For two decades, the Guardian's popular readers' travel tips column has been a treasure trove of holiday inspiration. To mark its 20th anniversary, a selection of highlights from the past year has been curated to help plan your adventures for 2026. From secluded beaches and under-the-radar city breaks to epic rail journeys and active escapes, these recommendations offer a blueprint for unforgettable experiences.
Secluded Shores and Coastal Escapes
For those dreaming of a peaceful beach holiday, readers suggest looking beyond the well-trodden paths. Astypalaia in Greece's Dodecanese offers the classic white-washed architecture of its famous neighbours but with far fewer crowds. Its hilltop castle and quiet pebble beaches provide a genuine escape from modern life.
In Corsica, Plage de Péru near Cargèse is a favourite European beach, renowned for its turquoise waters and lack of crowds. Accessible via a scenic walk or directly from the Hotel Thalassa, it's perfect for swimming and sunset dining at beachside pailottes.
Closer to home, the Danish Riviera, specifically Gilleleje in North Zealand, offers a refreshing alternative to the Mediterranean. With clean, cool waters and charming fishing villages, it's ideal for a self-catering summer cottage holiday, complete with cultural visits to Louisiana Museum and Hamlet's Castle.
Other coastal gems include Procida in Italy's Bay of Naples, a quieter alternative to Capri; Silba, a car-free Croatian island with pebble coves; and Sant Pol de Mar in Catalonia, a soul-soothing village easily reached by train from Barcelona.
Unforgettable Rail Journeys Across Europe
Rail travel continues to captivate, offering scenic and sustainable ways to explore. One standout recommendation is the night train from Belgrade to Lake Skadar on the Montenegro-Albania border. This old-school sleeper service offers a round trip for around €50, with spectacular mountainous scenery on the daytime return leg.
For a multi-destination adventure, readers suggest an Interrail trip to Morocco, stopping at gems like Girona and Córdoba in Spain. Alternatively, a triangular tour of France via Eurostar and TGV connects Paris, Toulouse, and the Basque coast with ease.
In the UK, a spectacular circuit of North Wales by rail is highly recommended. Starting in Shrewsbury, the journey encompasses the Cambrian Coast line, the Ffestiniog Railway, and the coast around Llandudno, revealing unexplored seaside jewels outside of summer.
Belgium also gets a mention for its incredible value, where over-65s can travel anywhere in the country by train for just €8.50 a day, perfect for exploring cities like Antwerp and historic Béguinages.
Active Adventures and Family-Friendly Finds
For active travellers, readers highlight the Grande Traversata delle Alpi in Italy, a 500-mile trek supporting tiny Alpine villages. It offers quiet trails, local hospitality, and full-board accommodation from €60-70 per person per night.
Families have shared their successes, from canal boating and cycling in the Netherlands to staying in an Italian castle hostel, Ostello il Castello di Santa Severa, north of Rome. The Austrian Lake District (Salzkammergut) and Slovenia's Lake Bled region are also praised for their mix of adventure activities, from ziplining to rafting, that appeal to all ages.
In the UK, a 10-day walking holiday along the Cotswold Way, inspired by Laurie Lee, proved a transformative experience for one family, fostering togetherness and fitness.
Cultural Gems and Offbeat City Breaks
Readers urge a look at lesser-known urban destinations. The Czech city of Olomouc, a two-hour train ride from Prague, delights with its spires, squares, and beer culture, including a hop-scented sauna. Jaén in Andalucía, Spain, is another Renaissance treasure, famed for its olive oil and hilltop Parador hotel with stunning mountain views.
For a northern lights alternative, Tromsø in Norway offers the unique experience of the polar night—an extended twilight period from late November to mid-January—perfect for whale-watching and embracing the Arctic winter.
Other wonders worth travelling for include the prehistoric petroglyphs near Tazzarine in Morocco, the Wieliczka salt mine near Kraków, and the engineering marvel of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, a UNESCO World Heritage site known as 'the river that runs in the sky'.
This collection proves that travel inspiration is abundant, whether seeking solitude on a Finnish lake, history in a Turkish ancient city, or simple joy on a sailing boat on the Norfolk Broads. The shared wisdom of two decades of reader tips continues to point the way to remarkable places, ready to be discovered in 2026 and beyond.
