Usually by the time December rolls around, I’ve already started planning my 2026 trips. But for some reason I was feeling pretty indecisive this year! So I decided to spend a few weeks going down a bit of a research rabbit hole. I read what felt like a million articles on online travel magazines and looked for similarities between them and places I found trending on social media. From there I pulled together a list of the top destinations that I’d want to visit myself! For each destination you’ll find attractions, restaurants, and hotel options that I’d include in my own future trip itinerary. Unfortunately I still can’t decide where I want to go the most! Just an FYI: I’m definitely more of a city girl, so if you’re looking for nature and adventure this may not be the list for you.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico’s capital will see a surge in visitors in 2026, thanks in major part to it’s role as one of the host cities of the FIFA World Cup. The competition’s opening match will be held at Estadio Azteca, the largest stadium in Latin America, on June 11th. Other major professional sporting events being held in the city in 2026 include: the MLB Mexico City series and LIV Golf tournament in April, an F1 Race the weekend of Oct 29th, and the NFL is resuming its international series here too (game date TBD).
There’s still plenty to do even if you’re not a sports fan. Enjoy the outdoors and cities with lots of green space? Then you’ll love Chapultepec Park, one of the largest urban parks in the western hemisphere. It’s nearly double the size of New York’s Central Park! Mexico City boasts a world-renowned, diverse food culture. You’ll find options on both sides of the spectrum: from a thriving street food scene to acclaimed fine-dining restaurants. Art can also be found throughout the city, both in museums and streetside murals.
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Visit the Frida Kahlo Museum and National Anthropology Museum
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Take a ride on the Cablebús, an aerial cable car system
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Explore Chapultepec Park and the Castle
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Take a day trip to the Teotihuacan pyramid complex, located north of the city
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Check out the exhibitions or catch a performance at the Palacio de Bellas Artes
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: Agua & Sal, Maximo, Contramar, Taverna, MeroToro, Taqueria Orinoco
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Coffee Shops: CUMBÉ Coffee Roasters, Borel, Quintalito Cafe, Cardinal, Almanegra
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Food Tour: Historic Center Food Tour
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Hotel Options:
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Roma Norte neighborhood: Hotel Luca
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Polanco neighborhood: Hyatt Regency Mexico City
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Reykjavík, Iceland
Iceland’s capital city has been on my to-visit list for a while now, even though I’m generally not a cold-weather destination girl. On average, even during the summer months the warmest it gets is around 58°F! While the city has plenty to explore on it’s own, it also makes for a great base camp for exploring the rest of the country! It’s an especially great destination for anyone looking to explore the natural world, including the Northern Lights. While they can be best seen from the northern part of the island, there are many guided tours that originate in Reykjavík. And when you want to get out of the cold for a little bit, make your way to one of the famous/popular geothermal spas. Just don’t dunk your hair under the water!
Another time-sensitive natural phenomenon to check out in 2026: on August 12th a total solar eclipse will occur in Iceland for the first time since 1954. It’ll also be the first time a total eclipse will be visible in the capital city since the 1400s!
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Relax at a geothermal spa like Sky Lagoon or Blue Lagoon
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Stop by the Hallgrímskirkja Church for a few photos
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Go snorkeling between two tectonic plates
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Visit the National Museum of Iceland and the Maritime Museum
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: ÓX Restaurant, Skál!, OTO, Sandholt, and Skreið
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Bars: Vínstúkan Tíu Sopar, Jungle Cocktail Bar, Daisy, and Einstök Bar
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Coffee Shops: Reykjavik Roasters, Kaffi Ó-le, and Mokka Kaffi
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Food Tour: Reykjavik Food Walk
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Hotels:
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3-Star Option: Hotel Frón
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4-Star Option: Hotel Reykjavík Saga
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Cairo and Giza, Egypt
Like many people, visiting the the pyramids has been a travel bucket list item for me for as long as I can remember. And a trip to the Cairo area is even more tempting now that The Grand Egyptian Museum has finally opened in Giza! After being initially proposed in 1992, construction began in 2005. But because of a myriad of delays, including COVID, it didn’t open until November of 2025. Egypt is a great option for travelers looking to get the most out of a smaller budget and avoid European crowds. It’s also a year-round destination, with temperatures in the coldest months only getting down to 50 degrees on average.
To make your trip a little less hectic, I’ve seen a number of people recommend getting a hotel in Giza for a night or two around when you want to visit the pyramids.
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Nile: either private or in a group with a show!
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See the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphynx at the Giza Plateau
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Go shopping in the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar
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Explore the Citadel of Cairo at the top of the Mokattam hill
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: Fasahet Somaya, Andrea El Mariouteya, Zööba, Sachi, Naguib Mahfouz Cafe
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Bars: Pub 28, Carol Bar, El Horreya Cafe, Aqua Rooftop, and Cap D’or
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Coffee Shops: Al-Yemeni Cafe, Holm Cafe, 30 North, Seven Fortunes, and Bouchee
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Hotel Options:
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Giza: Great Pyramid Inn
Hanoi, Vietnam
I unfortunately haven’t visited any countries in Asia yet, in part because of how long it takes to travel there from the East Coast of the United States. If I were to decide to endure that 22+ hour travel day, Hanoi would be one of the top contenders. Vietnam’s capital and most populous city is known for it’s street food, historic temples, and of course the cafes situated along the famous Train Street.
Similar to Reykjavík, Hanoi is a the perfect base camp for if you’re looking to take day trips to other destinations in northern Vietnam as well. Just be sure to avoid the summer rainy season, which peaks in July and August.
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Get up close and personal on the Train Street
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Do some shopping in the Old Quarter
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Take a walk around Hoàn Kiếm Lake
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Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex and the Temple of Literature
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Day trips: Ninh Binh, Perfume Pagoda, Ha Long Bay Cruise, Cuc Phuong National Park
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: Banh Mi 25, T.U.N.G Dining, Bun Cha Ta, Luk Lak, A Bản Mountain Dew
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Coffee Shops: The Note Coffee, Tranquil, Dream Beans, Visty Flag On, Refined
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Hotel Options:
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3-Star Option: Carillon Boutique Hotel
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4-Star Option: Eliana Signature Hanoi Hotel
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Istanbul, Türkiye
While many people still call it Turkey, the country officially changed its name to Türkiye in 2022. Istanbul is Türkiye’s largest city, and a major hub for cuisine, history, and culture in the country. Thanks to its location straddeling two continents, it’s practically two different cities in one. The European side, which is more catered to tourism, and the Asian side, which is more for the locals, are divided by the Bosphorus straight.
A big draw over the last few years has been medical tourism. People travel to Istanbul from all over the world for medical, dental, or cosmetic procedures (especially hair transplants). I don’t know about you, but my feed lately has been inundated with videos of people flying to Istanbul for a barrage of procedures, because it’s cheaper than getting them done back home!
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Visit the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque
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Go shopping in the Grand Bazaar and Spice Market
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Take a cruise on the Bosphorus straight
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Explore Topaki Palace and the Basilica Cistern
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Visit a Hammam, aka a Turkish bathhouse
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: Çiya Sofrası, Yeni Lokanta, Turk Fatih Tutak, Loti Restaurant, Reşat Efendi
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Bars: Upperist (for views), FLEKK, Mathilda’s Cocktail Bar, Just Bar, Tavern
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Coffee Shops: Coffee No 4, Ehli Keyf Cafe, daRoute Coffee, and Caffe Dell Arte
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Hotel Options:
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3-Star Option: HaciBayram Hotel
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4-Star Option: Aprilis Deluxe Hotel
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Mendoza Wine Country, Argentina
Did you know Argentina is the 5th largest producer of wine in the world? I didn’t! I recently discovered a few Argentine wines at a local wine bar and now I want to know more. Located on the western side of the country, a few hours from the border with Chile, is the Mendoza wine region. Around 60% of all the wine produced in Argentina comes from this region. While it’s mainly known for its Malbec (a fruity red), you’ll also find a number of other popular varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m not usually crazy about red wines myself, but I’m trying to expand my palate. Mendoza is also a major foodie destination: along with a number of highly rated eateries, coffee shops, and wineries, the area also has four 1-star Michelin restaurants!
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Take a small-group wine tour or plan a self-guided wine tasting
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Visit Termas Cacheuta: Hot Spring & Spa
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Day trip to Aconcagua Provincial Park and the Andes Mountains
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Visit the National Museum of Wine
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Begin or end the trip with a 2-night stay in Santiago, Chile
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: Azafran, Los Bocheros, Abrasado, Cocina Gardenia, Soberana, Centauro
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Wineries (Bodegas): Kaiken, Casa Vigil, Ojo de Agua, Susana Balbo, Ruca Malen, Alfa Crux
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Coffee Shops: El Triciclo, Fran Coffee Makers, Cabrita, Modesto Godoy, Margarita Cafe
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Hotel Options:
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Mendoza City: Casa Lila
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Chacras de Coria: Casa de Coria
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Uco Valley: Casa de Uco Vineyards & Wine Resort
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Chicago, Illinois
In 2025, Conde Nast Traveler named Chicago the Best Big City in the US for the 9th year in a row and yet I’ve still never been! Situated off the southwest side of Lake Michigan, Chicago is a city known for its diverse food scene, the extensive waterway system, and being the birthplace of modern architecture. I’ve personally wanted to go since watching Shameless, and then later the Bear (so maybe because of Jeremy Allen White?).
If you’re planning to visit the Windy City in 2026 there are a number of special events in store, including: the city is set to host UNESCO’s International Jazz Day on April 30th, festivities for the 100th anniversary of Route 66 (which starts in downtown Chicago), and the Obama Presidential Center is opening in June.
Things I’d Include on My Own Itinerary
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Attractions:
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Take some photos at Cloud Gate in Millennium Park, aka The Bean!
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Head to the top of Willis Tower to stand on the Ledge at Skydeck
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Take an architecture cruise tour or paddle a kayak on the river
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Spend a day playing games, riding rides, shopping, and dining at the Navy Pier
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Learn about Chicago’s gangster-filled past with a crime and mob bus tour
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Catch a baseball game at Wrigley Field (but only if the Cubs are playing the Phillies!)
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Food/Drink:
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Restaurants: Girl & The Goat, Kumiko, Bavette’s, Aba, Willow Room, Tortello, Giant
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Coffee Shops: Sawada, Four Letter Word, Ludlow Charlingtons, Coffee Lab, Side Practice
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Hotel Options:
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3-Star Option: Hampton Inn & Suites Chicago-Downtown
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4-Star Option: Sable at Navy Pier, Curio Collection by Hilton
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Where would you most like to travel in 2026? Let me know in the comments!
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