As we start looking ahead to 2026, a few destination patterns are beginning to surface in client conversations
This isn’t about locking anything in yet; rather, it’s an early read on the places people seem to be gravitating towards as they begin thinking a little further out for 2026. These tend to be destinations that offer cultural depth, privacy, strong infrastructure, and enough flexibility to shape truly personal journeys.
What’s especially interesting is how many of these conversations are less about headline destinations and more about how regions connect, slow down, and reveal everyday life in a more meaningful way. Here are a few of the areas showing consistent momentum.
Northern Italy as a Gateway to Lesser-Traveled Regions
The Dolomites continue to attract attention, partly driven by increased visibility of Northern Italy and the upcoming Winter Olympics. What often follows, however, is curiosity about the surrounding regions that are ‘less-traveled’. Umbria, Bologna, Verona, and lesser-visited corners of Veneto and Emilia-Romagna often come up.
These areas offer a strong sense of place, everyday Italian life, and food culture without the intensity of more saturated destinations. Northern Italy is becoming less about a single headline stop and more about using it as an entry point into slower, more personal experiences that reward time and curiosity.
India and Sri Lanka: Depth, Variety, and Flexibility
India remains one of the most versatile destinations in the world. Whether exploring Rajasthan’s history, the backwaters of the south, wildlife regions known for tiger conservation, or the country’s extraordinary culinary traditions, there are countless ways to shape a journey. It can work as a focused regional exploration or as a broader multi-region itinerary, depending on interests and pacing.
Sri Lanka continues to gain momentum and is likely to be especially popular over the next few years. It works beautifully as a standalone destination and pairs naturally with the Maldives for travelers seeking a balance between cultural immersion and restorative downtime. Both destinations offer flexibility across travel styles and seasonal windows, which makes them especially appealing for longer-range planning.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and What’s Next in the Gulf
Abu Dhabi remains firmly on the radar for travelers interested in architecture, museums, and a more measured pace. Institutions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi continue to anchor the destination culturally. Increasingly, it’s viewed as part of a broader regional journey that may include Dubai, Oman, and, occasionally, Qatar, creating a balance between cultural depth and contemporary energy.
Ras Al Khaimah is also beginning to surface more often. Known for open landscapes, nature-based experiences, and a quieter form of luxury, it offers a different counterpoint to its neighboring emirates. All of these destinations sit within roughly two hours of each other, making them surprisingly easy to combine into a cohesive itinerary.
Southern Africa: Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Beyond
Botswana remains a cornerstone of high-end safari travel, often paired with Zimbabwe or nearby regions to add contrast and historical context. Victoria Falls continues to serve as a natural anchor, offering a sense of scale and perspective that complements wildlife-focused experiences.
These journeys tend to appeal to travelers who value depth, diversity of landscapes, and thoughtful pacing rather than checking a single “safari” box. The ability to layer conservation, culture, and remote wilderness into a single journey allows for highly personalized routing.
Albania: A True “See It Now” Destination
Albania is one of the last corners of Europe that still carries a genuine old-world feel. That authenticity is attracting increasing attention, especially from travelers looking for places that feel discovered but not yet commercialized. It works well as a standalone destination or combined with Greece, Croatia, or Montenegro to explore the Adriatic in a more nuanced way.
This sense of quiet discovery will not last forever. Albania is very much a “see it now” destination before broader development reshapes its character.
Additional Destinations Gaining Momentum
Several other regions continue to surface as strong secondary options, often becoming primary depending on timing, appetite for long-haul travel, and personal interests:
- Seychelles – Ideal as a standalone escape or paired with East Africa for post-safari decompression. A true sense of space and privacy defines the experience.
- Atacama Desert, Chile – Dramatic landscapes, high-altitude desert exploration, stargazing, and refined design lodges are driving growing interest.
- Japan (beyond the obvious) – Increased focus on rural regions, nature, heritage towns, and monastery stays offers a quieter counterpoint to major cities.
- Türkiye – Strong demand continues, with private gulet charters along the Turquoise Coast standing out as a particularly rewarding way to experience the country.
- Morocco – Ongoing restoration projects and expanded infrastructure are opening new possibilities for more diverse, culture-led itineraries. Properties like Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay add an entirely new dimension to coastal routing.
None of these trends represents fixed predictions. They simply reflect where curiosity is forming, where flexibility exists, and where thoughtful travel design can create depth rather than repetition.
