11 Places to Visit in 2026 - Personal Recommendations
Every year, in addition to my “Places to Go According to the Travel Powers that Be” I create my own list of recommendations for the year (see all of them here). Normally I do 12 recommendations but that is an arbitrary number, and only 11 came to me this year so - 11 it is! Some of these are places I have already gone. Others are places I haven’t been yet, so my recommendation is based on research rather than personal experience. My only caveat, and this is just a general travel caveat, make sure to check safety warnings when booking your trip and before you go.
I always make a concerted effort to ensure my recommendations are geographically distributed across the world, and yet somehow themes end up emerging. This year’s theme seems to be “getting away from the madness,” so the recommendations tend to be more obscure, more remote or both.
Regardless of where you chose to travel in 2026, I hope you have a fantastic time, eat some good food, and make some great memories!
1. Turkmenistan – the Closing Door to Hell
Every year for these recommendations I include a curveball that surprises even me. This year, that curveball Turkmenistan. Why Turkmenistan and why specifically 2026, you might (reasonably) ask. The Darvaza Gas Crater, known as the Door to Hell, is finally burning out. The natural gas crater has been on fire for more than 50 years in the middle of a desert, making it one of those strange, yet very cool sites. However, Turkmenistan has more going for it than just that. The country was also a key part of the Silk Road and is home to Merv, one of, if not the oldest and best preserved of the oasis cities. The archeological site includes settlements going from 2500 BCE up through the 16th century. There are several other historical sites, such as the Parthian Fort at Nisa and the Amul Fortress. Please note that Turkmenistan closely controls entry and tourists are required to apply for a visa and travel with an approved tour company.
2. Teddy Roosevelt National Park and Library, North Dakota
I’ve always had a soft spot for Teddy Roosevelt (imperialism not withstanding) so I’m excited that he is getting his own presidential library this year! And where is more fitting location for the Teddy Roosevelt Presidential Library – really a museum – that the national park named after him. TR was a huge early proponent of environmental conservation and the library itself reflects that. The library is built to complement the landscape, rather than distract from it, and it has also partnered with North Dakota State University to restore native plants to the region. The national park is in the North Dakota Badlands, which while less famous than their southern counterparts, are still a spectacular landscape. That said, while I am recommending it for 2026, there is a reasonable argument for going in 2027 or 2028 when it’s still new but possibly less busy. But regardless, highly recommend going if not this year then soon.
3. Egypt – A Long Awaited Museum Opening
Finally, after years of saying “this year it will open” the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo is complete and fully open to the public. GEM was originally reported to be opening in 2018, then 2019, and then … you get the idea. It partially opened in 2023, but now, starting late last year it is finally complete. GEM is the new national archeology museum of Egypt and houses, among other things, the treasures of King Tut, incredibly preserved statues, and ancient boats that were buried at Giza. The also museum offers a “mixed reality experience,” which – I’ve done several virtual-reality augmented tours and they are very trippy but worth doing. And the complex is located right next to the Great Pyramids at Giza. There are of course many, many other reasons to visit Egypt. But this museum opening is another thing to put on your “why I should go” list.
4. Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i – Come for the lava, stay for the petroglyphs
I love Hawai’i – I’ve been there four times and each time has been a fantastic experience. And on my most recent trip I visited Volcanoes National Park, on the Big Island a 2026 personal recommendation. Obviously it’d be amazing to see an eruption, but whether you are able to see lava or not, it’s absolutely worth visiting. There are hikes through lava tubes, along-side sulphur pits, and across one of the craters (so many steps in that one). There are areas that are forested and some that are black lava with life barely starting to find a way. There are also ancient Hawai’ian petroglyphs and drives and hikes along the ocean as well. The park is in rural Hawai’i, which means early morning you can see a family of wild pigs in someone’s garden, or slow your car to a crawl behind a pheasant. It’s a very different side of Hawai’i than Honolulu or Maui and one that is definitely worth checking out.
5. Uruguay – Drink Wine by the Seaside
This may be cheating a bit as it’s also the first trip I have planned for 2026, but this is a good year to go to Uruguay. So why Uruguay? Because of the wine! If you’ve read any of my posts before, you know I’m both a wine enthusiast and someone who likes to explore lesser-known wine regions. Uruguay’s national grape is Tannat and, at least what I’ve had, it’s quite good. In addition, Uruguay’s two main cities, at least for tourists, both have historical old towns and are coastal cities with beaches and paths along the water. However, somehow, Uruguay is still largely under the radar as a travel destination, so it’s less crowded than neighboring Buenos Aires. Honestly, it seems like a great balance of enough stuff to see while also a good place to unwind.
6. The Philippines - All the cool kids are doing it
Somehow, I know five different people who are planning trips to the Philippines in 2026 so naturally I had to research what the fuss is about and why all the cool kids are going there. The short answer is – there are so many drastically different things to see. Gorgeous beaches and lagoons? Check out Palawan. Ancient, picturesque rice terraces? The rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras are a UNSCO heritage site. Love flowers? Visit the Panagbena Festival in Baguio City. For foodies, Manila is starting to get on international map. There really is something for everyone (personally I’m most interested in the museums and historical sites – shocker). My main caveat is time your trip carefully. Many part of the Philippines is hot and humid much of the year, and you want to avoid the monsoon season. As long as you time it right, 2026 is the year to make it happen and go to the Philippines.
7. Orkneys, Scotland – History and Chill
If you’re interested in historical ruins and archeological sites in the British Isles, in 2026 head north up to the Orkneys. The Scottish archipelago has some incredible Neolithic sites, the most famous of which is the Standing Stones of Stenness. This is believed to be the oldest stone circle in the British Isles, the monument was established in 2900 BCE. There is also a neolithic chambered tomb from roughly the same time period (complete with Viking graffiti made in 1000-ish CE) along with other neolithic sites. If you are outdoorsy, there are plenty of walking trails. And you can see puffins! And of course after a long day of learning and/or nature, you can enjoy (if it’s your thing) a local beer or whiskey while you relax.
8. Chiloe, Chile – Penguins and Architecture
One of my favorite places I visited in Chile was Chiloe, a large island just north of Chilean Patagonia. And I went there for exactly one reason: penguins. The Punihuil Penguin Colony – which is home to both Magellanic and Humbolt penguins – exists on small three islands off the coast of the town of Ancud. You can only see the penguins from the boat, humans aren’t allowed to set foot in the colony. And it is so cool. Also, because it’s a bit north of Patagonia, when I was there in December 2015, the temperature was chilly but fine. That said, in addition to seeing penguins Chiloe is very cool. In addition to the penguins though, are the famous wooden churches, which are scattered across the island. Chiloe also has its own traditions, heritage, and folklore that are distinct from the other parts of Chile. And best of all – it’s not heavily touristed, so there won’t be tons of crowds.
9. Zimbabwe – Historic Ruins and the Most Famous Falls in the World
While less well known than South Africa, Zimbabwe is definitely worth checking out in 2026. First stop is of course, Victoria Falls/Mosi-oa Tunya. The incredible waterfalls straddle the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. But there is so much more to this country. Visit Great Zimbabwe, the ruins of a stone medieval city/trading center built by the Shona people. Also check out Khami ruins, just outside the city of Bulawayo, which was the capital city for the regional kings from 1450-1650. Lest anyone think globalization is new, shards of Chinese pottery and Arab coins have been found in both cities’ ruins. And of course, there are also safaris, including walking ones which bring you more up close and personal with nature.
10. The Redwood Forests of California – Commune with the Trees
For whatever reason, there is something about ancient, giant trees that is almost spiritual to me. So for 2026, I’m recommending going to one of the redwood forests and just walking among the trees. Why Redwood forests specifically? Because Redwoods are huge and can be hundreds, and even thousands of years old. They’ve seen some stuff and have endured. And trees can be very peaceful company. I’m not recommending a specific forest because some are busier than other and part of the point is to be alone(ish) with the trees. There are redwood forests all the Northern California coast area, including both national and state parks, so you can find one, or at least some trails, that aren’t too crowded. And if communing with the trees is too New Age-y or just not your thing, a hike in a beautiful forest is still great exercise.
11. Family – We All Kinda Need a Hug
2025 was rough and 2026 so far is not shaping up to be any less chaotic or stressful so far. I hope it will. But in the meantime, it's a good time to visit the people who you see as family – biological, extended, found, your closest friends. Whomever. Cause it's hard basically everywhere (not just the US) and we all need a hug and to spend time with our favorite people to stay sane these days.
