Where to Travel in 2026: Month-by-Month Destination Guide
I keep being asked where will be “hot” in 2026, so here’s my honest take month by month, based on travel I’ve done, trips I’m designing and what I’m seeing shift right now. This is about timing, experience and getting it right.
January: If you want heat, go Caribbean and (having just returned) Grenada is a standout. A lush, vertiginous island with waterfalls, rum plantations and beautiful beaches. Start on Grand Anse for the longest two-mile stretch (Spice Island if you want upscale all-inclusive, Silversands for a 100m pool, Mount Cinnamon if you want a colonial vibe or the gym matters), then head north to Mount Edgecombe or Petite Anse for something quieter, off-grid and refreshingly unflashy.
February: Often overlooked next to Dubai, Oman is far more rewarding. Head to the mountains and stay at Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar near Nizwa for incredible hikes and views, then finish by the sea at the Shangri-La or Six Senses Zighy Bay. Big landscapes, culture and calm.
March: Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle works beautifully now. Travel with a driver-guide, then take the Kandy to Ella train through tea plantations, misty mountains and waterfalls. That said, the big trend is Japan and in March you could be lucky to catch plum blossoms, fewer crowds albeit cooler temperatures. I’m designing trips that mix small hikes, Airbnbs and boutique hotels alongside ryokans.
Apri: My favourite time (my birthday) and my favourite destination, the Seychelles. You must island-hop. Base yourself on Praslin, visit the UNESCO-protected Vallée de Mai, stay at Constance Lémuria for space, golf and spa, then ferry to La Digue and cycle past granite-boulder beaches like Anse Source d’Argent.
May: Just under four hours away, Madeira is hugely underrated. Levada walks, flower-filled landscapes and excellent value before peak summer. Expect sunshine with the odd short shower and the Flower Festival. For luxury, Les Suites at The Cliff Bay, can't beat it.
June: I’m seeing rising demand for Greece’s lesser-known islands, though Crete remains a bestseller. New openings are driving interest, including Ikos Kissamos near Chania with Domes and Atlantica ideal for those looking for adult-only alternatives.
July: Tanzania safari combined with Zanzibar works brilliantly. Spend a night in Stone Town, then head to the beach. Matemwe Attitude, opened last year, brings sustainable luxury to a quieter stretch of coast.
August: Alaska is a true bucket-list month. Glaciers, fjords and wildlife are at their best. 2026 is particularly interesting with Virgin Voyages launching Alaska for the first time, Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth sailing its final season there, and Seabourn Encore offering ultra-luxury with just 600 guests.
September: Botswana is superb at the end of the dry season, when wildlife concentrates around shrinking water sources. Warm days, cooler mornings and fewer mosquitoes. Into riding? Macatoo and Mashatu are excellent choices.
October: Mauritius offers reliable weather, outstanding service and fantastic food. Adults-only travellers should look at Paradise Cove, families at Beachcomber properties, and kite surfers at Heritage Awali.
November: The Maldives is ideal before Christmas. Choose carefully. Island size matters, too small and you’ll feel confined, too big and you lose the castaway feel. A good house reef is essential. I prefer islands further from the airport with a seaplane outbound leg for the experience, although 2026 will see new developments closer to Malé. Oblu Select Sangeli works well if you don’t want a tiny island, while Siyam World offers space, energy and choice, working equally well for couples, friends and multi-generational families.
December: Lapland and Arctic Norway aren’t sunny, but they’re unbeatable for atmosphere. Beyond family Santa trips, the real trend is adult wilderness lodges focused on Northern Lights, husky sledding and reindeer encounters. Nangu Wilderness Hotel in Finnish Lapland is a favourite for its lakeside setting, while Lyngen Experience Lodge in Norway offers timber-built luxury with fjord views high above the Arctic Circle.
