Best Holiday Destinations for 2026

29 December 2025

To inspire your wanderlust in the year to come, we have drawn together our expert tips and advice on the best holiday destinations for 2026.

From luxury trains and world-beating culture to majestic wildlife, white sands and hidden gems, wherever you're dreaming of, we can take you there.

Four tigers in Ranthambore National Park, walking through tall grass, with bare trees in the background.

Best for Wildlife: Ranthambore National Park

A vast sanctuary where royal Bengal tigers roam free, Ranthambore is one of our favourite wildlife destinations. In the heart of Rajasthan in northern India, heading out into this evocative wilderness in open-topped safari vehicles accompanied by expert local guides gives visitors the opportunity to see majestic animals in their natural habitat.

As well as mighty tigers prowling the landscape or basking in the sun, you could also see leopards, hyenas, crocodiles and jackals.

Experience Ranthambore on a tour of India's Golden Triangle

Looking out of La Dolce Vita Orient Express window with a curtain on the left with a view of traditional Tuscany buildings, rolling green hills and tall trees against a yellow sunset sky. In the carriage is a table with two dinner sets and wine glasses.

Best for Luxury: La Dolce Vita Orient Express

Embodying the Italian art of living well, the luxurious La Dolce Vita Orient Express showcases the treasured landmarks and culture of Italy with its hand-crafted itineraries.

Recalling the golden age of Italian design and style from the 1960s, La Dolce Vita tailors unforgettable off-train experiences to celebrate your interests. From wine tastings in Tuscan vineyards and picture-perfect ports on the riviera to beautiful Venice and the magical town of Matera, these journeys are elevated by the exceptional onboard dining options, curated by a three Michelin-starred chef.

Experience Italy on the astounding La Dolce Vita Orient Express

View of Angkor Wat, a large ancient temple complex in Cambodia. The temple's towering stone spires rise above the surrounding trees, with intricate carvings visible on the walls. The scene is bathed in warm sunlight, and blue skies all reflecting off a nearby water in the foreground.

Best for Value: Cambodia

A beautiful country where handing over £5 can reward you with a tasty fish amok and a beer in a local restaurant, Cambodia has long been a favourite with budget travellers.

However, this southeast Asian gem backs up great value with spellbinding sights. As the gateway to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has reinvented itself as a centre for wellness and Khmer culture. With tuk tuks whisking passengers from the world-famous jungle temples to the bustling markets around the riverside, Siem Reap represents authenticity while being perfectly equipped for unforgettable experiences.

Discover Angkor Wat and magical Cambodia

Scenic view of St. Johann in Tirol, a charming alpine town nestled in the mountains. Traditional colourful houses line the streets, with town a square at the centre and traditional church building. In the back are towering mountain peaks.

Best for Sustainable Travel: St Johann in Tirol

Recognised by the United Nations as one of the best tourism villages, St Johann is an innovator when it comes to sustainability. Nestled amid Austria's Kitzbühel Alps, this historic village has implemented schemes to ensure visitors and residents alike benefit from tourism, with a focus on environmental responsibility and the preservation of local traditions.

At Great Rail Journeys, we work with locally run hotels and businesses to ensure our customers enjoy an authentic taste of this wonderful, year-round destination.

Explore the Austrian Alps from St Johann in Tirol

View of the River Seine flowing through Paris, with iconic landmark the Eiffel Tower on the left and historic bridge going across the river. Boats cruise along the water, with blue skies with clouds.

Best for Art: Seine Cruise

Described by artist André Masson as bestowing 'absolute poetry on colour', Claude Monet's series of water lilies are instantly recognisable. A collection of around 250 paintings, Monet's late masterpieces were inspired by his garden in Giverny near the banks of the Seine.

From Vincent van Gogh in Auvers-sur-Oise to Eugène Boudin in Honfleur, this iconic river and its idyllic villages have influenced a glittering array of celebrated artists.

Sail through the landscapes of Impressionists on our Seine river cruise

An assortment of small traditional Japanese dishes, including vegetables, garnishes and rice, and a bowl of miso soup being heated up by a small stove. All arranged neatly on a wooden tray on a wooden table.

Best for Gastronomy: Japan

Speaking of art, the traditions and refinement of Japanese cuisine is a craft all of its own. It takes up to 10 years of training to become a sushi master (itamae), and learning knife technique is as important as the quality of fish.

From umami, the cornerstone of taste, to the significance of miso, Japanese cuisine places a huge prestige on balance and the calibre of ingredients. Presentation and formality are also ingrained in timeless tea ceremonies, a spiritual process providing harmony and inner peace to the participants.

Experience world-famous food and drink on a Grand Tour of Japan

Scenic view of a cove in Puglia's coastline, with crystal-clear blue water meeting a rocky beach, with buildings built into the rocks right up to the shoreline, against a blue and pink sunset sky.

Best for Relaxation: Puglia

Italy remains one of our customers' most-loved destinations and it's the southern region of Puglia that has been garnering the most attention recently.

With everything travellers to Italy could wish for - authentic cuisine, spectacular architecture, white-washed towns and sandy beaches - Puglia delivers on many fronts. Explorations of Lecce, Alberobello and nearby Matera can be further enhanced by returning each night to a hotel on the Adriatic coast.

Soak-up the laid-back lifestyle of the 'heel' of Italy on our Puglia All Inclusive holiday.

Image of Stonehenge, a circle of large, ancient stones standing in a grassy field. The stones are arranged in a pattern, with some leaning and others upright, with evening light.

Best for History: Wiltshire

Piercing the skyline of one of Britain's most historic cities, Salisbury Cathedral dates from the mid-13th century and contains an original Magna Carta.

However, Wiltshire's history stretches back much further - 5,000 years in fact. This beautiful county is filled with mystery and ancient sites, including the world's most famous Neolithic monument, Stonehenge. Unbelievably, Avebury stone circles are nearly 800 years older! Surrounding a picturesque village and containing a thatched pub, Avebury is the hidden jewel in Wiltshire's crown.

Uncover Wiltshire and enjoy an exclusive sunset experience in Stonehenge's inner circle

Jungfrau Express train traveling through the Swiss Alps, a red train travelling down a slope surrounded by snow-covered mountains in the background. A grassy hill with flowers can be seen in the foreground.

Best for Scenery: Jungfrau

Reaching the 'Top of Europe' is a delight in itself. Climbing to more than 11,300 feet above sea level, the Jungfrau Express cuts through the north face of the Eiger enroute to the continent's highest train station.

At the summit, you emerge in a year-round winter wonderland and are treated to astounding views of snow-covered peaks and the winding Aletsch Glacier - the longest in the Alps. Leaving the iconic Sphinx viewing platform, you could delve into the otherworldly Ice Palace to admire a grand exhibition of sculptures carved into permanent ice.

Discover scenic Switzerland on the Jungfrau Express.

View of Machu Picchu, an ancient stone city built on a mountain. The site is surrounded by green hills and tall mountains under a blue sky with clouds.

Best for Landmarks: Machu Picchu

There's a real sense of adventure and accomplishment as you stand in awe in front of the lost city of the Incas while clouds roll in over the rugged Andes. Perched on a hilltop saddle high in the mountains, Machu Picchu is one of the world's most famous landmarks.

Shrouded in mystery, this 15th-century UNESCO World Heritage site is the focal point of Peru's Sacred Valley and is the South American country's most popular tourist destination.

Tick off this bucket list-topping destination on an exploration of Peru and the Andes