Best travel destinations for 2027: my travel bucket list

*In collaboration with ROL Cruise

Back in 2019 I wrote a list of five destinations at the top of my travel bucket list.

Earlier that year, I visited the Philippines which was my dream destination for so long that it feels weird to look back and remember setting foot in places of such otherworldly beauty. While I’d go back again in a heartbeat – with almost 3,000 islands, I’ve barely scratched the surface of everything the friendly nation has to offer – my attention turned to which new places are on my travel bucket list.

By 2025, I’d ticked off three of them – you’ll find out my experience if you keep reading! – and two firmly remain on the list.

However, seven years, a pandemic, wedding and baby later, my trips look a little different these days.

So, rather than a full list of places I’ve never been, here are seven of the best travel destinations for 2027 that I’ve actually visited and would happily book again. And, because my travel bucket list is never finished, I’ve added the three new destinations that are still at the top of mine.

While I’ve desperately been trying to whittle down that list, there’s almost certainly a lifetime more adventures to go before I’ll feel truly satiated.

1. Madeira

There’s no question: I’ll return here time and time again – and not just to visit my family.

Epic hikes, swimming in natural Atlantic pools and year-round sunshine, this little island has exploded in popularity since it remained open for tourism in 2020 and for good reason.

When to go

Any time! Even in January, days reach 15–20°C – I’ve been all year round and enjoyed it in every season.

Plan it

7 days in Madeira · Where to stay in Madeira · Madeira in January · Best day trips in Madeira

2. Malta

We visited Malta in January 2026 and while we loved the honey-coloured city streets and ancient sites without the crowds, I’m dying to go back in the summer months.

We had a real mix of weather during our break but even on the sunny days, it wasn’t warm enough for some of the boat trips or beach days that Malta is well known for in the Med. So, Malta remains firmly on my travel bucket list!

When to go

Malta has pros and cons for each season, but I’d choose a shoulder season next time – maybe April or October – to enjoy some more of its gorgeous coastline.

Plan it

Malta in January · 4 day Malta itinerary · Where to stay in Malta · Malta without a car

3. Malaga

My trip to Malaga was an unexpected highlight of 2025 and while I had certain assumptions about the popular Spanish city, I was really proved wrong!

Far from the ‘Brits abroad’ feel I imagined, this beautiful city had tons of excellent food (including the best churros of my life – check out my guide on where to eat in Malaga for the exact location!), beautiful historic sites and a really convenient location for exploring other nearby destinations.

When to go

Swerve the 35°C+ summer heat and head over between September and May. I spent three days there in October and it was the absolute perfect temperature!

Plan it

3 days in Malaga · Malaga in winter · Where to eat in Malaga · Best tours in Malaga

4. Slovenia

Our trip to Slovenia in March 2020 (yep!) was an unconventional one: as COVID-19 was spreading fear across the world, we were attempting to gallivant around Ljubljana and Lake Bled. Luckily our flight home was the day before borders in the country closed and I firmly believe that beautiful trip sustained me throughout lockdown.

We only scratched the surface in four days though: I’d love to go back for longer and explore more of the national parks, hike and swim – especially when it’s warmer. It was an utterly beautiful trip that I’m so grateful for.

When to go

We went in March with gorgeous sunny skies and crisp weather. I’d also love to try a summer-y visit for swimming in those pristine lakes or autumn for the magical colours.

Plan it

Best places to see in Slovenia’s Julian Alps · 16 top things to do in Slovenia · Exploring Lake Bled

5. Albania

For years, I only knew Albania as the place where Voldemort hid after his fall from power – anyone else with me? But in recent years, more of the Balkans have been slowly coming onto the radar and I’ve got no doubt they’ll all soon be as popular as Croatia.

We did a two week road trip around Albania and I adored every minute, from the great summer weather (Southern Albania joins Greece!), clear waters the colour of Paul Hollywood’s eyes and vast, lesser-explored mountain landscapes.

When to go

Visiting Albania in the warmer months enables you to visit the coast AND get the best chance of good weather for some mountain hikes – some become more difficult once the winter snow hits.

I’d avoid absolute peak season at the beach as it gets super busy and head there in May/June or September.

Plan it

Best places to visit in Albania · Two week Albania road trip · Things you’ll need to know about hiking Valbona to Theth · Incredible day trips from Tirana · Fabulous things to do in Gjirokaster · 9 surprising things about Albania · How to get to the Bogove Waterfall and Osum Canyon

You can also check out everywhere we stayed on this handy map:

6. The Cyclades

We spent two weeks honeymooning in the Cyclades in 2025 and I’d honestly love to go back to every island, plus explore some new ones!

The reason I’ve put this entire island cluster on the list is because it’s the ideal place to get different flavours of holiday. For example, you can spend a few days wining, dining and shopping in Paros before getting lost in the wider stretching beaches on Naxos or heading to Sifnos for a smaller, more local vibe.

There are so many Greek islands still on my travel bucket list that it only seems right to include them here.

When to go

There’s a theme here: peak summer gets super hot and busy! We travelled in June when the heat was already starting to pick up so I think May, early June and September would be ideal times to visit. During the winter, many ferry schedules are reduced and restaurants closed, so it would be a little trickier to get around.

Plan it

Two week Cyclades itinerary · Plan Greek island hopping on a budget · Paros vs Naxos · Is Santorini worth visiting? · 4 day Santorini itinerary · Cyclades island hopping guide for first timers · How to hike Mount Zas, Naxos · 3 – 4 day Milos itinerary

7. Iceland

For a while, I’d been put off Iceland due to more and more reports of overtourism damaging Iceland’s naturally awesome landscapes and considering other options – how amazing does this Northern Lights cruise to Norway look?

However, in 2024, we finally took the plunge with a 10 day Iceland road trip and honestly, it was the most unbelievable trip.

Not only did we get engaged in a remote canyon in the north of the country, we saw the ‘screensaver’ waterfall in real life, snorkelled between continents and explored parts of the island you’d totally miss out on with just a few days based in Reykjavik – what I see most people doing when visiting Iceland.

When to go

It all depends on what type of experience you’re looking for. For a snowy wonderland with Northern Lights spotting, a short winter break is ideal. Or, for an epic road trip, choose late May to early September for the best chance of good weather and all the roads being open!

Plan it

Iceland has an expensive reputation, but let me reassure you that it doesn’t have to cost the earth to have an amazing trip in Iceland.

10 day Iceland ring road itinerary · How to plan an affordable trip to Iceland · Affordable places to stay in Iceland · 5 day south coast itinerary · Best things to do in Iceland’s Diamond Circle

Still on my bucket list

8. Japan

Japan has been high on my list of best travel destinations to visit for the longest time and honestly, it’s the cost of flights that always ends up sending us elsewhere.

However, I’m longing to explore this beautiful country from cities to the beaches of blue-zone Okinawa and with the exchange rate currently stronger against the Yen, it’s said to be a great time to visit.

I was determined that we’d go on maternity leave but once our non-sleeping, high maintenance son arrived, we got too scared of the long flight and have opted for safer options for the time being.

However, Japan, we will be coming for you one day!

9. Costa Rica

When it comes to thinking of my next long haul destination my mind always wanders east. Now that I’ve been lucky enough to explore some of the destinations I lusted after most, my thoughts have been creeping towards Central and South America, a huge chunk of the planet that I know very little about.

As one of the world’s best eco-tourism destinations, Costa Rica is right up at the top of my list but I’d be lying if I pretended my head couldn’t be turned by Belize or Colombia too. Hopefully the year will bring a lottery win to make choosing a non-issue – wouldn’t that be an absolute delight.

10. Uzbekistan

I’m completely placing blame on ‘Race across the World’ for this one making it onto the list. The BBC show, where teams have to get from London to Singapore with no flights and just the cost of a plane ticket in their pockets, utterly gripped me and Uzbekistan was the place that stood out the most of all those I hadn’t yet seen.

From ornately decorated mosques to a rich history, there’s something about the idea of going somewhere completely different that’s got me gripped this year. So far this part of the world has completely evaded me and I’m constantly curious to see what it’s all about.

What destinations are on your next travel bucket list?

Laura x

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