As a travel writer who has spent the past five years on and off a plane, I’ve collected stamps on my passport like most people collect cookies on an internet browser. I’ve been on safari in Zambia, swam in Santorini, zip-lined through the Swiss Alps, haggled for antique jewelry at Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, enjoyed too many bowls of pasta in Tuscany and inhaled fresh spring blooms at Monet’s gardens in France.
During my travels, I’ve also gotten in the habit of conducting “market research” by asking everyone I meet where they’re keen to visit, their hometown’s best-kept secret or the most special trips they’ve taken. You can tell when something’s a bucket-list trip — their eyes light up with excitement. I’ve been building a destination “it” list for years with this method. I also consulted some of the top travel trend reports, and below is the result: a list of destinations near and far that everyone is buzzing about for 2026.
Japan
I’ve been dying to go to Japan for years. The culture! The food! The history! The yen is trading at an all-time low, meaning your money will go further, and Japan is expected to roll out a new electronic pre-travel authorization system in 2027 as well as potential changes in duty-free shopping and departure taxes.
I want to do it all — the more classic Golden Route (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka) as well as quieter spots like Ise-Shima and Okinawa. My husband’s friend, a Tokyo native, told us to avoid going in the spring (peak cherry blossom season) as well as July or August (peak heat) so we’re planning a trip for September. For a splurge-y stay, I’ve been ogling the recently reopened Park Hyatt Tokyo. Everyone is raving about its refinement and luxury following a 19-month renovation. In Tokyo, I’ve been told that a stop in the Daikanyama neighborhood in Shibuya is a must for amazing vintage shopping and thrift finds.
In Kyoto, I’ve got my eye on the Imperial Hotel (set to open its doors in March) for the absolutely breathtaking rooftop views overlooking Kyoto and Mount Higashiyama. The Six Senses Kyoto also looks too dreamy to be real, with rooms that overlook an idyllic, lush garden and omakase courses that change every two weeks to highlight only the freshest seasonal fare. There’s also a spa that blends intention setting and full-body massage. Sign me up.
Osaka is for the foodies because of its incredible street food and bustling nightlife. I’ve heard amazing things about the sleek, polished Waldorf Astoria Osaka — it comes highly recommended for its glamour, spa and proximity to the JR Osaka Station (making airport access and trains to Kyoto, Kobe and Nara easy) as well as the Time Out Market, a must for the best bites. A convenient train ride from Osaka is the Ise-Shima Peninsula, where you’ll find mineral-rich hot springs, forested coastlines, sacred Shinto shrines and fresh seafood. I’m pretty sure even one day at the ryokan-inspired onsen resort Amanemu would heal my soul.
Munich, Germany
According to luxury travel operator Scott Dunn’s 2026 trend report, Germany’s breathtaking landscapes and historic sites are in high demand. While Oktoberfest has long been a highlight for many itineraries, it can also bring higher prices and insane crowds. My suggestion? Go between April and May for Frühlingsfest — Oktoberfest’s little (and less touristy) sister. You still get all the festive feel — Bavarian pretzels, pints of beer and traditional dress — without the extra fuss. It’s also the time that folk festival/antique fair Auer Dult pops up in Mariahilfplatz, the main square. With almost 300 food, antique, ceramic and art merchants, you could spend a full day browsing for souvenirs and keepsakes.
If you can, splurge on the ultra-luxe Mandarin Oriental Munich. The staff is generous with local recommendations, and the hotel offers exclusive tours and experiences for guests. It’s also in a prime location that makes many Munich hotspots easily walkable. Stop by the open-air Viktualienmarkt for delicious bites (white asparagus is fresh and abundant) and have a long lunch at Schumann’s, a local favorite and fabulous people-watching spot where you might see legendary bartender Charles Schumann himself.
Fort Worth, Texas
Maybe it’s because I’m a New Yorker who recently moved to Austin, or maybe it’s because Landman has taken over my Sundays, but Texas tourism is hot, and Fort Worth is front and center. The Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo happens early in the year and draws a fun crowd, and everyone will be heading to AT&T Stadium in Arlington for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The city brings true western heritage, incredible museums like the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, and a growing arts and culinary scene (Texas’ first Michelin Guide spotlights two restaurants: Tatsu and Mamani.) The Fort Worth Stockyards is another huge draw with lively country music, daily cattle drives, two-step dance halls, smoked barbecue and artisanal cowboy boot and hat shops. The Hotel Drover is right in the middle of the action and feels truly Texas with its urban-ranch-meets-rustic-luxury interiors. And don’t skip the lobby shops — there’s Lucchese, an iconic bespoke bootmaker, as well as Wide Brim by Flea Style, a curation of local Texas goods.
Copenhagen, Denmark
I’m dreaming of a Scandinavian summer, but I’m not the only one: according to Scott Dunn’s report, the region is a new favorite for summer escapes. While most of Europe sees scorching temperatures in the summer, Copenhagen offers mild, breezy weather in the 70s, fewer tourists and longer days. It’s ideal for those who want to untether from day-to-day stressors and immerse themselves in hygge, the Danish philosophy that focuses on easy comforts, cozy togetherness and finding joy in the simplicity of everyday moments. Walk along the Nyhavn harbor for postcard views, have an al fresco picnic at Frederiksberg Gardens or visit Rosenborg Castle when the weather isn’t perfect.
Housed inside the former post central from 1912, Villa Copenhagen is a bucket-list destination in itself that feels sleek and modern but with a quiet elegance. The outdoor heated pool is sure to surprise and delight. A stay at Manon Les Suites is ultra-chic and trendy too, with a jungle-esque pool and spa for relaxation. Book a dinner at Vaekst for Danish beef tartare and scallops; Fiskebar, which serves up seafood focused Norwegian fare (think blue mussels and seaweed butter); or Odette for amazing wine pairings.
Madison, Wisconsin
My parents were born and raised in Wisconsin, so I grew up a Packers fan and spent my childhood visiting for holidays. Admittedly, when you think of Wisconsin, you may not think of a culinary hotspot, but Madison is changing that. Stay and eat at Seven Acre Dairy Company, a boutique hotel, creamery and restaurant in one right on Sugar River. There’s an adorable patio for warmer-weather days and an incredible guest chef dinner series that brings top chefs and James Beard Award-winners from all over.
Madison also has a walkable downtown and other delicious eats: Tornado Room is a steakhouse with a chic supper club vibe, Merchant offers farm-to-table fare with fantastic cocktails and Quivey’s Grove somehow makes dining in a farmhouse feel rustic, elevated and exclusive. Even if you’re not a student at University of Wisconsin, spend time at the Terrace at Memorial Union for a craft beer (try Spotted Cow, as it’s only distributed in Wisconsin) while watching the sailboats on Lake Mendota.
Reykjavik, Iceland
Iceland is bursting with natural beauty and wonder, not to mention a conspicuous lack of light pollution, making it a prime spot to experience “noctourism,” a travel trend focused on nightlife away from food and alcohol. Early 2026 is expected to be the best time in nearly a decade to see the northern lights, and August will offer views of a total solar eclipse. It’s also an ideal spot to get in on “cool-cationing,” a trend where travelers are looking not for warm beaches but cooler-weather escapes.
The Reykjavik Edition delivers an intimate coziness that blends in with Iceland’s gorgeous landscapes, but still feels sophisticated and modern. The best thing about the hotel is its location in the Old Harbor port. It makes so much easily walkable, including fantastic outerwear shop 66 North, my favorite Icelandic skin-care line Bioeffect’s flagship store, perfume house Fischersund (where you must experience The Ultimate Fischersund Scent Tour Experience), the Skólavörðustígur (aka Reykjavik’s “Rainbow Road”), the Hallgrimskirkja church and traditional Icelandic restaurant ROK. Book a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter tour with HeliAir Iceland to see the picturesque landscapes, and pencil in a day to spend at Sky Lagoon. The Skjól Ritual is a must, and there’s nothing like luxuriating the day away at the geothermal pools.
Portland Head Light is Maine’s oldest lighthouse and a worthy stop during your trip to the Pine Tree State. (Getty Images)
Portland, Maine
If local ceramic shops, lobster rolls and saltwater sunsets are high on your list, Portland really delivers. It’s perhaps one of the travel destinations I didn’t think about until I went — and now I can’t stop raving about it. Stay at the Longfellow Hotel for the intimate coziness and energizing lobby — it really made my trip. If you’re a bath lover like me, book the Evangeline Suite and thank me later.
It’s also in a prime location for exploring Portland. You can grab a coffee or juice at the hotel’s Twinflower Cafe before heading out, but make time for the famous biscuits from Tandem next door. I could have spent every meal at The Shop by Island Creek Oysters, a no-fuss oyster market with a fresh raw bar, but then I would have missed out on one of my favorite meals — a brown-butter lobster roll — at Eventide Oyster Co. You can go out by boat with a lobster fisherman and catch your own dinner, check out the many incredible breweries (I really liked Belleflower Brewing Company) and pop in to the many local shops that make this truly a unique getaway.
Ayrshire, Scotland
There’s a reason we all obsessed over Kate Winslet’s adorable cottage in Nancy Meyers’ The Holiday: It gave us a glimpse into the dreaminess that is the quiet U.K. countryside. Now more than ever, travelers are looking for literary escapes and rural, cozy stays for deeper connection and slower moments, says Expedia Group’s 2026 Travel Trends Report. Called “Farm Charm,” the trend trades busy cityscape vacations for rustic charm.
While everyone flocks to Edinburgh (and you should, it’s enchanting), I implore you to venture out a bit further to the lowlands of Scotland. South Ayrshire, Dumfries and Galloway have so much to offer — local whisky distilleries, expansive cliffs and waterfalls and coastal seasides, historic castles and silent nights for a total respite. The best part of Scotland is that the misty, moody rain makes it even better, so you don’t have to rely on good weather for a good time. Glenapp Castle is the most enchanting stay, offering an elegant seven-course dining menu and custom experiences like stargazing or visits to local islands. Don’t miss the Coos and Ewes tour, where you can get up close and personal with fluffy Highland cows.
Charleston, South Carolina
My husband is from South Carolina and my brother-in-law and his family live in Charleston, but you don’t need family ties to be the reason you visit this charming city. One of the oldest, most storied cities in the U.S., it’s gorgeously preserved yet still modern. There are cobblestone streets, flickering lanterns and colorful houses to explore.
The food is incredible too. Eat as many fresh oysters as you can — especially paired with a crisp glass of rosé at 167 Raw — and book dinners at restaurants like Husk and Fig for memorable meals. Stay at Emeline for a unique twist on southern charm and make reservations at popular Italian restaurant Frannie & The Fox, or The Ryder Hotel for coastal vibes, a fantastic pool and happy hour at Little Palm.
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