5 Destinations on My 2026 Travel List — And How I Plan on Getting There

I’ve been reading up on all the travel trends and hottest destinations for 2026, from quietcations to farmcore-inspired getaways, and literally everyone I know is going to Japan.

However, I have my own personal list of places I hope to visit this year. I already have a family points-and-miles vacation planned to Thailand, but there are 365 days in a year, and I want to fill my calendar with more trips.

From Asian glow-ups to Galician culinary adventures and African safaris, here are the spots I hope to see and vacations I hope to take in 2026 (and some tips on how to I’ll get there).

1. A Safari in Kenya

I’ve always wanted to visit Nairobi, mainly because it’s likely the only capital city in the world where you can see giraffes, hippos, lions, impalas, zebras, and rhinos in the wild at Nairobi National Park, which is less than a 30-minute drive from the city.

I want to visit the Giraffe Center, a conservation center just a short drive from Nairobi, as an alternative to staying at the extremely expensive Giraffe Manor.

I’ll continue my Kenya adventure by staying at the JW Marriott Masai Mara, hopefully experiencing the Great Migration (where millions of wildebeest and zebras cross the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem). Finally, I’ve been eyeing the beaches of Watamu for decades, wanting to experience the stunning coral reefs of the Indian Ocean’s waters and a peaceful yoga-inspired stay at Watamu Treehouse.

Getting there from the U.S. is actually fairly simple. There’s a nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Nairobi (NBO) on Kenya Airways, which can be booked using points on SkyTeam partners such as Air France-KLM Flying Blue or Virgin Atlantic Flying Club.

Alternatively, you can fly from various U.S. cities to Nairobi with a stopover in Doha (DOH) on Qatar Airways. Capital One Miles, American Express Membership Rewards, and Citi ThankYou are all transfer partners with Qatar, and award rates start at 42,500 Qatar Avios one-way.

2. Glow-Up in Seoul

I visited Seoul years ago for work, and I fell in love with it. These days, it seems like everyone who goes to South Korea lately looks much better on the way home than they did on the way there.

I want to be one of those people. I’ve been a fan of Korean skincare for years, and the numerous spas, beauty stores, and general glass-skin aesthetic are something I’d love to experience firsthand. TikTok’s viral K-beauty treatments are calling my name, from facials and color analysis to saunas and head spas.

It’ll be fun to revisit the charming, traditional architecture of Bukchon Hanok Village and rediscover the city’s historic temples. When it comes to Seoul hotels, staying at The Shilla Seoul has been on my list for years, thanks to its inviting, beautiful outdoor pool and lounge area.

This would be an excellent trip to do with friends, and it’s relatively simple to get to Seoul, as more than a dozen U.S. airports offer nonstop flights to Seoul (ICN).

Some of the best options are using Atmos Rewards to fly routes like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Seoul one-way starting at 75,000 Atmos Rewards (plus taxes and fees) for American Airlines business class or from cities like Chicago (ORD) or San Francisco (SFO) to Seoul one-way using the same amount of Atmos Rewards but in Korean Air business class.

3. Culinary Adventure in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Spain’s Galicia region is an underrated gem, boasting some of the most stunning landscapes and exceptional seafood and wine. Santiago de Compostela also happens to be the endpoint for the Camino de Santiago, one of the world’s most famous pilgrimages.

The Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is a highlight of the city. It’s reportedly the burial place of the apostle St. James. Because it’s the exact end point of the pilgrimage, the ambience in Obradoiro Square, which overlooks the cathedral, pulses with excitement and energy, which is contagious. You’ll likely see proud pilgrims snapping photos and high-fiving after completing a very long journey.

But my personal favorite part about the city is the delicious, affordable seafood and the fantastic albariño wine. I daydream about lazy afternoons spent buying fresh seafood at the Mercado de Abastos then heading to the market’s restaurants, which will cook the purchased catch right up for you on the spot.

Getting there will be easy starting in May 2026, as United has launched a nonstop flight from Newark (EWR) to Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) 3 times per week on a Boeing 737 MAX 8.

4. Cultural, Seaside Break in Mazatlán

One of my favorite cultural destinations is Mexico City, but it’s been dealing with a surge in tourism lately. Cancun and Los Cabos also feel oversaturated, but Mexico is a massive country where many spots are safe and welcoming for tourists — ones that still retain an authentic Mexican feel.

One of these places is Mazatlán, a beachfront city that’s heavily investing in hotel infrastructure and aviation in hopes of upping tourist numbers. There’s a charming historic town center filled with shops, restaurants, and art galleries, as well as a massive seafront promenade, the Malecón, which is perfect for strolls.

This December, Delta recently launched a new Los Angeles (LAX) to Mazatlán (MZT) route. You can also fly nonstop from hubs like Dallas (DFW) on American Airlines or Houston (IAH) on United Airlines.

I plan to stay with my family at the all-inclusive Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort, where rates start around $350 or 23,000 World of Hyatt points per night. All rooms have an ocean view, and it has a water park that I know my son will love.

5. Lazy Beach Getaway to the Albanian Riviera

Ever since I realized that there was a beach called Lori (my name) Beach on the Albanian Riviera, I’ve wanted to visit my namesake.

Set on Ksamil, a popular town along the Riviera, Lori Beach is known for its turquoise waters and fine white sand. It’s also famous for being exceptionally crowded during the summer months, which is why I’ll be visiting in the shoulder season, the end of May or the beginning of October. The trick is to play around with the dates and visit at the very end or the very beginning of the opening season, when there are fewer crowds; otherwise, everything shuts down and closes for the colder weather.

The area is full of sandy coves, and I also plan to visit Abiori Beach, Paradise Beach, and Puerto Rico Beach. I’d like to do this trip with my husband. Although there are family-friendly beaches, the Albanian Riviera is known for being a party area, and I think that’s a solid excuse for an adults-only, couples getaway.

Getting to Albania from the U.S. requires strategy. Start by getting to Europe as affordably as possible. Perhaps this means securing an Avios deal on Iberia to Madrid, taking advantage of a cheap cash fare on TAP Portugal, or transferring credit card points to Flying Blue to enjoy business class on KLM or Air France.

From there, it’s time to fly to Corfu (CFU) — yes, Greece — bear with me!. Although many full-fare carriers fly there, many low-cost carriers, such as Wizz Air, EasyJet, Ryanair, Eurowings, and Jet2, offer really low prices on round-trip tickets from various European hubs. From there, you can take the ferry to Saranda, Albania (some high-speed options make the trip in just 30 minutes). This is much easier than flying into Tirana (TIA), renting a car, and driving 4 hours to the Riviera.

Final Thoughts

From getting facials in Seoul and lounging on Albanian beaches with which I share a name to seeing lions in the wild 30 minutes outside of a capital city and eating tacos in Sinaloa, my 2026 travel bucket list is varied and exciting.

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make all of these adventures happen, but if I manage to play my points and miles just right, I might be able to. Either way, consider these adventures for your 2026 travels if you’re looking for something different.