THE WORLD AWAITS: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO DISCOVER IN 2026

After years of disrupted routines and shifting priorities, 2026 is emerging as the year travel truly matters again.

No longer just a break from routine, the most compelling journeys now offer deeper meaning: connection with place, immersion in culture, and renewal in nature. With global travel re-opening and aspirations realigned, travellers are looking for destinations that deliver not just escape, but resonance.

Working with its worldwide network of destination experts, luxury operator Abercrombie & Kent has identified the places set to define the year ahead. These are journeys built for those who want more than pretty vistas: they want experiences that provoke, renew and endure.

KENYA

Kenya remains the blueprint for luxury safari, where wide-open plains, legendary wildlife and rich cultural layers converge in a way few places can match.

In 2026, focus on the horizons of Amboseli National Park, where Mount Kilimanjaro looms and majestic elephant herds drift across golden savannah.

The mid-year arrival of Kitirua Plains Lodge (an A&K Sanctuary) marks a milestone, arriving six decades after A&K’s founder first pioneered luxury safari here. Set across a private 128-acre concession, its 13 organic standalone suites give guests rare access to wilderness in a polished yet deeply atmospheric setting.

Do it the A&K Way: Combine stays at Olonana in the Maasai Mara and Tambarare Camp in Ol Pejeta for a seamless circuit through Kenya’s wildest ecosystems.

Expert Insight: “Legacy safaris are emerging — multigenerational groups blending meaningful conservation work with classic game drives.”

CHOQUEQUIRAO, PERU

While most travellers are drawn to Machu Picchu, 2026 is the year to head beyond the crowds to the remote Incan stronghold of Choquequirao. Often called the “sister city” of Machu Picchu, this scale-and-solitude site currently attracts far fewer visitors than its legendary neighbour.

With a proposed cable car still in planning phases, now is the moment to explore while it remains unscripted and rare.

Do it the A&K Way: On Peru: Trek to Choquequirao, you’ll undertake a five-day trek to the site, then hike the final stretch of the Inca Trail from KM 104 to the Sun Gate of Machu Picchu.

Expert Insight: “We’re seeing increased bookings for ‘archaeological adventure’ — travellers who want to earn their cultural discoveries through physical challenge.”

EGYPT

In Egypt, the next chapter of luxury travel opens alongside archaeology. With the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) slated to open in late 2025, 2026 becomes the moment to experience ancient wonders as they’ve never been displayed.

The museum will house 100,000 artefacts — including 5,340 of Tutankhamun’s treasures together for the first time. A&K’s newest Nile cruiser, the Nile Seray, launches 2026 with 32 suites and a rooftop pool deck, offering an elevated journey where Egyptology meets refined travel.

Do it the A&K Way: Join Egypt & the Nile, exploring tombs on the West Bank with a resident Egyptologist, or book a private dahabiya sailing for an intimate vintage-style cruise.

Expert Insight: “Egypt is drawing sophisticated travellers seeking cultural immersion — the museum’s opening has created a ‘now-or-never’ moment.”

LAPLAND

2026 is shaping up as the ultimate year for the Arctic. With the solar maximum peaking late in the decade, the Northern Lights are forecasted to flash brighter and more frequently than typical.

In Lapland’s minimalist wilderness, luxury lodges and high-design cabins sit alongside age-old traditions: ice therapy, cold-water plunges, sauna culture. It’s the convergence of celestial spectacle and deep rest.

Do it the A&K Way: Choose Finland & Sweden: Adventures in Lapland or Christmas in Lapland — both deliver tree-house stays, Sami cultural encounters and star-studded skies.

Expert Insight: “Wellness meets wilderness — ice-therapy retreats and aurora-chasing are now major luxury travel drivers.”

ICELAND

Few destinations combine wild terrain, prime solitude and astronomical phenomena like Iceland. In August 2026, the island lies directly in the path of a total solar eclipse — an event aligning neatly with the peak Northern Lights season and dramatic volcanic landscapes. Glacier-lagoon meets boutique hotel, lava field meets Michelin dining.

Do it the A&K Way: Embark on the Diamond Circle itinerary, leaving the Golden Circle crowds behind for Iceland’s northern wilds — think Lake Myvatn, Ásbyrgi Canyon and boutique lodge nights.

Expert Insight: “Iceland is the ultimate phenomenon-destination: eclipse, aurora and adventure all rolled into one.”

MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA

Once overshadowed by India’s blockbuster wildlife parks, Madhya Pradesh is now emerging as the tiger-tourism powerhouse. Home to about 75% of the world’s wild Bengal tigers, the region’s recovery story is profound.

Luxury lodges are multiplying; one example is the newly opened Oberoi Rajgarh Palace near Panna, built to cater to high-end travellers seeking immersive big-cat encounters.

Do it the A&K Way: On Tailormade Tiger Tracking in India, traverse three national parks, meet local tribes and witness wildlife preservation in action.

Expert Insight: “Impact-safaris have moved beyond spotting big cats — travellers now want ecosystem insight and lodging that invests in conservation.”

MONGOLIA

Mongolia stands out as one of the last great wilderness frontiers. For 2026, it brings increasing accessibility — direct flights from Tokyo/Narita now make it reachable in a shorter window.

Here, nomadic culture still thrives: gers under open skies, ancient equestrian traditions, stars by the million. For the curious luxury traveller, it’s as raw as it is refined.

Do it the A&K Way: On Mongolia: Naadam Festival & Gobi Desert Adventure, follow traditional contests of horse racing, wrestling and archery, then retreat into the Gobi’s dunes in style.

Expert Insight: “Mongolia is the frontier of cultural immersion — guests who’ve ‘done’ it all are turning to nomadic experience for real perspective.”

OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

Luxury today isn’t just about price — it’s about isolation, responsiveness and rarefied access. The Okavango Delta offers just that: private-concession lodges where you might see more elephants than people. At Baines’ Lodge (an A&K Sanctuary) with only six suites, honeymooners slide into Star Baths and watch water buffalo from private decks.

It’s untouched luxury at its finest.

Do it the A&K Way: Stay at Baines’ Lodge, retrace your path on guided walks and night drives, wake under an African sky in suite-level solitude.

Expert Insight: “The Okavango represents ultra-private luxury — couples seek destinations where fewer people = more privilege.”

OSA PENINSULA, COSTA RICA

Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula remains one of the world’s most biodiverse rainforests — home to nearly 3% of the planet’s species. Accessible only by boat, it’s held a low-profile despite its eco-luxury potential.

In 2026 the trend to remote-luxury means the Osa is ideally placed: wild, wealthy in nature and now serviced by high-end boats and charter options.

Do it the A&K Way: On Cruising & Wildlife in Costa Rica, board a nine-cabin luxury yacht, cruise to Corcovado, dive into jungle hikes by day and spa-soak by evening.

Expert Insight: “The Osa Peninsula captures the ‘last-frontier luxury’ trend — sophisticated comfort deep in the wild.”

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Asia’s luxury travel gaze has long been on Japan, but 2026 puts South Korea firmly in the spotlight. From cutting-edge design and K-culture to the ancient hanoks and royal palaces of Seoul, this is a city where heritage and futurism collude. For luxury travellers wanting food, fashion, wellness and history in one place, it ticks every box.

Do it the A&K Way: With South Korea: Temples & Seoul Food, you’ll balance temple stays with DJ-led nightlife, traditional hanbok portraits with street-style shopping.

Expert Insight: “Seoul is riding K-culture’s global wave — travellers want the city’s genuine face, not just the hype.”

DOLOMITES, ITALY

The 2026 Winter Olympics near Cortina d’Ampezzo may grab headlines this year, but the smart luxury traveller will visit after the crowds depart. The Dolomites’ grand landscapes, alpine chic and recent luxury reopening offer premium mountain stays without the peak-season crush.

Hotel Ancora’s reimagination, the opening of Mandarin Oriental Cortina and Aman Rosa Alpina’s refresh are all part of the rise.

Do it the A&K Way: On Venice & the Dolomites, begin amid Venetian canals, then ride jeeps and hike the Cinque Torri, sip local cheeses and wines in design-led lodges high in the peaks.

Expert Insight: “The Dolomites are the ideal post-Olympic opportunity — dramatic scenery, Italian sophistication and fewer crowds.”

SLOVENIA

Seeking European elegance without the runaway crowds? Slovenia offers alpine lakes, wine valleys, sustainable luxury and next-gen design hotels. From Lake Bled’s fairy-tale charm to Ljubljana’s culinary innovation at Hiša Franko, 2026 is Slovenia’s breakout moment as an insider’s European destination.

Do it the A&K Way: With Tailormade Slovenia, row Lake Bled with an Olympic champion, sip boutique wines in Vipava Valley and stay at design-forward lodges scattered across the hills.

Expert Insight: “Slovenia embodies the ‘anti-overtourism’ movement — intimate luxury, local authenticity and serious style.”

MALLORCA, SPAIN

Once a summer hotspot, Mallorca is morphing into a true year-round luxury destination. With new openings from Four Seasons (2025) and Mandarin Oriental (2026), and the island in the path of a total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026, the mix of Mediterranean sunshine, mountain charm and astronomical spectacle makes it irresistible.

Do it the A&K Way: On Spain: Madrid, Valencia & Mallorca, explore art-rich Madrid, Valencia’s culinary scene and then unwind in Mallorca’s coastal villa-style resorts as the eclipse draws near.

Expert Insight: “Mallorca has matured into Europe’s ultimate year-round luxury escape — refined infrastructure, elite hospitality and a rare celestial event on the calendar.”

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.