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Travel experts at BBC Travel have released their 20 best places to travel in 2026, and most of Boundless Life’s own destination countries made the cut.

This comes as no surprise – these locations uniquely blend cultural richness, natural beauty, and family-friendly adventures.

In this deep dive, we celebrate five countries from BBC’s list where Boundless Life helps families live, work, and learn: Japan, Portugal, Indonesia, Montenegro, and Uruguay. Each offers not just a vacation, but an immersive experience aligned with authentic and community-focused slow-travel.

Read on to discover why these destinations are trending for 2026 and how Boundless Life enables you to explore them in a meaningful way.

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Japan: Immersive Traditions Beyond the Crowds

Japan earned a spot on BBC’s 2026 list thanks to Ishikawa Prefecture, a region showcasing authentic culture and craftsmanship away from the usual tourist hubs. Ishikawa’s capital Kanazawa invites travelers to stroll historic geisha districts and try gold-leaf workshops and silk-dyeing studios, offering a deeper look at Japanese heritage.

Boundless Life families can tap into this spirit of immersive tradition. Our newest destination Kamakura, Japan places you in a coastal city steeped in history (once a medieval capital) yet far calmer than Tokyo. Kamakura’s ancient Zen temples and quiet beaches echo the “quieter cultural experience” that BBC writers praised in Ishikawa.

During your stay, you might start the day with a hike to a hillside shrine or a meditation session, knowing your children are engaging with Japan’s culture through Boundless Life’s worldschool program.

Like Ishikawa, Kamakura offers an authentic taste of Japan – from traditional tea ceremonies to local festivals – all in a family-friendly setting. In 2026, skip the frantic sightseeing tours and instead live Japan’s culture day to day. Your family will gain a deeper appreciation for Japanese customs, whether learning calligraphy or simply chatting with neighbors at a morning market.

With Boundless Life in Japan, you experience the country as more than tourists: you become part of the community, embracing the very qualities that put Japan on 2026’s travel map.

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Portugal: History and Innovation in Europe’s Heart

When BBC Travel’s experts selected the Portugal city of Guimarães among 2026’s top destinations, they highlighted a place where history meets a creative future. Guimarães is a medieval city that remains astonishingly under the radar.

Similarly our Boundless Life base in Sintra, Portugal offers its own storybook scenery and connection to Portuguese heritage. Sintra’s historic center is a UNESCO site famous for its romantic 19th-century architecture and misty forests dotted with pastel-hued villas and palaces.

Much like Guimarães, Sintra seamlessly blends old and new: you can tour the medieval Pena Palace in the morning, then enjoy a modern café or a craft market in the afternoon. Families living here with Boundless Life become part of a local community proud of its traditions – from neighborhood festivals to the art of baking pasteis de nata.

The BBC’s acknowledgment for Guimarães underlines Portugal’s overall appeal as a destination that values heritage and innovation. In Sintra, you’ll also feel that balance: your children might learn about Portuguese explorers in a museum one day and plant trees for a community green project the next. And as you hike Sintra’s lush trails or catch waves on its Atlantic beaches, you’ll understand why Portugal captures travelers’ attention.

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Indonesia: Tropical Nature and Culture in Harmony

It’s no wonder Indonesia appears on 2026’s must-visit list: BBC Travel shines a spotlight on the Komodo Islands, a corner of the country renowned for its legendary wildlife and seascapes. The Komodo National Park – home to the famous Komodo dragons – boasts pink-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and dramatic volcanic panoramas.

For families with Boundless Life, Indonesia offers an enriching mix of nature, culture, and comfort. Our base in Bali, Indonesia is not so far away from Komodo’s remote isles and other off the beaten path islands waiting to be explored.

Bali is a “magical blend of tradition, culture, nature, cuisine and stunning landscapes” – essentially a microcosm of what makes Indonesia special. While Komodo entices with wilderness, Bali invites you to engage with local culture: ornate temples, colorful ceremonies, music and dance, weaving and carving.

With Boundless Life in Bali, your children might spend mornings learning at the beach and afternoons exploring rice paddies or participating in a mangrove cleanup. Weekends could mean family trips to waterfalls in the jungle or snorkeling in calm lagoons.

Indonesia’s appeal in 2026 is all about connecting with nature and community, and that’s exactly what Boundless Life facilitates. You’ll have the chance to participate in a Balinese way of life, learn to cook Indonesian dishes, and support local conservation efforts – making your stay both enjoyable and meaningful.

Whether watching a Komodo dragon bask in the sun or watching your kids fly kites with new Balinese friends at sunset, you’ll create lasting memories in Indonesia’s tropical paradise.

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Montenegro: Adriatic Adventures Off the Beaten Track

Tucked in the Balkans, Montenegro is emerging as a crown jewel in Europe’s travel scene. The BBC Travel list singles out Montenegro for its spectacular landscapes and cultural riches, noting that many visitors to crowded Croatia may not be aware of the hidden gem of nearby Montenegro.

This small nation packs in five national parks, rugged alpine peaks, crystalline lakes, and an Adriatic coastline that ranges from quiet coves to medieval port towns. At the heart of it all is the Bay of Kotor – a winding bay often likened to a fjord – where the UNESCO-listed old town of Kotor sits encircled by fortress walls.

For Boundless Life families, Montenegro is a chance to slow down and savor Southern Europe’s authenticity. Our location in Kotor, Montenegro places you at the very intersection of Montenegro’s highlights.

Living in Kotor means your family can wander medieval alleys, learn sailing, or hike up to the hilltop Castle of San Giovanni for panoramic bay views – not as hurried tourists, but as temporary locals who have time to explore deeply. The “stunning coastline” and “medieval towns like UNESCO-listed Kotor” that earned Montenegro a spot on the 2026 list will be your everyday surroundings.

On weekends, you might drive into the countryside to visit a family-run winery or take a boat to the islet church of Our Lady of the Rocks. Boundless Life’s community events could include group hikes in Lovćen National Park or volunteering with a local conservation initiative.

This is Europe at its most unspoiled and welcoming, and by experiencing it through Boundless Life, your family will see why Montenegro is being celebrated as a top destination for 2026.

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Uruguay: South America’s Underrated Oasis of Culture and Calm

Uruguay often lives in the shadow of its giant neighbors Brazil and Argentina, but 2026 is its time to shine. BBC Travel’s list praises Uruguay for offering world-class culture and sustainability in a laid-back package.

Just across the water from bustling Buenos Aires, Uruguay’s capital Montevideo has a vibrant tango scene, Belle Époque architecture, and legendary steakhouses – without the big-city chaos. In fact, Montevideo is celebrated as “one of South America’s greenest cities”, reflecting Uruguay’s commitment to clean energy, safety, and inclusive social policies.

Boundless Life’s community in La Barra, Uruguay allows your family to experience all these facets at your own pace. La Barra is a chic but chill family beach town on Uruguay’s Atlantic coast, known for its sandy beaches, surf spots, and artsy vibe.

Here, your days might alternate between remote work (from a sunny co-working space by the sea) surf lessons and beach playtime with the kids after their day at the Education Center.

One weekend you could head west to Montevideo to stroll its historic Old Town and maybe catch a live tango show, immersing in that “tango spirit” the BBC raves about. Another weekend, you might be exploring the Uruguayan countryside and riding horses with local gauchos.

By living there with Boundless Life, your family becomes part of a friendly community in one of 2026’s top destinations, discovering why quality of life is the mantra in Uruguay. Don’t be surprised if you leave a piece of your heart behind when you depart this “underrated oasis” of South America.

Embrace 2026’s Top Destinations with Boundless Life

From the artisanal alleyways of Japan to the sun-kissed beaches of Uruguay, these Boundless Life destinations are poised to make 2026 a year of extraordinary travel experiences.

What sets them apart – and earned them spots on a global “best of” list – is their focus towards meaningful and conscious travel. Each place invites visitors not just to see new sights, but to connect with local people, cultures, and environments in an authentic way.

This aligns perfectly with Boundless Life’s mission of slow travel and deeper learning. When you join a Boundless Life program in Japan, Portugal, Indonesia, Montenegro, Uruguay, or any of our destinations you’re not checking off a tourist checklist – you’re joining a community, supporting local initiatives, and watching your children grow through real-world global experiences.

The BBC’s travel experts have given you a roadmap of where to go; Boundless Life gives you the opportunity to truly live in those places. So why just visit the world’s top destinations when you can call them home for a while?

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