international visibility than the country’s leading attractions. Japan’s Toyama offers one example. Located roughly an hour from Tokyo by air, the prefecture has focused on retaining its rural character while offering mountain scenery, hiking opportunities and local food.
The appeal is not simply about finding somewhere empty. A quieter trip can provide more time for walking, regional cuisine, landscapes and independent exploration. It can also spread visitor spending beyond the small number of places that dominate international itineraries.
Destinations will face their own challenge: attracting visitors without repeating the cycle that turns a hidden gem into the next overcrowded hotspot. Dubrovnik’s “Respect the City” strategy, developed under Mayor Mato Franković, has focused on responding to overtourism pressures in the Adriatic city. Its wider lesson is that tourism promotion and visitor management need to work together.
China’s expanding travel appeal
China may become an increasingly prominent choice for international visitors in 2027. The term “Chinamaxxing” playfully reflects growing curiosity about the country after years in which Japan drew particularly intense post-pandemic attention.
Visa policies are an important part of that shift. Citizens of nearly 80 countries can now enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Even a month offers only a starting point in a country of enormous scale, where futuristic urban centres sit alongside UNESCO-listed places, varied regional food traditions and widely different landscapes.
For travellers, the practical implication is that China can support more than a fast city break. A carefully paced route may make room for major cities as well as provinces and smaller destinations that reveal a different side of the country. The growing accessibility could encourage repeat visits, with each trip focused on a particular region or theme rather than an attempt to see everything at once.
Wellness with a longer horizon
Wellness travel is also evolving beyond short spa stays and familiar fitness retreats. Holidays designed around health, recovery and longevity are likely to attract travellers who see time away as an investment in how they feel, not merely an escape from routine.
This trend fits with the broader move toward meaningful travel. Whether the focus is rest, outdoor activity, cultural immersion or a slower daily rhythm, travellers appear increasingly interested in itineraries that offer a lasting sense of renewal.
Across the year, the strongest journeys may be those that balance a compelling reason to go with enough space to experience a place properly: watching the sky darken during a rare eclipse, following the traces of a beloved film, choosing a quieter Japanese prefecture, or giving an overlooked destination the attention it deserves.
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