Travel, the saying goes, broadens the mind. But it’s not just the act of travelling itself – it’s the planning too.
In the hope of getting a jump on the year ahead, we’ve asked some of the leading figures in the travel industry, along with globetrotting writers, editors and broadcasters, where they will be going in 2026. The responses are wide- ranging and inspiring, covering the planet from the Panama Canal to the wilds of Zambia, Malaysian jungles, Antarctica, the Arctic Circle and, closer to home, the Isles of Scilly and Orkney.
Invoking the spirit of wanderlust as early as the 4th century, St Augustine is reported to have said: ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.’
More recently, the American novelist and travel writer Mark Twain, echoing the ancient saint, was of the opinion: ‘Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do, than by the ones you did do.
‘So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’
Wise words indeed. Here are a few ideas for where to go next year.
PATAGONIA
By explorer and travel writer Levison Wood
Discover Patagonia with its mountains, glaciers and open spaces
In 2026 I’ll be back on the road for my next expedition, travelling the length of South America following the Andes all the way down to Ushuaia.
I’m most excited to visit Patagonia, its dramatic mountains, vast glaciers and wild, open spaces have always captured my imagination.
BOOK IT: A 13-day Value Argentina: Explore Patagonia tour is from £3,250pp including accommodation, transfers and visits to sights, but excluding flights (journeylatinamerica.com).
Levison Wood’s most recent book is The Great Tree Story: How Forests Have Shaped Our World.
ALASKA
By Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Group founder
See the wildlife and great outdoors at the biggest state in the US
In 1991, we became the first to fly a hot air balloon across the Pacific. We crossed the coastline in Alaska and eventually crash-landed – but we broke a world record. Thirty-five years on in 2026, I’m excited to explore Alaska in a very different way when our ship, Brilliant Lady, sails there for the first time.
BOOK IT: A seven-night Seattle and back cruise with calls in Alaska and visit to fjords is from £2,460 per cabin (virginvoyages.com); return flights to Anchorage from £1,081 with one stop (skyscanner.net).
FAIYOUM, EGYPT
By travel writer Sophy Roberts
I’ve just returned from Boston, where I visited the Harvard Art Museums and came face to face with a funerary ‘mummy’ portrait discovered in the desert oasis of Faiyoum, 60 miles south of Cairo.
It’s one of the most mesmerising images I’ve ever seen: a 2,000-year-old portrait of a young woman, whose eyes stare through you.
BOOK IT: A new 12-room guesthouse is opening in Faiyoum in January (egyptbeyond.com).
Sophy Roberts is author of A Training School For Elephants and host of travel podcast Gone To Timbuktu.
UZBEKISTAN
By Benjamin Parker, Daily Mail Deputy Head of Travel
Explore the country’s rich history in the ancient Silk Road
I’ve long been drawn to the shimmer and stories of the Silk Road. Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva – names that roll off the tongue like you’re conjuring a spell – are a hazy combination of mosaics and turquoise domes. With travel along this ancient trading route seeing renewed interest, driven by new flights and curiosity in these lesser-known destinations, 2026 should be the year I trace a well-worn path across desert and steppe.
BOOK IT: Ultimate Uzbekistan 12-day group tours from £3,590pp including hotels and flights (wendywutours.co.uk).
ABISKO, SWEDEN
By Chelsea Dickenson, founder of HolidayExpert.com
See the famous Northern Lights at the very top of Sweden
With 2026 set to be another brilliant year for the Northern Lights, I plan to take my other half on my favourite train journey of all time – the sleeper from Stockholm to Abisko, a small Arctic Circle town at the very top of Sweden.
In Abisko National Park there’s hiking, skiing and dog sledding, but top of my list this time is trekking through the forest to a wood-heated sauna on Lake Tornetrask – complete with an ice hole for a brave cold plunge.
BOOK IT: One-way sleeper cabin tickets between Stockholm and Abisko from £53 (vy.se); doubles in Abisko Mountain Lodge from £137 (booking.com).
ESTONIA
By travel writer Mary Novakovich
Overlook the incredible landscapes and architecture in Estonia
I spend so much time in the Balkans, but would like to head north to the Baltics next year, specifically Estonia. The landscapes look incredible – including 2,317 islands and six national parks – and I’d love to go canoeing in the waterways of Soomaa National Park. And visit the capital, Tallinn, of course.
BOOK IT: Return Stansted-Tallinn flights from £50 (ryanair.com); doubles at the centrally located Schlossle Hotel in Tallinn from £142 B&B (schlosslehotel.com).
Mary Novakovich is author of My Family And Other Enemies: Life and Travels in Croatia’s Hinterland.
ORKNEY
By railway expert Mark Smith
Enjoy the Caledonian Sleeper experience and take a ferry to see the natural beauty of Orkney
I’m fascinated by Scapa Flow, where HMS Royal Oak was sunk and the First World War German fleet scuttled. Birmingham joins the Caledonian Sleeper network in January and I’m booked from the Midlands to Inverness, bound for Britain’s most northerly railway station and the ferry to Orkney. The far north in January? Wish me luck!
BOOK IT: Twin bunk Classic rooms on the Caledonian Sleeper from £180 (sleeper.scot); doubles from £130 B&B at the Foveran hotel by Scapa Flow (thefoveran.com).
Mark Smith is founder of seat61.com.
VIETNAM
By food critic and author Tom Parker Bowles
Visit the unique Golden Bridge near Da Nang with stunning views
I went to Vietnam for the first time this year and fell deeply in love. The vibrancy of the food, the warmth of the people, the history, culture and sheer beauty of the place. In four days, I managed to fit in Ho Chi Minh City in the south, Dalat, up in the hills, Da Nang, on the coast, and ended up in Hanoi. But there’s so much more I want to see and do. I’ve had my first delectable taste. And am ravenous for more.
BOOK IT: Fortnight-long guided tours from £1,545pp including hotels, some meals and transfer, but excludiing flights (exodus.co.uk).
Tom Parker Bowles is author of Cooking And The Crown: Royal Recipes From Queen Victoria To King Charles III.
MONGOLIA
By explorer and travel writer Benedict Allen
Ride a horse in Mongolia and enjoy the country’s open landscapes
Mongolia beckons. It’s been a while since I’ve taken to the saddle and ridden under the vast, uplifting blue skies of the land of Genghis Khan – and I feel in need of a top-up. Ahead, the endless steppe, while all around the skylarks sing out… I can hardly wait.
BOOK IT: Mongolia Explorer 15-day guided tours are from £2,605pp including meals and accommodation, but not flights (explore.co.uk).
Benedict Allen’s latest book is Explorer.
BENIN, WEST AFRICA
By travel writer Teresa Levonian Cole
Explore the vibrant culture of a soon-to-be luxury destination in West Africa
Benin is on my radar – a hitherto little-visited country in West Africa which is about to gear up as a new luxury destination with the arrival of its first five-star hotel. Best known, perhaps, for its ancient bronzes, many of which have been repatriated, there is also a thriving contemporary art scene with plans for a new cultural centre.
BOOK IT: Fortnight-long Togo and Benin: Voodoo Explorer group tours from £3,695pp with hotels, but excluding flights (wildfrontierstravel.com).
SUMBA, INDONESIA
By Harriet Sime, Daily Mail Head of Travel
Take a visit to the hidden gem of an untouched Indonesian island
I’ve long wanted to visit Sumba – and I’m determined to make it to this untouched Indonesian island next year. Larger than Bali, to its east, but with less than a sixth of the population, Sumba is home to hilltop villages with grass roofs, ancient tribal cultures and palm-fringed beaches with wild ponies.
The luxury hotel scene is burgeoning, including Nihi Sumba, regularly voted one of the world’s best resorts.
BOOK IT: Tailor-made holidays at Nihi Sumba can be booked through Elegant Resorts (elegantresorts.co.uk).
LUANGA VALLEY, ZAMBIA
By travel and nature writer Simon Barnes
Get the best wildlife-viewing in Africa with lions, elephants and bateleur eagles
I’m heading back to the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. Huzzah! And I’ll mostly be walking: with lions, elephants and bateleur eagles. From vehicles I’ll have the best wildlife-viewing in Africa; on foot the deepest possible connection. I’ll be co-leading a trip with Wildlife Worldwide, and I’ll be pointing out new wonders every day.
BOOK IT: Scott Dunn offers tailormade trips (scottdunn.com).
Simon Barnes is author of Spring is the Only Season, published this year.
ANTARCTICA
By travel writer and editor Mark Palmer
Experience a life-changing trip to an icy white wilderness
Anyone who has been to Antarctica says it can be life-changing. To be that far away in such an icy white wilderness must be such a thrilling experience.
What’s more, there are now so many comfortable ways of doing it on board expedition cruise ships, with scientific experts on hand to explain what’s going on.
The only drawback is that my wife isn’t partial to rough seas, so there’s the tricky issue of negotiating the notoriously choppy Drake Passage.
BOOK IT: Cruises from Argentina to the Antarctic and back from £10,990pp (vikingcruises.co.uk).
DOMINICA
By travel writer and editor Nigel Thompson
Discover the volcanic landscapes at one of the Dominica’s must-see UNESCO sights
The world’s longest ‘detachable’ cable car opens in Dominica in December, as if we needed another reason to go to the Caribbean’s ‘Nature Island’.
At 4.1 miles and taking 20 minutes, the new ride above the rainforest avoids the arduous six to eight-hour return hike 2,600ft up to volcanic Boiling Lake, one of the country’s must-see UNESCO sights.
BOOK IT: A week at the Fort Young Hotel and Dive Resort in Roseau, Dominica’s capital, from £1,735pp B&B including flights (southalltravel.co.uk).
OKAVANGO, BOTSWANA
By Geoffrey Kent, founder and chairman emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent
In 2026, I’m excited to return to Botswana and the Okavango Delta, a place I’ve visited many times, yet it never loses its magic. I’ll stay at Baines’ Lodge, which has been completely rebuilt, blending luxury with authentic safari adventure. Its new design offers unmatched views of wildlife, making each visit fresh and unforgettable.
BOOK IT: Eight-day tours of Botswana staying in luxury lodges with game drives from £4,495pp (abercrombie kent.com).
NICE, FRANCE
By travel writer and novelist Andrew Martin
Stay at Hyatt Regency Palais Mediterranee, with a Brighton-like vibe in Nice
I will be going to Nice as usual, staying for three nights (can’t afford more) at the Hyatt Regency Palais Mediterranee, not so much for the heat as the light, thrillingly unveiled every morning when the electric blind rolls up, and the endearingly raffish, Brighton-like vibe.
BOOK IT: Return Gatwick-Nice flights from £62 (easyjet.com); the Hyatt Regency Palais Mediterranee is closed for renovations, reopening next spring (hyatt.com).
Andrew Martin’s latest novel is The Moquette Mystery.
PENINSULA MALAYSIA
By travel writer Annabel Venning
Discover Peninsula Malaysia’s unique wildlife at Taman Negara National Park
Sabah, Penang, Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur are the best-known Malaysian tourist spots. But I’m intrigued by Peninsula Malaysia, south of the Thai border, where my mother grew up, and its unsung destinations such as Taman Negara National Park, home to endangered tigers, rhinos and elephants. Off the east coast are the coral reefs of Tioman Island, while inland are the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands.
BOOK IT: Four-day jungle tours from £899pp (hayesandjarvis.co.uk); return Heathrow-Kuala Lumpur flights from £676 (ba.com).
Annabel Venning is author of To War With The Walkers: One Family’s Extraordinary Story Of The Second World War.
ISLES OF SCILLY
By Lonely Planet co-founder Tony Wheeler
Take a visit to the Isles of Scilly, where there are 140 islands to see
Forget international destinations, I’ve still got an assortment of UK islands on my ‘must do’ list and I’ve lined up the Scillies in June next year. There are 140 of them to choose from, but will they match 2025’s international highlights: Algeria and Jamaica?
BOOK IT: Return flights from Land’s End Airport to St Mary’s from £274, taking 20 minutes (islesofscilly-travel.co.uk); doubles at the plush Star Castle hotel on St Mary’s from £209 (star-castle.co.uk).
Tony Wheeler contributed to the British Library’s Secret Maps exhibition, running until 18 January.
UKRAINE
By travel expert Simon Calder
Get a bus to Odessa on the Black Sea, known as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe
My fervent hope is to be able to return to Ukraine. Once the brutal Russian war is over, tourism will be an essential force for good in rebuilding this beautiful, intriguing and friendly nation. The moment the Foreign Office lifts its ‘no-go’ advice, I will be on the first plane to Chisinau in neighbouring Moldova, from where buses run frequently direct to Odessa on the Black Sea – one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
BOOK IT: Ill-advised to go until the Foreign Office gives the OK.
CANADA BY TRAIN
By Toby Kelly, Trailfinders CEO
See Canada’s beautiful scenery aboard the Rocky Mountaineer
Now the kids are grown, my wife and I are planning railway holidays just for us. We are thinking of Canada’s epic scenery aboard the Rocky Mountaineer first in the summer, then Paris to Florence aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express for autumn.
BOOK IT: 17-day Canada Coast To Coast from £5,399pp including train journeys, hotels and flights (trailfinders.com).
COSTA RICA/PANAMA CANAL
By Daily Mail cruise expert Lesley Bellew
Go jungle trekking in the tropical rainforests of Costa Rica
I’m boarding expedition ship Sylvia Earle in Costa Rica in April to trek through tropical rainforests, hoping to see an elusive puma. As well as snorkelling around the Pearl Islands in the Gulf Of Panama there will be amazing bird watching at Gatun Lake, part of the Panama Canal.
BOOK IT: Cruises on the Sylvia Earle lasting 12 days from £8,921pp (aexpeditions.co.uk).
BEN NEVIS
By travel writer Tom Chesshyre
Hike up the UK’s highest mountain for spectacular views
Having never been up the UK’s highest mountain (1,345m or 4,413ft), next year I’m hoping to do so. The hike takes a rambler of average fitness seven to nine hours up and down and is said to offer spectacular views on clear days. Why do I want to do it? As George Mallory is said to have responded when asked to climb a slightly higher mountain, Everest: ‘Because it’s there.’
BOOK IT: More info at scotlandlessexplored.com; a private four-bed room at Ben Nevis Inn from £100 (ben-nevis-inn.co.uk).
Tom Chesshyre is author of Slow Trains Around Britain.
OKINAWA, JAPAN
By travel writer and novelist Annabelle Thorpe
Snorkel in Japan’s southernmost prefecture, known as ‘cold Hawaii’
I’m determined to get to ‘cold Hawaii’ – better known as Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost prefecture. The islands of the archipelago are fringed with subtropical, white-sand beaches, the seas are packed with coral reefs, there are castles to explore and a clutch of chic new hotels has opened up the region to western visitors. And the food will be amazing!
BOOK IT: Tailormade trips available from coxandkings.co.uk.
Annabelle Thorpe is author of The Village Trattoria.
DONCASTER
By travel writer Ben Aitken
I recently went on a series of holidays to unexpected places such as Sunderland and Preston.
The experience taught me two things: 1) always take out travel insurance, and 2) anywhere can be interesting.
Buoyed by my enriching adventures in unfashionable places, next year I’ll once again be targeting untapped metropoles, starting with Doncaster.
See you there, anyone?
BOOK IT: Doubles at the Red Lion pub/hotel, part of the Wetherspoons chain, in the centre of Doncaster from £55 (hotels.jdwetherspoon.com).
Ben Aitken’s latest book is Sh*tty Breaks: A Celebration Of Unsung Cities.
BEIJING, COTSWOLD WAY AND ARGENTINA
By travel writer John Gimlette
Explore ancient imperial sites at China’s capital
I’m off to Beijing, on the trail of an ancestor (adoctor there in the 1890s). Then, I’ll walk the Cotswold Way, with four old Cambridge friends, stopping at a few gnarly old pubs. After that, I’ll return to Argentina, to enjoy all the fury and excitement of a ranch.
BOOK IT: Return Heathrow-Beijing flights from £442 (csair.com); 12-day Cotswold Way self-guided tours with accommodation and baggage service from £1,379 (macsadventure.com); return flights to Buenos Aires from £872 (ba.com); ranch holidays available from audleytravel.com.
John Gimlette is the author of The Gardens Of Mars: Madagascar, An Island Story.
MALTA
By Gordon McCreadie, managing director of Elegant Resorts
In 2026 I would love to visit Malta for its rich history and incredible landscapes. I would stay in the capital Valletta for a few nights to immerse myself in the culture and see the historical sites, then head north to explore the beaches, visit the island of Gozo for the day, see the Blue Lagoon and go diving off the small island of Comino.
BOOK IT: Return Luton-Malta flights from £55 (ryanair.com); doubles at the stylish Casa Ellul boutique townhouse hotel in Valletta from £203 B&B (i-escape.com).
JAPAN
By Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage Travel Partnership
Take a visit to Japan with its ancient temples and traditions
Japan is right at the top of my travel list for 2026. I’m attracted by its ancient temples and traditions sitting right alongside ultra-modern cities and technology. It seems to be unlike anywhere else.
BOOK IT: A 13-night guided small group tour is from £3,395pp with some meals, hotels and transfers, but not flights (insidejapan tours.com).
Source link
CHECK OUT: Top Travel Destinations
READ MORE: Travel News
