Silver Spring, Md. – September 22, 2026 -- Travel booking platform Tripmasters has identified emerging patterns expected to shape independent travel in 2027, based on traveler search and booking data.

Travelers are shifting away from peak summer crowds

According to Skyscanner's Horizons research cited by Tripmasters, 34% of travelers plan to seek out quieter destinations in the coming year, while 31% intend to visit popular spots during shoulder seasons when crowds thin out. Another 26% say choosing less-touristy locations will help them save money.

Adriatic Coast destinations are gaining ground as alternatives

As overtourism strains Europe's most-visited cities, Tripmasters reports rising search interest in Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, and Croatia. Rudy Tan, the company's Chief Technology Officer and Head of Marketing, said travelers aren't abandoning Europe's classic destinations but are instead adjusting trip timing or pairing familiar spots with lesser-known places nearby.

Slower trips are replacing packed multi-city itineraries

Tripmasters points to a growing preference for single-city, longer-stay vacations, where one location serves as a base for exploring the surrounding region rather than rushing between multiple stops. The company frames this as part of an "Unpack, Relax, and Explore" trend.

Private chauffeured transfers aim to ease multi-destination logistics

For travelers who still want to cover several destinations, Tripmasters is highlighting its European Chauffeured Collection, offering private door-to-door transfers designed to cut down logistical stress while allowing stops in smaller towns along the route.

Independent travel remains the priority, minus the hassle

Tripmasters notes that travelers continue to want the freedom of independent trip planning, but increasingly look for ways to reduce the coordination burden that comes with booking flights, hotels, and activities separately across multiple cities.