The new year always encourages us to contemplate where we’ll be traveling during the next 12 months. In fact, we editors have already planned a few trips that have us itching with anticipation. Classic destinations like Italy, France, Mexico and the coasts of the United States remain as appealing as ever, and indeed, new hotel openings in all those places make it our happy duty to return to them soon. A variety of lesser-known spots are on our radar as well. For American travelers, the historically strong dollar (as of this writing) means it’s less expensive than usual to explore most foreign countries. We don’t mind paying for the best, but we still appreciate a value!

Peru

Sources tell us that Belmond could lose its lease on the Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel right at the ruins of Machu Picchu (it stands just outside the main gate). The Peruvian government is reportedly considering turning the property into a cultural and/or interpretive center. Belmond may succeed in changing the ministers’ minds and renewing its lease, but the fate of the hotel is very much in doubt as of May 2025. If your bucket list includes overnighting there, do it between now and May.

British Virgin Islands

Peter Island Resort, a longtime Harper favorite in the Caribbean, closed in 2017 after sustaining serious damage during Hurricane Irma. It has finally reopened, now with 52 rooms supplemented by newly built two-bedroom villas, plus the three-bedroom Hawk’s Nest and the six-bedroom Falcon’s Nest villas. We can’t wait to return to this classic private island escape in the British Virgin Islands, which also gives us an excuse to reevaluate other favorites in the archipelago, like Rosewood Little Dix Bay and Necker Island.