New year means new opportunities to travel. After all, you’ve worked hard, and now it’s time to enjoy your retirement! But where should you head this year? We’ve got a few suggestions.
Latvia, Slovenia, and Santiago are a few destinations on our list this coming year, and we recommend you add them to yours before they grow too popular! Read on to discover all of the most underrated travel destinations to consider in 2026.
1. Riga, Latvia
We visited Riga in 2024 and immediately started asking ourselves why it wasn’t more popular! First and foremost, the city is easy to get around in, and everything is available in English—the locals definitely don’t expect you to speak a word of Latvian! It’s safe, relatively easy to traverse, and they seem really happy to see tourists.
While we wouldn’t consider it cheap, it wasn’t expensive either, with accommodations and food falling in the midrange for Europe. We mostly enjoyed taking advantage of all the amazing museums, including one that won an award in 2023 for having the best WWII exhibit in the world!
2. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Granted, we haven’t visited this one ourselves yet, but it is definitely on our list. Slovenia is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe, and as such, you won’t find yourself stuck in the same crowds you would experience in Paris or Barcelona. Ljubljana, the capital city, is walkable, charming, and has a laid-back vibe you won’t want to miss.
Of course, there is a rich history too, with castles and ruins to explore. Unfortunately, it isn’t as easy to get around the countryside without a car as in some other European destinations. But there are options for visiting jaw-dropping lakes and villages via a hired car or official tour!
3. Santiago, Chile
South America has been on the up and down the past few years. Peru became undesirable as crime rates and civil unrest increased, and now Colombia might also be off the list due to the increasing violence and crime. That being said, Santiago, Chile has been working hard to make itself a tourist destination—and it’s working.
While many have traveled to Chile to view the famed Patagonia region, the city of Santiago has so much more to offer to those who may not be physically fit enough to hike. From delicious restaurants and numerous museums, you won’t get bored in Santiago, and we bet you’ll have far more on your list to do than what you can accomplish in one trip.
4. Tirana, Albania
Croatia and Greece have unfortunately become far too popular for us. Not only is it difficult to find affordable accommodations while there, but you’ll be fighting crowds for a chance to see anything. What most people don’t know is that Albania offers a lot of the same amenities, but without the crowds and high prices.
Albania hasn’t been a tourist destination long, and as such, you’ll find this country harder to traverse than even Slovenia. Honestly, you’ll probably want to consider a car, or at least hiring a designated driver, because taxi scams are too common here. Other than businesses trying to take more than their fair share because they view tourists as “rich,” Albania is a relatively safe country with all the beautiful views you’re craving.
5. Malta
So many Americans dream of Italy, but few realize they are missing out on a country that is just as pretty and so much less crowded. Malta is a group of two islands off the coast of Sicily with a rich history, as the island was originally funded via the Knights Templar and the plunder they stole from passing ships. That aside, this country has some of the most beautiful churches and the oldest human ruins in the world. It is easy to get around the islands, and almost everything worth seeing (except the ancient ruins) are walkable.
Malta would be higher on our list (we loved it that much!), but it is on the expensive side. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit, it just means you need to prepare to spend more than you would in Albania or Latvia. In fact, we rank Malta alongside Switzerland and Norway in terms of expensive European getaways—but it is so worth the cost!
6. Taiwan
Southeast Asia has really taken off with American and European travelers in the past decades, and unfortunately, locations like Thailand and Vietnam are just too crowded to enjoy anymore. Plus, a lot of the natural beauty is being destroyed by tourists and locals alike.
While we are huge fans of Cambodia, it’s not the safest for older travelers, which brings us to Taiwan. Perhaps closer to what you would see in China, Taiwan is a great way to experience Asia without needing to attain a pricey Chinese visa. Mid-range in terms of affordability, you should have no issue finding affordable flights and places to stay. While there isn’t as much history here as there is in larger countries, the food scene will have you begging to return! Plus, with great infrastructure, you will have no issue getting around!
7. Alaska
We know you’re looking at this list, eyes wide, that the last entry is actually in the United States! We visited several locations in Alaska in 2023 and are still dreaming of them. Although Alaska isn’t the easiest state to get around, in the summer months (June, July, August), you should have no issue using boats and seaplanes to explore.
Alaska is huge, larger than all of Texas, and you won’t be able to explore it all, but a few days in Juneau and Anchorage have a healing effect on the heart. From small craft shops to delicious restaurants, we guarantee you won’t run out of things to do! And if all else fails, book a nature hike or a fishing trip—you won’t regret it!
Related: 9 Best Warm-Weather Destinations for Winter Escapes
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