Excelsior travel agent Linda Bendt has been exploring the world her whole life—and she has been working in the travel industry for almost 30 years, first on marketing campaigns for tourism boards and hotels, and then as the co-owner of Pique Travel, which she runs with her husband, Jim. “We focus on four- and five-star travel experiences to destinations around the world,” Bendt says. “We love to help people make the most of their time and financial resources when it comes to traveling.”
In our 2026 Ultimate Travel Guide, Bendt shared her expertise on travel trends, favorite destinations, and how to plan an unforgettable trip this year.
What are some 2026 and 2027 travel trends you’re seeing?
First is bucket-list travel. Since the pandemic, people who love to travel are not willing to wait anymore to be checking things off their bucket list.
Second is multigenerational and ‘skip gen’ travel, where grandparents are taking all generations (kids and grandkids) or just their grandkids on notable trips. It might be notable because of the destination or experience—an African safari, hiking Machu Picchu, etc.—or just a simple, experiential trip where time together is the most important thing.
A third trend is midsize, luxury ship cruising. Ships are being designed so beautifully and smartly. Itineraries are created with more time in port and include some unique and interesting smaller ports where crowds are less (which helps address the overtourism ‘trend’ that we’re all watching and trying to positively impact). And they’re starting to draw a younger, more active audience. Cruise lines like Explora Journeys, Silversea, and Regent Seven Seas are a few of the ones we love and turn to for a memorable experience.
What are your personal top-three destinations?
New Zealand. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth, especially for nature lovers and adventurers like me. The diversity is awe-inspiring—caves, geothermal areas, mountains, beaches, forests, and an incredibly rich marine ecosystem.
Southern or eastern Africa. Whether it’s the humbling experience of watching a pride of lions keep watch over their land, or gorilla trekking in Rwanda or Uganda, Africa has a ‘hard to articulate’ aspect about it. Most experiences in those regions activate all five senses, and the people are caring, empathetic, hardworking, and genuine.
Hawaii—any of the islands, each for different reasons. Jim and I lived there for three years and really gravitated to the true culture and essence of the people there. When you know where to go and how to truly experience its authenticity, it stays with you forever and you yearn to go back!
Courtesy of Linda Bendt
What are your best pieces of travel advice?
Partner with a travel advisor! Finding someone you can trust and truly collaborate with can be a great partnership … We believe it’s a creative, collaborative process.
A small but important one: Keep your passport updated. When you travel internationally, you need to have at least six months of validity left on your passport. Keep an eye out so it doesn’t creep up on you.
Talk to your friends and family about their travels to learn and get ideas, but don’t ‘take your neighbor’s trip.’ We want to design a trip specific to our client’s likes and dislikes, not just take something off the shelf or do what’s expected.
Travel with carry-on luggage only, whenever possible. It reduces the potential stress of delayed or lost luggage and keeps you in control of your belongings at all times. So many hotels and cruises offer launderette services now, so you can freshen up your clothes along the way, rather than overpack.
What’s always in your luggage?
The Flighty app, which helps track flights and gives real-time updates.
If I have to work while traveling, I love my portable double monitor. I use it religiously, and it replicates what I have in my office the best I can on the road.
