Choosing the best places to travel in 2026 isn’t an easy feat, so we turned to travel expert and The REAL WORD’s Editor Alex Allen to get his picks. Over the past decade or so in the travel industry, Alex has seen a shift in how we explore and feels travelers will continue to seek more the quiet magic of less-visited corners or seasons, whether that’s winter temples in Japan, late-sun Greek islands or the wild hush of Patagonia.
We sat down with Alex, who between emerging trends, new openings and on-the-ground discoveries, has curated this 2026 travel with a dozen great destinations for your next vacation.
1. Japan
When to go in 2026: November or December
Japan will stay firmly on our travel radar in 2026, though the spotlight is shifting. Rather than chasing the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka triangle, more travellers are heading into the country’s quieter corners.
“There’s still huge global excitement around Japan, but the real story for 2026 is people exploring deeper,” says Alex. “The further you go from the big cities, the more Japan opens up in surprising ways. Think snow-dusted shrines, local ryokan dinners and regional traditions that haven’t changed in generations.”
Winter is one of the best moments to experience that mood. The temples are calm, mountain villages glow with paper lanterns, and steaming onsens are even more rewarding. Trafalgar’s new Japan Winter Adventure itinerary taps into this side of the country, pairing big-name sights and destinations with lesser-known treasures like alpine craft towns and local sake breweries.
READ NEXT: 15 Wonderful Winter Travel Experiences You Can Do in 2026
2. Thailand
When to go in 2026: February, March, November or December
“Thailand hits three moods at once. You’ve got one of Asia’s most compelling capital cities, calm coastlines, stunning islands and dense pockets of jungle to remind you just how biodiverse this Southeast Asian country is,” says Alex. “It’s a big but well-connected country, making it easy to switch gears and explore the full range.”
Weave through Bangkok’s sizzling street food stalls. Board a longtail boat and float towards a lush, tropical limestone karsts that rise straight out of the water. Or see mist swirls around Chiang Mai’s temples at dawn as monks start morning prayer. Thailand is packed with contrasts that reward the curious.
3. Egypt
When to go in 2026: September to May
“Egypt is having a moment again,” says Alex. “After years of restorations and major investment in tourism infrastructure, the country has a renewed momentum after some extraordinary new cultural openings that bring the past to life in ways we haven’t seen before.”
The biggest headline is the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, a stunning, architecturally designed space filled with ancient treasures. Set on a plateau with a direct sightline to the pyramids, the museum’s scale is striking with wide marble galleries and soaring glass. The full Tutankhamun collection is finally assembled in one place within, alongside colossal statues and preserved everyday objects that reveal how people actually lived.
Pair GEM with newly opened tombs, revitalised temples and improved access along the Nile. On Trafalgar’s Best of Egypt you’ll wake up floating down the famous river. At sunrise the Nile takes on a different magic as you pass artisan villages, date palm groves and temple complexes that have watched thousands of years pass by.
4. Chile
When to go in 2026: October to March
“It’s rare to find a place that looks even better in real life – Chile is one of those rare exceptions,” says Alex. Heading to the remote reaches of Patagonia has always drawn the kind of traveller who doesn’t mind a bit of wind in their hair or dust on their boots, and 2026 is shaping up to be its breakout year.
“With the JOMO trend rising, remote retreats are becoming more popular than ever, and few places deliver that sense of disconnection like southern Chile,” he adds. “Patagonia still feels wild in the best way. The landscapes are genuinely untouched.”
From the jagged spires of Torres del Paine to the glacier-fed lakes that change colour with the weather, Chilean Patagonia offers wild contrasts too. Guanacos graze beside empty roads, condors loop across the sky and the air has a crisp, alpine bite. By night, the valleys fill with starlight.
5. Italy
When to go in 2026: March to November
Italy will always earn its place on any travel list, but 2026 is shaping up to be the year people step beyond the well-trodden trattoria trail. Travellers are drifting toward the lesser-known corners – like Sardinia’s turquoise coves, Umbria’s vineyard-covered landscapes, the alpine lakes of Lombardy and Trentino.
“I spent a few days in Sardinia last summer and it was the perfect reset. You get these quiet beaches with crazy clear water, then you drive 10 minutes and you’re in small villages that feel frozen in time,” Alex says.
Umbria, with its stone towns perched above fields of sunflowers, is like a quieter Tuscany, while further north, Lombardy offers crisp mountain air and high-altitude lakes.
“If you’ve visited Italy before, 2026 is the year to go deeper – you can’t go wrong, so choose the place you’ve never heard of and lean in,” says Alex.
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6. Greece
When to go in 2026: April to October
When so much of Europe is creeping up in price, Greece remains one of the last true pockets of Mediterranean escapism that still feels somewhat accessible. You get the bright-white villages, the warm sea and the long dinners without that extortionate bill. Sunny, scenic and still good value: Greece is one of our 2026 favourites.
Alex has a simple strategy: “Go in late September or October. The weather is still gorgeous and the water is warm enough to swim, but you won’t be rubbing up against peak-season. You get all the beauty with half the crowds.”
Where you visit Crete and catch the olive harvest, want to see the Acropolis in Athens without the heat, or are keen to seek out ancient ruins on the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece feels different in autumn as the locals ease back into their routines.
7. Morocco
When to go in 2026: March, April, May, October or November
“Morocco hits you with this energetic atmosphere and blast of colour straight away. You get flipped upside down and into another world, but it’s also incredibly welcoming – and not so far from home,” Alex says.
Morocco is a destination that feels instantly transporting yet delightfully easy to slip into. One minute you’re winding through the medina, past shops overflowing with handmade rugs and tins piled high with fragrant spices, the next you’re on a rooftop sipping mint tea and watching the Atlas Mountains fade into evening haze.
“It’s the kind of place that stays in your head long after you leave – all those colours, scents and small moments,” says Alex.
8. Spain
When to go in 2026: April, May, June, September, October or November
Spain will always have its sun-lounge lovers, but in 2026 curious travelers will swap beach hubs for culture and character. Those seeking a sense of the “real Spain” will find it in the smaller cities like Salamanca or Santiago de Compostela.
“People want a new taste of Spain. Heading to lesser-known destinations and cities brings new flavors to a vacation,” says Alex. “Trafalgar’s Northern Spain is a great trip that explores places like San Sebastian, Oviedo and Zamora while still ticking off big hitters like Barcelona and Madrid.”
READ NEXT: 25 best things to do in Spain in 2026
9. Vietnam
When to go in 2026: February, March, October, November December
Hanoi hums with scooter traffic, French colonial architecture and hidden cafés. Hoi An glows at dusk with lanterns reflected in river. Ho Chi Minh City, the mega city, pulses with energy until it opens into the Mekong Delta. There are dozens of reasons to visit Vietnam in 2026, but the biggest change? A simpler e-visa process.
“In the first half of 2025 alone nearly 10.7 million travellers passed through Vietnam’s borders – a sharp 20‑plus percent increase on last year, which was up nearly 40% on 2023” says Alex. “That kind of rebound means the country is booming again. Vietnam offers this effortless sense of authentic discovery. You can spend the day seeing the biggest sights, then still find a street food stall where the locals eat.”
10. Portugal
When to go in 2026: February, March, October, November December
Portugal has been climbing the travel charts the past few years, and its popularity looks set to continue in 2026 – especially with solo travelers. Maybe it’s the blend of sun-soaked coastline, cobbled streets and striking architecture, or the undiscovered food scene, top-quality wine and unpolished, authentic feeling of its cities.
“Portugal has everything you want from a European escape without feeling like everyone else is on the same itinerary,” says Alex. “The architecture, the beaches, the little cafés that invite you to slow down. No one’s in a rush, so once you lean into the local rhythm, you’ll feel like life’s a vacation too. Portugal gives you the sense that you’ve discovered something slightly under the radar.”
There’s something for everyone too – from the unpolished pastel facades of Lisbon that hide centuries of history, to the UNESCO-protected Douro Valley wine terraces, to sweeping beaches and golden cliffs on the southern Algarve coast that glow at sunset.
READ NEXT: 10 Best Winter Sun Destinations in Europe
11. Albania
When to go in 2026: June, July, August
Sitting at the eastern fringe of Europe lies Albania, a small Balkan nation with rugged mountains, pristine beaches and centuries-old towns that has recently gained international attention. This lesser-known outpost of Europe has everything you might want from a beach vacation to Croatia or Montenegro, but with even more affordable rates.
“The country hasn’t yet been overrun with visitors, so you get the mountains, the beaches, and the history all to yourself. It’s still Europe but with this foreign sense of adventure that feels rare these days,” says Alex.
The Albanian Riviera stretches along the Ionian Sea with coves and cliffs that rival any Mediterranean hotspot, while inland the Accursed Mountains rise sharply and hide little villages and traditions.
12. USA & Canada
When to go in 2026: June, July
Football fever will be taking over Canada, Mexico and the USA with the 2026 FIFA World Cup landing across the three countries. The three can expect a sharp uptick in visitors – but after the tournament, it’s time to explore and decompress.
“The World Cup will bring energy, noise and excitement – but once the crowds disperse, there’s so much to see,” says Alex. “You can watch a match one day and then escape to a hiking trail or bucket-list national park.”
Games will take place in 16 cities, giving you the choice of diversity from sun-drenched California beaches to the jagged peaks of the Rockies. Use the 2026 World Cup as a launch pad for your next adventure.
Best places to travel in 2026 FAQs
Where should I travel for the 2026 World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup spans the USA, Canada and Mexico with games held across 16 cities. That means lots of choice! Think about if you want to visit a big city like New York, or want close access to national parks for pre- or post-match fun.
What are the capitals of culture for 2026?
In 2026, Oulu in Finland and Trenčín in Slovakia take the spotlight as European Capitals of Culture. Oulu blends cutting-edge tech, music festivals and Arctic landscapes, while Trenčín is a riverside city with medieval castles and arts events. Both destinations tak you off the usual tourist track.
What are some key bucket list travel experiences for 2026?
Top 2026 bucket-list experiences include trekking Patagonia’s glaciers, exploring Vietnam’s limestone karsts, visiting Egypt’s Grand Egyptian Museum and exploring Japan in the winter.
That’s our list of the best places to travel in 2026. Where will you go? Let us know in the comments…