It feels a little surreal to think about travel plans for 2026 when the present already feels full, but dreaming ahead can be grounding. Travel gives you something to look forward to. A little spark. A reminder that new landscapes and new foods and new conversations still exist out there, waiting.
And 2026 is shaping up to be an interesting year for it. Some destinations are becoming more accessible. Others are experiencing a cultural moment. A few are simply timeless and keep pulling people back no matter how many years go by.
Here are a few places that keep coming up in conversations, lists, and those quiet moments where you catch yourself browsing flights for no good reason.
Japan
Japan continues to rise in popularity, but it is not just because of the obvious reasons. The food, the design, the landscapes. There is also something about the rhythm of the country. Efficient yet soft. Busy yet oddly peaceful at the same time.
Cities like Tokyo and Osaka will always be favourites, but many travellers are starting to explore more of the rural side. Small towns with steaming onsen. Mountain villages that feel frozen in time. And for people who like structured travel, Japan group tours have quietly become a comfortable way to experience the country without feeling overwhelmed by planning. Japan somehow manages to feel both futuristic and deeply traditional, which is probably why it never really leaves the list.
Portugal
Portugal has been popular for a while now, but it does not seem to be slowing down. Lisbon still carries its warm, crumbling charm. Porto feels more alive than ever. The coastline remains one of the most relaxing stretches in Europe.
In 2026, what makes Portugal exciting is the growing number of lesser known inland towns being restored and celebrated. Places where life moves slower and wine is poured generously. It is the sort of country where you can wander without a tight itinerary and still always find something worth stopping for.
South Korea
South Korea is having a long moment. Not just K pop or dramas, though that definitely helps. The food scene has exploded globally. The fashion. The design. Even skincare has turned into a phenomenon.
Seoul is energetic in a way that feels almost electric, but Busan, Jeonju, and other regions offer a gentler pace. It is a destination perfect for travellers who love contrasts. Ultra modern one second, deeply historic the next.
Argentina
Argentina feels like one of those places that rewards curiosity. In 2026, more travellers are expected to head back toward Patagonia, the wine country around Mendoza, and the colourful north near Jujuy.
It is a land of big landscapes. Mountains. Ice. Cities that dance late into the night. Not subtle at all, but in the best possible way.
Morocco
If your idea of travel includes sensory overload in the most vivid sense, Morocco remains unmatched. The markets. The colours. The call to prayer drifting through narrow streets. Even the silence of the desert feels dramatic.
Marrakech and Fes are busy, yes, but stepping into smaller towns or out toward the Sahara changes the entire experience.
Planning for Wonder
Thinking ahead to 2026 is more about possibility than precision. You do not need everything booked. Just a spark of curiosity. A reminder that the world is wide, and you can step into different pieces of it whenever you choose.
And maybe letting yourself imagine the year now makes it feel a little closer, a little more exciting, and a little more yours.
