You haven’t booked 2026 yet. vacation? Get moving because next year’s must-see lists are starting to dwindle.
Dear Lonely Planet Travel Guide October 21st. has released its book, Best of Travel 2026, which lists 25 great destinations and 25 great experiences to try in the coming year. It comes with a collection of unique itineraries created using Lonely Planet Journeys’ new travel planning service.
CNN Travel reached out to Nitya Chambers, Lonely Planet’s managing editor and senior vice president of content, to find out what was cut and why.
The best places
One of Chambers’ favorite picks on this year’s list? Brazil’s “Little Japan”, otherwise known as the São Paulo neighborhood Freedom.
“Brazil has the largest Japanese community outside of Japan; 2 million people claim Japanese ancestry in Brazil,” she says. Liberdade was “really full of surprises. Anime-inspired street art, an oriental garden. Rumored to have the best ramen outside of Tokyo, though I’m sure that’s always hotly debated.”
Another city option is Mexico. Chambers “can’t say enough great things about it. The history, the food, the culture, the art! And it was walkable. It was incredible.” Sprinkled with bougainvillea
The districts of Coyoacán, La Roma and La Condesa are getting a shout-out from Lonely Planet this year.
It’s a long way to Tipperary, but worth it. The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most important county landmarks. – Tuul & Bruno Morandi/Digital Vision/Getty Images.
US options are in the list of destinations Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota – also included in National Geographic’s Best Places to Visit in 2026 world list – and Maine.
“Maine has such a unique culture in the United States,” Chambers says. “Such coastline, so many nature walks. The beauty there is truly exceptional, and the (four) national parks are amazing.”
In spring, it is recommended to go on a hike in the forest and not to miss the heron rookeries; colonies can support up to 500 birds.
on the western edge of Europe, Tipperary is “a real hidden gem,” she says. It’s Ireland’s largest inland county and “a lot of people just pass by on their way to the Wild Atlantic Way (coastal path). But I think Tipperary really has one of the most beautiful and underrated driving routes.”
And in Asia, on the island Phuket is best known for its “tropical honeymoon, romantic vibe,” but more and more people are now discovering it as a work and travel destination for digital nomads.
People are reimagining what their days, weeks and months look like in relation to what they do,” says Chambers, and the beaches, jungles and breezy coastal lifestyle of this Thai destination hit the spot.
Also Lonely Planet attractions in 2026. in the list: Botswana; Peru; Jeju-do, South Korea; Ikara-Flinders Ranges and Outback, South Australia; Cadiz, Spain; Sardinia, Italy; Tunisia; Barbados, Caribbean; Solomon Islands; Meeting; Questeltenangan (Chiche), Guatemala; Jaffna, Sri Lanka; Utrecht, Netherlands; Cartagena, Colombia; Finland; Quy Nho’n, Vietnam; British Columbia, Canada; Siem Reap, Cambodia.
The Colombian city of Cartagena is famous for its amazing architecture. – WisKay/Moment RF/Getty Images
Fun times and feasts
Best in Travel brings you 25 experiences to enjoy next year, including food tours in Old Dubai and inside Kerala, India.
Chambers’ grandparents are from Kerala, and she says, “It’s a real focus of regional food, rooted in fresh, local ingredients. There’s a real history to the locally grown spices: pepper, cardamom, turmeric. Being on the southwest coast, it’s been influenced by a really unique trade for centuries and centuries.”
Lively food scene in Melbourne, Australiais another choice for this year. Lonely Planet says the cuisine, inspired by Asian, African and Mediterranean influences, is “eclectic, vibrant and experimental”.
Willamette Wine Country in Oregon is a recommendation for grape enthusiasts in 2026. “Beautiful and accessible” vineyards are said to come with a lack of visitors and coolness. We’ll say “congratulations” to that.
Grenada there is a place party in the caribbean next year, says Lonely Planet, and Spicemas in August will be the biggest celebration of all. More than 20,000 people descend on the island for the late summer extravaganza, so plan ahead.
The legendary nightlife scene in Belgrade, Serbiais a recommendation for party animals in Europe. It’s “raw, electric and unapologetically wild,” says the publisher.
Unusual stays
Wildlife watching in style in the Kruger National Park. – Michele Spatari/AFP/Getty Images
Overnight in a Japanese ryokan is one of Chambers’ “personal favorite experiences list.” Traditional travel inns offer “a glimpse into traditional Japanese interiors, gourmet cuisine and hot spring culture. They’re meant to be relaxing, to step back into a slower, more analog time,” says Lonely Planet.
Overnight in a train car in South Africa’s Kruger National Park is another unique accommodation style highlighted in 2026. on the travel list. Kruger Shalati: Train on the Bridge is a hotel in one of Africa’s largest game reserves, where guests can combine luxury living with wildlife watching.
Also in 2026 in the list: Stay Hawaiian Volcano House In Volcanoes National Park.
An adventure
Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River in the existing The Grand Canyon Chambers says it’s a “once-in-a-lifetime listing.” “There’s no place for a normal travel itinerary; you adjust to the canyon. You wake up, you read the water, you work with the flow. With free online devices, it’s an opportunity to really be in the moment.”
Stargazing in Wairarapa, New Zealand / Aotearoa is another recommended way to connect with the elements next year. “The sky has been there forever, but it’s also having a moment! says Chambers. “Dark skies are becoming more and more popular as more places and parks gain recognition for being able to see the galaxy.
Also on the list in 2026: Hiking and Wild Camping in Tajikistan; explore the swimming trail in Victoria, Australia; cruise on the Mekong River in Vietnam and Cambodia; bike tours in the Batanes Islands of the Philippines.
Animals
Pack your pachyderms with a trip to Namibia’s Etosha National Park. – 2630ben/iStockphoto/Getty Images
Whale and dolphin sightings is “almost guaranteed” in North Atlantic waters Azores, Portugalsays Lonely Planet, and it can be a surprisingly emotional experience. April and early July are the best times to visit.
Namibia is his recommended place track the desert elephants. Be sure to bring long camera lenses and binoculars.
In the meantime, horsemen are invited to consider horseback riding in the Ecuadorian Andes or to ride the Creole Trail through Louisiana.
Also in 2026 in the list: Look for jaguars in the Ibero Marshes, Argentina; to become a citizen scientist in the Amazon, Peru.
Sports and culture
Do you prefer flying kicks or flying cholits? The Lonely Planet sports experience includes attending a Premier League football match in England. The publisher says: “Going to a match is not just about visiting the stadium: it provides a unique window into the country’s passions and
a character you’d be hard-pressed to find doing anything else.”
Cholitalocal women Boliviaare the sports stars of their country wrestling rings. Dressed in traditional long skirts and hats, regular matches are “part acrobatics, part theater,” says Lonely Planet.
Also in 2026 in the list: Visit Eileen Gray’s home in the South of France; Take a deep dive into street art in Bristol, England.
For more CNN news and newsletters, create an account at CNN.com