NEW & NOTEWORTHY

F​​​or travelers chasing what’s new, authentic, and unforgettable, Editor-at-Large Ignacio Maza is always a step ahead. His 2026 hot list spans the globe—from Alberta’s Badlands to Sri Lanka’s tea country, and from Japan’s geothermal baths to Madrid’s new museum openings. Consider this your inside track to next adventures.

During spring and summer, follow Alberta’s Cowboy Trail to Waterton Lakes National Park for spectacular vistas of valleys carpeted with wildflowers. Further north are the sculpted canyons of Alberta’s Badlands, and rare dinosaur fossils at the Royal Tyrrell Museum. Visit Métis Crossing, Alberta’s cultural destination, home to an Indigenous community with their own language and traditions. In autumn, Kananaskis Country puts on dazzling shows of fall foliage and awe-inspiring scenery. Come winter, take advantage of low-season rates in Banff and experience its many outdoor activities, or sleep in a futuristic geodome for amazing views of the night sky, and if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights.

Beyond the popular resorts of Riviera Maya and Tulúm are treasures waiting to be discovered. History enthusiasts will enjoy visiting Cobá, the ancient Maya site dating back to 700 AD, with its carved stone monuments and the Nohoch Mul pyramid—one of Yucatán’s tallest. For eco-adventurers, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve beckons with jaguars, sea turtles, and the Americas’ largest coral reef. Unwind on an overwater hammock at Laguna Bacalar, the 25-mile-long freshwater lagoon near the Belize border or go swimming in the clear waters of Akumal beach. Don’t leave without diving into a cenote, the freshwater sinkholes formed in the limestone and connected to underground waterways.

Stretching over 2,000 miles, this long and narrow country is a land of superlatives. In the North, the stunning Atacama Desert—driest and highest in the world—is home to magical moonscapes and superb stargazing. Fly to Easter Island, the earth’s most isolated inhabited destination and the place to see the enigmatic Moais, giant statues commemorating notable ancestors. In the central region, visit vineyards that produce first-rate Cabernets and Carménères, take in Volcán Osorno (Chile’s version of Mt. Fuji), and feel the energy of Santiago, the country’s capital. Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost region closest to Antarctica, will astonish you with giant glaciers, penguin colonies, and breathtaking panoramas.

Located above the Arctic Circle, Lapland experiences both midnight sun and the Aurora Borealis. And this remote region of Europe is where the Indigenous Sámi people have settled for millennia. The pristine, glorious scenery is perfect for year-round outdoor adventures. I love hiking the trails and boardwalks of Abisko National Park (Lapland at its best) and visiting Gammelstad, the best-preserved church town from the 15th century. For an utterly unique stay, try a deluxe cabin deep in the forest, a glass cube suspended from the trees, a guestroom floating on a river, or Jukkasjärvi’s Ice hotel, rebuilt every year with blocks of ice from the nearby Torne river.

Spain’s effervescent capital city continues to reinvent itself. The recently opened Royal Collections Gallery displays hundreds of objects from the personal collections of Spanish royalty. And art lovers are eagerly awaiting the early 2026 reopening of Museo Sorolla, featuring the work of Joaquín Sorolla, Spain’s beloved artist and undisputed master of light. Madrid is also full of authentic food markets—be sure to explore Mercado de la Paz or Chamartín for delicacies, tapas, or a light lunch. Take a stroll through the grand Parque de El Retiro, a 300-acre park originally open only to royalty. As for the place to stay right now? The Palace Hotel, which looks better than ever after a major renovation.

There is much more to South Africa’s province on the Indian Ocean than temperate climates, great beaches, distinct ecosystems, and exciting safaris. For nature lovers, iSamangaliso Wetland Park is a must. This large lake system is where an abundance of hippos, crocodiles, and rare birds live. Meanwhile, the Drakensberg mountains reward travelers with gorgeous views, challenging hiking trails, and towering peaks. South of Durban, the KwaXolo caves feature prehistoric paintings of the Indigenous San people from 50,000 years ago. Above all, KwaZulu-Natal is the home of the proud Zulu Nation. To experience the community’s warmth and culture, visit the Indlondlo Cultural Village.

Long before the internet, the Silk Road was the world’s first information superhighway. This legendary trade route, stretching from China to Europe, changed the world. And Uzbekistan, star of Central Asia, was the heart of the Silk Road. Here, you can follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Genghis Khan by visiting Samarkand, Khiva, and Bukhara, renowned cities and hubs of art, learning, and commerce. Save time to admire the majestic madrassas, mausoleums, mosques, and forbidding ramparts. In the east, the fertile Fergana Valley is celebrated for traditional Uzbek handicrafts, memorable hikes, and views of snowcapped mountains. Without a doubt, this is one of the world’s last frontiers.

This teardrop-shaped island off the coast of India has so much to offer curious travelers. For starters, there are miles of palm-fringed beaches, eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, diverse wildlife with the highest concentration of leopards found anywhere, emerald mountains, outstanding shopping, and high-quality teas. For a window into the past, visit the archaeological sites of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura, and for fantastic views, climb to the top of the rock fortress complex of Sigiriya. Don’t miss enchanting Galle, the trading post built by Portuguese in the 16th century. Stay at a dreamy resort on Tangalle beach, a tented ecolodge, or in a former planter bungalow on a working tea estate.

Japan’s westernmost island was the country’s gateway to the outside world for centuries. Kyushu is Japan’s Mediterranean, with milder climates and natural wonders like Takachiho Gorge, Yakushima island and its sacred cedars, and the enormous caldera of Mount Aso. Those who enjoy geothermal baths should definitely take in Beppu, a city and spa resort that’s known as the capital of Japanese onsen. Explore Ibusuki, where travelers are covered in naturally heated mineral sands. To understand Japanese history, explore Kumamoto, one of the country’s premier castles, and the city of Dazaifu, seat of government from centuries ago. No Kyushu itinerary is complete without visiting Nagasaki Peace Park, the solemn public space commemorating the atomic bombing of the city during World War II.

Justly famous for its wild beauty and pristine landscapes, Tasmania is Australia’s crown jewel. Roughly half of the island is protected, with unspoiled landscapes as far as the eye can see. Imagine dramatic peaks, glacial carved lakes, glorious beaches and rainforests, and lofty cliffs 1,000 feet over the ocean. Taste Tasmania’s award-winning farm-to-table meals, paired with cool-climate wines and homegrown spirits. The capital city of Hobart is brimming with up-and-coming restaurants, modern art, and its weekly Salamanca craft and produce market. Stay in a wilderness retreat in the mountains or in an ultramodern lodge by the sea. The best way to explore Tasmania’s inaccessible west coast is on a luxury expedition cruise. And my final tip? Always be on the lookout for endemic wildlife, especially the Tasmanian Devil.

If you seek out the unusual in this natural wonderland, you’ll be richly rewarded. Adventure seekers will love driving north on reopened Highway 1 and climbing Cape Reinga’s giant sand dunes that reach over 400 feet high. Dive in the Bay of Islands, swim at Coromandel Peninsula’s Instagram-worthy Cathedral Cove, and hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing for turquoise lakes and phenomenal views. Add a dose of Māori culture to your journey by visiting Wellington’s Te Papa Tongarewa Museum and its Pacific cultures collection or take a Māori-led walk through the Waipoua forest with revered kauri trees that are over 1,000 years old. Lastly, don’t forget to taste the superb wines of Martinborough and Hawke’s Bay regions.