From the Experts: 26 Destinations for 2026

“Why now? Indonesia is looking to shift the excess of tourists in Bali to the east. A fast boat from Padang Bai has you on the Gilis in an hour. I was in Lombok last month and everything was empty and cheap as chips. I hadn’t been for two decades and expected it to be overrun, but Gili Air was still laid-back, chilled and the diving was superb. Check out Seahorse Bay for macro diving as good as Lembeh — blue ribbon eels, flamboyant cuttlefish and mimic octopus. Don’t miss visiting Coral Catch, an all-female organisation saving the reefs while empowering local women. Meanwhile, Project Hiu is helping shark fishermen turn their hands to shark-diving tourism. Rinjani National Park is hugely underrated: a proper wilderness with excellent snakes, frogs and plentiful macaques.”

“My knowledge of East Africa is embarrassingly weak, but a trip to Lamu last year planted a seed. I want to see and know more about this coastline, especially after I learned that the islands of the Seychelles, Zanzibar, and Tanzania have an ecosystem with natural wonders that would rival — maybe exceed? not that it’s a competition! — that of the Galapagos. Aqua Expeditions sails this route on a new ship, and I’m ready to climb aboard.”

“’My client is not in a hurry.’ With those immortal words, Antoni Gaudí acknowledged that the Sagrada Família would outlive him — a masterpiece that refused to be rushed. Coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death, its long-awaited completion is finally due in 2026, bringing an extraordinary chapter of Barcelona’s story to a close.”

“I first visited Trancoso in northern Brazil as a student 40 years ago studying Portuguese (on the beach) and it was the most beautiful, unspoilt place. Today it’s described as the ‘Tulum of the 1990s’ and I can’t bear to miss seeing it again before it becomes the next big thing. Let’s hope it’s as stunningly perfect as it was all those years ago.”

“Year-round invigorating mountain air, 8,750 ft above sea level, a winter and summer sports haven, and non-stop arts happenings. Telluride, Colorado also has great food and charming B&Bs. Alternatively, stay an hour away at Dunton Hot Springs, where 14 original 1820s wood cabins now have underfloor heating, mod cons and great books — mostly by friends of the resort’s owner. There’s endless space framed by the San Juan Mountains, as well as a sense of history, authenticity, a spa, indoor hot spring bathing, skiing, biking, fishing, serious equestrian activities, an impressive cellar and real family-style food. All-inclusive and all-encompassing.”

“Mention Malta to most — or most Europeans, at least — and it conjures a simple image: God’s Waiting Room, with sunshine. Now though it’s more VIP than OAP. There’s a definite buzz on the island — look at the new MiCAS museum for one thing — and not one but two major new assets coming online for 2026. First: Casa Bonavita, which is going to jostle with Passalacqua for the title of the style set’s hotspot as soon as it opens. It was supposed to be a country pad for the co-founders of The Rug Company, but they changed their mind and instead opted to open a hotel. Their deep pockets and impeccable taste mean it’s going to be a landmark property, somewhere to visit regardless of its location. And it’s going to be even easier to do that: Delta’s bringing a long-haul nonstop to Valletta for the first time from early summer, connecting JFK to the island in a single jaunt. Its Italian-Arabic-English-Maltese mash-up culture is irresistible, and you can’t beat the Blue Lagoon — a swoon-worthy swimming spot on the tiny island of Comino next to Malta proper.”

“2026 is the year the full route of Mexico’s Maya Train finally comes into its own — unlocking quieter archaeological sites, lagoon villages, jungle reserves and previously hard-to-reach artisanal communities across the Yucatán Peninsula. After two years of suspended sections, patchy timetables and half-finished stations, next year is widely expected to be the first time the train operates as a fully stable, fully circulating and genuinely usable loop. Almost 1,000 miles of track now thread Cancún and Tulum to Chichén Itzá, Palenque and the misty pyramid-tops of Calakmul, before sweeping on to Bacalar’s seven-blue lagoon and the jaguar-stalked wetlands of Sian Ka’an. With 26 archaeological sites under restoration and Mérida humming with culture, the Yucatán finally connects as a single, continuous journey.”

“The eastern Canadian province is the one that welcomed American planes on 9/11, and that story is the basis for the play Come from Away. This is the 25th anniversary of that day and there are plans to welcome people back. It’s such a positive spin on a tragic event. Even beyond that, Newfoundland is an incredible province with lots to offer — from an exciting culinary scene to warm, welcoming communities. The Roots, Rants and Roars festival in the fall has become a fast favourite.”

“I have travelled to many places in the world that I have loved, and I’ve lived in Venice Beach, California for five years, as well as a home in my beloved Deia in Mallorca for 25 years. But right now my happy place is Bridport, Dorset. I spend time at the wonderful vintage street markets, as well as The Hive Beach and West Bay, where the beautiful views and sandy beaches fill me with joy. The food is delicious, especially the fish — from the locally caught lobster at The Hive Beach to the more sophisticated Seaside Boarding House overlooking the sea at Burton Bradstock, where I stay whenever I can for a cosy night. It takes me just over an hour from my home in Somerset, so no airports — and I can take my dog. I don’t need any more.”

“I’ve got my eyes on China, which is slowly being seen beyond its headlines. It’s one of the world’s biggest countries, home to a dizzying mix of cultures, landscapes and food. Think the TikTok-famous Blade Runner cityscapes of Chongqing or the natural beauty of Yunnan and its neighbouring provinces. Fresh hotel openings — like the Mandarin Oriental taking over an ancient hutong neighbourhood in Beijing, or the new Norden Camp on the Tibetan Plateau — show how travel here is shifting from flashy big brands to experiences full of local flavour.”

“Sarawak on Malaysian Borneo is quietly emerging as one of next year’s most compelling destinations — a place where true luxury lies in adventure, curiosity and deep connection to nature and people. From the longhouse warmth of its Indigenous Dayak communities to its status as one of Malaysia’s food capitals, and from the primeval grandeur of the world’s largest cave systems in UNESCO-listed Mulu National Park to its endlessly unfolding wilderness, Sarawak is finally stepping into the spotlight. Connectivity is also on the rise, with the state’s increasingly affluent government investing heavily in international marketing and even launching its own airline, AirBorneo, in March 2026. As a proud Bornean Brit who spent his childhood years in Sarawak, I can’t help but feel thrilled that this extraordinary corner of the world is finally receiving the attention it has always deserved.”

“Barbados may be a modest dot on the map, but we’re a small island with a big personality — and right now, a well-earned moment. Lonely Planet calls us ‘not just an island; it’s an experience’, and Condé Nast Traveller has named Barbados the world’s second-friendliest country. There are so many stories: mornings drifting over reefs with turtles; afternoons in Bridgetown’s sherbet-coloured streets; evenings at Oistins, elbow-deep in grilled marlin and laughter. Between the sea breeze, the rum shops and the warmth of the people, Barbados wins you over one small delight at a time.”

“In 2026, I want to return to the places that shaped my love of travel — beginning with Hong Kong, a city I haven’t explored since 2020 and one that feels utterly transformed. China is also calling: Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen remain powerful windows into what tomorrow looks like. And then there are the soul-stirrers — Halong Bay’s limestone calm and the Philippines’ crystal-clear seas. The world feels full of beauty and possibility.”

“Aman’s first safari offering in sub-Saharan Africa is due to open in 2026. The brand has long been a favourite of so-called ‘Aman Junkies’, who travel the world from Indonesia and Japan, via Venice and the French Alps, across to Mexico and the Caribbean, in order to sample their renowned hospitality and remarkable properties — and it is soon to be Mozambique’s time to play host to these lovers of über-luxury. Aman Karingani will be perched high above 150,000 hectares of wilderness in southern Mozambique’s Karingani Game Reserve, and will offer just 30 standalone pavilions, each with expansive covered decks, a private pool and endless views of the horizon.”

“I have my sights firmly set on a world-first walk in Australia’s Red Centre — the vast, desert heart of the country — between the monolith Uluru and the soaring domes of Kata Tjuta. The premium, fully guided experience, in partnership with Anangu Traditional Owners, connects hikers to desert trails and ancient stories of the World Heritage-listed national park. Staying in private, eco-sensitive campsites of supreme comfort — one with a wellness centre — dine by campfire under big starry skies in the heart of the country.”

“My destination pick for 2026 would be Timor-Leste. It’s one of the world’s youngest democracies and the newest member of ASEAN (kind of like Asia’s EU). It’s a wild beauty and taps into the luxury travel trend for visiting remote, untouched places. Nihi is opening there in April and Ponant also drops anchor on its Indonesia and Timor-Leste journey.”

“Botswana is shaping not just the future of safari travel, but a more thoughtful way of exploring destinations as a whole. New openings — including &Beyond’s Sandibe and Nxabega Under Canvas — add to an already standout lodge scene, while outfitters like Desert & Deltas are introducing experiences that reveal a more human side of safari: camping out to see ancient petroglyphs in the UNESCO-listed Tsodilo Hills with Indigenous Ju/‘hoansi guides, or learning to fish like locals on the Okavango Delta. It’s a mindset that brings more of the destination into focus, without losing the comfort travellers love.”

“Next year, America feels bigger than ever. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will sweep through 11 U.S. cities, the country marks its 250th birthday, and New York is planning a tall-ship parade that will turn the Hudson into a floating timeline. It’s also the centenary of Route 66 — that great, nostalgic thread across the continent. For travellers, it’s a rare moment: a country reflecting on its past while putting on an almighty show.”

“Now and then, the universe pulls its own curtain: the moon slides precisely between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow that turns daylight briefly to night. On 12 August 2026, the total solar eclipse will cross mainland Europe for the first time in 27 years — and in Priorat, darkness will deepen for 1 minute and 7 seconds. Spain is one of the safest bets for clear August skies, and the Priorat wine region, with its terraced vineyards and open horizons, makes it one of the most atmospheric vantage points on the route.”

“Traitors fever is drawing people to the Highlands’ misty glens, ancient strongholds and that delicious sense of tension the show captures so well. With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland feels more charged than it has in years.”

“I may be biased, but 2026 is shaping up to be the year of samba, smiles and the boundless joy of Brazil — and Travel + Leisure agrees, crowning it the Destination of 2026. This is a Brazil moment: Farm Rio — the Brazilian fashion brand turned global phenomenon — is a global zeitgeist, Prince William and Dua Lipa closed out 2025 in full carnival spirit, and the country has just welcomed a record-breaking eight million visitors. Travellers are venturing beyond Rio and the Amazon to Indigenous homelands, Iguaçu Falls, the Pantanal and the great metropolis of São Paulo. 2026 isn’t just another year — it’s Brazil’s year, alive with culture, nature and unstoppable energy.”

“For the longest time, there was no movement within the London hotel scene. It was stagnant and dominated by a handful of beautiful grande dame properties that we all know and love. Nobody else got a look-in. Until, that is, relatively recently when a number of big brands moved in within close succession of each other. The Peninsula, the new Mandarin Oriental, and, of course, Raffles OWO on Whitehall. It’s been an exciting time for the city and the new kids on the block have certainly created a lot of buzz, but the big one is still to come. As a proud born and bred Londoner, I am fizzing with excitement at the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Admiralty Arch in 2026 and I’m not the only one. When I was a little boy, it was always the biggest treat when my parents took me and my sister into the city to see Buckingham Palace and the lions of Trafalgar Square. Lurking in the background of those special moments was always Admiralty Arch, so I’m intrigued to see what Hilton has planned for such an iconic and historic landmark and excited for the next chapter of its story to begin.”

“I have my eyes set on South Korea. Japan has dominated in recent years, especially post-pandemic, but I feel South Korea is next. It’s not just the rich culture and incredible food — it’s become a must-visit for beauty. From lavish hair treatments to cutting-edge skincare and cosmetic procedures, anyone who’s experienced K-beauty knows there’s nothing like it. And after years of soft-power strategy, the results are about to pay off.”

“There’s a lot of attention on the U.S. next year as it celebrates 250 years and hosts the FIFA World Cup across multiple cities. My pick if you want to see a match is L.A.–a chance to show some love to a place that had a devastating start to the year with the fires yet remains endlessly magnetic. And the ideal pairing just six hours away is my hometown, Scottsdale, and my home state of Arizona. Not because it’s flashy or newsy, but because it delivers everything people are craving in a truly fabulous holiday destination and that is just what we need in the heavy news cycle: nature and wellness, with some of the best hikes and spas in the world; incredible food; standout hotels (the Hermosa Inn and Castle Hot Springs are two all-time favourites); and that unmistakable Wild West spirit (thank you, Kevin Costner and Yellowstone). Arizona has a way of making you feel both insignificant and powerful—and that’s exactly why it’s so special.”

“Travellers are rightly obsessed with finding the right Greek island – but they’re overlooking one of the most beautiful and authentic parts of the country, which happens not to be an island, but the southernmost tip of the mainland, The Peloponnese. Drivable from Athens, it’s made up of four peninsulas, and blessed with many sparkling beaches and bays, equally as lovely as what you might find on any island – and for the most part without the crowds. It’s steeply mountainous in parts, charmingly bucolic in others, dotted with olive groves and small farms, and rich with historical sites, notably Sparta, Olympia, and Mycenae. What really struck me is how many of its towns and landscapes could be swapped out for more famous, touristy places – the fortress town of Monemvasia for Dubrovnik, Kalamata for Cannes, and the west for Sicily generally (they share a sea and latitude.)  Some vistas feel like Tuscany. The peninsula has the magical ingredients that drives travel for me now — realness, culinary traditions, natural beauty, deep dives into history and culture – leaving me with the strong sense that I’ve discovered something wonderful and underappreciated.”

“Sri Lanka continues to be one of the best yet most underrated countries as there is so much packed into a compact island. Beautiful scenery, great beaches, heaps of wildlife (including leopard, elephant, whales), delicious food, world heritage sites, tea plantations and charming boutique hotels. The new six-room Kalkudah Beach Hotel is an early sign of the little-visited east coast getting on the luxury map.”