If 2025 was the year travelers returned to the world, 2026 is shaping up to be the year they go deeper. Tour operators say travelers are skipping whirlwind itineraries and instead choosing destinations that offer culture, nature and a sense of discovery. “Travelers are choosing to slow down and experience one destination in depth,” says Melissa DaSilva, Deputy CEO of Trafalgar, who notes rising interest in places with strong food, history and landscape appeal. It’s a trend echoed across younger travelers as well: “Gen Z and millennials are embracing bucket-list trips that feel different and meaningful,” adds Toni Ambler, Chief Customer Officer at Contiki. From a New York valley in the midst of a cultural renaissance to a Greek island fueling the art world’s creative pulse, these are six destinations travel insiders say are poised to be the next big thing in 2026.
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1. Hudson Valley, New York
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The Hudson Valley is shedding its sleepy-weekend aura and emerging as one of the Northeast’s most exciting cultural escapes. The shift reflects a broader trend experts are seeing: “Travelers are choosing to slow down and experience one destination in depth,” says DaSilva—and few places reward that approach like this region of rolling farmland, creative communities and quietly ambitious new openings. In Chatham, Michelin-starred chef David Israelow has transformed the beloved Blue Plate Restaurant & Bar into Four Corners, signaling a step-change in the local dining scene, while the town prepares to debut an $18 million Shaker Museum designed by Annabelle Selldorf. The historic Farmhouse at Callisto blends 19th-century character with quiet luxury, while the new on-property Hilltop Home opening in 2026 will offer sweeping valley views and gathering spaces. The result: a destination where pastoral charm and cultural energy meet, making the Hudson Valley one to watch for 2026.
2. Bennington, Vermont
Franz Marc Frei for
Bennington is poised for a landmark year as the nation prepares to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence—and this historic Vermont town will be one of the celebration’s focal points. Through the work of Bennington 250, commemorations will honor not only Revolutionary War milestones like the pivotal Battle of Bennington, but also the stories of Native Americans, people of color and other voices often left out of the founding narrative. The timing aligns with a cultural renaissance across the greater Bennington region, where contemporary art, design and New England charm intersect. In 2026, two storied local properties will reopen under Place in Mind, a new hospitality project from acclaimed design studio Hendricks Churchill. The Seminary, a restored church-turned-seven-room retreat, will debut in spring, followed by an ambitious restoration of the legendary Walloomsac Inn, once frequented by Revolutionary-era luminaries. Together, they position Bennington as a destination where history and forward-thinking design create a uniquely meaningful getaway.
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3. Slovenia
View of the town with Tartini Square, the main square in the town of PiranMassimo Borchi/Atlantide Phototravel
Once a quiet neighbor to Croatia, Slovenia is now one of Europe’s most talked-about up-and-coming destinations. Travel company Unforgettable Croatia reports a 286% year-over-year rise in Slovenia bookings—driven by travelers seeking culture, nature and food experiences that feel both polished and undiscovered. Ljubljana’s walkable old town, the fairytale setting of Lake Bled, the underground drama of Postojna Cave and the country’s buzzy wine scene (particularly in the Vipava and Brda regions) are fueling the surge. New itineraries that pair Slovenia with Croatia and Montenegro are resonating, but so is the brand’s first-ever land-only Taste of Croatia & Slovenia Food & Wine Tour, which spotlights the region’s growing culinary prestige. With a mix of Alpine beauty, Adriatic access and emerging food culture, Slovenia is positioning itself as one of 2026’s most exciting European escapes.
4. Hydra, Greece
Mandraki Beach Resort,
Long an insider favorite, Hydra continues to solidify its role as the Aegean’s artistic hideaway. The car-free island is heading into its sixth year of the increasingly influential Hydra Book Club, alongside another major summer exhibition at the DESTE Foundation’s Slaughterhouse—a cultural anchor founded by industrialist and art collector Dakis Ioannou. A fresh wave of creative energy is shaping the island for 2026, from new gallery openings to the debut of the Windmill Bar, a reimagining of the landmark made iconic by Sophia Loren in Boy on a Dolphin. Just 90 minutes from Athens by ferry, Hydra blends cliffside beaches, centuries-old history and an ultra-chic creative community. Its most refined retreat, Mandraki Beach Resort, occupies an 18th-century shipyard where early plans for the Greek War of Independence were once drafted. It’s this intersection of art, heritage and understated luxury that continues to make Hydra one of the Mediterranean’s most compelling escapes.
5. Douro Valley, Portugal
Douro River Valley. Port Wine vineyards region. Travel and Ship Cruise area. Grape harvest time. Slow flow time of the year.	Fotisto Pizoto
Portugal’s rise shows no signs of slowing heading into 2026. Its blend of approachable cities, world-class wine regions, dramatic coastlines and richly layered history continues to draw travelers looking for culture without the summer-crowd crunch. “Europe continues to shine as a top destination, especially for seasoned travelers who prefer to skip the peak summer crowds,” says DaSilva. “Portugal remains especially popular… travelers are eager to sip world-class wines in the Douro Valley and immerse themselves in rich history and architecture.” Lisbon and Porto remain star attractions, but destinations like Sintra, Évora, and the Alentejo countryside are seeing a surge of interest thanks to boutique hotels, design-driven wineries and a slower style of travel. As more travelers prioritize depth over checklists, Portugal’s warmth, affordability and cultural richness make it one of Europe’s most promising “next big thing” destinations for 2026.
6. Wider Japan
Higashi Chaya District is the largest chaya districts in Kanazawa. These historical rows of houses designated as Japan’s cultural assets.	annhfhung
Few destinations are experiencing a renaissance quite like Japan, which continues to skyrocket in demand going into 2026. Bookings with Contiki have doubled year over year, driven largely by younger travelers who see Japan as the perfect mix of hyper-modern excitement and deeply rooted tradition. “Gen Z and millennial travelers are embracing fall as the perfect time to check off bucket list destinations,” says Ambler. “Japan has emerged as a standout.” Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, travelers are increasingly exploring secondary cities and rural prefectures—from Kanazawa’s growing art scene to the hot springs of Kyushu and the remote beauty of Hokkaido. Add in new luxury hotels, buzzy restaurant openings, expanded train routes and cultural moments like the continued global influence of Japanese design, and the country is poised to be one of 2026’s defining destinations.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 11, 2025, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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