We spent time reading the rankings: The New York Times, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Condé Nast Traveller, CNN Travel. We cross-referenced this with what we see in searches, what our clients ask for, and our own current travels. Here is our 2026 selection—with, for each destination, the maps and guides that truly make a difference on the ground.

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🇯🇵 Japan - The window is now

Quoted by: New York Times (Okinawa #46, Nagasaki #17), National Geographic (Yamagata), Lonely Planet, CNN Travel

The yen remains historically weak. The first tourism restrictions will come into effect as early as the end of 2026 – Kyoto has already begun, Tokyo will follow. Traveling this year means enjoying Japan before it closes down again.

And to escape the crowds of Tokyo and Kyoto? Head to Tohoku, the Japanese Alps, or Miyako-jima in the Okinawa archipelago —magnificent regions that even the Japanese underestimate. The New York Times , in fact, chose Okinawa and Nagasaki , not the usual tourist spots. National Geographic included Yamagata and the Tohoku region in its Best of the World 2026.

The combination of a weak yen, increased accessibility to lesser-known regions, and tax-free shopping (which will change in November 2026) makes this a pivotal year. After that, it will be different.

→ [Our maps & guides to Japan]

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🇫🇮 Finland - The unexpected favorite

Cited by: Lonely Planet (Top 25 Best in Travel 2026), National Geographic, CNN Travel, BBC Travel - and Oulu designated European Capital of Culture 2026 by the European Union

Lakes, forests, endless summer light, northern lights in winter – and hardly anyone there. Finland is the destination we recommend before everyone else flocks there.

Lonely Planet included it in its Top 25 World Destinations for 2026. National Geographic and CNN Travel both highlighted Oulu, in the north of the country. And for those who still doubted that the timing was right: the European Union officially designated Oulu as the European Capital of Culture for 2026. This isn't an Instagram trend. It's an institutional designation that speaks volumes about the country's current cultural energy.

The trend of "coolcations"—escaping the Mediterranean summer heat—is also working in its favor. And for the French-speaking market, it's still very much under the radar.

→ [Our Finland & Scandinavia maps]

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🇨🇦 Canadian Rockies - The great outdoors, in all its glory

Quoted by: New York Times (#13 - “Canadian Rockies by Train”), Lonely Planet (British Columbia, Top 25 Best in Travel 2026), National Geographic

Three of the world's leading travel authorities agree on the Rockies this year. The New York Times specifically recommended the train journey through the Canadian Rockies, which says a lot about the experience people come here for: not mass tourism, but immensity .

This was our road trip in the summer of 2025, so we can tell you that Gem Trek and Nat Geo maps for Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Park are essential. A vast, uncrowded playground of breathtaking beauty.

On the practical side : summer remains the prime season for hiking, but September and October offer fewer crowds and spectacular colors. Plan well in advance – accommodations in the parks fill up quickly, we learned that the hard way!

→ [Our Canadian Rockies maps]

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🇨🇷 Costa Rica - Absolute Nature

Cited by: New York Times (#4 worldwide - Osa Peninsula), Lonely Planet, Nomade Aventure

The New York Times ranked it 4th in the world this year. Not for the well-known beaches of Nicoya—for the wilder, denser, less crowded Osa Peninsula . Valérie and I were there just a year ago, and we can't wait to go back! This choice says it all: the 2026 trend is the real Costa Rica, not the Costa Rica of the brochures.

The cloud forests of Monteverde, the Arenal volcano, Corcovado and its 2.5% of the world's biodiversity on 0.001% of the Earth's surface – Costa Rica boasts ecosystems as richly as other countries are UNESCO World Heritage sites. It's also an ideal family destination, with a well-established tourism infrastructure that doesn't compromise on the experience of being in a completely different world.

→ [Our Costa Rica maps & guides]

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🇬🇷 Greece - Beyond Santorini

Cited by: New York Times (Messinia / Peloponnese, #38), Condé Nast Traveller (Paros #1 of the Greek islands 2026), The Times UK (Kalamata, Top 12 European city breaks), TripAdvisor Best of the Best 2026 (Crete #9 worldwide)

Greece remains unchallenged – topping Global Traveler's list of world destinations for five consecutive years. But the trend is clearly shifting. This year, the New York Times chose Messinia in the Peloponnese , not an island. Untouched villages, a pristine Ionian coast, Mycenaean ruins without queues.

Condé Nast Traveller ranks Paros as the top Greek island for 2026 – ahead of Mykonos and Santorini. Crete is also on the rise, but it's the inland Crete (one of our personal projects for the coming years!), not the beach resort version. Travelers are escaping the overcrowded islands for the secluded Cyclades , the trails of the Peloponnese, and the Cretan mountain villages.

For those who already know Greece: it's the perfect time to see something different from what you already know. For first-timers: avoid August on Santorini, and go exploring.

→ [Our maps & guides Greece]

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To properly prepare for your trip

At Cartovia, we don't sell dreams—we sell the maps that make them possible. Each destination listed above has its own dedicated collection: topographic maps, hiking guides, city maps, and road maps. Always the latest edition available.

If you're planning one of these trips and are unsure which map to choose, write to us . That's exactly what we're here for.

→ [Explore the entire store]