7 Bucket-List Destinations For 2026

For a first-of-its-kind experience, The Malkai opens in 2026 in the Sultanate of Oman. A family dream decades in the making, the three distinct sites give guests insight into vastly varied landscapes – from the coastal plains of Barka, near Muscat, to the soaring Al Hajar Mountains and the expansive Sharqiya Sands. A personal guide chauffeurs visitors between the sites, each of which features luxurious accommodations comprising 14 tented pavilions, along with infinity pools, dining options and spa spaces.

Home to an incredible array of wildlife and an extraordinary landscape of grassland, savanna, rocky outcrops, woodland, and the Ewaso Narok River, Suyian Lodge is one for the nature aficionados. It’s the latest opening from luxury lodge collection &Beyond, located within the dense ecosystem of northern Laikipia, Kenya. The 14 open-front suites – each with a private pool – offer intimate, close-up access to this phenomenal plain. Set across 44,000 acres of unfenced wilderness, the area teems with wildlife, from elusive black leopards and wild dogs to giraffe, zebra, and oryx.

For a fresh take on an iconic destination, Collegio alla Querce is perched above the Florence skyline, with views stretching from the Duomo di Firenze to the rolling Tuscan hills. A Renaissance-era villa that once served as an educational institution, it celebrates the storied allure and architecture of its eminent locale. The property features 83 guest rooms, an original chapel and theater, two restaurants, a bar transformed from the former principal’s office, and glorious gardens where olive and oak trees frame a beautiful outdoor pool.

If thrilling, otherworldly exploration is on your 2025 agenda, look no further than the ethereal landscape of northeastern Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama – which spans from salt flats and arid desert to volcanoes, geysers and hot springs. Within this spellbinding plain, Our Habitas Atacama is an impeccably designed oasis, with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and terrace; and rooms, suites, villas and communal spaces that are all adorned with local textiles and furnishings. The restaurant and bar are both highlights, designed to encourage connection with fellow explorers and serving seasonal ingredients – including herbs that honor the tastes of the desert – and championing wood-fired cooking. Adventurous pursuits include hiking, biking, mountaineering and paragliding, but the most mesmerizing of all the opportunities on offer is simply stargazing under the astonishing spectacle of the night sky.

Japan’s major cities have long topped travel bucket lists, but its islands hold equal allure and showcase the country’s vacation versatility (the ultimate might just be a combination trip of city break and beachside escape). A short flight from Tokyo, the Okinawan archipelago pairs crystalline waters with vast swathes of silkily pristine sand. On the dream-worthy island of Miyako, Rosewood Miyakojima is soon to make its Japanese debut, with an ultra-luxury resort that melds into the stunning locale on an out-of-the-way peninsula. The 55 villas will have their own private pools, landscaped gardens and horizon-reaching ocean outlooks – while the hotel’s restaurants maximize on the natural wonder of its setting, celebrating laid-back, beachfront vibes.

In the hills below Rajasthan’s Aravalli Mountains, Anopura is a glorious, under-the-radar spot enveloped by lemon groves, frangipani trees and marigolds. An hour’s drive northeast of Jaipur, it is a sanctuary to escape the city’s bustle within exquisite villas, boasting large rolltop baths and beautiful countryside views. Traditional Rajasthani cooking can be delivered straight to guests’ accommodation, while the most exciting of excursions is a chai-fueled night safari tracking leopards, Indian foxes, striped hyenas and spotted owlets.

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