Travel fans list top destinations for 2026 and some are very unexpected

Now Christmas is over for another year, many people are making plans for the new year – including travel plans to destinations with great weather and activities to do

Christmas is done and dusted for another year with many people looking to make plans to make the most of 2026. Travel is a common goal, with escaping the gloomy winter weather and January blues a high priority for lots of people.

After the expense of Christmas, and the ongoing cost of living crisis, finding reasonably priced options for holidays or a spot of travelling can be quite tricky. Social media is rife with ideas, recommendations and tips from experienced and novice jet-setters alike.

One person turned to Reddit looking for a viable option for a trip with their girlfriend this month. The couple want to spend 30-35 days abroad, with a budget of around £2,600 to £3,000, excluding the cost of their flights.

That sum would purely be their spending money for “accommodation, food, transport, activities, etc”. They live in the Baltics, so would be flying out from either Lithuania, Latvia or Estonia and were “open to any destination – Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, islands, you name it”.

Their main requests were for “good weather (ideally warm/sunny in Jan); a mix of nature, culture, and relaxation; a destination that’s good value for money over a full month of travel;” as well as the option for “adventure”, including “hiking, wildlife, or just exploring new places”.

They asked guidance from people who’d done a similar trip or had “any suggestions on where to go”. And fellow Reddit users were keen to share their thoughts and recommendations.

One person said: “Two weeks in Northern Thailand (Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai). Five days in Bangkok. Two weeks on Islands in Southern Thailand (Koh Lipe, Koh Phanang)”.

Another agreed: “Can 100% recommend Koh Lipe. It is a small island so you’ll probably max out of things to do after about four days unless you’re happy just lazing by the beach all day.”

A third said: “It’ll be summer in the southern hemisphere if you’re looking for warm weather. New Zealand comes to mind as it sounds like you’re looking for nature – haven’t been there myself but the pics look incredible”.

But someone else replied: “That budget won’t get you far in NZ for that long sadly”.

Another suggested: “Tanzania and Zanzibar might suit you”.

To which, someone else shared: “I am leaving Zanzibar tomorrow after a week here. It has been great. The people are friendly and the beaches are great.

“Even the vendors on the beach are easygoing and fun to chat with. There is a good range of accommodation options too, and the food has been awesome. Asante sana.”

Another recommendation came for south east Asia: “Malaysia would be an excellent option. Accommodation, transport and food is very cheap and there’s lots to see.

“I’d visit Penang, Langkawi, Perhentian islands, Borneo, KL and Cameron Highlands. You’ll get to see lots of wildlife, hikes, history, beaches etc.”

And another said: “El Nido, in the Philippines would work, as would Da Nang in Vietnam or one of the kohs in Thailand. If you haven’t ever ‘done’ the ‘Banana Pancake Trail’, that’s really the first place that I would start. Start watching flights to BKK [Bangkok].”

Offering a different perspective, one person said: “Northern Turkey is fabulous with all its ancient sites from Roman and Greek eras especially on western side.

“The lodging and food is very inexpensive. The wine is excellent. Istanbul area is also great. Also greatly enjoyed Athens Greece with all its history. Food and drink was fabulous. Ate at one restaurant which gave us unlimited after dinner wine.”