Welcome to our first 2026 edition of the Going Places newsletter!
I've used the last few weeks of the year to brainstorm ways to make this weekly update worthwhile and valuable to you, and I think we're getting there.
(Hit reply and let me know if you think so, too.)
At Going Places, we aim to platform stories that help us imagine a better way to live, create, and travel.
Our newsletter's freshly revised sections aim to deliver on this goal.
Expect to see this update in your inbox every Monday.
Besides that, you'll get the occasional stories we publish on the site (like an upcoming one about a Sufi mystic in the Atacama desert).
Happy New Year!
xx Yulia
Inside Going Places 🏠
The latest stories
Our last episode of the year was with Dr. Anu Taranath, a human rights educator and our very own paid Going Places member.
I'm taking Anu's concept of helmet-to-cheek, from her book Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World, into 2026. We'll need it!
Yulia Denisyuk
Coming up on the podcast
We're taking a break on the show and will be returning with new episodes in March. (Catch up on all episodes here.)
Our guests next season will include a features director at Condé Nast Traveler, an acclaimed author based in the U.K., and more. 👀
Paid Members Corner 🚀
This week's creator opportunities
Paid members get full access to these posts. For less than a cup of ☕, you can unlock yours here.
🚀 A travel writing contest from a leading hotel group – apply by Sun, Jan 11
🚀 A week-long fiction writing workshop in Chicago for journalists – apply by Mon, Jan 12
🚀 A photo contest with a grand prize of $25,000 – apply by Tue, Jan 13
🚀 A hosted fellowship for creators & media makers with an in-person retreat in the U.K. – apply by Wed, Jan 14
🚀 A fully-hosted art residency in Buenos Aires – apply by Thu, Jan 15
🚀 A photo contest with prizes up to €11,000 – apply by Sat, Jan 17
🚀 A month-long analog photo residency with a $1,500 stipend – apply by Tue, Jan 20
🚀 Business Insider lifestyle editor is looking for 2026 ideas on travel, food, interior design, and more – no deadline, but pitch soon
Find all the latest opportunities here.
Our member news
Our paid member Malia Yoshioka is speaking at the DIY Trip Summit: Europe Beyond the Crowds.
It's a 3-day virtual summit with 30+ travel experts.
Malia's topic is "Europe Tips from a Former Food Tour Guide," on ways to make the most of food tours, plus how to use food to help connect more deeply with local culture and people. Get more info here.
Travel With Us ✈️
Today is the last day to take advantage of the early-bird pricing for our upcoming June trip to Jordan:
🐪 Join us June 5-14, 2026 on a 10-day trip to this country we love so much. We'll visit the Dead Sea, Petra, Wadi Rum, Amman, and many off-beaten spots in between. And yes, we will also stay with Ahmad at Rum Planet Camp in the desert.
Save $200 by booking an early-bird spot by Jan 5, 2026.
In The World 🌍
Catch me if you can
For AFAR Magazine's Where To Go In 2026 package, I contributed the Moroccan seaside capital of Rabat.
Some time ago, I sat down with AFAR's Unpacked podcast host, Aislyn Greene, to talk through what makes Rabat so special, and why travelers should head there next year.
Take a listen here.
Member discussion