At Lonely Planet, traveling the world isn’t just what we do – it’s who we are. Here, every catch-up somehow turns into a chat about our latest adventures and the ones we’re planning. That same spirit fuels our just-released Best in Travel list for 2026, a celebration of those life-affirming connections that make a journey unforgettable.
This year’s list features 50 amazing places and experiences (and trips you can take with Lonely Planet Journeys) lovingly compiled, written and edited by our team of global travel experts. You’ll find familiar favorites, such as Phuket and Mexico City, as well as off-the-beaten-path places like Réunion Island and North Dakota’s Theodore Roosevelt National Park, all begging to be explored.
Here’s to a year of travel that grounds us, surprises us, fulfills us and alters us. Dive into the list, see what calls out to you, and make your plans.
Who knows, maybe we’ll bump into you somewhere along the way.
