Travel planning for 2026 is here and we are sharing 10 places we think you should visit in 2026, 2027 and beyond! These are based off our experiences travelling, and all of these 10 listings are places we would happily return to in the future. We hope this list fuels your wanderlust, and we have included some relevant guides to further aid your travel planning. Additionally, at the bottom we share our ideal destinations over the coming 2026 period.
Lofoten Islands – Norway
WHEN: Europe summer for the best weather (but busiest crowds). In particular, early July is the best to see the famous midnight sun. If you want to avoid crowds, shoulder season months like May/September are okay, or winter for the northern lights.
WHY: Otherworldly landscapes, stunning views, iconic hikes, cute fishing villages, clean crisp air.. it’s somewhere unlike many places you have visited. We would return in a heartbeat and can safely say Lofoten Islands are one of our favourite places in the world.
LEARN MORE: see our Lofoten Islands road trip itinerary here!
Cusco – Peru
WHEN: Dry season is May – October, but this is busy season and doesn’t match summer in southern South America (e.g. Argentina). We visited in January and found it a good time to visit if you are happy with varied temperatures. Note – February is closure of the Inca trail.
WHY: Cusco is a city that offers almost everything.. beautiful views (tick – you’ll need to climb the many stairs to get there), day trips (yes! think Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu etc), history (iconic history, walking tours are a must), cuisine, friendly locals.. there’s lots to do and see. We loved using Cusco as a base to explore the region.
LEARN MORE: see our Cusco guide here for tips and tricks!
Lake Bled – Slovenia
WHEN: spring, summer, autumn – all of these would be lovely.
WHY: Postcard views, cute lakeside holiday vibes, close proximity to hiking regions.. Lake Bled is gorgeous and we will definitely return.
LEARN MORE: see our Lake Bled guide here.
Wanaka – New Zealand
WHEN: Wanaka would always be a good idea, but after visiting in autumn, where the region bursts with colour, we’d highly recommend this season.
WHY: Can you tell we like mountain towns? Wanaka is a lovely mix of ‘ourdoor/active destination’ combined with the New Zealand “relaxed attitude” that we admire. Add in picturesque views, great hikes, cute coffee shops and wine bars.. plus it’s not that far from Queenstown airport.
LEARN MORE: see why we loved Wanaka here!
The Balkans
WHEN: summer is perfect, but shoulder season also works!
WHY: The Balkans has an incredible coastline (think Croatia, Montenegro, Albania), lots of history, many unexplored or less popular regions, increasingly popular hiking (Albania, Montenegro), a gorgeous lake region (think Lake Ohrid).. there’s lots to offer, it’s a little less popular than western Europe (and while increasing cost – still less expensive).
LEARN MORE: see our guide to the Balkans!
Cappadocia – Turkey
WHEN: “high season” of June to August is often the best for bankable hot air balloon experiences.
WHY: Is it worth the hype? Yes! Add it to your bucket list! Allow 3 days, and be prepared for the difficult travel, but we think it is such a unique spot and something you will remember forever. Make sure to read our guide for tips on seeing and riding the hot air baloons.
LEARN MORE: our detailed Cappadocia guide here!
Provence Region – South of France
WHEN: spring in Provence is a lovely time, everything is green, flowers blooming, and less crowds. However those wanting lavender season should visit in mid-June to mid-July.
WHY: Gorgeous hilltop towns, top French wines, lots of day trip options, great cuisine.. there’s lots to love about this region. We will definitely return in the future!
LEARN MORE: see our guide to Gordes – our favourite town in the region.
Sicily
WHEN: Shoulder season in Europe – think May / September.
WHY: Visit Sicily for warm shoulder season months (extend your summer!), incredible Italian food, more “authentic experiences”, cute coastal towns.. we just love Sicily. Make sure you head beyond just visiting the popular Taormina, visit towns like Cefalu, Ragusa, Syracuse, Aeolian islands and more!
LEARN MORE: see our guide to the gorgeous Cefalu – as must visit!
Poland
WHEN: Europe summer – escape the crowds in western Europe and enjoy lovely weather.
WHY: Home to charming old cities with lots of variety. From the mountain hiking town of Zakopane to the coastal gem of Gdansk, Poland has a lot to offer. The cities feel safe, the coffee scene is excellent, and the artsy districts are booming in many cities. Definitely a great alternative to busy western European cities.
LEARN MORE: see some of our Poland guides here.
El Chalten (& Patagonia as whole)
WHEN: Summer in Patagonia (December-Feb) – this brings warmer temperatures, longer days for outdoor adventures, and less wind/rain (still be prepared for a range of weather conditions).
WHY: Lovers of outdoor landscapes, stunning hikes, cute mountain towns and road trips will love Patagonia. El Chalten has such a charm to it, and the visitors have a similar ethos. It holds a special place in our heart and we can’t wait to return.
LEARN MORE: see our El Chalten guide here!
Our 2026 and 2027 travel wanderlust and hit list?
For those that haven’t stayed up to date with our recent news, 2 Cups of Travel will soon look a little bit like “2.5 Cups of Travel” – see the exciting family news here! Does this mean will stop travelling? Absolutely not! In fact, one of the things we are looking forward to most are having shared memories and travel experiences as a family. The list below are some of the locations we are excited to try and visit over the coming years.
- Japan – high on our list. Culture, food, close to Australia, safe, good healthcare system, lots of good running events (yes, Ky is obsessed).
- Fiji – while Tess has been as a kid, we are keen to use the proximity to Fiji as a way of enjoying a tropical holiday without the travel effort.
- Malta – we have attempted to fit Malta into travel itineraries many times, however it just hasn’t quite worked. We are keen to make this happen.
- Tasmania – it’s almost a shame how close we live to Tasmania and haven’t made this work. It’s high on the list.
- South Korea – can you tell we are excited to visit some Asian culture after our ‘Europe-heavy’ few years of travel.
- Finland – the one Scandinavian country we didn’t get to remains high on our list. Sauna by an arctic fjord.. yes please!
- And there’s heaps more – we’d love to get back to Greek Islands, explore more of Germany, Canada is on our list, Tess needs to tick off San Sebastian, Oceania is calling.. we can’t wait! Follow our travel adventures on Instagram @2cupsoftravel or subscribe below.
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