New Year, New Travel Plans. What’s Your Motivation?

That first clean page in a brand-new calendar always evokes my travel dreams like a siren. The 1st of January should be like any other day on the calendar. Yet it tends to be a catalyst for planning everything from New Year’s resolutions to health and fitness plans, study schedules, and the inevitable travel wishlist. Looking back at 2025, I am unfortunately reminded that even the best-laid travel plans may require change and adaptability. However, that first clean page is tempting me to dream big. And 2026 looks to be a fantastic year for adventure, exploration, learning, and – most of all – investment in me. 

Quick question: How do travel writers even come up with these wishlists? Truthfully, many are sponsored. If you tend to see the same city or country appear across five or six different sites, it’s worth checking whether there was a sponsored media trip in 2025. For example, Tourism Solomons recently hosted an International Media Visitation Program (as mentioned here), inviting travel writers and editors to specially catered itineraries. To be fair, the Solomon Islands made it onto my list below; however, I did not attend the program. If my travel is ever sponsored, I will clearly declare it and ensure that my views and suggestions are my own. 

The following list is created from a mix of personal experiences, personal interests, and many, many discussions with fellow travellers. If you ever want to get a vibe for travel trends, stay in a local hostel. Chatting with fellow travellers at your local YHA is a brilliant way to hear about other people’s experiences, including their very genuine and forthright reviews. Local homestays and personal tours are also great for insight. It really comes down to responsible travel etiquette. When we know how to travel better, we have a better travel life. 

The Year of the Horse and Other Wildlife

Mongolian Horse Treks

According to the Lunar Zodiac, 2026 aligns with the Year of the Horse. It’s the symbol of energy, speed, and freedom. If you’re looking to take this inspiration to a literal level, Mongolia is one of the few countries that truly celebrate the wild nature and freedom of horses. The Mongolian horse is native to Mongolia and considered essentially unchanged since the time of Genghis Khan. 

Nestled between China and Russia, Mongolia remains a relatively safe place to travel. There are a few various horse trek companies available, and while I haven’t travelled there personally myself, I have been recommended Horse Treks Mongolia with Bataa. Top of my list is the Authentic Horse Trekking in the Altai Mountains for 11 days from around $2200 per adult (USD, I think). Bonus tip: Read about their work supporting sustainable horse trekking and local communities on their blog here. 

Portugal’s Azores Islands

For a less literal approach, the Azores Islands offer the freedom to explore marine research while having a great holiday. The Azores are a chain of nine islands in the Atlantic Ocean, governed by Portugal but with a mix of Portuguese and local heritage and cultural identity. The indigenous culture of the Azores is deeply connected with the ocean, balancing the importance of both land and sea. They have been on my wishlist for a few years, thanks to our eldest child’s interest in marine biology. However, 2026 may be the best year to visit. In 2024, new legislation established almost 290,000 square kilometres of marine protected areas to protect whales, dolphins, sharks, manta rays, deep-sea coral, and unique hydrothermal vent ecosystems. 

This new marine park also opened a new field of visas, including a residency permit specifically aimed at marine research institutions and universities. It invites a range of wildlife research expeditions, like Biosphere Expeditions. These travel adventures are a little expensive; however, the non-profit research organisation plays a significant role in conservation efforts and offers full transparency into its sustainable travel activities. You don’t have to sign up to an expedition to be involved. There are plenty of local businesses and communities willing to share their stories and tell you the best place for a nature-friendly swim. 

Exploring the Culture of Food, Literature, Music

A Star-Studded Feast in Singapore

Singapore continues to sizzle as a melting pot for foodie travel. This small City-State is a rich tapestry of cultures, bringing together past influences and future dreams. From Michelin-star restaurants (with their own Michelin-star service) to local favourites in hawker centres, Singapore food is a travel itinerary in itself (read my postcard from Singapore here). 

As a major airport hub, Singapore offers plenty of travel opportunities. It’s known for stopovers, but it deserves some travel-love in its own right, too. If you’re looking for the finest of dining experiences, Odette (located inside the National Gallery) deserves each of the three (3) Michelin stars as well as the Service Award for its Head Waitress, Ms Ines Carriere Bega. The tasting plate for lunch and dinner changes with the seasons, blending local ingredients with global influences. For a more relaxed style, head to Chomp Chomp Food Centre, where a wide array of hawkers stay open until very late (my ideal time). Chomp Chomp Satay is one of the long-standing favourites, offering beef and mutton, chicken, and pork, served with pineapple peanut sauce (the best). Grab a couple of ketupat (rice cakes) and otah (fish) cakes, and a sugar cane juice to round it off. 

Morocco’s International City of Literature

Book lovers are already on their way to Rabat, Morocco’s capital city and UNESCO’s choice for World Book Capital for 2026. Rabat has a massive publishing industry, with 54 publishing houses and more bookstores than can be visited in a week (better to travel for at least two weeks). Rabat is already home to Africa’s third-largest book fair. Still, when celebrations start on 23 April 2026, there will be markets, workshops, and festivals to celebrate the growing influence of literature in both Morocco and the world. 

Top-shelf bibliophiles will enjoy searching for the ‘hidden libraries’ of Rabat, tucked away in antique bookstores and backrooms throughout the Medina. For example, ask the locals for Joutia (aka Bouquiniste Bab el Had), an open-air bookstore with vintage novels, classic texts, and shop-owners who haggle with cash and knowledge equally.  

Pop-Culture Travel

A Mediterranean Odyssey

Nothing boosts a country’s tourism like a big-budget film. And with Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey releasing in July 2026, Greece and all of the Mediterranean won’t know what hit them. Greece is already one of the most popular travel destinations in the world, known for its idyllic islands and rich yet ancient history. The gods have graced the lands for millennia, and the tourists have followed in their footsteps. However, July is peak travel season and also the middle of summer. Catch the movie first, then head to the Greek Isles in late-September or October. The crowds are smaller, the weather is more moderate, and everyone is calming down after the chaos of August.  

Top tip: The Peloponnese will be popular, due to the film locations for The Odyssey. For an alternative, head to Alonnisos, a quieter island in the middle of the National Marine Park. 

25th Anniversary of New Zealand’s Middle-earth

New Zealand knows all about movie momentum for its tourism. It’s been 25 years since the release of the first in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and yet each year attracts more tourists to the plethora of film sites around the nation. There’s plenty to see from film sets maintained for fandoms (such as Hobbiton, near Matamata) to natural landscapes that need no filter or CGI to capture the scene (like Whakapapa as Mordor). While no big celebrations or festivals have been announced as yet, New Zealand is a country perfect for exploring by campervan across both islands. Give yourself plenty of time to drive; though it be small, New Zealand is topographically extreme, and what looks like a short drive can take hours up and down mountain ranges. Bonus tip: Load up CamperMate on your mobile. It’s a free app with everything you need for camping, including free campgrounds, dump stations, parks and playgrounds, and food stores. Information is updated regularly with fellow travellers, and I cannot express how many times it has saved me from trouble in New Zealand. 

Taking the Bike Path Less Travelled

Queensland’s Abandoned Railways

Bike Travel has boomed in recent years, with many tours following abandoned rail tracks through regional areas. One of the freshest experiences is now available in Queensland, offering a unique Australian experience while still enjoying its natural beauty. The Pioneer Valley, located west of Mackay in central coastal Queensland, was once known for sugar cane trains weaving amongst natural springs and ranges. While some of the rails have since been abandoned, locals have found new ways to explore, reconnecting smaller communities through biking trails and opening them to visitors with a sense of adventure. 

The bike trail connects the Mackay city gates with a popular mountain bike trailhead in Finch Hatton, around 60 kilometres to the west. Finch Hatton is also known for the Finch Hatton Gorge and Eungella National Park, home to a diverse range of native flora and fauna, including the elusive platypus. I spent many childhood summers in the Pioneer Valley, and I am personally thrilled to see it opening up to new adventures and access. 

Along the Banks of the River Nile

Cairo is getting all the attention with the opening of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). But the real adventure is in Luxor, and it’s best enjoyed with a bicycle. Luxor is home to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and Karnak Temple, both famous for their history and beauty. Across the river in the Haba Raba district is Luxor Souk, a marketplace full of pretty much everything, including delicious local food. 

Luxor is a great city to explore by bike. Many hotels and hostels offer bicycle rentals, with easy access to both the east and west banks of the River Nile. Helmets are not standard in Luxor, so consider bringing your own. Most roads are flat and paved, with less traffic than in Cairo. Explore Luxor has tips and advice for making the most of your bike in Luxor on their website here. 

For Science

Chile’s Open for Astrotourism

In 2015, Chile’s Observatory in the Elqui Valley was designated the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in the world. The number of sanctuaries has since grown to 23, and Chile remains at the top of the list for dark sky experiences. Northern Chile offers some of the best night-sky experiences, thanks to its very low humidity and an unbelievable number of cloudless days (around 300 a year). 

There’s also plenty to see during the day in the Elqui Valley. The Dark Sky Sanctuary was named after the local Literature Novel Prize poet, Gabriela Mistral, reflecting on the region’s peaceful environment and support for the creative arts. Peppered with small towns and picturesque vineyards, the region boasts five observatories alongside health and artist retreats, horse trails, and archaeological sites from pre-Hispanic culture. 

A Full Solar Eclipse in Iceland

In the complete direction, Iceland will be celebrating a Full Solar Eclipse in August 2026. No need for night skies since the astronomical event takes place in the late afternoon on 12 August 2026. Iceland is known for astronomical events like the Aurora Borealis; though usually they are witnessed at night and in the dead of winter. This solar eclipse offers Iceland a chance to showcase its summer glow, inviting travellers to explore its natural beauty amid volcanoes, glaciers, and rocky coastlines. The solar eclipse will be visible along the west coast of Iceland, including the capital city, Reykjavik. Alternatively, the Snaefellsnes Peninsula offers the longest eclipse duration (over 2 minutes), with stunning landscapes for fantastic photography. 

If you plan to witness the full solar eclipse, make sure you have ISO-certified eclipse glasses – essential to prevent blindness when looking at the sun. Many 2026 Eclipse Tours in Iceland will include these glasses. For photography, make sure you have proper solar filters for your camera (and binoculars or telescope). It’s as much about protecting your equipment as it is about protecting your eyes. 

Sail Away in 2026

Sydney’s Greatest Harbour

Sydney Harbour has already hosted one of the biggest celebrations for 2026, complete with a light show and fireworks. The New Year’s Eve celebrations are arguably the best in the world. It’s easy with one of the most glorious harbours in the world. Travellers from all around the world are eager to visit Sydney and see it for themselves; with the Harbour Bridge gracefully next to the Sydney Opera House perched on the edge of the harbour, with so many vantage points curving in and out of the water. While I personally love walking around the edges, nothing beats being on the water itself. 

Whether you are a local or a visitor, sailing across the Sydney Harbour is a wishlist item, and 2026 is going to be the year to do it. For the ultimate experience, you can hire a yacht with a friendly skipper for about AUD$2200 for three (3) hours with up to 10 of your loved ones. Time it right in the afternoon to catch the sunset backdrop behind the Sydney Harbour Bridge as you return to Darling Harbour. If you’re more of a morning person, you can catch the sunrise and enjoy your morning cuppa with Sydney by Kayak, offering two (2) hours on the water from AUD$175 per person. For those on a tighter budget, catch the Manly Ferry from Circular Quay. Grab a seat outside and daydream about all the beautiful houses along the water’s edge. Word of warning: the water can be a bit rough closer to Manly, but sometimes those big waves can be an adventure in themselves. 

Cruising Around the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are even more accessible in 2026, with the national air service offering direct flights from Brisbane and Auckland and a fairly generous flight schedule. They know they are the dream destination, and they want to share it! I have been wanting to explore a Pacific Island experience for many years; in part because I grew up near the Whitsunday Islands (Aust) and want to explore the culture a little further afield. The Solomons are made up of over a 1000 small islands, with six major islands providing the majority of amenities and services. This sounds absolutely perfect for island hopping and exploring the water. 

Honiara is on the main island (Guadalcanal) and is a good starting point – but don’t limit yourself! You can easily catch a banana boat (open-air vessel) to many other islands offering coral cays, snorkelling, surfing, and hiking into glorious cloud forests. Be forewarned: mobile phone reception is hit-and-miss, but if you need some downtime, The Solomons will cradle you into a detox. There are also homestay options that offer a deeper cultural experience and local insight into island life.