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Why Go Now? How Travel in 2026 is Defying the Odds
Tourism has been in the news for all the wrong reasons of late, from fuel shortages to water-gun-wielding locals, yet travel is poised to have a banner year. Behind the gloomy headlines, the real story is one of resilience and determination. Here are some ways people are getting around the obstacles and fulfilling their love for travel this year.
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An August for Astrotourism: Chasing a Solar Eclipse in the Vineyards of Spain
On August 12, 2026, a total solar eclipse will pass over remote parts of Greenland and Iceland’s western edge before arcing across northern Spain. Two summer trips will put Smithsonian Journeys travelers right in the path of totality—which just happens to cover World Heritage sites, intriguing cities, and Spain's beautiful wine country.