Our Top Travel Trends for 2026

Every year, new directions in luxury travel emerge. In 2026, we're seeing a growing desire for contrast, curiosity-led adventures, and experiences that go deeper than one-size-fits-all holidays.

But we’re also seeing a shift in where people choose to spend their time, from alpine hideaways replacing beach days, and chic stays in the South of France overtaking Ibiza, to underexplored destinations in quiet corners of Sri Lanka and the new hotels affirming Saudi Arabia's position as one of 2026's most intriguing destinations.

High Altitude Summers

With summer temperatures on the rise, more travellers are forgoing the uncomfortably hot Mediterranean beach holidays for high altitude adventure. Summer in the Alps, Dolomites and Pyrenees offers cooler days, perfect for view-laden hikes, and landscapes that are elemental, predominantly natural, rather than overrun. The shift is pragmatic: mountain regions remain easily accessible yet offer escape from the intensity synonymous with high-season coastlines across the Mediterranean.

Social Holidays and Padel

What began as a niche racquet sport has risen to one of Europe’s most sociable summer obsessions. Padel is an energetic, communal doubles sport that blends elements of squash and tennis, and if we’re to believe what we’re seeing around the world - with resorts like One&Only Reethi Rah, Maldives and Gleneagles, Scotland now offering padel courts -  it's here to stay.

For many guests looking to keep moving and sociable, Padel delivers something classic tennis holidays never really managed: a genuinely accessible sport that’s fun and well-suited to multigenerational groups.

The South of France is Back

After a decade shaped by islands like Mykonos and Ibiza, a realignment in the summer social calendar is underway. Travellers are returning to the South of France, in search of a chic French summer. While the Balearics are growing louder, busier and more crowded in the high season, the Riviera and Provence are comparatively calmer.

But the appeal is multi-faceted: shaded lunches beneath trees, cliff-backed coves reached by discreet footpaths, rosé gardens glowing at dusk, and the timeless Riviera aesthetics: magnificent hotels, yacht-lined marinas and the understated, elegant fashion.

Northern Morocco: Culture & Contrast

Travellers to Morocco are now looking beyond the spice markets of Marrakech and the shimmering vistas of the Sahara, to its Mediterranean corner, where those familiar blue hues meet the majestic Atlas Mountains. The highlights are the blue-washed maze-like old town of Chefchaouen framed by rugged mountains, and the revitalised arts scene in Tangier, a laidback city painted across a stretch of pretty coast, a short ferry ride from Spain.

Long-Haul Summers

A growing number of travellers are choosing to divert away from the traditional and, for some, overly familiar European summers, planning long-haul trips across the globe. The shift reflects a readjustment: with long-haul travel providing a smart alternative to crowded beaches, inflated rates and peak-season weather.

 East Africa offers cool, dry weather and remarkable wildlife experiences. Indonesia and Malaysia combine dependable sunshine and delicious cuisine, with wildly varied (and beautiful!) landscapes and a growing selection of design-forward hotels. Japan’s northern regions, Hokkaido, in particular, offer wide-open spaces to breathe crisp mountain air along with exceptional cuisine and a depth of cultural experiences.

Authenticity in Sri Lanka

After living in the shadow of its slightly more commercial Southeast Asian neighbours, as well as years of rebuilding its tourist industry post-COVID, Sri Lanka is primed for its year in the sun in 2026. The island is extraordinarily diverse for its size: breathtaking tea country wrapped in mist, lush national parks home to elephants and leopards, surf-washed southern beaches, therapeutic Ayurvedic retreats, and innovative luxury hideaways.

But Sri Lanka’s real advantage is its small footfall, with stunning spots such as Jaffna and Batticaloa, still relatively under the radar, while classic destinations like Anuradhapura boast exceptional luxury offerings, in fabulous hotels like Uga Ulagalla.

Transformation in Saudi Arabia

Another country turning toward the limelight, Saudi Arabia is very much a destination in the midst of transformation.

Trips here reveal ancient Nabataean cities carved into desert stone, vast desert canyons reimagined with ultra-luxurious hotels, and the Red Sea’s barely touched islands slowly surfacing as sustainable, exclusive escapes.

It’s a destination for travellers fatigued by the over-familiar, offering front-row access to something in formation, surprising, and, perhaps, quite like Sri Lanka, ideal for those who want a genuine experience of a place before the world catches on.

Twin-Centre Trips

Twin-centre holidays are nothing new, but recently we’ve seen a surge in the question: beach holiday or city break? Bangkok or Chiang Mai? And our answer is always: why choose? And now, twin-centre trips, driven by better flight networks, are on the rise.

Japan: Sumo & Satoyama

In Japan, travellers are no longer merely chasing cherry blossom or autumn leaves, but are seeking deeper immersion: the simplicity of ryokan living, the layers of Japan’s craftsmanship, the precision of regional cuisine… and for 2026: Sumo.

Londoners, along with the rest of the world, were charmed by the wrestlers making their way across London on Lime bikes in 2025, with tickets for the Grand Sumo Tournament held at Royal Albert Hall selling out almost immediately.

South Korea: Hallyu & Bulgogi

South Korea is rapidly confirming its place as one of the world’s most compelling destinations. Beyond hypermodern Seoul and Busan, people are drawn to traditional experiences that can, if done right, feel a little more surprising: hanok stays paired with private tea ceremonies, hidden temples in South Korea’s mountains, and coastal islands where fishing villages feel untouched.

Fragrant, moreish, and eclectic, Korean food defines many South Korean journeys: from street-side delicacies to Michelin-starred reinterpretations of Korean classics. Meanwhile, immersive cultural activities like calligraphy, ceramics and Hallyu or “Korean wave” (the surge in popularity of K-pop, k-movies, k-drama) add layers of cultural context and family engagement to any holiday.

With shifting seasons, new openings and fast-moving travel trends, the real luxury is not having to keep track of it all. That’s where I come in. Whether you’re weighing up the Alps over the Med, considering a long-haul summer, curious about Saudi Arabia or looking for a finely planned twin-centre escape, I will turn a maze of options into a single, seamless plan, truly personalised to you.