Why Romantasy Retreats and Glow-cations Will Define Travel in 2026

As travel enters what Booking.com calls “The Era of YOU”, the definition of luxury is changing dramatically. According to the company’s Travel Predictions 2026 report, based on insights from over 29,000 travellers across 33 countries, holidays in the coming year will be all about self-expression, hyper-personalisation, and experiences that feel emotionally resonant.

Among the ten global trends identified, two in particular, Romantasy Retreats and Glow-cations, speak directly to the Indian traveller’s evolving mindset: one driven by imagination, the other by wellbeing.

Fuelled by the global obsession with fantasy fiction, from popular OTT series, Bridgerton to House of the Dragon, travel in 2026 is set to blur the line between reality and reverie. Romantasy, a fusion of romance and fantasy, is inspiring travellers to seek out destinations that feel straight out of a storybook.

In India, this trend translates beautifully into a revival of heritage and nature-based experiences that already carry a touch of magic. Think Udaipur’s lake palaces lit by moonlight, the misty landscapes of Coorg, or the Himalayan retreats of Sikkim, where mystical lore meets lush forests.

According to Booking.com, 91% of Indian travellers are interested in visiting a destination inspired by “romantasy”, and nearly 79% are open to participating in immersive, character-led retreats. New experiential stays also mirror this fascination with narrative-driven escapes: from Rajasthan’s heritage hotels curating “royal fantasy” weekends to boutique resorts designing themed story arcs for guests.

As travellers seek more emotional, imaginative holidays, India’s advantage lies in its ability to offer myth, folklore, and opulence all in one place.

At the opposite end of the fantasy spectrum, Glow-cations are grounding travellers in something deeply real: self-care. The report notes that 93% of Indian travellers are open to booking trips centred on skincare and wellness, a sharp rise from pre-pandemic “spa vacations”.

This new wave of beauty-led wellness goes beyond massages and facials. It’s about AI-powered skincare analysis, circadian sleep therapy, and personalised hydration rituals that adapt to local climate. Resorts such as Raga Svara in Rajkot, Viveda in Nashik, and Atmantan in Pune, are already experimenting with integrative programmes that combine ancient Ayurveda with modern skin diagnostics and nutritional profiling.

Read more about Raga Svara:Why Raga Svara Is Among India’s Most Transformative Wellness Retreats

Globally, the rise of tech-integrated wellness spaces such as SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain and Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland has set a benchmark for precision-led rejuvenation. Indian luxury retreats are quickly catching up, offering the same depth of customisation with a cultural layer of mindfulness and yoga.

As the concept of “glow” evolves from cosmetic to holistic, 2026 will see travellers investing in experiences that heal, balance, and visibly renew both inside and out.

Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager – South Asia, Booking.com, encapsulates this shift perfectly, “As we step into 2026, travel is shifting from a simple getaway into a form of self-expression. Journeys are now intimately built around interests that were once considered too niche or personal to explore.”

Whether it’s escaping into a fantasy world or curating a scientifically tailored wellness escape, the Indian traveller is increasingly choosing journeys that mirror identity and emotion rather than trends alone.

And as luxury becomes more personal, destinations and brands that understand this desire for individuality, rooted in storytelling and self-care, will define the future of travel.