The thing about the travel bug is that it really does bite hard. One trip turns into two and the next thing you know, you've quit your office job, been approved for a visa and booked a ticket across the world. Okay, this might be the most extreme case of the bug, but it doesn't negate the fact that there are too many places to visit and too little time.
Luckily, Travel + Leisure has narrowed down the most worthwhile spots to visit next year. The curated mix has picks for food lovers, city explorers, beach bums and nature seekers.
Food and drink
In the ‘Food + Drinks’ category, T+L mentioned Malaysia as an unmissable stop. There aren't many places where breakfast traditions are classed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, but the country's savoury roti canai and sweet nasi lemak made the cut.
Elsewhere, Italy's Umbria region is slowly climbing the foodie charts for its popular truffle hunting experiences in lush landscapes.
City life
For big-city thrills, no longer is Seattle only known for Starbucks and overcast. The city's undergone a glorious glow-up over the past couple of decades, and is solidifying its new chapter with a new multibillion-dollar park, consisting of 20 acres that connect downtown to the coast – just in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Singapore also continues to impress with futuristic architecture and sustainable endeavors. It's now getting an adventure-focused zoological park and an immersive IMBA Theater at the Gardens by the Bay. Plus, Singapore’s Changi Airport is also T+L’s top airport of the year.
Beaches
Anguilla boasts 35 square miles of dreamy beaches, casual luxury and an intimate island ambiance. T+L A-List advisor Margie Hand swears by ‘snorkeling at Shoal Bay, sampling delicious roadside barbecue, and taking catamaran tours to the Cays, the smaller islets off shore’.
T+L also noted that Turkey's humble fishing village of Bodrum has reinvented itself as the country's St. Tropez, with Skyscanner reporting an 85 percent spike in interest this year. New hotspots like Maxx Royal Bodrum and Scorpios are raising the bar, and Bvlgari joins the fun in 2027.
Nature
Glacial lakes as clear as can be, sweeping mountain ranges, and elk, bison and grizzly sightings make Canada’s Alberta the perfect alpine escape for nature lovers. Add some hospitable flair from refreshed resorts like the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, and you're in for a luxe and cosy stay.
If safari’s calling your name, Kenya’s Masai Mara is more alluring than ever, and Wilderness Mara brings riverfront lodging and front row seats to the Great Migration.
Adventure
For adrenaline addicts, Cyprus is booming for 2026, with sun-soaked beaches, mountain trails and new cycling routes. Get your fix by diving reefs, skiing Mount Olympus and swimming the Med, all in one trip.
If you'd rather sit back and watch the action than partake, Milan and the Dolomites are gearing up for the 2026 Olympics. The fashion capital will host figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating, while the more elevated action like skiing and ski mountaineering will be in mountain town and ski resort Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Culture
T+L named Brazil their 2026 destination of the year, with the publication praising the sun-kissed South American country for its culture. From the Inhotim museum and sculpture park in Minas Gerais and the culinary scene in Belém, to the sensational and unstoppable celebration of carnival, Brazil’s cultural offering is booming.
With new Qatar Airways routes, Doha has never been easier to explore. The city is racing into the future with cutting-edge museums, AI-driven art tours and booming cultural districts, making it a must-visit for next year.
Water-based exploration
If floating on the water is your calling, Colombia's Magdalena River gives water lovers a rare opportunity to explore wildlife-rich shores and remote villages via AmaWaterways river cruises, with routes between Cartagena and Barranquilla.
And for sailing down the Danube, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises' new ship, Emilie, is inspired by Gustav Klimt and sets sail in March, providing a serene water experience and a cultural deep dive with stops in Vienna, Budapest and other art-centric cities.
Read the full list of Travel + Leisure’s 2026 destinations on their website.
ICYMI: The best affordable travel destinations for 2026 have been revealed.
Plus: This Asian country will become the world’s first to tax air passengers for fuel next year.
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