8 Big Travel Experiences To Plan For In 2026

OT Staff & Waquar Habib

FIFA World Cup 2026 — North America

FIFA World Cup 2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico) will deliver stadium spectacles, fan zones, city festivals and multi-city itineraries — an essential trip for football fans and culture-hungry travellers.

Scenes from FIFA World Cup 2022 | fifaworldcup/instagram

Dongseo Trail, South Korea — Long-distance Hiking

South Korea’s coast-to-coast Dongseo Trail opens major sections in 2026, offering varied landscapes, village stays and multi-day trekking — perfect for walkers seeking immersive, off-the-beaten-path hiking adventures.

Person along the Dongseo Trail | jekeunpark/instagram

Nibiischii Park (Quebec) — First Nations-led Wilderness

Nibiischii Park, a First Nations-managed reserve opening in 2026, promises canoe routes, guided cultural journeys and wildlife watching — a wilderness experience rooted in Indigenous stewardship and learning.

A view of Nibiischii Park | canada/instagram

Kochi-Muziris Biennale (India) — Dec 2025–Mar 2026

Kochi-Muziris Biennale runs into early 2026, transforming Fort Kochi into an urban art canvas with installations, performances and community projects — a must for contemporary-art travellers.

A street in Kochi | Iulian Ursachi/Shutterstock

Winter Olympics 2026, Milan–Cortina (Italy)

The 2026 Winter Games take over Milan and the Dolomites, offering alpine skiing, ice sports and spectacular mountain scenery. Visitors can pair Olympic events with Italian winter culture, food, design and fashion.

Man skiing in deep fresh snow (representational image) | Shutterstock

Guimarães — European Green Capital 2026

Guimarães (Portugal), European Green Capital 2026, will showcase sustainable urban trails, community-led green projects and heritage renewal — visit to see practical, people-centred sustainability in action.

An urban shot from Guimarães | paulsrib/instagram

Total Solar Eclipse — Northern Spain (12 August 2026)

A total solar eclipse crosses northern Spain on 12 August 2026. Basque coastal towns will host viewing events, guided astronomy tours and local festival atmospheres for celestial travellers.

The total eclipse at Mansfield (representational image) | @JamesLucasIT/x

Museum Openings: New National Maritime Heritage Complex, Lothal (Gujarat)

Slated for full public phases in 2026, Lothal’s Maritime Heritage Complex will showcase India’s ancient Harappan dock, shipbuilding traditions and ocean trade history, with immersive galleries and experiential maritime exhibits.

The site of Lothal | Shutterstock

Time Out’s 7 Coolest Streets You’ll Want To Explore This Year

Wall painting seen near Maybachufer in Berlin-Kreuzberg, Germany | Finn-johs/Wiki Commons
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