Travel Experts Predict These 10 Places Will Be 2026’s Hottest Destinations

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Travel used to be viewed as a splurge. A retreat from the ho-hum of everyday life. These days, it can be that—and so much more.

“Travel is an investment in well-being and a source of balance, inspiration, and connection. Even amid higher prices and global volatility, the desire to explore remains strong,” confirms Mario Del Duca, the Miami, Florida-based managing director of the ultra-luxury travel agency NUBA. “At the top end of the market, confidence hasn’t wavered. Affluent travelers continue to spend, but they are spending with greater intention favoring experiences that feel restorative, emotionally resonant, and genuinely personal.”

For many savvy travelers, a trip isn’t about ticking off countries or collecting passport stamps, he adds. Instead, “the American traveler is evolving: curious, discerning, and driven by meaning as much as luxury.”

Last year, we saw a spike in popularity for trips related to “set-jetting” (trips to areas where popular movies and TV shows have been filmed, detour destinations, and to witness natural phenomena like the Northern Lights).

Looking ahead, 2026’s treks will involve shoulder season sojourns, transformative journeys, and avoiding overtourism. The new year will also usher in an era that’s slow, special, and singular, according to Del Duca and Emma Major Schroeder, an Atlanta, Georgia-based luxury travel advisor and the owner of Major Traveler.

• Slow: Travelers are seeking deeper, slower itineraries with fewer stops and more meaningful time in each destination, Schroeder tells VERANDA. “For example, instead of trying to see all of Italy in 10 days, clients now happily look forward to spending 10 nights on the Amalfi Coast alone. The focus has moved from checking boxes to truly soaking in one place at a time, trusting that you’ll revisit the others in the future,” she says.

• Special: The best souvenir is a new skill or core memory. “Folks are spending more on experiential travel that centers around one specific concept, whether that’s culinary, wellness, or an event,” Schroeder adds. “Travelers are willing to go far to be part of something unique—often seeking an escape from the world at hand.”

• Singular: Personalization will be part and parcel of pilgrimages moving forward, Del Duca believes. Travelers crave adventures that reflect who they are and what they care about. “It’s not only about where they go, but also why—and how each journey connects to their passions, values, and aspirations,” he notes. “We’re moving toward a form of travel that feels like self-expression: intimate, layered, and deeply personal.”

The future of travel is less about escaping from everyday life. It’s about being part of something bigger, De Duca says. Here are 10 timely locations that allow you to do just that.

Mexico City

Mexico City has evolved into one of the most dynamic cultural capitals in the world, Del Duca says. “For Americans, Mexico City is close, accessible, and endlessly inspiring. It’s a city where gastronomy, contemporary art, and design collide with a rich sense of history,” he says.

This destination is overflowing with creative energy, which you can witness in fine form at its ever-growing list of world-class restaurants (the tasting menu and hospitality at Quintonil are too sensational to skip), renowned museums and institutions (Casa Gilardi is one of our editors’ favorites), and design-forward hotels (mid-century modern Uma Casa’s decor, location, and thoughtful nods to Mexican culture earned a Michelin Key earlier this year). Plant your pin at that upscale residential guesthouse, then take your time wandering through “emerging neighborhoods that feel both local and global,” Del Duca suggests.

Mallorca, Spain

If Schroeder was forced to choose the place for summer 2026, it would be this Spanish island. A detour destination for fans of Ibiza, Mallorca used to be a popular stop on multi-city trips within Spain or even the Mediterranean. But this year, Schroeder is booking travelers who are staying all 5 to 10 days in Mallorca—which has more than enough culture, beach, history, hiking, biking, and boating to keep you busy for months.

With just 30 rooms and suites scattered across 74 miles of coastline, plus an underground spa, there are few better places to call home away from home than Cap Rocat. Although you might not want to leave the property, it’s worth it to dive into top-notch tapas at La Caña.

Lisbon, Portugal

“Soulful, sunlit, and full of character,” Del Duca tells us that “Lisbon embodies the essence of slow European travel.”

As you stroll through the hilly city—or traverse it via the extensive tram network—you’ll be rewarded with picturesque vistas, historic architecture, and so many pastries. Please savor a pastel de nata (egg custard tart) or five for us!

Lisbon has become a haven for travelers seeking authenticity without the crowds. Although those crowds are growing due to its flourishing boutique hotel and culinary scenes, Del Duca says, “Lisbon still feels intimate and personal. Plus, it offers that rare mix of nostalgia and modernity that feels perfectly in tune with the moment.” Case in point: Verride Palácio de Santa Catarina, a castle-like retreat situated in the trendy Chiado neighborhood.

McMinnville, Oregon

This charming town (population 35,255) is an approachable yet still incredibly delicious alternative to Napa, Champagne, or Tuscany. Amidst this slow travel resurgence, “Americans are spending more time in fewer places, trading the rush of constant movement for deeper experiences and local immersion,” Del Duca says. McMinnville is a picturesque and calm place to do just that. Plus, if you go now, you’ll beat the crowd before they discover this quiet wine country gem.

Just an hour west of Portland’s airport, you’ll stumble upon this under-the-radar wine region that just so happens to be an outdoorsy person’s paradise and a burgeoning farm-to-table destination. With its impressive spa and on-site vegetable and animal farms, you might not want to leave Inn the Ground after checking in. But you’ll be rewarded if you do, as you stroll through the antique mall and locally-owned boutiques, visit as many of the 100+ nearby wineries as you like (don’t miss Brooks and Gran Moraine), and dine on farm-fresh fare at ōkta.

San Jose, California

Beloved for decades by techies, this Silicon Valley destination will be welcoming a whole host of jocks—and their fans—in 2026. On February 8, San Jose will host Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. (Insider tip: Take the light rail from downtown San Jose to the stadium to avoid traffic. It takes less than 15 minutes!) But that’s not all. Bounce on over in March for the NCAA March Madness West Regional at SAP Center, or kick it in Cali for FIFA World Cup Group State at Levi’s Stadium.

No matter what season or reason you visit, you can rest your head at a haven in the heart of the walkable shopping district Santana Row if you book a room at Hotel Valencia. In the mood to raise a glass to your team—or commiserate over a close match? Pull up a bar stool at Eos & Nyx, home to one of the most creative cocktail programs in the country, alongside some seriously solid Mediterranean cuisine.

Milan, Italy

“In 2025, we have seen travelers building trips around specific events like The Eras Tour, the Ryder Cup, Formula 1, and Wimbledon, to name a few,” Schroeder says. The travel pros at Expedia believe this trend will only continue to snowball in 2026. Their new Unpack ‘26 survey found that 57% of the 24,000 respondents plan to attend a sporting event during a trip this year.

If winter sports are your speed, set your out of office for February 6 to 22 and book a hotel room in Milan ASAP. (Might we recommend STRAF Hotel?) Schroeder says that this fashion hub is a terrific home base for those who want a taste of the 2026 Olympics, which are taking place in Milan and the Dolomites.

Boston, Massachusetts

In honor of America’s 250th birthday in 2026, many folks will be making pilgrimages in D.C. or Philly. Although these are both very worthy destinations, Schroeder nominates another East coast option for a dose of history: Boston. “It’s a perfect jumping-off point for exploring the Northeast,” she explains. In addition, the Massachusetts metro is a hub for history, home to the iconic Boston Marathon, and the host for seven of the 104 matches during the FIFA World Cup.

You can snooze amidst history if you stay at Fairmont Copley Plaza Boston. Originally constructed as Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, this restored hotel showcases French and Venetian Renaissance design intermingled with 5-star amenities like a 24-hour rooftop health club and its own signature barrel-aged gin.

Beijing, China

You’ll find something old and something new in China’s capital city. During Del Duca’s recent visit he “was genuinely blown away by how much it’s changed,” since his last break in Beijing. “It’s cleaner, more organized, and buzzing with creativity and progress.”

In fact, the city is amidst an “awakening,” according to Del Duca, and if you visit now, you can beat the crowds and enjoy an incredibly personalized trip as you immerse yourself in the city’s art districts, refined culinary scene, and world-class hotels, he says. (We’ll be right back with you after we finally stop swooning over Aman Summer Palace and Hotel Éclat Beijing…)

Kyoto, Japan

For vibrant, bustling city energy with fewer navigation challenges and less crowds than Tokyo, Schroeder has been sending a growing number of clients to Kyoto. “It’s a cultural hub with Geisha culture, tea ceremonies and local temples,” she says.

Time your trip right in March or April, you can behold the breathtaking cherry blossoms in full bloom—before mastering how to cook Japanese fare with a local family through Haru Cooking Classes.

Restored historic buildings are having a real moment in the hotel space—and boutique properties are one way to customize your stay. With that in mind, it’s a smart move to book Hotel Seiryu Kyoto Kiyomizu, which was once a former school and is now a serene 48-room stay with sweeping views of pagodas and plants.

The Polar Regions

Trips to the Arctic used to be reserved for the extremely adventurous or those hoping to check off their seventh continent, Schroeder says. But these days, with small-ship luxury cruises from brands like Seabourn and Lindblad, “many of my clients are feeling more confident and excited about exploring off the beaten path,” Schroeder says.

Younger travelers in particular are keen on learning more about Greenland, Iceland, Norway, and even Antarctica IRL so they can share unique moments on social media, Schroeder says. Plus, they can savor something their younger selves never would have dreamed they could.

This year, “the most compelling destinations will be those that offer both belonging and transformation,” Del Duca says, and going polar allows you to do just that. “We’ll be traveling to places where travelers can pause, connect, and feel moved. It’s about finding places that remind us of why we travel in the first place,” he adds.

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