Salvador, Brazil: Join the biggest celebration of Afro-Brazilian culture in one of South America’s most historic cities
Penang, Malaysia: A tropical destination pairs rainforest trails and living heritage that runs deep. My wife and I had a few days in Georgetown and Penang six or seven years back and thought it was terrific; very artsy and vibrant. Terrific food, too. Try the Char Kway Teow.
Penang, Malaysia. Ong Wei/Unsplash Photo
Vestland, Norway: Find epic fjord adventures and wellness-led travel in one of Europe’s most breathtaking landscapes
Luxor, Egypt: Experience the world’s greatest open-air museum as the eclipse falls over the city
Madison, Wisconsin: The Midwest’s most effortless getaway combines lakefront adventure, local flavor, and creative cultural spaces
Puerto Rico: A blend of cultures and community-led traditions is sparking renewed global attention. I’ve been to San Juan twice in the past few years and had a fabulous time. The downtown is colourful and fun, and it’s only a short distance to several great beaches, including some right in town.
The lovely and lively Plaza de Armas in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jim Byers Photo
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland: This less traveled Lowlands region offers quiet trails and starry skies
Niigata, Japan: A peculiar art fest and a centuries-old fermentation tradition offer new ways to explore a quieter corner of Japan
Pacific Coast Highway, California: Coastal communities are carrying California’s artistic legacy forward. I grew up less than an hour from the PCH in Northern California, and I make it to Monterey and Carmel at least once a year. It’s far beyond spectacular. Make a pit stop at Nepenthe for a bite to eat in the Big Sur region. Carmel-By-the-Sea, Pacific Grove and Monterey are all great towns in the area. The PCH also has amazing sections in Southern California and north of San Francisco.
Cape Froward, Chile: A wild new national park opens at the southernmost tip of South America
Santander, Spain: A new Museo Reina Sofía outpost fuels a Cantabrian cultural renaissance
Halifax, Nova Scotia: The provincial capital is at the center of Atlantic Canada’s heritage revival. This is one of the best cities in North America, with an historic fort in the middle of town (The Citadel, seen below), a terrific waterfront, and wonderful food options. Try a night at the luxurious Muir, part of the Marriott Luxury Collection of hotels.
Halifax, Nova Scotia. Chen Liu/Unsplash Photo
Normandy, France: A celebration a millennium in the making is set among landscapes the Impressionists adored
Southern Ozarks, Missouri and Arkansas: America’s heartland surprises with unexpected outdoor adventures
The Transcaucasian Trail, Armenia: An ambitious long-distance hiking trail offers new ways of exploring Armenia’s wilder corners
Chengdu, China: A 3,000-year-old kingdom comes back to life
Grenada: Spice things up with creative wellness offerings and a one-of-a-kind festival. I’ve met with Grenada tourism officials several times in the past, and it looks like an excellent Caribbean destination. I’m hoping for a visit in late February of next year.
Grand Anse Beach in Grenada. Hugh Whyte/Unsplash Photo
Leipzig, Germany:For an epic musical getaway, visit Germany’s fastest growing city
Baltimore, Maryland: History shines anew in the birthplace of the American railroad. The waterfront is very nice, and the Fells Point area is a nice place for a walk. Oriole Park at Camden Yards baseball stadium is one of the best in the Major Leagues.
Tricity, Poland: Find revitalized waterfronts and bold Baltic flavors in this trio of coastal cities on the rise
Jaipur, India: A 300-year-old city of palaces hosts one of the world’s largest literary festivals. I spent a couple days there in 2010 and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the architecture.
Jaipur, India. Aditya Silva – Unsplash Photo
Kuélap, Chachapoyas, Peru:The Machu Picchu of the north offers one of South America’s last great archaeological adventures
Maya Ka’an, Mexico: Community-led adventures fuel one of Mexico’s most authentic Caribbean escapes
Catalina Island, California: A surprisingly unspoiled outpost a stone’s throw from L.A. is this year’s Readers’ Choice winner. My wife and I spent a couple days there two years ago and thought it was outstanding. The main town of Avalon is super chill and makes laid-back LA (the island actually is in the county of Los Angeles) feel like New York City. Most people drive golf carts, and there are terrific hikes all over the island. It’s also great for boating. Catalina made my own list of top islands to check out in 2027.
NEW OAXACA, MEXICO TOUR FROM CANADIAN TOUR OPERATOR KARIBU
Karibu Adventures, a Canadian boutique tour operator specializing in active trips, is introducing a uniquely curated seven-day adventure in Oaxaca, Mexico.
The trip, which launches in March, 2027, combines a variety of cultural, culinary and active experiences, with a journalist’s eye for unearthing the real people behind a place.
Andrea Mandel-Campbell, who founded karibu in 2023, lived in Mexico for several years, posted as a foreign correspondent for The Financial Times of London. She’s thrilled to be introducing travellers to one of her favourite places.
Landmark Santo Domingo Cathedral in historic Oaxaca city centre. Photo courtesy Karibu
“As a journalist, I visited and reported from 29 of Mexico’s 31 states, all of which are fascinating. But Oaxaca stood out for the depth and richness of its Indigenous-infused art and cuisine,” she said in an interview.
Karibu offers small group tours to unique and less-travelled wild places and partners withIndigenous and local communities. The company launched with an expedition to the northern tip of Vancouver Island and a UNESCO Geopark in the Italian Alps in 2023 and has subsequently added adventures through Dominica, Zambia, Newfoundland and Temagami, Ontario.
While many Canadians are familiar with Mexico’s resort belt, the Oaxaca trip will give travellers the opportunity to learn about Zapotec culture and traditions. About 65% of the state’s population are a mix of Zapotec, Mixtec and 14 other Indigenous peoples, and are governed by “usos y costumbres” – Indigenous self-governing laws and customs.
“Oaxaca is a natural fit for karibu: a vibrant local culture, great food and natural, wild beauty,” says Campbell.
Tlacolula Sunday market, Oaxaca state, Mexico. Photo courtesy Karibu
The trip includes two days of hiking through Zapotec villages and forests of giant agaves and Mexican pine in the Sierra Norte mountains, an introduction to the region’s rich foodculture and MICHELIN restaurants, including a private mezcal tasting, and a deep dive into Oaxaca’s vibrant arts centre, from master artisans to subversive street art and the legacy of artisan Francisco Toledo, who established Oaxaca as a centre for printmaking.
Guests will go to Teotitlan del Valle where locals will share their knowledge of weaving, cuisine and artisanal chocolate, as well as master beeswax candelmakers. And they will visit one of Mexico’s leading archeological sites – Monte Alban -an ancient Zapotec capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
For more information go to https://karibuadventures.com/trips/oaxaca/ or call 1 888 969-7712.
From US$4,750 per person. Airfare not included. Oaxaca is easily reached from the U.S. and Canada, with connecting flights through Mexico City and direct service from select U.S. cities. The trip begins and ends in Oaxaca City, with arrivals and departures through Oaxaca International Airport (OAX).
