'A gem hiding in plain sight': Experts unveil the best places to go in 2026 - including two Aussie icons
Travel experts have rounded up an inspiring list of places to go in 2026.
Two Australian spots have made it onto the rundown by publication Conde Nast Traveller.
Read on to see the hottest places to holiday next year.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls might be an ancient natural phenomenon, but now is the time to go.
The publication hails the "adventure, culture, and conservation experiences" on offer in the destination.
It also recommends staying at one of the new luxury hotels, including Anantara's first Zimbabwean resorts and Stanley & Livingstone Victoria Falls.
Uluru, Australia
The spiritual heart of Australia for the indigenous people, Uluru has been attracting global visitors for decades.
However, with the Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk which link of Kata Tjuṯa with Uluru opening in April, 2026, there are new offerings to explore.
A new Intrepid tour also "offers another route into the stories and landscapes that define the heart of the country," Conde Nast said.
The spectacular Field of Light show has also had a revamp.
Gorenjska, Slovenia
Solvenia is having a moment, and Conde Nast Traveller has named one particular region of the country to see.
Gorenjska or the Upper Carniola region is home to one of the most famous sights, Lake Bled as well as fairy-tale villages.
It called the nation "a gem hiding in plain sight".
The hippest place to stay will be the Kneipp NaturHotel Snovik, will will become Slovenia's highest-altitude thermal spa hotel in June.
Udaipur, India
New luxury hotels and a sense of urban renewal are reasons to visit Udaipur in Rajasthan, India, editors said.
They flag Fairmont Udaipur Palace as one of the most sumptuous new places to stay, while the more affordable Udaipur Marriott Hotel also got a nod.
Saint-Gervais-les-Bains, France
If you dream of chugging through the Alps on a train, the Mont Blanc Express, a century-old railway between Saint-Gervais-les-Bains' Le Fayet and Martigny, will unveil a new fleet of energy-efficient trains next year.
The town also has a new gondola link to the train station.
Saadiyat Island, UAE
Abu Dhabi already has a branch of The Louvre on Saadiyat Island.
But also on the way in the Emirate are Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will also welcome visitors in 2026, making the city a cultural hub of the Middle East, and an ideal stop over.
Route 66, USA
The most famous road in the USA and perhaps the world runs from LA to Chicago.
In 2026 it marks 100 years, with celebrations planned along the iconic near-4000-kilometre route.
"A trip along the Mother Road invites nostalgia for the past but also consideration of how history has been told," Conde Nast said.
Prince Edward County, Canada
Dubbed "a newer wine region with an old soul," this area is a long weekend hub for holidaymakers from Toronto and Montreal.
But it's set to grow on the wider travel radar and is "coming into its own for the past decade as a hotspot for boutique hotels, small family-run wineries, and world-class restaurants," Conde Nast said.
Potosí, Bolivia
Head to this part of the South American nation for "a big-deal lodge opening, luxe experiences amid otherworldly landscapes," the experts said.
While the area is home to the famous Salar de Uyuni salt flats, there's plenty more to see. Other natural wonders include red salt lake, Laguna Colorada.
Plus, better infrastructure is making it easier to visit.
