NEW & NOTEWORTHY

T​​​his is what I’m always searching for when I travel: authentic, off-the-beaten-path destinations that surprise me, inspire me, and stay with me. Here are my 10 picks for 2027. I hope they lead you to some great discoveries of your own.

Rich in history and charm, Savannah, Georgia has long been considered the artsy younger sibling of Charleston, South Carolina. Now, the “Hostess City” is coming into its own with a new wave of chic restaurants, hotels, and boutiques. Founded in 1733 by General James Oglethorpe, America’s oldest master-planned city is built around 22 beautiful public squares, many with stately monuments and surrounded by antebellum mansions. (Interesting fact: Johnson and Wright Squares are said to be the most haunted!) Savannah’s storied past is best experienced at the Owens-Thomas & Slave Quarters, Bonaventure Cemetery, and Forsyth Park. Don’t miss Wormsloe State Historic Site, with its impressive avenue of live oaks dripping in Spanish moss. The city’s modern edge is on display at the SCAD Museum of Art and the burgeoning Starland District, where new restaurants like Lucia Pasta Bar and Brochu’s Family Tradition are drawing fans from near and far. Add The Olde Pink House, Marbled & Fin, and Common Thread to your list, and save time for a beach day at Tybee Island, just 25 minutes away.

Remote and rugged, the Marquesas Islands are among the world’s most geographically isolated communities. Recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status for their abundant heritage and biodiversity, the archipelago is marked by striking peaks and sheer cliffs, deep green valleys, black sand beaches, and archaeological sites. Considered the heart of Polynesian civilization, the islands were also the starting point for navigators who discovered Hawai‘i and Easter Island. Horseback rides, hikes, and dives are an ideal way to explore some of the last unspoiled landscapes, while local dishes and warm Polynesian hospitality provide a taste of island life. On Hiva Oa, visit Paul Gauguin’s grave, then sail to Fatu Hiva’s magnificent Bay of Virgins, approachable only by sea.

Stretching some 26,000 miles, the majestic coastline of Atlantic Canada remains one of the country’s more under-the-radar destinations. A land of superlatives, the region boasts the largest concentration of humpback whales in the spring, the oldest Viking settlement in North America, and the world’s highest tides at Bay of Fundy. It also offers some of the freshest seafood, best paired with award-winning Nova Scotian wines. Amazing views and outdoor adventures await at national parks like Gros Morne, Cape Breton Highlands, and Kouchigouguac (home of the Indigenous Mi’kmaq people), while festivals, art, and music reflect the maritime heritage of First Nations, Celts, and Acadians. When in Newfoundland and Labrador, stay at the Michelin-starred Fogo Island Inn, overlooking Iceberg Alley. This design-forward lodge is a community project, with all proceeds going to island residents.

Now closer than ever with new nonstop flights from the United States, Australia’s “WOW” region combines wildlife, outback, and wine. Start in Adelaide, the state’s easygoing capital, with its parks, Central Market, colonial architecture, and Fringe, the second largest annual arts festival in the world. From there, travel to the legendary wine regions of Adelaide Hills, Barossa Valley, and Coonawarra to sip premier vintages. Next up is Kangaroo Island, reached by ferry or air, where large colonies of kangaroos, koalas, and fur seals have earned it a reputation as Australia’s Galápagos. I loved hiking the breathtaking Flinders Ranges in search of Aboriginal rock art, an experience topped off with superb stargazing. I also recommend driving to the Eyre Peninsula, known as Australia’s seafood hub, for quiet beaches and an ocean swim with sea lions.

Colombia brings together a remarkable mix of history, culture, nature, and, yes, some of the world’s finest coffee. Archaeological wonders include the “Lost City” in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains (600 years older than Machu Picchu), and the enigmatic San Agustín, known for its massive stone statues. A river cruise down the Magdalena with AmaWaterways is another incredible way to experience the country, with stops in colonial cities like magical Mompox. On the Caribbean, Cartagena is a UNESCO-listed colonial gem that delighted me with its rich history and irresistible rhythms of Cumbia music. High in the Andes, bustling Bogotá is home to the Museo del Oro, with the largest collection of pre-Hispanic golden treasures. After days of exploring, the beaches of Tayrona National Park and San Andrés provide the perfect place to unwind.

Northern Morocco, where Africa meets Europe, is crowned by the cosmopolitan city of Tangier. This bohemian enclave, the only city with both Atlantic and Mediterranean shores, has long attracted diplomats, spies, and artists, from Henri Matisse to The Rolling Stones. Explore the superbly preserved medina and whitewashed Andalusian-style architecture in the nearby city of Tétouan, along with Chefchaouen, a hillside fantasia of alleyways, homes, and doors painted in picturesque shades of blue. Beyond the cities, the calm Mediterranean beaches invite a swim, while Talassemtane National Park is a wonderful place for hiking, waterfalls, and mountain scenery. Berber, Islamic, and Spanish influences add to the cultural mix along the way. New five-star hotels in this region include the restored Fairmont Tazi Palace in Tangier and Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, an opulent beachside retreat.

Landlocked, sparsely populated, and roughly the size of Alaska, Mongolia is one of the last places where nomadic life remains part of everyday culture. This untamed country of endless grasslands, northern boreal forests, and legendary horsemen was the birthplace of Genghis Khan, ruler of the world’s largest empire during the Middle Ages. Begin in the vibrant capital of Ulaanbaatar, lined with palaces, markets, and monasteries. Beyond the city, visit the vast Gobi Desert with its shifting sand dunes, roaming Bactrian camels, and Khövsgöl—Mongolia’s deepest and largest lake nicknamed the “blue pearl.” While in the Altai region, meet eagle hunters, sleep in a traditional yurt, and be on the lookout for snow leopards. Although the country feels a world away, new United Airlines service via Tokyo is putting it within closer reach.

Closed to the outside world for centuries, Bhutan is the most authentic surviving Himalayan kingdom still in existence. Its terrain ranges from subtropical rainforest to snowy peaks higher than Denali, while ancient temples and monasteries speak to a strong Buddhist heritage. A few of my highlights included visiting the imposing Punakha Dzong in the country’s former capital, as well as Paro Taktsang Goemba (“Tiger’s Nest”), the cliffside monastery—considered the country’s holiest site—perched at 10,000 feet above sea level. For an even richer journey, head into the lesser-known Gangtey and Bumthang valleys and walk in the footsteps of pilgrims and traders along the 16th-century Trans Bhutan Trail, which recently reopened after an extensive renovation. And there’s yet another reason to visit Bhutan in 2027: The new Gelephu International Airport, expected to open in 2029, will accommodate wide-body aircraft for the first time, potentially bringing tens of thousands of additional visitors to the kingdom. Now is the time to still have it to yourself.

Discovered over 600 years ago by Portuguese navigators, the Madeira Islands are a place of spectacular vistas, soaring peaks, astonishing sea cliffs, and mild, spring-like weather year-round. Take a new direct flight from New York to Madeira and start your visit in Funchal, the main island’s capital. Here, you’ll find terrific views, a charming historic district, gorgeous gardens, bustling markets, and Monte Toboggan, the famous downhill ride in a traditional basket-like sled. Other uniquely Madeiran experiences include walking along the levadas (centuries-old irrigation channels), swimming in the rock pools of Porto Moniz, and hiking up to Pico de Arieiro to catch the sunrise high above the clouds. Relax on the six-mile stretch of golden beaches at Porto Santo. And don’t miss the classic beef and seafood dishes, accompanied by the islands’ best fortified wines—varieties that were even a favorite of George Washington!

With new nonstop air service from New York, Italy’s wild island is now an easy escape. For the clearest ocean waters and most pristine beaches, head to La Maddalena archipelago and Orosei, and be sure to soak up the glamour in chic Costa Smeralda, developed by Prince Karim Aga Khan IV in the 1960s. Historic cities like Olbia and Cagliari carry the legacy of Greeks, Phoenicians, Romans, and Catalans, while mysterious Nuraghi—cone-shaped towers dating back to the Bronze Age—offer a glimpse into Sardinia’s ancient past. At the table, local specialties such as pane carasau (flatbread as thin as “sheet music”) pair beautifully with Vermentino and Cannonau wines. Inland, winding roads lead through small, mountainous villages, a region identified as the first Blue Zone, a home of vibrant centenarians.