Travel news week 52: travel trends, car events and polar adventures

By: The editors | Source: press material

Then it was time for travel news again, one last time before Christmas. As usual, we have gone through the week’s press releases and as usual we present short excerpts. A little mix that we hope will be interesting!

Swedes traveled here in 2025

Sweden’s desire to travel continued into 2025. According to booking statistics from travel agency Ticket, the total number of trips booked increased by 13 percent compared to the previous year. Spain consolidated its position as the Swedes’ favorite, Amsterdam took its place as a newcomer in this year’s top list – while travel to the US declined but showed signs of recovery towards the end of the year. Top 10: Swedes traveled here in 2025:

1. Malaga
2. Alicante
3. London
4. Bangkok
5. Gran Canaria
6. Barcelona
7. Mallorca
8. Amsterdam
9. Paris
10. Rom

This is how the Swedes traveled in 2025

Momondo also looked at how Swedes traveled in 2025. The overview shows the top destinations of the year (most searched for destinations), the most trending destinations of the year (largest increase in percentage) and the most searched travel days of the year (days with the most searches for flights).

Top destinations 2025

1. Bangkok
2. Malaga
3. London
4. Alicante
5. Paris

Most trending travel destination in 2025

1. Tarsus, Turkey
2. Udon Thani, Thailand
3. Zakynthos, Greece
4. Lomé, togo
5. Kaunas, Lithuania

Most searched for travel days in 2025

1. December 20
2. December 19
3. October 24
4. October 25
5. July 1

Football trips to North America are increasing by more than 3,000 percent

Since the World Cup draw on December 5, Hotels.com has seen a global increase in searches of as much as 665 percent for travel to host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Boston leads the way with a staggering 3,645 percent increase, followed by Dallas (2,095 percent) and Atlanta (875 percent).

Boston, New York and Miami are the most popular destinations worldwide based on accommodation searches. The most dedicated fans are in World Cup-ready Norway, where searches for host cities have increased by a whopping 545 percent.

Inlandsbanan’s trips for 2026 are now bookable

Bookings are now open for Inlandsbanan’s 2026 package holidays. The offer includes various package holidays. The 2026 trips include:

• Discover the Inlandsbanan – a classic journey through the heart of Sweden.
• Wilderness train – a collaboration with the Railway Museum in Gävle, where you travel in museum carriages from the 1940s-60s.
• Inland banana and Hurtigruten – a combination trip, by train through Sweden and then Hurtigruten along the coast of Norway.
• Family fun – mountains and history land Jamtli – a package tour aimed at the whole family.

Grand Hôtel Stockholm has been voted the best hotel in the Scandinavian region

In the 2026 edition of Condé Nast Traveler Gold List Grand Hôtel Stockholm is included as the only Scandinavian contribution. The Gold List is Condé Nast Traveler’s annual editorial compilation, in which editors and writers highlight their personal favorites among hotels and resorts around the world. The list consists of destinations distinguished by exceptional quality and first-class service.

The Custom Motor Show counts on more than 100,000 visitors

Interest in the 2026 Custom Motor Show is greater than ever. Even now, long before the year has even started, the fair is breaking records for the number of exhibition vehicles registered.

At Easter, April 3 to 6, Elmia in Jönköping will once again be transformed into a meeting place for motorcycle enthusiasts. The Custom Motor Show, organized by Albinsson & Sjöberg, is the largest car show in Northern Europe and brings together everything in the field of car and motorcycle hobby.

New summer festival for motorcycle and music lovers in Umeå

Umeå has a new event at the end of June Cycling parties will be organized on June 26 and 27 in Skeppsbron. The event will be a new meeting place in central Umeå where visitors can hang out, experience good food and live music in connection with the popular Wheels Nationals Norr car meeting.

Now you can sleep like a polar hero for a night

HX Expeditions celebrates 130 years of expedition cruising by offering guests a night like a true Arctic hero – in a recreated cabin from 1896. The renovated cabin will be available on board MS Fridtjof Nansen during the anniversary year 2026. For an additional charge of 450 euros, guests can exchange their own cabin for one night for the cabin from 1896.

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Proceeds from the cabin experience will go to HX Expeditions’ own HX Foundation, which is committed to protecting endangered species, combating marine litter and supporting local projects.

Around the world with MSC Cruises 2028

MSC Cruises is now opening reservations for MSC World Cruise 2028, a round-the-world cruise that will take travelers through five continents, 29 countries and more than 40 destinations. The 115-night cruise includes new destinations and eight nights ashore, allowing guests to experience more of the local culture and cuisine.

This week’s reflection

Of course, it would be fascinating to live like a 19th century polar explorer night! I’m glad you don’t have to run their exploits again. Impressive of course, but oh so hard it must have been! But today, destinations like Greenland and Alaska are high on our wish list!

A cruise around the world also sounds fascinating! If you have the time and money, I can see why it’s attractive. Is there a type of cruise that really appeals to you? If so, which one?

Did you miss the previous travel news? Read Adventure Festival, Gothenburgskalas and the best Christmas markets