Our annual Best of the World feature will inspire you to explore Spain’s Basque Country beyond a total solar eclipse, hike a coast-to-coast trail in South Korea, plan a road trip on America’s iconic Route 66, or celebrate 800 years of maritime history in England. Once again, National Geographic’s global community of explorers, photographers, and editors handpicked this year’s list of 25 diverse destinations to spark your next adventure.

**Why go: The **excitement of the Winter Olympics is just the start

All eyes will be on Milan and the northeastern ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March. It’s the most geographically dispersed Winter Games ever, with ceremonies and competitions happening across 8,500 primarily mountainous square miles of northern Italy. Most will be held in the Dolomites, putting a spotlight on the legendary Alpine range.

Want to follow in Olympians’ footsteps? Cortina d’Ampezzo is part of Dolomiti Superski, the world’s largest ski area, connecting 12 resorts and 29,652 acres of terrain with one pass. The Dolomites are known for their sculptural relief—colossal walls, serrated ridges, and piercing spires—and the sights from the lifts are as exhilarating as the downhill. Many of those lifts keep running in summer, when the meadows bloom with purple snowbells and yellow poppies, and the long sunsets extend the alpenglow.

Award-winning field-to-table restaurants include Atelier Moessmer, in the restored manor of a 19th-century textile mill, and high-concept Grual, where each locavore dish represents a stage in a culinary journey, from the valley floor to an alpine pasture to the summit of a mountain. And a number of hotels are being revamped ahead of the games, especially with a focus on boutique and luxury stays. A highlight is the Aman Rosa Alpina, which has taken over a chalet-style property in San Cassiano. Its newly renovated guest rooms are crafted from timber and natural stone, with floor-to-ceiling views of the panorama beyond. – Angela Locatelli

Our destination spotlight for the* Dolomites *is your guide to planning a visit to explore Ladin culture at the Museum Ladin Ciastel de Torin in the village of San Martino.

In the Canadian province of Québec, Mont-Tremblant Ski Resort, on the shores of Lake Tremblant, offers a range of year-round activities, from shopping in the pedestrian village to hiking in Mont-Tremblant National Park.

Photograph by Simon Roberts

**Why go: **A new wilderness park stands out with Indigenous-led experiences

One of Québec’s newest and most breathtakingly wild national parks is the first to be managed by a First Nation. With the creation of Nibiischii Park, the Cree Nation of Mistissini has protected more than 4,000 square miles of peaceful lake country in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of northern Québec. This vast area encompasses the province’s largest wildlife reserve, Albanel-Mistassini-and-Waconichi Lakes, accessible from Chibougamau, a 90-minute flight from Montréal on Cree-owned airline Air Creebec.

In the reserve, Waconichi Lake’s waterfront cabins, floating chalets, and sauna provide a summer wilderness retreat for anglers and paddlers, as well as wildlife-watchers, who can take in panoramas of the lake and surrounding boreal forest from a new cliffside walkway and suspension bridge. Last winter, for the first time, the nation opened its lodge year-round and launched Cree-led winter activities: fireside storytelling, crafting workshops, and wilderness survival classes.

On your way north to the park, some new First Nations cultural initiatives present extra reasons to linger in Montréal: an outdoor sculpture trail along Peel Street made as a collaboration between an Indigenous artist and a non-Indigenous one, a new Inuit art gallery at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, and, 20 minutes south, the Kahnawà:ke Cultural Arts Center, which opens in the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) community in 2026. – Karen Gardiner

See our* Québec destination spotlight *for more information on how to plan a visit to the Canadian province’s newest national park, Nibiischii National Park.

The Forbidden City—built between 1406 and 1420—is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it is a must-see attraction that should be added to every Beijing visitor’s itinerary.

Photograph by Martin Roemers, Panos Pictures

**Why go: **For epic history, cultural treasures, and exciting excursions

Beijing in 2026 gives travelers fresh ways to explore this most culture-rich of capitals. For starters, the Beijing Central Axis—a nearly five-mile strip of imperial and ceremonial buildings and gardens—is a recent addition to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, and a new sightseeing bus makes it easier to get a look at the highlights: the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and the Drum and Bell Towers, all stunning examples of ancient Chinese city planning.

More imperial history awaits at the Ming Tombs, where a project is under way to gradually open all 13 complexes. The tomb of Emperor Chongzhen, who hanged himself as rebels stormed the city, was among the first three to allow visitors, with more to come as soon as 2026. In the mountains to the north, the majestic Great Wall has emerged as the new star of Beijing’s nighttime economy. Located within the city, the Mutianyu and Juyongguan sections of the wall have joined Badaling and Simatai in holding warm-weather after-dark tours, with spectacular illuminations. South of Beijing, a new hiking trail has been established at Zhoukoudian, where bones of Peking Man were discovered.

Travel logistics to, from, and around Beijing are getting easier. Visa-free stays of up to 30 days have been extended into 2026 for 47 countries, while foreign nationals from 55 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, can spend 10 days in the capital visa free, provided they either arrive from or depart to a country different from their port of origin. Travelers can now tap in and out of the Beijing Subway using foreign credit cards, and Chinese smartphone apps are slowly offering versions with English interfaces, making exploration smoother than ever. – Tom O’Malley

See the* Beijing destination spotlight *for more information on planning a visit to the city’s hutongs, which include busy shops, and street-food vendors.

Rowan Jacobsen follows a young sperm whale as it swims behind its mother off the coast of Dominica, set to be the home of the first sperm whale reserve in 2026.

Photograph by Katie Orlinsky

Why go: The world’s first sperm whale reserve

Approximately 200 sperm whales swim year-round in Dominica’s waters, and the Caribbean nation is currently on the cusp of establishing the world’s first sperm whale reserve, likely by early 2026. The Dominica Sperm Whale Reserve will protect nearly 800 square kilometers of water off the island’s west coast, where the majestic sea creatures roam, underscoring the national commitment to marine conservation. Visitors will have the opportunity to swim with whales or observe them from a boat, but reserve staff will regulate the number to ensure the big mammals aren’t disturbed.

Back on land, the multiple hotels and resorts in development include Sanctuary Rainforest Eco Resort and Spa and Anichi Resort & Spa. Two-thirds of mountainous Dominica is a wild and undeveloped island where dense rainforests, bubbling hot springs, and towering waterfalls await at every turn. Hop aboard one of the world’s longest cable cars for an expansive view of the island that ends at Boiling Lake. This hot spring lake, the planet’s second largest, was previously accessible only after a challenging eight-mile round-trip hike. – Kristin Braswell

Plan a trip to* Dominica *with our destination spotlight, which has more information about Champagne Reef, Morne Trois Pitons National Park, and Kalinago Territory, home to the largest Indigenous community in the Caribbean.

At the Andalusian Garden in the Kasbah of the Udayas, lush greenery, fragrant orange trees, and Moorish design create a peaceful oasis in the heart of Rabat, perfect for walkers to enjoy.

Photograph by M’hammed Kilito

**Why go: **Experience an age-old city now on the rise

Morocco’s relaxed Atlantic-coast capital is both an ancient imperial city and a cosmopolitan metropolis, where you can wander from the skinny alleyways of its 12th-century citadel, the Casbah of Oudaya, onto the broad boulevards of the 20th-century French-built Ville Nouvelle, where grand colonial-era buildings house stylish boutiques and restaurants.

The newest additions to Rabat’s fascinating cityscape are architect Zaha Hadid’s neo-futuristic Royal Theater of Rabat, a sinuous performing arts space inspired by the twists and turns of the Bou Regreg River, and the rocket-shaped Mohammed VI Tower, a sleek and photogenic landmark and Morocco’s tallest building. The beautiful hilltop site of Chellah is a 14th-century Islamic necropolis built on the ruins of a Roman settlement, symbolic of the city’s layered history. It’s recently reopened after an extensive restoration.

Among the best hotel options: the Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr—a reimagined 18th-century sultan’s summer palace, opened in 2024—and the Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé, high within the Mohammed VI Tower, with breathtaking city and ocean views. Don’t miss the flagship Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, where a collection of more than 500 works is deeply rooted in modern Moroccan and African art, celebrating artists like buzzy photographer-designer Hassan Hajjaj.

Bibliophiles visiting Rabat should expect to find readings and other literary events throughout the year at bookshops and the National Library. The city has been recognized by UNESCO as the 2026 World Book Capital. – Sarah Gilbert** **

From places to eat to places to stay, our* Rabat destination spotlight *provides information to help plan a visit to the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art, which features the artwork of more than 200 Moroccan artists.

In addition to exploring the maritime heritage of Hull, visitors can sit outside for prime people-watching at the Kingston Hotel pub on North Church Side, a street adjacent to the more than 700-year-old Holy Trinity Church.

Photograph by Max Miechowski, National Geographic

**Why go: **A port town goes all in on more than 800 years of maritime history

A $53 million project to promote Hull’s many-layered maritime heritage wraps up in 2026, transforming this underrated northern England port city. A network of new interpretive sites brings some 800 years of seafaring history to life. Among them are the Hull Maritime Museum, the North End Shipyard two-story visitors center, and two permanently docked museum ships: the 1960s Arctic Corsair cod trawler and the Spurn lightship, which once guided boats through the treacherous waters of the Humber Estuary near the city of Hull (Kingston upon Hull). The phased openings will be complete by summer 2026, making it the perfect time to discover the city’s laid-back charm.

At the edge of the North Sea, Hull was one of the world’s busiest whaling ports in the 19th century and a fishing and shipping hub until the 20th, before falling on hard times. Over the past decade, the city has undergone significant revitalization. Warehouses around Humber Street’s old waterside Fruit Market are now lively independent bars, restaurants, and art galleries. There’s also a spectacular performance amphitheater, called Stage@TheDock, overlooking River Hull where it meets the Humber Estuary; and a former shipyard has for over 20 years been the base for The Deep, one of the United Kingdom’s most highly respected aquariums and marine conservation centers.

A new Maritime Heritage Trail wends through the city’s Georgian Old Town, showing off new green spaces and public art inspired by the city’s ties to the sea (think illustrations based on scrimshaw engraved into amphitheater steps at the lovely Queen’s Gardens). The trail also draws visitors to Hull’s Museums Quarter, where the 18th-century birthplace of William Wilberforce—one of the U.K.’s most important anti-slavery campaigners—is now an excellent museum exploring the history of slavery and abolition. – Lorna Parkes

Our* Hull destination spotlight has** more information about why history buffs should consider visiting the Streetlife Museum and Hull & East Riding Museum of Archaeology.*

Planning a trip to the Badlands of North Dakota? Take a 16-minute drive north of Theodore Roosevelt National Park to see the Little Missouri National Grassland, the largest grassland in the United States and ideal for hiking and biking along the Maah Daah Hey Trail.

Photograph by Chuck Haney

**Why go: **The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library reflects a complex man—and an enigmatic landscape

Theodore Roosevelt was a native New Yorker, but North Dakota’s Badlands are where he sought refuge, first to hunt bison in 1883, then to grieve the simultaneous deaths of his wife and his mother in 1884. The rugged landscape and its then disappearing wildlife shaped the 26th president’s character and thoughts on conservation. Next summer (July 4, 2026), Teddy’s stomping grounds will welcome the 93,000-square-foot Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, perched high on a butte above the wild little frontier-throwback town of Medora.

Interactive exhibits will transport visitors to crucial periods and places in Roosevelt’s life—from his family brownstone in Manhattan to his time in the White House to his expeditions in Africa and the Amazon. The institution aims to “humanize, not lionize” the president, who, for all his political and environmental leadership, held some deeply racist views. Designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, the building disappears into the landscape, built with compressed wood beams and a walkable roof covered in native vegetation. The roof itself is part of a 1.3-mile trail with outlooks toward adjoining Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where visitors can see bison, the ancient ungulate that Roosevelt had the vision to protect after watching them hunted to near extinction.

While in the area, consider a visit to the nearby new Three Affiliated Tribes National Park, formerly a 2,100-acre ranch on the traditional homelands of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (the tribes had to purchase the ranchland after it was taken from them). Visitors can participate in photography workshops and Indigenous ranger-led hikes that explore the breathtakingly spare Little Missouri Badlands.* – Stephanie Pearson*

Plan your visit to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Three Affiliated Tribes National Park with our destination spotlight guide to the* North Dakota Badlands.*

In Metro Manila, Chef Jessi P. Zaruto cooks scallops at the King of Street Foods stall in Ugbo Street Food Shops and Takeways, while guests can experience a traditional Filipino kamayan dinner at Toyo Eatery.

Photographs by An Rong Xu, National Geographic

Why go: A palate-pleasing tour of a surprisingly diverse food scene

With its trading history and focus on Indigenous ingredients, the Philippines has always offered an exciting food culture. The 2026 Michelin Guide gives travelers one more reason to visit now. Metro Manila, which includes the capital city, is where Spanish, Chinese, and Malay influences come together in particularly innovative and delicious ways. At bustling markets (Tutuban at night, Salcedo on Saturdays), Manileños tuck into fish balls and halo-halo. Restaurants and cafés dish up comfort foods from the provinces, like crispy pancit palabok (a savory noodle dish) at Manam and lumpia with meat, veggies, peanuts, and seaweed at New Po Heng Lumpia House.

Fine-dining spots nod to tradition, too. At Toyo Eatery, diners sit down to a modern tasting menu or a family-style seafood and pork kamayan feast served on banana leaves and eaten with the hands. In Makati’s hip Poblacion neighborhood, Kondwi serves a multicourse Pinoy tasting menu and creative cocktails. Try the Turon made with jackfruit and banana-infused rum.

Familiar standbys provide a glimpse of the country’s history. Alba serves travelers 11 varieties of paella, while Ho-Land and Eng Bee Tin bakeries (both with branches in Binondo, Manila’s Chinatown) turn out hopia (bean paste-filled pastry cakes), tikoy (sweet rice pastries), and moon cakes—a densely flavorful pastry filled with lotus seed paste or red bean paste. – Lisa Futterman* *

Ready for an epic food journey in the Philippines? Our* Manila destination spotlight *offers insider info about some of the best open-air markets, restaurants, and attractions found throughout Metro Manila.

In Amasra, Türkiye, tourists and residents converge on Direkli Kaya (Pillar Rock) to swim in the Black Sea.

Photograph by Rainer Hackenberg, VISUM/Redux

Why go: An adventurous, less traveled alternative to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts

One of the few places on the planet where you can surf waves and ski powder on the same day, Türkiye’s Black Sea coast is a scenic and culturally rich alternative to the crowded Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

Set between the towering Pontic Mountains and the Black Sea, towns and cities like Samsun and Bartin beckon beachgoers with sandy strands on blue coves, while Trabzon’s architectural treasures and labyrinthine old town recall the days when the city was a center of Greco-Turkish culture. Farther east, Rize’s tea terraces, where farmers grow robust black tea, provide an incredible view of the city’s busy waterfront.

The cuisine of the Black Sea coast favors fresh-off-the-boat seafood and regional dishes like kuymak, a blend of cornmeal and cheese, and savory Akçaabat köftesi, meatballs typically made with ground veal and lots of garlic.

Day trips from the coast take visitors into the valleys of the Pontic Mountains, where medieval castles await, along with the cliff-hanging Sümela Monastery, a remote retreat dating to the fourth century, renowned for its Byzantine-style architecture and multicolored frescoes. Çambaşı has the region’s best ski and snowboarding options. You’ll find pistes for every skill level and plenty of après hangouts.

For more adventurous travelers, Ayder village is ground zero for zip-lining and 4x4 safaris, as well as treks through evergreen forest and flower-filled alpine meadows to the jagged peaks of Kaçkar Dağları National Park. – Joe Yogerst

See our destination spotlight about* Türkiye’s Black Sea Coast to plan adrenaline-pumping adventure whitewater rafting and ziplining in the Firtina Valley, followed by a visit to the *Kaçkar Mountains National Park.

The Ichan Kala fortress spans more than 65 acres. It holds the architectural marvel Kalta Minor, as well as recently restored monuments, palaces, and a mosque—all worth visiting while in Khiva.

Photograph by Ingmar Björn Nolting, National Geographic

**Why go: **A farther-flung Silk Road city outshines its more famous neighbors

The open-air-museum city of Khiva steps out of the shadows of Uzbekistan’s more famous Silk Road oases, Samarkand and Bukhara, in 2026. High-speed train service, expected to start in the fall, will cut almost in half the travel time from Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent. You can breakfast beneath the mosaic domes of Tashkent’s Chorsu Bazaar and still reach Khiva in time for shivit oshi at the foot of the Islam Khodja Minaret. The Italian hospitality company Arsenale, meanwhile, is launching a luxurious sleeper service, the Samarkand Express. And with the opening of Mercure Khiva, which takes its inspiration from the vernacular architecture of the city’s Mevaston neighborhood, Khiva will have its first international five-star hotel in October 2026.

You can spend days wandering the Itchan Kala fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1990, where geometric-patterned tiled monuments, a wooden-pillared mosque, and opulent palaces have all been meticulously restored. But Khiva isn’t just a destination for architecture lovers.

The new Silk Road-themed Arda Khiva resort widens the appeal for families with a water park and an amphitheater for live shows. Khiva’s calendar of annual events includes the Lazgi International Dance Festival, a celebration of traditional Khorezmian dance forms; the Pahlavon Mahmud Strongmen Games, which takes its name from a 14th-century poet, wrestling champion, and the patron saint of Khiva; and the Qovun Sayli Melon Festival, a boisterous three-day party honoring Khiva’s favorite fruit. – Sophie Ibbotson

Ready to experience Khiva for yourself? Our* Khiva destination spotlight *has more information to plan your trip, including where to stay, our restaurant recommendations, and must-see sights like the Nurullaboy Palace.

John Kitambalo guides a group on an afternoon game drive on the Kilala Plains of Akagera National Park, where giraffes and zebras congregate for safety from natural predators at night.

Photograph by Marion Payr

**Why go: **A big five safari destination with a fraction of the traffic

In the lush landscapes of Akagera National Park, lions, zebras, leopards, giraffes, elephants, and more than 500 species of birds thrive. Established in 1934 along Rwanda’s eastern border, the park’s expansive savanna, rolling green woodlands, and snaking waterways are ideal for wilderness enthusiasts seeking a safari without crowds. Akagera sees an average of only 50,000 visitors a year, making it a quieter alternative to popular parks such as Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park (350,000 visitors) and Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve (300,000 visitors).

Thirty years ago, Rwanda’s largest national park looked drastically different. In the mid-1990s, poaching and deforestation during and after Rwanda’s civil war decimated Akagera’s landscapes and wildlife. For the past decade and a half, African Parks and the Rwanda Development Board have been working to rehabilitate the park. The big five and many other animal species now flourish on the plains of Akagera. After a successful rhino translocation from South Africa in 2021, another 70 white rhinos were relocated to Akagera in May 2025, positioning the park as a conservation hub for threatened species.

As wildlife flourishes, more hospitality options are springing up. Recent developments in the south of Akagera—the most accessible sector from Kigali—include the extensive renovation of Karenge Bush Camp. In the northern sector, Wilderness Magashi Peninsula, a high-end, intimate safari camp, has opened on Akagera’s remote Magashi Peninsula, contributing to the small lineup of tented suites and lodges that make the park’s exciting wildlife encounters even more accessible. – Alicia Erickson

Want to plan a safari in Rwanda? Our destination spotlight for* Akagera National Park has information about the game drives, boat safaris, and hot air balloon rides offered in the park. *

Vancouver has a total of nine beaches, including Third Beach at Furguson Point, located on the western shore of Stanley Park. It is a quiet swimming spot with impressive sunset views, and it’s ideal for picnics, with concession stands and public restrooms nearby.

Photograph by Brian Lackey, Gallery Stock

**Why go: **The best place to catch the FIFA World Cup

Grab a place in the stands at BC Place for the world’s most watched sporting event, when Vancouver hosts seven FIFA World Cup games next June and July. The combination of favorable currency conversions, new direct flights from Europe, and simple entry requirements (Americans traveling on a valid U.S. passport don’t need a visa) helps make the Canadian city the best of the cup’s 16 North American host cities. No ticket? Head to the FIFA Fan Festival at Hastings Park for bands, food vendors, and live soccer matches broadcast on a huge amphitheater screen.

Away from the FIFA festivities, explore Vancouver’s wild side. Roughly a tenth of the coastal city’s 28,170 acres is parkland, and you’ll spot orcas and humpback whales among the marine life in the harbor. Fifteen minutes outside the city, Grouse Mountain has 12 lift-serviced mountain-biking trails through forested terrain. The Grouse Gravity Coaster, a two-person seated ride, careens 298 vertical feet down the mountain. And of course, you can always hike the challenging 1.6-mile trail to the summit, where the vistas take in the surrounding peaks, the city, and the Strait of Georgia.

Indigenous-led tours provide a First Nations’ perspective on the city’s history and culture: Takaya Tours takes groups out onto the Burrard Inlet in 35-foot oceangoing canoes and Talaysay Tours leads walks through the sprawling Stanley Park National Historic Site. It’s almost 20 percent larger than New York City’s Central Park, with an aquarium, totem poles, public art, and gardens.* –* Heather Greenwood Davis

Get more information about how to explore Vancouver beyond the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with our destination spotlight.* *

The Zao “snow monsters” of Japan are a phenomenon created at the top of Mount Zao, where Maries’ fir trees get pelted with so much moisture from icy winds that they begin to lean over, giving them the appearance of storybook monsters at the Zao Onsen Ski Resort.

Photograph by Michael George

**Why go: **Age-old tradition and otherworldly outdoor experiences, without the crowds

As some of Japan’s more popular destinations grapple with overtourism, mostly rural Yamagata Prefecture, roughly 200 miles north of Tokyo, offers moments of otherworldly quiet. Not even one percent of Japan’s visitors experience its sacred mountains, tranquil temples and shrines, and onsen villages.

The ski slopes and hot springs of Mount Zao, the photogenic hot-spring town of Ginzan Onsen, and the mountaintop Yamadera temple are all unforgettable destinations. In the mountains of Dewa Sanzan, travelers can join yamabushi mountain monks for waterfall meditations and mindfulness hikes.

One of the less visited Dewa Sanzan peaks, Mount Gassan receives so much snowfall that the ski season lasts until early summer. Then there’s Lake Shirakawa in Yamagata’s south, where snowmelt submerges the forests between late March and late May. Guided canoe tours weave right through the willows, with scenes of snowcapped Mount Iide in the distance.

In February, more than a thousand lamps and lanterns made of snow decorate the Uesugi Shrine in Yonezawa. In early August, thousands of dancers, wearing colorful kimonos and waving hats adorned with orange safflowers, take to the streets for the Yamagata Hanagasa Festival in Yamagata city. – Rob Goss

See our* Yamagata destination spotlight to help plan a winter wonderland adventure to see and experience Mount Zao’s juhyo (snow monsters) and much more. *

Road trippers driving along Route 66 will find museums filled with historic memorabilia, kitschy landmarks, throwback diners, and neon signs like this one from the classic Desert Hills Motel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Photograph by Charles Blackburn

**Why go: **Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Route 66 with a road trip

In time for Route 66’s centennial, Oklahoma is getting an Americana glow-up. Over the past four years, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has invested more than $82 million in the state’s 400-mile stretch of the historic Mother Road, and it feels like there’s a spectacle of relit neon signs, revived motor courts, and roadside attractions waiting around every bend.

Tulsa calls itself the Capital of Route 66, as it was the home of Roaring Twenties highway commissioner Cyrus Avery, who all but willed the classic road-trip route into existence. Follow it along 11th Street through the Meadow Gold District, full of indie retail, to admire the campy outdoor statues. A cosmic cowgirl and cowboy stand watch over art galleries and quirky gift shop Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios. Rosie the Riveter looms near the vinyl shop Josey Records, while Cowboy Bob welcomes shoppers to Buck’s Vintage, which specializes in Western wear.

If you’re cruising west through Arcadia, Pops is a sweet detour, a working gas station with more than 700 varieties of bottled sodas—think flavors like beef teriyaki and strawberry jalapeño. In Clinton, the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum dives deep into mid-century nostalgia, with a replica of a 1950s-style diner on-site. A year-long exhibition launching in July traces how the storied highway helped shape the nation. Flyover country? That’s in the rearview mirror. – Zoey Goto

Our destination spotlight guide to* Route 66 in Oklahoma *will help plan a road trip to visit roadside attractions such as the Muffler giants and the new marketplace in the Meadow Gold District.

Uluru, one of Australia’s most recognizable natural landmarks and sacred to Indigenous Australians, is a massive sandstone monolith that may have started forming around 550 million years ago. The rock’s colors are especially vibrant at sunset.

Photograph by Matthew Abbott

**Why go: **One of the world’s oldest living cultures

The world’s largest monolith, Uluru, formed over 500 million years ago and has been sacred to the local Anangu people for tens of thousands of years. Starting in April, visitors will be able to stay overnight within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for the first time. The Anangu Traditional Owners collaborated with the Tasmanian Walking Company to develop five-day, fully guided treks. After long days on the trail between Kata Tjuta and Uluru, hikers will sleep in eco-friendly lodges, stargaze by campfires, and learn from Indigenous guides about how to take care of the land, which connects to the well-being of the people and the environment.

Indigenous art in Australia has evolved from cave paintings to acrylics on canvas and now to drones. Uluru’s Gallery of Central Australia focuses on the work of contemporary Indigenous artists. At night, the permanent drone installation Wintjiri Wiru uses Uluru and the surrounding desert as a backdrop to tell ancient Anangu stories using modern tech—lots of it. The show relies on 1,200 drones, six 30-watt lasers, seven 12-kilowatt projectors, and more than 30 bright field lights. – Acacia Gabriel

Discover how to arrange an immersive cultural tour to see Indigenous cave paintings, take a Walpa Gorge walk, and attend a dot painting workshop, all highlighted in our destination spotlight about* Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.*

In Rio de Janeiro, guests at the Copacabana Palace hotel can order coconut-infused drinks from the pool bar. Meanwhile, south of the hotel, Ipanema Beach is known for its lively, diverse sunbathers with the Dois Irmãos mountains as the beach’s famous backdrop.

Photographs by Kristin Bethge and Mandy Sham

Why go:** **A South American megacity having a moment

Many a serenade has been sung about Rio de Janeiro’s alluring beaches, passionate people, and iconic landmarks, enticing visitors to this fun-loving Brazilian city for well over a century. But Rio has revealed a few more reasons to visit in 2026. The National Museum of Brazil (Museu Nacional/UFRJ) is pushing for a second temporary reopening then, and a full reopening in 2028, following the tragic 2018 fire that burned down the 207-year-old institution. The National Museum of Fine Arts (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes), with plans to fully open in late 2026, is now hosting an exhibit by Brazilian photographer Vicente de Mello until mid-January. The iconic Copacabana Palace will unveil a facelift that features expanded suites and a new spa, and there’ll be another Todo Mundo no Rio music show on Copacabana Beach in front of millions, with—rumor has it—Beyoncé or Rihanna headlining.

Classic experiences have new twists too: A fresh hiking trail up to the 98-foot-tall world wonder, Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer), was recently added. And travelers to Pão de Açucár (Sugarloaf Mountain) can take the famous Parque Bondinho cable car. Hop aboard for a sunrise ride with live saxophone music and breakfast at the top.

Rio is also rising as a foodie destination, with several Michelin star restaurants. Lasai in Humaitá has two; Mee and Cipriani inside the Copacabana Palace hotel have one each. Other popular spots include Território Aprazível in Santa Teresa for fine dining accompanied by views over the city and Kinjo Nikkei in Copacabana for its Peruvian-Japanese fusion cuisine. – Joel Balsam

Our destination spotlight for* Rio de Janeiro *can help you plan a trip to visit the National Museum of Fine Arts (Museu Nacional de Belas Artes) when it reopens in 2026.

By the end of April, the Oulujoki (Oulu River) thaws enough for paddleboarders to make the picturesque journey through a winter wonderland.

Photograph by Harri Tarvainen

**Why go: **Find out what makes the far northern city Europe’s Capital of Culture

At the edge of both the forest and the sea, 60 miles south of the Arctic Circle, Oulu is a bastion of Finnish heritage. Some 800 of its 216,000 residents are Indigenous Sami people, and the city’s Giellagas Institute champions their culture and language. From mid-January to early May, the Oulu Art Museum’s Risku exhibition spotlights Sami art, material culture, and soundscapes.

In the summer, people kayak to nearby islands, cycle through lush forests, and relax at the café-lined Kauppatori market square. Launching in June, a new public art trail showcases climate-focused work made by artists collaborating with scientists. Come November, the 10-day Lumo Art & Tech festival features “light art” exhibitions, a symphony concert paired with astral photography, and more. Of course, in the winter, the northern lights put on their own dazzling light show.

Arctic Food Lab is a 2026 program focusing on the unique raw food traditions of Finland. Diners can find seasonal delicacies—reindeer, salmon, foraged berries, and mushrooms—at pop-ups during events like August’s long-table Summer Night’s Dinner and September’s Arctic Tasting week, when the city’s restaurants try to outdo one another with special tasting menus.

Many of these occasions are part of Oulu’s year-long turn as Europe’s 2026 Capital of Culture, a European Union designation that begins just as the new Pendolino Plus train route connects Oulu and Helsinki, a five-and-a-half-hour trip. – Kerry Walker

With the* Oulu destination spotlight, you can learn how to experience Kauppatori, a bustling waterfront market, and unwind in a traditional Finnish floating wood-burning sauna at Kesän Sauna.*

Outdoor enthusiasts can hike, walk, or bike the existing trails—such as the 1.4-mile scenic Maltijae Pass—that will become part of the Dongseo Trail, a 527-mile trek across South Korea, expected to be completed in 2027.

Photograph by Jun Michael Park, National Geographic

**Why go: **Be the first to hike a diverse new coast-to-coast trail

Koreans are avid day hikers, and the pandemic saw a growing interest in camping, backpacking, and trekking in South Korea, thanks in part to the country’s 23 national parks. The trend continues in 2026 as large sections of the Dongseo Trail, a 527-mile route modeled after Spain’s Camino de Santiago, are set to open.

When completed, the route will connect the east and west coasts, but hikers can already plan trips along many of its 55 segments. Each is eight to 12 miles long, ideal for day hiking. Most pass through two or three towns or villages, enabling hikers to refuel easily without having to carry supplies. For those intending to stay overnight and walk the next day, all towns have affordable motels and *yeogwan *(inns), while many villages have minbakjip (similar to homestays).

On the trail’s eastern end, Uljin is an unfussy fishing town with beaches lapped by the waves and restaurants serving fresh seafood. The Dongseo Trail’s western terminus, Anmyeondo, is an island connected to the rest of the country by a road bridge. Both are ideal places to relax legs and mind after a long hiking adventure. – Martin Zatko

Beyond the walls of Guimarães’s historic center, cobblestone streets lead to highlights such as the Igreja de São Francisco, which sits alongside a building clad in azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles).

Photograph by Gina Spinelli

**Why go: **An up-and-coming city of tomorrow that keeps its history close

The birthplace of Portugal and its first king, Guimarães has one foot in its medieval past and the other in a green-tech future. Named the European Green Capital for 2026 by the European Commission, the city has been expanding bike lanes, adding green spaces, and cutting pollution as it works toward climate neutrality by 2030.

Guimarães shows how a medieval town can evolve into a modern urban center without losing its character. With crenellated walls still intact, its 10th-century castle is among Portugal’s best preserved, while the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança impresses with its red-brick chimneys and fortified symmetry. Torre da Alfândega, in the old town center, is the only remaining tower of the defensive walls and looks over Guimarães Castle.

Pousada Mosteiro Guimarães, a former 12th-century monastery turned luxury hotel, blends hospitality with history. Cor de Tangerina, just outside the dukes’ palace, is a local favorite for creative vegetarian and vegan cuisine, while top-rated A Cozinha serves a refined menu rooted in northern Portuguese flavors. Tavernas offer *petiscos *(small bites) alongside crisp vinho verde, which originated in the Minho region of northern Portugal. The frangipane-filled pastries called jesuítas are a delicious reminder of the city’s rich Catholic tradition. – Renata Haidle

Our* Guimarães destination spotlight *is your inside guide to help you explore the town and plan a trip to witness the four-day thematic historic and cultural fair, Afonsina.

A girl looks out a window toward the valleys and mountains surrounding the Basque village of Aia, where the rhythms of rural life unfold against the backdrop of one of northern Spain’s most breathtaking panoramas.

Photograph by Moises Saman

Why go: An eclipse shines a light on a less-traveled region of Spain

Next August 12, a total solar eclipse will attract crowds to the rugged coastline and historic cities of Spain’s Basque Country—one of the few places on land in the path of the totality. Two prime spots to watch: the port city of Bilbao and the region’s inland capital of Vitoria-Gasteiz, both renowned for their architecture and cuisine.

Eclipse chasers in Bilbao can find top viewing areas in the lively, walkable Old City (Casco Viejo), the gentle hills of Parque Etxebarria (great city views anytime), and 823-foot Mount Artxanda, accessible by foot or funicular. The plaza outside Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpiece, the Guggenheim Museum, is also superb for catching the major sky event.

Whether you’re visiting for the eclipse or not, Bilbao’s Old Town has plenty to see. The Gothic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela* and the grand neoclassical colonnaded Plaza Nueva are there, as well as narrow streets lined with superb pintxos *(the region’s equivalent to tapas) bars. Parque Etxebarria, Bilbao’s largest park, is a wonderful place for a picnic and, like Mount Artxanda, has spectacular panoramas across the city.

In Vitoria-Gasteiz, home to four grand palaces, you can explore the Bendaña Palace, which houses the Bibat Archaeology Museum and the fascinating Fournier de Naipes Museum, dedicated to historic playing cards. Among all the gorgeous medieval and Renaissance architecture are some of Europe’s most beautiful parks. Parque de la Florida, Parque de San Juan de Arriaga, and the Plaza de la Virgen Blanca are all ideal places to watch a rare celestial event.

Outside the path of the totality but still well worth a visit, San Sebastián has the best pintxos, plus sweeping sandy bays, romantic seafront promenades, and a lively bar scene, with taverns looking to distinguish themselves by serving great food. – Eddi Fiegel

Go for the solar eclipse but extend your stay with our* Basque Country destination spotlight to visit the Guggenheim Bilbao, sample pintxos in San Sebastián, and explore the fishing village of Hondarribia. *

Plan a fun road trip in Maui to watch the sunrise from the Haleakalā Visitor Center, followed by a drive to the end of the Hana Highway, to visit Waiʻānapanapa State Park and relax on the black sand of Paʻiloa Beach.

Photographs by Susan Suebert and Laura la Monaca

**Why go: **The island is rebounding from wildfires in spectacular fashion

In 2023, wildfires on Maui claimed more than a hundred lives, caused $5.5 billion in damage, and devastated the vibrant and historic beach town of Lāhainā. The island rallied to rebuild, and while some fire-affected areas remain closed off, many cherished Lāhainā businesses have reopened, including Old Lāhainā Lū‘au, Lāhainā Cannery Mall, and Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate.

Visiting Maui right now is an act of kōkua—that is, support—but it’s more than just a feel-good choice. With tourism still down from pre-fire levels, Maui in 2026 grants a rare glimpse of the island in a quieter mode. Once crowded beaches feel intimate, and to help them fill up again, some of the island’s top hotels have made big investments in guest experience: The Grand Wailea just debuted Hawaii’s largest spa, while the newly refreshed Wailea Beach Resort now boasts an adults-only wellness sanctuary with an infinity-edge pool. And many hotels, such as the Four Seasons Resort Maui, foster opportunities to give back, in partnership with Mālama Hawai‘i, a voluntourism initiative that leads guests on beach cleanups, native-plant restoration hikes, and more.

As businesses shuttered by the fires continue to reopen, events like the Maui Marathon, the Sentry, and the Hawai’i Food & Wine Festival are also coming back, drawing visitors to one of the world’s most captivating destinations. – Emily Hochberg

See our* Maui destination spotlight *to plan a scenic road trip along the Hana Highway and, near the end, relax on Honokalani Black Sand Beach in Waianapanapa State Park.

Downtown Pittsburgh has transformed from its industrial past and ushered in a new era of cultural attractions, such as the newly expanded Andy Warhol Museum, which visitors can easily access from one of the Three Sisters Bridges, including the Roberto Clemente Bridge near the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball stadium.

Photograph by Ryan Neeven/Kintzing

**Why go: **A postindustrial city with a thriving cultural scene—and a head of steam

Steel mills once shaped outsiders’ whole impressions of Pittsburgh, but today the city increasingly defines itself by embracing the venerable cultural institutions that industrial prosperity helped build. At the linked Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural History, it’s easy to spend a day admiring just the marquee collections of Impressionist works and dinosaur fossils (though there’s plenty more to see). Next year’s Carnegie International, held every four years, is one of the contemporary art world’s most talked-about exhibitions.

Across the Allegheny River, the Andy Warhol Museum’s $60 million expansion is bringing a new performing arts venue to the Pop District, full of cool public art. And a few blocks away, the National Aviary, also poised for expansion, is a hugely underrated attraction, where visitors can stand in free-flight habitats amid hundreds of soaring, squawking birds.

Pittsburgh’s vibrancy has always been scattered across its 90 neighborhoods—Squirrel Hill and the Strip District among them—rather than centralized. An ongoing redevelopment effort is pulling more energy downtown, including historic Market Square, surrounded by grand old architecture and today a hub for great restaurants. Nearby, work is under way to finish construction of Arts Landing—a new city park with trails, sculptures, and a performance space—in time to host the NFL draft in April. The best place to view the downtown skyline, along with the surrounding foothills of the Allegheny Mountains, is on Mount Washington. Head to the South Shore neighborhood’s lower station to take the Duquesne Incline funicular, ascending 450 feet to the summit since 1877. – Nick Martin

See our* Pittsburgh destination spotlight *for more information on how you can plan a trip to visit the Andy Warhol Museum, historic Market Square, and Arts Landing, and where you can bike, walk, or run part of the Three Rivers Heritage Trail.

Chef Jorge León at Alfonsina—a restaurant in San Juan Bautista la Raya—incorporates ingredients that reflect Oaxaca’s traditions and seasonal harvests. For one tradition, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), an Oaxacan woman carries flowers purchased at a market to honor the departed.

Photographs by Luis Antonio Rojas and Luvia Lazo

Why go: It’s a surfer’s dream, but on a quieter coastline

In recent decades, Oaxaca City, the capital of the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, has become an international destination for street art, exceptional cuisine, and Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Over 100 miles southwest of the b