Long time lurker so thought it time I should join.
My thoughts on a possible route.
South America – 3-4 legs at the start
A visit is very likely after being skipped the last two seasons. Brazil hasn’t been visited since S18, and can provide a more rural and large city leg. See this combined with revisits to two other countries probably Peru and Uruguay who haven’t been visited since S7 and S5.
Europe - 4-5 legs in the middle of the race.
Have seen recent visits to Germany, France, UK, Spain and Italy so think we will see a return to Scandinavia. Iceland as a first leg like S6 could be a possibility followed by visits to either Sweden, Norway and Finland. Portugal may provide the first destination if travelling from South America and Russia has so many possibilities a trip there and onward to Asia could occur.
For new countries in Europe I can see a visit to the Balkans to include a return visit to Croatia but also first time visits to Slovenia and Bulgaria. Turkey and Greece unlikely due to recent conflicts and financial instability.
Africa
Very unlikely after visits to Malawi, Tanzania and Botswana in last 4 seasons.
Asia - See 4-5 legs at end of the race.
Certainty for a visit. After problems in India a visit to China or Japan I believe is very likely either as the first or last destination. After the controversy in Vietnam and consecutive visits to Indonesia these two are very unlikely. I can see an avoidance of the middle east and gulf states.
To balance out visits to China/Japan will expect a different Asian climate to be selected so a visit to Sri Lanka/Mongolia/Philippines will occur as they haven’t been visited since S6,S10,S5.
Oceania
After last seasons visit to Bora Bora and New Zealand very unlikely.
Overall:
Los Angeles, Peru, Uruguay, Brazil, Portugal, (Croatia and Slovenia or Norway and Sweden), Sri Lanka, Philippines and China/Japan, Texas Finish Line.