Go for: a beloved icon’s opening in the city, and a new camp’s take on safari in the forest

Sitting at the edge of a vast swath of jungle, the city of Arusha is embracing its surrounding nature with a slate of new forest hotels and a primatology center dedicated to the late Dr. Jane Goodall.

Entara’s Koroi Forest Camp

Rumors of the late primatologist Jane Goodall’s new museum in the city of Arusha have circulated for months—and now, finally, they’re confirmed. Dr. Jane's Dream: The Goodall Centre for Hope will open in late October 2026, next to the centrally located Arusha Cultural Heritage Center. Created by a team of designers who include an alumnus of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the space will consist of six interactive exhibit areas—including a theater and a Garden of Commitment—focusing on conservation education for future generations.

The much-anticipated Koroi Forest Camp from Entara, a community-focused operator, opened this summer in Arusha National Park. This eight-chalet property in the Momella Forest, on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, gives a distinct alternative to the classic game viewing of Tanzania’s plains; instead, here, you might see elephants, shy duikers, and the black-and-white colobus monkeys that give the camp its name. Another newcomer to the safari scene is the Laba Mama Simba, which opened this spring in the 1,730-acre North Dolly wildlife estate.

Go for: a new (unspoiled) slice of island life—and more access than ever

Barbados' wilder East Coast makes for a more rugged, windswept version of the Caribbean getaway—and with new flight and cruise options, there are now even more ways to access this surfer's paradise.

The island is developing the port of Speightstown on the north end of the island, which now offers new moorings for smaller luxury cruise vessels. This will invariably mean more visitors. But that doesn’t mean you can’t easily escape the crowds should you choose. While Barbados’s most popular luxury resorts lie along the tranquil western shores on the Caribbean Sea, adventure-minded travelers can drive just a half hour northeast from Grantley Adams International Airport or the busy Bridgetown cruise ports to reach the island’s more rugged Atlantic coastline, where dramatic scenery, world-class surfing, and colorful fishing villages preserve the island’s unspoiled character. Start in Bathsheba, where powerful waves have long drawn surfers to the Soup Bowl, a reef break revered by international pros. There’s plenty of outdoor activities for nonsurfers too, with a national park and wildlife reserve protecting the majority of the east coast from commercial development. Hike from Bath Beach to Bathsheba on a scenic six-mile path that follows the former route of the island's coastal railway. Then round out the day in the nearby village of Martin's Bay on Thursdays, when the Bay Tavern Fish Fry brings together neighbors and visitors alike for fresh-off-the-boat red snapper, baked mac and cheese, and rum-fueled karaoke sessions.

Go for: creative inspiration and cultural revival

Brussels has long been known for its opulent Baroque buildings and timeless architecture, but new openings in 2026 it will cement its status as a hub of modern art and design.

This often-overlooked European capital is having a cultural moment, signaling a shift from a bureaucratic hub to a creative powerhouse. The opening of Kanal—Centre Pompidou in November 2026 transforms a long-dormant factory into a contemporary center for modern arts. One of Europe’s highly anticipated arrivals, it will feature expansive exhibition spaces curated with Paris’s Centre Pompidou, alongside a dynamic program of live performances, music, film, workshops, a library, and—five floors up—a restaurant overlooking the vast showroom, capped by a rooftop bar with panoramic city views. Just steps away is newly opened The Standard, with a rooftop bar, greenhouse-style lounge, and bold design that mirrors the city’s creative energy.

Brussels’ cultural revival is visible everywhere, from the refreshed façades of Place de la Bourse to the Dome Project, a restoration of Belgium’s first department store with modern flair. Nearby, the Gare Maritime, a former freight station, seamlessly blends sustainable architecture with design fairs and chef-led food stalls. Plan a spring visit, when Art Brussels draws galleries and collectors from around the world for a vibrant international fair, and the biannual Zinneke Parade transforms the city’s streets into a stage of theatre and imagination. For those seeking more adrenaline, base yourself in the city for the Belgian Grand Prix in July to marvel at the sporting spectacle.