The Hottest Destinations to Head to in 2026

In 2026, the most popular trips are likely to be those that incorporate amazing locations and authentic experiences. Travel experts predict that the following destinations will trend this year.

Italy: The Epitome of Romance

Italy is one of the top trending destinations for 2026, and it’s no surprise why. As well as being home to some of the world’s most romantic cities, the country is also renowned for its wealth of historic sites, stunning architecture and delicious cuisine. Those traveling to Italy for the first time should consider heading to the must-see destinations of Rome, Florence and Venice.

Portugal: Gorgeous and Diverse

Portugal may not be traditionally as well-visited as nearby Spain, but its popularity as a tourist destination could significantly increase over the next few years as more travellers become aware of its beautiful, diverse landscapes, ancient landmarks and scenic hiking trails. The food scene and value-for-money aspect of this destination are also helping to raise its profile.

Dominica: Regenerative Tourism

Anticipated to be one of the hottest trips of 2026n 2025 and beyond, a visit to Dominica could entail swimming alongside sperm whales, a visit by cable car to one of the world’s largest thermal springs or a luxury stay in a six-star hotel. This Caribbean island is committed to regenerative tourism and marine conservation, and access to this destination is now easier than ever before.

Western Australia: Pristine Coastline and Pink Lakes

Keen travellers like Benjamin Waters, trader, know that Western Australia boasts a vast, awe-inspiring landscape, taking in 12,500 km of beautiful coastline, pink lakes, towering forests, waterfalls and wineries, with plenty of opportunities to experience some unforgettable wildlife encounters. Visitors can also learn about one of the Earth’s oldest living cultures on a truth-telling walking tour or join a coast foraging tour followed by a bush barbeque.

Panama: Idyllic Islands

While the Panama Canal may be the country’s most famous feature, those who love exploring off-the-beaten-track locations – like Ben Waters, trader – understand that this trending destination also boasts dramatic mountainous forests, vast jungles and idyllic islands, which visitors can explore through a range of locally led experiences. For example, visitors can head to the La Pintada district to see artists weaving traditional Panama hats by hand, hike a lush cloud forest trail and check out the exhibits at the Museo del Canal.

Japan: A Destination Like No Other

There’s nowhere quite like Japan. From white sand beaches to snow capped mountains and quaint towns to vibrant cities, this destination is set to become ever more popular as the year continues. Japan has become one of Asia’s most visited destinations, with the village of Ine designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit for anyone traveling to the country.

Get to Know Ben Waters | Trader, Investor & Travel Enthusiast

Ben Waters, trader, has extensive experience in options trading, equity trading and delta one trading. Delta one products offer investors the same level of exposure as they would attain by owning the underlying asset. This is in contrast to a non-delta One product (such as an option) with an asymmetric payoff.

As an equity delta one trader in Global Indices/MSCI, Mr Waters trades in Developed Markets and Emerging Markets (with a primary focus on the latter).

Benjamin Waters, trader, has experience working as a summer analyst for Citi and as an investment analyst for the University of Auckland Investment Club Inc, where he managed a £70,000 fund of real money. Here, he was so successful in his investment endeavours that he was presented with the Outstanding Performance by a UAIC Investment Committee Member 2014 to 2015 award.

A graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Mr Waters holds a BSc degree in accounting and finance, awarded in 2018. He has a range of technical skills, including those related to index delta one, MSCI futures, delta one index arbitrage, total return swaps, options and options strategies, equities and equities options, Matlab, Python, VBA, PHP, Excel and computer programming. When he’s not working, Mr Waters enjoys traveling and a range of sports basketball, tennis and sailing.