tropical

IN JUST over two months, we will be in 2027 and with that in mind you might want to start planning your next getaway.

The good news is that the best 25 places to visit in 2027 have just been revealed.

The list compiled by National Geographic features far-flung islands as well as European city gems.

So here are some of our favourites from the list:

Vestland, Norway

Vestland can be found in the southwest of Norway and is known for its waterfalls and wilderness.

Head to Folgefonna National Park where you can see one of the country’s largest glaciers and Trolltunga, a massive rock formation that sticks out of a lake.

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There’s also Sognefjord, which is Europe’s longest and deepest fjord.

The best way to get to Vestland is by heading to the capital of the country, Bergen, with flights from the UK taking around two hours and costing from £91 return.

Luxor, Egypt

Luxor in Egypt is often forgotten about compared to the likes of Cairo and El Gouna but the destination is known for an ancient city and tombs.

Travellers can head to The Lost Golden City, which is the ancient city of Aten and is thought to be one of the largest ancient cities ever found in Egypt.

National Geographic also noted how getting to Luxor will be easier soon as there will be an extension of two free visas – the summer entry visa for travellers visiting on Egyptian-owned airlines and a four-day transit visa.

Flights direct to Luxor from the UK take around five-and-a-half hours and cost from £149 return.

Puerto Rico

Dubbed the ‘La Isla del Encanto’ which translates in English to ‘The Island of Enchantment’, Puerto Rico is dominated by a central mountain range covered in tropical rainforest.

In addition to this, the island is littered with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters.

Visitors can explore the historic forts of Old San Juan, where you’ll find blue cobblestone streets.

Flights from the UK to Puerto Rico usually include a stopover, taking between 11 and 15 hours and costing from £550 return.

Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

The only UK spot to feature on the list is Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland, with sandy beaches and rugged coastline.

Often nicknamed the ‘Scottish Riviera’, Dumfries and Galloway can be found in the southwest of Scotland and is home to medieval castles, such as Caerlaverock Castle, which is a triangular pink sandstone castle with its own moat.

There’s also Galloway Forest Park, which is the UK’s first International Dark Sky Park, with clear views of around 7,000 stars as well as the Milky Way.

If heading to the region, it is about an hour-and-a-half from Glasgow Airport, which costs as little as £30 return to fly to from London.

Grenada

The Caribbean island of Grenada is known as the ‘Spice Isle’ for producing nutmeg, mace and cocoa, but also has beautiful mountains, rainforests and beaches.

Each August you could even travel to Spicemas on the island, which is an annual carnival with parades, street parties and Jab Jab (where people paint themselves with molasses and mud) – and the festival is celebrating 150 years in 2027.

While on the island you can also snorkel Molinere Bay, which features life-size submerged art.

Flights from the UK to Grenada usually involve a stop and cost from around £932 return.

Santander, Spain

If you are looking for somewhere different in Spain to head to in 2027, look no further than Santander, the coastal capital of the country’s Cantabria region.

Full of history, the city has a vibrant Old Town where you can visit the Magdalena Palace.

The city also has a fishing quarter, which is the ideal spot to dig into some local cuisine with favourite dishes including calamari with onions and clams in marinara sauce.

Flights between the UK and Santander take around two hours and cost as little as £29 return.

Normandy, France

Known for its Gothic cathedrals, Normandy is a great European destination for history lovers.

And in 2027 the city will celebrate Millennium 2027: European Year of the Normans with more than 1,000 events planned across the year including medieval feasts, street performances and concerts.

One event in June will see 40 Viking-style ships sail along the Normandy coast.

And you don’t even have to hop on a plane to get to the destination – instead, you could catch the ferry from Portsmouth costing as little as £28 per way.

Melbourne, Australia

For a long-haul trip, Melbourne in Australia is one of National Geographic’s highlight destinations for 2027 with sports, a vibrant nightlife and thriving food scene.

And for rugby fans, the waterfront Docklands district will host eight matches during the Rugby World Cup next October.

Make sure to visit St Kilda Pier and beach as well to spot the colony of local penguins.

Flights to Melbourne from the UK usually involve a stopover and cost from around £550 return.

Leipzig, Germany

For somewhere different in Germany, in 2027 you should head to Leipzig, which is the largest city in the state of Saxony.

The city is home to one of Europe’s largest railway stations, Leipzig Hauptbahnhof, which has a grand 300 metre facade as well as a multistorey shopping centre.

In 2027, there will also be several events celebrating all the famous musicians to come from the city including Bach and Beethoven, with a Beethoven Festival in May and Bachfest in June.

The closest airport with direct flights from the UK is Berlin with returning flights costing from £41 – it then takes around an hour-and-a-half to drive to Leipzig.

Tricity, Poland

Sat on Poland‘s Baltic coast, Tricity refers to the three neighbouring cities of Gdańsk, Sopot, and Gdynia.

Each city has its own character, heaps of history and vibrant seaside resorts.

For example, in 2027, Gdynia will host the regatta of the World Sailing Championships meanwhile Gdansk will have its St Dominic’s Fair with food, concerts and performances.

The best way to get to the region from the UK is by flying direct to Gdansk, which takes around two hours and costs from £29 return.

THE biggest tropical waterpark in the UK will close at the end of October – and won’t reopen until 2027.

Waterworld in Staffordshire is a year-round attraction for families, thanks to its 30C temperatures.

But after the end of October half-term, Waterworld will temporarily close for upgrades to its waterpark.

It is expected to reopen early next year, although no date has been confirmed.

Visitors can enjoy the last day of thrills on Waterworld’s 30 rides and attractions on November 1 along with a live DJ.

Wayne Goodall, managing director of Waterworld Leisure Resort, said: “Our closing party is the perfect chance for visitors to make a last splash with us before we close for a short time to make exciting changes across the Aqua Park.

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“At its heart, Waterworld offers families a place to spend time together, escape from everyday life and enjoy that holiday feeling, whatever the weather.

“The upgrades we have planned are set to build on that sense of fun and enhance the way we tell our story, creating a more immersive experience for our guests. We can’t wait to reveal more about the upcoming investment soon.”

He added that the Adventure Mini Golf and Adventure Mini Village will remain open.

The tropical waterpark sits at 30C even in the winter along with slides like the Space Bowl which is shaped like a UFO.

Nucleus is a popular water rollercoaster, there’s also Stormchaser and Cyclone.

The waterpark is also home to Thunderbolt, which is the UK’s first trap door drop slide.

As well as the main wave pool, there are river rapids and the Jungle House is suitable for youngsters with water cannons and the monsoon monster splash.

The bubble pools are a more relaxing spot away from the high-speed watercoasters thrills.

During the summertime, there’s an outdoor pool open to visitors too.

Of course, the waterpark is still available to book now with tickets available for £17.50 – for children under three-years-old tickets start from £7.

Away from the waterpark, there are two mini golf courses inside the resort, each with 18-holes as well as a mini Adventure Village with everything from doctors to libraries.

Both of these attractions will remain open throughout the rest of the year.

There’s also a restaurant, cafe and gift shop on-site which are also expected to remain open.

In recent years, the attraction has undergone a number of renovations.

One of the newest additions to the waterpark as well is the M Club Spa and Fitness.

In 2023, it opened its new £250,000 immersive play village, then in 2024, £13million was spent on behind-the-scenes upgrades to the waterpark.

IF you’re planning your 2027 holiday already, then you can get ahead of the curve with these 10 destinations.

A new report released by Expedia has revealed the trending hotspots for next year, which have seen a boom in searches.

Along with the soon-to-be-popular destinations, it also looked at other trends, such as set-jetting (destinations popular after being featured in films or TV shows) as well as ‘trip snacking’ which are shorter, sometimes only 24-hour, trips.

Called the Unpack ’27, Expedia Group CEO Ariane Gorin explained: “In 2027, travellers are being more intentional in choosing their next adventure, seeking experiences that are more personal and purposeful to them.

“We’re making it easier to discover, plan, and book the right trip, so travellers can spend less time managing the details and more time enjoying the moments that matter.”

Here are the 10 destinations set to be big next year.

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South Lake Tahoe, US

The destination that has seen the biggest jump in searches is South Lake Tahoe, up 195%.

This is one for the outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its beautiful mountain ranges and huge lake.

It is a year-round resort, meaning it is great for hiking in the summer skiing in the winter.

Brits will need to fly to the main Reno-Tahoe International Airport in Nevada, which requires a layover at another US airport.

Hyogo, Japan

Japan is on everyone’s lips right now, but ditch Tokyo and Kyoto for Hyogo.

The prefecture in the Kansai region has seen searches increase by 95%.

It’s main attraction is Himeji Castle, as well as its hot springs too and world-famous Kobe beef.

To get there, Brits can fly to Tokyo or Osaka, then hop on a domestic flight or high speed train.

Punta del Este, Uruguay

Nicknamed the St Tropez or Monaco of South America, searches to Uruguay‘s Punta del Este are up 65%.

This is where the rich and the famous often visit, with luxury beach resorts lining the beach visited by celebs such as Shakira and Naomi Campbell.

While it is mainly known for its resort like, with yacht clubs, casinos and nightclubs, make sure to visit the unusual La Mano, a huge human hand sculpture from the 1980s.

Flights here from the UK will require a stopover, most likely in Madrid or Brazil.

Sedona, US

The desert city of Sedona in Arizona is also booming in popularity.

With searches up 55%, the destination is most known for its huge red rock formations, which have hundreds of walking and hiking trails.

It’s unique landscape means it was also used to film a number of movies (mainly Westerns between 1940 and 1960), leading to it’s nickname of Arizona’s Little Hollywood.

Brits wanting to visit should fly to Phoenix Airport, then rent a car to drive there.

Busan, South Korea

KPop Demon Hunters, KBeauty and new Virgin Atlantic flights from the UK – it’s safe to say Korea is having a moment.

But outside of Seoul, the city of Busan has seen searches up by 50 per cent.

The second-largest city in the country, it is known for its huge sandy beach (best seen from the Busan X the Sky observation deck on floor 100) and the huge Lotte World Adventure theme park.

To get there, fly to Seoul from the UK then take the high speed train to Busan.

Holbox, Mexico

The tiny, car-free island of Holbox has been a popular destination with backpackers wanting to get off the beaten track.

But the Mexican island has since seen a jump in searches, up 45%.

Beautiful soft sand beaches, clean blue waters and colorful streets of graffiti and cheap tacos – what more could you want?

Fly to Cancun Airport, then take a bus and a ferry to get to the island.

Perugia, Italy

The only mainland European destination to make the list, Perugia has seen searches increase by 35%.

Found on the hilltop, the Umbria capital is one for the foodies, being famous for its chocolate (and annual chocolate festival).

There is also Jazz festivals, historic fortresses and beautiful architecture to explore as well.

It is super easy to get to as well – Ryanair have direct flights from London Stansted from £20.

The Tweed, Australia

Most people won’t have heard of The Tweed in Australia,

But searches for the New South Wales region have gone up by 35%, according to Expedia.

It is known for its river trails and national parks, sharing a border with Queensland.

This makes it easier to get to, with Brits needing to fly to Sydney of Melbourne followed by an internal flight.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Canada

The Ontario town, Niagara-on-the-Lake, has seen searches 35% up.

It is often said to be one of the region’s prettiest towns, and is where Niagara River meets Lake Ontario.

Expect Victorian architecture – it was built by Brits as a military defence – and unique ice wines.

Brits need to fly to Toronto Pearson Airport, followed by a drive to get there.

Chichester, UK

Bizarrely, the English city of Chichester made the list as well.

With searches up 30, the city is known for its 1,000 year old cathedral as well as its even older 2,000 year old Roman history.

It is also the only city in West Sussex, although remains one of the UK’s smallest with just 29,000 locals.

Here are 10 other destinations set to be big next year.

OUR Spotlight On column shines a light on the best things to see and do in popular holiday destinations, and some spots that are relatively under the radar.

This week we head to the Caribbean island of the Dominican Republic and the coastal town of Miches.

Often said to be one of the cheapest islands in the Caribbean, it is also 30C in winter and beers are under £1.80.

eurochange has predicted where Brits will be jetting off to in 2026 thanks to recent money transactions – and it’s the Dominican Republic.

Laura Evans Fisk, Head of Digital & Engagement at eurochange said: “As we’ve seen transactions for the Dominican peso surge this year ahead of any other currency, we can definitely expect to see the Dominican Republic at the top of travel bucket lists for UK tourists in 2026.”

Direct flights make it easy to get to as well, taking around nine hours from London (both British Airways and TUI fly there) so here are some of our top tips.

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MUST SEE / DO

Playa Esmeralda is Miches’ showstopper. This vast ribbon of golden-white sand on the Dominican Republic’s northeastern coast stretches for miles, backed by coconut palms.

The water shifts from turquoise to deep emerald blue, giving the beach its name.

Unlike busier Caribbean resorts, it’s entirely possible to walk for half an hour here without seeing more than a handful of people – no fight for the sun loungers here!

Nature lovers shouldn’t miss Laguna Limón. This peaceful freshwater lagoon surrounded by tropical vegetation is home to dozens of bird species.

Boat tours glide through the wetlands while guides point out herons, pelicans and other wildlife.

Nearby, the crystal-clear pools of Caño Hondo offer a refreshing alternative to the beach, with natural pools cascading through lush forest.

HIDDEN GEM

The town itself and surrounding coastline – a place where emerald mountains tumble into palm-fringed beaches, humpback whales cruise offshore in winter, and brand new luxury hotels sit alongside sleepy fishing villages.

Unlike many Caribbean destinations, Miches still feels wonderfully undiscovered.

You can spend the morning hiking to panoramic viewpoints, the afternoon kayaking through mangroves and the evening watching the sun disappear over miles of virtually empty sand.

In recent years new resorts have arrived, but developers have taken a more low-key approach than elsewhere in the Dominican Republic, keeping much of the coastline untouched and embracing the natural surroundings.

BEST VIEW

But the Instagram-worthy swings of Montaña Redonda have become one of the Dominican Republic’s most recognisable photo spots.

Perched hundreds of metres above sea level, the hill offers spectacular 360-degree views over lagoons, rainforest and the Atlantic Ocean.

Take a seat on the swing that stands at the end of the viewpoint and push out over the incredible green landscape.

RATED RESTAURANTS

Away from the resorts, Miches town offers a glimpse of local life. Small family-run restaurants serve freshly grilled fish, lobster, coconut rice and sancocho, the Dominican Republic’s famous hearty stew.

Try out Rajanoris in town, it’s an unassuming spot not often visited by tourists but it’s a good bet for meeting the locals and tasting mofongo, a savoury pork and plantain dish with lots of garlic!

BEST BAR

Rancho Lounge Miches has a casual atmosphere and lively music and serves up ice cold beer and of course, lots of rum!

WHERE TO STAY

The Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton is set on it’s own 800-metre stretch of sand, with nothing but palm trees and mountains for company.

Even though it’s secluded, there’s a wealth of things to do.

There are four different pools, including a kids pool, 11 bars and restaurants, and a swish spa for some pampering.

As for activities, there’s everything from a bowling alley to a padel court! See hilton.com.

Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £1,569pp including flights from Manchester on November 17, 20kg luggage and transfers. See tui.co.uk.