These days, travel inspiration is found on social media — we look to trusted TikTok creators and Instagram influencers for advice on where to go next.
One person that you’ve probably heard of (and if you haven’t, you should definitely check out) is Kate McCulley, better known by her ‘gram handle,@Adventurous Kate.
Over the last 15 years, the Forbes Top 10 Travel Influencer has visited 96 countries, from Antarctica to Australia, Croatia to the Caribbean. So when it comes to travelling, she knows her stuff.
We sat down with Kate to chat about the countries she recommends visiting in 2026.
Italy
While this might seem an uninspired choice, Kate says there is a very good reason to visit Italy this year: fewer people will be there.
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In 2025, La Dolce Vita celebrated the Jubilee, a special holy year in Rome and the Vatican City that occurs in the Catholic tradition every 25 years.
It meant that many Catholics made the pilgrimage to Italy — particularly to Rome — from all over the world to mark the occasion.
And while that may have been welcome for business, it was less so by locals who are already disgruntled about their cities becoming unwilling poster children for overtourism.
It’s still the third-most popular holiday destination for Brits, just behind Spain and France, but with the festivities over for another quarter of a century, Kate predicts that Italy will be a lot quieter in 2026.
Kate notes that many of the Roman refurbishments timed for the Jubilee have been completed, meaning you can now ‘enjoy the benefits with fewer crowds.’
Newly finished construction work in the capital includes infrastructure upgrades (Metro A, bridges), plus extensive restoration of iconic landmarks, including the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum.
Elsewhere in Italy, Kate recommends a trip to Milan. The northern city, considered one of the world’s fashion and design capitals, is co-hosting the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
While the Games (which take place throughout February) will dominate, she expects things to calm down after the event.
Japan
Everyone and their mother has been travelling to Japan since the pandemic, and we’ve got TikTok to thank.
While Kate advises you to avoid Kyoto — ‘it’s got way too many tourists these days’ — she says the northern island of Hokkaido is where it’s at.
And, because the yen is historically at a very weak point, meaning that your money goes further if you’re exchanging Sterling, she says Japan is more affordable than it’s ever been.
Despite its reputation as an expensive place to travel, Kate says that now the country can be explored in depth on a shoestring budget.
She adds that even cheap hotels have a touch of class.
In terms of Hokkaido, Kate says that the island’s capital, Sapporo, is having a moment. She recommends travelling in spring, to catch the late cherry blossom season, or autumn, for beautiful nature and cheaper deals.
If you prefer to go during winter, she recommends the free Sapporo Snow Festival.
Held every February, it’s a huge annual winter event, split into three cultural sites across the city: in Odori Park, you’ll find breathtaking snow and ice sculptures and projection mapping. This is where 3D visuals and light shows are projected onto the sculptures, often taking inspiration from popular culture games like Final Fantasy.
In Susukino, there are more ice sculptures, while in Tsudome, you’ll find epic snow slides.
Even if you don’t go to the festival, Kate says that Sapporo and the entire island of Hokkaido are magical in winter. ‘It’s so snowy. Big flakes fall every day, and locals don’t bother to shovel it; it’s like a winter wonderland.’
Not a fan of the cold? Kate says spring and summer in Hokkaido are the perfect times to escape the heat.
Temperatures average at a comfortable 23°C, ideal for sightseeing, compared to Tokyo, where you can expect scorching highs of 31°C.
Madagascar
If you’re looking for a big adventure, Kate says that Madagascar is a great choice.
‘It’s the place to go if you want to challenge yourself travel-wise,’ she says.
For Kate, Madagascar’s main attraction is the hiking scene. She took on the mighty Grand Tsingy, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed ‘stone forest’ that wouldn’t look out of place in a Game of Thrones scene.
‘You hike through the forest, clipping in and out of cables, and cross a rickety bridge over a huge canyon. It was electrifying.’
‘The atmosphere was unreal’, surrounded by jagged rock forests one moment, to watching groups of lemurs cuddling in a tree the next.
Alongside the unique wildlife, which Kate hails as ‘amazing,’ Madagascar is also blessed with baobab forests (the trees are endemic to the island) and pristine beaches.
In terms of the latter, some of the most spectacular include Nosy Be (its own paradise island with stunning coral reefs off the northwest coast), Nosy Boraha off the east coast (think sandy coves shaded by coconut palms), and the Mitsio Archipelago, home to marine life like turtles, dolphins, sharks, and rays.
A note if you’re thinking about visiting. Madagascar had a military coup in October 2025, whereby an elite unit of the Madagascar Armed Forces overthrew the government of President Andry Rajoelina.
However, Kate says it’s now ‘peaceful for tourists, and there’s nothing to worry about.’
The UK Foreign Office advises that, despite recent calm after the coup, travellers should be vigilant and avoid demonstrations.
