To Our Readers:
As we launch into 2026, I thought it would be fun to consider some of the trending places for historic travel that are outside of the big cities and considered on the upswing. Here’s a quick look at them
East Sussex, England — Winnie-the-Pooh Country
In the woods and meadows of Ashdown Forest, A.A. Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood springs to life. East Sussex offers a quieter kind of literary pilgrimage—inviting travelers to reconnect with the stories of childhood while wandering the paths that inspired them.
Hokuriku Region, Japan — Tradition and Time Travel
In Kanazawa and its surrounding towns, geisha districts, Edo-era castles, and artisan traditions endure with grace. Less visited than Kyoto but equally rich in heritage, the Hokuriku region offers an immersive step back into Japanese history and craft culture.
Valletta, Malta — Baroque by the Sea
This sun-soaked city on the Mediterranean remains one of Europe’s most walkable and historically layered capitals. Grand fortresses, palaces, and cathedrals reflect a legacy of knights, empires, and maritime power—all set against a backdrop of golden stone and sea breezes.
Hoi An, Vietnam — Lantern-Lit Legacy
A preserved ancient town of wooden shop houses, riverside temples, and glowing lanterns, Hoi An is a blend of history, craft, and quiet charm. It's a place to wander, taste, and take in centuries of cultural exchange shaped by trade and tradition.
Meroë, Sudan — Forgotten Kingdom of the Pyramids
In the Nubian desert, the pyramids of Meroë rise like stone sentinels of a forgotten empire. Once the heart of the Kingdom of Kush, this archaeological treasure remains one of the world’s most awe-inspiring and least-visited ancient sites.
Ambohimanga, Madagascar — The Royal Hill
Once a spiritual and political center of the Malagasy monarchy, this sacred hill preserves centuries-old palaces and burial grounds. Shrouded in mist and memory, Ambohimanga invites reflection on heritage, kingship, and the deep roots of Malagasy identity.
Asmara, Eritrea — Africa’s Art Deco Gem
A city of cafés, cinemas, and futurist buildings, Asmara’s architecture tells the story of colonial ambition and cultural resilience. For design and history lovers, it's an architectural time capsule like no other—an open-air museum of modernism with African soul.
Mangystau, Kazakhstan — Landscapes of Legend
Where the Silk Road once carved its path through deserts and rock canyons, Mangystau today offers travelers a stark and soulful encounter with ancient caravanserais, underground mosques, and lunar-like plateaus. It’s a destination for the culturally curious and the truly intrepid.
And in the US…
Cahokia Mounds (Illinois, U.S.)
In the heart of the Midwest lies one of North America’s most significant prehistoric Native American sites. With earthwork mounds rising from quiet grasslands, Cahokia offers profound insight into the complexity and sophistication of pre-Columbian civilizations—long before the arrival of Europeans.
Taos Pueblo (New Mexico, U.S.)
Still inhabited after more than a thousand years, this adobe village is a living monument to Indigenous resilience. Taos Pueblo offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness cultural continuity in a setting shaped by both history and sacred tradition.
Mackinac Island (Michigan, U.S.)
An entire island preserved as a National Historic Landmark, Mackinac feels delightfully frozen in time. Horse-drawn carriages replace cars, Victorian storefronts line quiet streets, and the island’s storied past as a fur trading hub, military post, and Gilded Age retreat is richly preserved.
Jackie
