Why 2026 is the year of the cowboy holiday

Double denim, leather boots and Instagram videos of bronco riders in slow-motion. Is it just us, or is the cowboy aesthetic getting us a little hot under the necktie? 

And it’s not just the look that’s making us want to book a one-way ticket to Texas – it’s the cowboy’s entire way of life: unplugged, unbothered and swigging a beer under an endless starry sky. It’s exploring a vast plain on the back of a reliable yet responsive Quarter Horse, with dirt under your nails and a battered old cowboy hat on your head. 

Beyond Texas, cowboy culture and horse riding adventures thrive in Alberta, Canada, among the herders of Europe, the stockmen of Australia, and even, would you believe, in the hills of Devon, UK.

Here are some of our favourite ways to embrace cowboy-core wherever you roam – from ranch stays and wagon races to rodeos and wild horseback adventures.  

Bandera, Texas 

For a proper introduction to cowboy life, saddle up and head to the charming historical hill town of Bandera . Located just outside of San Antonio, Texas, it’s known as the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” 
 
Here, real-life ranchers ride three abreast down Main Street, cattle auctions and rodeos are part of daily life, and spit n’ sawdust bars – including the famed 11th Street Cowboy Bar  – are where you’ll find rollicking Country & Western bands playing to an exuberant crowd. 
 
In the surrounding area, you’ll find dude ranches aplenty catering to visitors in search of a slice of cowboy life. Take your pick, they’ll all have you hopping in the saddle in no time. 

Calgary, Canada 

Dust off that Canadian tuxedo and grab your Stetson: the rhinestone-studded Calgary Stampede  is cowboy culture at its most thrilling. First established more than 100 years ago, this 10-day festival sees more than a million visitors descend upon Alberta every July to soak up the atmosphere and watch the world-class cowboy (and cowgirl) talents on display. Expect a massive rodeo, chuckwagon races and competitions galore, all performed in front of a roaring, denim-clad crowd. Don’t miss the powwow competition, a showcase of Indigenous performances and elaborate regalia by First Nations performers.

Feeling inspired to get in the saddle? The River Lane Ranch  in Edmonton offers riding holidays suitable for all skill levels. The highlight of this ranch is its herd of stunningly beautiful gypsy cobs, a heavy horse breed known for the spectacular feathering on their legs that make them look like they’ve just stepped out of a fairytale. 

Dartmoor, UK

Yellowstone? Nope. This is real, rugged cowboy life, not in Montana, but in the national parklands of Devon, deep in the English countryside. Nestled among Dartmoor’s foothills, Dartmoor Riding Holidays  operates out of Meldon Farm, a real working ranch that still guides its cattle to grazing pastures on horseback. Using quiet, sure-footed American Quarter Horses and Western-style saddles, their expert guides bring riders high up into Dartmoor’s wilderness, working in harmony with their steeds to move the herd along. 
 
The pace is relatively slow – exhilarating gallops aren’t the focus here – so guests looking for a faster ride can opt for the Dartmoor Crossing, a week-long point-to-point trek across the rushing rivers, dramatic valleys and charming villages of Dartmoor National Park, staying at rustic guesthouses along the way.

Victoria, Australia 

While American bronco riders are the first thing that comes to mind when most people picture a cowboy, the grizzled stockmen of the Australian outback can certainly hold their own. Horses & Cattle Australia  offers cattle drives and trail rides all over the country. 
 
Immerse yourself in farm life with a stay on a remote cattle station, living and working with a farming family. To really get away from it all, opt for their signature Man from Snowy River ride. Inspired by the classic Aussie film of the same name. You begin at the town of Mansfield, about two-and-a-half-hours northeast of Melbourne. From there you follow the drover’s trail, climbing mountains and traversing grassy plains, camping under the incredible Southern stars and taking in the diverse wildlife of the Victorian High Country along the way. 

The French Alps 

America has cattle drives; Europe has transhumance, an age-old tradition where herdsmen move their livestock from low-altitude grazing land to cooler, higher pastures in the summer months. Tourists often follow on foot, but specialist operators offer horseback tours for fit intermediate or experienced riders. Unicorn Trails’ Great Transhumance  ride is a five-day journey through the remote French Alpes-Maritimes region and across the border into the Italian Riviera. 
 
You’ll be riding alongside a free-roaming herd, guiding them to their summer pastures – and there’s no feeling quite like running with a pack of wild horses. En route, you’ll find medieval towns dwarfed by snow-capped peaks, mountain ridges and grassy plateaus. The trail isn’t always easy-going; at times, you'll have to dismount and lead your horse through narrow passes or across rocky terrain – but theincredible views make it all worthwhile.