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Hi Reader,
We have started 2026 in one of the most tumultuous ways my generation has seen and this is something that takes my, and probably your, sleep away.
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π© On this week's email
- We have created a Whatsapp channel where we will let you know about last minute spots opening on our previously sold our tours, new destinations we launch before we announce them to everyone, any offers and discounts, and important travel updates. Join here.
- Many of our tours are taking you to the destinations travel experts say are the must-go choices for 2026. I'll tell you all about it this week.
New Whatsapp channel
Emails go to the Promotions folder or get lost in the flood of commercial spam.
Important changes in travel get lost in the noise.
We can't communicate last minute spots availability fast enough.
New trips get sold out before they even make it out to the world.
So we created a Whatsapp channel you can join to see all of the above plus any offers or discounts we launch before anyone else.
We won't be communicating everything there, and the channel will not replace these emails, rather serve as a way to let you know about important things briefly. Expect to receive a maximum of 1 or 2 messages a week.
βGo join the channel here.
Best destinations to travel to in 2026
The beginning of the year always brings the new "Best destinations to travel" articles from all travel publications. I am always keep to see what's suggested and if I can discover a new place to add to my never ending wish list.
I checked The New York Times, Time Out, Conde Nast, CNN, Matador Network, American Express, Expedia, Travel + Leisure and a couple more, and it turns out we are taking you to many of them in 2026 on our tours!
Places to visit in 2026 that are part of our tours
- Anguilla, 2025 Travel + Leisure's top Caribbean island, is part of our 10th year anniversary luxury island-hoping adventure and my favorite of the entire trip. This super tiny island of fluffy white sand beaches is not one on the cruise schedule, so it only visited as a day trip from St Martin. This means very few people visit. Super laid-back, under developed and chill, we will enjoy a beach sunset party there.
- Oaxaca, included as one of the best place to enjoy a diverse and culturally rich part of Mexico and a fantastic cuisine that takes you back to the soul of Mexico. This is a meaningful destination where you can have a trip that will touch your heart wile filling your belly with the most delicious food you probably never tried before. Immerse yourself with us.β
- Arusha, the gateway to the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, is getting more interesting with the opening of the Dr. Jane Goodall Center for Hope opening this year. The enter will educate about wildlife conservation continuing on her work. At the same time, Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area is also on the list thanks to the rehoming of 17 white rhinos that arrived in 2025 and will be released into the park in 2026. Join us in Tanzania in 2026.
- Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, is seeing a cultural renaissance in 2026 with the opening of the Theatre Royal, designed by the late Zaha Hadid. During our Morocco tour, we stop for a visit on our way to Chefchaouen, and explore the white kasbah and gardens featured in Mission Impossible.
- Fes, in Morocco, is one of the most exciting and colorful cities in Morocco, probably more than Marrakech. This is the intellectual and cultural capital of the country too, with artisans and most famous crafts in Morocco coming from the tanneries and kiln in the city. In 2026, the project to restore the medina will be completed, making it a great time to visit to see how centuries old architectural masterpieces shone back again. The guided tour of this labyrinth of alleys is only topped by a stay at a luxury 5* hotel with views over the medina, like we do on our Morocco tour.
- Marrakech, in Morocco, is also a popular destination, says American Express travel research results. We end our tour there so guests can choose what else they want to see / do in the city that never sleeps. I have to say I love Marrakech, but it can also be quite overwhelming with touts and crowds, so exploring with a group provides the peace of mind of being taken care of.
- Uluru, in Australia's center, is exploding with cultural expression, most of it we experience during our trip. We enjoy fabulous drinks with a high-tech drone show up in the sky, a unique sunset picnic that includes morsels decorated with green ants and incredible views of the Field of Lights installation (which has just been refurbished ahead of its 10th anniversary in 2026), a sunrise Uluru base walk getting up and close to this incredible monolith, and so much more.
- The Scottish Highlands is one of the most searched for destinations on Pinterest, and can you blame them? The landscapes are taken out of an epic movie and our Fall trip will coincide with the changing of the leaves and have a Halloween theme...We have also upgraded our hotel in Edinburgh to the city center gorgeous Virgin hotel. Don't miss visiting Scotland with us!
- Armenia, a lesser known and rarely talked about country in the Caucasus that is returning to the tourism map with an increasing number of tourists visiting. It makes a lot of sense to explore the country alongside Georgia on our consecutive tours because both countries have a lot in common but yet their own differences.
- The Arctic is the next destination in polar expeditions, taking over Antarctica as a more affordable and easier to reach option for those who can't afford the southern frozen regions or who can't survive the 2 day Drake Passage (or who loved Antarctica and are looking for a similar experience). Our 2027 Swedish Arctic adventure will be announced soon after 2 consecutive sold out years. Join the waitlist here.
- Japan is taking center stage in many of the lists, highlighting that the weak Yen is making the country 30% CHEAPER than it was 5 years ago. This may change soon as global markets and areas of influence shift. If you always wanted to visit, book your trip asap. Remember that our Japan trip takes you to the main cities but also behind closed doors to learn about traditions that tourists don't hear about and meet incredible women such as the Ama divers, pearl farmers, rare female sushi chefs and more.
- Uzbekistan and the Silk Road, and the beautiful, ancient, blue domed cities are captivating and I have to say the country is one of my most favorite places in the world, especially when it comes to beauty. Join the waitlist.β
- Vietnam, is unanimously mentioned by several publications as an up and coming destination for 2026 and beyond. Restorations in the Imperial city of Hue, new hotels opening, international flights linking it to major hubs and a general renewed interest in Southeast Asia, beyond famous Thailand. The country has also extended visa-free access to 45 countries. I will be there in Feb / Mar scouting our new tour. Join the waitlist to be notified when we launch it. Go follow us on Instagram to see the behind the scenes.
- Malta, I think one of the best kept secrets in Europe, almost only known by British travelers, is the destination I am predicting will be next at the top. Give it a couple of years and the secret will be out. We are planning a tour for 2027, stay tuned! Join the waitlistβ
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Other great destinations for 2026
Here are other places in the list of the Best places to visit in 2026 that we don't visit on our tours but that you should consider:
- Dominica, the tiny island in the Caribbean, is opening the first Sperm Whale Reserve which will protect this enormous Vulnerable animal that can measure over 20 meters / 60 feet.
- Oulu, in Finland, is on everyone's list for 2026 because it is the European capital of Culture for 2026. This is a great winter destination to see the Northern Lights and enjoy winter adventures.
- Okinawa, in Japan, is getting interest almost every year, but this is a particularly popular one since almost everyone is talking about it and Expedia's search volume suggests it is in the top-10 for the year. The archipelago of semi tropical islands is often referred to as the Hawaii of Japan and is still quiet and laid back.
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5 most talked about trends
- Not leaving trips for "someday" because that may never come. Travelers are making dream trips come true sooner rather than waiting for everything to be perfect, because it may never be.
- "Passion-driven" travel to pursue what we love, be it food and wine, learning a new craft, seeing the Eclipse, reading books, following movie sets, painting and self-expressing or just attending the FIFA World Cup or the Winter Olympics in Italy.
- Traveling in the off and shoulder season is now more popular than traveling in the peak season, especially in Europe. Parts of Italy and Spain are now more expensive in May, June, September and October than in July or August.
- "Trendification" or traveling for social media famous spots and viral trends, continues to grow with a segment of travelers, while there are also underlying trends in the opposite, as I mentioned in my last email.
- Luxury is personalisation and meaningful experiences with people, slowly and in-depth, and no longer golden chandeliers and exuberance. Time and connection are what is priceless. I could not agree more with this, which is why we also focus on spending time with local women more and more, instead of checking off landmarks of a list.
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Photo of the week
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Last week's photo
This photo was taken years ago in Brunei, the tiny country in the island of Borneo that is still ruled by a very rich monarch thanks to its oil reserves. There is no alcohol in Brunei, and the country follows Shariah Law.
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This week's photo
Can you guess this week's photo?
In case you missed it
Interesting travel news, discussions in the group and other important travel updates:
- We are working on our podcast and you can join the waitlist here to be notified when it goes live. Better yet, share your most fun embarrassing travel story with us and we will read it in one of our episodes. You can do so anonymously, don't be shy! Podcast page here.
- The world's most on time airports and airlines. Read here.
- Is it cheaper to ski in the US or in Europe? Here's the math.
- Read IDs will be mandatory for US citizens to travel starting February 1st. More here.
- Least expensive 100% safe destinations? See discussion here.
- Cheap resort anywhere hot in February? See here.
- Should you renew your passport if you lost a lot of weight? See discussion here.
- βFavorite island to travel.
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Are we meeting on tour in 2026? π
Hit reply and let me know!
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Solo Female Travelers Co-Founders
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Solo Female Travelers S.L.β C/ Europa 18 5-2, Sitges, 08870
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