Under the radar places to visit in 2026

From the inaugural cruise along Colombia’s Magdalena River to the tiny Caribbean island of Saba welcoming its first luxury hotel, these are our top places to travel in 2026.

Travel Editors' Insights

As travel editors, they spend most of their time parsing trends and following cool happenings around the world, keeping their finger on the pulse of what's new in travel. They also dedicate a significant amount of time dreaming about the many destinations they could visit. That's why, each year, they hand-pick the best places around the world that offer exceptional new experiences, boast easier-than-ever accessibility, or feature exciting new hotels, events, or developments.

Top Picks for 2026

From the very first cruise on Colombia's Magdalena River to the small Caribbean island of Saba welcoming its first luxury hotel, they are thrilled to reveal their top picks for 2026. As always, these destinations will draw travelers off the beaten path and excite and delight even the most seasoned adventurers.

Start Planning Now

---

Saba, Caribbean

This tiny Dutch-Caribbean island of only five square miles and 2,000 residents punches way above its weight, despite remaining staunchly anti-chain, anti-cruise, and anti-mega-resort. It's because of this ethos that Saba, also known as the "Unspoiled Queen of the Caribbean," remains somewhat under the radar, offering charming villages and pristine coral reefs sans crowds. That said, The Scenery Hotel, the island's first luxury property, is set to open in February, with bungalows, private terraces, and an infinity pool. Another draw to the island is the recently upgraded Saba National Marine Park, along with enhancements to the island's hiking trails, a new botanical garden project, and coral reef restoration efforts that make Saba an even better diving destination. Newly part of the "4 Islands, One Escape" tourism initiative that promotes island hopping between St. Maarten/St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Kitts & Nevis, Saba is now easier to reach and offers savvy multi-destination travel packages. A new hurricane-resistant port planned for 2026 will benefit ferry services and anyone arriving by sea.

Cruising Colombia's Magdalena River

In 2025, AmaWaterways became the first cruise line to offer sailings down Colombia's Magdalena River with two brand-new ships — creating a whole new way to explore the "Land of a Thousand Rhythms." Its first foray into South America, the luxury line offers two 7-night itineraries between Cartagena and Barranquilla. Cruising down the 950-mile river, the country's longest, will take guests to ports that have historically been largely inaccessible and thus had few tourists visit, from centuries-old towns like Mompox and Palenque (the first free town in the Americas) to tiny fishing villages whose way of life has changed little over the last few decades. Ships have 30 staterooms, a pool, a fitness room, and serve locally sourced cuisine. Included excursions are offered at every port, each designed to explore Colombia's rich history, traditions, and cuisine, all the while supporting and celebrating local communities. From a private celebration of the world-famous Barranquilla Carnival to an exclusive jazz performance in the UNESCO-designated city of Mompox, trips are bound to be as lively and colorful as the country itself.

The Scottish Highlands

As travelers increasingly seek trips that offer sustainability and a deeper sense of place, the striking scenery of the Scottish Highlands is emerging as a frontrunner. A quiet transformation is underway in this northwestern portion of mainland Scotland, with new design retreats (French luxury empire LVMH's whisky-themed hotel, Ardbeg House), whisky distilleries opening boutique accommodations (9-room Glenmorangie House ), and newly designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Flow Country).

In Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands, the $420 million Inverness Castle Experience will turn the city's former prison and courthouse into a cultural hub in 2026. In the spring, Old Petty, an 18-hole course designed by world-renowned architect Tom Doak, will add to Scotland's rich golfing history. In the Hebridean islands, Lewis is unveiling a visitor center for the Calanais Standing Stones, a cruciform-shaped stone circle that predates Stonehenge. Three new whisky distilleries — Isle of Barra Distillers, Laggan Bay Distillery, and Portintruan Distillery — add to the Highlands' draw.

Big Sky, Montana

Opened in November 2025, One&Only's first stateside resort brings a whole new level of luxury to Big Sky, one of the country's top ski resorts. A year-round destination, the property is set on 8,000 acres surrounded by protected wilderness and features three restaurants, a dedicated ski lodge, and the first-ever Chenot Spa in the U.S.

Deluxe digs aside, Big Sky is also launching a new, all-glass viewing platform at the summit of the Lone Peak Tram that debuted in the 2023/24 season. It will feature 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks, extending to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks on clear days. This ski season will also see the launch of a new high-speed, 10-person gondola that will connect the Mountain Village base area to the new Lone Peak Tram, and a four-month restaurant residency with Grant Achatz at the helm of M by The Alinea Group. It's no surprise, then, that Big Sky was named the #1 "Trending Destination of the Year" by Expedia for 2026, with a 92% search increase.

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Despite being (partially) home to the jaw-dropping Victoria Falls — a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world's largest waterfalls — neighbors Botswana and South Africa tend to steal the spotlight. This is about to change, thanks to a range of new properties that are making a trip to the falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or "the smoke that thunders," more exciting — and comfortable — than ever. There's the new Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls, Anantara's first Zimbabwean property, Samanzi Luxury Cabanas, Palm River Hotel, Bupenyu Lodge by Newmark Hotels & Reserves, new private villas at Mpala Jena, a property operated by Great Plains Conservation, and House of Chinhara–Vignette Collection, to name a few high-end options nearby. A little further afield, in Mana Pools National Park, there's also the new Mana Sands, a stunning six-suite camp.

Getting there has become easier as well, thanks to Fastjet launching a new Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route, and this year should see the completion of the Mosi-oa-Tunya International Cricket Stadium, set to host the 2026 ICC under-19 World Cup.

Monaco

Monaco is one of the world's smallest but most opulent destinations, known for its many millionaire residents, glittering casinos, Grand Prix, and superyacht-filled harbor. While still an unabashedly extravagant place, the principality has been showing a whole new side of itself as of late — one with liquors made of locally grown produce (La Distillerie de Monaco); the world's first organic restaurant to receive a Michelin star (Elsa); and sustainability initiatives the rest of the world could learn from (like Mareterra Monaco, a new $2 billion luxury neighborhood reclaimed from the sea that uses cutting-edge sustainable tech). Much of this can be attributed to Prince Albert II, who is committed to making Monaco carbon-neutral by 2050. Stay at the iconic Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo, which saw the recent debut of the Spa Métropole by Guerlain and will continue its full refresh this year.

Okinawa, Japan

Known as "the Hawaii of Japan," Japan's southernmost prefecture, a chain of subtropical islands, not only beckons with white-sand beaches and clear waters made for diving and snorkeling, but lately, with longevity. Thanks in large part to its role in the 2023 Netflix documentary "Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones," hotels across the islands have embraced wellness and longevity, offering guests Blue Zone-inspired retreats and experiences. Hoshinoya Okinawa on the main island is a traditional Ryukyu-inspired boutique hotel that offers 100 spacious ocean-facing villas, a healthy Italian-meets-Japanese fusion fine dining restaurant, in-room Blue Zone-inspired dining, and a Blue Zone Stay that comes with healthy Okinawan specialties like sea grapes and purple yams.

Rosewood opened its first property in the country in March 2025: Rosewood Miyakojima features 55 oceanside villas (each with a private plunge pool), serves locally sourced seafood, and offers a pottery studio and a spa with nature-inspired wellness treatments tied to local culture and healthy living.

Also enticing: by fall 2026, the restoration of the bright-red, 13th-century Shuri Castle should be complete. The UNESCO World Heritage site in Naha, once the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, underwent painstaking reconstruction using traditional methods following a 2019 fire.

Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean

Antigua and Barbuda, a Caribbean nation with pink sand beaches, calm turquoise waters, sailing culture, and rich history, is quietly transforming into one of the Caribbean's hottest luxury destinations for 2026 thanks to a slew of exciting new openings. Most notably: In late 2026, Robert De Niro's Nobu Beach Inn will open on 400 acres of shoreline on Barbuda's southwest coast — once a favorite hideaway of Princess Diana's. Aside from a beach club, indoor and outdoor spa, and oceanfront pool, there will be a variety of restaurants on-site — including, of course, a Nobu. Other high-end openings in 2026 include adults-only boutique resort Moon Gate Antigua and Residences at Nikki Beach. There's more on the horizon, too: Carlisle Bay's multimillion-dollar renovation is set to be done by 2027, Hermitage Bay is undergoing a $30 million relaunch that will include exclusive vintage schooner excursions, and Marriott Resort at Yepton Beach will open overwater villas in 2028.

Even better, getting there is easier than ever thanks to the new Barbuda International Airport (BIA), which opened in late 2024 and can accommodate larger aircraft, and a new digital arrival/departure system that streamlines travel at V.C. Bird International Airport. A new $60 cruise terminal opened this month, allowing for more and larger vessels.

Melbourne, Australia

Long considered Australia's cultural capital, Melbourne is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, street art, world-class coffee, and innovative dining. Visitors are drawn to its relaxed yet creative vibe and easy access to scenic drives and wine regions. However, it also likes to call itself the "sporting capital of the world" — and this year, with the Cadillac squad, the first new team in a decade, debuting at the Australian Grand Prix (March 5 to 8), the name has never rang truer. The Formula 1 milestone comes 30 years after another, when Melbourne first hosted the opening event of the Formula 1 calendar, in 1996. And while Melbourne continues to do so, as well as host the Australian Open, it will also be home to the first regular-season NFL game to be held in Australia, when the Los Angeles Rams take on a yet-to-be-named team.

Off the tracks, courts, and fields, there's the multi-year transformation of the Arts Precinct, which already hosts around 3,000 performances and exhibitions a year and recently opened the Australian Museum of Performing Arts. As for where to stay when in town, the newly opened waterfront 1 Hotel Melbourne is the brand's first in Australia and features a spa with a gym and indoor pool, as well as four cafés, restaurants, and bars highlighting organic, seasonal ingredients sourced from local producers. Boasting one Michelin Key, the sustainable, biophilic hotel's design is marked by natural, creamy shades, reclaimed wood, and abundant greenery.