Now, TTC Tour Brands Expands in 2026 with New Journeys Through Portugal, Sri Lanka, Dubrovnik, South Korea, Scotland, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Montenegro, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, Morocco, United States and Beyond: Here’s More To Explore

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

In Dubrovnik the historic city walls will be trod by a new breed of sightseer in the quiet of the early morning. With the distant Adriatic glimmering down below, and centuries of stories reverberating in the cobblestone streets, they’re here not just to take pictures — they’re here to learn. That immersive, connections-first way of traveling is at the core of the news from TTC Tour Brands, which is introducing 16 new tours for 2026 in the largest expansion effort the company has made in more than seven years.

From Portugal, South Korea, Morocco and Argentina, to the U.S., TTC brands — including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, and Luxury Gold — are providing travelers with more than itineraries. These are trips that allow real interaction with landscapes, people, culture. Inspired by the rise of bespoke experiences and the booming popularity of women-only travel, these itineraries represent a new era in which tourism doesn’t just entertain; it also educates — and empowers.

The Movement of the Miles: What These Destinations Represent

The list of destinations that have been picked for 2026 is not merely diverse — it is intentional. In Portugal, for example, a record number of tourists have arrived over the past two years, and the government has invested heavily in sustainable rural tourism. TTC’s “Ultimate Portugal” itinerary echos this national mission by going beyond Lisbon and Porto to lesser-visited destinations such as the Douro Valley, Évora and the Algarve, affording a glimpse into Portuguese life as it is lived.

In South Korea as well, government-funded tourism promotions have harnessed the Korean Wave — music, film and fashion that has taken the world by storm. The new “Best of South Korea” tour and “Classic South Korea” tours offer the best of each urban highrise of Seoul and of sacred Buddhist temples and preserved ancient towns like Gyeongju. This sort of cultural compromise is, in fact, what the Korean officials are hoping will sustain their tourism industry, without turning it into a Panda-like caricature of itself.

In Sri Lanka, recovering from its political turmoil and rebuilding its tourism trade with visa-free travel, TTC’s paired tours bring travelers to heritage temples, wildlife-rich preserves and community-owned guesthouses. These visitors bring not just cash, but validation for residents who have labored to preserve their cultural and ecological riches.

Backyard Adventure: Rediscovering the Quiet Corners of North America and Europe

And, casting a spotlight on neglected nooks, some of the TTC’s new tours will highlight far-flung spots, as attention shifts across the planet. In the US, for example, TTC’s latest journeys delve into the country’s cultural heart with trips to back, through the deep south or the lakes and legends of the mid-west.

Another takes you from Chicago to Mackinac Island to Detroit and provides a nostalgic (but modern) look at American road travel. And another — this one also available in a women-only version — follows the impact of female leaders in the history of Civil Rights, soul music and Southern cuisine. These are narrative-rich journey that don’t just help out small museums and regional restaurants; they enrich visitors’ understanding of the places they thought they knew.

Through the Divi International division, TTC’s “Best of Romania, Transylvania & Hungary” reveals the mystery and beauty of Eastern Europe’s gothic spires, medieval town squares and forested countryside, with Eastern attractions so often left off the list. The Balkans tour, meanwhile, introduces guests to Albania, Croatia and Montenegro — nations with stunning coastlines and complicated histories that nonetheless attract fewer international travelers.

Luxury Meets Legacy: High-end Travel Through the Past and Present

TTC’s luxury travel brand Luxury Gold will feature two new journeys for those who want luxury and authenticity. “Spectacular Scotland” is a royal expedition through lochs and highlands, with stops at ancestral estates and champagne cruises on storied waters like Loch Lomond. These correspond with Scotland’s own tourism strategy by encouraging visitors to leave city centres behind and support rural communities where tourism could help to sustain historic estates and family-run businesses.

“Ultimate Portugal” is Luxury Gold’s second release that embodies this approach. Visitors drift along the Douro River, explore ancient cathedrals in Coimbra and sleep in boutique hotels that are not only full of character but also comfortable. The ride is not only scenic — it’s socially impactful, playing into Portugal’s national concept for tourism to not saturate economic benefits in the same traditional hot places.

South American Splendor: The Rhythm of a Continent Revealed

South America is also a key part of TTC 2026. Tourists can learn an abridged version of their trip to Argentina and Brazil by learning about the food, the music, and the hospitality. Samba rhythms, sizzling steakhouses and the color purple in Rio and Buenos Aires provide the backdrop for a cross-cultural story that represents not just delight but complexity.

Farther afield and more personal is the “Heart of Patagonia” trip, which explores untouched wild land both sides of the border separating Argentina and Chile. Known as some of the Earth’s last great wildernesses, these bushlands have become a new frontier in conservation tourism. TTC’s arrival in Patagonia comes as governments in both countries are stepping up efforts, in partnership with the private sector, to encourage sustainable, environmentally friendly trekking and culturally sensitive tourism in fragile regions.

Bridging Cultures and Leading Commutes by Women: The New Face of Travel

Perhaps one of the single most socially inclusive steps of this rollout is the expansion of women-only journeys. From the southern United States to the heart of Brazil, Insight Vacations has been giving female travellers the opportunity to engage with the world from the perspective of sisterhood, leadership and empowerment.

In places like the Deep South, women can follow in the footsteps of change-makers — from gospel singers and jazz musicians to chefs and Civil Rights leaders. These tours are not just empowering to travelers — they are also serving to uplift the women whose stories have so often gone untold. This says a lot about where travel is going: away from checking off landmarks and onto creating real-world empathy.

Rewriting the Global Tourism Map: The New Role of TTC in a Changing World

Fundamentally, this is more than a business decision from TTC — it indicates where global tourism is headed. Countries are adding new types of tourism, encouraging travel in the off-season and off the beaten path, and are working to put tourism on a sustainable track. This is particularly the case in countries like Montenegro, where tourism once accounted for a third of the economy but has lately come under economic pressure. A steady pipeline of thoughtful travelers can make all the difference between economic stagnation and an economic rebound.

It’s also about resilience. In places that are emerging from crises — like Sri Lanka, or the post-COVID pockets of the Adriatic — the return of high-quality tourism partners like TTC brings the message of international confidence and provides economic fuel directly to communities trying to get back on their feet. Today, tourism is no longer seen as simply a leisure industry, but as a developmental pillar that needs to be handled with care and respect, as well as innovation.

It’s More Than The Miles: A Trip That Touches Lives

What makes this rollout noteworthy isn’t simply the number of destinations or the magnitude of the product names, but the thinking behind them. Each route is created through local partnerships, government collaboration and traveler suggestions. TTC is not just sticking pins on the map; it is creating a tapestry of experiences that enrich both the traveler and the places they visit.

In that sense, these new 2026 tours are not just holidays — they are a type of storytelling. They show the world that travel can be meaningful, mindful, inclusive and even transformational. From the highlands of Scotland to the tea fields of Sri Lanka, from the samba streets in Brazil to the silent monasteries in South Korea, TTC’s tours offer more than motion. They promise memory, some kind of connection, a better way to see the world.