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🌎 2026 Trends, New National Trails Plus Weekly Travel News Roundup
Published 3 months ago • 7 min read
The Places Where We Go Travel Newsletter - June 8, 2026
Happy National Best Friends Day from the USA. We're off today for a camping trip with dear friends to spend a few days near a lake in Santa Barbara County. We can feel the excitement of summer travel and experiences upon us, and we hope you have some fun adventures in store as well.
Travelers are planning to keep exploring internationally in 2026, but they are becoming more intentional about where they go, how they spend, and which tools they trust. According to Skyscanner’s Future of Travel report, flight and hotel costs remain major decision factors, yet many travelers still plan to spend more on flights, accommodations, local tours, and multi-city trips.
AI is also becoming a more common travel-planning tool, helping with destination research, itineraries, and price comparisons, though accuracy remains a concern. At the same time, social media continues to inspire trips, while overcrowding is pushing more travelers toward quieter destinations, shoulder-season travel, and more authentic local experiences.
International travelers are becoming more risk-aware in 2026, with many avoiding destinations tied to active conflict, political instability, crime, or persistent security concerns. A Global Rescue traveler sentiment survey found high avoidance rates for areas near Middle East conflict zones, Pakistan, parts of Africa, and countries bordering Russia and Ukraine, while traditionally lower-risk destinations like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand remain largely unaffected. The findings suggest travelers are not abandoning global travel, but they are paying closer attention to safety, regional tensions, and personal comfort when choosing where to go next.
The U.S. Department of the Interior has designated six new national trails across Colorado, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia, adding 162.5 miles of hiking, paddling, cycling, and multi-use recreation to the National Trails System.
Timed with Great Outdoors Month and National Trails Day, the additions include alpine routes in Rocky Mountain National Park, a developing rail-trail in Indiana, a 120-mile paddling route along Pennsylvania’s Schuylkill River, a culturally rich river trail near Bears Ears National Monument in Utah, and a nature-focused trail system west of Washington, D.C.
For travelers, these designations highlight new and noteworthy places to plan outdoor escapes, from rugged backcountry hikes and wildlife viewing to beginner-friendly paddling and accessible nature walks.
American Airlines is temporarily suspending six California routes from August 5 through October 5 as rising jet fuel costs put pressure on summer flight schedules.
The cuts affect Los Angeles, Ontario, and Sacramento, including nonstop service from LAX to Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington Dulles, as well as routes from Ontario and Sacramento to Charlotte. Travelers booked on affected flights will be offered alternative itineraries or refunds, but many may need to connect rather than fly nonstop.
For summer and early fall travelers, the changes are a reminder to check flight details closely and build in flexibility as airlines adjust capacity during a costly travel season.
Disneyland Resort will kick off its 2026 Halloween season on August 21, bringing festive fun to both theme parks through October 31, with Plaza de la Familia continuing through November 2.
Travelers can look forward to Halloween décor, seasonal attraction overlays, specialty food and drinks, limited-time merchandise, character experiences, and returning favorites like Haunted Mansion Holiday, Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark, Pluto’s Pumpkin Pursuit, and the “Halloween Screams” nighttime spectacular on select nights.
Over at Disney California Adventure, Oogie Boogie Bash returns as a separately ticketed after-hours event from August 18 to October 31, with tickets going on sale in June. The season also includes Día de los Muertos traditions inspired by Pixar’s “Coco,” plus themed hotel dining, décor, treats, and special experiences across the Disneyland Resort hotels.
Carnival Corporation has confirmed a major data breach affecting nearly six million customers across brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, and Seabourn.
The incident began after an employee account was compromised through a social engineering attack, allowing unauthorized access to internal systems before the intrusion was stopped on April 22. Exposed information may include names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth, loyalty program details, driver’s license information, and passport data.
Carnival is notifying affected customers and offering 24 months of credit monitoring, a reminder for travelers to stay alert for phishing attempts and fraud tied to cruise or loyalty program accounts.
China’s travel and tourism sector is accelerating quickly, with new WTTC data showing strong gains in international arrivals, visitor spending, and overall tourism output. International visitation rose 15.5% last year, far outpacing global growth, while international travel spending topped $135 billion, surpassing pre-pandemic levels.
The growth is being driven by expanded visa-free stays, biometric entry systems, and widespread adoption of digital payments—changes that make visiting China easier for international travelers. If current trends continue, China could overtake the United States as the world’s largest tourism economy, signaling a major shift in global travel demand and opportunity.
Summer airfare to Europe is climbing, especially for major favorites like Paris, Rome, Barcelona, and London, but Dollar Flight Club reports that travelers can still find better-value routes to cities such as Stockholm, Dublin, Porto, Bergen, Krakow, Budapest, Bologna, Venice, Nice, and Seville.
With fares ranging from about $350 to $570, these destinations offer a smart workaround for travelers who want a European getaway without paying peak prices in the most in-demand hubs. The takeaway: looking beyond the obvious cities can lead to fewer crowds, more distinctive experiences, and a much friendlier airfare bill.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions: Cyrpus and Canada
Level 3 - Reconsider Travel: Rwanda
Level 4 - Do Not Travel: Uganda & Democratic Republic of the Congo
Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
Plan International Holiday Travel Now
For international holiday travel, now is the time to start turning ideas into reservations.
Flights for peak holiday periods can fill quickly, especially on popular routes to Europe, Christmas markets, warm-weather escapes, and major family destinations.
As a general rule, we encourage travelers to plan about six months ahead whenever possible. That extra lead time gives you a better chance at finding reasonable airfare, preferred flight times, convenient connections, and lodging that fits your style and budget.
It also leaves room to research entry requirements, build a thoughtful itinerary, and avoid the stress of last-minute decision-making. A little early planning can make the difference between a rushed holiday getaway and a memorable international trip that feels smooth from the start.
We're fans of Expedia for planning most of our travel.
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Why Visit? Lake Tahoe becomes a true alpine escape in winter, with snow-covered Sierra peaks, cozy mountain villages, and that famous blue lake creating a beautiful contrast against the white landscape. It’s an ideal destination whether you want an active ski trip, a peaceful snowy getaway, or a scenic winter weekend with plenty of fireside charm.
Top Things To Do:
Go skiing or snowboarding: Lake Tahoe is one of the West’s classic winter sports destinations, with major resorts offering terrain for beginners, families, and advanced skiers alike.
Try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing: For a quieter way to experience the winter scenery, head out on snowshoes or cross-country skis through forested trails and snowy lakeside areas.
Enjoy classic snow play: Tubing, sledding, ice skating, and scenic gondola rides make Tahoe a great winter choice even for travelers who don’t plan to ski.
Travel Tip: Before driving to Lake Tahoe in winter, check road conditions, weather forecasts, and chain requirements, especially if you’ll be crossing the Sierra during or after a storm. Caltrans provides current highway information online and by phone at 1-800-427-7623.
We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on December 2026, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:
Death Valley (California) - Our favorite time of year to visit Death Valley is December through January. Avoid the heat and explore one of the most amazing national parks in the United States.
Victorian Christmas (Nevada City, California) - Celebrate a Victorian Christmas in Nevada City by strolling its historic, gaslamp-lit streets filled with carolers, costumed vendors, handmade gifts, roasted chestnuts, and old-fashioned holiday charm. (Select dates in December)
Hogmanay (Scotland) — Scotland’s New Year celebration features torchlight parades, live music, fireworks, and a famously festive atmosphere. (December 29 - January 1)
Romería de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Mexico) — Mexico City hosts massive pilgrimages and celebrations honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe around December 12, making it a major cultural travel moment. (December 12)
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