The Best Places To Travel in 2026
What's on our travel wish list for the year ahead? Our experts share their insight on the 13 best places to visit in 2026, from the “new” Machu Picchu to Italy’s latest culinary hotspot.
Egypt
The world’s most wonder-packed museum and a stylish new riverboat make 2026 a prime year for a Nile cruise. Cairo’s much-anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) has finally opened after 20 years in the making – almost as long as it took to build the Great Pyramid of Giza. Was it worth the wait? The first visitors say so – the vast institution houses a collection of more than 100,000 artefacts showcasing several millennia of Egyptian history. Later in 2026, with considerably fewer delays, a sleek new riverboat is launching. Nile Seray, an A&K Sanctuary, is the most spacious and sophisticated vessel yet in a five-strong fleet, featuring 32 elegant suites, all with waterside walk-out or Juliet balconies, and a splendid top deck with canopied daybeds, a pool, and an outdoor lounge with wraparound views of the Nile Valley. The brilliant onboard crew comes complete with Egyptologists who bring ancient history to life.
Kenya
An “elephant baby boom” is underway in Amboseli National Park in southern Kenya, where vast herds already wander the plains in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. “It’s a rewarding time for seeing large numbers of tiny calves,” reports Daniel Kamau, a naturalist guide with A&K Sanctuary, who says the boom is expected to continue until mid-2026. That coincides neatly with another new arrival – Kitirua Plains Lodge, an A&K Sanctuary, set on a private concession bordering the park. The grandeur of the landscape is matched by that of 13 sublime suites designed to blend into the wilderness. With a pair of two-bedroom suites ideal for families, Kitirua is poised to tap into the trend of “legacy safaris” – multigenerational groups combining a wildlife adventure with the chance to do good in the world. Amboseli, Daniel reminds us, is home to one of Africa’s longest-running elephant research projects. “By visiting, guests support the ecosystem that protects these magnificent, long-tusked herds,” he says.
Choquequirao, Peru
Machu Picchu’s “sister city” of Choquequirao receives fewer visitors in a year than its better-known sibling does in a day. Set amid the towering peaks of the Andes, the 16th-century Incan settlement is accessible only on foot, marking the spectacular end point of a five-day trek that is as culturally rewarding as it is physically challenging. With plans for cable-car access on the horizon, now is the time to experience the storied citadel at its untouched best. Do so on our Small Group Journey Peru: Trek to Choquequirao and Machu Picchu, which takes place in May, August, September and October 2026.
Iceland
With coolcations on the up and up, Iceland is the hot place to head. Its far-out volcanic landscapes are a year-round playground for riding, hiking, wellness – and astrotourism. As the Northern Lights continue their electrifying crescendo through 2026, the winter months promise more frequent, colorful and intense light shows. Summer, meanwhile, brings the midnight sun and, in August, a total solar eclipse. New for 2026, A&K’s Tailormade Journey North Iceland’s Sensational Diamond Circle takes intrepid travellers beyond the country’s well-beaten Golden Circle to discover its wilder north.
Madhya Pradesh, India
Tigers are staging a remarkable comeback in this biodiverse corner of the Subcontinent, making 2026 a rewarding year to go. In 2006, a census conducted by Project Tiger recorded alarmingly low numbers of endangered Bengal tigers, galvanizing efforts to protect them. Twenty years later, the population has grown significantly – and the lush forests of Madhya Pradesh have the highest concentration of the animals. Here, A&K’s Tailormade Journey Tiger Tracking in India immerses guests in this conservation success story, providing access to the forests and valleys of three national parks on safari-style game drives and walks, plus the chance to visit ancient tribal villages along the way.
Dolomites, Italy
The limestone peaks of the Dolomites are among the world’s most dramatic sights – and, in February 2026, will star on the world stage when Cortina d’Ampezzo, “the Pearl of the Dolomites”, co-hosts the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. In the runup to the games, a swathe of sophisticated hotels has opened, competing for attention with the event itself. The long-awaited Aman Rosa Alpina has finally re-opened in the village of San Cassiano – an eternal favorite with travellers looking for an authentic Tyrolean welcome and stellar food, given a top-to-toe revamp by new co-owners, the Aman hotel group, while keeping the wonderful Pizzinini family at the helm. In San Lorenzo di Sebato, the 1,000-year-old Castel Badia opened at the end of 2025 as a 28-room hilltop gourmet hotel and spa. And a cable-car ride from Bolzano, family-run slopeside sanctuary Hotel Saltus has opened 11 new timber loggia suites. In Cortina d’Ampezzo itself, Mandarin Oriental is busy transforming the Art Nouveau landmark Hotel Cristallo – which in its mid-century heyday hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Vladimir Nabokov – in time for the arrival of the summer crowd. Meanwhile, in beautiful Brixen, chic hotel Forestis Dolomites has launched an amazing new restaurant. Yera, housed in a cave in the forest, specializes in foraged local ingredients and is already luring in-the-know diners from all over northern Italy. A&K’s new Small Group Journey Uplifting Adventures in the Dolomites connects guests to the charm of this timeless destination through the lens of local cuisine, culture and customs.
Mongolia
Swap the trappings of modern life for the untamed wilderness of Mongolia in 2026, experiencing a digital detox like no other in this land of vast open spaces and vestiges of nomadic culture. While the imminent launch of direct flights from the United States is likely to usher in greater visitor numbers, Mongolia remains remarkably unchanged for now. Tap into its rich heritage on two A&K Small Group Journeys: Mongolia's Golden Eagle Festival and Mongolia: Naadam Festival and Gobi Desert Adventure.
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
The Osa Peninsula might just be Costa Rica’s last secret. The country’s most beautiful beaches are here, as is the biodiverse Corcovado National Park – home to a staggering abundance of wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, sloths and all four of Costa Rica’s monkey species. Its protected status and remote location have kept Osa under the radar, preserved from development – but now there is a way to explore it in style: aboard a new nine-stateroom yacht, with resident naturalists to share the secrets of its unique species, as part of A&K’s Small Group Journey Cruising and Wildlife in Costa Rica.
The American West, United States
With the US preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence in July, Fifa World Cup kicking off and the centennial of Route 66 all in 2026, there is no better time to explore the landscapes that shaped the national imagination with a trip to the American West. Swing by the new Route 66 Neon Park or join the festivals along the 2,448-mile route, on a great American road trip. Alternatively embrace the region’s soaring peaks, endless prairies and new wave of ranch retreats serving up a rugged sense of luxury on A&K’s Tailormade Journey America’s National Parks by Air, which touches down at iconic locations ranging from Yellowstone National Park to the Grand Canyon via handpicked lodges that offer wolf tracking and private rodeos amid the wilderness. Cowboy core continues to ride high.
Slovenia
Once regarded simply as Italy’s under-the-radar neighbor, Slovenia is making a name for itself with its intoxicating mix of fairytale palaces, golden vineyards, breathtaking lakes and snowcapped peaks. Despite all this, plus a rapidly evolving food and wine scene, the country attracts relatively few visitors – making it a smart choice for those seeking to avoid the crowds in 2026. With highlights ranging from fairytale Lake Bled and the charming capital Ljubljana to the Škocjan Caves and Triglav National Park, this lesser-known European gem is ripe for exploration. Discover its diverse charms on two new Tailormade Journeys from A&K: Off the Beaten Track in Scenic Slovenia and Alpine Adventures in Slovenia, packed with exclusive experiences including a private rowing lesson with an Olympic champion and exclusive tastings at family-owned wineries.
Mallorca, Spain
With 300 days of sunshine per year, a mountain-meets-Med location and an enviable culinary scene, Mallorca already has considerable pulling power. Now a number of new luxury accommodation options, introduced with high-profile launches, are adding to the appeal. Newcomers including the Four Seasons and Mandarin Oriental will provide visitors with an elegant launchpad for discovering Mallorca’s culture and cuisine – an aim shared by A&K’s new Small Group Journey Spain: Madrid, Valencia and Mallorca, which steers guests far beyond the island’s best-known hotspots. Mallorca’s location on the path of August’s total eclipse makes it a must for astro-tourists, too. Watch it from the terrace of your own country estate, sea-view villa or family-friendly finca – among the tightly-curated collection of private properties in Mallorca offered by A&K Villas.
Vietnam
With the so-called White Lotus effect re-energizing Thailand’s tourist hotspots, nearby Vietnam delivers an equally evocative Southeast Asia escape – but without the crowds. From Hanoi and Hoi An to Halong Bay and Ho Chi Minh City, its compelling complexities and beguiling cultural nuances reveal themselves to those willing to take things slow, on A&K’s Curated Escape Southern Vietnam: The Mekong Delta by Bicycle. The 11-day exploration of the Mekong Delta includes six days spent weaving through its palm-fringed tributaries by bike, promising a gently paced immersion in one of the world’s most captivating countries. Designed in partnership with the editors and experts at Condé Nast Traveler, it is one of the most exciting ways to see Vietnam in 2026.
Seoul, South Korea
Just in time for Seoul’s cherry blossom season, Virgin Atlantic is launching daily direct flights from London to the South Korean capital, beginning in March 2026. As well as making travel to the country easier than ever, the flights offer greater flexibility, enabling travellers to stay longer and see more of one of Asia’s most exciting destinations. Bounce between the towering, electric capital, where traditions old and new thrive, and lesser-visited locations such as Jeju Island or second city Busan, with its indie movie scene. A&K’s Tailormade Journey Highlights of South Korea can be adapted to suit your tastes – quite literally, given that six restaurants in Seoul and three in Busan were added to the Michelin Guide in 2025. Slow down with a tranquil stay at two of the country’s most important temples, or lean into the bubblegum-bright world of K-Pop with a fun, family-friendly dance class. In Seoul, 12 observatories will open in the city to showcase the skyline and surrounding mountains. Meanwhile, fans of Made in Korea can celebrate the release of a second season by seeking out the locations where the series was shot.
Fez, Morocco
Morocco’s magical second city is Morocco’s cultural and spiritual capital. Fez moves at a slower pace than Marrakech, and enchants with its vast medina, where locals rather than tourists hang out, shop for spices and drink mint tea on riad rooftops. That medina has been under renovation for decades, and now, finally, the restorations are being revealed, from the medieval Qarawiyyin Library to the 19th-century Al Batha Museum of Islamic Arts, housed in a former royal palace; while the reimagined 1879 Palais Jamaï, sister hotel to La Mamounia, is a gamechanging addition to the city. Tailormade Journey Cities of Northern Morocco guides guests around the storied backstreets of Fez as well as bohemian Tangier, Casablanca and blue-hued Chefchaouen.
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