We may be settled into the throes of the holiday break, but any keen traveler will tell you that this temporary lull is best used wisely – by plotting where to travel in 2026. Amid global uncertainty, 2025 proved another bumper year for travel, with keen explorers leaning into authenticity and deeper connections with place and people.
For Americans, Tokyo, London, and Edinburgh were all among the top ten most-searched intonational destinations according to Google Trends. While the Greek Islands continued to appeal, Turkey emerged as a rival hotspot – US visitors were up 10 percent on 2024.
As a new year rolls in, we have tapped into some of the travel industry’s leading minds to uncover 2026’s most interesting destinations – from archaeological tours through Egypt to an Asian city no longer reserved for layovers only.
Where to travel in 2026, according to travel experts
Hokkaido, Japan – Paul Croughton, Elite Traveler editor in chief
“I’m looking toward a destination that I’ve been to previously, but would love to explore again – with an eye on traveling to locations that weren’t on my radar the first time,” says Paul Croughton. “Japan is perennial, of course, but beyond Tokyo and Kyoto there’s so much more to see. I’m deeply curious about heading further north, specifically to Hokkaido, where great food, culture, and scenery could make for a magical adventure.”
Billed as the country’s last true wilderness, in the winter, the mountainous prefecture beckons for skiers, while the summer months are for hiking and biking (without the intense humidity that coats much of the rest of Japan), as well as amazing floral displays. Keep an eye out for Elite Traveler’s full guide to Hokkaido in our upcoming spring issue.
When to visit: Year-round – winter if you ski, the rest of the year if you don’t.
Taiwan – Tom Marchant, co-founder of Black Tomato
Although typically seen as a lay-over en route to the rest of Asia (Taipei International has direct flights to Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Bangkok), Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant thinks Taiwan is slated for a face lift. “Hear me out on this one,” he says. “It has so much we are excited about: indigenous roots, bustling modern cities, and reverence for the natural world.”
“This ‘bite-sized’ destination is easy to navigate and offers a lot of variety for families, from beaches to national parks,” he says. The coming years promise a step-up in luxe travel, too. Capella Taipei opened in April, and Capella Kenting and Six Senses Taitung are slated for 2027. “For now, accommodation is already supremely comfortable, with many properties making use of the country’s abundant hot springs,” Marchant adds.
When to visit: Year-round, but avoid typhoon season in August.
Finland – Clare Watkins, Red Savannah Europe specialist
Pristine landscapes, historic Sámi culture, and a surprisingly bustling capital city have long made Finland a sought-after destination, but Clare Watkins at UK-based travel agency Red Savannah is tipping a pick-up in interest.
“Officially the happiest country in the world, Finland addresses a growing desire to get back to a place of solitude and nature, both physically as well as emotionally,” she says. “The serenity of a stay in Finland’s beautiful landscapes cannot be underestimated, with pure Arctic air, an abundance of flora and fauna, and the most exceptional cuisine that can be foraged by hand.”
Watkins recommends Octola II – a vast private sanctuary beyond the Arctic Circle – for snowshoeing, husky sledding and Aurora Borealis spotting, or the oft-overlooked Lakeland region. “Kotona Manor – opening in 2026 – is the newcomer in the region, offering a clean food concept that follows the seasons alongside opportunities to bask in the Midnight Sun and watch the Northern Lights,” she says.
“To further enhance the serene landscapes, snow scooters are electric, the lake has rowing boats and canoes for gliding in the summer, and resting with a book in hand in front of the fire or dining in the open-air is actively encouraged.”
When to visit: Year-round, but Northern Lights are strongest in fall and spring.
Egypt – Amr Badr, managing director, Egypt, Abercrombie & Kent
After years of delays (construction began in 2005), the Great Egypt Museum finally opened its doors in November, 2025. It is of little surprise, then, that Abercrombie & Kent has named the North African nation as one of 2026’s top destinations. “The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has been transformative – we’ve seen a significant surge in enquiries since November, and the caliber of traveler is remarkable,” says Amr Badr, managing director, Egypt, Abercrombie & Kent. “These are culturally curious guests seeking genuine immersion rather than surface-level touring.” They’re booking private after-hours access to the museum, arranging consultations with Egyptologists, and approaching Egypt with the same intentionality they’d bring to any major cultural pilgrimage.”
The world’s largest archaeological museum holds over 100,00 artefacts and marks the first time all of the treasures from King Tutankhamun’s have been displayed together. Demand is anticipated to be high, so get in sooner rather than later to avoid the crowds.
Cairo isn’t short of luxe hotel options – Four Seasons, St Regis, Ritz-Carlton, and Kempinski all have a presence in the city – but for something a little off-beat, consider Abercrombie & Kent’s Nile Seray, an all-new 32-suite riverboat, slated to launch next year. A hark back to the golden era of travel along the Nile, the cruiser has several restaurants, a gym, and a deck pool. Land excursions include market tours in Luxor, ancient temple visits, hot-air balloon rides over the Valley of King and Queens, and sailing expeditions.
When to visit: Shoulder seasons (spring or fall) – winter is too busy; summer too hot.
Guadalajara, Mexico – Ed Farrelly, director of travel at Ellidore
You might think you’ve ‘done’ Mexico – its rich culture, diverse landscape, excellent cuisine, and, crucially, proximity to the US make it an easy vacation win for all generations – but, according to director of travel at Ellidore, Ed Farrelly, Guadalajara, Jalisco, is the under-the-radar place to be in 2026. “[Its] emerging as Mexico’s cultural center of gravity,” he says. “For travelers who have done Mexico City and Oaxaca, it offers deeper cultural fluency: market-led gastronomy, access to multi-generation agave producers, and a growing design scene rooted in local craft. The appeal is context and access, not spectacle, making it feel urgent, current, and quietly authoritative.”
Few big brands have settled in (yet), but trendy Casa Habita, is a safe bet – its top suite has a private terrace and city views. The hotel is Guadalajara’s artsy Americana district, where you’ll find buzzy bars and diverse restaurants.
When to visit: Best in dry season, October – May.
New Zealand – Henrietta Loyd, co-founder of Cazenove & Loyd
“Our American clients are asking about Australasia, and specifically New Zealand, a lot,” reports Henrietta Loyd, co-founder of luxury travel specialist Cazenove & Loyd. “It’s great as you can take these big chunky trips of three or four weeks.”
Primed for a road trip, New Zealand’s slow pace of life and rolling countryside offers a more relaxed vacation than many are used to. Do a dot-to-dot of its best hotels – Rosewood Matakauri, Huka Lodge, and Rosewood Cape Kidnappers are regarded as some of the country’s best.
When to visit: Year-round, but remember Southern Hemisphere seasons are inverted. Summer is December – February, and winter is June – August.
