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.

Puerto Rico

Accommodations on Puerto Rico haven’t necessarily lived up to the island’s beauty and rich history. Within the next few years, that imbalance will finally be corrected. In November 2025, the Four Seasons Resort and Residences debuted in the former St. Regis, set beside a nature reserve on the northeastern coast along a 2-mile stretch of beach. An 18-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., a comprehensive spa, a kids’ club and a wide array of water sports facilities make the resort appealing to travelers of all ages. Hot on its heels are two more high-profile additions: Moncayo, an Auberge Collection resort planned for 2027 on the island’s east coast, and a new Mandarin Oriental property on the west coast, expected to open in 2028.

Northern Spain

On August 12, 2026, the next total solar eclipse will pass over eastern Greenland, the western edge of Iceland and much of northern Spain. With Iceland’s weather so unpredictable, we’re betting on Spain to have the better viewing conditions. Because this will be the first total solar eclipse over Spain since 1905, locals are already planning celebrations and hotels are filling up. The eclipse’s path will stretch from Galicia to the Balearic Islands, but the best chance of seeing it unobstructed is from the country’s northwest coast. While Santiago de Compestela itself is just outside the path of totality, two Andrew Harper-recommended hotels there (Parador de Santiago de Compostela and A Quinta da Auga) are each only a 50-minute drive from A Coruña, a prime viewing spot in Galicia.

Tuscan Coast

Arrivederci, Amalfi. It’s Tuscany’s turn. Next summer, in-the-know travelers will follow the Italians to the Tuscan coast, where a sprinkling of new hotels is luring a new generation of luxury seekers. In Forte dei Marmi — a longtime favorite beach escape of well-heeled Florentines — the new Pensione America beckons with retro glamour and sun-filled suites. Farther south, Porto Ercole on the Monte Argentario peninsula offers something different but equally compelling. While Il Pellicano has long held the spotlight, the arrival of La Roqqa signals a new energy in the area. We can’t wait to kick off a European summer by sunbathing on the rocks before a dip in the sea at Isolotto, the hotel’s posh beach club.

Malta

Malta may not yet boast a major luxury hotel brand, but this Mediterranean archipelago has an abundance of small boutique properties waiting to be discovered. Much like Montenegro, this country is still little known to Americans, yet it brims with potential. Traditionally, Malta has attracted history buffs who are drawn by its wealth of fascinating baroque churches and immense fortifications constructed from the island’s signature honey-colored limestone. But it has more to offer than travelers might expect, including world-class diving sites and gorgeous beaches. Its capital, Valletta, possesses one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, and the nation’s culinary scene is on the rise, with seven Michelin-starred restaurants. Malta’s moment is coming, and travelers looking for somewhere fresh should put it high on their 2026 lists.

Namibia

Otherworldly Namibia is a favorite country of ours, with breathtaking, sculptural landscapes, intact Indigenous traditions and unique game-viewing opportunities. While some safari destinations have become notoriously crowded, Namibia provides an antithesis to overtourism. The most popular safari destination is Etosha National Park. It recently suffered damage from wildfires, which will doubtless discourage some potential visitors from going to Namibia at all. But clever travelers will head to places like Nkasa Rupara National Park, an extension of the Okavango Delta ecosystem. We can’t wait to try Natural Selection’s new camp there, the six-room Nkasa Linyanti, opening in May. Natural Selection will open another property that month, the 10-room Hoanib Elephant Camp, an ideal base for viewing desert-adapted animals and meeting the local Himba people. Elsewhere, other exclusive lodges stand amid scenic splendor and rank among the great remote escapes of the world.

Central Asia

Rugged mountain landscapes and ancient Silk Road cities lure intrepid travelers to Central Asia’s five “Stans”: Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Traditional luxury hotels are scarce (for now), though the region’s boutique accommodations offer warm hospitality. You’ll hear the call to prayer echoing off tiled domes in Samarkand, lunch beside Kyrgyz yurts overlooking Lake Issyk-Kul and stargaze in Turkmenistan’s desert. Perhaps the most comfortable — if not quite glamorous — way to explore the region is by rail. We’ve long been considering the itineraries of the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express, which take passengers to various Stans aboard a private touring train with relatively spacious cabins, a lounge and a restaurant.

Seychelles

Of all the Indian Ocean paradises, the Seychelles is the one we have our eyes on for 2026. More flights mean easier access to this emerald archipelago with white-sand beaches and turquoise water. We’re especially keen to make return visits to North Island (under independent management once again) and Fregate (set to reopen after a three-year overhaul), two top-notch private-island resorts that we’ve long recommended. But the property we’re perhaps most excited about is the Cheval Blanc, which opened on Mahé in December 2024. Sister hotels in St. Barths, Paris and the Maldives are some of our favorites, so we have high hopes for this ultramodern beach resort in one of the world’s most magnificent tropical locales.

Okinawa

Japan remains hibachi-hot, thanks in part to its fantastic food scene, safe cities and (as of this writing) weak currency relative to the dollar. Kyoto and Hakone have the most struggles with overtourism, but we’ve got our sights set on the southern archipelago of Okinawa, specifically the little island of Miyako. This subtropical speck offers postcard-worthy beaches, excellent snorkeling, a rich local culture and, not least important, enticing hotels. The 55-villa Rosewood Miyakojima recently put the island on the luxury map, but it’s not the only game in town. We’re also interested to see what the 19-villa Shigira and the five-villa Namyu The Place have to offer. On Okinawa, the 100-room Hoshinoya looks very appealing as well. From nearby Naha International Airport, it’s easy to catch nonstop flights to Seoul or Taipei, two other places we’re eager to revisit.