The World is Waiting: Where to Travel in 2026

Adventure awaits in every corner of our planet. From sun-drenched Mediterranean coastlines to dramatic mountain ranges, under-the-radar cities to vibrant European capitals, 2026 promises unforgettable experiences – and travel enthusiasm across the region is set to reach new heights next year, according to recent Marriott Bonvoy research. This curated selection of 12 destinations spans continents and cultures, each offering its own magic so travellers can pursue their passions. Ready to start planning your next adventure?

Uzbekistan

The Registan Ensemble is Samarkland's historical temple, featuring three grand Islamic schools (Photo: Getty Images)

Sitting at the crossroads of Central Asia, Uzbekistan is an irresistible blend of awe-inspiring architecture and Silk Road romance. Begin in the capital, Tashkent, under the huge domed roof of Chorsu Bazaar, where stallholders hawk everything from pomegranates to embroidered suzanis, a traditional tribal textile. Then head west, hopping between the country’s great Silk Road cities. Samarkand, home of the monumental Registan and the exquisitely decorated Shah-i-Zinda, has always taken top billing, while Bukhara has long drawn travellers to its caravanserais (roadside inns). But the launch of a new bullet train in 2026 will also put Khiva and its ancient citadel on the map, with the journey time by train from Tashkent to this mud-brick city in the desert being cut by half. Kickstart your adventure at the JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent, opening in December 2025. April to June or September to early November are the best times to visit Uzbekistan, when the weather is dry but the temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing in the Silk Road cities.

Glasgow, United Kingdom

Glasgow is renowned for its strong cultural scene, historical museums and world-class music (Photo: Getty Images)

Scotland’s largest city is gearing up to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games next summer but come anytime and you’ll find Glasgow ready for a party. With its eclectic grassroots music scene, cultural temples such as Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, and a world-class line-up of modern Scottish restaurants, there’s plenty to entertain you here. Stay at the recently revamped Glasgow Marriott Hotel for its central location and indoor pool. Other than next summer for the Commonwealth Games, the best moment to experience Glasgow is spring into summer, when the city enjoys its longest daylight hours.

South Africa

The South African coast offers everything from majestic coral reefs to secluded coves backed by illuminating cliffs (Photo: Getty Images)

The South Africans’ favourite place to holiday? Their own country, according to Marriott Bonvoy’s survey of more than 2000 Rainbow Nation residents. And why not? Their country has it all, with an array of fabulous experiences accessible in the Western Cape alone. Fuel your passion pursuits by catching world-class cricket and rugby, embarking on an adventurous hike or whale-watching cruise, taking a scenic Garden Route road trip or a gastronomic voyage of discovery through the Cape Winelands' vineyards. Alternatively, take it easy on a beach or seek out any number of hidden gems, like tranquil Silvermine Waterfall, reached by a stroll through pristine fynbos, or the remarkable rock art of Cederberg. For accommodation, look no further than The Westin Cape Town, which offers an award-winning 19th-floor spa and suites with floor-to-ceiling Table Mountain views. October to April offers the best weather for beach days and outdoor adventures. 

Costa Brava, Spain

Costa Brava has seen an understandable resurgence in recent years among surfers, wine aficionados and artists (Photo: Getty Images)

Catalonia’s Costa Brava is a quiet haven on the Spanish coast where the Pyrenees frame the horizon, rugged cliffs are topped with pines, and cicadas hum at dusk. The region has seen a resurgence in recent years among surfers, wine aficionados and artists, too, so the atmosphere is quite changed from its 20th-century incarnation. Beyond the coast itself, there’s plenty to entertain you, not least Girona’s gastronomy, the medieval history of Pals, Greek and Roman ruins in Empúries and learning about the life of Salvador Dalí in Figueres and Cadaqués. Stay at Finca Victoria, a Member of Design Hotels™ right by Platja de Sa Riera to catch the sunrise over the Balearic Sea. The coast is beautiful year round, but if you have the luxury of choosing when to visit, opt for May, June, September or October, with June and September the choicest times.

Rabat, Morocco

Rabat's shared heritage of Arabo-Muslim history and Western modernism earned it World Heritage status in 2012 (Photo: Getty Images)

Elegant Rabat is a dual capital in 2026: of Morocco itself, of course, as it has been for some 70 years, and as UNESCO World Book Capital 2026 – perfect for the growing quota of travellers taking trips for cultural events. This is not the first example of Rabat winning UNESCO recognition, of course: the city’s shared heritage of Arabo-Muslim history and Western modernism earned it World Heritage status in 2012, with the stunning Kasbah des Oudayas, a 12th-century fortress fringed by French-colonial gardens, one must-see element of the site. Take it all in from the Rabat Marriott Hotel, with its sophisticated rooms and French restaurant Le Grill Robuchon. Coastal Rabat escapes the heat of the inland cities, and visiting from mid-March to May offers the best chance of catching a spring festival.

Finland

Finland is widely considered the world's happiest country in the world having earned the title for the eighth year running in 2025 (Photo: Getty Images)

It’s easy to see why some claim Finland is the happiest country in the world. Stylish cities, long summer days and the home of Santa Claus: what’s not to like? In the heart of Helsinki, Hotel 14, Autograph Collection provides the ideal base for visiting Neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral and the Suomenlinna sea fortress. Next year, Oulu, in northern Finland, celebrates its status as European Capital of Culture 2026 with a programme that includes art trails, media installations and events that showcase the traditions of Finland’s indigenous Sámi people. From here, you’re within striking distance of Lapland, a pristine wilderness that glows green with the blaze of the Northern Lights during the dark winter months. The best times to visit Finland include June to August for hiking under the Midnight Sun; September and October, for blazing fall foliage; and December to March, for winter activities and the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights.

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is the second largest island in Italy and its highest peak, Punta La Marmora, stands at an impressive 1,834 metres (Photo: Getty Images)

If you need a reminder of just how special European beaches can be, take a trip to Sardinia in 2026. With their white sand and turquoise waters, the island’s beaches are frequently likened to the Caribbean, but that’s only part of the picture, for they’re really Sardinian through and through. From those in the north, you might glimpse the La Maddalena archipelago’s islands or, further out, the hazy coastline of Corsica – take a ferry to the French island to enjoy a country-hopping experience. Standing on another of the island’s beaches, a coastal nuraghe – one of the 700 or so enigmatic ancient constructions found nowhere else in the world – might peek out from a clifftop. And from yet another, you’ll gaze upon a flamingo-dotted lagoon. Book into W Sardinia - Poltu Quatu, which numbers among its many charms proximity to – you guessed it – a handful of charming beaches. May, June and September are especially glorious months to visit.

The Azores, Portugal

The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, famous for their natural beauty and striking wildlife (Photo: Getty Images)

As Portuguese Capital of Culture 2026, Ponta Delgada is a hot destination in more ways than one. Capital city of one of the remotest and most dramatic archipelagos in Europe, the Azores, it lies in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean on the island of São Miguel, surrounded by a lush landscape of rolling verdant valleys, unspoilt beaches and exotic vegetation. With 39% of travellers seeking adventurous holidays, according to Marriott Bonvoy’s recent research, the appeal of the archipelago’s volcanic lakes and hot springs are right on trend. The new Delta Hotels Azores in Ponto Delgado, makes a great base from which to enjoy the Capital of Culture activities that will take place throughout the year, or to take a kayak trip, go whale watching, or simply chill in the spa. When hunger strikes, look out for local cozido stew, which is cooked underground in hot volcanic soil.

Bodrum, Türkiye

Bodrum is an enchanting destination in the Turkish Mediterranean known for a blend of ancient history, modern attractions and vibrant nighttime atmosphere (Photo: Getty Images)

Sunset DJ sessions, elevated restaurants, a superyacht-filled marina and three weekly BA flights from the UK have generated the recent ‘Bodrum Boom’. Hemming the Turkish Riviera’s Aegean-lapped sands, The Bodrum EDITION provides a luxurious base for exploring Bodrum Old Town’s enchanting bazaars and vine-draped cottages – and if you’ve opted for alternative accommodation but fancy a spot of ‘lux-scaping’, the trend for a tagging a day or two of luxury onto the start or end of a trip, The Bodrum EDITION perfectly fits the bill. For sightseers, the Bodrum Underwater Archaeology Museum, housed within the Castle of St Peter, is a trove of shipwreck treasures, while the Mausoleum of Halicarnassus is a beguiling ancient world wonder. For the most pleasant weather, visit during one of the year’s shoulder seasons.

The Dolomites, Italy

The Dolomites, claiming World Heritage status, are a group of striking geological formations with 18 peaks in excess of 3,000 metres (Photo: Getty Images)

Stretching across northeastern Italy, the Dolomites offer some of the country’s most dramatic scenery, with rolling meadows giving way to jagged peaks. Once coral reefs, these extraordinary limestone formations offer superb hiking in summer – take a hike around Val Nambrone’s Lago Nero as you watch the sun cast a rosy glow on the Brenta Dolomites range. Come winter, the area offers some of the country’s best skiing – challenge yourself to complete the Sellaronda, a ski circuit that loops around the Sella massif that can be skied both clockwise and anticlockwise. The Dolomites are at the centre of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, which will see athletes from over 90 countries compete in Italy’s fashion capital and the Alpine village of Cortina, dubbed ‘the Queen of the Dolomites’. Base yourself in Milan’s fashionable Casa Brera, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Milan, which comes with a sleek rooftop pool, or bed down at the hip Moxy in Verona.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

Ras Al Khaimah is one of the UAE's seven emirates, known for its long sandy shores and collection of pristine islands

Ras Al Khaimah, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, is a star in the ascendance. Its long sandy shores are pure bliss, not least on Al Marjan, a collection of pristine islands that unfurl some 4.5 kilometres into the sea. There’s plenty more to explore here, too: spotting wild oryx in the russet-red dunes, hiking and zip-lining in the Jebel Jais peaks, and discovering the ancient art of pearl diving at Suwaidi Pearls – where you can choose an oyster to shuck and keep the treasure inside. Spend a few days relaxing at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Hamra Beach before venturing into the desert at The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert, where camels and gazelles roam free. RAK extends a warm welcome to visitors all year round, though October to April are especially pleasant.

Madrid, Spain

Madrid has firmly cemented itself as one of the world's coolest city destinations and in 2026 it will host the Spanish Grand Prix (Photo: Getty Images)

It is already one of the world’s coolest city break destinations with its world-class art galleries, vibrant nightlife and a food scene of unparalleled richness, where you can graze on authentic tapas at a food market one day and feast on fare from some of Spain’s most exciting chefs the next. The city’s already considerable buzz will go up a gear or two in 2026 when its wide leafy boulevards play host to the Spanish Grand Prix (11–13 September) – with ever greater numbers of people travelling to pursue their passions, you’re bound to be surrounded by fellow Formula 1 fans from across the globe. Experience grandeur at the heart of the capital with a stay at The Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid.

Published: November 20, 2025

Last Updated: November 26, 2025