Dear Travel Fan, The festive season is upon us, whether you celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, some combination of all those things, or just the joy of this wintry moment. It has been a tough year for the travel industry in the United States, which will see 4.5 million fewer international visits than in 2024. Steep new fees, travel restrictions, visa hurdles, uncertainty at the border, and President Trump’s aggressive language toward Canada and other countries are all taking a toll. Christine Chung surveyed travelers, business owners and industry leaders for this look at what’s been happening — and what to expect in 2026. This week we have some suggestions for travelers who skew to more temperate climes, whether they want to ride a new train along the Gulf Coast, save money while visiting Hawaii’s Big Island or journey to Jaipur, India’s renowned Pink City, to explore its evolving culinary scene (and rich history). We also spend 36 Hours in San Luis Obispo, on California’s Central Coast, which is a wonderful trip, no matter the season. If you’re looking for a cozy hotel to curl up in, we’ve got that covered too. We are currently putting the finishing touches on our 52 Places to Go in 2026 list, which we are excited to share with you. In the meantime, here’s a roundup of the places our reporters visited from our 2025 list, and what they discovered. Unfortunately, sometimes your short-term rental disappoints. We’ve got tips on how you can minimize the likelihood of that happening. Hotels at the Grand Canyon unexpectedly shut down in early December. The good news is that they’re back open. And, finally, the Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, has been in the news lately with calls for a return to the “Golden Age” of travel. His daughter recently went on social media to call for the abolition of the T.S.A. (which Mr. Duffy does not control). Wishing you safe and joyful journeys, Amy Virshup
Feedback, thoughts, tips? Email the Travel desk at travel@nytimes.com. Make a friend’s day: Forward this email.Did you get this from a friend? Sign up for the Travel Dispatch here. You can always find our latest stories here. We have more newsletters you might like!Sign up for The Morning newsletter to make sense of the day’s news and ideas. See all newsletters here.
|
