Traveling in 2026: Part 3

Part 3 of 6 about traveling in 2026
by Jenny Buschauer

How Details Shape the Experience

Some destinations never lose their appeal, no matter how much travel trends shift. Tuscany is one of them.

Year after year, Tuscany remains one of the most requested destinations, particularly in spring and fall. These shoulder seasons offer warm days, fewer crowds, and landscapes that feel almost designed to be savored slowly. Rolling hills dotted with vineyards, medieval towns perched above the countryside, and long meals that stretch into the evening all combine to create a place that invites travelers to pause.

Tuscany appeals to many types of travelers at once. It offers relaxation without feeling idle, history without feeling heavy, and culture that is lived rather than displayed. Wine lovers come for the Chianti hills and Montalcino. Food lovers come for simple, regional dishes prepared with care and tradition. Others come simply because Tuscany feels timeless, familiar, and deeply human all at once.

It is no surprise that Tuscany is often high on the list when travelers begin imagining a European trip.

Looking Beyond the Booking Website

At first glance, Tuscany can seem easy to plan independently. Accommodation is plentiful, transportation options appear straightforward, and online booking platforms offer endless choices. Yet Tuscany is a destination where details matter, and those details are often difficult to assess from a screen without firsthand familiarity with the region.

Hotel selection, for example, requires more than reading reviews. Tuscany is filled with small, family-run properties, countryside estates, and agriturismos that vary widely in location, accessibility, and atmosphere. Two accommodations may look similar online but offer very different experiences once you arrive. Knowing which properties offer peaceful seclusion versus those that feel just commercial, or which towns are best suited for a visit among the many excellent options, often comes from personal experience in the region or requires extensive, in-depth research.

Transportation is another area where planning experience becomes valuable. Driving through Tuscany can be rewarding, but local driving customs can make it challenging for visitors. Narrow roads, unfamiliar traffic rules, emission-restricted zones in cities marked in unfamiliar codes, hard-to-decipher parking regulations, and language barriers can quickly turn a scenic drive into a source of stress.

Train travel, on the other hand, is often an excellent way to explore Italy. Trains connect major cities efficiently, allow travelers to relax and enjoy the scenery, and offer opportunities to interact with locals along the way. In many cases, choosing trains instead of private transportation can also help manage costs while providing a more relaxed travel experience.

When Tours Make Sense — and When Guidance Matters Most

For travelers who prefer not to manage logistics at all, or who would rather avoid hauling luggage through large train stations or navigating unfamiliar roads, tour packages can be a wonderful option. Tuscany is offered in countless itineraries, from food-focused journeys to art and history tours, from small group experiences to fully escorted programs.

The challenge is not finding a tour, that’s easy thanks to Google. The challenge is choosing the right one. Tours vary greatly in pace, group size, accommodations, and how much free time is built into the itinerary. Without context, it can be difficult to determine whether a particular tour aligns with how someone actually likes to travel.

This is where experience can be especially helpful in the planning process. Having a clear sense of personal travel preferences, whether that means independence, comfort, depth of experience, or flexibility, makes it easier to identify options that genuinely align with the way someone prefers to travel.

Looking Ahead

In the weeks ahead, this series will continue exploring destinations travelers are drawn to for 2026 and how thoughtful planning can help those ideas take shape in meaningful and rewarding ways.

About Jenny’s Across States & Seas Travel

I’m Jenny Buschauer, founder of Jenny’s Across States & Seas Travel. With over 15 years of experience in the travel industry and firsthand travel across more than 50 countries and 40 U.S. states, I help clients plan thoughtful, well-organized trips that reflect their budget, interests and travel style.

From historic European cities to wildlife experiences, cultural destinations and relaxed getaways closer to home, my goal is to handle the details so my clients can focus on enjoying the journey.

If you’d like to start talking about ideas for a future trip, I’d be happy to help.

Jenny Buschauer
Across States & Seas Travel
Email: jenny@stateseatravel.com
Website: www.stateseatravel.com
Phone: 203-693-1289