Monday, December 29, 2025

No hype or algorithm: 5 places to visit in 2026 we tested ourselves πŸ—Ί️⁀ΰͺœ✈︎

From coastal California to rural Japan and Portugal, USA TODAY's travel reporters share 5 destinations that stood out and are poised to shine in 2026. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌  ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ 
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Travel

Mon Dec 29 2025

 
Solana Beach is located between Del Mar and Encinitas.

From coastal California to rural Japan and Portugal, USA TODAY's travel reporters share 5 destinations that stood out and are poised to shine in 2026.

Up close with the ball at One Times Square.
 

At this destination, you can count down to a new year every day

Visitors can get up close and personal with the famous Times Square ball at a newly-opened attraction.

Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander, left, and Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov in "Heated Rivalry."
 

What 'Heated Rivalry' got right about queer travel and safety

This "Heated Rivalry" plot reflects how LGBTQ+ travelers have long relied on distance and retreat to safely love and imagine a future.

It will be easy to relax and recharge at The Westin Playa Vallarta, an All-Inclusive Resort.
 

Planning ahead? These family-friendly resorts debut in 2026

From beach escapes to ski resorts and theme park stays, these brand-new family hotels opening in 2026 are worth building a vacation around.

JetBlue's original Mint business class seating
 

Does JetBlue have first class? Here's what travelers actually get.

JetBlue doesn't offer traditional first class, but its EvenMore bundle and Mint suites give travelers premium options on select routes.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer checking someone's passport in Miami.
 

Face ID could make it easier for border control to search your phone

Face ID could make a difference in your privacy at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Here's what travelers should know.

Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras ship.
 

Thinking of a Christmas or New Year's cruise? Expect big crowds

Winter holidays are among the most popular times to take a cruise.

Teishoku are Japanese set meals, showing careful attention to detail. In Gifu, they feature local and incredibly tender Hida beef.
 

Skip Tokyo crowds and slow travel through this Japanese hidden gem

As overtourism strains Japan's major cities, Gifu Prefecture offers travelers a slower, more intimate way to experience the country's culture.

A air traveler checks out the flight board to see if his flight was on time, delayed or cancelled at the Jacksonville International Airport Tuesday morning, January 21, 2025.
 

Here's which airlines canceled, delayed the most flights last holidays

Here's how the airlines performed during the holidays last winter, and why it may not be the best way to predict how they'll do this year.

Hiking up Gujo Hachiman Castle gives travelers a gorgeous lookout point over the town of Gujo.
 

Look: Take a glance at Japan's countryside hidden gem

Most travelers visit Japan's most popular destinations, but the countryside has much to offer. Here's how to explore Gifu Prefecture.

 

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