For travel enthusiasts, the world awaits in unprecedented ways, say experts at Virtuoso. Virtuoso, which surveys its members annually, now offers its latest outlook for 2026 and beyond—and it’s an exciting one.

Misty Belles, Virtuoso’s vice president of global communications, says luxury travel is booming: She reports a 12% increase in overall sales compared to 2024, with a 35% increase in bookings of $50,000 and above. “Ultra-high-net-worth travelers aren’t just spending; they’re investing in transformative, personalized journeys, with exclusive experiences becoming the ultimate measure of luxury,” she says. Belles says that despite stock market volatility and a general pullback in luxury prices, spending on luxury experiences remains strong. “People need to escape, and that’s a priority. So if they’re going to spend, they’re going to spend it on their terms.”

What’s in store for 2026? More disruptive experiences, including at sea, where cruise travel will be more in-demand and more appealing than ever before. Fall has become peak travel season, and baby boomers, wary of overtourism, are exploring new and exciting destinations, offering even more surprises. From luxury catamarans in French Polynesia to wine tastings in Slovenia, the world is vast and beautiful. Here’s what luxury travel looks like in 2026.

Remember the grandeur of Sicily and Japan? It’s 2025, and while both destinations remain enviable, Virtuoso’s experts are eyeing Slovenia and South Korea as vibrant and exciting alternatives within Europe and Asia. Also trending in 2026 is Barcelona, ​​which will mark the 200th anniversary of Antoni Gaudí’s death and celebrate the completion of his long-awaited masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia. (Stay at the Almanac Barcelona, ​​a 20-minute walk away, and experience a wealth of exciting activities.)

In 2026, Napa Valley will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the legendary “Judgment of Paris,” the blind tasting that put California wine on the global map. Savvy travelers are lining up to book trips to family-owned estate resorts like Meadowood in Napa Valley and checking out Aero’s semi-private jet options.

Beth Flowers, a travel consultant at Brownell Travel, a Virtuoso member agency based in Birmingham, Alabama, has noticed her clients exploring destinations that may not be “new” per se, but offer a sense of fresh tranquility or joy in uncertain times: Ireland, Switzerland, Scandinavia, and New Zealand. “What we’re seeing is a desire among travelers to be in clean, fresh environments,” she says. “And I don’t just mean clean, healthy, and sustainable, but clean, fresh, well-functioning, and seamless. I think this perhaps reflects a desire for peace and tranquility.”

Kathryn Burns, also an independent partner at Brownell Travel, has found exciting new destinations for her clients within classic tourist hotspots, particularly the Greek Cyclades. “Naxos and Paros are really booming,” she says. “New luxury hotels are being built, infrastructure is improving, and these islands are experiencing a resurgence as vibrant tourist destinations,” Burns said, noting that increased flight options and the advent of high-speed ferries are making these destinations even more enticing.

The pristine coast of the Moroccan Riviera, a little-known alternative to the bustle of Italy and Spain, has suddenly become a hot commodity. Set on 25 acres of lush grounds and bordered by soft sandy beaches, the newly opened Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, the latest jewel in the Royal Mansour collection (famous for Marrakech and Casablanca), offers a fresh approach to experiencing the destination and the Mediterranean.