In this season in particular, we love contemplating where to go next. An ideal year of travel for us includes a little of the unexpected. The allure of classic countries like Italy, Spain and Japan isn’t exactly news, but the specific locations we’re looking at in each place may be surprising. Luxury hotel and resort openings continue apace around the world, encouraging us to look at other favorite destinations with new eyes. And we love exploring lesser-known corners of the planet, where we often unearth remarkable gems. The following spots have all caught our attention. 

Washington State

We very much enjoyed our recent trip to the Seattle area, but we just missed the opening of Populus, a stylish-looking boutique hotel downtown. It would be great fun to return to the city and then head north into the picturesque San Juan Islands, where the historic Outlook Inn (under new ownership since 2022) on Orcas Island has been receiving good press. Enticing activities include kayaking amid bioluminescent plankton and spotting whales and dolphins. Back on land, in the quaint Bavarian-style town of Leavenworth in the Cascade Mountains, we’ve been eyeing the Posthotel, with its European-style spa and saltwater hydrotherapy pools. Nearby, Gamble Sands, one of our favorite American golf courses, has a new neighbor, the 18-hole Scarecrow. Like Gamble Sands, Scarecrow is a links course designed by David McLay Kidd, and it reportedly has even more incredible views over the Columbia River.

Mexico City

When we last visited Mexico City, in 2017, the capital was on an upswing. Apparently, it never looked back. Ten restaurants now boast Michelin stars (compared to zero back then). Several museums have recently opened, including one dedicated to the early life of Frida Kahlo, and a few others have been reenvisioned. The Museo Nacional de Antropología has a new section dedicated to Indigenous peoples, and Cuadra San Cristobál — long a draw for modern-architecture fans — is slated to reopen in 2026 as a cultural center. Luxury hotels are no longer in short supply, either. Five look promising: the minimalist Volga in the upcoming neighborhood of Cuauhtémoc; the sleek 26-suite Alexander ensconced in a striking high-rise; the 10-room Casa Cuenca in a 1930s mansion; the 32-room Casona Roma Norte, also a draw for foodies; and the retro Hotel Dama, which offers 17 rooms in a refurbished 1950s apartment building.