Some destinations are worthy because they’re hosting a little event called the Olympics. Others make the list because a slew of new hotels will be in residence in the New Year. Yet some of these give you the perfect excuse to dance on a table, because you’ve still got it. And then, there are those destinations that may just change your life. Whatever the reason is that you choose to travel this year, we have a destination for that. These are the top 26 destinations of 2026 to put on your list.
1. Sardinia
Where to stay: 7Pines Resort Sardinia
Sardinia remains the Mediterranean’s most intoxicating blend of rugged beauty and yacht‑set glamour. In 2026, the island’s quieter coves and cliff‑hugging villages are drawing travelers who want Amalfi‑level drama without Amalfi‑level crowds. Spend your days hopping between secret beaches, sipping chilled Vermentino, and pretending you’re in a Luca Guadagnino film. Sardinia is where barefoot luxury meets cinematic coastline — and where every sunset feels like a private screening.
2. Albania
Where to stay: Xheko Imperial Hotel
Albania is having its “Croatia 15 years ago” moment — but with better beaches and fewer people. The Albanian Riviera is quickly becoming Europe’s most surprising luxury escape, with crystalline water that rivals the Maldives and a food scene that blends Mediterranean and Ottoman influences. In 2026, new five‑star openings and improved coastal roads make it easier than ever to explore. Come for the beaches; stay because you’ll wonder why you didn’t come sooner.
3. Venice
Where to stay: Aman Venice
Venice enters 2026 with renewed cultural energy and a more curated approach to tourism. The lagoon’s lesser‑known islands — Burano, Torcello, Mazzorbo — are having a moment, offering a quieter, more authentic side of La Serenissima. Whether you’re here for Biennale buzz, opera‑house drama, or simply to glide through canals like you’re in a Timothée Chalamet perfume ad, Venice remains the world’s most romantic maze.
4. Malta
Where to stay: The Phoenicia Malta
Malta is where ancient civilizations, Game of Thrones filming locations, and a booming luxury hotel scene collide. In 2026, the island’s baroque architecture, Michelin‑starred dining, and hidden swimming coves are drawing travelers who want culture and coastline in one compact package. Spend your days wandering Valletta’s golden streets and your evenings sipping Negronis on a rooftop overlooking the harbor. Malta is small, but it delivers big.
5. Puglia
Where to stay: Borgo Egnazia
Puglia continues its reign as Italy’s most stylish region — the place where celebrities go to “escape” and somehow still get photographed looking perfect. In 2026, the region’s trulli villages, olive groves, and cliffside beaches feel more irresistible than ever. Expect long lunches, slow living, and sunsets that look like they were filtered by nature itself. Puglia is the Italy you dream about.
6. Courchevel
Where to stay: Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Courchevel remains the crown jewel of the Alps — a place where skiing is only half the story. In 2026, the après‑ski scene is more glamorous than ever, with champagne bars, Michelin‑starred dining, and boutiques that make you wish you had a second chalet just for your wardrobe. Whether you’re carving down perfect pistes or soaking in a private spa suite, Courchevel is winter at its most decadent.
7. St. Tropez
Where to stay: Cheval Blanc St. Tropez
St. Tropez is back — not that it ever left. In 2026, the French Riviera’s most iconic party town is leaning into its golden‑era glamour, with beach clubs that feel straight out of a Slim Aarons photograph. Spend your days at Pampelonne, your nights at Les Caves du Roy, and your mornings pretending you didn’t. St. Tropez is where luxury travelers go to misbehave beautifully.
8. Scandinavia
Where to stay: Arctic Bath — Harads, Swedish Lapland
Scandinavia is the future — literally. In 2026, the region leads the world in design, sustainability, and wellness, offering everything from floating saunas to Michelin‑starred foraging menus. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, exploring fjords, or living your best Nordic‑noir fantasy, Scandinavia delivers nature and sophistication in equal measure. It’s minimalism, but make it luxurious.
9. Saudi Arabia
Where to stay: Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea
Saudi Arabia is the Middle East’s most ambitious new luxury frontier. In 2026, the Red Sea Project and NEOM developments are unveiling futuristic resorts, untouched reefs, and desert landscapes that feel like they were designed by nature for Vogue editorials. Think mirrored villas, private islands, and stargazing that borders on spiritual. Saudi Arabia is rewriting the definition of ultra‑luxury travel.
10. Mozambique
Where to stay: Kisawa Sanctuary
Mozambique is Africa’s most underrated coastline — a place where turquoise water, powder‑soft sand, and world‑class diving meet a rising luxury scene. In 2026, the Bazaruto Archipelago is drawing travelers who want the Maldives vibe with a wilder, more soulful edge. Expect private villas, dhow cruises, and marine life that feels like a National Geographic episode filmed just for you.
11. Milan
Where to stay: Rocco Forte House
Milan is having a renaissance — and not just the Da Vinci kind. In 2026, the city’s fashion, design, and culinary scenes are exploding with new openings and bold creativity. Come for the shopping, stay for the aperitivo culture, and leave wondering if you should move here and become a person who wears sunglasses indoors. Milan is elegance with an edge.
12. Cortina + The Dolomites
Where to stay: Mandarin Oriental Cristallo
With the 2026 Winter Olympics shining a spotlight on Cortina, the Dolomites are set for their biggest year yet. Expect world‑class skiing, dramatic limestone peaks, and alpine villages that look like they were designed for a holiday movie. Whether you’re here for the slopes or the spa, Cortina delivers mountain luxury at its most glamorous.
13. Lake Como
Where to stay: Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Lake Como remains the world’s most elegant lake — a place where villas drip with bougainvillea and the water looks like liquid silk. In 2026, new luxury openings and private‑boat experiences make it easier than ever to live your best George‑and‑Amal fantasy. Como is where time slows down, style speeds up, and every moment feels like a postcard.
14. West Timor
Where to stay: Nihi Sumba
West Timor is Indonesia’s next frontier — raw, remote, and culturally rich. In 2026, adventurous luxury travelers are pairing it with nearby Sumba for a two‑island escape that blends tribal heritage, untouched beaches, and world‑class wellness. Think cliffside sunsets, woven textiles, and landscapes that feel like they’ve never been photographed. West Timor is for travelers who want bragging rights and beauty in equal measure.
15. Phenom Penh
Where to stay: Rosewood Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is rising — literally, with a skyline of shimmering towers — and culturally, with a new generation of chefs, designers, and artists. In 2026, the city blends old‑world charm with modern luxury, offering riverside promenades, royal palaces, and sky‑high cocktail bars. It’s Southeast Asia’s most surprising capital, and it’s ready for its close‑up.
16. Bhutan
Where to stay: Six Senses Bhutan
Bhutan remains the world’s most transformative destination — a place where wellness isn’t a trend but a way of life. In 2026, the kingdom’s hiking trails, monasteries, and carbon‑negative ethos draw travelers seeking meaning, not just mountains. Expect prayer flags, hot‑stone baths, and views that make you rethink your entire life trajectory. Bhutan is luxury for the soul.
17. Maldives
Where to stay: Soneva Jani
The Maldives continues to define barefoot luxury. In 2026, new overwater villas, marine‑conservation programs, and Michelin‑level dining make the archipelago more irresistible than ever. Whether you’re sliding from your villa into the ocean or dining under the stars like you’re in a Beyoncé music video, the Maldives remains the world’s most indulgent escape.
18. Seychelles
Where to stay: North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort
Seychelles is where privacy meets paradise. In 2026, the archipelago’s granite peaks, jungle‑wrapped beaches, and ultra‑exclusive resorts attract travelers who want nature without sacrificing a single luxury. Think private‑chef dinners, helicopter transfers, and beaches so perfect they look AI‑generated. Seychelles is the definition of escape.
19. Hokkaido
Where to stay: Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono
Hokkaido is Japan’s wild north — a place of powder snow, volcanic hot springs, and seafood that ruins you for all future sushi. In 2026, Niseko’s luxury ski scene continues to expand, while summer brings lavender fields, hiking trails, and cool mountain air. Hokkaido is Japan’s most underrated four‑season destination.
20. Hong Kong
Where to stay: The Peninsula Hong Kong
Hong Kong is buzzing again. In 2026, the city’s dining scene, luxury shopping, and cultural festivals are back in full force. From sky‑high bars to neon‑lit markets, Hong Kong delivers energy like no other city on earth. It’s where East meets West, old meets new, and luxury meets adrenaline.
21. Sumba, Indonesia
Where to stay: Nihi Sumba
Sumba remains one of the world’s most extraordinary islands — wild, spiritual, and deeply luxurious. In 2026, travelers come for horseback rides on empty beaches, waterfall treks, and spa treatments in treehouses overlooking the ocean. Sumba is where luxury feels meaningful, not manufactured.
22. Egypt
Where to stay: The St. Regis Cairo
Egypt is entering a golden age of tourism. In 2026, the long‑awaited Grand Egyptian Museum finally shines, offering a modern gateway to ancient wonders. Pair Cairo’s cultural revival with Nile cruises, Red Sea resorts, and desert stargazing, and you have a destination that feels both timeless and newly thrilling.
23. Norway
Where to stay: The Arctic Hideaway
Norway is nature’s masterpiece — fjords, waterfalls, and midnight sun included. In 2026, sustainable luxury lodges and remote wellness retreats make it easier than ever to experience the country’s wild beauty in comfort. Whether you’re kayaking through mirror‑still fjords or soaking in a sauna overlooking the Arctic, Norway is pure serenity.
24. Cape Verde
Where to stay: Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort
Cape Verde is the Atlantic’s rising star — a blend of African rhythm, Portuguese charm, and Caribbean‑style beaches. In 2026, new luxury developments and improved flight routes make it the perfect winter‑sun escape. Expect volcanic landscapes, Creole cuisine, and music that makes you want to stay out all night.
25. Cape Town
Where to stay: One&Only Cape Town
Cape Town is a city that has everything — mountains, beaches, vineyards, and a creative scene that rivals any global capital. In 2026, new restaurants, art spaces, and wine‑country experiences make it even more irresistible. Whether you’re hiking Table Mountain or sipping Chenin Blanc in Stellenbosch, Cape Town delivers beauty in every direction.
26. New Zealand
Where to stay: Huka Lodge
New Zealand remains the ultimate long‑haul reward — a place where adventure and luxury coexist effortlessly. In 2026, travelers are returning for glacier hikes, geothermal spas, and landscapes that look straight out of Middle‑earth (because they are). From the fjords of the South Island to the vineyards of the North, New Zealand is a journey worth every hour in the air.
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FAQs
Q: Is the Arctic Bath — Harads, Swedish Lapland hotel open seasonally?
A: Yes, the this hotel operates mid‑June to early October and late November to mid‑April.
Q: When did the Six Senses Southern Dunes open in Saudi Arabia?
A: The Six Senses Southern Dunes opened in 2023.
Q: When is the best time of year to visit Hong Kong?
A: Autumn is the ideal season, thanks to mild temperatures, low humidity, and far less rain. Specifically, this means late September through early December.
