A holiday built around an ancient story, a historic city wall or a landscape from a favorite film is among the travel ideas Skyscanner is highlighting for 2027. The company calls the trend Grand Odysseys: journeys that give the past a place in the itinerary.
For travelers, the appeal is easy to understand. A walk becomes more memorable when there is something to discover beyond the view, while a familiar destination can feel different when explored through its stories. That might mean following a literary connection across the Greek islands or spending a morning on the walls of an ancient Chinese city.
What the Research Shows
Skyscanner’s wider 2027 report draws on research involving more than 28,000 travelers worldwide, alongside search and partner data. The UK edition includes a OnePoll survey of 2,000 UK travelers conducted from June 11 to 18, 2026.
In that UK survey, 39% of respondents said they planned to visit historical attractions in 2027, while 34% intended to visit museums and galleries. Those figures describe stated intentions among UK respondents; they are not worldwide booking totals or a guarantee that every history-focused destination will become busier.
The distinction matters when planning a trip. A trend report can suggest a rewarding theme, but it cannot tell you whether a particular ferry, guided visit or hotel will be available on your dates. Use the idea to narrow your interests, then build the practical itinerary around the places you actually want to experience.
Five Journeys Highlighted for 2027
Working with AllTrails, Skyscanner highlights five routes that connect walking with historical or legendary settings. The selection is a starting point for inspiration, rather than a universal ranking of the world’s best historic walks.
| Route | Destination | The draw |
|---|---|---|
| Cape Drastis Loop | Corfu, Greece | Coastal scenery on an island associated with the world of the Odyssey |
| Horcones Viewpoint–Horcones Lagoon–Espejo Lagoon | Argentina | Andean mountain landscapes near Aconcagua |
| Xi’an City Wall | China | A walk along the city’s Ming-era fortifications |
| Monte Santa Caterina | Favignana, Italy | An island climb towards a hilltop castle |
| Rizes Cave | Ithaca, Greece | A cave associated with Eumaeus and the Odyssey |
These are quite different experiences. A city-wall visit can fit into an urban break, while an island walk requires more thought about transport, weather and the time needed to reach the trail. Choose the setting that interests you first, rather than trying to combine all five into one ambitious holiday.
Keep History and Legend in Perspective
Part of the attraction is the way stories give landscapes meaning. Corfu and Ithaca have strong associations with the Odyssey, but a literary connection does not establish that a particular fictional episode happened at a specific spot. Xi’an’s surviving fortifications offer a different experience: a built historic landmark that can be explored on its own terms.
Film can provide another entry point. Skyscanner points to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey as an inspiration for travel, and we have already explored how The Odyssey is encouraging interest in Greece. A filming location, a place associated with a legend and an archaeological site may overlap, but they should not automatically be treated as the same thing.
A local museum or knowledgeable guide can help put those connections in context. It is often more rewarding to understand why a place became linked to a story than to arrive expecting a definitive location for every scene.
Plan the Walk, Not Just the Photograph
AllTrails lists the Cape Drastis Loop as a moderate 6.9-kilometer route with 246 meters of elevation gain and an estimated walking time of two to two-and-a-half hours. Allow additional time for stops and getting to the starting point.
The listed Rizes Cave route is much shorter: one kilometer out and back, with 104 meters of elevation gain and a moderate rating. Its estimated 30–60 minutes applies to the trail, not an entire excursion from elsewhere on Ithaca.
Before setting off, check current access, weather and route conditions, and carry appropriate footwear and water. For an island itinerary, leave room between a walk and a ferry departure. A short distance on a map does not necessarily mean a quick or effortless visit.
A Grand Journey Can Start Small
The most useful part of this trend is the permission to build a trip around curiosity. Our coverage of literary travel explores a similar approach: begin with a story that interests you, then leave enough space to enjoy the destination beyond its headline connection.
You do not need a multi-country expedition to make that work. One city, a well-chosen museum and a walk with a compelling backstory can provide a satisfying holiday. For 2027, the better question may be which story you want to explore—and how much time you want to give it.
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