The Coolest Places To Travel In 2026

For your New Year planning consideration, we asked a couple of travel writers to compile some of their favorite picks for 2026. They didn’t disappoint. Two ways to go about it. Either A) Close your eyes, scroll and stop at random, and book a trip there. Or B) Re-fill your coffees, and calmly peruse these destinations, allowing your mind to drift, your imagination to run wild, and let fantasy be step one in your 2026 travel planning.

Ah. Option B? Good call.

If Martinique is the French Caribbean’s chic daughter, Guadeloupe is her wilder sister. Rainforest creeps right up to the rhum distilleries, rainbows arc over black-sand beaches, and the scent of grilled lobster and diesel drifts through sleepy fishing towns. Tourism is nascent here, and the butterfly-shaped island remains one of the most pristine in the Antilles.

Hôtel Relais du Moulin, a boutique in Sainte-Anne, centers around an 18th-century windmill that once crushed sugarcane into rum. Its bungalow-style rooms open onto lush gardens graced by tropical birds. Zamana, the hotel’s restaurant, serves upscale French-Creole fare paired with Continental wines and agricole rhums from across the Caribbean.

For a proper education in rhum agricole, tour Bologne Distillery on Basse-Terre. Bologne XO, rhum aged for nearly a decade in French oak, bourbon, and cognac barrels, is the Pappy of the Caribbean.

-JM

“The land of beautiful horses” in Persian, Cappadocia is one of Earth’s great geological hallucinations. Imagine southern Utah with Byzantine splendor, a petrified cloudscape of honeycombed cliffs and fairy chimneys. The Hittites settled these parched valleys first, and later communities of early Christians carved entire cities into the soft volcanic stone. Some of the most revered Doctors of the Church—Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, Gregory of Nazianzus—once prayed and preached in these hills.

Sacred House Hotel is a neo-Gothic fantasy. Dawn begins with a thousand hot-air balloons floating against an azure sky. If you can brave a 3 a.m. wake-up call, the balloon ride is worth every bleary minute. Explore ancient monasteries and the Dark Church, a cave chapel bedizened with vivid frescoes, at Göreme Open-Air Museum. Cappadocia’s ceramic and carpet-weaving traditions stretch back millennia, and the ateliers in Avanos keep these venerated crafts alive. 

-JM

Cedar Rapids sprang up where the railroad met the river, a boomtown forged by Slavic immigrants who brought their brewing traditions, brass bands, and Old World grit to the prairie. Spend a morning wandering the NewBo City Market, where farmers, bakers, and pit masters sling the spoils of Iowa’s black soil. If you’re in town in August, drive to Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair—a corn-fed fever dream of livestock shows, deep-fried fare, and Americana delight.

Set among eastern Iowa’s verdant, rolling hills, Cedar Ridge ranks among America’s most creative whiskey makers. Iowa produces more corn than all but three nations on Earth, and Cedar Ridge, helmed by Murphy Quint, a Stranahan’s alum, turns that starchy bounty into liquid gold. From Tokaji- and port-finished bourbons to outstanding American single malts, the distillery strikes a balance between avant-garde verve and classical mastery. And No. 9 Iowa Whiskey, their collab with Slipknot, hits harder than blasting “Wait and Bleed” before a high-school wrestling match. If you’re in to that sort of thing. 

-JM

Framed by rainforest peaks and turquoise waters, Puerto Plata blends colonial history, surf culture, and quiet luxury. This coastal stretch was once a waystation for conquistadors traveling to Mexico, and locals joke they’ve been in the hospitality business for over 500 years.

The Ocean Club, a recently opened Marriott Luxury Collection, blends the amenities of a resort with the privacy of a boutique hotel. Suites boast full kitchens, ocean-view porches, and marble baths. The penthouse ups the ante with a fire pit, jacuzzi, and panoramic views.

Aguají, the Ocean Club’s flagship restaurant, treats guests to a tasting menu showcasing the far-flung roots of Dominican cuisine—a tapestry of Indigenous, Spanish, Jewish, and East Asian flavors. La Cava is a semi-clandestine cigar lounge beneath the bar by the pool. Next to humidors full of perfumed Dominican stogies, you’ll find one of the finest rum libraries in the Caribbean.

After luxuriating on the beach or in the spa, explore the North Coast. The Brugal Rum distillery, founded in 1888, offers guided tastings inside rickhouses. 

-JM

Not long ago, Paso Robles was cowboy country. A valley of oak-studded hills, dusty backroads, and sprawling ranch land. Then came the Daou brothers, Lebanese-American dreamers who saw the region’s potential for world-class Bordeaux-style wines. After earning their fortune in tech, they built DAOU Vineyards, a mountaintop estate in the heart of Paso.

The tasting room, reminiscent of a sun-splashed Spanish mission, treats guests to pours from across the DAOU and Patrimony portfolios. Soul of a Lion, named in honor of the brothers’ father, is one of California’s most majestic reds—a cascade of dark fruit, mocha, and pipe tobacco.

Wine tourism has transformed Paso into a culinary hotspot. The tasting menu at Six Test Kitchen, helmed by local chef Ricky Odbert, is a Japanese-inflected paean to Central California’s rivers, woods, and gardens. After dinner, slip into The Alchemist’s Garden, an old-school speakeasy with an encyclopedic whiskey library. 

Rest up in between wine tastings at Allegretto Vineyard Resort, an art-filled château set among gardens, vine trellises, and ancient olive trees.

-JM

Butte is the kind of cowboy town Hollywood keeps trying to invent. A high-elevation bowl of mountains and mine shafts where the West still feels wild. High in the Rockies, it lies within striking distance of Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, and Our Lady of the Rockies—a mountain-top statue overlooking the city.

The Miner’s Hotel is a historic frontier boarding house retrofitted into a Western-chic boutique. Drawn by mining jobs, Irish immigrants flooded into Butte in the 19th century, and the town erupts into a rollicking, whiskey-soaked shindig each St. Paddy’s Day. Shawn O’Donnell’s American Grill and Irish Pub is the hometown favorite for raising a Guinness and wolfing down burgers and shepherd’s pie. Montana is cattle country, and Casagranda’s is a Butte institution for aged ribeyes and tomahawks. Get some. 

-JM

At the foot of the Rockies, Alberta’s largest city serves as the gateway to Banff and Jasper National Park. Every July, Calgary thrums with the revelry of Stampede, ten days of rodeo, big-name country shows, and cowpoke bacchanal.

Calgary is one of North America’s most underrated culinary destinations. Alberta beef is the tastiest bovine flesh. Caesar’s Steakhouse is an old-school refuge of leather booths, dry-aged ribeyes, and ice-cold martinis. Pair a steak with a Caesar cocktail, the Clamato-spiked Canadian cousin to the Bloody Mary. 

Major Tom, a dining room perched high above downtown, feels like a retro-futurist supper club. At Missy’s This That, the bartenders are elite, the vinyl is good, and the clientele is half cowgirl chic, half arts-district hipsters. Hang your hat at the Fairmont Palliser, a Gilded Age hotel favored by British royals on their visits to Alberta.

-JM

Oaxaca is an antique land, a culture with origins as misty as those of Damascus or Benares. In the highlands of the Sierra Madre del Sur, Indigenous languages still flourish, mezcal is a sacrament, and recipes are as intricate as Zapotec cosmology.

You will sip some of the finest libations of your earthly tenure. Visit the palenque of Ilegal Mezcal, a rebel distillery born from smuggling small-batch spirits across the Guatemala–Mexico border. Zomoz Mezcal is a tiny operation that feels more like an artist’s studio than a distillery. Their mezcals, experimental yet masterly, sparkle with notes of wildflowers, ash, and petrichor. Bozal works with wild agave from remote terrains, bottling nectar as untamed as Oaxaca’s arid canyons.  

You can plan an entire trip to Oaxaca around gastronomy. Selva and NOIS, two stand-out cocktail bars, handle mezcal with the kind of gravitas wine collectors reserve for grand-cru Burgundy. The mole at Sirilo Cocina is mind-bending. And, as in Tokyo or Bangkok, the street food in Oaxaca is as memorable as the fine dining.

-JM

Islay, the windswept isle on Scotland’s western coast, is the Holy Land for devotees of peated single malts, drams that capture the island’s misty shroud, and briny Atlantic winds. 

Ardbeg’s stills yield the Platonic form of Islay whisky. Aromas of gorse flower and bitter cacao shimmer above a bedrock of marine iodine and peat. The landmark distillery recently opened a hotel, Ardbeg House, an intimate 12-room boutique in Port Ellen. The cozy seaside sanctuary houses an authoritative whisky library, while the restaurant serves fortifying Scotch fare like haggis, fresh fish, and chowders. If you can spare an extra day or two, hop the ferry to Campbeltown, home to distilleries like Glen Scotia and Springbank.

-JM

Prior to visiting the Galapagos Islands, I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to visit mainland Ecuador, so I hit the capital, Quito. I figured I’d spend a few chill nights there before making my way to my island getaway, but I accidentally went there during an historic election, making my time in Quito arguably more memorable than the Galapagos adventure at hand. I stayed at Hampton by Hilton Quito La Carolina Park, in the heart of one of the safest neighborhoods of the city. I ate my body weight in empanadas, from the empanadas gigantes in Quito’s Old Town to empanadas de vientos from Juan Valdez Cafe. I indulged in plenty of chocolate where, due to Quito being the second highest capital in the world, chocolate thrives in its climate. In Parque La Carolina, I saw sights like a colorful botanical garden and an even more colorful DC-6 Airplane. No seriously. It’s parked right there in the park. 

-KR

I’ve traveled to all 20 regions in Italy, and I have a soft spot for Basilicata. Part of that is due to my great-grandmother being from here, but even if you don’t have a late ancestor from Basilicata, Matera specifically should still be on your radar.

As the third oldest inhabited city on the planet, Matera feels like stepping into a time capsule. The entire city is protected under UNESCO and was even named a European Capital of Culture in 2019. Made entirely of tufa stone, Matera is uniquely built into caves (the Sassi di Matera). Once considered the “shame of Italy,” Matera’s residents historically slept inside of the caves in unhygienic conditions, with families of up to 20 people sleeping in one crammed cave. The Italian government has put a lot of effort into restoring the city, and now, one of the coolest hotel experiences is to sleep inside of one of the city’s caves. Vetera Matera is the one of the newest and one of the only five-star hotels in town. Go for one of their Master Suites, where you’ll have your own private hot tub in the room. Even if you can’t snag one of the top rooms, you’ll still be spoiled with their Elysium Spa, a serene place to leave your stresses behind, built right into one of Matera’s caves.

-KR

Peru was one of my first international destinations, and I’ve leaned into returning to places I love instead of constantly ticking bucket lists. My first time in Peru, I stayed in hostels, solely relied on public transportation, and stuck to street food. This year, I finally returned to Peru, and as a fully fledged adult with a little more cash in the bank, I went back in style.

I booked a stay at Motto by Hilton Cusco, which felt full-circle to my original visit. All Motto hotels are designed to have a communal youthful vibe with a touch more sophistication than a hostel, and of course, with proper privacy in immaculately-designed rooms. And while Machu Picchu is the natural star of Peru, Cusco has a lot more to offer than a world wonder. If food and cocktails are what you seek, you’ve come to the right place. Limbus Restobar is a fun cocktail bar located in the high hills of the ancient city, serving drinks in anything from a “bathtub cup” with Barbie in it, to lavender glass domes with smoke. Casa Cusqueña, in the heart of Plaza de Armas, offers one of the city’s best Lomo Saltados and a wide variety of Peruvian ceviches. If you need an adrenaline-fix outside of ticking a world wonder, nearby Rainbow Mountain in Vinicunca is an exhilarating hike.

-KR

Dubai is the Vegas of the Middle East, full of glitz and glamour that serves a purpose for those who want an exorbitant getaway. However, the city can feel dull for those who are seeking a deeper cultural experience. That’s where Old Dubai comes in.

Dubai as a whole is an underrated culinary destination, and its blend of worldly cultures (about 88% of the current population of Dubai are expatriates), there’s no shortage of incredible global dining options here. A food tour with Frying Pan Adventures will offer tastes of the world throughout Old Dubai that might be otherwise hard to find. On my three-hour tour, I tried Iraqi masgouf (the national dish of Iraq), Turkish shawarma, Palestinian falafel and knafeh, and even natef, a meringue-like dessert made from soapwort root, the same ingredient used to make soap. 

If you’re coming to Old Dubai, you’ll inevitably pass through Dubai proper, too. For a little taste of the new along with the old, book a stay at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, the newest of the Jumeirah properties. And if food is the incentive here, Jun’s, a sophisticated yet playful Asian fusion restaurant by Chef Kelvin Cheung is a must-visit (pro-tip: do not skip the pani puri). Additionally, you can’t go wrong with Manāo, a Thai-inspired restaurant by Chef Abhiraj Khatwani and Chef Mohamad Orfali that has earned one Michelin star.

-KR

My favorite party fact was that I had been to all seven world wonders, all seven continents, and over 90 countries, yet I had never been to Miami. Last year, I finally changed that, for one very good reason. Lady Gaga.

Since I was going to southern Florida, I made a pitstop in Fort Lauderdale to see my friend, Julie, first, who would join me for the concert. There, we stopped by the newly-opened Pier Sixty-Six. More specifically, Pier Top, a 360-degree rotating rooftop bar, the only rotating cocktail lounge in the city.

The following day, the Brightline High-Speed Train would get us from Fort Lauderdale to Miami in less than 40 minutes. Upon arriving in Miami, I checked into Four Seasons Hotel Miami in Brickell. We dropped our bags and headed to American Social, where, needing to cure our hangover to ensure we were ready for round two, we ordered Moët Champagne splits and chicken fingers. The cocktail tour of Miami would continue to the Elser Hotel, an extremely convenient location located steps from Kaseya Center, where Gaga would be performing.

Traveling for a Lady Gaga concert and merging it into a mini vacation with my friend was a 10/10 move, but as a woman in her mid-30s, I woke up the day after the show with a pounding headache, yet again. We decided to take it easy, which, in Miami, meant sitting by a cabana at Four Seasons Hotel Miami all day. I rotted by the pool, slowly sipped Champagne paired with salty fries and fresh fruit, until we were finally ready for a proper meal at Nuna. There, we ordered rounds of maguro nigiri as though they were shots of tequila (“Should we do another one?” “Yeah, I think we should”).

-KR

“Do you want to come skiing with us in Idaho next week?” a text read in early February.

I sat on my sister’s couch in Rochester, New York, and contemplated. On one hand, I had never been to Idaho. On the other hand, I am not a skier. But I’m a yes girl if nothing else, so seven days later, I was landing in Sun Valley.

I checked into Limelight Ketchum, which wound up being a convenient base for my ski-centered trip. The gals and I headed to Sun Valley Ski Resort, a short drive from Limelight, on our first full morning there. I signed up to take a beginner’s course since the last time I put a set of skis on, I was 14 years old and fell on the Bunny Hill. It seems some things don’t change, and after about an hour of lessons, I headed to the bar for an Apres-ski while I waited for my friends.

For lunch, we rode the chair lift (Sun Valley Ski Resort is home to the world’s first) to The Roundhouse, a Swiss chalet-style restaurant where we shared bubbling pots of fondue. And while Idaho reminded me I was not a skier then and I’m not a skier now, if you’re looking to hit the slopes in 2026, I would be surprised if Sun Valley isn’t on your radar already. If you’re more like me, and drawn to the gritty side of even the most pristine places, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Grumpy’s, the local watering hole with great burgers and mimosas served in schooners.

-KR

If you want a destination that is incomparable to anywhere else in the world on a wildlife, nature, and adventure front, few hold a candle to the thrill that is Madagascar. Visiting Madagascar is an exciting venture into the mysterious; with such tough logistics to sort when planning, it’s not for everyone. I went with Intrepid Travel on their 14-Day Madagascar Adventure, where all I had to do was show up, and they took care of the rest.

Two weeks in Madagascar meant long days on unpaved and uneven roads, minimal WiFi, critters in my room that competed with the size of my hand, and things like hot water and proper facilities being a rarity. Yet still, if you can handle temporary discomfort, Madagascar is worth it for places like Analamazaotra National Park. Located roughly three hours from the bustling capital, Antananarivo, Analamazaotra is home to over a dozen lemur species. While the ring-tailed lemur is the most notable, my personal favorite was the Indri lemur, or what I dubbed the “screaming lemur,” because, yes, this lemur quite literally screams, so they’re very easy to find. It doesn’t hurt that they’re adorably fluffy, too.

-KR

If I could only return to one international destination for the rest of my life, Bangkok would, at the very least, be on the short list.

Bangkok is one of those rare cities that really has it all. If you want to visit some of the world’s best restaurants, Bangkok is home to six of The World’s 50 Best. On the contrary, Bangkok has some of the best street food on the planet, with no shortage of late night spicy noodz.

Bangkok is a great backpacker hub, making hostels and socializing a solid choice here. But it’s also ideal for living luxuriously without breaking the bank. KROMO Bangkok, a newly-opened five-star hotel located in Sukhumvit, has a rooftop infinity pool with sweeping views of the city’s skyline. Speaking of rooftops, the world’s tallest open-air Champagne bar is Flute A Perrier-Jouet Bar at lebua at State Tower. And if you fancy a lower-height but equally chic bar, BKK Social Club has Mexican-inspired cocktails I’m still dreaming about.

-KR

As an avid fan of the Puerto Rican superstar, Bad Bunny, I have February 8, 2026 with a giant X in my calendar for the Bad Bunny concert – I mean, the Super Bowl. If you’re feeling equally inspired by his impact, might I suggest a trip to Puerto Rico?

While San Juan gets all the clout, I’d suggest Rio Grande instead. Park yourself at  Hyatt Regency Grand Reserve Puerto Rico for one of the comfiest stays on the island. The resort is a perfect oasis to get away from everyday stresses – you can frolic along the beach or float in the largest pool in Puerto Rico which comes equipped with a swim-up bar. If you need a little adrenaline to balance the relaxation, head over to El Yunque National Forest for a proper rainforest trek. And don’t skip nearby Guavate, the “Pork Highway,” which is lined with lechoneras and makes for one incredible day of eating.

-KR

You don’t technically need a passport to feel lightyears away from the United States. New Orleans will do the trick. Whether you’ve been before and are pining to come back or have always wanted to go, 2026 is the time to do so. The city will be the first stop for Sail250, a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, held between May 28 and June 1, 2026. But if you’re not feeling particularly patriotic, you could go for the French-inspired Pastry World Cup and Bocuse d’Or, which will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center July 25-26, 2026. This is the first time in history a U.S. city will host this renowned international culinary competition, which was founded in 1987 by Chef Paul Bocuse.

And as always, where you sleep matters. Maison Métier is a 67-room boutique hotel that marries French sophistication and Southern hospitality. The Barnett, on the other hand, is a vibrant yet historic 234-room hotel in a restored Art Deco Building.

-KR