Travel inspiration, where to go in 2026: The best places the team have holidayed this year | Exclusive

It has been a big year for travel, with Euro Summer (and autumn) remaining popular, Bali still the top destination for Aussies and domestic holidays keeping families exploring the glorious nation.

And the Nine.com.au team have traversed the globe, both for work and pleasure.

Here are some of their holiday highlights from the past year.

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Jemima

I took my son to Fiji for his first holiday when he was five months old and couldn’t have asked for a better trip.

It’s such a beautiful place where I could honestly just sit back and relax for the first time in ages. The best thing is how family-friendly it is there. Everywhere we went, the locals wanted to take my son and cuddle him or show him off, which made my life a lot easier too.

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Sami

Italy – always! But this year, specifically Sicily. I hosted my first ever tour of Sicily with 14 wonderful women.

It was ‘bellissimo’ and I can’t wait to do it all over again with a new group of ladies next year.

I also really enjoyed discovering Palau. I’d never even heard of Palau until I was invited there to write a story for 9travel in August. From all my travels this year, that’s the one destination most people have asked me about.

Gabrielle

The best place I visited this year was Rennes, France.

It’s the capital city of Brittany and so beautiful. I moved there for an exchange in 2020 but had to leave after two months thanks to COVID. It was so nice to return.

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We went during the summer so the days were long and the evenings were warm.

Every evening we found ourselves sipping wine or cider on one of the many tables stretched out in the squares surrounded by locals.

Brittany is known for cider, crepes and galettes (savoury crepes) so we absolutely treated ourselves.

April

Hiroshima in Japan was such a peaceful and incredible city to visit, worlds away from the overwhelming hustle of Tokyo or Osaka.

The place has such a sense of resilience and beauty because of what it went through with the atomic bomb. The museum was a really enriching and memorable experience. It had one of the best rooftop bars I’ve ever visited too, called The Knot.

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Kahla

I was absolutely blown away during my two weeks visiting Seoul, Busan and Gyeongju in South Korea. Of course the food was fantastic (I’ve never been so full in my life), but I also loved the history, the urban landscapes and observing the various ways everyday life there differs to Australia.

Also, the fashion. I had so much fun people-watching, especially in the young trendy suburbs of Seoul. I am absolutely dying to go back.

John

India. Nothing can prepare you for it and nothing really compares to it. I was fortunate enough to visit again this year and it’s always surprising, always inspiring.

The best way to describe it is to describe the traffic: it’s busy, organic, colourful and chaotic but somehow it just works.

As one local said to me. “We have the same rules as you. We just have an issue with implementation.” The highlight was a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, the greatest monument to love ever constructed. This is a no-brainer for your bucket list.

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Nicole

Canada is the most magical place I’ve ever seen – Banff in particular is picture perfect, and the landscape is just indescribable.

I went on a G Adventures camping trip with a bunch of strangers and we were best mates within a day. It was just the best experience I’ve ever had – the hikes, the sights, the people, the white water rafting, the canoeing, the campfires and food….

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Karishma

Kentucky, USA was my highlight this year. Louisville is very cosmopolitan, loads of great restaurants, fun at the races (we went to the Kentucky Derby, which is the US equivalent of the Melbourne Cup) and we had the ultimate tour guide – our friend Steph.

So, it was a very fun trip and a destination I might not have chosen otherwise but glad I did, as I saw a different side to the US. And I actually had KFC in Kentucky…

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Sarah

I visited the Florida Keys, where I ate my weight in key lime pie- awesome.

I was in nearby Miami for the unveiling of the new Norwegian Aqua cruise ship which was stunning (maybe wouldn’t go back on the water slide though).

I also visited South Africa for the first time, and while it was more expensive than my usual holidays, seeing the wildlife and meeting the people made it a treasured trip. 

And I also need to mention visiting Jeremy Clarkson’s pub, The Farmer’s Dog in the Cotswolds which was a real thrill.

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