Three Trips Worth Taking Now—Before They Change Forever

Some destinations won't wait. Climate change, overtourism, and cultural shifts are transforming these places faster than ever. Now is the time to go.

Antarctica: Before The Wild Beauty Melts Away

Antarctica is melting. Ice shelves are collapsing or thinning rapidly, and many penguin colonies are shifting or shrinking as their habitat changes. The future of Antarctic tourism itself is also uncertain, with ongoing international discussions about whether and how to limit access.

Right now, you can still experience the raw beauty of the Antarctic Peninsula, witness vast penguin colonies, and kayak among icebergs in silence. But the window is narrowing. The best time to go is November through March (their summer), and the best ships book up a year or more in advance for prime dates. Don’t put off this trip until retirement—by then, access may be far more limited or the landscape fundamentally altered.

Japan's Rural Villages: Before Depopulation Changes Everything

While everyone flocks to Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan's countryside is disappearing. Villages in regions like the Japanese Alps and rural Kyushu are losing population and communities are shrinking. The locals running the traditional ryokans and family restaurants are aging out. Even craftspeople keeping centuries-old traditions alive sometimes have no one to replace them.

Places like Takayama, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, and visits with artisans offer something you can't find in cities: a glimpse of traditional Japan that's vanishing. Stay in a 300-year-old farmhouse. Learn mochi rice pounding from a local. Walk mountain paths between centuries-old villages. These experiences require planning—the best accommodations are small and book far ahead—but they offer a Japan most travelers never see.

Spring (cherry blossom season) is by far the busiest season, but other times of year deliver their own magic with far fewer crowds.

Machu Picchu: Before New Limits Take Effect

Peru's iconic ruins face many challenges: erosion from hundreds of thousands of annual visitors, landslides, and strained infrastructure along the access routes. The nation’s government has been tightening restrictions—limiting daily visitors, requiring guided tours, and implementing timed entry. More restrictions are likely as preservation concerns mount.

The Inca Trail leading up to Machu Picchu offers its own unique experiences: hiking through cloud forests and past ancient sites along the way. But trail permits often sell out months in advance, especially in peak season. Alternative treks offer stunning scenery but don't match the density of archaeological sites that makes the classic route special.

Go now. The dry season from May through September typically offers the most reliable weather, but the most crowds. April and October are sweet spots—decent weather with fewer tourists. I book permits at least six months ahead for the Inca Trail.

If you're drawn to these places, let's talk about getting you there while the experience you're imagining is still possible.

—Daria Dimitroff, April 2026

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