Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy.
getty
Traveling like a VIP doesn’t necessarily require a private jet. But next year, you might need a time machine, according to the luxury travel advisors at Embark Beyond.
In the realm of ultra-luxury trips, the calendar has already flipped to 2026. If you’re still living in the present, you’ll miss the boat—literally. The hottest cruise lines and hotels are filling up fast, and the window to book the trip of a lifetime is closing before the year even begins.
According to Jack Ezon, the agency’s founder, the criteria for a perfect trip have also changed.
“The definition of luxury has fundamentally shifted,” he says. “It’s no longer about conspicuous consumption. It’s about conscious consumption. Clients aren’t asking ‘where’ anymore. They’re asking ‘why.'”
For 2026, that “why” drives travelers toward cooler climates, reimagined cities, and hotels that serve as destinations.
“We’re seeing a move away from the obvious,” Ezon notes. “It’s about connection. Connecting with nature, with local culture, and with yourself in places that haven’t been Instagrammed to death.”
Here are the vacations experts say justify the journey in 2026.
The Northern Lights over a snowy landscape in Finnish Lapland.
getty
The places: “cool-cations” and quiet powerhouses
If travelers thought they knew the “It” destinations, they should think again. The compass is pointing north—and surprisingly, to a U.S. city that is not exactly known for luxury tourism.
Finland
Forget the beach; the “cool-cation” is here. Travel advisor Deborah Gellis says high-end travelers are trading heat waves for the Nordics, specifically Finland’s Lakeland region. She points to Kotona Manor as the game-changer. “The Nordics are exploding in popularity as travelers shift toward cooler-climate escapes,” she explains. Gellis notes the new 11-room lodge is a safari-style retreat with standalone suites and a circular main lodge designed to frame the lake views. It offers seclusion, design, and nature—exactly what the conscious consumer wants.
Milan
Milan is shedding its reputation as just a layover on the way to Lake Como. “Over the years, this city has become Europe’s quiet powerhouse,” says Embark advisor Marguerite Scully. Thanks to the global influence of Salone del Mobile and new properties from heavy hitters like Rocco Forte and Rosewood, the city is now a primary destination. Scully notes that an influx of capital into infrastructure and culture has turned Milan into one of Europe’s most in-demand urban hubs.
Philadelphia
Yep, Philly. Advisor Janel Carnero says it’s the “It Destination” for 2026, the result of a decade of investment in culture and hospitality. “The dining scene has moved beyond its traditional reputation, gaining recognition for more ambitious concepts,” she says. With the Four Seasons at Comcast Center anchoring a new wave of boutique hotels, Carnero is booking clients on extended stays that mix private museum access with curated food tours.
Burgundy is a historical region in east-central France.
getty
The best hotels: wine, water and exclusivity
The best new hotels for 2026 aren’t just places to sleep. They’re destinations unto themselves.
Château la Commaraine (Burgundy, France)
For years, Burgundy had the wine but lacked the hotel inventory to match. Travel expert Bridget Cohn says that changes with Château la Commaraine. Located in the Pommard Premier Cru wine region, it’s the long-anticipated anchor the region needed. Cohn compares it to the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa: a property so good travelers need an extra day just to “luxuriate in this property that is going to be a destination in and of itself,” says Cohn.
La Réserve Firenze (Florence, Italy)
Is Florence the new Paris? Advisor Diedra Pyle thinks the competition is getting fierce. Her pick is La Réserve Firenze, a boutique entry with just six apartment-style accommodations. In a city where space is tight, Pyle says this mature brand offers a rare commodity: square footage and privacy.
Four Seasons Caye Chapel (Belize)
This is the private island resort the Caribbean has been waiting for. Embark travel advisor Julie Shifrin says the Four Seasons Caye Chapel fills a massive gap for a five-star private island resort in the region. With 104 oceanfront accommodations—including those coveted overwater bungalows that are usually a flight to Bora Bora away—it’s a honeymooner’s dream that’s easily accessible from U.S. hubs like Miami and Chicago.
Luxury yacht Evrima, the first of its kind in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sails the Tagus River. (Photo by Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Corbis via Getty Images
The Cruises: yachts, not ships
The cruise industry is pivoting hard toward the yacht concept—smaller vessels, longer stays, and more flexibility.
Orient Express Yachts
Travel expert Mandy McKaskle says the new Orient Express yacht is designed “specifically for the sea rather than adapting a land-based hospitality concept.” Carrying just 110 guests, it features a recording studio and itineraries that feel like a private charter. “For a brand that transformed rail travel into a romantic odyssey, sailing yachts feel like the truest expression yet,” McKaskle notes.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Luxury travel advisor Anne Scully highlights the Luminara, which brings a resort-forward approach to the ocean. With 226 suites, it appeals to those who typically prefer land-based hotels. The real draw? The route. Scully points out that Luminara is skipping the tired circuits for voyages through Asia, Mauritius, and the Andamans—places the big ships can’t or won’t go.
Four Seasons Yacht Collection
Demand for the Four Seasons I is “unlike anything I’ve ever seen,” says Jason Squatriglia, a travel advisor with Embark Beyond. Brand loyalty is driving the frenzy, with clients eager for the 1:1 guest-to-staff ratio and massive suites. It launches in March 2026, but the buzz is already building.
Luxury water villas in the Maldives.
getty
Lodging: old favorites, new tricks
Sometimes the most “embarkable” spot is an old friend with a facelift.
Singita Elela Lodge (Botswana)
The safari giant Singita enters Botswana in December 2026, and travel advisor Limor Decter says it’s a departure from the norm. “There are no fixed schedules and no predictable patterns,” she says of the lodge, whose name means “to flow.” It’s a guest-led experience on 400,000 acres where travelers dictate the rhythm of the day.
Bulgari Resort Maldives
Aryeh Kaisman is watching the Raa Atoll, where Bulgari is dropping a 53-villa resort. He believes this will finally bring “true competition to Cheval Blanc,” offering four signature dining concepts and Bulgari’s over-the-top design.
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel (Florence, Italy)
After a two-year refresh, this luxury hotel icon returns with 38 redesigned suites and Italy’s first Guerlain Spa. Travel advisor Stephanie Rizzolo calls it an “exciting homecoming” that offers a resort feel just outside the city center—perfect for those who want the view of Florence without the noise.
Timing is everything in 2026
Why is Embark talking about vacations that don’t happen for another nine months? Because in the world of luxury travel, the future is already fully booked. If travelers wait for the calendar page to turn, they might find the vacation of a lifetime is already sold out.
“The reality is, the most transformative moments are in short supply,” says Ezon, Embark’s managing partner.
So if you’re thinking about traveling next year, you might want to check to see if it’s on Embark’s “must see” list. Just make sure you book the trip before it becomes unavailable.
