Mediterranean Caribbean Destinations

The 2026 travel hot list

With a new year on the horizon, we’ve got these holidays firmly in our sights. Where will 2026 take you?

6 min 12 Nov 2025

Editorial Team

Author

At the start of a new year, we can’t help but think ahead to the holiday potential those 365 days hold. Days spent basking on golden sands or hiking through tropical forests; marvelling at ancient wonders or embracing new cultures. So as 2026 comes into focus, we’re dreaming of these dynamic destinations and planning our next escapes.

Kingstown, St Vincent
Mykonos, Greece
Split, Croatia
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Kusadasi, Turkey

1. Kingstown, St Vincent

Discover it on: Caribbean fly-cruises, Britannia

St Vincent is the Caribbean island of your dreams. The one with unspoilt beaches where you can lie on powder-soft sands and feel the warm Caribbean breeze wash over you; where you can hike up a volcano in a lush forest and swim under waterfalls in the same day.

The island certainly dazzled the makers of the Pirates of the Caribbean film franchise, who chose it as the setting for the series. The preserved set can be found at Wallilabou Bay, aka the fictional harbour of Port Royal.

For your own adventure, hop on a ferry to the paradise island of Bequia. This idyllic isle feels like a true escape – it didn’t even have electricity until the 1960s or roads until the 1980s – and time spent basking on its secluded beaches is truly restorative.

Back on St Vincent, you’ll find something beautiful in every inch of the 29km-long island. There are the beaches, of course, with white or black sands. Inland, you can hike up the active La Soufrière volcano or stand under the tumbling waters of Dark View Falls. And for a dose of culture, the charming capital of Kingstown is easy to explore on foot, with historic buildings, botanical gardens and bustling markets.

St Vincent

2. Mykonos, Greece

Discover it on: Mediterranean fly-cruises, Azura

With its white-washed houses framing deep-blue seas, rustic windmills and glamorous beach clubs, Mykonos is the quintessential Greek island. Around every corner you’ll find sights and scenes that epitomise the laid-back, luxe Mediterranean lifestyle. First, those iconic windmills. Built in the 16th century, they’ve become symbolic of the island and give the skyline a look that’s unmistakably Mykonos. From here it’s a short walk down stone steps and through a maze of narrow streets and white walls to Little Venice. The seaside neighbourhood feels straight out of a chic film set with al fresco bars, cosy restaurants and colourful balconies overhanging the water. Score a waterfront table, sip a glass of crisp Assyrtiko and feel the sea breeze in your hair.

There are beaches for all occasions, from family-friendly Ornos to peaceful Psarou. But if it’s a higher energy escape you’re after, hit up the clubs at Kalua, Paradise or Super Paradise Beach for a sundowner and a spin on the dancefloor.

The streets of Mykonos

3. Split, Croatia

Discover it on: Mediterranean fly-cruises, Azura

Few destinations blend ancient history and modern leisure quite like Split, Croatia’s second-largest city. At its heart is the UNESCO World Heritage site of Diocletian’s Palace, a sprawling 1,700-year-old Roman complex just a short walk from the cruise port. Strikingly, unlike many other historic sites of this magnitude, the palace is a functioning part of Split, and daily life happens inside its walls. Climb the 60m-high bell tower of the Cathedral of Saint Domnius for panoramic views of the city, sea and mountains.

Once you’ve surveyed your surroundings, you could stroll the nearby Riva, a palm-fringed promenade lined with restaurants, bars and photo-worthy views of your ship in port. Or visit Marjan Park, the ‘green lungs’ of Split, and soak up the serenity in its pine forests and beautiful beaches (Kašjuni and Ježinac are popular with locals). Wend your way back down through the twisting streets and stone houses of the Varoš neighbourhood and pop into a traditional Dalmatian restaurant (called konobas) to sample some local wine and fresher-than-fresh seafood.

Split, Croatia - September 21, 2016: Tourist and locals walking on the Peristil of the Diocletian's palace

4. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Discover it on: Epic South America Journey, Aurora

Rio is a true feast for the senses. See its dazzling colours, hear the rhythms of Samba, feel the pulsating energy. The city makes a big impression on arrival, with azure waves lapping golden shores that blend into a bustling cityscape surrounded by lush, green mountains. From there, there are countless ways to spend your day.

You could go big – literally – and explore Rio’s iconic sights such as the 30m-high Christ the Redeemer, the Art Deco icon that towers over the city from atop the 700m-high Corcovado mountain; or Sugarloaf Mountain, where a cable car can whisk you up for pinch-me panoramic views. Or you could go a little more granular and dig your toes in the sands of two of the most famous beaches on the planet – Copacabana and Ipanema.

Aurora’s Epic South America Journey stops in Rio overnight, giving you the chance to explore the city after sundown. Make your way to the peninsula at Arpoador for a mind-blowing sunset, or head to the Pedro do Sal neighbourhood for samba and cocktails.

Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio, Brazil

5. Kusadasi, Turkey

Discover it on: Mediterranean fly-cruises, Azura

Kusadasi is the jumping-off point for some of the world’s most incredible historic sights and a delightful destination in its own right. Stepping off the ship, you’ll find a lively resort town with Ottoman-era architecture, ornate mosques and bustling bazaars. If it’s a day on the sand you’re after, Downtown Beach is conveniently set between the marina and the cruise port. But for many travellers, their destination is the ancient city of Ephesus, an unmissable historical experience that’s a quick and easy trip from the cruise port. Dating back to the 13^th century BC, Ephesus was once one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean and today, and impressive array of temples, agoras, porticoes and fountains remain. Don’t miss the 25,000-capacity amphitheatre; the restored Library of Celsus and its fine marble façade; the Temple of Hadrian, built to honour the Roman emperor; the temple of Artemis, of which only fragments remain but which was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world; and the Terrace Houses, which offer a unique look at how the wealthy Roman residents lived.