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. Read more
Europe
Leading global travel platform Skyscanner has unveiled its 2026 travel trends report, highlighting top destinations and insights into Canadian travel behaviour. Drawing from proprietary data, a global survey of more than 20,000 travellers, and trusted industry insights, Skyscanner has released its 2026 Travel Trends report. The findings highlight everything Canadians need to know for the year ahead – from emerging travel behaviours to the top 10 trending and best value destinations. Trending Destinations for Canadians Canadian travel behaviour in 2026 shows a growing appetite for destinations that balance cultural discovery, coastal charm, and vibrant city life. From Portugal’s Azores to the Caribbean’s capital cities and Read more
Kudos to Iceland, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada. Great marks for Singapore, Honolulu and San Francisco. Travel insurance provider Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (BHTP) has released its 11th annual State of Travel Insurance Safest Destinations report, “the longest running and most trusted research project evaluating the attitudes of U.S. travelers toward travel safety and travel insurance.” The Netherlands, Australia, and Austria have been named the safest countries to visit in 2026, while Reykjavik, Copenhagen, and Zurich top the list of safest cities. Canada was named fifth safest country, which is down slightly from its third place finish last year. Montreal Read more
Expedia Group today released Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel™. The annual global report highlights shifts in traveller behaviour and the destinations set to dominate itineraries in 2026, including several Canadian destinations and activities spotlighted throughout. It’s also got some great destinations in such places as England, Italy, Asia and Australia. From Destinations of the Year to salvaged hotels and reading retreats, to curling and farm stays, the seven trends in Unpack ’26 offer a look at the future of travel. Each trend is backed by first-party data from Expedia Group, and insights from 24,000 global travellers. Expedia — Destinations of Read more
A new study from KAYAK finds shoulder season is bringing great travel deals for Canadians. Between the heat of summer and the chill of winter, shoulder season marks a time for peak travel perks with off-peak prices, KAYAK officials said in a study released today (Oct. 9). I’ve often argued that the fall is the best time to visit Europe, as crowds are down and the weather not as hot as summer. The fact there are bargains to be had on flights makes autumn travel all the more attractive. KAYAK says both domestic (-20%) and international (-11%) flights are cheaper Read more
