Where to Travel in 2026

Savvy vacationers typically ask us to level them towards the perfect under-the-radar or up-and-coming locales across the globe. So we made that spirit of discovery the cornerstone of our kickoff day of WOW Week 2026. Watch our Travel Talk on “Where to Go and What to Know For 2026” under (recorded on January 26, 2026).

Now is the perfect time within the subsequent decade to see the northern lights. Here’s why and the place. Learn extra in our video.

A number of highlights from our Travel Talk:

These are the preferred nations for WOW journeys already booked for 2026:

1. Italy
2. Japan
3. New Zealand
4. France
5. The United Kingdom

For the highest 15, see Where Everybody’s Traveling in 2026.

By distinction, these are a couple of of the lesser-known spots we’re watching across the globe:

Under-the-radar spots to expertise earlier than they’re “discovered”:

• Portugal’s Alentejo countryside: Explore medieval villages and castles the place it looks like time has stood nonetheless.
• The Greek island of Paros: It has a laid-back sophistication that makes for a quieter keep than Mykonos or Santorini, but it surely nonetheless has quaint fishing villages, fashionable eating places, and bustling nightlife.
• Slovenia: In its surroundings, structure, and delicacies, this jewel of Central Europe is sort of a mixture of Italy and Austria. From the energetic college city of Ljubliana to picture-perfect Lake Bled, it’s obtained loads of inexperienced nature and historic attraction, but comparatively few vacationers.
• Transylvania, Romania: In the Transylvanian countryside, farmers, artisans, craftspeople, blacksmiths, cheese makers, bread bakers, and different shopkeepers ply their trades the identical means they’ve for hundreds of years. Learn why King Charles III of England owns properties right here.
• Uruguay: It’s standard amongst in-the-know South Americans, and right here’s why U.S. vacationers are enamored too.
• Sri Lanka: It’s peaceable and enchanting, with heat, welcoming individuals, charming small inns, lush landscapes, and vibrant fusion delicacies. Read evaluations.

Up-and-coming locations to see earlier than they alter an excessive amount of:

• Malta and Sardinia: These Mediterranean islands are seeing a fast rise in tourism.  And for the primary time, each will likely be accessible through nonstop flights from New York beginning this spring. Get there earlier than everybody else. And in case you’ve obtained time for just one, select Malta.
• Panama’s Chiriqui province: A number of hours’ drive southwest of Panama City alongside the Pacific, Chiriqui has emerged over the previous decade as an unspoiled escape with environmentally centered boutique inns. On the Caribbean aspect, a Viceroy resort is predicted to open later this 12 months (with 42 overwater villas) within the Bocas del Toro archipelago.
• Melides, Portugal: Melides just isn’t as nicely generally known as the Algarve farther south, however its tranquil pure dunes and seashores are actually drawing main resort tasks. Na Praia resort is opening this spring between the ocean and a wild nature reserve simply north of Comporta.
• The Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia: A major leisure growth is reworking the Red Sea coast, with the Four Seasons AMAALA at Triple Bay scheduled to debut this 12 months and others opening over the following few years.

Watch the video for a lot of extra sensible journey selections for 2026!

Links to Useful Resources

Exciting First-Ever Nonstop Flights in 2026

New Airline Rules for Packing Electronics

New Entry Requirements for Countries Around the Globe

The Azores: Portugal’s Mid-Atlantic Paradise

A Private Yacht on Turkey’s Aegean Coast: Wendy’s Favorite Family Trip

Just Back: Reviews of our Travelers’ Recent Trips

Where To Go When: Ideal Destinations For Each Month of the Year

The WOW List of Trusted Travel Experts

Ask Wendy: Get a Personalized Trip Recommendation

A giant thank-you to our WOW Week sponsor, Medjet:

Medjet is a worldwide air medical transport and journey safety membership program that provides vacationers higher peace of thoughts. Their sponsorship permits us to spend dozens of hours every week answering your journey questions—through our Get a Personalized Trip Recommendation function—and discovering the neatest trip-planning specialists for you (see Wendy’s WOW List).

Don’t miss this particular WOW Week low cost:

Medjet is providing our WOW Week viewers an unique low cost of $50 off most of their annual memberships for brand new members. The deal is obtainable from Monday, January 26 at 9am EST until Monday, February 2 at 5pm EST. You can study extra about Medjet and get the deal by clicking the pink button under, or by calling them at 800-527-7478 and mentioning WOW Week.

GET THE DEAL

Be a better traveler: Sign up for Wendy’s weekly publication to remain within the know. Read actual vacationers’ evaluations, then use the black CONTACT buttons on Wendy’s WOW List to succeed in out to the correct native fixer to your journey.