Some places are rising quietly. Others are being rediscovered in new ways. From cooler climates and wild coastlines to destinations leading the way in responsible travel, these are the places shaping how people will explore the world in 2026 and beyond.
Many have also been recognised by the likes of the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2026 and the Condé Nast Traveller Awards. But what really sets them apart is how they align with the way people want to travel now. Slower, more thoughtful, and rooted in real experiences rather than headlines.
Canada
Canada continues to draw travellers who want space, nature and a sense of scale that’s hard to find elsewhere. From the Rockies to the wild Pacific coastline, it offers landscapes that feel expansive but deeply grounding.
British Columbia and Alberta have both been recognised by Wanderlust and Lonely Planet for their natural beauty and wildlife, while Vancouver Island was named Best Island in North America by Condé Nast Traveller. For travellers, that recognition reflects something simple. Canada delivers wilderness without spectacle, and experiences that feel immersive rather than rushed. The experience here is best taken at a human pace, through rail journeys, self-drives and Indigenous-led stays that bring real depth to the landscape.
Australia
Australia’s appeal lies in its contrast. Vast deserts and long coastlines, wildlife-rich national parks and cities that celebrate food and culture in equal measure.
It ranked among the most desirable destinations in the Wanderlust Awards and continues to be recognised by Lonely Planet for regions like the Flinders Ranges and the Outback. What draws people back is the freedom Australia offers. Time on the road, space to explore, and experiences that balance adventure with perspective. From coastal self-drives to red-centre journeys, it’s a destination that rewards curiosity.
New Zealand / Aotearoa
New Zealand remains a firm favourite, but the way people experience it is evolving. Rather than rushing to see everything, travellers are slowing down and spending time in fewer places, letting the landscape set the pace.
There’s growing appeal in the quieter details. Rail journeys through volcanic heartlands, off-grid stays like PurePods that place you right inside the environment, and dark skies that reveal a different side to the country once the sun goes down. It’s a destination where adventure and stillness sit comfortably alongside each other, and where time outdoors feels restorative rather than relentless.
For many, New Zealand offers the rare chance to step away from distraction and experience nature in a way that feels both expansive and deeply grounding.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica has long attracted travellers who want to experience nature up close, but it’s the way the country protects what it has that truly sets it apart.
Travelling here means moving through landscapes that feel alive. Rainforests filled with wildlife, cloud forests wrapped in mist, and coastlines where conservation is part of everyday life. Time is often spent outdoors, whether that’s spotting wildlife with local guides, staying in eco-lodges that sit lightly within their surroundings, or taking part in projects that support the land and the communities who care for it.
Costa Rica suits travellers who want their trip to feel purposeful without being prescriptive. It’s a place where adventure, wellbeing and responsibility come together naturally, offering experiences that feel as enriching as they are memorable.
Finland
Finland is often named the world’s happiest country, and spending time here makes it easy to see why. Life moves at a calmer pace, shaped by nature, simplicity and time outdoors.
Travellers are drawn to Finland for the things it does quietly. Long summer days by the lake, winter nights beneath the northern lights, and everyday rituals like sauna and cold water swimming that bring balance to body and mind. From aurora adventures in Muotka to lakeside stays in Lakeland, experiences here encourage people to slow down and reset.
This isn’t happiness as a headline. It’s something felt through space, stillness and the freedom to step away from the noise.
Iceland
Iceland remains one of the world’s most distinctive destinations, defined by elemental landscapes and a strong commitment to sustainable exploration.
Travellers are drawn not just to the drama of glaciers and lava fields, but to the quieter corners. Remote peninsulas, geothermal bathing rooted in nature, and journeys that allow time to understand the land rather than rush through it. Iceland rewards those willing to slow down.
It’s a place that rewards curiosity, patience and a willingness to let the landscape lead.
Norway
Norway offers a sense of space that’s becoming harder to find. Its fjords, Arctic coastlines and mountain landscapes invite a slower way of travelling, where the journey matters as much as the scenery itself.
Travellers are drawn to Norway for experiences that unfold gradually. Coastal voyages that trace the shoreline, island-hopping in the north, and scenic rail routes that reveal the country at a natural pace. Time outdoors plays a central role here, whether that’s walking along quiet coastal paths, watching the light change across the fjords, or travelling through landscapes that feel largely untouched.
For those looking to explore thoughtfully, Norway rewards patience. It’s a place to travel with intention, where simplicity, nature and scale combine to create experiences that stay with you long after you return home.
Plan Your Holiday
Wherever you choose to travel this year or in the future, make sure to book your holiday with an operator you can trust; a company you can rely on 100%. At Discover the World, we’ll do just that.
Browse our itineraries using our Holiday Finder and then get in touch with our experts to create your perfect holiday.
Call our Travel Specialists on 01737 214 250, arrange to visit our office for an in-person chat or send an enquiry.