Where to Go in 2026: This Island in the Bahamas Promises Pink Sand, Historic Hideaways, and Perfect Solitude

This month on Unpacked, we're diving into Afar's just-released Where to Go list—but this year's picks are different. In 2026, we want to lessen the burden on overtouristed destinations and expand visitation to other parts of the world. Our editors carefully selected 24 emerging regions and overlooked locales that will inspire your next great adventure. For the Bahamas, that means looking beyond Nassau's cruise port crowds to discover what this nation of 700 islands and cays really offers. In this episode, host Aislyn Greene talks with Terry Ward, a Florida-based writer who has spent years exploring the Bahamas. She traveled to Eleuthera—one of the Out Islands—where she found pink-sand beaches with barely a footprint, locally-owned guesthouses where Bahamian culture takes center stage, and wild dolphins in crystal-clear waters. Plan your Eleuthera Getaway —Stay at the Farm, part of the Little Island Hotels chain —Stay at the Coral Sands Inn & Cottages, which has eight cottages —Eat at the Fig Tree at the Potlatch social club —Eat the national dish, conch salad, at many Harbour Island restaurants —Explore the Sapphire Blue Hole —Scuba dive at Valentine's Resort/Beach on Harbour Island —Visit Seahorse National Park (when it reopens to the public) —Stay Lighthouse Point while sailing with Disney Cruise Line Listen to All Our Where to Go in 2026 Episodes E1: T⁠his Island in the Bahamas Promises Pink Sand, Historic Hideaways, and Perfect Solitude ⁠ E2: ⁠Why Peru's Second City Might Be Its Best-Kept Secret E3: The New 170-Mile Hiking Network Connecting Stockholm's Dreamy Archipelago Resources Follow Terry's work on her website Explore all 24 destinations on our Where to Go in 2026 list Follow us on Instagram @afarmedia Stay Connected Sign up for our podcast newsletter, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Behind the Mic⁠⁠⁠, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode.  Explore our other podcasts, View From Afar, about the people and companies shaping the future of travel, and ⁠Travel Tales⁠⁠⁠, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. Unpacked by Afar is part of ⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media⁠⁠⁠'s podcast network. Please contact ⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠ if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices