I've visited 120 countries. These are the best places to travel in 2026.

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

After visiting more than 120 countries, I still believe that travel is one of the most real ways to understand the world. By 2026, these are the destinations I would recommend the most: places where nature, culture, and transformative experiences are truly felt.

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands)

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

A woman poses for photographs at the Tegallalang rice terraces near Ubud in Bali on November 5, 2025. (Photo by Mladen ANTONOV / AFP) (Photo by MLADEN ANTONOV/AFP via Getty Images)

Indonesia is more than Bali; it is one of the most comprehensive countries in the world.

In Borneo, seeing orangutans in their natural habitat reminds you of the real importance of conservation. In Flores, active volcanoes, traditional villages, and unrealistically blue seas create a unique cultural and natural journey. Further west, Lombok offers volcanoes such as Rinjani, the Sasak culture, spectacular waterfalls, and tranquil beaches without the mass tourism of Bali. And nearby, the Gili Islands (especially Gili Air and Gili Meno) are a paradise of turquoise waters, sea turtles and a leisurely atmosphere that almost doesn't exist in Southeast Asia anymore.

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

TOPSHOT - Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki erupts as seen from Pululera village in East Flores, in Nobo on May 19, 2025. A volcano in eastern Indonesia erupted on May 19, spewing an ash cloud more than a kilometre high after authorities raised the country's highest alert level. (Photo by ARNOLD WELIANTO / AFP) (Photo by ARNOLD WELIANTO/AFP via Getty Images)

  • What to see: Tanjung Puting, Kelimutu, Komodo, Rinjani, Tiu Kelep, Sendang Gile, Gili Air and Gili Meno.
  • Best season: May to October for Lombok and Gili; June to September for Borneo and Flores.

You must go because it combines conservation, living culture, volcanoes, dreamy beaches and some of the most special experiences in the world.

9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari)

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

Visitors look at African Penguins from a viewing deck at the Boulders penguin colony, which is a popular tourist destination, in Simon's Town, near in Cape Town, on November 1, 2024. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has changed the African Penguin from Endangered to Critically Endangered. (Photo by RODGER BOSCH / AFP) (Photo by RODGER BOSCH/AFP via Getty Images)

South Africa is much more than Kruger National Park.

A distinct route starts in Cape Town, exploring the vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, and continues on to Samara and the Great Karoo, where conservation is serious and transformative. From there, you can fly to Kimberley and head up to the Kalahari, where reserves like Tswalu offer a deep, intimate, and sustainable safari. Initiatives such as Working With Wildlife operate in the region, which support communities and species preservation.

  • What to see: Samara, Karoo National Park, Cape Vineyards and the Kalahari.
  • Best season: May to September.

You must go because South Africa is a complete universe of gastronomy, deserts, mountains and real conservation.

8. Fiji

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

TOPSHOT - Traditional dancers in grass skirts welcome holidaymakers in Nadi on December 1, 2021, as Fiji opens its borders to international travellers for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic swept the globe and devastated its tourism-reliant economy. (Photo by Leon LORD / AFP) (Photo by LEON LORD/AFP via Getty Images)

Fiji is culture, hospitality, and pure nature. In the inland villages, the kava ritual is experienced, a ceremony that connects with Fijian roots.

  • What to see: Yasawa, Viti Levu and Monuriki.
  • Best season: May to October.

You must go because it combines perfect beaches with a deeply authentic culture.

7. Easter Island, Chile

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

View of Moais -- stone statues of the Rapa Nui culture -- in Easter Island, 3700 km off the Chilean coast in the Pacific Ocean, on August 5, 2022. The ancestors warned about it, but in the frenzy of tourism, they ignored the advice until the pandemic arrived. Isolated and closed off, Chile's Easter Island has become almost self-sustaining, and now that tourism is back, they are looking to preserve it along with caring for its iconic moai. (Photo by PABLO COZZAGLIO / AFP) (Photo by PABLO COZZAGLIO/AFP via Getty Images)

Rapa Nui is one of the most enigmatic places in the world. Its moai, its history and its isolation make it a deeply spiritual and cultural experience. Every February, the Tapati is celebrated, an ancestral festival where the island revives its traditions with competitions, dances, art and unique celebrations.

  • What to see: Ahu Tongariki, Rano Raraku, Anakena, Orongo and Tapati.
  • Best season: February for the festival, or April to December for stable weather.

You must leave because there is no place in the world with such a strong cultural identity and such an impressive archaeological legacy.

6. Georgia

Georgia combines history, alpine nature and a gastronomy that surprises anyone.

  • What to see: Tbilisi, Stepantsminda, Ushguli and Kakheti.
  • Best season: May to October.

You must go because it offers the essence of the Caucasus with identity and affordable prices.

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

5. The Dolomites, Italy

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

The Three Peaks of Lavaredo (Drei Zinnen, Tre Cime di Lavaredo), a UNESCO-listed trio of Alpine cliffs, are pictured on January 20, 2021 in Dobbiaco (Toblach) in the Dolomitic Alps. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)

One of the most beautiful regions in the world.

  • What to see: Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Lago di Braies lake, Seceda mountain and Alpe di Siusi.
  • Best season: June to September.

You should go for its spectacular views, alpine villages and iconic routes.

4. Madeira, Portugal

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

A picture taken on April 30, 2016 shows a landscape on the Madeira island. / AFP / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA (Photo credit should read PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA/AFP via Getty Images)

Madeira will experience a historic year with the reopening of the PR1 trail (Pico do Areeiro to Pico Ruivo) in April 2026, one of Europe's most impressive routes.

  • What to see: Renovated PR1 Vereda do Areeiro hiking trail, Pico Ruivo peak, Cabo Girão cliff, levadas and the traditional carreiros.
  • Best season: April to October.

You must go for its mountains, culture, exuberant nature and spectacular gastronomy.

3. Rwanda

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

A general view of the wetlands in the Rugezi Marsh, on April 22, 2025. White wings flashing in the sunlight, conservationist Olivier Nsengimana points out Rwanda's grey crowned cranes in the Great Lakes nation's wetlands, where the migratory birds have made an extraordinary comeback. Their resurgence is thanks to the veterinarian and former gorilla doctor's work protecting their natural habitat in a country better known for its misty peaks than damp swamps. The sprawling Rugezi swamp has become a refuge for the grey crowned cranes, which stand some 1.2 metres tall and have a wingspan of over two metres. (Photo by Paloma Laudet / AFP) (Photo by PALOMA LAUDET/AFP via Getty Images)

Rwanda is a global example of conservation.

  • What to see: Volcanoes National Park, Akagera National Park — where species such as lions have been rehabilitated — and the Niyo Cultural Center in Kigali.
  • Best season: June to September.

You must go because it is a transformative journey that directly supports local communities.

2. Slovenia

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

A view of Lake Bled taken from the Straza hills overlooking the city of Bled, in the foothills of the Julian Alps on February 11, 2021. - Bled hosts the Biathlon World Championship in nearby ski resort of Pokljuka. (Photo by JOE KLAMAR / AFP) (Photo by JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)

Slovenia is the quiet jewel of the Alps.

  • What to see: Lake Bled, Soča Valley, Triglav National Park, Ljubljana and Postojna.
  • Best season: May to September.

You must go because it offers top-notch European nature without the crowds.

1. Puerto Rico

10. Indonesia (Borneo, Flores, Lombok and Gili Islands), 9. South Africa (Vineyard Route, Karoo and Kalahari), 7. Easter Island, Chile, 6. Georgia, 5. The Dolomites, Italy, 4. Madeira, Portugal, 3. Rwanda, 2. Slovenia, 1. Puerto Rico

RIO GRANDE, PUERTO RICO - MARCH 09: A general view of the first fairway with the El Yunque Mountain and National Rainforest beyond during the final round of the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com held at Trump International Golf Club on March 9, 2014 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Michael Cohen/Getty Images)

Puerto Rico is experiencing a unique cultural rebirth. Beyond San Juan, the chinchorreo in the center of the island is a true cultural experience.

  • What to see: El Yunque, Culebra, Ponce, Ruta del Café and the west.
  • Best season: December to May.

Wilson "Wil" Santiago Burgos is the founder of Mochileando.com, one of the largest travel platforms in Puerto Rico and the Latin American market in the U.S.

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