Dream Destinations for 2026

If you're thinking about where to travel this year, you're not short of options. A few destinations are standing out in 2026 for different reasons — some for value, some for scenery, some because they're genuinely easier to get to than they used to be. Here's what's worth your attention.

Japan

The yen has stayed favorable for Western travelers, which makes Japan unusually good value right now. Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the obvious anchors, but the countryside between them is where the trip gets interesting. Rent a car for a few days and drive the mountain roads between Takayama and Kanazawa. Book accommodation early — the good ryokans fill up months ahead.

Portugal's Alentejo Region

Lisbon gets the attention, but the Alentejo is where people who've already been to Lisbon go next. Rolling cork forests, whitewashed villages, and some of the best wine in the country at a fraction of what you'd pay in the Douro. It's quiet in a way that's hard to find in Europe anymore, and the food is straightforward and good.

Colombia

Medellín and Cartagena have been on the radar for a few years, but the coffee region — the Eje Cafetero — is still undervisited. Salento is the base most people use: a small town with colorful buildings, good coffee farms within walking distance, and the Cocora Valley a short jeep ride away. Flights from the US are direct and reasonably priced.

North Idaho

Worth saying plainly: Coeur d'Alene and the surrounding area is one of the better domestic trips you can take in 2026. The lake is genuinely beautiful, the summers are warm without being brutal, and the crowds are still manageable compared to more obvious Pacific Northwest destinations. If you're looking for a long weekend or a full week with the family, it holds up.

We manage properties across the area and are happy to help you find the right fit for your trip.