Our Top Destinations 2026: Expert Picks for Thoughtful Travel
As travel continues to shift towards deeper, more considered experiences, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of journeys that reward curiosity, patience and genuine connection. Our specialists have selected destinations that stand the test of time, not because they are fashionable, but because they offer something meaningful. Strong landscapes, rich culture and the opportunity to travel in a way that feels responsible and well-paced.
This collection brings together places our team knows well, shaped by first-hand experience and long-standing relationships on the ground. From wildlife-rich deltas and remote desert landscapes to cultural capitals and ancient mountain kingdoms, these are destinations that lend themselves to unhurried exploration and thoughtful travel design.
Kakadu National Park, Australia
Kakadu National Park is Australia at its most ancient and elemental. Located in the Northern Territory, it is the country’s largest national park, with vast wetlands, sandstone escarpments and deeply significant Aboriginal sites. The scale is immense, yet the experience feels personal when explored with expert local guides.
Visitors come to Kakadu to understand the land through the eyes of the Bininj/Mungguy people, whose culture has shaped this landscape for tens of thousands of years. Aboriginal-led tours bring rock art galleries, seasonal knowledge and sacred sites to life, offering insight that goes far beyond surface-level sightseeing.
“Kakadu is Australia at its most ancient and dramatic. From wetlands teeming with birdlife to sacred rock art and rugged gorges, it offers a powerful connection to both landscape and culture.”
– Alistair, Australia Travel Specialist
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta remains one of the most rewarding wilderness destinations in Africa. Fed by floodwaters from Angola, this vast inland delta transforms the Kalahari into a mosaic of channels, lagoons and floodplains, drawing extraordinary concentrations of wildlife.
What sets the Okavango apart is the way it is explored. Mokoro canoe safaris, walking experiences and boat-based game viewing offer quiet, immersive encounters with elephants, hippos, lions and a rich variety of birdlife. Carefully chosen camps keep guest numbers low, allowing the delta to feel expansive and untouched.
“The Okavango Delta is a wildlife paradise where water shapes every experience. Exploring by canoe or on foot brings a real sense of intimacy with the landscape.”
– Ruth, Botswana Travel Specialist
Cardamom Mountains, Cambodia
In southwest Cambodia, the Cardamom Mountains form one of Southeast Asia’s most important remaining rainforest regions. Largely undeveloped and still relatively unknown, this is a destination for travellers seeking adventure with purpose.
Dense jungle, winding rivers and remote trails define the experience here. Wildlife sightings are possible but never guaranteed, which adds to the sense of exploration. Staying in conservation-led lodges connects visitors directly with reforestation, anti-poaching efforts and community initiatives.
“The Cardamom Mountains offer a rare combination of adventure, biodiversity and conservation-led travel. It’s a place where tourism genuinely supports protection of the landscape.”
– Nia, Asia Travel Specialist
Atacama Desert, Chile
The Atacama Desert is a study in extremes. Salt flats, geysers, volcanic peaks and vast open skies create one of the most striking landscapes on Earth. With some of the clearest night skies anywhere, stargazing here is a highlight, whether through professional observatories or simply from a quiet lodge terrace.
Most journeys are based around the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, from where guests explore lagoons, canyons and high-altitude deserts by day, returning to calm, well-designed lodges in the evening.
“The Atacama feels otherworldly. Dramatic landscapes and vast skies combine with small, well-located lodges that keep the experience grounded and comfortable.”
– Amanda, Latin America Specialist
Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan is a destination of colour, ceremony and living history. Forts rise above desert cities, palaces line shimmering lakes and daily life unfolds in bustling markets and quiet rural villages. Each city offers a different perspective, from Jaipur’s grand avenues to Udaipur’s lakeside elegance and Jaisalmer’s desert stronghold.
Travel here works best when unhurried, combining heritage hotels, guided cultural experiences and time to observe everyday life. Beyond the architecture, Rajasthan’s strength lies in its traditions, crafts and festivals, which remain an integral part of life.
“Rajasthan blends royal heritage with vibrant local culture. Travelling slowly allows you to appreciate both the grandeur and the human stories behind it.”
– Nia, India Travel Specialist
Laikipia, Kenya
Laikipia offers a different side of Kenya, quieter and more exploratory than the Maasai Mara. This vast plateau of private conservancies supports remarkable wildlife diversity, including endangered species, while allowing a wide range of activities beyond traditional game drives.
Walking safaris, camel trekking and horseback riding create a sense of freedom and flexibility. Conservation and community partnerships are central to tourism here, with many properties playing an active role in protecting land and supporting local livelihoods.
“Laikipia is Kenya’s wild heart. It offers space, variety and meaningful conservation, with wildlife encounters that feel genuinely personal.”
– Otti, Kenya Travel Specialist
Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is the cultural soul of Japan, a city shaped by centuries of ritual, refinement and quiet continuity. Ancient temples, gardens and shrines sit alongside modern life, creating a rhythm that encourages slow exploration.
Staying in traditional ryokans, joining tea ceremonies and walking through historic neighbourhoods allows visitors to engage with the city beyond its headline sights. Kyoto rewards those who take time to observe rather than rush.
“Kyoto invites reflection. Its traditions, food and architecture offer insight into a way of life that has endured for generations.”
– Nia, Japan Specialist
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands are one of the world’s most important wildlife destinations, known for close encounters with species found nowhere else. Strict visitor controls and expert naturalist guides ensure that tourism here supports conservation rather than undermining it.
Exploring by small ship or from carefully regulated land-based lodges allows access to multiple islands, each with distinct ecosystems. Snorkelling with sea lions, observing giant tortoises and walking volcanic landscapes create experiences that feel both educational and deeply moving.
“The Galápagos are a living classroom of evolution. Responsible travel here protects fragile ecosystems while offering extraordinary wildlife encounters.”
– Amanda, Latin America Specialist
Thimphu, Bhutan
Bhutan’s capital offers a rare balance between tradition and modern life. Set in a Himalayan valley, Thimphu is home to monasteries, markets and cultural institutions that reflect Bhutan’s commitment to preserving identity while embracing change.
Visitors explore dzongs, attend festivals and hike surrounding hills, gaining insight into a society guided by values of wellbeing and balance. Thimphu works best as part of a wider journey through Bhutan, grounding travellers in its cultural heart.
“Thimphu brings together daily life, spirituality and landscape in a way that feels authentic and deeply rooted.” – Nia, Asia Travel Specialist
Kafue National Park, Zambia
Kafue is one of Africa’s great under-the-radar safari destinations. Vast, varied and lightly visited, it offers a sense of discovery that is increasingly rare. Miombo woodland, floodplains and rivers support a wide range of wildlife, including large predator populations and prolific birdlife.
Safaris here are diverse, with game drives, walking and boat trips all playing a role. Remote camps allow guests to feel immersed in the landscape, far from the busier safari circuits.
“Kafue offers space and solitude. It’s ideal for travellers who value wilderness and a slower, more exploratory safari experience.”
– Tamara, Zambia Travel Specialist
Looking ahead to 2026
These destinations reflect how many travellers want to experience the world in 2026. With curiosity, respect and a focus on quality over quantity. Each offers depth, whether through wildlife, culture or landscape, and works best when planned with care.
If you’re beginning to think about where to go next, our specialists can help shape a journey around the places that resonate most, creating a trip that feels personal, responsible and genuinely rewarding.