THE WORLD AWAITS: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO DISCOVER IN 2026
From celestial spectacles to cultural revelations and pristine wilderness, the next wave of luxury journeys promises more than beauty; it promises transformation.
7 min
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.”
From making unpopular decisions to learning when to listen, leaders from five businesses reveal what nobody prepared them for — and how running a company has challenged their expectations.
Technology and semiconductor shares fell sharply as investors questioned the debt financing the AI infrastructure boom and confronted higher rates and Chinese competition.
Elon Musk is exploring a potential merger between Tesla and SpaceX, a deal that could reshape the future of AI, robotics, autonomous vehicles and space technology. With a combined valuation potentially reaching $3.5 trillion, the move could bring Musk’s vision of an interconnected technology ecosystem closer to reality, although a deal remains uncertain.
5 min
Elon Musk has engineered ties between Tesla TSLA 3.41%increase; up pointing triangle and SpaceX SPCX 7.79%increase; up pointing triangle that are hard to break, and now he wants to fuse them together permanently.
Musk has run both Tesla and SpaceX concurrently over the past two decades, using a schedule that dictated which days he spent focused on each business.
The companies have often shared resources and personnel, signaling their close ties. Last year, SpaceX looked into creating a spacesuit for Tesla’s humanoid robot Optimus, a person familiar with the matter said. Tesla last week showed off its new Roadster, a vehicle featuring SpaceX rocket thrusters that it hopes to soon bring to market.
And in recent months, Musk has repositioned both companies by expanding beyond their core operations toward a shared mission centered on artificial intelligence.
The world’s richest man on Tuesday signaled his interest in tying up SpaceX and Tesla, marking what would be the biggest corporate merger of all time. Because he serves as chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla, Musk said committees of independent directors at both companies are evaluating a possible deal, adding that a transaction might not come to fruition.
The committees will likely evaluate, with lawyers and bankers, how each company would fare in a potential deal and how a deal might best be structured. They then present their conclusions to their respective boards, who typically vote on whether to proceed.
“It’s an odd Kabuki dance where two groups of people are talking and I can’t be in the conversation,” Musk told SpaceX investors on Tuesday in response to an analyst’s question about a potential deal.
For Musk, the merger supports his vision of a world full of autonomous cars, humanoid robots and weekly rocket launches, as well as the data centers and satellites required to keep the whole thing running.
Some investors and analysts said they expect a transaction would be structured as an all-stock deal, with SpaceX potentially paying a modest premium for Tesla shares.
SpaceX, which has a market value of about $2 trillion, said it is seeing sharp growth in revenue across its businesses, which include operating data centers, launching rockets and operating satellite networks such as the internet service Starlink. Tesla is valued at about $1.5 trillion and is expanding its operations beyond its automotive and energy business. Shares in both companies traded higher following the news Tuesday.
Musk’s substantial ownership stakes in both companies, along with voting control at SpaceX, has enabled him to set the deal in motion. Analysts and investors said the deal will probably face regulatory scrutiny internationally, though some see Musk’s close relationship with the Trump administration as an asset to getting approval.
Blurred lines
The companies haven’t said which directors are on the special committees evaluating a potential deal. Several SpaceX and Tesla board members have either personal or business ties to Musk. And like Musk, venture capitalist Ira Ehrenpreis sits on both boards.
In a filing this week, Tesla outlined millions of dollars in business agreements with SpaceX and its subsidiaries last year, including $143 million in car sales to SpaceX, $3.3 million in advertising that it bought on the social-media platform X and $430 million in revenue from the sale of Megapack batteries for SpaceX’s data centers.
The companies also split the cost of resources including the use of Musk’s SpaceX jet and the bill for his personal security, which he runs through a private company.
Employees at both companies routinely move between companies to work on special projects, and some executives have dual roles, including Charles Kuehmann, vice president of materials engineering at both SpaceX and Tesla, and Ashok Elluswamy, the vice president of AI software at Tesla who runs a joint venture with SpaceX called Digital Optimus.
Over the years, Musk has launched new startups within his empire, including brain-implant company Neuralink, underground-tunnel developer the Boring Company and xAI, the AI startup that merged with SpaceX in February.
It is that AI business that Musk thinks can serve a market worth tens of trillions of dollars, justifying the need for a merger.
The business case goes like this: Tesla is developing robotaxis and robots, which it calls “physical AI.” SpaceX is working on the back end of physical AI: the data-center capacity and internet connection required for those robotaxis and robots to operate continuously.
“I don’t see what the value of Tesla is if it’s not merged with SpaceX,” said investment adviser Ross Gerber, a former Tesla bull turned critic invested in both companies. “If they don’t merge, the brains of everything that runs Tesla is owned by another company.”
On top of it all, both companies face constraints on the supply chains they need to make this world a reality, particularly when it comes to chips. To address this, Musk earlier this year announced a joint venture between Tesla, SpaceX and Intel to design and manufacture chips in Texas. “The most epic chip-building exercise by far,” he has said.
Musk at the wheel
For Musk, a merger would also solve two problems: demands on his attention and his lack of control at Tesla.
Tesla for years was Musk’s only public company, a status that came with greater scrutiny. There, Musk reports to a public board, as well as individual investors who make up around 30% of Tesla’s voting power, according to FactSet.
The question of Musk’s attention became a particular focus for investors and the board in recent years after he acquired Twitter in 2022 and launched xAI in 2023, and again in 2025 as he spent time in Washington, D.C., running the Department of Government Efficiency in the early months of President Trump’s second term.
As Tesla’s car business suffered in 2025, Musk threatened to take his AI ambitions outside the company if he wasn’t granted 25% voting control. Last November, Tesla shareholders approved a new pay package for Musk, which created a path for him to vastly expand his stake.
As of Sept. 30, Musk owned a roughly 20% stake in Tesla, according to the company’s proxy filing.
The SpaceX IPO gave Musk a different path. When SpaceX went public in June, the deal’s structure enabled him to have more than 80% voting power at the company—so much that he can’t be fired and decisions can’t be made without his support.
If SpaceX acquires Tesla, he will likely stay in control.
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