Where Wisconsin Travelers Are Going in 2026: Bucket-List Adventures

The world is calling, Wisconsin, and 2026 is the year to answer! This year’s travel trends reveal a shift toward exclusive, transformative, and deeply enriching experiences. Travelers are seeking out bucket-list adventures that deliver both unparalleled luxury and profound connection to the world’s most spectacular landscapes.

Here are some of the destinations topping Wisconsin travelers’ wish lists for 2026!

The Canadian Rockies by Rail – All-Dome Luxury

For those who believe the journey is the destination, a rail tour through the Canadian Rockies is the ultimate choice. Wisconsin travelers are booking GoldLeaf service on the Rocky Mountaineer. This daylight-only experience ensures no mountain scenery is missed while traversing the iconic routes between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper.

The Luxury Rail Experience:

• Panoramic Vistas: Full dome-glass carriages offering 360-degree views of towering peaks, glacial lakes, and sweeping canyons.
• Gourmet Dining: Regionally inspired cuisine served in an elegant dining room.
• Exclusive Access: Overnight stays in luxury hotels (not on the train) at destinations like Lake Louise and Banff’s historic Fairmont properties.
• Iconic Routes: Passing through historic tunnels and crossing breathtaking trestles while following the historic tracks of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Insider Tip: Book your journey 12-18 months in advance, especially for peak summer and early autumn departures. Choose the two-day First Passage to the West route for the most dramatic mountain scenery.

Swiss Alps Rail Tour – Glacier & Bernina Express

Switzerland offers a network of spectacular rail lines, but the Glacier Express and Bernina Express are the jewels of luxury train travel. This journey provides an immersive, slow-travel experience through some of the world’s most dramatic alpine scenery.

Why Swiss Rail is Trending for 2026:

• Engineering Wonders: Traveling over the Landwasser Viaduct and through spiral tunnels, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Panoramic Comfort: Exclusive Excellence Class on the Glacier Express offers a guaranteed window seat, lounge seating, and concierge service.
• Contrasting Landscapes: The Bernina Express transports passengers from the high, glacial peaks of the Alps to the palm trees of Tirano, Italy.
• Alpine Elegance: Staying in charming, sophisticated mountain towns like St. Moritz and Zermatt before and after the rail segments.

Insider Tip: The best time to travel for clear views is late spring (May/June) or early autumn (September/October).

Serengeti & Masai Mara Safari – Tanzania & Kenya

African safaris remain the pinnacle of adventure travel, offering a profound and transformative experience. The Serengeti-Masai Mara ecosystem provides the planet’s most spectacular wildlife viewing, particularly during the Great Migration.

The Safari Experience:

• Great Migration: Witnessing one of Earth’s most profound wildlife spectacles from a private vehicle.
• Tented Camps: Accommodations in five-star luxury tented camps and lodges that blend seamlessly with the wilderness.
• Conservation Focus: Choosing operators that prioritize conservation, offering a meaningful contribution to the environment.
• Expert Guiding: Private game drives with world-class, certified guides who provide unparalleled wildlife tracking expertise.

Insider Tip: The best time for a comprehensive safari is from June to October, when the dry season offers prime viewing conditions. Plan 10-14 days and combine Kenya and Tanzania for maximum ecological diversity.

Tuscany, Italy – La Dolce Vita Perfected

Tuscany embodies the travel trend toward slow, immersive cultural experiences. Travelers are choosing countryside villas, private cooking classes, and intimate wine tastings over rushed city tours.

Why Tuscany Tops 2026 Lists:

• Authentic Cultural Immersion: Connecting with the local pace of life through food, wine, and art history.
• Exclusive Stays: Renting restored stone villas (agriturismos) with infinity pools and dedicated staff in the rolling hills.
• Culinary Mastery: Private market tours and hands-on cooking classes with local chefs, focusing on traditional regional cuisine.
• Renaissance History: Seamlessly combining the rural tranquility with private, guided tours of Florence’s masterpieces.

Insider Tip: Autumn (September/October) offers ideal weather and the energy of the grape and truffle harvest seasons.

Turks and Caicos – Unrivaled Beachfront Elegance

Turks and Caicos offers the quintessential high-end beach escape, known for its pristine white sand beaches and some of the most transparent turquoise waters in the world. It is the premier destination for relaxation and water-based luxury.

The Turks and Caicos Appeal:

• Grace Bay: Consistently ranked among the world’s best beaches for its calm waters and expansive sand.
• Luxury Resorts: Home to world-renowned, all-inclusive, and boutique five-star resorts designed for adult and family luxury.
• World-Class Diving: Excellent reef systems for snorkeling and diving, including the dramatic wall dives of Grand Turk.
• Accessibility: Easily reached from MKE with smooth, quick connections through major US hubs.

Insider Tip: While Provo (Providenciales) is the main island, consider a day trip or an overnight stay to the quieter, more secluded islands like Middle Caicos or North Caicos for a change of pace.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Caribbean All-Inclusive Grandeur

Punta Cana has become synonymous with high-end, all-inclusive luxury in the Caribbean. Its vast array of resorts, from adult-only havens to family-friendly complexes, provides convenience without compromising on five-star service and setting.

Why Wisconsin Travelers Choose Punta Cana:

• Effortless Luxury: Seamless, all-inclusive resort experiences with world-class dining, drinks, and entertainment included.
• Stunning Beaches: Miles of white sand and coconut palms on the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic.
• Activities Galore: Championship golf courses, high-end spas, and a variety of watersports.
• Family Convenience: Many resorts specialize in multi-generational travel with dedicated kids’ clubs and luxury amenities.

Insider Tip: Consider resorts in the Cap Cana or Uvero Alto areas for more secluded, ultra-luxury experiences that are away from the main Bavaro Beach crowds.

Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona – Desert Luxury for Brewers Fans

Phoenix offers the perfect weekend escape tailored specifically for Wisconsin travelers. It combines beautiful desert landscapes and high-end relaxation with the highly anticipated event of Brewers Spring Training! Go Brew Crew!

Why It’s Trending for 2026:

• Spring Training Baseball: Guaranteed warm weather and a chance to cheer on the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix (March games).
• Luxury Spas & Golf: Approachable prices for world-class spa resorts and championship golf courses in Scottsdale.
• Scenic Beauty: Sedona’s red rocks are just a two-hour scenic drive away.
• Accessibility: Direct flight options from MKE make it the ideal domestic escape.

Insider Tip: Visit in January or February for perfect weather and reasonable hotel rates before the higher prices of the main Spring Training month in March. Book accommodations in the Scottsdale area for proximity to upscale dining and shopping.

Alaska – Grand Cruise Ship Luxury & Cruises

Alaska, on a large, modern cruise ship, offers a blend of spectacular natural scenery and world-class, resort-style amenities. Luxury cruise lines like Cunard (on the elegant Queen Elizabeth), Regent Seven Seas, and Crystal offer a premium experience with all-inclusive perks, butler service, and exceptional dining while cruising the Inside Passage.

The Alaskan Grand Voyage:

• Glacier Viewing: Iconic scenic cruising days in sites like Glacier Bay National Park or Hubbard Glacier.
• Luxury Amenities: Onboard features like the North Star observation pod (Royal Caribbean), floor-to-ceiling Observation Lounges (NCL), or classic White Star service (Cunard).
• Cruisetour Option: The ultimate luxury combination—a 7-day cruise paired with a 3- to 7-day pre- or post-cruise land tour via private motorcoach or glass-domed rail car into the interior (Denali National Park).
• Port Convenience: Easy round-trip sailings from Seattle or Vancouver, visiting popular ports like Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan.

Insider Tip: For your first Alaska cruise, choose an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay National Park, as access is highly regulated and limited to only specific cruise lines (like Princess and Holland America, in addition to ultra-luxury lines). Always book a balcony cabin for the best, private glacier viewing.