Forget Europe: new report reveals where you'll be travelling in 2026

BY Kassia Byrnes

Last updated . 03 October 2025

We’re 90 days from 2026, and this new report knows where you’ll be flying for your New Year adventures.

Buckle up, travellers, the trending destinations of 2026 have landed, according to the 2026 Virtuoso Luxe Report, and Asia is definitely on the bucket list. Each year, the leading Virtuoso (known for luxury and experiential travel) taps into the collective knowledge of its global travel agency network to determine what’s now and next for savvy travellers. And it showed that attitudes around travel are starting to bend.

Japan is the place to be

Beautiful sunset view of Kiyomizu dera temple and Kyoto city with red maple autumn leaf, Japan. The temple vibrant red and orange pagoda stands out against a clear sky with colorful fall foliage .

Tokyo and Kyoto came in as the top two cities in the world. (Image: Getty Images / blanscape)

Scusa, Italy, but Japan has knocked it off the top spot for Aussies and is the most popular destination for 2026. Similarly, Tokyo and Kyoto came in as the top two cities in the world, beating out Paris, which came in third.

Japan also ranks first for solo travel, places in the top three for family vacations and appears in the top ten for honeymoons and cruises. Suggesting Japan is the new Europe.

Looking beyond the classics in Europe

The Blue Lagoon - Beach with crystal clear water and rock formations on Comino island, Malta

Add Malta to your bucket list. (Image: Getty Images / Andrey Danilovich)

Ok, Europe is still very popular. Stylish (and more affordable) alternatives to the icons made their way into the spotlight. Like Riga, Latvia, with its striking Art Nouveau architecture, Albania’s sun-soaked Riviera, Montenegro’s intimate Adriatic resorts and Malta’s historic towns brimming with Mediterranean charm.

Destinations on the rise

Bhutan is a destination on the rise. (Image: Aaron Santelices)

Meanwhile, four countries burst into the top 10 list of destinations on the rise this year: India, Bhutan, the Arctic and Malta. Antarctica, Norway and Iceland also made the top 10, suggesting that staying cool will remain hot in 2026.

Sri Lanka has remained in second place for another year, enticing travellers with its unique blend of beaches, culture, cuisine, history and jungle adventures in one destination. Egypt climbed the ladder by three positions, with travellers keen to book private Nile cruises and gain early access to the Grand Egyptian Museum. While Vietnam ranked fourth for its excellent value, and as an alternative to Asia’s other booming hotspots.