#bucket-list-trips

#bucket-list-trips

"It's not exactly a dream vacation to come and be harassed by mosquitoes," says Hervé Bossin, director of the medical entomology laboratory at Tahiti's Institut Louis Malardé.

These reefs are living, breathing snapshots of a watery world that you can peek into: refreshing oases where the noise of the land falls away; in its place, an intricate and utterly at-ease slice of life that you're lucky enough to witness.

San Sebastián, the capital of La Gomera, served as Christopher Columbus's provisioning point in 1492, with historical sites like the Columbus House Museum and Torre del Conde nearby.

Hunte's Garden, with more than 90 percent excellent reviews and year-round accessibility, was the clear winner. A world-renowned botanical garden located in the central hills of St. Joseph, Hunte's Garden consistently ranks as the top thing to do in the country.

Singapore has a special way of blending old traditions with modern life, especially evident in its historic neighborhoods like Chinatown, Little India, and Kampong Glam. There, colorful shophouses, temples, and mosques sit alongside cafes and boutiques, while long-standing food and craft traditions remain part of daily life.

Protect yourself from the sun with headgear and lots of sunscreen. The sun can be very strong in some destinations, especially on Caribbean trips.

On day five of an eight-day, 500-mile mountain bike race in Africa, Piers Constable found himself sprawled in the dirt for the second time. First he'd crashed on his left side, then on his right, until he was, in his own words, "muddied and bloodied," staring at a bike that was very much broken. He remembered a feed station a couple miles away and realized he had two choices: quit or run. He picked up the bike and ran.

I can still remember my first flight, in 2002. It was magical. I was working as a tour guide in Myanmar. I met a British balloon pilot called Phil, who had a spare place on a flight. He offered to take me, too.

From walking gently through Kotor's ancient streets to building a soulful, high-end life abroad, this guide blends mindful travel with smart expat strategy.

We're spoiled for choice when it comes to reasons to travel in 2026. Whether you plan to take a trip inspired by a favored period drama; want the best views of the solar eclipse on August 12; or hope to be the first to embark on a luxury train journey across Saudi Arabia, here are 26 things to be excited about as you plan this year's travels.

AllTrails, a hiking app with trail maps and reviews, dug into insights from their 90 million-plus members and team of trail experts to spotlight lesser-known places where the trail alone is worth planning a trip around. Their guide, Travel-Worthy Trails for 2026, spotlights eight unexpected destinations around the world where the trail is the destination.

"Stopovers allow people to turn what used to feel like 'dead time' into a destination in its own right," says Whitney Haldeman, founder of the luxury group travel company, Atlas Adventures. "Done well, a stopover can end up being the unexpected highlight of the entire trip." Sometimes, booking an extended layover can even save you money. "I often recommend booking a round-trip transatlantic flight into London," she says.

Last year, my husband and I traveled across the US, spending time in 29 states along the way. I fell in love with Michigan, Vermont, and South Dakota, and found plenty to do. Although I had a great time in places like West Virginia and Idaho, I think I saw the highlights.