This U.S. Mountain Town Is 2026’s Top Trending Destination

Still searching for inspiration for your 2026 getaway? Expedia has unveiled its annual Destinations of the Year list, compiled from the travel firm’s global search data. The report highlights the destinations travelers are most excited about based on the increase in search growth compared to the previous year. One thing is clear: Travelers today value variety. From historic Japanese temples and quaint English cottages to tranquil Canadian forests and UNESCO-recognized Mexican architecture, 2026’s top trending destinations offer unforgettable travel experiences. Can you guess which U.S. spot claimed the top honor?

10. Hobart, Australia

Year-over-year search increase: 25% 

Popular Aussie cities like Sydney and Melbourne usually steal the spotlight, but a new star is rising Down Under: Hobart, the capital of Tasmania. The harborfront city is home to an eclectic mix of markets, boutiques, and museums — most notably, the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA), the largest privately funded museum in the Southern Hemisphere. MONA is known for its cutting-edge art exhibits, but it also hosts live music events and has an on-site winery.

Hobart’s restaurant scene embraces farm-to-table dining, focusing on seasonal ingredients that deliver an authentic taste of Tasmania — and provide fuel for exploring the surrounding region. Hiking nearby Mount Wellington, kayaking to fish punts (floating restaurants), and encountering Tasmanian devils at Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary are just a few of the many appealing activities here.

9. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

30% increase

The colorful colonial-era city of San Miguel de Allende, located in the Mexican state of Guanajuato, is home to impressive baroque Spanish architecture that has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Visitors from around the world are drawn to its well-preserved churches, civic buildings, and murals — a trend that shows no signs of slowing in 2026. At the heart of the city stands Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a striking neo-Gothic church from the 17th century that bears a unique pink hue. The city also boasts a lively entertainment and cultural scene, including many festivals that blend Catholic and local Indigenous traditions.

Plus, the central highlands surrounding San Miguel de Allende are home to a burgeoning wine region dotted with vineyards, tasting rooms, and restaurants. Rolling hills draped in lavender fields and olive groves only add to the region’s enchanting atmosphere.

8. Cotswolds, U.K.

39% increase

The Cotswolds span over 800 miles, encompassing five counties west of London: Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, and Worcestershire. Each village and town has its own identity and offers endless opportunities for exploration and discovery. No matter which you explore, the many castles, inns, gardens, pubs, farm shops, and teahouses create a cozy, old-world atmosphere that make this one of England’s top tourism destinations.

Tourists can tailor their vacation to their preferences, from glamping among rolling hills (while exploring more than 3,000 miles of footpaths) to unwinding at a spa getaway in a historic manor. One of the best times to visit the region is during the Christmas season, when twinkling lights and festive markets make these storybook villages particularly magical.

7. Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada

44% increase

The rugged coastal beauty and deep Indigenous heritage of this peninsula make it an unforgettable place to learn more about British Columbia’s cultural roots while enjoying time in nature. Situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island, Ucluelet — pronounced “you-clue-let” — is a Nuučaanuł word meaning “People of the Safe Harbor.” 

Outdoor recreation and ecotourism are driving factors in making Ucluelet a top trending destination for 2026. With a location on the famous Wild Pacific Trail, it’s a great home base for outdoor explorers. Nearby, the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is home to temperate rainforests and coastal inlets, where activities such as surfing, kayaking, and biking are popular. And during the summer and fall, the downtown Sunday Market showcases local artisan goods, including jewelry, pottery, artwork, and food.

6. Fort Walton Beach, Florida

45% increase

The Emerald Coast of Florida is a 100-mile stretch on the Gulf of Mexico known for its pristine white-sand beaches and turquoise water. One of the region’s most charming cities, Fort Walton Beach, features more than 580 artificial reef sites that make up the most robust artificial reef program in the country, creating a premier diving and snorkeling destination.

Water sports rentals and fishing charters are other favorite Fort Walton pastimes, and the city’s many “Gulf-to-table” restaurants feature some of the freshest seafood in the country. Nearby, Crab Island is a submerged sandbar and boater’s paradise, where hundreds of vessels anchor to soak up the sunshine.

5. Savoie, France

51% increase

Tucked away in the French Alps, just south of Geneva and Chamonix, is Savoie, a region renowned for its ski resorts, stunning views, and traditional cuisine — especially fondue savoyarde (melted cheese infused with wine). Savoie’s biggest cities are Annecy and Chambéry, and Les 3 Vallées is the world’s largest ski area.

The region is also home to Vanoise National Park, France’s first national park, where ibex roam freely in the largest protected natural area in the Western Alps. Nearby, Lac de Bourget is France’s largest natural lake, offering unforgettable hiking trails and views. For one of the best vantage points of the lake, head to Hautecombe Abbey, a 12th-century royal abbey that overlooks its shores.

4. Phu Quoc, Vietnam

53% increase

Floating in the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Thailand is the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc. The island’s white-sand beaches, swaying palm trees, and seaside eateries create a laid-back atmosphere that’s perfect for a tropical getaway off the radar of most American tourists — although that may be set to change in 2026. 

Phu Quoc is famous for its fish sauce, a staple that you can sample at local restaurants or during a tour of a factory. More than half of the island is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering plenty of dense jungles and hiking trails, where you can find a diverse array of wildlife, including several endangered species such as the silvered langur, slow loris, small-clawed otter, and fruit bat. The coral reefs on the southern end of the island are also home to a diverse ecosystem with more than 100 species of fish.

3. Sardinia, Italy

63% increase

Some 3 million sheep outnumber the human population (1.6 million) on Sardinia, Italy’s second-largest island, a thriving agricultural hub that accounts for 13% of sheep milk production in the European Union. Among the most renowned is pecorino cheese — one of the region’s specialties — a must-try during your visit.

But Sardinia isn’t all sheep farms — it’s also home to stunning Mediterranean beaches and historic villages that more and more tourists are catching onto. The island’s culinary scene features a blend of locally caught seafood, freshly farmed dairy, and homemade pasta, best paired with a glass of local wine, such as Cannonau or Vermentino. Sardinia is also home to a cluster of villages that comprise the world’s first recognized Blue Zone, where people live longer than anywhere else in the world.

2. Okinawa, Japan

71% increase

The beaches of Okinawa provide a warm, sunny welcome to visitors from around the globe, but you’ll find that there’s much more to this tropical Japanese island than sand and surf. For starters, Okinawa — which, like, Sardinia, is considered a Blue Zone — was the birthplace of karate, and today, the Okinawa Karate Kaikan hosts international tournaments and seminars. Many travelers also bring home yachimun, traditional pottery from Okinawa that’s decorated in bold, hand-painted designs.

The island’s historical significance also draws many visitors to see the remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429 to 1879), including nine gusuku“(castles) located around the island, which represent five centuries of Ryukyu culture. Later, the island was the site of World War II’s Battle of Okinawa (1945); today, history buffs flock to see sites such as Hacksaw Ridge, the Japanese Imperial Army Headquarters (located at Shuri Castle), and Okinawa Peace Memorial Park.

1. Big Sky, Montana

92% increase

According to the search data, the most dreamt-of destination for 2026 is Montana’s Big Sky, a mountain resort town in the Rockies known for its outdoor living, ski resorts, and Western charm. In the late 19th century, Big Sky saw its first ranches and homesteads emerge, but those quiet cattle farms were soon overshadowed by Big Sky Resort, which opened for its first winter season in 1973.

Since then, the town has dramatically expanded around the resort, and it now offers spas and wellness centers, Montana-made boutique shopping, performing arts venues, and numerous local festivals. But most visitors still come to Big Sky for its outdoor activities, which include horseback rides, fly fishing, white water rafting, dog sledding, and snow sports, to name a few. Big Sky is also a perfect home base for day trips to Yellowstone National Park, located about an hour south of the city.