Dreaming While Staying In: My 2026 Travel Wishlist

As I write this post, a winter storm is happening outside. The first of its kind in a decade, they say. Alerts were sent in advance: snow, then sleet, falling all day. This forecast makes me excited: there's nowhere I'd rather be than at home, having a warm, cozy day.

2026 is running at an unbelievable pace—or is it just me? It feels like only days ago a fresh new year sounded exhilarating, and we were thinking in terms of vision boards and resolutions.

If I’m honest, I still am.

This year, my resolution was traveling less, but more intentionally. And I mean it. Truly. But what’s a girl with a wanderlust-prone mind supposed to do? On the daily, I feel a magnetic pull to certain places and almost wish I could teleport myself there.

Lately, I’ve realized something else: I have fewer boxes to check… and a stronger desire to return. To revisit places I already love and get to know them deeply—experience their many facets instead of just collecting them.

So today, while I’m “locked in” and dreaming anyway, I put together a list of destinations I’d love to hit in 2026. Some are deeply aspirational, others have been on my list for years, and a few… I’m already planning.

Without further ado—shall we go?

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London around Christmas:

Picture credits: Pinterest

If my vision board could speak, it would say: enough! I’ve been including Christmastime in London on my dream list for the last four years, and though I desire it ardently, life simply hasn’t aligned around this sojourn.

Every time I see a photo of the streets illuminated by glistening angels, my heart melts a little. I truly hope I make it in 2026—to enjoy not only the decorations, but the tea services, the bustling streets, the stunningly designed restaurants and fashion boutiques, and of course… all things royal.

Jackson, Wyoming:

Picture credits: Pinterest

I briefly visited Jackson Hole in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, en route to Grand Teton. Though a fleeting stop, it left me wanting more, as it had an air of being a chic place to stop by in the winter.

This year, I can’t believe I’m finally doing it. I’m practically oozing with excitement at the thought of seeing Yellowstone covered in snow, spotting animals in their natural habitat, and leaning into cold-weather activities and a snow cowgirl aesthetic: (faux) furs, cowboy hats, and the kind of freezing temperatures that cut right through your skin but somehow make you feel alive.

Guatemala:

Picture credits: Pinterest

Coffee farms, Mayan sites, the magnificent Lake Atitlán, active volcanoes… all of it has me dreaming about this Central American country just south of Mexico.

In particular, I can't wait to visit Antigua, a colorful-house, cobblestone-street frame to the Volcán de Fuego. It's home to stunning hotels like Villa Bókeh and Casa Santodomingo, and a cultural offer ranging from textile art workshops to lavender field promenades.

What's not to love?

Paris:

Picture credits: Pinterest

Year after year, Paris finds its way into my list. No matter when you read this, chances are I’m daydreaming about returning to the City of Light and bookmarking spots on Instagram like it’s my part-time job.

While I don’t know exactly when I’ll be back, I hope it’s soon—because I’m already plotting: treasure hunting at brocantes, spending hours reading and people-watching at cafés, and maybe learning a thing or two about l’esprit parisien.

On my bucket list (besides revisiting old favorites): Le Petit Palais and its café, the Dior Museum, the Musée Carnavalet, and a train ride to Giverny to visit Monet’s estate.

New York in the Winter:

Picture credits: Pinterest

Despite being the most feasible destination on this list, it’s probably the unlikeliest—time-wise. Still, I yearn for a day trip to the Big Apple with a big coat, a big coffee in hand, and a big stroll through a frozen Central Park.

Then: a generous plate of pasta at a chic, dimly lit Italian restaurant, and a visit to small gems like the Neue Galerie and Café Sabarsky, the Frick Collection, and a few charming bookstores like Argosy.

Florence, Italy:

Picture credits: Pinterest

Unlike the other places on this list, I owe Florence an apology. I visited for a day when I was 15 as part of a quinceañera tour… and I thoroughly disliked it.

For one, the heat and humidity were extreme, which made walking feel like a punishment. And because it was a trip designed for teenagers, the guides didn’t really do the city justice. I remember seeing the Ponte Vecchio from afar, unimpressed, and vaguely hearing something about the David.

Today, I feel ready to return—and actually admire it. I’d love to go in the fall, find one of those wine windows, see The Birth of Venus up close, do a truffle-hunting tour, and get lost in its streets.

Egypt:

Picture credits: Pinterest

Now, this one is wildly ambitious for this year… but I hope I can do it soon. I’ve been thinking a lot about the pyramids lately—how once-in-a-lifetime it must feel to witness this wonder of the world up close, and how many questions it would raise.

The newly opened Egyptian museum in Cairo must also be breathtaking. It’s already been called “one of the cultural highlights of our generation,” featuring Tutankhamun’s treasures and over 100,000 artifacts spanning millennia.

And lastly: I’ve never been in a desert, something I’d love to experience—camel ride included. And why not… a cruise down the Nile.

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Thank you for reading my slightly delusional list. Now, tell me your #1 dream trip for 2026. I need more ideas!!