Travel & Leisure's The Best 50 Places to Travel in 2026: We Pick Our Dream Destinations

 

Travel & Leisure's The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2026: We Pick Our Dream Destinations

Episode 14 of Marrying Your Passions: The DINK Travel and Adventure Podcast

Just landed in Masai Mara, Kenya back in July 2019

Episode Overview

What if you could only pick THREE places to travel to in 2026? We took on that challenge using Travel & Leisure's The Best 50 Places to Travel in 2026 article. It was harder than we thought!

In this special episode, we're doing something different. Instead of our usual travel guide format, we're dreaming big and helping you do the same. We share experiences from the 11 destinations on the list we've already visited, then each pick our top 3 dream destinations from the remaining 39 places.

Whether you're DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) like us, SINKs (Solo Income, No Kids), empty nesters, recently retired, or just taking a kid-free trip, this episode will inspire your 2026 bucket list!

---

Where We've Been: 11 of 50!

Out of Travel & Leisure's 50 best places, we've been to 11—and 10 of them are right here in the United States! Here are our quick highlights:

1. Carlsbad, California

A beautiful sunset on the Pacific Ocean in Carlsbad.

Beautiful Southern California location between San Diego and Los Angeles. We stayed at the Four Seasons Timeshare after Nathan qualified for the Boston Marathon at the Revel Big Bear Marathon. Pet-friendly, close to Disneyland, and right on the beach!

Travel & Leisure highlight: Culinary destination with Michelin-star chefs at Amen La Costa Resort

We loved being able to walk down to the Batiquitos Trailhead for hiking from the Four Seasons timeshare.

2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Cheesesteaks (even vegetarian ones!), running the Rocky stairs at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Liberty Bell, and Independence Hall. A city rich with American history and great food.

Our must-do: Run up those museum stairs and throw your hands up like Rocky!

3. Washington, D.C.

Nathan loves to run on The National Mall whenever he is in Washington D.C.

Multiple visits both separately and together. Amazing free Smithsonian museums (you can't see them all in one trip!), running on the National Mall, and fantastic restaurants.

Restaurant highlight: Founding Farmers—we've been there multiple times. Get the biscuits!

Travel & Leisure highlight: Featured for the American250 celebrations throughout 2026.

4. Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

There is so much history in Colonial Williamsburg! We loved this tactor who presented at our resort!

Living history at its finest! We stayed at the Westgate Historic Williamsburg Resort and experienced historical reenactments, toured colonial buildings, and discovered some amazing local spots.

Must-visit places:

• Silver Hand Meadery - We loved it so much we joined their club! They do mead and honey tastings with pairings. Get the whipped chocolate strawberry honey.
• Food for Thought - Vegan-friendly restaurant with amazing decor featuring history facts and conversation cards
• Eight Shires Colonial Distillery (sadly no longer open) - Based recipes on Colonial-era liquors

Pro tip: Visit during shoulder season (spring/fall) for fewer crowds and temperate weather

Travel & Leisure highlight: Also featured for American250 celebrations

5. Miami & Miami Beach, Florida

Miami and South Florida are near and dear to us!

Our home base! Where we met at the University of Miami. Miami is unlike anywhere else in the United States. It's truly a city in Latin America with incredible cultural diversity.

Must-eat/visit:

• Ms. Cheeziest - Upscale grilled cheese. Get the Harvest one!
• Doggi's Arepa bar - You can't visit Miami without getting an arepa
• Versailles Cuban Cuisine - Get a mojito in Little Havana
• Wynwood - Street art neighborhood that's exploded in popularity
• Robert Is Here - Fruit stand in Homestead on the way to the Everglades

You must stop at Versailles Cuban Cuisine when in Miami. You'll thank us later!

What makes Miami special: The Cuban influence, the diversity of Latin American and Caribbean cultures, the food scene, the art (we discovered artist Create in Wynwood), and so much more. We'll do full episodes on South Florida!

Travel & Leisure highlight: Culinary destination

6. Naples, Florida

Naples has an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. For us: Say no more!

Gulf Coast beauty with upscale shopping and dining. More relaxed and quieter than Miami. Great golf courses and resorts right on the beach.

What we did: Visited the Alamo Drafthouse, ran at gorgeous Koreshan State Park

Perfect for: Those wanting a calmer beach vibe without the Miami bustle.

Even Gremlin enjoyed visiting Koreshan State Park just outside of Naples!

7. Asheville, North Carolina

The Blue Ridge Parkway will keep you coming back to Asheville!

Part of the Blue Ridge Mountains with beautiful scenery, great brewery scene, and outdoor adventures. Home to the Asheville Tourists baseball team.

What we loved: The open-minded town atmosphere, access to outdoor activities, and we drive through it on our way to Gatlinburg

Pro tip: Visit during warmer months for the best outdoor experiences

8. Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

The Katy Trail is a great place to grab a run or cycle in Dallas!

Where Nathan WON a marathon! (Technically true because he was the first person to cross the finish line at the Texas Quad Thanksgiving race.) Also where a Chihuahua ran the entire 26.2 miles on tiny legs!

What we did: JFK Sixth Floor Museum, museums, restaurants, and that memorable cold Thanksgiving marathon

Note: We'll do a full episode on Dallas/Fort Worth and the marathon in the future!

9. Seattle, Washington

Visiting the Pike Place Market while in Seattle is a must!

We describe it as "a wet Denver" (which is actually a compliment since we love Denver!). Visited during the off-season around Thanksgiving—it was 55° and rainy the whole time.

Highlights:

• Seattle Underground tour - THE BEST thing on our trip! You walk beneath the current city streets and see the original Seattle from 20 feet below. You can look up through grates and see current street level. Not sewers—actual old living rooms, bars, and sidewalks. Fascinating!
• Pike Place Market (first Starbucks, fish market, gum wall)
• Space Needle
• Seattle Marathon—hard but beautiful, especially around Lake Washington

Pro tip: Visit in spring/summer for better weather and more activities available

10. Salt Lake City, Utah

We enjoyed our visit to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Great Salt Lake State Park? Not as much!

We have a full episode on this! Episode 5 covers Park City, Great Salt Lake State Park, and Laramie, Wyoming. It's our most popular episode with twice as many downloads as any other!

Travel & Leisure highlight: Breweries, restaurants, skiing, and mountain activities

11. BONUS: Masai Mara, Kenya 🦁

We saw ALL the animals while visiting Masai Mara!

Our only international destination on the list! We visited in July 2019 as part of Nathan's work trip to Kenya (Nairobi and Meru), ending with this incredible safari experience.

Why it's incredible:

• We witnessed the Great Migration! Yes, like in The Lion King—wildebeest running across the savannah
• Saw lions, elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, gazelles, hippos, crocodiles, warthogs, and MORE
• Baby hyenas - Lion King LIED! They're adorable, fluffy puppies, not evil villains. Alicia wanted to take one home.

Where we stayed: Mara Serena Safari Lodge

• Five-star luxury perched on a hill with sweeping savannah views
• Styled like traditional Maasai Manyata (circular village design)
• The gym has an entirely glass wall—you watch giraffes while running on the treadmill
• Spa, amazing food, all meals included
• Safari jeeps leave right from the property—morning and evening safaris daily
• Gazelles literally walked up to our room's patio
• You ARE the safari—animals everywhere!

The Mara Serena Lodge was a top notch location for our safaris!

Cultural note: Disney actually taught us Swahili! "Simba" really means lion in Swahili. Our guide said "Look, Simba!" and we thought he was joking, but nope—that's the actual word!

Travel & Leisure highlight: One of the world's premier wildlife destinations

---

Our Dream Destinations: The Challenge!

Now the fun part! We each independently picked our TOP 3 destinations from the remaining 39 places on the list. It was HARD. Alicia made FOUR lists before finalizing hers!

Nathan's Top 3 Dream Destinations

1. Umbria, Italy 🍄🇮🇹

Why: TRUFFLES. Truffle pizza, truffle risotto, truffle everything (hold the mushrooms, keep the truffle oil please!).

What makes it special:

• Called the "green heart of Italy"—Italy's only landlocked region
• Rolling hills, vineyards, sunflowers, olive groves
• Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites
• Known as a vegetarian paradise (perfect for us!)
• Fresh local olive oil, cheese, and wine

2026 highlights:

• Six Senses Antognolla opening (12th century castle)
• Jazz festival in July
• Peak wildflower viewing in spring
• White truffle and black truffle festivals (September/October is truffle season!)

Bonus: Easy access to Rome and other well-known Italian destinations, plus the Winter Olympics are happening in Italy this year!

2. Magdalena River Cruise, Colombia 🚢

Why: All-inclusive luxury small ship river cruise with no packing/unpacking? Sign us up!

What makes it special:

• 949-mile journey between Cartagena and Barranquilla
• Blend of history, culture, and biodiversity
• Built with community and indigenous participation (responsible tourism!)

Stops include:

• Cartagena - Colonial walled city on the Caribbean coast
• Palenque - First free town in the Americas (UNESCO site from 1713!)
• Mompox - Colonial town "frozen in time" from 1540
• Santa Barbara de Pinto - Traditional crafts, fishing nets, hand-rolled tobacco demonstrations
• Barranquilla - Vibrant cultural center where the river meets the Caribbean Sea

Perfect for: DINKs and SINKs who love river cruises, history, and not driving everywhere!

3. Mongolia 🐴

Why: Nathan says, "I'm fascinated with places I don't know much about and Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries on Earth!"

What makes it special:

• 50% of the population still lives a semi-nomadic lifestyle
• Gobi Desert with flaming cliffs and dinosaur fossils
• Endless grassy steppes and snow-capped Altai mountains
• Ice-filled canyons

Wildlife:

• Przewalski's horses which are the world's last truly wild horse (critically endangered)
• Wild camels
• Gazelles
• Snow leopards
• Eagle hunters with their birds

Why now: Becoming more accessible while maintaining its nomadic identity. Plus a chance to see something truly different before it changes

Travel & Leisure category: Adventure & Nature

---

Alicia's Top 3 Dream Destinations

1. Peru 🦙

Why: Amazon Rainforest access, world's #1 restaurant, and NICE WEATHER!

What makes it special:

• Temperate weather year-round
• Ancient history and outdoor experiences you can't find anywhere else
• The world's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 #1 winner is in Lima!
• Lots of global cuisine options

2026 highlights:

• Airport expansions making travel easier
• New luxury hotels
• Expanded safari areas (Peruvian safari, not African!)

Amazon Rainforest access: Peru is one of several South American countries with access to the Amazon. Alicia spent a week camping in the Amazon (from the Ecuador/Colombia side) and wants to see if the Peru side is different!

Perfect for: Food lovers, history buffs, outdoor adventurers, and anyone who wants variety

2. Cyprus 🏖️🏔️

Why: Mediterranean paradise with BOTH mountains AND beaches!

What makes it special:

• Gorgeous water perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving
• Mountain trails for hiking and biking
• Greek, Roman, and Middle Eastern historical influences
• Vineyards for wine tasting
• Interesting architecture (castles and old structures)

Water activities: Wakeboarding, water skiing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, or just laying on the beach looking at the water

Food: Mediterranean small plates (tapas style) with fresh, vibrant flavors that are perfect for trying everything without feeling like you're missing out!

Pro tip: Avoid summer (peak season). Visit in spring for nice weather without the crowds.

Perfect for: People who can't decide between beach vacation and mountain vacation. You get both!

3. Madhya Pradesh, India 🐅

Why: BENGAL TIGER SAFARIS. That's it. That's the reason (at least according to Alicia)!

What makes it special:

• National park with Bengal tiger safaris
• Also leopards, deer, various birds, wild dogs, and SLOTH BEARS (Alicia needs to know if it's more bear or more sloth)
• Buddhist monuments and historical tours completely different from US history
• Less touristy than bigger Indian cities
• Vegetarian food heaven!

2026 highlights:

• Expanded flight accessibility
• New luxury lodges (Alicia will stay in a tent to see tigers, but prefers luxury!)
• New tourism infrastructure

Travel & Leisure quote: "India's best kept secret for wildlife enthusiasts"

Cultural note: Most Indian food can be done vegetarian and it's DELICIOUS. Alicia says, "We'd just have to walk in and say 'white American, MILD on the spice level please!'"

---

Geographic Breakdown

We noticed: Between our six picks, we covered:

• 2 European destinations (Nathan: Italy, Alicia: Cyprus)
• 2 South American destinations (Nathan: Colombia, Alicia: Peru)
• 2 Asian destinations (Nathan: Mongolia, Alicia: India)

What we missed:

• Africa - We've already been to Kenya, so we focused elsewhere
• Australia/New Zealand - Both were on the list (Melbourne, Brisbane, somewhere in NZ), but if we're going that far, we'd do multiple locations at once rather than pick just one
• Scandinavia - This was HARD for Alicia! Finland, Iceland, and Switzerland were on the list. She would've picked Norway if it had been included. We'd visit during warmer months when it's green, not white!
• Canada - One Canadian location is on the list, but Alicia ruled it out because of cold weather
• Caribbean - Several locations on the list

Note: There were surprisingly many continental US locations on the list, probably because Travel & Leisure is a US publication.

---

YOUR Challenge!

Now it's your turn!

1. Read the article: Travel & Leisure's Top Places to Travel in 2026 
2. Pick YOUR top 3 - No cheating! Just three.
3. Share with us on social media @MarryingYourPassions - Facebook, Instagram
4. Tell us how long it took to narrow it down (Alicia made FOUR lists!)

We'd also love to know:

• Have you been to any of these 50 places?
• Share your photos!
• Email us at info@marryingyourpassions.com or hit us up on social media

We loved pretending to be fancy at a tea party in Wiliamsburg!

---

Key Takeaways

From Alicia:

Read the random article. Watch the random show.

You never know what you'll discover! Before watching "Race Across the World" on Discovery Plas, we'd never heard of Kazakhstan. Before reading this article, Alicia didn't know Madhya Pradesh existed, but now she knows that's where she can see Bengal tigers!

Open yourself up to:

• Reading articles (even if you just skim them)
• Trying random shows (especially with accents you have to work to understand!)
• Exploring new categories of movies, books, games, sports
• Different countries, cuisines, animals

You might discover your next great passion without even knowing you were missing it. If it sucks after 5 minutes, move on. But unless you try, you might miss out on your next great adventure destination.

From Nathan:

Travel because you WANT to, not just because it's convenient.

Most of our travel has been strategic:

• Where is work taking us?
• Where do our timeshares have locations?
• Where can we add adventure around what we're already doing?

And that's great! We'll keep recommending that type of travel. After all, that's what it often looks like to make adventure part of your everyday life.

But what about traveling to places just because we want to go there?

Reading this article made me realize: What does it look like to pick a point on the map and say, "We're going to do this cruise in Colombia because it sounds amazing"?

The balance:

• Keep doing the "where are we already going" travel (the hard part we do well)
• Add more "where do we dream of going" travel (the easier part we maybe haven't taken full advantage of)

Both are important. Take your life as it is and add in what you're passionate about experiencing.

---

Our Links:

• Website: marryingyourpassions.com
• Blog: marryingyourpassions.blogspot.com
• Follow us: @marryingyourpassions on Facebook and Instagram
• Check out Alicia's Reviews on Google Maps
• Check out Nathan's Reviews on Tripadvisor

---

Coming Up Next

Episode 15: Newport News One City Marathon and exploring southeast Virginia!

---

About Us

Nathan teaches elementary music to 900+ elementary students, coaches middle school track and field, and has completed 40+ marathons (3:02 PR) working toward all 50 states. Alicia works from home as an executive director for nonprofit. We're married DINKs who've explored 47 states, traveled internationally, and co-host this podcast to help others make adventure part of everyday life—not just "someday."

We love kids (we work with them!), we just chose not to have our own. Whether you're DINKs, SINKs, empty nesters, recently retired, or just taking a kid-free trip, we're here to help you make travel and adventure a regular part of your life.

Us Now: Alicia, Peppermint Patty, and Nathan (sporting a Revel Big Bear Marathon shirt)

---

New episodes every other week!

As always, we'd love to hear how you're marrying your passions to your everyday life! Share your stories with us on social media or send us a message.