Where to Travel in 2026
Are you the kind of person that begins research on their next trip while flying home from their last trip? We see you (and we are you)! Here are some exciting destinations to try out in 2026. Happy planning!
10. Fairbanks, Alaska
If you’re driving into Alaska, taking a plane into the Arctic, or traveling specifically to see the northern lights, you’ll almost certainly spend time in Fairbanks. It’s become quite the hip place to live or visit, full of art, music, and creativity. Fairbanks is one of the very best places for viewing the northern lights. One study showed that if you spend three nights actively looking for the northern lights in Fairanks from September-April, you have an 80 percent chance of success.
Don’t miss: gold panning at Gold Daughters and dog mushing with Black Spruce Dog Sledding
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9. East Maui
East Maui is more than a destination. It’s a different mindset. Many who reach the end of the legendary Road to Hana ask, “This is it?” and “Where is the rest of town?” Hana is not a destination– it’s famous for what it isn’t more than for what it is, a sleepy little fishing hamlet. Neighbors still talk to each other and wave as they pass on the street, fishing nets hang in front yards, and the fish end up on the table. You don’t come to Hana to reach something; you come out here to leave everything else behind. East Maui is also home to Pa’ia, a trendy, funky, and sexy town that also has the island’s best shopping and food– and the beaches are undeveloped and unheralded sanctuaries of calm.
Don’t miss: Basking on the shores of a black-sand beach at Wai’anapanapa State Park and swimming beneath waterfalls that tumble down to the ocean at the Pools of ‘Ohe’o
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8. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Nothing quite prepares you for the approach to San Pedro de Atacama. The undulating monotony of the sand-dune landscape suddenly blooms in a kaleidoscope of colors as pastel-hued volcanoes line the horizon and the jagged caverns of the Cordillera del Sal rise out of the desert, brown and dusted with salt to the south. This oasis town, at 2433 m (7982 ft) elevation, seems like a mirage. Thousands take tours to El Tatio, the world’s highest geysers, and head out tot he saline lakes of Salar de Atacama to admire the pastel-pink flamingos, or sink into a high-altitude hot-spring pool, or shred the desert dunes on a sandboard.
Don’t miss: stargazing in the Atacama Desert or clambering on the rocks at Piedras Rojas
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7. Alexandria, Egypt
In Egypt’s vibrant second city, colorful fishing boats bob in the harbor and young lovers stroll along the Corniche, taking in the breeze off the Mediterranean. Public beaches line the coast, covered in sturdy umbrellas, plastic patio chairs, and (in the summer months) a parade of people splashing just offshore. Early 20th-century cafes established by one-time Greek and Levantine residents still fuel the city with sweets and coffee, and traces of Alexandria’s rich Greco-Roman past sit tucked like hidden treasures between traffic-choked streets and concrete housing complexes.
Don’t miss: sipping coffee in an ahwa like Sofianopoulo Coffee Shop
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6. Ikaria, Greece
Ikaria (pop 8600) might be the strangest (and thus, coolest) of the Greek islands, and depending on how down you are with studded eccentricity, left-wing politics, and a poetic nonchalance for the concept of time, it might also become your favorite. This is the birthplace of Dionysus, god of wine. His legacy lives on in the island’s nocturnal lifestyle and truly wild panigiria (religious festivals). Unlike on other islands, the local economy doesn’t depend on tourism, so no one is aggressive, the towns are void of overt tourist infrastructures, and the summer season is just a continuation of normal life. This is a magical place. Don’t try to come here with a schedule, and don’t be alarmed if you miss your return flight or boat: Ikaria has a strange allure, hidden in the smiles of the people and the rhythm of the island, that will truly warm your heart.
Don’t miss: the thermal baths of Therma
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5. Connemara, Ireland
Connemara is wild Ireland. It’s where the Twelve Bens Mountain Range folds into the sea, where narrow ribbon roads weave through glacial valleys, and where sheep and deer can bring traffic to a standstill. Maps don’t do Connemara justice; it’s hard to convey the beauty of the sparseness. Connemara is properly experienced when you’re surrounded by its vastness and take in views that took nature millions of years to create. If Galway City is the cool cousin who studied abroad and came back with a new style and outlook, Connemara is the one who stayed behind, knowing that what they have can’t be found anywhere else, and doubled down on learning Irish, playing trad music, and living in tune with the landscape.
Don’t miss: hiking the Lower Diamond Hill Trail in Connemara National Park, for views of the Atlantic Ocean and Diamond Hill from the foothills.
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4. Madeira, Portugal
Lush, low-key, laid-back, and majestic, Madeira is known for sunny, warm weather and is growing in popularity as a winter escape for Northern Europeans. Comprising Madeira Island, smaller Porto Santo, and two clusters of uninhabited islands, the Desertas and the Savage Islands Natural Reserve, the subtropical archipelago is one of the EU’s remotest outposts and has soared in popularity thanks to its balmy year-round climate and gorgeous scenery.
Don’t miss: whale-watching and sampling Madeira wine
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3. Palm Springs, CA
When considering its 300 days of annual sun, well-watered canyons, and natural hot springs, it’s hard to imagine what could make Palm Springs more charmed–until you see its impeccable mid-century architecture preserved like a time capsule. After the town’s initial heydey for the Hollywood set from the 1920s through the 1960s, it was somehow left alone in its former glory. Lucky for us. Today you can stay in a retro boutique hotel, lounge by a gleaming pool, shop the design district, and live like you’re on permanent vacation in this timeless hot spot.
Don’t miss: vintage shopping in the Uptown Design District and taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the desert floor to the San Jacinto Mountains
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2. Oaxaca City, Mexico
Oaxaca City is one of the smallest major cities in Mexico– but don’t let its size fool you. It more than makes up for it in a larger-than-life historical, cultural, and artistic presence. Everywhere you look, there is color–dazzlingly embroidered clothing, psychedelic alebrijes sold on the street, buildings painted in cotton-candy shades. Describing Oaxaca as “magical” has become so commonplace it would be a cliche if it wasn’t absolutely true. Words and pictures don’t do it justice. Oaxaca isn’t just some place to visit; it must be experienced.
Don’t miss: wandering the streets of the Zócalo and taking a Mezcal tour
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1. Olympic National Park, Washington
Visit the Hall of Mosses and Hoh River Trail to find the “quietest place in the U.S,” where the dense rain forest and lack of human-made noise makes for a very quiet place. The Hoh River Trail stretches 17.3 mi (27.8 km) to Glacier Meadows on the flanks of Mount Olympus, the highest peak on the Olympic Peninsula. For a shorter, family-friendly hike, stick to the popular Hall of Mosses loop. Fallen cedar, fir, spruce, and hemlock trees frequently line the path, and light peeks through the canopy here and there, allowing visitors to see just how many shades of green there are. It may take less than an hour to hike the trail, but in that time, you get to see centuries of nature’s work, untouched by man.
Don’t miss: Ruby Beach, where you can enjoy the views of Abbey Island to the north
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Looking for more travel inspiration?
Check out Wanderlust: A Traveler’s Guide to the Globe
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