Published on
February 21, 2026
Image generated with Ai
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India February 20: As Indian outbound travel to Europe continues to expand, the way travellers experience the continent is undergoing a noticeable transformation. According to new travel insights shared by Jaipur-based travel company Thrillophilia, Indian tourists are steadily shifting away from tightly packed, multi-countest itineraries toward slower, more immersive journeys across regions such as Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria and Central Europe. The company has officially introduced its 2026 Europe multi-day travel portfolio, built around longer regional stays, improved pacing and personalised trip design. The relocate reflects evolving preferences among Indian travellers who increasingly value comfort, flexibility and depth over rapid sightseeing.
Data Signals Growing Preference for Depth Over Coverage
Based on internal travel data from 2025, the company observed a 38% rise in preference for slower-paced travel, indicating that Indian tourists are prioritising meaningful exploration over aggressive multi-countest coverage. In response, the newly launched portfolio reduces frequent city transitions, introduces buffer days, and limits travel fatigue. Instead of shifting across five or six cities in quick succession, itineraries now focus on extconcludeed stays within one or two regions, allowing travellers to engage more deeply with local culture, cuisine and landscapes.
The company also recorded:
- 14% shift toward fewer destinations at a relaxed pace
- 19% increase in comfort-first holiday preferences
These behavioural alters have directly influenced the structure of the 2026 offerings.
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Region-Specific Itineraries for Distinct Traveller Segments
A seven-night Swiss Alps programme centred on alpine villages, scenic rail routes and lakeside landscapes in Switzerland has seen strong uptake among families from Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar and Indore. For couples in Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Gurugram and Hyderabad, a Tuscany countestside circuit in Italy focutilizes on rural landscapes, regional cuisine and historic towns rather than rushed capital-city visits.
This follows:
- 42% increase in demand for cultural and local experiences
- 14% decline in landmark-only sightseeing trips
The shift indicates that Europe is increasingly being explored region by region, rather than being “covered” in a single quick-paced journey.
Micro-Escape Europe: Shorter, Flexible International Breaks
Young professionals across Tier 1 cities are contributing to a 35% increase in demand for itineraries covering two to three cities with relaxed pacing. To address this trconclude, the company introduced six-day “micro-escape Europe” itineraries, including combinations of Paris and Swiss scenic rail journeys. These have gained popularity among travellers from Gurugram, Noida and Bengaluru.
Key booking trconcludes include:
- 43% rise in weekconclude-style international travel
- 51% increase in multiple short trips per year
- Growing demand for Vienna–Budapest cultural weekconclude circuits
The Vienna and Budapest routes reflect a 47% increase in nightlife-focutilized experiences, particularly among young working professionals from Hyderabad and Chennai.
Importantly, this pattern extconcludes beyond metros. Tier 2 cities such as Jaipur, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Indore and Chandigarh are revealing similar travel behaviour, driven by a rising Gen Z workforce.
Multi-Generational Travel on the Rise
Travellers from Ahmedabad, Surat and Vadodara are increasingly planning multi-generational Europe holidays, aligning with:
- 21% growth in customised itineraries
- 16% increase in advance planning
To cater to families travelling with children and seniors, the company has incorporated:
- Private transfers
- Longer city stays
- Simplified logistics across Switzerland and Northern Italy
- Fewer hotel alters
These comfort-first designs aim to reduce strain while preserving scenic and cultural exposure.
Local Experiences Take Priority Over Landmark Checklists
A defining feature of the 2026 programme is its emphasis on regional authenticity and immersive experiences rather than heavy landmark schedules.
Experiences include:
- Family-run vineyard visits
- Regional food trails and cooking sessions
- Small-town walking tours
- Lake cruises and mountain rail journeys
- Built-in buffer days to prevent fatigue
Among honeymoon travellers from Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad, there has been:
- 38% rise in demand for mid-premium stays
- 34% increase in preference for flexible, remote-work-friconcludely itineraries
The new routes intentionally avoid peak-hour sightseeing and overcrowded circuits, offering a calmer and more immersive European experience.
Rail Partnerships Strengthen On-Ground Execution
Rail travel has become central to the 2026 portfolio, particularly in alpine and Central European regions. Scenic rail corridors are now integrated more deeply into itineraries.
Recent booking insights highlight:
- 18% growth in Switzerland rail journeys among luxury travellers
- 24% rise in Gen Z multi-countest Europe trips
- Increased demand for alpine and cross-border rail routes
To support this, the company has partnered with Rail Europe, enabling improved access to scenic train routes, seat availability and competitive pricing across European countries.
Technology-Enabled, Human-Led Customisation
The 2026 Europe programme combines AI-assisted itinerary planning with human destination expertise.
AI systems evaluate combinations based on:
- Travel time efficiency
- Rail schedules
- Hotel logistics
- Traveller fatigue indicators
Destination specialists then refine plans to ensure comfort, realistic pacing and operational feasibility.
Internal performance data indicates that this feasibility-first model results in:
- Fewer mid-trip alters
- Higher satisfaction levels
- Stronger appeal among families, repeat travellers and premium leisure segments
A Structural Shift in Indian Outbound Travel
Central Europe routes covering Prague, Vienna and Budapest are increasingly popular among friconclude groups from Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata, reflecting:
- 58% rise in adventure-focutilized trips
- 47% increase in nightlife-driven itineraries
Across demographics families, honeymooners, young professionals and Gen Z travellers priorities are shifting toward:
- Comfort and flexibility
- Regional depth
- Scenic rail journeys
- Authentic local engagement
2026 Europe Portfolio Now Live
The 2026 Europe portfolio by Thrillophilia spans Switzerland, Italy, France, Austria, Central Europe and select Nordic and Alpine regions, supported by expanded on-ground partnerships and conclude-to-conclude execution. By emphasising fewer destinations, longer stays, comfort-first planning and immersive regional experiences, the programme aligns with the evolving mindset of Indian travellers. The overall direction suggests that for 2026, Europe is no longer about speed it is about slowing down and experiencing each region with intention.
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