From Padel in the Maldives to Paragliding in Courchevel: The Best ‘Playcations’ for Summer 2026

‘Playcations’ have been identified as a key summer 2026 travel trend, with travellers increasingly planning holidays around hobbies and activities rather than simply choosing a destination.

From Alpine golf and wild swimming to wildlife education and culinary discovery, Dovetail’s clients offer a range of activity-led escapes where the experience becomes the focus of the trip.

Golf in the Alps

For golfers, the Swiss Alps provide a striking alternative to the traditional resort break. At Bürgenstock Resort Lake Lucerne, guests can play on the resort’s nine-hole Alpine course, surrounded by mountain scenery and views across Lake Lucerne, before unwinding at the expansive Alpine Spa.

At Ultima Hotel Gstaad, the concierge can arrange tee times, transport and equipment hire at the nearby 18-hole Golfclub Gstaad-Saanenland. The experience combines a highly personalised stay with access to one of the region’s most scenic courses, making it well-suited to travellers who want to build an entire Alpine escape around their game.

On and in the water

In Bern, guests at Hotel Schweizerhof Bern & Spa can experience one of the Swiss capital’s most distinctive summer rituals: swimming in the River Aare. The activity offers a refreshing and nature-led way to discover the city, positioning Bern as an alternative to Europe’s busier and more conventional summer destinations.

For travellers who prefer to stay above the water, Ultima Grand Villa Geneva can arrange private, skippered boat charters and sunset cruises on Lake Geneva, complemented by excursions to the UNESCO-listed Lavaux vineyard. In Zakynthos, Porto Zante Villas & Spa offers private boat trips to Shipwreck Beach and the island’s quieter coves, allowing guests to discover the coastline away from the more crowded land-based routes.

Alpine and island adventure

At Ultima Megève, private helicopter tours, hikes to high-altitude lakes and educational farm visits offer a varied programme of outdoor discovery. At Ultima Corfu, guests can explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, discover the island on guided horse-riding excursions and take place in traditional cooking classes. Horseshoe-shaped coves, scenic coastal trails and morning SUP Pilates promise endless variety.

Nature, wildlife and learning

At Sabi Sabi Collection in South Africa, the EleFun Centre and Junior Rangers Programme encourage younger guests to engage with wildlife, conservation and the bush through practical, age-appropriate activities. The programme transforms safari from a passive viewing experience into something more immersive and educational.

At The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, guests can combine time on the new padel court with experiences connected to marine biology and conservation. The resort’s island setting offers an opportunity to explore both sport and the surrounding marine environment, giving families and active travellers greater depth beyond the traditional beach escape.

St. Barth also offers a more active side than its glamorous reputation might suggest. Walking routes around Colombier, Fort Karl and the island’s rugged coastline reveal secluded beaches, elevated viewpoints and quieter landscapes, positioning the island as a destination for hikers as well as sunseekers.

Food, wellness and heritage

At Palazzo Ripetta in Rome, guests can combine traditional Italian dining at San Baylon with nearby cookery classes and historical food tours. The experience allows visitors to explore the city through its flavours and culinary traditions rather than through sightseeing alone.

In Assisi, Borgo Antichi Orti’s Laboratorio Spagirico offers a natural-remedies workshop centred on medicinal and aromatic herbs. Drawing on principles associated with alchemy and Benedictine tradition, the experience combines wellness, history and science while giving guests a more hands-on understanding of traditional natural products.

Whether that means playing golf in the Alps, swimming through a European capital, learning about wildlife in the South African bush or exploring a coastline by private boat, summer 2026 is set to favour holidays where participation is as important as relaxation.