Planning travel for 2026 can feel overwhelming. Flights are shifting, costs are changing, and the world is full of places that all seem worth choosing.
This list isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about destinations that offer depth, beauty, and meaning. Some are places I know well, while others are still on my own list, shaped by research, timing, and conversations with people who love them deeply.
1. Italy
Italy layers history, daily life, and beauty in a way few places manage. Ancient ruins sit beside school drop-offs, laundry lines hang above archaeological sites, and meals are treated as non-negotiable rituals. Cities reward wandering, while smaller towns offer quiet, grounded moments that linger.
Why go in 2026: Host of the 2026 Winter Olympics in the Dolomites in February.
Favourite city or region: Rome
A must-do: Tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain in Rome.
2. Japan
Japan balances tradition and modern life with astonishing ease. It’s a country that rewards curiosity and respect, especially when you step beyond the main cities.
Why go in 2026: Cherry blossom festivals and traditional seasonal events like hanami in spring.
A must-do: Visiting a shrine early in the morning before a city fully wakes.
3. France
France is more than Paris, though Paris still matters. It’s a country of regions, each with its own rhythm, food culture, and sense of identity. Even small towns feel lived-in rather than staged.
Why go in 2026: Continued investment in regional tourism is drawing travellers beyond Paris.
Favourite city or region: Strasbourg and surrounds.
A must-do: Reading a book in the park next to the Eiffel Tower with patisserie goods.
4. Canada
Canada is vast, generous, and quietly spectacular. The landscapes alone justify the journey, but it’s the balance of wildness and order that stays with you. Cities feel liveable rather than overwhelming, and nature is never far away.
Why go in 2026: Part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted here.
Favourite city or region: Canadian Rockies
A must-do: Standing at a glacier-fed lake and letting the scale recalibrate you.
5. Portugal
Portugal is gentle in the best way. It offers beauty without bravado and warmth without pressure. Days unfold easily here, with space for spontaneity and rest. It’s affordable by European standards and deeply human in how it welcomes visitors.
Why go in 2026: Regional gastronomy festivals and coastal cultural events make 2026 a rich year.
Favourite city or region: Lisbon
A must-do: Riding the popular tram #28 through Lisbon.
6. Thailand
Thailand remains one of the most accessible introductions to Asia. It’s warm, affordable, and endlessly varied. From islands to mountains to cities, it adapts to your pace.
Why go in 2026: Festivals Loy Krathong and Songkran.
Favourite city or region: Krabi Region
A must-do: Watching a night performance with fire dancers.
7. New Zealand
My home country New Zealand, is familiar and surprising at once. Distances are short, but landscapes shift quickly, from coast to forest to mountains in a single day. There’s an ease to moving around, and it rewards presence more than planning, and one I never take for granted.
Why go in 2026: Soundsplash festival and strong summer cultural calendars make for a lively year.
Favourite city or region: Wellington in the North, Arrowtown in the South.
A must-do: One of the many hikes in the country.
8. United Kingdom
The UK rewards repeat visits. History is layered into everyday life, and regional identities matter. You can move quickly between cities and countryside, or linger in one place and still feel fulfilled.
Why go in 2026: Year-round cultural events and regional festivals.
Favourite city or region: London
A must-do: Wandering a neighbourhood without an agenda.
9. Chile
Chile stretches dramatically from desert to glacier. Travel here feels like crossing multiple countries in one. It’s less crowded than its neighbours and deeply rewarding for those willing to explore. The sense of space is unforgettable.
Why go in 2026: Patagonia and Santiago continue to host outdoor and film culture events in 2026.
Favourite city or region: Torres del Paine National Park.
A must-do: Sitting still in silence and letting the landscape speak to you.
10. Norway
Norway is defined by light, water, and restraint. The landscapes feel sculptural, and the cities are calm and functional. It’s expensive, but delivers value in experience rather than excess. Travel here feels clean and considered.
Why go in 2026: Winter festivals under the northern lights.
A must-do: Watching light shift over water for hours.
11. Singapore
Singapore is efficient without being cold. It’s clean, green, and unexpectedly playful. Food culture is the great equaliser here, bringing everyone together.
Why go in 2026: The Singapore Grand Prix returns in October.
Favourite city or region: Gardens by the Bay.
A must-do: Eating at a hawker centre.
12. Malaysia
Malaysia offers cultural layering without intensity. It’s a gentle introduction to Southeast Asia with strong food traditions, culture and diverse landscapes.
Why go in 2026: Kuala Lumpur’s food festivals and multicultural celebrations.
Favourite city or region: Kuala Lumpur.
A must-do: Sampling street food across cultures.
13. Greece
Greece balances myth and modern life effortlessly. The islands differ wildly, and the mainland often gets overlooked. Travel here rewards curiosity beyond postcard views.
Why go in 2026: Regions like Crete feature culinary festivals and summer cultural events.
A must-do: Swimming off a quiet beach.
14. Australia
Australia is vast and varied, with a strong sense of everyday ease that makes travel feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Cities are liveable and well-connected, and nature is never far away, whether that’s a beach, a national park, or open countryside.
Why go in 2026: The Australian GP and a packed cultural calendar make 2026 lively here.
Favourite city or region: Sydney
A must-do: Coastal walking at your own pace.
15. Argentina
Argentina is emotional, expressive, and intense in a way that feels woven into everyday life. The energy shifts constantly, from the pulse of its cities to the stillness of its vast wilderness. It’s a country that asks you to slow down, adapt, and stay curious when plans change. In return, it offers moments that feel raw, memorable, and deeply human.
Why go in 2026: Festivals in Buenos Aires and southern cultural events.
Favourite city or region: Iguazu
A must-do: Sitting in a café and watching life unfold.
16. Taiwan
Taiwan has a reputation for warmth, hospitality, and surprising diversity. It’s often described as approachable and safe, with a strong food culture and a deep sense of place. Taiwan appeals as a destination where everyday life and natural beauty coexist, and where travel feels immersive.
Why go in 2026: Tết and local spring festivals (like lantern celebrations) offer vibrant cultural immersion.
A must-do: Night market exploration.
17. Peru
Peru blends ancient history with daily life in a way that feels close and tangible. From the altitude in the Andes to the rhythm of markets and family life, everything asks you to slow down and adapt. The past isn’t fenced off here; it sits alongside the present in streets, conversation, food, and the arts.
Why go in 2026: World heritage celebrations around Machu Picchu and Andean festivals.
Favourite city or region: Cusco
A must-do: Walking through history at sunrise.
18. Switzerland
Switzerland feels precise and peaceful in a way that’s immediately noticeable. Landscapes are dramatic and serene, with mountains, lakes, and villages arranged almost impossibly neatly. Travel here encourages attentiveness rather than rushing, where trains run on time and viewpoints feel thoughtfully framed.
Why go in 2026: Mountain events and seasonal cultural festivals around lakes and Alps.
Favourite city or region: Bernese Oberland
A must-do: Riding a mountain train.
19. Mexico
Mexico is vibrant, complex, and deeply generous once you slow down enough to meet it properly. History is layered rather than preserved behind glass, with ancient ruins, colonial streets, and modern life existing side by side.
Why go in 2026: FIFA World Cup matches to city festivals in Guadalajara and heritage celebrations.
Favourite city or region: Valladolid
A must-do: Meandering around different ruins.
20. United Arab Emirates
The UAE is bold and futuristic, yet firmly grounded in tradition once you look beyond the skyline. It’s visually striking without feeling chaotic, and surprisingly calm when you step away from the busiest districts. As a first introduction to the Middle East, it offers accessibility without sacrificing cultural depth.
Why go in 2026: Boat shows and motorsport events like the Dubai International Boat Show.
Favourite city or region: Dubai
A must-do: Watching a Dubai Fountain show between 6-11pm.
21. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is lush, compact, and resonant in a way that stays with you long after you leave. Travel here moves easily between coast, hills, and cultural centres, often within a single day. The landscapes feel close and enveloping rather than vast, which creates a sense of intimacy as you travel around.
Why go in 2026: Cricket and cultural tournaments, plus traditional celebrations tied to lunar calendars.
Favourite city or region: Southern Province.
A must-do: Seeing wild elephants in a national park.
22. Morocco
Morocco is sensory and intense, a place where colour, sound, and movement shape the travel experience from the moment you arrive. It’s a destination that asks for cultural awareness and respect, rather than speed or certainty.
Why go in 2026: Local festivals, markets and historic celebrations in cities like Marrakech.
A must-do: Getting lost in a medina.
23. United States
The USA is many trips folded into one country. Regional differences shape everything, from landscapes and food to pace and personality. Travelling here feels less about ticking landmarks and more about choosing how you move through it – fast or slow, urban or outdoors, familiar or surprising.
Why go in 2026: The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup across cities adds a rare global sports occasion.
Favourite city or region: Pacific Northwest
A must-do: A long distance Amtrak trip.
24. Indonesia
Indonesia is far more than its familiar images. Rituals, nature, and community life quietly coexist, offering moments of reflection alongside beauty. It’s a destination that gives back most when you resist rushing and let the days unfold naturally.
Why go in 2026: Seasonal temple festivals and ceremonies.
Favourite city or region: Gili Islands
A must-do: Morning walks through rice fields.
25. Croatia
Croatia balances dramatic coastline beauty with layers of history that feel present rather than preserved. Stone towns, clear water, and walkable centres make travel here visually striking without feeling overwhelming. Beyond the most photographed spots, smaller towns and islands offer a slower pace.
Why go in 2026: Summer coastal festivals and historic celebrations in coastal towns.
A must-do: Swimming in clear coastal water.
26. Vietnam
Vietnam is energetic and deeply human, with daily life unfolding right in front of you. Travel here moves fast, from scooters weaving through streets to markets opening before sunrise, but it rewards those who pay attention rather than rush through. Food sits at the centre of everything, shaping how days begin, pause, and end, often on low stools at the edge of the road.
Why go in 2026: Tết and seasonal cultural celebrations make early spring especially vibrant.
Favourite city or region: Hanoi
A must-do: Eating your way through a neighbourhood.
Lore & Tempo is where motherhood meets adventure. I’m Ren – storyteller, explorer, and single mum in Wellington, New Zealand. I’ve been lucky enough to wander through 45 countries. 15 of them with my +1, Kaydes, either strapped to my front, on my hip, or running ahead on her own adventures. I created this space to share single parent life, travel tips, and the joy of exploring the world.
