I think Michelin does a fine job with its restaurant ratings, but I’m not sure about a list they recently published of 16 top foodie destinations for 2026. I can only assume these are destinations they like, or wished to highlight, versus the best destinations in the world. If you look at it that way, the list is pretty useful; shedding light on cities and regions that normally wouldn’t get a lot of coverage on food and restaurant lists.
Here’s their list of 16 spots for 2026:
- Venice
- Czechia
- Dolomites (Italy)
- Wroclaw, Poland
- Amalfi Coast, Italy (spectacular scenery, fresh seafood and limoncello!)
- Saudi Arabia
- Cappadocia, Turkiye
- Jiangsu, China
- Philippines
- Route 66 (Now, THAT’s a destination I want to check out for classic American food)
- The U.S. South (From Nashville to New Orleans and South Carolina, plenty of great food on offer)
- Florida (Terrific restaurants in Miami, Tampa/St. Pete and other parts of the state)
- Boston (I’ve had nice meals in the city but haven’t been in 15 years)
- Philadelphia (Haven’t been since 1993, so no opinion to offer up)
- Quebec City (nice choice for a variety of cooking styles, including classic French)
- Vancouver (definitely tops for seafood and Asian cuisine)
Sushi at Miku in Vancouver. JIM BYERS PHOTO
CRUISE NEWS AND VIEWS
MSC, AURORA AND DISNEY
Time Magazine’s recent list of top destinations for 2026 includes the Aurora Expedition Douglas Mawson ship, the Disney Destiny and the new MSC World America ship.
“With 22 decks, 39 elevators, seven pools, and space for 6,764 passengers and 2,138 crew, MSC World America looks less like a cruise ship than a self-contained city at sea,” Time said. “The largest ship ever launched by MSC Cruises—and the world’s eighth-biggest overall—it represents a new class of megaships built to astonish while still carving out moments of intimacy.”
I was on its sister ship, MSC World Europa, in 2024 and had a delightful experience.
Here’s some of what Time said about Disney Destiny. “From the moment passengers step into the Wakanda-inspired Grand Hall—where decorative metalwork on the columns takes cues from Queen Ramonda’s crown and a statue of T’Challa holds court—it’s clear that Disney Destiny is not your typical family cruise.”
Time said Aurora Expeditions has eliminated single supplements across its fleet, and offers 10 single-occupancy staterooms per voyage on each of its three ships. The latest is the Douglas Mawson, which launched in December and includes dedicated solo cabins.Aurora blurb.
CELEBRITY
Budapest at night. JIM BYERS PHOTO
Celebrity River Cruises has announced a new destination discovery program, offering four curated categories that deliver exclusive and included cultural experiences in cities across Europe – immersing guests in ports like never before.
- Storyteller Series: Guided by residents and cultural insiders, these included experiences showcase destinations through the eyes of the local community – think exploring Amsterdam’s hidden canals with a captain whose family has been cruising those waterways for decades or tracing Prague’s brewing history through historic and iconic taverns with a local brewer, and more.
- Skillmaster Series: Included, hands-on experiences with local makers and artisans build connections to culture alongside the people who shape each destination. Think cooking in a local Mamika’s (grandmother) kitchen in Budapest or learning Van Gogh’s techniques from a local artist in Amsterdam.
- Keys to the City Series: A self-guided digital platform with interest-led route maps (art, food, history, architecture) takes guests to hidden spots where stationed local hosts await to unlock special access.
- Celebrity Takeover Series: One exclusive experience per sailing – a private transformation of a major European landmark or venue, available only to Celebrity guests
Pre- and post-cruise stays in Prague, Budapest, and Amsterdam round out the program, following this same locally-led, small group discovery philosophy with daily tours, premium hotel accommodations, and dedicated concierge service.
AMA WATERWAYS
A skateboarder showing off his moves in Bratislava, Slovakia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
AmaWaterways has announced the launch of its new City Escapes program, a thoughtfully designed collection of sailings offering extended time in Europe’s most beloved cities along the Seine, Rhine and Danube rivers. These departures are intentionally scheduled during quieter travel periods to allow guests to experience each destination in an even more authentic and relaxed way.
Created for travelers seeking deeper cultural immersion and a slower pace, City Escapes reimagines the traditional river cruise by providing additional overnight stays, more daylight sailing and 24 hours or more in key cities including Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Strasbourg and Budapest. With fewer crowds and more time to explore, guests can experience each destination feeling less like visitors and more like locals.
Beginning in 2026 and expanding further in 2027, dedicated City Escapes departures will operate across three regions.
On the Seine, guests will enjoy extended time in Paris, Rouen and Normandy with curated cultural experiences. In Paris, travelers can explore the historic Île de la Cité, home to Notre-Dame Cathedral, stroll through the historic streets of Le Marais, or join a guided bike tour along the Left Bank.
On the Rhine, enhanced cultural experiences highlight destinations such as Breisach, Strasbourg, Heidelberg, Cologne and Amsterdam.
On the Danube, extended scenic sailing through iconic stretches such as the Wachau Valley and the Danube Bend is paired with cultural programming in cities including Budapest, Bratislava (a terrific city to explore), Vienna (ditto), Linz and Passau.
London England. Lucas Davies/Unsplash Photo
In addition, AmaWaterways now offers new pre- and post-cruise extensions in London and Rome, allowing guests to further personalize their journey with curated cultural and culinary experiences, including visits to Vatican City and other iconic landmarks. In London, the program includes a guided tour of Westminster and an evening in the West End to attend one of the city’s popular theatre performances.
I had a lovely AmaWaterways cruise in the Bordeaux region of France six or eight years ago.
ROYAL SCENIC
Royal Scenic’s 2026/27 Asia & The World Tour Brochure will launch next month. The new edition highlights an expanded collection of tours and cityscapes across Asia and other global destinations, continuing Royal Scenic’s commitment to supporting Canadian travel agents. This year’s cover also proudly showcases Thailand as the featured destination
