Where can you get away from it all—relatively quickly and jet-lag-free?  WOW List experts across the Americas share their favorite escapes—dreamy islands, pristine beaches, nature hideaways, wildlife sanctuaries, small-ship cruises—in this Travel Talk, recorded on January 28, 2026 as part of WOW Week 2026. They also share how infrastructure improvements and conservation-driven tourism continue to evolve and create new pockets of opportunity for smart travelers.

Watch the video for the experts’ recommendations for 2026. These include: 

South Caicos, Turks and Caicos: The island of South Caicos is a prime example of careful development, says Caribbean expert Meg Austin. It’s been made more easily accessible, thanks to nonstop flights from Miami twice weekly, but the island’s popularity is kept in check by limited hotel inventory.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota: One of the country’s lesser-known national parks, American West specialist Melissa Ladvala recommends this Badlands wilderness that delivers dramatic buttes, red-rocks scenery, and wide-open solitude. The crowds here are bison, wild horses, and prairie dogs.

The Baja Peninsula, Mexico: Right now, says Mexico expert Zach Rabinor, the wine country in northern Baja is akin to the early years of Napa and Sonoma: a rustic atmosphere with a Mediterranean climate.

Boca Chica, Panama: This Pacific coastal region is just a one-hour flight from Panama City but not yet well known internationally, according to Panama expert Pierre Gedeon. It’s locally appreciated for island-hopping and kayaking among dolphins in the mangroves.

Tinajani, Peru: The Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu are the country’s best-known sights. But few travelers get to the southern canyonlands, says Peru expert Allie Almario. That may soon change, now that a remote former sheep farm has been turned into a tented luxury resort with private hot tub terraces.

The Southern Amazon, Brazil: For all the buzz about the Amazon, few actually visit the most southerly stretch of the region, says Brazil expert Paul Irvine. He reports that the luxury eco-resort Cristalino Lodge is continually enhancing its wildlife viewing and river-access facilities.

The Canadian Arctic: The rich wildlife and spectacular scenery of Nunavut, Canada, is a great way to escape the summer heat, says Arctic and small-ship-cruise specialist Ashton Palmer. Small-ship expeditions offer agile access to the changing glacial landscape.

Watch the video for many more smart travel choices!

Links to Useful Resources

U.S. and Caribbean: Reviews of WOW Trips

U.S. National Parks: Reviews of WOW Trips

Mexico: Reviews of WOW Trips

Panama and Costa Rica: Reviews of WOW Trips

Ecuador and Peru: Reviews of WOW Trips

Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay: Reviews of WOW Trips

Small-Ship Cruises and Arctic Expeditions: Reviews of WOW Trips

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