The 'Nest-cation': The Family Holiday Parents Don't Think They Need Until It's Too Late

New research by premium travel company Kuoni reveals the importance of the last family holiday before children leave home, labelling the new travel trend the ‘nest-cation’

43% of Brits say the family holiday taken together before children fly the nest deserves to be recognised as a milestone in the same way as retirement or a honeymoon.

A quarter of parents (25%) with children aged 18-24 wish they had taken a 'nest-cation' with their adult children before they had left home.

Over the past three years, more than a quarter (27%) of Kuoni's family holiday bookings have qualified as a 'nest-cation'.

Thursday, 30 July 2026. A new survey from premium travel specialists Kuoni has revealed that parents often only truly recognise the value of a final family holiday once it's already too late and children have flown the nest.

Kuoni is labelling the trend for a final family trip away together as the ‘nest-cation’ - a holiday that 43% of Brits say deserves to be recognised as a milestone in the same way as a honeymoon.

To fully understand the nest-cation trend, Kuoni surveyed 2,000 adults in the UK, both adult children* and parents, to delve deeper into this emerging holiday habit and the destinations and style of holiday they most want to experience together.

1 in 4 empty nesters wish they'd taken a final family holiday
The survey reveals that more than two in five (43%) of Brits agree that every family should take a final trip together, with this feeling running even deeper among parents (62%). Whilst over half (52%) of parents with children under 18 feel a last family holiday is a trip worth planning, those who don’t see it as a ‘thing’ often come to regret it once children have left home.

Among parents whose children have already flown the nest, over a third (35%) say a nestcation is one of the most significant experiences a family can share. With a quarter (25%) of those whose 18–24-year-olds have already left home also wishing they'd taken a nest-cation while they had the chance, parents should look to book that final trip together before it’s too late.

The nest-cation trend is already taking off
Kuoni's internal booking data also reveals how many families are already embracing the nest-cation and the most popular destinations they are going to. Over the past five years, more than 27% of family bookings included someone in the 16-25-year-old age bracket. Bookings for families travelling with 16-25-year-olds peaked in 2022-23, up 55% on the prior year, as families made the most of post-COVID travel and made up for lost time. Rather than dropping away, when travel restrictions lifted, bookings including 16-25-year-old passengers have remained consistently above 27% since, suggesting that nest-cations are here to stay rather than being a fleeting trend.

Exotic islands are the top nest-cation hotspots 
The top three destinations for family nest-cation bookings in 2025-26 made through Kuoni were to the Maldives (15.2%), Thailand (9.8%) and Mauritius (8%) which reflects what the survey reveals – that UK families would opt for a hot beach destination (31%) or an all inclusive resort (18%) as they’re top choices for a special milestone trip.

Kuoni Top 10 Family Nest-cation Destinations 25/26: 
Maldives Thailand Mauritius Greece USA Kenya Vietnam Italy Indonesia Tanzania. However, Kuon’s fastest-growing destinations for family holidays in 2025-26 are Kenya (up 61%), Vietnam (up 145%) and Tanzania (up 83%) all year-on-year compared to 2024-25. The rise in interest in these places reflects a growing appetite for trips that create shared experiences. From safaris and cultural experiences to stunning beaches, these destinations offer plenty to excite the entire family and blend adventure with downtime.

With 1 in 10 parents with children still at home (9%) saying they’d prefer a nest-cation that ticks off a bucket list destination, it's no surprise that these destinations are increasing in popularity for this special milestone holiday.

Kuoni managing director Mark Duguid said: "Family holidays create some of life's most treasured memories, and with over 60 years of experience tailor-making holidays, we know just how precious that time together really is. The nest-cation is a new concept that families are already making the most of, and as children grow up and start to find their own way, that last big trip as a family becomes something worth marking."

Is there a perfect age for a ‘Nest-cation’?
The window for a nest-cation seems to be smaller than most families think! Parents with children still at home believe the sweet spot for a final family trip is 18, whilst adult children think the best age is around the time they turn 20.

With two in five (44%) of 18–24-year-olds also saying they'd still holiday with their family after leaving home, it’s easy for parents to assume there will always be another opportunity for this milestone trip. However, good intentions and reality don’t always match as Kuon’s research also reveals that 29% of those surveyed were unsure if that ‘milestone family holiday’ would ever happen with busy lives pulling families in different directions. A reminder that the ‘nestcation’ is all too easy to keep postponing until the moment has passed.

For more information on Kuoni family holidays, click here.

About Kuoni Kuoni Travel UK is part of DERTOUR UK, one of Europe’s leading travel groups. Kuoni has continued to set the pace in premium worldwide travel in the UK market for almost 60 years and is regularly voted one of the best holiday companies in the country by readers of national newspapers and travel industry titles as well as being a Which? Recommended Provider. Kuoni are experts in their travellers’ needs and craft holidays and honeymoons, with flair, to more than 90 destinations around the world. Their knowledgeable, enthusiastic, friendly and passion filled team understand what it takes to deliver unforgettable holiday experiences. Kuoni has a retail network across the UK and can be found on premium high streets and shopping centres. Each store is unique in design and showcases Kuoni’s Personal Travel Experts and personalised customer service. Kuoni holidays are also available to book at kuoni.co.uk, by calling our team of destination experts on 0330 808 4504, or through travel agents.

For more information contact = pressoffice@kuoni.co.uk or leah@propellernet.co.uk

Methodology: In June 2026, Kuoni commissioned a nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK families.

Internal data is correct as of May 2026 and is based on Kuoni’s internal booking data.

*adult children are defined as those aged 18-24 with no dependants