15 Destinations (and 5 Trends) Worth Your Attention This Year

January brings the annual avalanche of “you must go here” lists for the year ahead. Every publication has one. It’s exciting—and, if we’re honest, a little overwhelming.

At Privada, we read them all. The New York Times 52 Places list. Condé Nast Traveler. Afar. Travel + Leisure. Virtuoso’s Luxe Report. We don’t just skim headlines—we look for overlap, themes, and what’s actually showing up in the real world.

What follows isn’t a list of places we hope will be interesting. It’s a distilled master list of destinations and trends we’re actively planning around—places that offer depth, movement, and a sense of place, without tipping into the overly commercial.

15 Destinations on Our 2026 Radar

These are places we’re excited about because they balance culture, landscape, and experience—and because they reward travelers who value pacing and intention over checklists.

1. Peloponnese, Greece (Messinia)

A quieter, richer counterpoint to the islands. Ancient ruins, olive groves, coastal hikes, and beautifully understated luxury. Greece, but lived in.

2. Southern Peru

Beyond Machu Picchu. Remote Andean landscapes, new high-end camps, and immersive cultural travel that feels grounded and real.

3. Naoshima, Japan

Japan’s art island, best experienced slowly. Cycling between museums, sleeping in design-forward hotels, and avoiding the crowds entirely.

4. Northern Namibia

Vast desert landscapes, conservation-led lodges, and safari experiences that feel elemental and deeply moving.

5. Penang, Malaysia

A cultural and culinary crossroads. Incredible food, historic neighborhoods, jungle hikes, and boutique hotels with soul.

6. Saba, Caribbean

Tiny, rugged, and refreshingly untouched. For travelers who want Caribbean beauty without the cruise ships or crowds.

7. Fès, Morocco

A historic city renewed. Restored riads, revitalized markets, and a deep sense of place that rewards curiosity.

8. Uluru & Australia’s Red Centre

Powerful landscapes, indigenous-led experiences, and a reminder that some places are meant to be felt, not rushed.

9. Gabon

For travelers ready to go further. Rainforest safaris, raw coastline, and true expedition-style travel with comfort layered in.

10. Montmartre & Paris’ Left Bank

Yes, Paris—but experienced locally. Neighborhood walks, market mornings, and time to linger.

11. Mongolia

Big skies, nomadic culture, and refined camps that bring comfort to one of the world’s last great frontiers.

12. Oulu, Finland

Arctic culture, design, and outdoor life—quietly compelling and beautifully different.

13. Guadalajara, Mexico

Creative energy, architecture, and food culture that’s dynamic without being overrun.

14. Route 66 (Centennial Year)

A classic, done thoughtfully. Vintage motels, regional food, and a road trip paced for enjoyment—not nostalgia overload.

15. Bentonville, Arkansas

Unexpected and genuinely interesting. World-class art, trail systems, and a cultural scene that continues to surprise.

5 Travel Trends Shaping 2026

Beyond where people are going, these are the patterns we see shaping how they travel.

1. Crowd-Aware Travel

Travelers are timing trips more carefully—shoulder seasons, lesser-known regions, and itineraries designed to avoid peak congestion.

2. Slower, More Intentional Itineraries

Fewer places. Longer stays. More room to experience, adjust, and actually be present.

3. Pop Culture as a Gateway

Film, television, and books continue to inspire travel—but the best trips go beyond the set location and into local context.

4. Quiet Luxury

Not flashy. Not performative. Thoughtful hotels, strong guides, and experiences that feel personal rather than produced.

5. Wellness with Purpose

Not just spas—travel that restores energy, perspective, and connection, whether through movement, nature, or meaningful rest.

Our Take

The common thread across all of this?

Travel in 2026 is less about ticking boxes and more about how a trip feels when you’re actually on the ground.

The destinations above offer space, texture, and depth. The trends reflect a desire for flexibility, clarity, and better judgment—both in where to go and how to get there.

That’s the kind of travel we care about. And it’s what we’re designing every day.

If one of these places—or one of these themes—sparks something, we’re happy to talk through what might make sense for you.

Because the best trips aren’t built from lists alone. They’re built from listening, pacing, and knowing when to say yes—and when to leave something out.