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The Top Luxury Travel Destinations for 2026


As 2026 global travel trends shift toward deeper relaxation, mindful experiences, and intentional escapes from noise and digital overload, Travel in 2026 is no longer about ticking boxes. It is about discernment. About choosing places that reward curiosity, privacy, beauty, and meaning. The new luxury is space, access, authenticity, and having the confidence to go where others haven’t yet thought to look. Here is The Luxury Travel Bible’s list of the destinations that should be on everyone's list in 2026. Kyoto, Japan Kyoto has always been exquisite but in 2026, travellers are venturing beyond the obvious. Think private temple stays, early-morning ceremonies closed to the public, and art-led island hopping across the Setouchi Inland Sea. Timeless refinement, quietly reimagined Why now: Japan’s hospitality renaissance blends ritual with restraint, nowhere does subtle luxury better. Stay: A machiya townhouse or an ultra-minimal ryokan with private onsen Do: Dawn meditation, Naoshima contemporary art, kaiseki dining by invitation only The Dolomites, Italy The Dolomites is Europe’s most sophisticated escape. Less glitz than St. Moritz, more soul than the Riviera. Alpine elegance without the Alpine clichés. The beauty of the landscape of the UNESCO world heritage site is truly breathtaking. Why now: Cool-climate travel is redefining seasonal luxury. Stay: Design-forward mountain lodges with spa-level wellness Do: Slow hiking, private mountain picnics, Michelin-starred alpine cuisine Scotland’s Highlands & Isles Every Luxury Traveller should have Scotland on their radar, but the Highlands still feel profoundly private. Travel in 2026 leans toward cool, elemental beauty, where silence is the ultimate indulgence. Wild, poetic, and quietly powerful is which is exactly what the Highlands and Isles offer. Why now: Climate-conscious ‘staycations’ meet cinematic landscapes. Stay: A design-led lodge or heritage estate with private chef Must Do: Wilderness swimming, falconry, single-malt tastings by the fire Marrakech & the Atlas Mountains, Morocco Marrakech remains intoxicating, but the true luxury lies just beyond, in the Atlas Mountains. Pair vibrant city energy with absolute calm in high-altitude retreats. Why now: It’s glamour with depth and contrast. Stay: A riad in the medina, followed by a mountain kasbah Do: Hammam rituals, private souk shopping, stargazing in silence Greek Islands (But Not the Ones You Expect) In 2026, luxury travellers are skipping the obvious islands (such as Santorini and Mykonos - we’ve all been there, done that!) in favour of remoter ones such as Milos, Folegandros, and Sifnos. These are the islands with the greek hospitality and beauty intact, minus the crowds. Why now: Quiet authenticity is the new status symbol. Stay: Cliffside villas with architectural restraint Do: Private boat days, barefoot dining, slow island wandering The Atacama Desert, Chile Few places feel as magical as the Atacama. Vast skies, Martian landscapes, and the kind of silence that resets the nervous system. The Atacama Desert is otherworldly, elemental and absolutely transformative. Why now: Wellness has moved beyond spas. In 2026 we are more into reconnecting with nature and beautiful landscapes. Stay: Remote desert lodges focused on astronomy and sustainability Do: Stargazing, sunrise salt flats, guided hikes Paris We will always love Paris and it never really disappears from our list of favourite places. But it is a city that is always evolving and always has new reasons to visit. In 2026, it is about living like a Parisian, not touring like a visitor. Why now: A renewed focus on neighbourhoods, artisans, and cultural intimacy. Stay: A discreet Left Bank hotel or serviced apartment Do: Private museum hours, atelier visits, unhurried café mornings The Luxury Travel Bible says… Luxury travel is no longer loud and showy. It is considered. It values time over spectacle, place over popularity, and experience over excess. Sarah Bryans 09/01/2026

Find what brings you joy and go there.

Jan Phillips

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