These top travel locations for BBC correspondents this year include Chile’s gaucho heartland and a Polynesian island surrounded by beautiful lagoons.
Like everyone else, we adore Dubrovnik. However, many tourists visiting Croatia might be unaware that neighboring Montenegro has stunning coastal towns as well as brand-new hiking paths connecting mountain communities. Across the sea from the constantly fashionable Buenos Aires, Montevideo is one of the greenest towns in South America and provides comparable world-class tango, steaks, and architecture. Rome may never die, but Algeria has historic ruins without the tourists.
In this year’s list of the top travel destinations, we are focusing on areas that provide amazing experiences while utilizing tourism to help local people, safeguard the environment, and maintain their distinctive cultural heritage. In order to create our list, we used the help of BBC employees, our reliable journalists, and some of the top sustainable tourism organizations in the world to find destinations that are eagerly welcome tourists and where your trip can make a difference.
Abu Dhabi
Why go: Exciting new theme parks and a year full with cultural openings
The air of the desert is heavy with expectancy. The opening of the Louvre Abu Dhabi in 2017 served as the first indication that the city’s Saadiyat Cultural District will eventually reach its pivotal stage after years of construction.
TeamLab Phenomena, the biggest digital art museum in the world, just opened after the historic Zayed National Museum, where visitors can view what the country’s combined ambitions looked like before it became wealthy from oil. Although pearl diving did not originate in the Emirates, it has a rich history that includes the expansion of Arabic, the impact of Islam, and the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the country’s founder.
The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, which towers over the Arabian Gulf like a series of enormous sugar cubes and draws inspiration from the geology of the area, is equally fresh among the museums. And then there is the much-discussed, long-delayed, and biggest-ever Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. Anticipate the enormous modern art gallery by late 2026 or possibly later.
Beyond cultural, Abu Dhabi is increasing travel to theme parks. With Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi erecting a Harry Potter expansion and Yas Waterworld constructing an extra mega-zone of thrills and slides, Yas Island’s expansive entertainment area is growing. Additionally, plans are moving forward for the first Disneyland Middle East, which will begin construction on Yas in the upcoming years. From the yards and sand forts that historically characterized the city, this ambitious endeavor is much different.
Mike MacEacheran
Algeria
Why visit: cultural preservation, sweeping dunes, and Roman ruins
Algeria is home to magnificent Roman ruins, bizarre desert landscapes, and ancient cities with a captivating blend of architectural styles. However, the country’s infamously convoluted visa procedure has long kept Algeria’s rich tourism attractions at bay. However, African tourism’s “sleeping beauty” is at last awakening.
Algeria has been working hard to increase the number of foreign visitors to 12 million annually by 2030. The introduction of a visa-on-arrival policy for tourists on organized tours, the August 2025 launch of Domestic Airlines, a new airline subsidiary of Air Algérie, and the government’s pledge to strengthen cultural heritage protection and preservation, including training and assistance for the country’s 460,000 handicraft artisans, are examples of recent developments.
In 2026, it will also be simpler to visit thanks to new trips introduced by many big operators. The beachfront capital of Algiers, a historic Phoenician colony with layers of influences from its various rulers, is where most tourists start. Another metropolitan attraction is Constantine, a Unesco World Heritage site that preserves remnants of three millennia of habitation. Nearby are the expansive, immaculate Roman remains of Djémila and Timgad, both of which are uncrowded. The oasis city of Djanet serves as a center for desert exploration, and the Algerian Sahara‘s undulating dunes extend for hundreds of miles beyond. Sarah Reid
Chile’s Colchagua Valley
Why go: Stargazing, wine, and gauchos
Chile’s Colchagua Valley, two hours south of Santiago, follows the Tinguiririca River’s path from the snow-covered Andes along the Argentine border to the Pacific. While many tourists just stop at Santiago on their way to Patagonia or the Atacama, a multi-day road drive south from the city exposes ancient haciendas, beautiful treks, and the center of Chile’s rapidly expanding worldwide wine sector.
Well-known Colchagua properties like Viu Manent, Los Vascos, Casa Silva, and MontGras were attracting guests for leisurely tastings long before Vik, the neighboring luxury vineyard-hotel, was crowned the greatest winery in the world 2025. At locations like Fuegos de Apalta, Francis Mallmann’s airy temple to fire-roasted meals in the Montes Winery’s vineyards, the Colchagua’s culinary culture takes center stage.
It is also possible for travelers to sleep amid the vines. The renowned Lapostolle family’s architecturally remarkable Clos Apalta is home to ten contemporary houses that appear to hover above slopes covered with historic Carménère, Cabernet, and Syrah vines.
Aside from wine, Chile’s gaucho heartland offers a lot to see and do, including astronomy (particularly at the Cerro Chaman Observatory) and rodeos. There are bustling markets and adobe manor houses from the Spanish colonial era in villages like Santa Cruz and Lolol.
Chile’s original Wine Route, which continues to highlight the region’s top-notch cuisine, wine, and culture, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. It welcomes tourists to relax, enjoy the sun, and stay a bit longer. Alexandra Marvar
Cook Islands
Why travel: paradisiacal country in Polynesia
Since Cook Islanders are the outgoing people of the South Pacific, they like receiving visitors. However, compared to other Polynesian locations like Fiji, there are not many tourists.
The biggest and most populated island in the South Pacific, Rarotonga, is just 67 square kilometers in size, but it contains everything that makes the region wonderful: a wild hinterland, a blue-water lagoon, proud Polynesian culture, and triangular peaks resembling Tahiti. Apart from the popular honeymoon destination Aitutaki, there are 13 islands outside Rarotonga that you may explore on your own.
The islands are changing due to new barefoot luxury stays, and cultural and environmental preservation will take a significant turn in 2026. Marae Moana, one of the biggest marine parks in the world, is bolstering safeguards for its most important locations. Three motu in Aitutaki’s lagoon now enjoy unique status. Additionally, the government has postponed studies on deep-sea mining until at least 2032. On land, the revered Maungaroa Valley in Rarotonga, now on Unesco’s Tentative List, is teeming with rivers and tropical rainforests.
And getting to this tiny paradise in the Pacific has never been simpler. In June 2025, Hawaiian Airlines improved their Honolulu–Rarotonga route, adding US connections via Alaska Airlines. In May 2026, Jetstar will begin operating direct flights from Brisbane to Rarotonga. Craig Tansley
The Costa Rica
Why go: A major shift is about to occur in one of the world’s hotspots for biodiversity.
When visitors reach this little country in Central America, they will discover a unique blend of wildness and health. Macaws whirl over turquoise coves, rainforest pours onto deserted beaches, and the Pacific pummels a coastline that is home to 2.5% of all known terrestrial species on a single peninsula.
Before trekking into the depths of Corcovado National Park, you will wake up to the sound of howler monkeys, kayak through mangrove estuaries that are alive with bioluminescence, ride world-class breaks, and engage in guided breath work, yoga, or meditation.
At a time when conservation milestones are accelerating, direct flights from the capital city of San José to neighboring Puerto Jiménez make this distant area more accessible. In order to enhance jaguar corridors in the jungle and increase safeguards for migratory sharks offshore, local NGOs and national partners intend to expand protected areas on land and at sea in 2026.
Offering a combination of adventure, wellness, and regenerative tourism, community-run surf schools, holistic retreats, and eco-lodges are capitalizing on this opportunity. Sustainability-focused While Blue Osa Yoga Retreat has a Save the Sea Turtles program in collaboration with NGO Osa Conservation, Lamangata Surf Resort uses solar energy to power itself and recycles effluent.
The Osa Peninsula encourages visitors to slow down, experience the inherent draw of the ocean, and contribute to its preservation. This natural shoreline demonstrates that luxury and sustainability can coexist in a world of overtourism. Pier Nirandara
Scotland Hebrides
Why go: White sand beaches, historic stone circles, a whiskey boom, and friendly locals
The Hebridean islands, dispersed along Scotland’s untamed Atlantic coast, have long enticed tourists with their heart-stopping religious sites, remote beaches, and close-knit populations. Many people have far more to boast about this year.
Lewis is opening a long-awaited visitor center for the Calanais Standing Stones, a mysterious stone circle with a cruciform design that predates Stonehenge, near the northernmost point of the Outer Hebrides. In an effort to preserve 5,000 years of Neolithic heritage, Historic Environment Scotland will also implement a tourist fee for the first time.
Even though Barra Airport is located far to the south, landing at its unique tidal beach runway still seems like traveling back in time. Borve, a little community on the island known for its ancient Kisimul Castle and chalky bays, is becoming the first whiskey distillery on the world’s spirits map. Islay in the Southern Hebrides already has a strong whisky heritage, and the island is constantly changing due to the growing demand for highly peated single-malt Scotch. In terms of whiskey, it is the final square on the Monopoly board. Two more distilleries will open on the island in 2026, bringing the total to fourteen.
Laggan Bay Distillery, the creators of other well-known Scottish spirit brands including Rosebank, Glengoyne, and Edinburgh Gin, comes first. The French luxury conglomerate LVMH has created Ardbeg House, the island’s first immersive hotel with a whiskey theme, in Portintruan Distillery, which guests may explore later this year.
The entire island seems to have been designed to be a flawless, almost arrogant illustration of warm Scottish hospitality. Are you tempted to come? Make reservations in advance for Islay’s yearly whisky festival, Fèis Òle, in May. Mike MacEacheran
Ishikawa
Why go: Award-winning sake and traditional handicraft
A 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck Japan’s isolated Noto Peninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year’s Day 2024. After two years, locals are pleading with tourists to come back and aid in the revitalization of the region.
Kenrokuen, one of Japan’s most famous gardens, and a flourishing industry of traditional crafts may be found in Kanazawa, a city in the south of the prefecture that is only a short bullet train trip from Tokyo. Visitors can enter gold-leaf studios and attempt creating their own silk-dyed Kaga Yuzen artwork. However, tourists might have the most impact on the earthquake-affected area of Noto, which is further north. In order to support households and the centuries-old terraced rice terraces of Shiroyone Senmaida, “farmhouse inns” here welcome visitors to participate in seasonal chores like rice planting.
The Noto Peninsula is well-known across Japan for its seafood, centuries-old Wajima-nuri ceramics, and sake made by renowned Noto toji brewers. Thanks to initiatives like the Do not Stop the Noto Sake project, which returns profits to brewers devastated by the earthquake, many local breweries are back in business.
At a time when Ishikawa’s distinctive customs are most vulnerable, tourists who stay in family-run inns, dine at recently reopened local eateries, or purchase handcrafted goods from regional craftsmen are contributing to their survival. It is an opportunity to support local people as they restore their homes and cultural heritage, ensuring that this legendary area continues to flourish for future generations. Mizuki Uchiyama
Indonesia’s Komodo Islands
Why go: habitat protection, fragile reefs, and prehistoric fauna
The Komodo Islands, rising from the azure Flores Sea, continue to be one of the world’s greatest biodiversity arenas. The world’s last wild Komodo dragon population roams freely in this Unesco World Heritage-listed national park, where pink sand beaches meet savannah highlands and coral gardens are teeming with manta rays.
Indonesia will celebrate the park’s 45th anniversary in 2026 with new conservation initiatives and tourist management strategies aimed at safeguarding both sensitive reefs and dragons. Access is now simpler than ever because of direct flights from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to the gateway town of Labuan Bajo. Strict permits and ranger-led treks guarantee that tourism income supports local people and ecosystem preservation. For a closer connection to the archipelago, visitors can travel between isolated bays in traditional phinisi vessels, stay in eco-lodges on neighboring islands, or explore by day boat.
Komodo provides a unique combination of intimate experiences with prehistoric animals, abundant marine biodiversity, and a national park that uses tourism to protect its remarkable ecology for those looking for adventure with a purpose. Pier Nirandara.
Mexico’s Loreto, Baja California Sur
Why go: Adventure driven by conservation, desert islands, and waterways teeming with wildlife
The conservation narrative of Loreto Bay National Park is becoming more complex as the park’s 30th anniversary draws near. One of Mexico’s most significant grassroots environmental victories, the park safeguards more than 200,000 hectares of the Gulf of California, which is home to populations of California sea lions, blue whales, and sea turtles.
The area’s protected areas are currently growing. Travelers may now explore thousands of hectares of mangroves, animal corridors, and desert gorges in two newly created national parks, Nopoló and Loreto II.
However, Loreto‘s allure extends beyond its scenery. Here, everyday living incorporates conservation. Trained naturalist guides who were formerly fishermen now lead kayak excursions through desert islands and whale-watching excursions that serve as citizen science opportunities. In addition to participating in yearly conservation festivities that fill the plaza with food, music, and storytelling, visitors may assist in identifying migratory blue whales and participate in coastal clean-ups. Local organizations and cooperatives organize guided desert treks and group dinners where visitors eat freshly caught fish with families and craftsmen to foster a sense of community.
Loreto seems both small-town intimate and magnificently wide, with its medieval mission, whitewashed streets, and the Sierra de la Giganta mountain range towering behind it. It is a site where tourists may join a positive tale of ecosystems healing and people leading the way. Diane Selkirk
Montenegro
Why travel: The pristine wilderness and the magnificent Bay of Kotor
Montenegro, one of the youngest sovereign governments in the world, will be 20 in 2026. This young Balkan nation, with a population of less than 650,000 and a patchwork of Illyrian, Roman, Ottoman, and Yugoslav influences, is best known for its coastline, especially the magnificent fjord-like Bay of Kotor with its well-preserved Venetian outposts and walled old towns. Its Adriatic resorts are becoming more and more well-liked by tourists who want to avoid the busy, fashionable shores of nearby Croatia.
However, few tourists venture into the country’s core, where karst rocks and intimidating peaks replace riverine plains. Highlights include the ecological hotspot of Lake Skadar, one of the most significant bird reserves in Europe with around 281 species, and the tiny ancient royal city of Cetinje, where a collection of monasteries, castles, and museums offer a peek into the nation’s past.
The primary attraction, however, is Montenegro‘s striking mountains. One of the few remaining wilderness areas on the continent is the Prokletije range, a region of rugged peaks, thick forests, and glacial lakes that are home to bears and wolves. It is also dotted with hiking paths, such as a portion of the Peaks of the Balkans, a 192-kilometer hiking track that also travels through Kosovo and Albania. Its goal is to employ sustainable tourism to prevent the abandonment of isolated mountain settlements and provide income for its inhabitants. Shafik Meghji
US Coast of Oregon
Why go: New methods to discover one of the most beautiful coasts in the United States
The Oregon Coast is a captivating blend of strength and beauty, spanning over 370 miles from the towering redwood woods in the south to the stunning cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge in the north. Migrating whales breach offshore from small-town fishing settlements, lone lighthouses peek above the gloomy fog, and wave-pounded shorelines splash against lush evergreen trees. Additionally, Oregon is the only state in the country where the whole coastline is free and open to the public, owing to a historic 1967 law.
The white sand beaches and ominous headlands along this section of US-101 are among the nation’s must-do road excursions, although being less popular than California’s coast. However, in 2026, EV owners and people without wheels will discover additional options to explore the region, according to Kaitlyn Brajcich of Sustainable Travel International.
“A developing network of EV charging stations makes plug-in road trips easier, and a seasonal shuttle also connects Portland with coastal attractions. Bikes are available in several places for pedalers, or you may travel the 370-mile border-to-border coastal cycling route,” according to Brajcich.
Brajcich continues, “A new initiative to keep Oregon’s catch local benefits communities that have long depended on these waterways by keeping freshly caught fish closer to home.” More people can enjoy the beach thanks to Mobi-Mats placed over the sand, complimentary beach wheelchairs, and a new collaboration with Wheel the World that maps inclusive lodging and events. Additionally, hotel reservations made via Every Stay Gives Back contribute to the environmental charities that safeguard this untamed, beloved shore. — Eliot Stein.
Finland’s Oulu
Why visit: For its 2026 Capital of Culture year, an Arctic city in full creative blossom
Oulu, which is situated just below the Arctic Circle, will become one of Europe’s Capitals of Culture in 2026. This significant event is expected to change how visitors see Finland‘s more tranquil north. The city is the self-proclaimed winter-cycling capital of the world and already hosts the World Air Guitar Championships, so this honor merely adds to its expanding list.
A year-long cultural program that resembles a changing festival will take place across the city and nearby towns starting in January. It will include exhibits, pop-up performances, parties, and art installations. The Arctic Food Lab, which highlights Oulu‘s Nordic-Arctic flavors via tastings and special meals with foods influenced by the region’s harsh terrain and seasons, is one of the highlights. Leading Finnish artists and scientists collaborated to create the seven-piece Climate Clock public art path, which is another focal point. Themes of creativity, climate change, and our relationship to “nature’s time” are reflected in each installation, reflecting the city’s larger initiative to promote slower, more thoughtful travel.
In addition to the cultural program, there are windswept islands to discover, walks by lighthouses at sunset, and, of course, the traditional Finnish sauna culture. This understated northern metropolis is one of Europe’s most fascinating travel destinations in 2026 because of its unique combination of frontier environment, Arctic history, and cutting-edge inventiveness. — Laura Hall
Philadelphia, USA
Why go: It is a significant year for sports and the US‘s 250th anniversary.
On July 4, 1776, Philadelphia became the birthplace of the United States. The city takes center stage once again in 2026 as it commemorates the country’s 250th anniversary with a year-long program of art, sport, and history.
52 Weeks of Firsts, a citywide series commemorating 250 years of Philadelphia‘s pioneering spirit, is a significant feature. Every Saturday, a local neighborhood has a “First-ival” honoring a landmark or innovation in Philadelphia, such as the creation of Mother Bethel AME Church, the oldest piece of property in continuous African American ownership, or the discovery of bifocals. On-site activations, talks, and performances bring these landmarks back to their original locations.
The Franklin Institute‘s Universal Theme Parks exhibition, which runs from February to September 2026, gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the engineering and design of one of the most well-known theme parks in the world.
In other places, Mural Arts, as part of Printmaking by the People, Philadelphia, the biggest public art organization in the country, will host more than 50 artist-led workshops where guests may participate in free activities and contribute to the creation of a new mural that reflects modern democracy. Local artists’ guided mural tours provide direct funding for community art programs and educational projects.
Sports enthusiasts should also be aware that Philadelphia will host the PGA Championship, the MLB All-Star Game, FIFA World Cup matches, and portions of the NCAA March Madness tournament. Travelers will discover a city full of innovation, history, and pride when they include RockyFest, which commemorates 50 years since Rocky Balboa raced up the stairs of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. — Mizuki Uchiyama
Cambodia’s Phnom Penh
Why go: The capital of Cambodia is entering a new age with innovative, sustainable openings that are transforming the city.
There is a moment in Phnom Penh. With the opening of the new Techo International Airport, Cambodia’s biggest infrastructure investment to date, the city, long overshadowed by Siem Reap, is boldly entering 2026. With additional connections from the UAE, Turkey, China, and Japan, the futuristic terminal, adorned with a massive silver Buddha, is anticipated to enhance international connectivity until 2026, making the city more accessible than ever.
Phnom Penh is rapidly transforming on the ground. From its new Chaktomuk Walk Street, a pedestrianized riverfront street that transforms into a weekend festival of Khmer street food, local crafts, and live music, to the electric tuk-tuks owned by the recently opened Rosewood Phnom Penh hotel that are being used to transport guests around the city, the city that had just one traffic light fifteen years ago is now a showcase for sustainable urban tourism.
Vann Molyvann, a pioneering architect from Cambodia who once said that no structure could grow higher than the Royal Palace, is responsible for the city’s friendly atmosphere. In 2026, his legacy is all over the place: new artists are restoring other Modernist structures, and Molyvann‘s old 1960s house has reopened as a design-focused café and mini-museum that inspires the next generation of Cambodian architects.
A burgeoning homecoming movement among young Cambodians is reflected in a new generation of Gen Z-led ecological boutiques, distilleries, and third-culture coffee shops. In addition to tasting Khmer cuisine that was formerly prohibited during the conflict, visitors may stroll along verdant streets dotted with historic shophouses and enjoy award-winning drinks produced from regional botanicals. — Claire Turrell
Portugal’s Guimaraes
Why visit: Portugal‘s birthplace, which will serve as Europe’s Green Capital in 2026
Guimaraes, which is just 65 kilometers inland from Porto, is remarkably little known for being Portugal’s first capital and thought to be the country’s birthplace in the twelfth century. From Michelin-starred restaurants to casual diners and craft beer bars, its exquisitely maintained medieval heart is a maze of cobblestone squares and alleyways filled with opulent palaces and terraced cafés. Citânia de Briteiros, a striking historic hilltop village from the ninth century BC, is only a short drive away.
Guimarães, however, is not a museum piece. Being one of Portugal’s oldest university towns, the city has a youthful, creative vibe since over half of its residents are under 30. Its medieval alleyways coexist peacefully with modern culture: futuristic galleries constructed for its 2012 European Capital of Culture title coexist with museums housed in historic cloisters and trendy locations carved out of former industries.
In 2026, Guimaraes will commemorate its 25 years as a Unesco World Heritage site as well as its new designation as Europe’s Green Capital, which honors the city’s two decades of sustainability efforts. With a network of electric buses connecting the projects, you may walk along the banks of restored riverbanks or explore recently constructed green city oases and creatively reused historic structures. One of Europe’s most intriguing surprises for 2026 is this forward-thinking, subtly self-assured metropolis. — Normal Miller
Kenya’s Samburu
Why go: Kenya’s newest astro-experiences, uncommon animals, and uncrowded settings
Samburu County, a rural area in northern Kenya that has long prioritized its environmental and community-led conservation efforts, is located beyond the hustle and bustle of Nairobi and the traffic jams of the Masai Mara. With the opening of two conservation-focused camps, Basecamp Samburu and Soroi Samburu Lodge, a new astrotourism project, and ongoing work on a climate change action plan that prioritizes reforestation and renewable energy, the frequently disregarded area is sharpening its focus on impact-driven adventure in 2026.
When visitors arrive to the semi-arid regions around the Ewaso Nyiro River, they will discover a growing number of conservancies and programs that highlight the customs of the Samburu (Lokop) people. When Soroi Samburu Lodge opens in the middle of 2026, visitors will be able to tour local projects and share tales with Samburu members by the fire.
All nine of Samburu’s conservancies, including the “Samburu Special Five“—a group of uncommon creatures exclusive to northern Kenya—remain focused on protecting wildlife. Track black and white rhinos with Saruni Basecamp—both populations have increased over the last year—or assist in caring for orphaned elephants at the locally owned Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, where you can also learn about conservation at its tourist center with an emphasis on education.
With the start of Samburu Sopa Lodge‘s astrotourism project in September 2025, night sky aficionados may discover the marvels of the universe. Sleep beneath the equatorial sky on Basecamp Samburu’s star beds, where you can see constellations from both hemispheres. You may also join astrophysicists in Kenya’s first astrotourism planetarium and hear traditional star stories from Indigenous guides. — Alicia Erickson
Dominican Republic’s Santo Domingo
Why visit: Take in the joyous energy of a revitalized city
Santo Domingo is prepared to rejoice in 2026. The oldest European city in the Americas, chosen to host the 25th annual Central American and Caribbean Games from July 24 to August 8, is getting ready to welcome athletes from 37 nations to participate in the competition’s 100th anniversary.
The city has been hard at work getting ready. The 16th-century Zona Colonial received extensive renovations in 2025, which included the restoration of 11 cobblestone streets and 15 historic facades. In an attempt to make the Games and the city more accessible, the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center has also undergone renovations, including the installation of a tactile asphalt strip to assist visually impaired visitors.
The city’s world-class music culture and adjacent white sand beaches are worth exploring. Santo Domingo is the epicenter of merengue and bachata culture, and its multi-day summer Merengue Festival and February Carnival celebration have a pulsating soundtrack. The city’s Presidente Festival, one of Latin America’s iconic music events that features prominent Dominican and Latin American artists, is making a much-anticipated return after a ten-year absence. The Isle of Light festival will return in March.
The Hyatt Place Santo Domingo Piantini (summer) and the newly completed Ocama, a villa-only hotel with views of Rincón Bay on the lush Samaná Peninsula, are two new luxury openings for 2026. In May 2025, the Samaná province, a historic pirate refuge with coves, jungles, and turquoise oceans, was designated as an Ecotourism Province. The Ocama currently provides helicopter charter transports from Santo Domingo to the area. — Eva Sandoval
British Columbia, Canada’s Slocan Valley
Why go: Take a stunning new route that commemorates a pivotal period in Canadian history
Travelers seeking untainted beauty have long been lured to the Slocan area, which is framed by the Purcell and Selkirk mountains and situated inside a valley of lush woods and crystal-clear lakes. The Japanese Canadian Legacy Trail, a self-guided path honoring individuals who were forcefully relocated and imprisoned here during World War Two, will give that area more significance in 2026.
Over 22,000 Japanese Canadians were uprooted from coastal cities between 1942 and 1946 and sent inland to hurriedly constructed detention facilities in farmers’ fields and deserted mining towns like Sandon in the Slocan Valley. The internees created schools, gardens, cultural centers, and support systems in spite of the challenges—the loss of homes, jobs, and communities. Later on, their offspring and grandchildren would make significant contributions to Canada’s intellectual, artistic, and civic life.
The new 60 km (37 m) path, which connects museums, memorial gardens, a lakeside detention site, and community-led displays created with Japanese Canadian families, is accessible via automobile, bike, or foot. It parallels rural roads and rail tracks. In between destinations, visitors may stop at farm-to-table eateries, explore artisan workshops, swim in a hot spring, kayak Slocan Lake‘s calm waters, or practice shinrin-yoku in old-growth forest. — Diane Selkirk
Australia’s Uluru
Why go: A historic milestone and a fresh perspective on historic, hallowed territory
40 years have passed since the historic Uluru Handback gave this hallowed location back to its Anangu Traditional Owners in October 2025. This significant event continues to change how Australia interacts with Aboriginal places. Since tourists were formerly urged to climb what was then known as Ayers Rock—a practice that was officially outlawed in 2019—the country has advanced significantly. Travelers may now establish deeper, more profound connections with this ancient region as Anangu are sharing their tales on their own terms.
The Uluru-Kata Tjuta Signature Walk, a five-day, four-night excursion connecting the base of the renowned red rock with the towering domes of Kata Tjuta, will be the year’s greatest event. The path follows 54 km (33.5 m) of Anangu-mapped routes through spinifex plains, red dune area, and desert oak woodland that is often off-limits to the general public. Additionally, it is the only way visitors may spend the night within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park—a unique opportunity made possible by ten years of cooperation with Traditional Owners—staying in exquisitely built eco-camps and a brand-new lodge that blends in with the desert’s color scheme. Already recognized as one of Australia’s Great Walks, it combines stargazing decks, dawn treks, and Indigenous-led workshops, with a portion of the proceeds going back to local partners.
Beyond the route, visitors may take in two breathtaking nighttime scenes: Field of Light, which will celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2026 as Bruce Munro‘s now-iconic work of 50,000 lighting stems, and Wintjiri Wiru, an Anangu-led drone and light storytelling experience over the desert. — Ellie Cobb
Uruguay
Why go: World-class steaks, lagoons full with flamingos, and sustainability
Uruguay is one of the smaller countries in South America, sandwiched between the two biggest countries on the continent, Brazil and Argentina. Despite its small size, it has quietly emerged as one of the most forward-thinking travel destinations in the area, offering a stunning assortment of wildlife excursions, colonial architecture, and windswept dunes.
The country routinely ranks among the safest destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers, produces 98% of its power from renewable sources, and encourages tourists to protect the environment while helping local communities with its Uruguayans by Nature initiative.
Over half of Uruguay’s approximately 3.5 million inhabitants dwell in Montevideo, the energetic city that, while being a bustling port, has the atmosphere of a beach resort. Although Buenos Aires, which is located just over the River Plate, has long eclipsed Montevideo, it is also one of the birthplaces of tango, home of world-class steaks, and the site of South America’s biggest carnival celebration, which takes place from January to March and lasts at least forty days.
Beyond the capital, the pampas‘ lush grasslands are dotted with cattle ranches that produce some of the world’s best steak, and the Portuguese-founded settlement of Colonia del Sacramento is a veritable architectural gold mine. In addition to the flowing sand dunes of Cabo Polonio and the flamingo-filled lagoons of Laguna de Rocha and Laguna Garzón, Uruguay’s coastline is dotted with stunning beaches, surf locations, party cities, and peaceful fishing villages. — Shafik Meghji
