WHERE WILL 2026 TAKE YOU?

The Definitive Guide to Next Year’s Most Inspiring Journeys.

If you’ve travelled far and wide - seen the Big Five on safari, sailed the Greek islands, wandered Kyoto’s temples - you might be wondering: what’s next? Not something rougher or wilder, but something that stirs that same sense of wonder you felt on your very first great adventure.

That’s exactly what 2026 promises - a chance to rediscover the world, but differently. The journeys that stand out now are the ones that feel personal: places where you can connect deeply with your surroundings, but still enjoy a beautiful hotel, a glass of good wine, and a sense of ease.

I’ve designed this guide for travellers who’ve already seen quite a bit of the world and are looking for new destination that will let them experience it in a new way. These are places that offer wonder, comfort, and connection in equal measure. Of course, there are more than six destinations that can offer all this – but look on this as your starter for 10!

Bhutan – The Art of Slow Travel

Few places capture the spirit of slow travel like Bhutan. This kingdom tucked high in the Himalayas measures its success in happiness rather than wealth - and it shows.

A visit to Bhutan offers snow-capped Himalayan peaks, sky-high trekking, traditional culture, and one of the most forward-thinking sustainability policies on Earth. This remote mountain kingdom boasts dzongs (fortified monasteries) that cling to cliffs set against a backdrop of rugged peaks, red-robed monks chanting prayers, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and yak bells tinkling in the valleys.

Imagine walking a stretch of the Trans-Bhutan Trail with a local guide, prayer flags fluttering above, and distant monasteries tucked into misty hillsides. Evenings bring the comfort of lodges like COMO Uma Paro or Six Senses Punakha, where hot stone baths and candlelit dinners feel like part of the landscape itself. Bhutan isn’t about ticking sights off a list; it’s about pausing long enough to let the moment sink in.

Flying time: 15 hours (indirect) Best time to visit: October to December and March/April

Namibia – Desert, Dunes and Deserted Beauty

Namibia is one of Africa’s most striking landscapes — vast, silent, and impossibly beautiful. Standing on top of a Sossusvlei dune at sunrise, watching the desert shift through gold and rose, you realise how small and lucky you are to witness it. I absolutely loved my trip here, particularly Damaraland with its otherworldly scenery.

Namibia is also one of Southern Africa's best places to watch wildlife, at least in the country's north. With plentiful desert adapted wildlife, great lodges and really welcoming people, it's a great choice as a safari destination. You can travel around by light aircraft (as I did), or self-drive in a 4x4 is a good value option.

New luxury camps, like Shipwreck Lodge on the Skeleton Coast or Hoanib Valley Camp in Damaraland, make it possible to experience this wilderness without giving up a single creature comfort. Dinner under a canopy of stars, a private guide, and the soft flicker of a lantern-lit path — this is adventure, redefined.

Flying time: 13 hours (indirect) Best time to visit: July to October

Japan – Beyond the Golden Route

Japan remains endlessly rewarding, but there’s so much to see beyond the Golden Route. In Kanazawa, wander quiet art galleries and teahouses; in Okayama, stroll through peaceful gardens. Head to the extreme south west to visit the Okinawa Archipelago for a completely different and exotic side of the country - with white sands, bright coral reefs, and a distinctive indigenous culture. Head to Naoshima, Japan’s unique art island in the Seto Sea or travel north to Hokkaido for snowy forests and onsen luxury. I’m returning to Japan for my third time in February and will be visiting Hokkaido for the annual Snow Festival in Sapporo and am hoping to see the iconic dancing red-crowned cranes.

Travellers returning from Japan have usually been surprised by the Japanese people – obliging, respectful and polite – as well as how clean the country is. It really is another aspect of the country that makes it a fantastic place to travel around.

It’s quiet, thoughtful moments that define modern Japan - the elegant balance of design, cuisine, and calm. With new boutique ryokans and beautifully restored townhouses opening across the country, 2026 is the perfect time to experience Japan’s gentler side.

Flying time: 13½ hours (direct) Best time to visit: March to May or October to November

Argentina – From Vineyards to the End of the World

Argentina is a country that pulls at the senses. One day you’re sipping Malbec beneath the Andes in Mendoza; the next, you’re flying south to Patagonia, surrounded by  glaciers and jagged peaks. It’s partly these amazing contrasting landscapes that make Argentina my favourite world destination. I’ve visited multiple times and it’s always calling me back. From the buzz of Buenos Aires to the spectacular jungle setting of Iguazu Falls, Argentina definitely doesn’t disappoint.

New eco-lodges like Explora El Chaltén blend adventure with effortless comfort. Further north, desert landscapes and colonial towns deliver colour and culture in equal measure. Argentina has a way of making you feel alive again - a little wild, but never uncomfortable.

There's far too much to see in even a 3-week trip - but with good internal flights, it's possible to get around quite easily to experience the contrasts of this wonderful country. And you'll eat and drink very well too. I’d suggest planning to be there for at least 2 weeks and limiting the number of places you visit so that you can appreciate Argentina properly.

Flying time: 14½ hours (direct with touchdown in Rio) Best time to visit: November to April

Croatia – Europe’s Coastal Comeback

Croatia is quietly redefining Mediterranean luxury. Forget the crowded ports — think small islands, boutique stays, and long lunches by the sea. Yachting between Korčula and Vis, you’ll find family-run wineries, olive groves, and restaurants where the catch of the day is still brought in by hand.

And there’s so much more to Croatia than its famous coastline. With the country’s interesting and sometimes tumultuous history, past cultures have left their mark – resulting in an attractive and eclectic mix of architecture. Venetian palaces snuggle up to Napoleonic forts, Roman columns protrude from early Slavic churches, and Viennese mansions face off with Socialist Realist sculpture. And if you want to get in touch with nature, you just need to head inland where you’ll find forested national parks, hidden waterfalls and shimmering lakes

At resorts like Maslina on Hvar, barefoot simplicity meets thoughtful design. It’s proof you don’t always have to travel far for something that feels new - sometimes it’s about seeing familiar places with fresh eyes.

Flying time: 2½ hours (direct) Best time to visit: May to June and September to avoid the summer crowds.

Antarctica – The Ultimate Frontier

For those who feel they’ve seen it all, Antarctica still has the power to stop you in your tracks. Standing on deck as a glacier calves into the sea, or setting foot on the White Continent itself, is the kind of moment that stays with you forever. I travelled here in 2024, and it was an extraordinary experience. The landscapes are jaw-dropping, and the size and scale of your surroundings is pretty humbling.

The only way of getting here to explore properly is on an Expedition cruise. Cruising may not be your bag (it’s not mine!) but this is really the only option. There are quite a few companies that travel the Antarctic Route, leaving from Southern Chile or Argentina and cruises are a minimum of 10 nights, most are 14 nights. The choice of cruise line is very important because, unlike a Mediterranean or Caribbean cruise, you’ll be spending quite a lot of time at sea travelling from place to place.

But this isn’t expedition as hardship. Modern vessels like Silversea’s Silver Endeavour offer glass-domed lounges, fine dining, and personal guides and knowledgeable naturalist who bring the frozen world to life. Travel distilled to its purest essence - awe, humility, and wonder.

Flying time: 14½ hours to Santiago or Buenos Aires to overnight before and a domestic flight south to board your ship Best time to visit: October to March (November to March for penguins)

Looking Ahead

Each of these journeys offers something different, but they all share the same promise: space to breathe, to connect, and to be moved again.

Travel in 2026 isn’t about chasing the next big thing - it’s about finding places that speak to you. Whether that’s the serenity of Bhutan, the stillness of Namibia, or the raw beauty of Antarctica, your next journey should feel like it was made just for you.

If you’d like a little help deciding, I’d love to curate something special. Tell me what kind of experience you’re dreaming of, and I’ll design a journey that balances adventure with absolute comfort. After all, that’s what great travel is all about — discovering somewhere extraordinary and feeling completely at home while you’re there. Get in touch, and let’s start planning your 2026 journey.

#holidayinspiration; #2026 holiday ideas; #bucketlisttrips2026