Bloomberg recently came out with nice recommendations on great places to travel in 2026.
Among their suggestions were Taipei, Corsica, Lake Louise, San Francisco and Scotland.
I’m a big fan of Corsica, a French island in the Mediterranean I visited back in 2009. The food (especially the wine, cheese and seafood) is quite good, the coastline magical, and the surprisingly rugged mountains great for hiking.
Bloomberg noted a growth in new boutique hotels and called the island “the perfect blend between private luxury and uncrowded, European summer bliss.”
Bonifacio is a gorgeous, clifftop city in Corsica. Jim Byers Photo
Notwithstanding those comments, I’d aim for a visit in late April or in May, before the summer crowds arrive, or in September or early October, when the water should still be warm enough for a swim or at least a quick dip. One of my fave stops when I visited was the clifftop village of Bonifacio, which is nothing short of magnificent.
San Francisco was another suggested vacation spot. The Bay Area will host World Cup football/soccer games this year, as well as the NFL Super Bowl on Feb. 8. Bloomberg noted the city’s new oceanfront park, which is outstanding, and a new night installation coming to the Bay Bridge.
The Bloomberg folks also recommend Vienna, which they noted has a booming creative scene to go along with those famous coffee houses. I visited four or five years ago and loved it. The coffee shops were cool, but I also loved the delightfully eccentric Hundertwasser House, an organic bit of architecture that feels like something Antonio Gaudi might have designed.
Hundertwasser House in Vienna, Austria. Jim Byers Photo
Other top spots include Taipei, Taiwan (emerging as a major foodie capital with vibrant night markets), Lake Louise (a stunning natural escape in the Rocky Mountains) and the Scottish Hebrides (perfect for fresh lobster rolls and scenic beauty). They also mentioned Malaysia, which has a cool arts scene and excellent food.
AIR BnB TRENDING DESTINATIONS FOR SUN TRIPS AND CANADIAN VACATIONS
While classic winter favourites like Whistler, Banff, and Mont-Tremblant continue to draw travellers year after year, a new AirBnB report says Canadians are also seeking out more quiet, under-the-radar destinations across the country. From mountainous alpine outposts to picturesque villages on the St. Lawrence River, these spots are seeing a surge of interest this winter—offering a fresh take on cold-weather travel:
- Revelstoke, B.C. (amazing winter skiing)
- Petite-Riviere-Saint-Francois, Quebec (just east of Le Massif ski hill on the St. Lawrence River)
- Osoyoos, B.C. (fabulous wines in the area)
- Comox-Strathcona, B.C. (great spot for beach lovers)
- Saint-Sauveur, Quebec (a lovely, artsy spot just north of Montreal)
Top international destinations for Canadians
Cancun, Mexico. Jim Byers Photo
For travellers looking beyond Canada’s borders, interest spans the globe—from the vibrant streets of Tokyo to the historic charm of Paris and the beaches of Brazil. Even with this global mix, Mexico stands out as a top searched favourite, with its beloved coastal cities consistently drawing the most attention from Canadians craving sun‑soaked escapes. The top international winter travel destinations include:
- Puerto Vallarta
- Playa del Carmen
- Tokyo
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Bucerías, Mexico
- Paris
- Panama City, Panama
- Rome
- Rio de Janeiro
- Cancún (just up the road from Playa del Carmen)
Canadians might not think about Paris as a winter destination, but my wife and I went in December 10 or 12 years ago and absolutely loved it. There were almost no tourists, and the city was gorgeously wrapped in a light layer of snow. Rome is generally quite mild in winter by Canadian standards, and it’s a lot easier to see the major sights in February than it is in July or August. My wife and I were there in March of 2024 and had a marvelous time.
WESTJET ADDS FLIGHTS FROM CALGARY TO BRAZIL
WestJet continues to expand its network to new destinations.
The airline this week announced announced service from Calgary to São Paulo, Brazil, marking the airline’s 100th destination from YYC Calgary Airport.
As of this fall, WestJet will offer the only non-stop flight between Western Canada and South America, operating three times weekly between Calgary and São Paulo.
“Our first flight between Western Canada and South America is the beginning of an exciting chapter in WestJet’s Calgary story. From our very first flight in 1996 to 100 non-stop destinations on four continents, this city has stood alongside us every step of the way,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group. “We are proud to further strengthen Calgary’s position as the best connected mid-sized city in North America.”
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