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U.S. News Reveals the 2026 Best Vacations Rankings News provided by U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Dec 16, 2025, 00:01 ET
WASHINGTON , Dec. 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. News & World Report, publisher of Best Hotels, Best Cruise Lines and Best Travel Rewards Programs, today released its annual rankings of the Best Vacations. The 2026 rankings highlight 18 regional destination categories to help travelers find the best place for their vacation.
The rankings follow a comprehensive, transparent methodology that factors in travelers' opinions, as provided by user votes, with expert and editor analysis. Each vacation destination is scored in 10 categories, from sights, culture and food to nightlife, adventure and romance, offering a comprehensive evaluation of each destination.
For the first time since 2018, Rome secured the top spot on the World's Best Places to Visit. Rome ranked highly based on its iconic restored landmarks, strong cultural significance and notable reader support, with 2026 offering improved conditions following the Jubilee-year crowd.
Grand Canyon National Park ranks as the top destination in the Best Places to Visit in the USA. As Arizona's signature natural landmark, the park is an unparalleled canvas for breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, rafting adventures and challenging hikes. Supporting this trend, U.S. national parks and mountainous destinations around the globe performed well in several categories this year, including Mount Fuji (No. 1 in Best Places to Visit in Asia), Victoria Falls (No. 1 in Best Places to visit in Africa) and Machu Picchu (No. 1 in Best Places to Visit in Central and South America). Adventurous destinations are also claiming more spots on honeymoon and romance rankings.
Saint Lucia continues its three-year streak as the best post-wedding getaway, securing the No. 1 spot in the Best Honeymoon Destinations in the World ranking. This luxurious Caribbean island serves up the perfect blend of romance and adventure. The Aloha State also continues its long-held dominance in the romantic categories, with Kaua'i earning the title as the Best Honeymoon Destination in the USA and Maui topping the Best Romantic Getaways in the USA ra