26 trips to take in 2026

Good news for sunseekers lamenting Europe’s dwindling supply of uncrowded, still-affordable beaches. There’s a destination just 50-odd miles east of Salento, Italy, that’s finally stepping into the limelight. Look across the Strait of Otranto and you’ll see it there: Albania. This Balkan beauty is now attracting the international attention it deserves, thanks to well-preserved archaeological sites, crystalline lakes and lagoons, a robust wine country, delicious food and, of course, a shimmering stretch of shoreline.

Along the so-called Albanian Riviera, unfussy resort towns like Ksamil balance past (the Greco-Roman ruins of Butrint; Ali Pasha Castle) and present (pockets of palm-fringed beachfront ringed by lively bars and restaurants). And outside of popular cities like Sarandë, there are now beach clubs like Pegasus, where you can sunbathe as you sip cocktails.

In recent years, cool new stays like Prado Luxury Hotel and La Brisa Boutique Hotel have opened in towns like bohemian Himarë and posh Dhërmi. There’s also the just-opened Green Coast Hotel MGallery Collection in the nearby village of Palasë, plus in-the-works properties like Panorama Hilltop Retreat and the design-forward Red Sol Resort. A wave of infrastructure investments ties it all together: The just-dried tar along the Palasë–Dhërmi road leads to the new Llogara Tunnel and cuts traffic for quick jumps to Vlorë, the Riviera’s main hub, where a brand-new international airport is slated to open ahead of the 2026 summer season and promises to make this still-surprising corner of the world more accessible than ever. — Betsy Blumenthal

Mirror-like lakes, seemingly endless salt flats and flocks of pink flamingos moving through shimmering heat: This corner of northern Chile is a place unlike any other on Earth.

That feeling of alien beauty is especially pronounced in Valle de la Luna, or Moon Valley, named for its surreal, windswept terrain. Desert dunes, salt caves and sculptural rock outcroppings create a surface so stark and strange it seems plucked from a sci-fi film. At sunrise and sunset, the valley ignites in an astonishing palette of pinks, reds, greens and blues that shift with the changing light. Farther afield, the Atacama’s salt flats stretch beneath the towering Andes, offering wide-open vistas and striking biodiversity. Despite being one of the driest regions in the world, it’s alive with the steaming white columns of the El Tatio geysers, and three species of flamingos, including the rare Andean pink flamingo.

And the nights are as exciting as the days: Stargazing under some of the clearest skies on the planet is one of the Atacama’s most unforgettable experiences. Thanks to the region’s high altitude and minimal light pollution, the Atacama is home to some of the world’s top astronomical sites, including Paranal Observatory, which offers guided stargazing tours. Hotels like Nayara Alto Atacama, meanwhile, have their own observatories.

There’s perhaps no better place to admire the constellations than Tierra Atacama hotel and spa, which just reopened this year after a $20 million, yearlong restoration resulting in fewer—but more spacious—suites, some now with private plunge pools. The property has panoramic views of the Andes, plus outdoor campfires perfect for evening sky-watching. — Alex Frank

More than 11 million visitors decided on the Bahamas in 2024 (an all-time high),^{1Same page link to footnote reference} and 2025 flight bookings through Chase Travel are already up 21% year over year.^{2Same page link to footnote reference} In fact, nearly 3 in 4 travelers surveyed by Chase said they’d be interested in traveling here.^{3Same page link to footnote reference}

In 2026, with upgrades to several of its 20 international airports (including on Grand Bahama and Long Island), as well as more than 40 flights a day from the U.S. and Canada into Nassau (including new ones from gateways like Detroit, Minneapolis, Toronto and Montreal), even more travelers are sure to come.


Once on the ground, new resorts including The Potlatch Club (a glamorously restored hotel that was popular with the jet set in the ’70s) are ready to welcome you. Hotels from brands like Six Senses (a member of IHG^® Hotels & Resorts) are also in the works. But the action isn’t just shoreside. Norwegian Cruise Line’s new 3,550-passenger vessel, Norwegian Luna, will pull up to the cruise line’s private Great Stirrup Cay, which is getting an upgrade next summer to include a 19-slide water park, adults-only beach club and swim-up pool bar. — Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

Few natural phenomena are as breathtaking as a total solar eclipse, when the moon passes directly between the Earth and the sun, plunging the planet into an eerie daytime darkness. The Great European Eclipse happens next summer, and Spain’s autonomous Basque Country—a region known for craggy coastlines and a staggering concentration of award-winning restaurants—will be one of the best places to experience it.
 
On August 12, 2026, the eclipse will arc across the globe from Russia, Greenland and Iceland to the north of Spain, which will experience its first total solar eclipse in over a century. Compared to the other countries in the path of totality, Spain’s reliably clear summer weather promises a high likelihood of ideal viewing conditions. As a result, many tour operators are using it as an anchor for tours across the region. Smithsonian Journeys, for example, has an itinerary that includes stops in Bilbao and San Sebastián, in the heart of the Spanish Basque Country. For guests of Wilderness Travel, access to an exclusive viewing spot at a hilltop winery here is part of the appeal.
 
Though the eclipse will last under two minutes, lingering in the Basque Country is always a good idea. The area has long been a pilgrimage site for food lovers. At institutions like Asador Etxebarri and Mugaritz, regional classics (think: plates of seared scallops, Galician steak, marinated anchovies and sweet tuna-stuffed red peppers) are perfected and, sometimes, completely reimagined. And thanks to United Airlines' new nonstop flights linking Bilbao and Newark that launched in May, both the eclipse and pintxos are well within reach. — Melanie Lieberman

Between the scenic setting (especially in June, when the delta swells to nearly 6,000 square miles of waterlogged terrain) and first-rate game-viewing (a carousel of lions, cheetahs, elephants and rhinos cavorting through the marshy expanse, and an impressive array of birds soaring overhead), it’s no surprise Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a favorite safari destination. And in 2026, there are even more reasons to visit.
 
Safari stalwart Singita, known for its luxury camps across the continent, is making its Botswana debut with the opening of Elela at the end of 2026 on a private concession. Elela means “to flow” in Setswana, and the 420,000-acre private reserve winds its way around pristine lagoons and islands. In the community-run Khwai Concession, meanwhile, the trailblazing Botswana operator Desert & Delta Safaris is opening Sediba Sa Rona on the Khwai River in March, with 15 tents and a riverside spa surrounded by fig and leadwood trees. Elusive wildlife sightings in the area might include the sitatunga antelope and the Pel’s fishing owl.
 
It’s also easier than ever to add Botswana to a multicountry safari itinerary, thanks to new flights from South African carrier Airlink connecting Cape Town and Gaborone, as well as a host of recently added Air Botswana routes throughout southern Africa. It might not be a hidden gem, especially with favorites like Xigera Safari Lodge and Belmond’s two safari lodges, but Botswana is shining more brightly than ever right now. — Sarah Khan

Flowering meadows, undulating green hills, postcard-perfect villages: The British countryside is the stuff of legends—and beloved period novels. All across the isle, from the castles of Cornwall in the south to the lush, windswept valleys of the Yorkshire Dales in the north, the rural landscape promises an escape from the pace of modern life. But the country doesn’t exist out of time, and new developments are drawing the region even further into the future—including how travelers see it. 

It’s now easier than ever to get around Britain, thanks in part to the Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, which launched in July and glides from London through the Lake District over three to six nights. In an exciting innovation, it’s the first luxury train to stretch onward to the castles and mountains of Wales. If you’d rather explore up close, though, the roughly 2,700-mile King Charles III England Coast Path, the longest coastal walking trail in the world, is projected to fully open by the spring of 2026, offering hikers a chance to traverse the Norfolk coast, Kent and northwestern England.

There’s a lot to see (and walk)—so it’s best to get off on the right foot. Start your journey with a few nights in London, and check out much-anticipated new hotel openings like The Newman in Fitzrovia, Cambridge House on Piccadilly or the long-awaited Six Senses London, which will also debut the brand’s first private members’ club. — Alex Frank

Far to the north, above the Arctic Circle, polar bears roam alongside caribou, wolves, musk oxen and seals, while the icy waters beneath are home to narwhals and beluga whales. This is the heart of the Northwest Passage, the historic route where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet. 

The vast expanse of the more than 30,000 islands that make up the Canadian Arctic Archipelago is best explored by small expeditions that combine sea voyages with guided land excursions—making it a perfect, if unexpected, destination for the 87% of travelers Chase surveyed who expressed an interest in cruising. And generally speaking, that appeal is high across all segments, regardless of gender, generation or income.^{3Same page link to footnote reference}

Operators like G Adventures and, for the first time next year, Atlas Ocean Voyages, have announced intimate new journeys through the region, with highlights that include the rugged terrain of northern Newfoundland, plus Baffin Island, known for its dramatic rocky spires and sculpted cliffs.

Supplementing these are offerings from cruise lines like Silversea, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions and Viking, the latter of which just launched an inaugural trio of summer voyages here, and the small-ship expedition cruise line Adventure Canada, which in 2026 will add two vessels (operating in the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and the isles of the North Atlantic) to its fleet. Many itineraries also pass by Gros Morne National Park, a heritage site on the mainland, where tectonic forces have shaped valleys, lowlands and waterfalls into a dramatic geological tapestry. — Alex Frank

With its 16th-century Old Town, distinguished by 30-foot coral stone walls, cobblestone plazas, vibrant colonial architecture and year-round tropical weather, Cartagena has long been a singularly popular destination. But new cruise options are set to reshape the way travelers experience this Caribbean port city, encouraging them to go deeper and linger longer.

In January, Virgin Voyages made its first call on the city, and the line’s newest ship, Brilliant Lady, will stop here in 2026 on extended Caribbean voyages. Starting next spring, Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas will also stop in Cartagena on southern Caribbean sailings. And river cruise line AmaWaterways changed the game even more when it launched two vessels custom-built for plying the Magdalena River, which carves across the western half of the country. With fewer than 70 guests onboard, these intimate sailings make it easier than ever to venture to lesser-visited destinations in the area, including the colorful colonial town of Santa Cruz de Mompox; the river village of Sitionuevo; and Barranquilla, a vibrant city known for its Carnival celebrations.

For travelers who want to stick around, a former 16th-century private estate turned boutique hotel, Casa Carolina, opened earlier this year, while Four Seasons is opening a 131-room resort in the artsy Getsemaní neighborhood in early 2026. The property includes two rooftop pools, signifying a meaningful shift in the market toward more full-service luxury. — Melanie Lieberman

This sparkling stretch of coast has always been a stunner, but over the past few years, it’s evolved into something else: a three-season vacation destination that’s as cool as it is gorgeous.

Equal parts buzzing urban center and laid-back beach town, Marseille is one of the hippest seaside spots in France. Though the Côte d’Azur technically starts 16 miles east, a growing contingent of chefs and creatives from around the country, drawn by the promise of beautiful weather and lower prices, are behind a restaurant boom both in Marseille and elsewhere along the Côte d’Azur. You’ll find more casual, affordable neo-bistros and wine bars marrying Provençal and Mediterranean ingredients, like seafood-centric Dérive and its neighbor, plant-based Cocotero, both of which opened recently. In Cannes, Quille’s natural wines and small plates have made it a go-to for an apéro.

The past few years have seen a slew of hotel openings, too. In Nice, there’s the young, fun Mama Shelter; the more refined Hôtel du Couvent, a 17th-century former convent in the old city center; and Maison Albar - Le Victoria, a historic building with a rooftop pool overlooking the sea. And in 2026, IHG will open its first Vignette Collection property in France in the little seaside town of Théoule-sur-Mer, and Zannier Hotels will debut a new resort on the private island of Île de Bendor. Despite all the development, Cannes could actually feel much quieter soon. The city is set to ban cruise ships with more than 1,000 passengers, promising to cull the crowds. For those who still want to take it all in by sea, Ponant is now offering an eight-day, 32-passenger sailing along the Riviera starting in May. — Sophie Friedman

A mountain range in northeastern Italy known for its jagged limestone peaks, the Dolomites are home to the largest ski area in the world. They’re also among a handful of spots where you can hit the slopes in a designated natural landmark, and you can maximize your experience with ski circuits like the Sellaronda, which connects four separate resorts in the Dolomiti Superski area. And that’s just what they offer in the winter. Come summer, many cable cars remain open for activities like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and via ferrata.

Year round, the Dolomites, and the Alta Badia valley in particular, draw food lovers with world-class dining, available everywhere from rifugios (mountain huts that offer hearty meals and accommodations for hikers) like Averau and Scotoni to award-winning restaurants including Maso Runch, SanBrite and Baita Piè Tofana.

And finally, there are plenty of hotels to match—in the past year, several international brands have moved in to refresh older properties and create shiny new places to stay. The historic Cristallo Resort & Spa, for example, is reopening; Splendid Hotel Venezia, Cortina d’Ampezzo is becoming The First Cortina, by The Pavilions, with a new contemporary alpine design; and the landmark hotel Ancora Cortina, around since 1826, has gotten a serious glow-up courtesy of a global fashion mogul. In nearby San Cassiano, Aman Rosa Alpina debuted in a chalet-style property from the 1930s, and farther afield, boutique brand Casa Cook is welcoming its first mountain location. Many are already booked through winter 2026, so start planning your visit now. — Natalie Beauregard

A 29-mile-long island situated between Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic) is calling upon adventurous travelers to vacation among its rugged landscapes. The island is full of dense forests and black-sand beaches, plus plentiful waterfalls and world-class snorkeling, a combination of features you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in the Caribbean.

A few years ago, visitors from the U.S. would typically reach the so-called Nature Island by cruise ship. Now, thanks to nonstop flights from Miami and New York City (Newark), reaching the island is easier than ever. And Dominica’s accessibility continues to improve, as United Airlines increased the frequency of departures to and from Dominica to twice weekly in October.

The country’s Citizenship by Investment program has sparked a surge of infrastructure across the island, starting with the construction of a new international airport, which some hope could open as early as 2027. There’s also been significant hotel development, including the island’s first Marriott property, Anichi Resort & Spa, which is being built about an hour from the capital city, Roseau. Other anticipated openings include a scenic cable car that will transport tourists to the center of Dominica’s geothermal activity, Boiling Lake, transforming a six-hour hike into a 20-minute ride, plus the world’s first Sperm Whale Reserve, where visitors can swim with whales or observe them by boat in a protected environment. Both are scheduled to debut before the end of 2025. — Maliah West

After two decades of construction and more than one false start, the Grand Egyptian Museum is finally open in its entirety. Now, visitors can see tens of thousands of never-before-exhibited pieces, along with a staggering collection of relics from King Tutankhamen’s tomb.

The GEM’s official debut isn’t the only reason to finally book that trip to Egypt. Within the next year or so, Four Seasons plans to add two new Egyptian properties to its portfolio, including one in Luxor, home to the Valley of the Kings and an array of ancient temples. These will join multiple luxury hotels that opened their doors in Cairo this year, including a new Sofitel and Giza Palace Hotel & Spa.

For travelers who want to sightsee from a different vantage point, a number of exciting developments are taking place on the Nile. Viking recently added to its roster the Viking Sobek, a 41-room vessel custom-built for the river, and Oberoi Hotels & Resorts will launch two seven-cabin dahabeahs, or traditional sailing ships, in 2025—just one of the many brands turning their attention to these waters in the coming years. — Melanie Lieberman

Northern India’s Golden Triangle—a well-worn tourist route that connects New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur—attracts millions every year. They flock here to see the country’s capital, the bustling markets and centuries-old architecture of the Pink City and, most famously, the Taj Mahal. But a trifecta of new flights, cruises and hotels is making the circuit even more appealing to those planning trips in 2026.

Several hotel brands have set their sights on Jaipur. Anantara opened its first Indian property here in February, and four other hotels, including the Sofitel Legend Sukh Bagh Jaipur, will follow suit in the next few years. This hotel boom also extends to New Delhi, where Ritz-Carlton hopes to open by the end of 2026, and to Agra, where a Fairmont is coming soon.

With the launch of Charaidew II, National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions’ newest ship, in March, travelers will be able to experience the Golden Triangle by way of the Brahmaputra River. Its extensive 18-day itinerary begins in New Delhi and stops at the Taj Mahal, plus detours to remote riverside villages in Assam, before heading southwest to Kolkata.

Best of all, getting to and around India is about to get easier (and more pleasant). Air India, the nation’s flag carrier, is undertaking the work of updating its aircraft, and U.S. travelers bound for India could experience the refreshed planes before the end of the year. Already, new Airbus A350s are flying between New York City airports and New Delhi, and the airline will continue receiving new aircraft throughout 2026 and into 2027. — Maliah West

Set at the geographical crossroads of Europe and Asia, Istanbul is a city where worlds and centuries collide. But right now, the city feels especially dynamic. With a booming culinary scene and major heritage restorations, Istanbul isn’t just echoing its history; it’s revising it for a new era.

First, turn your attention to some completely new (old) sites: the Yıldız Palace, a former Ottoman residence, just opened to the public for the first time in nearly a century, while parts of the Topkapı Palace complex, once the opulent seat of sultans, have finally reopened following an extensive restoration, including the Concubines’ Court and Bath and the Kuşhane Kitchen. And following a 13-year, $15 million-plus renovation, Zeyrek Çinili Hamam, a beautifully restored 16th-century bathhouse, is also open again.

The past few years have also seen some fresh additions to the city’s food scene. At The Ritz‑Carlton, Istanbul, Limoré opened in 2025 with just 45 seats, offering traditional Italian dishes seasoned with herbs from the hotel garden and served alongside jaw-dropping views of the Bosporus. The Peninsula Istanbul, which opened in 2023, features GALLADA and Topside Bar, a rooftop restaurant helmed by one of Turkey’s most well-known chefs. And the just-opened Aliée İstanbul is a destination unto itself, with multiple bars and restaurants, including an 18-seat open-kitchen concept that has only a single seating each night. — Alex Frank

Nearly 70% of travelers surveyed by Chase are interested in visiting the Netherlands.^{3Same page link to footnote reference} And with so many reasons to visit the nation’s two biggest cities next year, it's easy to see why.
 
Amsterdam is always quite colorful, but summer 2026 will bring rainbow hues to every corner of the city. The Dutch capital is preparing to host WorldPride from July 25 to August 8, with street parties across town; a march ending in Vondelpark; a WorldPride Village in Museumplein square, complete with food stalls and regular performances; and, in uniquely Amsterdam fashion, a floating parade down the city’s famous canals. 
 
While the calendar of festivities is more than enough to keep you in town, it’s worth visiting nearby Rotterdam as well. The port city, which sits just over 50 miles south of Amsterdam, is known for its envelope-pushing architecture. Now, there’s the recently opened Fenix, an art museum about migration that transformed a former dockside warehouse with a polished steel double-helix staircase that culminates on the roof, and Nederlands Fotomuseum, topped with a semitransparent crown. 
 
Rotterdam also serves as an impressive example of sustainable city-building, with several urban regeneration projects (Hofbogenpark on the site of an old rail line, floating parks in Rijnhaven harbor, the Keilehaven Tidal Park) either recently completed or currently underway. As of this past March, visitors even have a cool new place to stay in Man Met Bril Koffie, billed as the world’s first coffee-centric hotel, with a roastery, training space and podcast studio on-site. — Daisy Meager
 

With a 1,200-mile-long coastline, New South Wales is a small state only by Australian standards. Also not so diminutive? The number of exciting things happening across the area.
 
The capital city, Sydney, is expecting nearly 400,000 additional visitors in 2026 on 13 new flight routes and via increased capacity from Honolulu and Dallas, where Qantas will return its double-decker Airbus A380 to service. (Project Sunrise, the much-ballyhooed nonstop flights from New York and London, is still coming soon.)
 
To handle the swell, there are newcomers like The EVE Hotel Sydney, with a rooftop pool and 102 rooms all featuring private terraces or balconies. In late 2026, visitors will even have some additional sightseeing to do—Powerhouse Collection, which comprises more than half a million objects of national and international significance, will get a new home with the opening of Powerhouse Parramatta, one of the largest museum projects in the world.
 
In the north, Byron Bay recently welcomed a slew of wellness-focused hotels. Think: Pools enhanced with magnesium (the 32-room Basq House) and orange wine and turmeric spritzers on a regenerative farm (the ’70s-inspired Sun Ranch). For something a little wilder, trek to the Outback NSW, where the 93,000-acre Cuttaburra National Park and its 158 native animal species will debut in 2026, or remote Lord Howe Island, for its second annual Dark Sky Festival. Thankfully, the island’s top stay, Capella Lodge, has just renovated all its outdoor spaces for ideal stargazing. — Adam Erace

A trip to Japan is always a good idea, though Osaka—recognizable by its retro-futuristic façades, animatronic signage and first-rate street food—is rarely pitched as more than a side quest. No longer: A wave of exciting new hotels, fine-dining venues and design-driven shops are making a compelling case for why the city should be the main event on your next Japan jaunt.
 
Ahead of its second turn hosting the global Expo 2025 (a modern iteration of the World’s Fair), the city pioneered a spate of urban renewal projects, including Grand Green Osaka, a freight terminal turned public space that began to open in late 2024. The city also launched a handful of digital rail passes available right on your smartphone, designed to make it easier and more affordable to travel around both the city and the broader Kansai region.
 
Some of the world’s most esteemed luxury brands have also given the city their stamp of approval: Osaka is the site of Dior’s first forthcoming restaurant venture in Japan, while Gucci opened its second-ever cocktail bar here at the end of 2024. Following the opening of Four Seasons Hotel Osaka, also in 2024, Capella Hotel Group’s concept, Patina Hotels & Resorts, opened its first urban property near Osaka Castle in 2025, and other properties continue to pop up around the city.
 
And there’s more good news to come: A $550 billion partnership between Japan and the U.S. could mean more nonstop flights between major Japanese cities, including Osaka, and American hubs. That leaves just enough time to start planning—and making dinner reservations. — Melanie Lieberman

This historic mountain town is warming up for its most promising era yet. Park City Mountain Resort is already one of the largest ski resorts in the United States, but now nearby Deer Valley Resort is expanding, too, adding 3,700 acres of skiable terrain and the first new luxury alpine village development in the U.S. in more than four decades. The majority of the development, dubbed Deer Valley East Village, is set to be open for the 2025–2026 ski season. For nonskiers, there’s the Historic Mine Route, expected to debut in September 2026. The 7.8-mile loop will connect buildings and other important sites from Park City’s past as a mining town.

To handle the expected influx of visitors, a slate of hotels are set to open next year, including a splashy celebrity- and chef-backed wellness hotel concept with nearly 30 natural hot springs, AMEYALLI, which is hoping to welcome guests soon. It will join the recently reopened Hotel Thaynes, Park City, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel (formerly known as Park City Peaks Hotel) and a Four Seasons property in Deer Valley is also in development.

Salt Lake City International Airport, the gateway for most Park City visitors, is also wrapping up a four-phase, $5.2 billion renovation by the end of 2026. With additional gates and a second screening area, among other updates, Park City skiers can expect an even smoother journey to the slopes. — Maliah West

Portland has long been a popular starting point for hiking, skiing and rock-climbing trips, thanks to its easy access to the Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood and Oregon’s dramatic boulder-stippled coast. But there’s now more reason than ever to park yourself in the Rose City.
 
Downtown, in particular, is getting an energy jolt. Portland Art Museum, one of the oldest in the country, is just wrapping up two years of renovations with 100,000 square feet of new or updated gallery and public spaces, and a grand three-story, glass-ensconced entryway. One block from Pioneer Courthouse Square, travelers can browse James Beard Public Market, which will spotlight local butchers, cheesemongers and restaurants in an indoor-outdoor setting after its midsummer debut. And at the upgraded Portland International Airport, set to finish its final facelift phase in early 2026, you can hang out before your flight home in one of 15 new shops and restaurants, including a more permanent location of the iconic Powell’s Books.
 
Of course, Portland is forever a food town, with no shortage of hot restaurant (re)openings to fuel this momentum. The east side’s latest darling is the seasonally driven French bistro L’Echelle, cofounded by the late chef and local legend Naomi Pomeroy. Born of a pop-up, Javelina: Indigenous Dining, the city’s only Indigenous restaurant, has a new home in Northeast Portland for its fry-bread tacos topped with bison chili. And you can feast on green pandan waffles and sponge cakes in Buckman at the recently reopened gluten-free Vietnamese bakery Berlu—you’re going to need a pre-hike boost, after all. — Lani Conway

Nowadays, there are endless ways to get from Chicago to California. But for a good part of the 20th century, there was really only one: Route 66. In 2026, America’s most historic highway turns 100. And while there’s still plenty of nostalgia and neon to see along the full route, a crop of hotel openings in Santa Fe and Albuquerque and a revitalized art scene across the Southwest make this portion particularly primed for a road trip. 
 
The 300-odd-mile stretch of road that crosses New Mexico connects Tucumcari in the east to Gallup in the west. Interstate 40 overlays much of the original route, which was modernized in the ’50s, but in some pockets it runs parallel, leaving bits of historic Route 66 still accessible to today’s drivers. (Just don’t count on your GPS to tell you where to find them—you’ll have to follow the signs for Historic Route 66 to know when to get off I-40, and expect that you might hit a dead end due to occasional road closures.)
 
Veer off into Cubero for fry bread, Santa Rosa for a plunge in a crystal-blue natural swimming hole or Gallup for jewelry made by nearby Native American artisans. And plan to spend at least a few nights in Albuquerque, where Palisociety’s ARRIVE Albuquerque hotel, which sits on Central Avenue near the crossroads of the old and new Route 66, recently opened in a space once occupied by a roadside motor inn. Before leaving town, check out Secret Gallery—an energetic space inside ARRIVE devoted to contemporary Southwest artists—or join the monthly Albuquerque Artwalk tour. After that, it’s hours of rolling hills, otherworldly rust-colored rock formations and endless blue sky right outside your window. — Tiffany Yannetta

Swaying palm trees, sugar-white beaches and water teeming with tropical fish: When it comes to the ultimate island escape, Seychelles delivers. But this remote nation, sprinkled across the Indian Ocean some 800 miles off the coast of East Africa, offers much more than just beach days.

In February, boutique cruise operator Aqua Expeditions is set to launch its sixth vessel, the 15-cabin Aqua Lares, offering five- to 14-night voyages between some of the country’s farthest-flung atolls. It will be the first luxury expedition superyacht available to both charter or book by the cabin in the Seychelles, giving travelers a new way to experience the archipelago.

On land, many of the world’s leading hotel players—Four Seasons, Kempinski and Raffles among them—have already planted their flags, and now new high-end resorts are steadily raising the bar. Cheval Blanc Seychelles recently debuted with whitewashed villas, a spa nestled in the jungle and French fine dining on the quiet southwestern coast of Mahé, the largest and most connected of the 115 islands. But the one to watch is Fregate Island, a longtime favorite of solitude-seeking travelers that’s gearing up for a major relaunch after a four-year hiatus. Slated to reopen in 2026, the reimagined resort will feature just 17 villas hidden in a Jurassic-looking landscape patrolled by giant tortoises. A new focus on sustainability, including expanded conservation efforts, signals its shift to a more mindful type of barefoot luxury. — Chris Schalkx

Vacationers have long flocked to Turks and Caicos for its best-in-class beaches, including the 12-mile-long, white-sand sweep at Grace Bay, and a clutch of high-end resorts. The main island, Providenciales (often called Provo), has been the undisputed go-to of the country’s eight inhabited islands. But that’s about to change.
 
Enter South Caicos, an eight-square-mile oasis southeast of Providenciales. Once a hub of sea salt production, it was overshadowed as Provo blossomed. But with the spring 2025 relaunch of Norman B. Saunders Sr. International Airport and American Airlines’ new twice-weekly nonstop flights from Miami (the island’s first-ever from the U.S.), the smart money is on South Caicos as the next place for sand-seekers.

Travelers to the island affectionately known as “the Big South” can enjoy bonefishing in the flats, snorkeling and diving at Shark Alley and Amos’ Wall, and exploring the town of Cockburn Harbour, where wild donkeys roam free and seemingly outnumber South Caicos’ roughly 1,200 residents. But the beaches may offer the most compelling reason to visit. Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, opened in March 2025 on its own 3,000-foot stretch, offering 100 rooms (many with butler service), six dining venues and a spa. Along with Sailrock South Caicos, where villas and suites preside over Atlantic and Caribbean beaches, it signals South Caicos’ transformation into the Caribbean’s newest boutique resort destination. — Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon

Wildlife sightings, lush national parks, scenic train rides and sparkling beaches: There are plenty of reasons Sri Lanka has long been a popular destination for adventurous backpackers. But recent developments across the country are attracting a whole new class of comfort-seeking travelers. It’s part of the nation’s ambitious plan to increase tourism arrivals to 5 million by 2028; this includes a recent promise to scrap visa fees for travelers from 40 countries, including the U.S. The investment already seems to be paying off: Chase Travel air booking data for 2026 already points to a nearly 60% increase over the same period in 2025.^{4Same page link to footnote reference}

Sri Lanka has welcomed the arrival of multiple luxury properties that will help cement its reputation as a locale that can accommodate all types of travelers—and flaunt the nation’s varied and dynamic beauty. Joining the recently opened Kotiyagala (a 12-villa hideaway in Yala National Park) are two new properties from Uga Escapes, a local boutique hotel group that, in 2025, dropped flags in seaside Tangalle and on a sprawling tea estate in the highlands. And major deals are being inked by international brands, including Marriott, which is developing a Ritz-Carlton Reserve property in Pottuvil, on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, and Hyatt, which has a resort in the pipeline for Habarana, near Kaudulla National Park.

Sri Lanka also recently opened the roughly 200-mile-long Pekoe Trail, the country’s first long-distance walking path, which connects Kandy and Nuwara Eliya by crisscrossing the island’s central highlands. With the help of a handy companion app, travelers can head out on foot to discover the island’s vast tea fields, lesser-known towns and parklands filled with wildlife ranging from sambar deer to Sri Lankan leopards.— Melanie Lieberman

Despite its dizzying array of temples, hiking trails and neon-lit night markets, many travelers to Asia have treated Taiwan’s capital as little more than a stopover. With a $4 billion terminal set to open at Taoyuan International Airport in the next year or two, and EVA Air and Taiwan’s upstart STARLUX Airlines steadily expanding their connections with the U.S., that reputation might stick were it not for a slate of luxury hotel openings that are making a strong case for sticking around.
 
The buzziest among them is Capella Taipei, an intimate but ultra-luxe retreat in the culture-packed Songshan district. Some of its 86 rooms open to balconies with private plunge pools and Jacuzzi tubs, while its restaurants—including the sleek lobby lounge and ryokan-inspired omakase counter—have already become magnets for the local in-crowd (no small feat in a city as food-obsessed as Taipei). Outposts from Four Seasons and Park Hyatt are also on the books. 
 
They make plush bases for exploring Taipei’s melting pot of Chinese, Japanese and Indigenous influences, which give shape and flavor to a fast-growing arts scene (the ambitious New Taipei City Art Museum opened last April), proudly made-in-Taiwan concept stores and indie fashion labels, and a burgeoning bar scene with newcomers such as Tei by Obond, where spirit-forward drinks feature Taiwanese tea infusions. And with 2025 bookings through Chase Travel already up 36% year over year, it’s clear that word of the city’s appeal is already spreading fast.^{2Same page link to footnote reference} — Chris Schalkx

More than 150 years after the start of the Gilded Age, this stretch along Central Park has maintained a reputation for a certain stodginess. But times are changing, and in the past few years, a burst of cool businesses have brought in some much-needed fun and freshness.

Consider the shopping: Long dominated by more swanky labels, the area now houses the designer Thom Browne’s first new NYC stores in 20 years, including one devoted exclusively to accessories. There’s also the nearly 4,500-square-foot flagship of Los Angeles brand L’AGENCE; a storefront for beauty brand Violet Grey; and posts of effortlessly cool pioneers KHAITE, TOTEME and Kallmeyer.

Recuperate from your buying spree at AIRE Ancient Baths’ latest New York location or visit the Frick Collection museum, which reemerged in early 2025 from a five-year, multimillion-dollar renovation. Then, grab a bite at new hot spots like Chez Fifi, a French bistro in a town house; Cafe Commerce, the uptown remake of a West Village institution; Marlow East, which serves Southern-leaning American fare; or Asano, a daytime-only café that operates during daylight hours in local Italian standby Sandro’s. If you’d rather honor the neighborhood’s taste for tradition, try Le Veau d’Or, the circa-1937 French fine-dining institution lovingly restored by the owners of downtown favorite Frenchette.

When it’s time to crash, opt for The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, which reopened recently under new ownership after shuttering in 2020. The makeover added a branch of the members’ club Casa Tua. The coming year promises a few more sequels, like the rebirth of Hôtel Plaza Athénée, also shuttered in 2020, whose encore will include a Nobu hotel and restaurant. All you need to do now? Figure out the best subway route there. — Betsy Blumenthal

About 90 minutes southeast of Tijuana, surrounded by dirt roads and not much else, lies Valle de Guadalupe, also known as Mexican wine country. It’s a new viticultural area relative to places like Tuscany or Bordeaux, but it’s one of the more interesting ones. Here, vintners (a large number of whom, atypically for the industry, are women) aren’t bound by the rules that exist in more traditional winemaking regions. They come to Valle with a pioneering spirit, eager to try things they can’t do elsewhere, and to join a community that thrives on helping your neighbor rather than competing for business.

Getting to Valle de Guadalupe is still a trek; most Americans must fly into San Diego and drive across the border (we recommend hiring a local service like Wine Eat & Travel to help with planning). But finding a good place to stay has become much easier.

Earlier this year, design-forward MIRA Earth Studios hotel expanded with MIRA Poolside, a communal space with a guest lounge, infinity pool and open-air restaurant. And Banyan Tree debuted its Veya line here, bringing brand-name luxury to Valle for the first time. Beyond stunning, brutalist-style architecture and locally inspired venues from major chefs, the hotel offers a new entry point for the region by focusing on wellness rather than wine (even though there’s a winery on-site, too).

While Valle doesn’t feel at risk of mass tourism anytime soon (a Dream resort from Hyatt has been rumored, but it’s far from opening its doors), an international airport in nearby Ensenada, planned for 2029, is sure to bring more travelers. — Natalie Beauregard