Harbour view: Summer is the best time to explore New Zealand’s North Island with easy entry into locations such as Wellington. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Travel trends are flourishing towards a more personal and sustainable approach, reflecting the evolving preferences of travellers. The all-encompassing mood for travel this year is more about choosing stays that engage, with deliberate planning and pleasing aesthetics, and less about ticking destinations off a singular wish list.
It’s great to hear about other people’s adventures, but if you’re inquisitive about what’s out there, seeing it for yourself is the best way to embrace the excitement. Let your dreams take flight in 2026 when you are inspired to explore new places and experiences! Ready to start planning your next getaway?
Some places are poised to offer unforgettable experiences, making them ideal choices for your schedules. Lonely Planet’s senior director, sales and marketing Chris Zeiher sheds some light on destination trends.
Lonely Planet wants Australians to consider travelling to three places in 2026: Take a road trip on New Zealand’s North Island, and discover why Finland is the “happiest place on Earth” and Botswana is one “African nation with a progressive LGBT stance and is a great place to consider a safari”.
Euromonitor International has released its annual City Destinations Index, offering an evidence-based snapshot of the best cities in the world, including the most visited, the top US city and popular destinations.
Popular: The Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) is on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand, which last year was the most visited city in the world — for the second year in a row. Photo: Rama Gaind.
Global head of loyalty at Euromonitor International Nadejda Popova says: “City destinations are entering a pivotal new era, marked by ambitious investment, rapid innovation and the wide-scale integration of AI. As cities compete for visitors, the focus is shifting towards sustainability, resilience and delivering meaningful, personalised experiences.”
The US remains influential in global tourism, with New York City maintaining its rank as the highest-ranked American city (at No. 6 for the second year in a row) on the list of best cities in the world. Los Angeles came next.
For the fifth consecutive year, Paris is ranked as the best city to visit in the world. This maintains its long-running lead at the top of Euromonitor’s rankings. The French capital stands out for its combination of world-class tourism infrastructure, cultural influence and sustainability initiatives.
While Europe leads the rankings, Asian cities continue to strengthen their presence among the best to visit. This year, Tokyo once again stands at No. 3, reflecting Japan’s sustained tourism recovery and long-term investment in infrastructure and connectivity. Singapore, at No. 9, stands out for its economic and business performance. Seoul sits in the No. 10 spot.
For unique experiences and exciting events, venture to Philadelphia, in the US, which is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania will host a year-long anniversary bash with special programming, museum exhibitions and the FIFA World Cup matches. Philadelphia is a vibrant city known for its rich history, diverse culture, delicious food and iconic landmarks.
Celebration: Philadelphia, in the US, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, diverse culture, delicious food and iconic landmarks. Photo: Supplied.
Other destinations include: Kyoto, Japan; Porto, Portugal; Tbilisi, Georgia; Adelaide, Australia; Cairo, Egypt; Mexico City, Mexico; Barcelona, Spain; Dubai, UAE; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
National Geographic’s annual Best of the World feature will inspire you to explore Spain’s Basque Country beyond a total solar eclipse, hike a coast-to-coast trail in South Korea, plan a road trip on America’s iconic Route 66, or celebrate 800 years of maritime history in England.
Regardless of where you’re going or what you’re doing, Smartraveller advises caution when travelling overseas and to be aware of travel guidelines. Many destinations currently have strict entry and exit measures in place. Check the visas and entry and exit requirements for your destination and all your transit locations.
While the cost of an Australian passport rises, its power ranking drops. According to the Henley Passport Index 2026, Australia has slipped to equal-seventh place globally for passport power, down from equal sixth last year.
The Australian passport now has 29 countries ranked ahead of it, up from 20 last year. At the very top sits Singapore, followed closely by Japan and South Korea, and behind them is a dense cluster of European countries including Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland and France. Sitting in equal-sixth place, even New Zealand has beaten us, although it did also drop in rank compared with last year.
As well, the UK has implemented new entry requirements for Australians, particularly for dual citizens. As of 25 February, Aussies will no longer be able to travel to the UK fee-free. Australians with British or Irish citizenship must enter the UK using their British or Irish passport or a Certificate of Entitlement in another valid passport. Australians who are not British or Irish citizens must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before departure.
