5 destinations that made every "best places to travel in 2026" list (and why they are perfect for honeymoons)
Every year, National Geographic, Lonely Planet, and Conde Nast Traveler publish their lists of the best places to travel. The destinations that appear on multiple lists tend to signal something real: a place that is having a genuine moment, with the infrastructure, the cultural energy, and the experiences to back it up.
Here are five destinations that kept appearing across the 2026 lists, and why each one makes an exceptional honeymoon.
Quebec, Canada
National Geographic named Quebec number two on its 2026 Best of the World list, highlighting new wilderness parks, indigenous-led cultural experiences, and the province's expanding tourism infrastructure. Within Quebec, Quebec City is the standout for honeymooners.
The honeymoon angle: Quebec City feels like Europe without the passport or the price tag. Cobblestone streets, French cuisine, Chateau Frontenac on the horizon, and the only walled city in North America. A 5-night honeymoon runs $3,500 to $5,000 CAD at the mid-range level.
Sardinia, Italy
Lonely Planet included Sardinia on its 2026 Best in Travel list, calling out its turquoise water, cliffside villages, and incredible seafood culture.
The honeymoon angle: Sardinia offers everything the Amalfi Coast does, with fewer crowds and more dramatic coastal scenery. The Costa Smeralda (Emerald Coast) in the northeast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. The interior is wild and mountainous, with archaeological sites dating back thousands of years. It is a genuine alternative for couples who want an Italian honeymoon without the Amalfi Coast premium.
British Columbia, Canada
Lonely Planet named British Columbia to its 2026 list, citing Tofino's wild Pacific coast, Whistler's mountain adventure culture, and Vancouver's food scene. Ucluelet, Tofino's quieter neighbour, also made Expedia's 2026 Destinations of the Year list.
The honeymoon angle: British Columbia is an adventure honeymoon with world-class comfort. Tofino for wild beach walks and private whale watching. Whistler for mountain luxury year-round. Vancouver Island for old-growth rainforest and the Pacific Rim Highway. The Sea-to-Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler is one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica appears on virtually every sustainable travel and eco-tourism list, and its honeymoon appeal continues to grow thanks to properties like Origins Lodge and Nayara Gardens.
The honeymoon angle: adventure, eco-luxury, wildlife, and one of the simplest legal marriage processes in the world. The combination of rainforest, volcano, and beach within a single trip is hard to match anywhere else.
The Dolomites, Italy
National Geographic named the Dolomites and Milan its number one destination for 2026, tied in part to the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. But the Dolomites have been building momentum independently, with May bookings up 800 percent year over year.
The honeymoon angle: alpine glamour. Dramatic peaks, wildflower meadows, luxury mountain lodges, and some of the best hiking in Europe. The Dolomites are a short train ride from Venice and Lake Como, making them easy to incorporate into a multi-stop Italian honeymoon.
The experts agree: 2026 is a great year to travel. A private consultation can help you pick the destination that matches your travel style.
