My top five destinations for 2026 are up! There’s always so much to unpack about these “top destination” lists and how they often overlook the lesser-known places truly deserving of our attention. Still, if I had to narrow it down to my six standout destinations for 2026 chosen for their exciting new openings, projects, and upcoming events—these would be the ones. Many I’ve visited more than once, and I’d return to them again and again.

Exciting news that you’ll want to bookmark immediately. COMO Maalifushi, the only resort in the pristine Thaa Atoll, is bringing back two of their most beloved offers for 2025. And as a trusted partner, I have exclusive access to these offers plus additional benefits just for my clients.

To build trust with my valued partners and find the very best hotels for my travelers, I spend weeks out of the year conducting site inspections. I don’t just see the rooms but experience them through my clients’ eyes, testing every detail to ensure it’s a memorable stay. From quirky shower controls to noise-free mini fridges, I aim to provide the perfect recommendations based on real experience.

For my stay in Bangkok, I wanted the full experience and chose to rest my head at the Capella Bangkok on the Chao Phraya River. This urban resort experience was nothing short of extraordinary, showcasing the perfect blend of understated luxury, impeccable service by staff that remembered your name from day one, and thoughtfully curated moments that I still think about and recreate in my mind.

Oman has always had a quiet confidence, never needing to shout for attention, yet it captivates those who take the time to look closer. Muscat, with its balance of tradition and modernity, understated elegance, and natural beauty, is stepping into the spotlight without losing its essence. As the world turns its gaze toward Oman, it’s not a place rushing to keep up. It’s a place that has always known its worth.

There are places you visit once, perhaps twice. And then there are places like Venice—the kind of city that reveals itself slowly, inviting you to return, wander, and uncover its many layers. This weekend guide offers an intimate, lived-in Venice, one that doesn’t rush or crowd. It’s a Venice that feels real, away from the obvious paths, while honoring the city’s unmistakable magic.

There’s a rare magic when a hotel gets it just right—when grand gestures of hospitality in a historic manor are infused with genuine generosity by a warm team of staff, and the experience feels more like being a guest at a family estate rather than a transient visitor. After spending my 35th birthday weekend at Son Net, here is my hotel review – a soulful estate dating back to 1672.

For centuries, the Italian island of Sardinia has been playing a game of tug of war with its deep African roots and rich European ancestry, yet this gem remains underrated in the mass travel world. Sardinia is a place of wonder, proudly owning second place in size among the islands of the Mediterranean. It is most famous for having some of the bluest waters in the world.

The Scotland of our dreams is a shared one. A castle perched at the edge of a misty loch that ripples with secrets and tales of old. Wild heather blows in from the moors with its glorious hues of mauve. Cloud-softened light gathers in patches as thin rays make their way past the Highland peaks. A fjord crashes into a serene valley of green while a distant bagpipe skirls over daring cliffs.