Safe Travel Destinations for 2026/2027

We have posted more than 70 travel articles on Osirisys.net. They are about some of the world’s most dynamic and, often, troubled travel hotspots. One of our recent posts was about a trip to Japan in 2023. Because of the turmoil in the world today, we long for a return to Japan. Japan is a very secure and orderly country. Safety and the wealth of historical sites have also prompted our upcoming trip to Portugal. This trip will focus on the cities of Porto, Lisbon, and Évora. Our travel plans are only to safe travel destinations for 2026/2027. Our travel also needs to deliver profound historical depth and genuine safety and serenity.

Safe Countries for Retirees

These places are really safe in a generic sense. They consistently rank in the top global rankings. According to Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s (BHTP) 2026 safest countries report, the Netherlands ranks #1, followed by Australia, Austria, Iceland, and Canada. New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan, and Ireland round out the top 10. Portugal comes in at 12. The 2025 Global Peace Index (GPI) reinforces this, placing Iceland, Ireland, New Zealand, Austria, and Switzerland at the very top, with Portugal, Czechia (Czech Republic), and Japan also performing strongly. All these destinations carry a U.S. State Department Level 1 travel advisory—”Exercise normal precautions.” For retirees and thoughtful travelers, they provide excellent healthcare, reliable public transit, and walkable or accessible infrastructure. They each also provide the freedom to focus entirely on history and culture rather than safety concerns.

Portugal: Our Upcoming Adventure in the Age of Discoveries

Porto

Portugal offers a welcoming blend of maritime heritage and modern convenience. In Porto, we hope to stroll the UNESCO-listed Ribeira district with its colorful riverside houses tumbling down to the Douro River. Maybe even cross the iconic Dom Luís I Bridge, visit historic port wine cellars (many family-run for generations), and soak in the city’s authentic atmosphere.

Lisbon

Lisbon captivates with the atmospheric Alfama quarter—narrow cobblestone lanes, fado music echoing from small cafés, and the hilltop São Jorge Castle revealing layers of Moorish, medieval, and later fortifications. Maybe we will have time for a short tram or train ride to Belém, which showcases the Jerónimos Monastery and Belém Tower. Each is a UNESCO World Heritage site that celebrates Portugal’s old seafaring past during the Age of Discoveries.

Évora

Southeast in the Alentejo region lies Évora, a true hidden gem and UNESCO World Heritage city. At its center stands the remarkably preserved 1st-century Roman Temple of Diana. Maybe we can climb the rooftop of the 13th-century cathedral for its sweeping views, and then step inside the haunting 17th-century Chapel of Bones, built from the remains of thousands of monks—a sobering yet fascinating meditation on mortality. Medieval walls, a Roman aqueduct, and the lively Praça do Giraldo square make Évora ideal for unhurried exploration. With gentler terrain and fewer crowds than the capital, it suits retirees perfectly.

Japan: Rich Layers for a Future Return

Near Zero Violent Crime

Japan holds the #9 spot on the 2026 BHTP list, thanks to its near-zero violent crime rate and world-class infrastructure. While our 2023 Osirisys.net post focused on the vibrant mix of neon modernity and tradition in major cities, a return trip could delve deeper into Kyoto’s 7 UNESCO World Heritage temples and shrines, including the stunning golden Kinkaku-ji pavilion and the ethereal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Nara offers the 8th-century Todaiji Temple—home to a massive bronze Buddha—and its famous sacred deer park. Bullet trains make travel effortless, and improved English signage helps seniors navigate with ease. Combined with impeccable cleanliness and outstanding healthcare, Japan remains a top choice for repeat, reflective visits.

A Historical Thread Connecting Japan and Portugal

Portuguese Explorers

The link between these two nations is both surprising and profound. In 1543, Portuguese explorers—accidentally blown off course—became the first Europeans to reach Japan, landing on Tanegashima island. They introduced firearms (the matchlock musket, known in Japan as tanegashima), which dramatically influenced warfare during the turbulent Sengoku period and helped accelerate unification under leaders like Oda Nobunaga. Portuguese traders also brought Christianity, new goods, and ideas through the Nanban (“thern barbarian”) trade, while Japan exported silver and other commodities. Nagasaki flourished as a key port.

At the height of its imperial reach, Portugal connected distant continents through daring seafaring. Japan, then fragmented by feudal conflict, selectively embraced these technologies and influences before eventually adopting a policy of seclusion in 1639. Cultural echoes persist today—Portuguese loanwords in Japanese (such as” “or bread) and a shared appreciation for maritime heritage. Both countries now stand as peaceful, forward-looking societies that honor this early global encounter while embracing modernity.

More Peaceful Gems Worth Exploring

Mainly European

The Netherlands (#1 safest) delights with Amsterdam’s Golden Age canals and merchant houses, plus accessible medieval towns like Delft or Utrecht. Austria (#3) offers imperial splendor in Vienna’s Habsburg palaces and the fairy-tale setting of Salzburg’s fortress. Ireland (#2 on the GPI and #10 safest) features ancient Celtic ring forts, Neolithic passage tombs, and Dublin’s Trinity College, home to the 9th-century Book of Kells. Czechia surprises with Prague’s Charles Bridge and the world’s largest ancient castle complex. Switzerland pairs medieval charm in Bern with pristine Alpine serenity.

These safe travel destinations for 2026/2027 beautifully demonstrate that deep historical immersion and genuine safety can go hand in hand—providing refreshing alternatives to the troubled hotspots in the Middle East and Africa we have covered in past posts. As we prepare for Portugal in 2027 and dream of Japan’s next chapter, they remind us why thoughtful travel matters.