We don’t know about you, but 2025 turned us every which way but loose, so we’re looking forward to a new year filled with less stress and more escapes. The year 2026 brings the opportunity for new must-sees and unique adventures in travel that are sure to bring us joy, spark our curiosity, and make us excited to live life to the fullest.
So, where should you be jetting off to next?
Travelers should be focusing their jaunts on places and moments that bring a familiar comfort, new intrigue, togetherness and unapologetic luxury. With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of must-visit locations (with hotels to match!) that highlight old favorites celebrating big milestones, destinations on the rise that offer the perfect mix of culture and magnificence, viral hotspots and memorable adventures that don’t involve a passport at all.
And trust us, all of them are worth the trip.
Gabon
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if any country on the continent is going to have it’s time in the sun next year, it’s going to be Gabon. The Central African nation is poised to emerge as Africa’s most incredible nature destination. While its tourism efforts are still a work in progress, Gabon is is putting the industry on notice with the openings of Scotland
For those seeking a blend of history,stunning landscapes,and a growing recognition of Black heritage,Scotland is calling. Ruth have been sharing glimpses into black Scottish life,taking their American family along as they go to the Highlands in Northern Scotland for staycations at the Loch Ness Country House Hotel, paintballing with Delta Force in Glasgow and to grab Nigerian eats at Uwagboe’s Kitchen & Grill in Edinburgh. A year-round destination,South Africa is always on the list of places to go for Black travelers looking for the perfect mix of culture,nature and luxury. In 2026, visiting will be even more special as the country’s largest and most popular park, Kruger National Park, turns 100. Make the Steyn City Hotel by Saxon your home base in Johannesburg, and enjoy an 18-hole championship Nicklaus design golf course, padel courts, a high-end gallery and a rejuvenating day at the Saxon Spa (Pro tip: Get the Signature Luxury Soul package) before taking a trip to Kruger for two days of Big 5 spotting. Once you return,spend the day soaking up the creative energy of the city at Victoria Yards and 44 Stanley before ending the night with people watching, wine, and a good meal at Saint Restaurant. The iconic Route 66 Highway turns 100 in 2026. Grab a few girlfriends and follow the newly installed historic signs as you set out on an epic road trip adventure that will take you from the urban streets of Chicago,Illinois,to the picturesque views of the Santa Monica Pier in California. Along the way, stop at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis,South Africa
Route 66