Your must read travel round up 🚐
Hiya
If you’re anywhere in the UK right now you’ll know it’s FREEZING, so naturally here at Holiday Expert we’re dreaming of being… well, anywhere else!
So it seems a good time to reveal our travel resolutions for 2026. We’ve been thinking about new countries, travel companions, language goals and bucket lists. Plus we’ve published our list of the destinations we think are gonna be big for 2026.
Hello from Stansted!
I’m actually about to embark on my first trip of the year where we’re sussing out whether cheap winter sun is actually all it’s hyped up to be…
But you’ll hear about that soon! For now, let’s take a look at what we’ve got for you in today’s newsletter…
Coming up:
The 10 questions to ask before you book travel in 2026 📍
Our top destinations for travel this year 🧳
8 ways to save money in Venice ⚓
Italian farm stays for every budget 🐮
Viral vacay - Basque cheesecake 🍰
Deal of the week - rail travel offers 🚄
These 10 questions helped us set our travel resolutions
Me, James and the rest of the HE team are dreaming big for the year ahead - and you can too!
Our top destination picks for 2026
From popular cities to hidden gems, these are the places we’re excited to visit this year.
Viral Vacay📲
Where we track down travel videos that have gone viral, find out how much it actually costs and if needs be, suggest a cheaper alternative 🕵️♀️
What is it? Delicious Basque cheesecake, which has become TikTok famous and has made my travel resolutions list for 2026.
How viral? This TikTok by @jacksdiningroom has 4.8M views.
How much? Ok so it’s actually only €6 for two slices! But you’ll need to tack on at least one night’s hotel stay if you want to sample the real deal in San Sebastian.
What are the options? I’ve found a budget, mid-range and treat hotel option so you can plan your perfect stay whatever your budget.
Seen a viral video you want me to do this for? Reply with it to this email! 📧
8 ways to save money on your next trip to Venice
It is totally possible to do Venice on a budget - as long as you read through these top tips that is!
The affordable Italian farm stays you need to know about
Ever heard of agriturismo? It may just be how you can book a stunning break for a bargain this year!
My deal of the week
There are some GREAT rail offers knocking around at the moment during the January sales. It’s a good time to bag a bargain trip for 2026, whether you’re heading a few miles down the road or venturing further afield.
The Great British Rail Sale
Millions of train fares are on offer for up to half price!
Travel dates: 13 January - 25 March
Book by: 12 January
Eurostar sale
Snap up one-way tickets to Paris, Lille, Brussles, Rotterdam and Amsterdam from just £35.
Travel dates: 19 January - 25 March
Book by: 12 January
Sleeper train sale
European Sleeper are having a sale on their new Paris-Brussels-Berlin route.
Travel dates: 27 March - 2 July
Book by: 12 January
You can browse even more travel deals on flights, holidays, attractions and more over on the Holiday Expert website ⬇️
What the team’s been loving this week!
Speaking of the team, we said goodbye to Joe at the end of 2025 as he departs for an adventure in New Zealand (have fun Joe!!), and welcomed our new video producer Jack.
So, when we’ve not been working really hard - ahem - here’s some of the things that we’ve been enjoying over on socials.
Chelsea: Is this going to be my future now that James is working full time for Holiday Expert?
Katie: I’m kinda hypnotised by ojicha.n assembling these Japanese meal trays.
Jack: I have no idea how this guy is getting up or down, but I’m enjoying the sentiment!
Anna: I didn’t know James was hitting up hostels again. (Chelsea here… HA!!!!)
James: I’ve found actual footage of me heading on holidays as a kid.
More from Holiday Expert
This Morning
I always have a blast with the This Morning team, and I was in their brand new studio at the start of this week chatting about the best affordable holiday deals in 2026!
I found a bunch of really well-priced trips, from a NY city break to Italian farm stays.
Holiday Hotline
This is my new series on my socials where I’m answering your travel questions!
The latest one is about 5-star hotel stays for less… one of my favourite hotel hacks!
Can you get a FREE Ryanair paper boarding pass?
Ryanair now only accept digital passes, but what happens if it just isn’t an option?
Passports Please! Podcast
Hear more about mine and James’ travel goals for the year, and our honeymoon holiday recommendations.
And that’s a wrap!
That’s all for this week – thanks if you made it this far and why not let me know you did so by answering the poll below ⬇️
If you have a mate or family member who loves to travel and could do with a helping hand from us here at Holiday Expert, just hit the button below and share the link!
Have you made travel resolutions for the new year?
Speak to you soon!
Chelsea x
Obligatory beer at the airport photo!!
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