National Geographic, one of the biggest names in travel, has issued a list of 26 top places to visit next year, and Canadian destinations scored big.
Banff was named Readers Choice destination for next year in the magazine’s 2026 hot spot list, while Nat Geo editors put the province of Quebec and the city of Vancouver on their list. Also making the charts were Maui, Australia’s most famous Outback destination, Manila, Rio de Janeiro, the Caribbean island of Dominica, Route 66 in Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, and the Dolomites and Milan in Italy.
Here’s a closer look, with comments from Nat Geo.
BANFF: “It’s no surprise that Banff, Alberta, is our Readers’ Choice Winner for Best of the World 2026. This stunning alpine jewel achieves what few destinations can: a perfect harmony between cosmopolitan energy and untamed nature, where you can sip locally roasted artisan coffee on Banff Avenue one moment and spot a wandering grizzly bear the next.”
The patio at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. Jim Byers Photo
VANCOUVER: This British Columbia city was named the best place to catch the FIFA World Cup. “Grab a place in the stands at BC Place for the world’s most watched sporting event, when Vancouver hosts seven FIFA World Cup games next June and July. The combination of favorable currency conversions, new direct flights from Europe, and simple entry requirements (Americans traveling on a valid U.S. passport don’t need a visa) helps make the Canadian city the best of the cup’s 16 North American host cities.”
QUEBEC: “One of Québec’s newest and most breathtakingly wild national parks is the first to be managed by a First Nation. With the creation of Nibiischii Park, the Cree Nation of Mistissini has protected more than 4,000 square miles of peaceful lake country in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of northern Québec. This vast area encompasses the province’s largest wildlife reserve, Albanel-Mistassini-and-Waconichi Lakes, accessible from Chibougamau, a 90-minute flight from Montréal on Cree-owned airline Air Creebec.”
MAUI: Nat Geo editors said the island is rebounding from wildfires in spectacular fashion. “In 2023, wildfires on Maui claimed more than a hundred lives, caused $5.5 billion in damage, and devastated the vibrant and historic beach town of Lāhainā. The island rallied to rebuild, and while some fire-affected areas remain closed off, many cherished Lāhainā businesses have reopened, including Old Lāhainā Lū‘au, Lāhainā Cannery Mall, and Maui Ku‘ia Estate Chocolate. Visiting Maui right now is an act of kōkua—that is, support—but it’s more than just a feel-good choice. With tourism still down from pre-fire levels, Maui in 2026 grants a rare glimpse of the island in a quieter mode. Once crowded beaches feel intimate, and to help them fill up again, some of the island’s top hotels have made big investments in guest experience.”
Ka’anapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii. Pexels photo by upgraded points.
ULURU-KATA TJUTA, AUSTRALIA: “The world’s largest monolith, Uluru, formed over 500 million years ago and has been sacred to the local Anangu people for tens of thousands of years. Starting in April, visitors will be able to stay overnight within Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for the first time. The Anangu Traditional Owners collaborated with the Tasmanian Walking Company to develop five-day, fully guided treks. After long days on the trail between Kata Tjuta and Uluru, hikers will sleep in eco-friendly lodges, stargaze by campfires, and learn from Indigenous guides about how to take care of the land, which connects to the well-being of the people and the environment.” I visited in 2010 and found it to be a magical destination.
RIO DE JANEIRO: A South American megacity having a moment. (Air Canada flies to Rio from Montreal)
MANILA: A palate-pleasing tour of a surprisingly diverse food scene. (Air Canada flies to Manila from Vancouver)
DOMINICA: This lovely island is home to the world’s first sperm whale reserve. “Approximately 200 sperm whales swim year-round in Dominica’s waters, and the Caribbean nation is currently on the cusp of establishing the world’s first sperm whale reserve, likely by early 2026. The Dominica Sperm Whale Reserve will protect nearly 800 square kilometers of water off the island’s west coast, where the majestic sea creatures roam, underscoring the national commitment to marine conservation. Visitors will have the opportunity to swim with whales or observe them from a boat, but reserve staff will regulate the number to ensure the big mammals aren’t disturbed.” Here’s a link to a story about great places to stay and things to do in Dominica, one of my fave islands in the Caribbean.
Scotts Head, Dominica. Jim Byers Photo
DOLOMITES and MILAN: “All eyes will be on Milan and the northeastern ski resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo for the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in February and March. It’s the most geographically dispersed Winter Games ever, with ceremonies and competitions happening across 8,500 primarily mountainous square miles of northern Italy. Most will be held in the Dolomites, putting a spotlight on the legendary Alpine range.”
PITTSBURGH: A post-industrial city with a thriving cultural scene—and a head of steam. It’s a very cool city I’ve been to on a couple of occasions.
ROUTE 66, OKLAHOMA: “In time for Route 66’s centennial, Oklahoma is getting an Americana glow-up. Over the past four years, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has invested more than $82 million in the state’s 400-mile stretch of the historic Mother Road, and it feels like there’s a spectacle of relit neon signs, revived motor courts, and roadside attractions waiting around every bend.”
