I’ve been lucky enough to be a full-time travel writer since 2008. I’ve managed to see more than 60 countries around the world, and to visit some of the most exotic places on earth. As well as some tried-and-very-true destinations that are well worth your trouble. Here’s one travel lovers list of great places to explore in 2026. Some of them have specific reasons, such as the Winter Olympics, while others are simply personal faves or places that could use your business right now. AZORES These Atlantic Ocean islands to me are like a combination of Hawaii, Scotland and Portugal Read more
Caribbean
U.S. News has a nice roundup of top places in the world to explore in the coming year. They also listed top destinations in the U.S.A. and Canada, as well as Europe and the Caribbean. Here’s a look at some of their findings. BEST WORLD DESTINATIONS FOR 2026 Rome (hard to argue with The Eternal City) Tokyo (amazing food and ancient temples) Prague Swiss Alps (so beautiful) Mauritius Iguazu Falls, South America Amsterdam (fab museums and atmospheric pubs) Machu Picchu Palawan (Philippines) Santorini (still never been) Bora Bora (perhaps the most beautiful island on the planet) Tanzania Sydney Paris (not Read more
It was a rather limited year of travel due to health concerns in the summer and fall, but I still managed to check out cool motels in southern Ontario, stylish digs in Hawaii, lovely restaurants in Vancouver, and great places in my home state of California. Not to mention fab stops in Montreal and Florida. Here are some 2025 travel highlights. CANADA Coolest Montreal Hotel: Le Petit Hotel Notre Dame in Montreal. Part of the William Gray Collection, this is a small (hence the name), boutique property in Old Montreal with stylish rooms, a check-in desk that doubles as an Read more
I love these year-end look-ahead pieces that talk about great places to visit the following year. Earlier I referenced some top picks by National Geographic. Today I’ll look at top choices from Conde Nast Traveler and BBC Travel. CONDE NAST TRAVELER Among their top picks were several of my fave places in the world, and at least one I hope to visit soon. ROUTE 66 I had hoped to do this trip by car next spring. Alas, health concerns got in the way and I won’t make it. Perhaps I can visit some of it later in 2026. I’d really Read more
I’ve been lucky enough to visit Jamaica a good six or seven times in my life. It’s a stunningly beautiful island with truly spectacular, welcoming people. But Hurricane Melissa wrought far more damage to Jamaica than I think most of us understand. A good friend of mine hails from the island and says the western end of Jamaica was devastated by Hurricane Melissa. Many, many people are still unaccounted for. I asked her about great places where people could donate, and she mentioned Food for the Poor Canada as a place where donations really get to the people who need Read more
