#coolcationing

#coolcationing

In 2025, travel didn't just return to pre-pandemic levels, it surpassed them, highlighting the growing strain on the world's most visited destinations.

Staying at a hotel that sits on a natural hot spring allows you to feel connected to ancient geological processes, with mineral-rich waters bubbling beneath your feet.

"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.

Social anxiety and depression had other plans, leaving me in an ugly cycle of self-isolation and rumination. Terrified of rejection, I'd meet someone interesting during one of my English lectures and invite them out for frozen yogurt in my head.

"Tucked in south central Wisconsin, just 3.5 hours north of Chicago and 1.5 hours from Milwaukee, Green Lake has earned the nickname of the 'Hamptons of the Midwest.' Families have been summering there since the 1800s, when the shoreline was dotted with a handful of rustic resorts."

Bryce Canyon National Park is home to the world's largest concentration of hoodoos, making hiking here feel like you're on another planet. I recommend hiking around the rim to take in the vastness of the spires.

Visiting only one island limits the experience in the Maldives, as the archipelago consists of nearly 1,200 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Island-hopping is essential to fully appreciate the beauty and diversity of the region.

Traveling with friends after retirement promotes adventure and healthier aging. The journey started with feelings of regret, but evolved into a fulfilling exploration of life.

Cape Verde's islands, with their volcanic beauty and sandy beaches, offer a unique blend of adventure and relaxation, making them ideal for both tourists and digital nomads.

As we plan our next break, research suggests we should look not to far-flung destinations, but to our own backyards. The staycation offers a compelling new model for deep mental restoration. This is not merely staying home, but a curated, intentional break grounded in the psychological science of recovery-one that challenges the notion that distance equals escape. In doing so, it provides a practical approach for rebuilding our cognitive and emotional reserves right where we are.

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.

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.