Lonely Planet's must-visit places in 2026
1️⃣ Go whale and dolphin watching in the Azores, Portugal
▫️ This area consists of 9 volcanic islands, with a 99% chance of seeing dolphins and whales on boat trips;
▫️ The peak season is from April to July, and the very popular departure port is Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island.
2️⃣ Stargaze in Wairarapa, New Zealand
▫️ This region is an internationally certified dark sky reserve, featuring New Zealand’s deepest night skies, making it the perfect spot for stargazing with the naked eye. The sky is filled with countless stars, creating a breathtaking view!
3️⃣ Birdwatch at Tambopata National Reserve
▫️ Located in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest, birdwatching is the main activity: flocks of macaws chatter as they gather at clay salt licks to feed, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a jaguar~
4️⃣ Self-drive the Bathing Trail in Victoria, Australia
▫️ This is a 900-kilometer iconic Australian travel route connecting hot springs, mineral springs, and sea baths along Victoria’s southern coast;
▫️ Besides bathing, you can participate in various natural wellness activities such as hiking, yoga, art and Indigenous cultural experiences, and enjoying gourmet food and fine wine.
5️⃣ Stay at Kruger Shalati Hotel in South Africa
▫️ This is a train hotel built on a bridge in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The hotel pool offers a “Safari in the clouds” experience, where you can watch various wild animals.
6️⃣ Search for jaguars in the Iberá Wetlands, Argentina
▫️ As of 2024, 25 jaguars have been successfully reintroduced to the wetlands after being absent for 70 years;
▫️ In addition, you can see pampas deer, caimans, and groups of capybaras.
7️⃣ Find elephants in the Namib Desert, Namibia
▫️ These elephants are slimmer and have wider feet than their savanna counterparts. Although exact numbers are hard to confirm, it is believed that between 100 and 600 desert elephants currently exist.
8️⃣ Raft on the Colorado River, USA
▫️ Located in the Grand Canyon, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the red rock cliffs on both sides are stunning, especially at sunset when the golden light bathes the canyon walls.
9️⃣ Spend a night at Volcano House in Hawaii
▫️ Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is like a miniature continent, where lush rainforests, volcanic lava deserts, alpine meadows, and coastal plains intertwine.
1️⃣0️⃣ Horseback ride in the Andes Mountains, Ecuador
▫️ At the century-old Provenir Estate, become a local cowboy: wear the iconic striped wool poncho, leather chaps, and wide-brimmed hat (beginners remember to secretly add a helmet hhh), and slowly ride across the meadows with the stunning Cotopaxi volcano 🌋 in the background.