Whether it's the new collection of super luxury safari camps in Namibia, Portugal's newly-crowned European Capital of Culture, or the centenary of Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez's birth, there are so many reasons to start planning your travel for 2027.
Our specialists have selected their top destinations for 2027 and why it is a particularly special year to visit. Read more to find out where you might be heading.
NAMIBIA
With Spanish hospitality brand Vestige Collection launching a portfolio of four luxury lodges across northern Namibia from March 2027, our Africa specialists are expanding our collection of itineraries in the region. The new lodges will create a circuit spanning sand dunes, mountains, rugged desert and dry riverbeds with a focus on wildlife – wild dog, desert adapted elephant and lions, black rhinos and giraffes call this place home – cultural heritage, and the dramatic landscapes which make Namibia stand out from its African neighbours.
Lodges will comprise:
- Sorris Sorris, Damaraland – with views from the north bank of the Ugab River of the Brandberg, Namibia’s highest mountain
- Omatendeka, Grootberg Mountains – excellent opportunities or sightings of lion, zebras, oryx, giraffe and eland
- Sheya Shuushona, on border of Etosa NP – with exclusive access to 60,000 hectares of private concession with views over the Ngandjela Salt Pan
- Xaudum, Khaudum National Park – Opening March 2027. Located on a prehistoric Kalahari sand dune with a large elephant population
Red Savannah organises tailor-made safaris in Namibia with a new itinerary being launched in 2027 to cover the above route.
AUSTRIA
Lovers of classical music will be able to honour the 200th anniversary of the death of Ludvig Van Beethoven with a series of events taking place in Austria throughout 2027, kicking off with the Brucknerhaus Linz performing the Ninth Symphony on New Year’s Day.
Beethoven died in Vienna in March 1827, making the capital city a focal point for the bicentenary commemorations which will see special performances throughout the city. The Musikverein, renowned for having some of the best acoustics in the world, will host performances of all Beethoven symphonies and piano sonatas, for example, while the Vienna Konzerthaus will feature performances including a cycle of his string quartets along with symphonies conducted by Jakub Hrůša.
Our Europe specialist can organise custom cultural tours of Austria to include tickets for some of the best performances to mark the bicentenary.
SARDINIA
With the launch of Delta’s new route from JFK to Sardinia three times a week from summer 2026 and a swathe of new hotels opening from 2026 through 2027, Sardinia will likely attract increasing numbers in the year ahead.
Hotel developments include Poltu Quatu, relaunched as W Sardinia Poltu Quatu in April 2026 with a spa and beach club, and La Tiara di Cervo which opened its doors in Porto Cervo in May. At time of writing, Mandarin Oriental and RF Hotels are due to launch on the island in early 2027 and Hotel Pitrizza will reopen as Cheval Blanc Pitrizza too.
The coastal town of Arzachena in northeastern Sardinia was recognised as a Blue Zone in September 2025, joining a hub of villages in the central-eastern provinces of Ogliastra and Barbagia. The accolade celebrates the high proportion of people who reach and exceed the age of 100 years. The longevity of residents is attributed to a plant-rich ‘shepherd’s diet’, natural exercise in the mountainous environment, respect for family and support for elders, community spirit and strong social bonds, slower pace of life and daily consumption of the local Cannonau wine.
Our Europe specialist, Clare Watkins, can arrange for visitors to explore these regions to discover the landscapes, lifestyle, people, food and culture of these Blue Zone areas.
EGYPT
New life is being breathed into two of Egypt’s most storied hotels in 2027 as part of an exciting renaissance in the country's luxury hospitality scene. The Old Cataract in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor were acquired by the Mandarin Oriental group in 2026 and are being fully refurbished, ready to re-emerge in mid-2027 in magnificent style.
- The original Old Cataract Hotel first opened its doors in 1900 as a glamorous outpost on the British colonial travel circuit through Egypt. Over the decades it hosted a long list of notable guests, including Winston Churchill, Howard Carter and Princess Diana. The Old Cataract is also closely associated with Agatha Christie, who stayed here and drew inspiration from the region for her novel Death on the Nile.
- Another grande dame on the banks of the Nile, The Winter Palace first opened its doors in 1907. Like the Old Cataract, the hotel soon became associated with the golden age of Nile travel. The hotel also became famously associated with Howard Carter’s discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 and the press announcement and social swirl that followed.
Long familiar with the Old Cataract and the Winter Palace, our Egypt specialists look forward to being able to offer these iconic properties in complete confidence. They can be incorporated into a 10-day tailor-made journey that also includes a luxury Nile cruise.
ZANZIBAR
The alluring Indian Ocean island of Zanzibar has always been a popular addition to a Tanzania safari. Now, improved flight connectivity with other African destinations opens tempting new possibilities for safari and beach vacations. Following the launch of direct flights between Kigali (Rwanda) and Zanzibar at the end of 2025, a new direct flight with Airlink will connect Cape Town with the island from late 2026. This enables epic east-to-south African adventures that combine gorilla trekking and Big Five spotting in Rwanda, safari and world-class food and wine in South Africa, and sublime beach relaxation on Zanzibar’s dazzling white sands.
Our Africa specialist and Travel + Leisure A-List Advisor, Samantha Gordon, has recently returned from an extensive research trip through Zanzibar. She visited all the luxury hotels you need to know about and can design the perfect safari and beach combination, whatever you are hoping to experience.
ARCTIC
The December 2026 launch of Captain Arctic will signal a new era for polar exploration. Created for the most remote waters of Norway, Svalbard and Greenland, this 70-metre expedition yacht is a hugely exciting one, not only exceptionally bold in design but also refreshingly light in footprint. Combining ice-strengthened engineering with five solar-powered sails, a wealth of pioneering technological advances contributes to cleaner cruising through fragile Arctic landscapes.
Captain Arctic’s focus on low impact cruising has not come at the expense of comfort. On-board, passengers will be able to retreat to warm, mid-century inspired interiors, panoramic lounges, an Arctic library, a spa, sauna and Norwegian cold bath. Dedicated guides lead on-land and on-water expeditions, supported by specialist equipment for cold-water cruising and an onboard science lab designed to deepen understanding of the polar regions.
Our Polar Specialist, Dineke Verlinden, has over a decade of experience travelling to the world’s extremes. She welcomes the opportunity to tailor Captain Arctic polar adventures.
ANTARCTICA
The appeal of avoiding the notorious two-day crossing of the Drake Passage in favour of a short flight to King George Island has proved to be resoundingly popular. The arrival of the Magellan Discoverer, therefore, is welcome for a number of reasons. Purpose-built for just 76 guests, she will be the first sub-100-passenger vessel engineered for Antarctic expedition cruising since the Magellan Explorer launched in 2019.
Cruising on a sub-100 passenger vessel always delivers a more profound experience – and this is particularly resonant in pristine and silent wildernesses such as Antarctica. The focus on low-impact operations is also exciting, but the on-board experience has not been overlooked. The Magellan Discoverer’s easy-access bow brings you closer to the ice and wildlife while sailing, and the provision of balconies in every suite further engenders that deeper connection with your natural surroundings.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
One of the creatures most closely associated with the extraordinary evolutionary story of the Galapagos Islands is the giant tortoise. During the 19th and 20th centuries, declining numbers of giant tortoises painted a rather bleak picture for the survival of the species. Mercifully, the tables are now turning thanks to ongoing conservation projects. The most recent of these has seen the reintroduction of the Floreana giant tortoise to Floreana Island. Fast forward to 2026 and 158 giant tortoises were reintroduced as part of a careful conservation plan continuing until at least 2030.
You can visit Floreana as part of a cruise on the new luxury catamaran M/C Galapagos Eminence which launches in April 2027. The latest addition to a portfolio of luxury catamarans from a well-respected Galapagos operator promises new levels of luxury at sea.
To learn more about conservation success stories, as well as well as fascinating tales of evolution in the Galapagos, consider “In the Footsteps of Sir David Attenborough”. The itinerary includes an expedition cruise around seven individual islands pertinent to the esteemed filmmaker’s documentaries. There are opportunities to spot giant tortoises in the highlands of Santa Cruz, evoking Sir David Attenborough’s poignant encounter with Lonesome George, the last known Pinta Island tortoise, who died in 2012.
INDONESIA
Komodo’s Golden Jubilee in 2027 marks 50 years since the area was accepted into UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme, recognising its global importance as a protected living ecosystem. The island is the only natural home of the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard and, therefore, of major scientific interest for understanding evolution. The wider island and marine park support ecosystems of remarkable diversity, further contributing to Komodo’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve status.
Our Indonesia specialist and Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist, Melissa Matthews, recommends a privately chartered phinisi cruise as the best way to explore the remote region. Rather than being limited to just one small area – and seeing the dragons in one well-known spot frequented by other visitors – a private cruise around Komodo includes an opportunity to see the dragons in the wild in a quieter setting, as well as appreciating the diversity of the wider Komodo National Park.
Melissa works with a hand-picked portfolio of phinisis – beautifully converted Indonesian sailing ships – which range from the intimate, single-cabin Alexa to the magnificent, spa-equipped nine-cabin phinisi Prana.
COLOMBIA
100th anniversary of the birth of Gabriel Garcia Marquez
2027 is an important year for Colombian culture and identity, marking 100 years since the birth of Gabriel García Márquez. The Novel Prize-winning author is one of Latin America’s most celebrated literary voices, and the author’s legacy is expected to be prominent in the cultural calendar of a number of destinations that were significant in his life and novels. These include the capital city of Bogota, where the author began his career and where one of the city’s most important museums – the Centro Cultural Gabriel García Márquez – was established in his honour.
Also notable for those wanting to trace the author’s legacy is Cartagena. This colourful Caribbean port city was brought to life in a highly evocative way in the novel Love in the Time of Cholera. True García Márquez aficionados should also consider a visit to Aracataca, the author’s childhood home and inspiration for the fictional town of Macondo – setting for the author’s legendary novel One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Our new itinerary In The Footsteps of Gabriel Garcia Marquez traces his life and work.
PORTUGAL
All eyes will be turning to Portugal in 2027 with the declaration of Évora - a city with Roman, Moorish, medieval and Renaissance influences - as a European Capital of Culture. The official positioning of the European Capital Culture is “Évora and the Alentejo”, so the programme is expected to draw on the wider region’s landscapes, food, craftsmanship, music, and rural traditions.
The guiding theme of the year-long programme is ‘Vagar’ – an Alentejo philosophy of slowness, space, presence and deep connection to place. To embrace this concept, our Europe specialist, Clare Watkins, recommends a stay in a beautifully restored rural Alentejo estate in São Lourenço do Barrocal less than an hour’s drive from Évora. The estate’s bucolic surroundings and sublime farm-to-table cuisine encourage a slowing of pace, with days spent riding and enjoying nature walks leading through the area’s vineyards and olive groves.
With new direct flights operating to Oporto from Philadelphia with American Airlines from summer 2027, Clare recommends a port wine experience in Oporto before exploring the Douro valley and then heading south to explore the Alentejo and Evora. The new flight route follows the introduction of direct flights from JFK to Oporto in summer 2026. See Essential Portugal for a suggested itinerary.
FLORENCE, ITALY
Landmark anniversaries and new luxury openings
Florence rarely needs a reason to command more attention, but 2027 brings some especially compelling ones. The Florence Biennale showcases an international programme of contemporary art and design bringing a fresh creative counterpoint to the city’s Renaissance masterpieces. 2027 also marks 650 years since the birth of Filippo Brunelleschi, the visionary architect and engineer whose dome still defines the Florence skyline.
The 2027 spotlight on Florence coincides with some notable new luxury hotel openings. La Réserve Firenze is set to open in late 2026, set in a lovingly restored 15-century palazzo. The Capella group has also selected Florence for its European debut, with an 89-key property in the historic centre pencilled for launch in 2027.
Our Italy specialists can arrange time in Florence as part of a custom tour incorporating other Italian cultural treasures – see A Tale of Three Cities for inspiration - or as an extension to a luxury villa vacation in the Tuscan countryside.
CÔTE D’AZUR, FRANCE
The White Lotus effect reaches the French Riviera
Season 4 of the highly acclaimed series The White Lotus is slated for release in 2027, with the latest instalment transporting viewers to the French Riviera. Cannes is set to take centre stage, with the Cannes Film Festival reported to be a strong storytelling backdrop for the new series. Saint-Tropez has been cited as another key filming location, with the hotel Airelles Château de La Messardière serving as a villa-style hideaway for some of the principle cast members.
For those seeking a taste of the Côte d’Azur inspired by The White Lotus, our Head of French Villas, Victoria Meeke, recommends the coastal village of Théoule-sur-Mer as a more tranquil counterpoint to the bustle of Cannes and Saint-Tropez. Two newly contracted properties here, Villa Calade and Les Deux Frères, share glorious views across the Bay of Cannes – and easy access to the city by boat – but in a setting that lends itself to complete relaxation.
For those drawn to St Tropez itself, Red Savannah can again arrange a private villa within easy reach of the town and its legendary beaches. Alternatively, our France expert and Conde Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist, Camilla Davidson, can arrange a stay at the new Oetker Collection luxury hotel, Le Mas Bellevue Saint-Tropez (scheduled to open in 2027) as part of a tailored custom vacation.
AUSTRALIA
Qantas’ planned 2027 non-stop service between London and Sydney from October 2027 is set to become the world’s longest passenger flight by direct distance. The new route covers a distance of 10,573 miles, exceeding the current record by more than 1,000 miles.
If further incentives are required, the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup will bring a healthy dose of competitive fervour to Australia for six weeks from the beginning of October 2027. Sydney is one of the host cities and will inevitably be a popular choice for rugby fans wanting to combine a taste of World Cup action with some of Australia’s most iconic sites. Our Australasia Specialist, Rachel Cooper, can design custom tours of Australia around the Rugby World Cup, or classic touring for those who finally plan to make their dreams of visiting the Land Down Under a reality.
THAILAND
Thailand has long mastered the art of reinvention. A collection of outstanding new luxury resorts in Phuket and hotels in Bangkok will raise the bar once again, while expanded international air routes, increased flight frequencies and direct services from the UK will make travelling to The Land of Smiles easier than ever.
In Phuket: Trisara has long been one of the best resorts in Phuket, and its owning company, Montara Hospitality, has partnered with Clinique La Prairie, a Swiss longevity and wellness brand, to bring a new health resort to Tri Vananda in Phuket at the end of 2026, offering 40 luxuriously appointed private pool villas and a longevity wellness journey. Navera joins the luxury resorts in Phuket in August 2026 commanding views over Surin Beach.
In Bangkok: On the banks of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, two heritage buildings from the 1800s are becoming world-class hotels within walking distance of each other: Langham Custom House and Plaza Athenee Nobu.
Flight connectivity: From October 2026, Virgin Atlantic will operate a new service from London Heathrow to Phuket three times weekly on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with onward connections to Koh Samui and Krabi. This will be the only direct service from London to Phuket, making winter escapes all the more accessible.
Off-the-beaten-track: In 2027, Thailand invites visitors to look beyond its iconic beaches and celebrated cities to lesser-known gems such as Chiang Dao with its 300-million-year-old caves, just an hour north of Chiang Mai, and Ratchaburi’s family-run hot springs, Snake Mountain and excellent golf courses just two hours from Bangkok.
In the remote northern province of Nan, mist-shrouded mountains, emerald rice terraces, ancient temples and deeply rooted traditions reveal a quieter, more authentic side of the country. Our Northern Thailand Discovery itinerary brings this little-known corner of the Kingdom to life through immersive encounters with artisan communities, exceptional regional cuisine and remarkable landscapes that few international visitors ever experience.
INDIA
Even without the 80th anniversary of independence, 2027 is set to be another exciting year for India.
Raffles launches a third hotel in India in 2027, Raffles Ranthambore, building upon the success of its existing properties in Jaipur and Udaipur. Expected in mid-2027, the 63-villa ultra-luxury resort will bring Raffles’ polished, heritage-rich hospitality to the edge of the tiger-rich Ranthambore National Park.
Our India specialists, long familiar with the draw of tiger spotting in India, have recently launched an itinerary that broadens the reach of traditional wildlife and cultural tours in Rajasthan. Their India Big Cat Safari combines tiger safaris in Ranthambore with time in Gujarat’s Gir National Park to search for mountain lions. The ultimate big cat quest - searching for snow leopards in the remote Himalayan region of Ladakh - completes the picture.
Inspired by Where to go in 2027?
If you've been inspired by any of these incredible places and experiences, contact our specialists today on +44 (0)1242 787 808 to start planning your luxury 2027 holiday.
