Forget the family package holiday. As the summer season winds down, over-50s are already planning ahead to 2027 — and increasingly, they want to travel in pairs of pairs.

New research from insurer goodtogo has identified a growing trend it has dubbed the "Couple-Cation": holidays taken not with extended family, but with other couples. Nearly a quarter of over-50s (23%) now say this is their most common form of group travel, making it almost twice as popular as trips with extended family (12%). Some 17% take a group getaway at least once a year, and it's not just a way for solo travellers to find company — plenty of couples are choosing to holiday alongside other couples by choice.

Mixed-gender groups are the most popular arrangement overall, chosen by 47% of over-50 travellers, cutting across the old stereotype of the "girls' trip" or "boys' trip". Where single-sex groups remain, women lead the way: 26% opt for all-female getaways.

Behind the trend lies a broader shift in what matters to people as they get older. Almost four in ten over-50s (39%) say their friendships have grown more important in later life, a sentiment felt most strongly among women, at 41%.

Graeme McKenzie, ageing expert at goodtogo, says the appeal goes well beyond company on a sun lounger. "As we get older, our social connections become even more valuable and important," he says. "They help to keep us active and connected, and can prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness. Travelling in a group, especially with your partner and other couples, provides a fantastic blend of shared experiences, socialising and reassuring familiarity. It can also be a major confidence boost, with travellers inspiring each other to step out of their comfort zones and experience new things."

It might be assumed that confidence fades with age when it comes to travel. The research suggests the opposite: nearly a third (30%) of those in their fifties feel more confident travelling now than they did when they were younger. Those in their sixties report the strongest appetite for adventure (16%), while it's the over-80s who are most willing to loosen the purse strings — 43% say they'd happily spend more than £1,000 per person on a group trip.

When it comes to what over-50s actually want from these trips, relaxation still wins out, with beach holidays the top choice (41%), narrowly ahead of cultural city breaks (35%) and foodie getaways (29%). Italy is the most popular dream destination overall (15%), particularly among women (18%), with Spain close behind (14%). And rather than sticking with the tried and tested, over-50s are more likely to choose somewhere new altogether: 34% would rather visit an unfamiliar country than return to a favourite resort (32%).

Maria Hughes, travel expert at goodtogo, believes the Couple-Cation reflects a deeper change in how people over 50 view travel itself. "It represents a wonderful evolution in how people over 50 are viewing travel, seeing it as an option to strengthen or build meaningful relationships through bonding over shared experiences," she says. "Travelling with another couple or a group of close friends offers great benefits to holidaymakers, combining the reassurance of travelling in familiar company with the freedom and flexibility of travelling by yourself or with your partner. The reassuring presence of friends might encourage travellers to visit a brand new country, experience a different type of holiday, or try new food or activities they might not otherwise consider. Being part of a group offers collective confidence that can help to make your next trip truly memorable."

For anyone tempted to plan their own Couple-Cation, Hughes has four pieces of advice. First, simplify the admin: groups can often be covered by a single travel insurance policy, whether they're a couple, a family or a circle of friends, even where individual members need cover for pre-existing medical conditions — and if one person has to cancel, the whole group's claim is handled under one policy rather than several. Second, be upfront about everyone's needs, from physical requirements to what each person actually wants out of the holiday, to head off friction before it starts. Third, and perhaps counterintuitively for a group trip, build in time apart — a day pursuing separate interests, or a quiet meal for two — so everyone gets to recharge. And finally, accept that compromise is part of the deal: talking through what each person or couple wants to do opens the door to activities nobody would have tried alone.

More information is available at goodtogoinsurance.com.