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Travelers are embracing solo journeys with unfamiliar faces
Solo journeys with strangers are gaining recognition as vacationers search freedom, reflection, and genuine experiences.
- USA TODAY journey reporters advocate 5 locations for 2026 primarily based on firsthand experiences.
- Destinations embody San Diego’s North County, Japan’s Gifu Prefecture, and Charleston, South Carolina.
If there’s one factor the USA TODAY Travel crew by no means will get bored with, it’s chasing moments that remind us why journey issues.
Over the previous yr, our crew crossed the globe by aircraft, ship and the occasional winding again highway, uncovering locations that shocked, impressed and stayed with us lengthy after we unpacked.
From laid-back coastal hideaways to buzzing cities, these journeys formed how we’re fascinated with journey in 2026. They’re the sorts of locations that ship greater than a terrific photograph: They supply standout meals, wealthy tradition and experiences that really feel significant – whether or not you’re touring for relaxation, journey or a reset.
This isn’t an inventory constructed on hype or algorithms. It’s drawn from firsthand reporting, conversations with locals, and locations that genuinely moved our crew.
So, if you’re beginning to plan the place to go subsequent yr, listed here are 5 locations we consider are poised to shine in 2026, and effectively value including to your journey want listing.
Spend laid-back seaside days in these coastal cities
San Diego is a tried-and-true vacationer vacation spot, however contemplate heading north subsequent time you go to. I explored the North County Coastal area earlier this yr – the place I’ve household – which gives a quiet, quaint counterpart to the extra metropolitan components of the town.
The space is house to many beachside communities with their very own surroundings, actions and personalities. Travelers can peruse boutiques and artwork galleries on Solana Beach’s Cedros Avenue, camp at San Elijo State Beach in Encinitas, and hike at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve between Del Mar and La Jolla.
There are loads of native espresso outlets and eateries to go to alongside the best way (don’t skip breakfast at Atelier Manna). Visitors can take pleasure in a relaxed tempo whereas nonetheless having easy accessibility to famend sights corresponding to Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo. During my keep, I received the very best of each surfer city and metropolis residing.
Want to be taught extra? Here’s the story I wrote after my go to: Laid-back seaside days: Discover San Diego’s underrated coastal gems
— Nathan Diller, Travel Reporter
Skip Tokyo crowds and gradual journey by Japan’s hidden gem
I do know I’m not the one one who feels as if everybody they know is going to Japan. The island nation has just lately skyrocketed in recognition amongst vacationers keen to take pleasure in its scrumptious meals (brisker than contemporary sushi, anybody?), seemingly infinite purchasing and wealthy cultural heritage, together with making the most of the helpful trade charge.
I jumped at the prospect to go to this previous November and ended up shocked at the place in Japan really enchanted me. It wasn’t Tokyo or Osaka, however quite the countryside.
I explored Gifu Prefecture, positioned within the coronary heart of Japan, on a highway trip-style exploration akin to how the Japanese prefer to journey. Traveling at a gradual tempo by Gifu, the place I immersed myself in regional delicacies and cultural traditions, was a breath of contemporary air – actually, as the mountainous area is understood for its beautiful fall foliage.
I received to know Japan on a totally totally different stage than after I was in its cities. Add on the truth that Japan’s hotspots like Kyoto and Mount Fuji are battling the impacts of overtourism, and there’s no purpose to not get off the overwhelmed path.
Want to be taught extra? Here’s the story I wrote after my go to: Avoid crowds in Japan: Visit this hidden gem for a extra genuine journey
— Kathleen Wong, Travel Reporter
This metropolis is aware of its place
Charleston, S.C., is the portrait of coastal Southern allure, with fairly pastel buildings and cobblestone streets courting again centuries, energetic eating places overflowing with chatter and scrumptious Lowcountry delicacies, and close by sand-dune-dotted seashores the place sea turtles nest seasonally.
But there’s additionally an unsightly facet to Charleston’s historical past, tied to the slavery that enriched the port metropolis. It doesn’t draw back from that both. Charleston remembers its previous in locations like the International African American Museum, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and the varied former plantations, which provide excursions to vacationers.
I really like how the town embraces its entire identification and readily shares it with guests, like my household. My eldest daughter would have appreciated extra time purchasing alongside King St., and my youngest daughter might’ve spent a complete day by the seaside, however nobody complained concerning the instructional alternatives at each flip, particularly not my history-loving husband and son. We’re all prepared to return.
Want to be taught extra? Here’s the story I wrote after my go to: Charleston is the household journey even your teenagers will love
— Eve Chen, Travel Reporter
This nation is straightforward to go to, troublesome to overlook
I had it in my thoughts that regardless that I had by no means visited Portugal, it could be comparable sufficient to different European locations. At a look, that may very well be true. After all, their historical past is inextricably tied to its neighbors. But Portugal had its personal allure to deal with.
It’s a European journey that feels thrilling with out being exhausting. Cities like Lisbon and Porto are walkable, the metropolis practice system is straightforward and reasonably priced, and even smaller cities really feel welcoming and approachable. You can bounce between historical past, seashores, wine nation and comfortable cafés with out ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed, which is strictly why so many American vacationers are falling for it proper now.
Portugal additionally delivers large on worth. Coffee prices pocket change, and meals are scrumptious with out being splurge-y. What actually makes Portugal shine is how balanced it feels. With scenic coastlines, postcard-worthy viewpoints like Cabo da Roca and Nazaré, and straightforward day journeys to locations like Sintra, Cascais or the Douro Valley, it’s clear why vacationers say you possibly can see and do loads in a brief period of time.
And whereas all that’s vital to think about, this was the journey that taught me touring with strangers may very well be life-changing. For that, I’ll all the time be grateful to Portugal.
Want to be taught extra? Here’s the story I wrote after my go to: Why Portugal is the ‘safer guess’ for Americans touring to Europe
— Josh Rivera, Travel Editor
Why West Virginia actually is ‘almost heaven’
Over the course of 2025, I went to the New River Gorge area of West Virginia twice: first for a work journey that helped me get aware of all the realm needed to supply, after which, simply months later, I returned for a private go to to participate in an LGBTQ mountain climbing retreat.
I’m an outdoorsy particular person, and I liked with the ability to expertise nature in such an attractive a part of the nation. West Virginia might not be high of thoughts for each traveler, but it surely must be. The state gives all the pieces from whitewater rafting in the summertime to ski slopes within the winter, and climbing and biking trails year-round.
If you’re trying to get exterior and check out your hand at a brand new exercise, or revisit one you already know you like, West Virginia must be excessive in your listing.
The state doesn’t simply supply lovely surroundings, both. Its capital, Charleston (to not be confused with the one in South Carolina, which my colleague Eve wrote about above), has a rising foodie scene and is a wonderful gateway to the New River Gorge.
I’m already beginning to consider my subsequent journey again to go climbing once more in 2026.
Want to be taught extra? Here’s the story I wrote after my go to: From mountain climbing to snowboarding, this hidden gem is ideal for outdoor-loving households
— Zach Wichter, Travel Reporter
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