Top 10 Best Luxury Travel Destinations: 2026 Guide

Some journeys alter your perspective on the world. Time lengthens, the light becomes softer, and the water appears bluer. This is a carefully curated selection of luxury travel destinations where that alchemy takes place, including villas where the horizon falls directly into your pool, private boat afternoons, and long lunches. It incorporates the current priorities, which include quieter shoulder seasons, easier access, new openings, and the kind of insider experiences that make a fantastic trip truly unforgettable. Haute Retreats curated it for 2026.

Ten luxury travel destinations—including lakes, islands, coasts, and rural areas—are listed below, along with information on when to go, what to do, and where to stay with Haute Retreats’ concierge at your side.

1) Lake Como, Italy

On Como, dawn is like a secret. Church bells ascend the hills, the first Riva skims the glassy surface, and mists drift across pebbled shores. Grand palazzi, well-kept gardens, and villas that whisper rather than shout make Lake Como a masterclass in restraint when it comes to luxury travel destinations. Enjoy your evenings beneath frescoes with a Barolo you’ll talk about for years, your afternoons lounging in a lakeside loggia, and your mornings sailing between Bellagio and Varenna. As a starting point, Haute Retreats provides historic homes with private docks and attentive staff who understand when you want to relax and enjoy the scenery.

When to go (2026): For golden light, calmer water, and fewer tourists, go in late May or early June or in September or early October.
Highlights include sunset swims off your private jetty, a chef-led tasting of Valtellina nebbiolo, and a Riva boat to a trattoria that can only be reached by water.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: For weddings, honeymoons, and parties that demand operatic drama, waterfront villas with boat slips and full service are ideal.

2) Amalfi Coast, Italy

With its cliffside switchbacks, lemon groves, and pastel house cascades, the Amalfi Coast pirouettes rather than merely curves along the sea. Among luxury travel destinations, this is the place to feel gloriously alive as you float off Nerano at lunch or ascend stone paths scented with jasmine at sunset. To reclaim the romance of Positano and Ravello in 2026, reserve shoulder months. Haute Retreats will then arrange for you to stay in a villa where a private driver makes windy roads seem effortless and bougainvillea frames sunrise cappuccinos.

When to go: May through June and September; if you’re in the mood for lively beach clubs and late-night action, July through August.
Signature Moments: Private after-hours at Villa Cimbrone’s gardens; a long table beneath lemon arbors in Anacapri; a boat trip to Li Galli.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: Villas overlooking the Tyrrhenian with terraces and sea views; many have lift access to secret coves and chef services.

3) Tuscany, Italy

Cicadas, olive groves, and vineyards rolling like silk create a certain silence in Tuscany right before sunset. Whether you’re based in Chianti, Val d’Orcia, or close to Florence, few luxury travel destinations manage to combine art, food, wine, and space quite like this one. The best trips combine a leisurely afternoon by the pool, a Vespa spin to a village enoteca, and market mornings with your chef. From Medici-era estates to walk-to-town farmhouses, Haute Retreats offers a variety of accommodations where you can enjoy a bistecca and politely debate whether Brunello is superior to Super Tuscan.

Travel dates: April–May and September–October; the truffle season is a delectable bonus.
Highlights include a private tasting in a 16th-century cantina, a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise, and a hands-on pasta class for the entire crew.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: villas with a chef and concierge, aperitivo-ready gardens, and designs perfect for trips involving multiple generations.

4) Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia, with its emerald coves, granite headlands, and water so clear your yacht seems to float on air, is the Mediterranean’s perennial dream. The Costa Smeralda maintains its jet-set charm as luxury travel destinations change, while more sedate areas bustle with ease for barefoot travelers. Anticipate sunset drives through untamed maquis, a skipper-led beach-hop to impossible lagoons, and lengthy, late seafood lunches. The residences at Haute Retreats put you close to Porto Cervo’s slick marinas or on wind-sheltered bays where coffee on the terrace and paddleboards are the norm in the mornings.

When to go: July–August for the best buzz; June and September for the sweet spot.
Signature moments include a chef grilling freshly caught dentex in your garden, sipping rosé at Phi Beach, and tendering to a secret spiaggia.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: : Villas with a view of the sea, convenient boat access, and concierge-arranged boat trips to La Maddalena.

5) French Riviera, France

The Côte d’Azur is shorthand for a particular type of summer: beach clubs by day, hilltop hideaways at night, linen and lacquered teak. Few places offer as much glitz and ease as luxury travel destinations. Spend some time in the rarefied silence of Èze and Cap d’Antibes and some time on the bronzed beaches of Saint-Tropez. After that, retire to a villa where cicadas play during late dinners by the pool. Think terraced gardens, bedrooms with a view of the sea, and staff who elevate even the most basic breakfast to the level of a theater. Haute Retreats French Riviera villas curates both iconic and hidden gems.

When to go: September and late May–June; if you enjoy a crowded scene, July is the best time to go.
Highlights include: a perfumery workshop in Grasse; long lunches under striped canopies; and tender into Pampelonne.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: Riviera homes featuring seamless concierge services, classic-meets-contemporary design, and breathtaking views.

6) Mykonos, Greece

Yes, if you want it to be, Mykonos can be a party. The Mykonos that merits a spot among luxury travel destinations, however, is slower and more residential. Sunlight reflecting off whitewashed walls, cycladic lines, and a terrace laden with feta and fruit while the Aegean breathes below. Spend your mornings at Psarou, sail to Delos in the afternoon, and then sip on a glass of Assyrtiko while admiring the windmills’ radiance from Little Venice. With the concierge magic that keeps your week blissfully friction-free, Haute Retreats’ villas put you above the fray or just a few feet from the sand.

When to go: For warmer waters and more tranquil lanes, choose May–June or September–October.
Highlights include: A peaceful, starlit swim before bed; lobster pasta prepared by a chef; a sunset boat to Rhenia.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: Modern villas with heated pools and butlers are located close to Psarou, Elia, and Agios Lazaros.

7) Ibiza, Spain

There is range in Ibiza. Explore a Santa Gertrudis market, snorkel a secluded cove, or wake up to a calm, silver sea. If you ask, the island can turn up the energy at night. Due to its dual nature, it continues to be one of the most popular luxury travel destinations in Europe for families and groups. Base yourself in Es Cubells for a peaceful cliffside setting or close to Ibiza Town for upscale dining and a boat excursion to the aquamarine flats of Formentera. The villas at Haute Retreats give you access to the best tables on the island when you don’t want them and privacy when you do.

When to go: July–August for peak pulse; May–June and September for ideal balance.
Signature moments include a DJ-led pool party at home, a sunset paella at Cala d’Hort, and a yacht cruise around Formentera.
Haute Retreats offers beachfront villas with chef options, hillside retreats above Chora, and villas with infinity pools close to Cala Jondal.

8) St. Barts, Caribbean

The most upscale luxury travel destination in the Caribbean, with its yacht-dotted harbors, designer shops, and beaches that evoke a whispered invitation, subtly displays its French heritage. Here, days revolve around swimming at sunrise, taking walks in Gustavia, and having late dinners that start with rum, end with laughter, and never check the time. Each property in Haute Retreats’ St Barts villas portfolio, which includes cliffside perches and beachfront villas, has a concierge staff that can effortlessly transition you from watching the Bucket Regatta to enjoying a chef-prepared meal at home.

When to go: March–May for the same weather but with fewer people; December–April for the most sparkle.
Highlights include a barefoot beach dinner prepared by a chef, a swim and hike in the Colombier, and watching the New Year’s fireworks from your terrace.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: Villas with an ocean view close to St. Jean and Lurin, with butlers available upon request and daily housekeeping.

9) Turks & Caicos

If water is your screensaver, it’s probably this water. The turquoise, cream, and aquamarine colors of the Turks & Caicos palette seem to have been hand-picked by an art director. Easy flights, serene lagoons, and that alluring island tranquility make it a family favorite when it comes to luxury travel destinations. Divide your days between Grace Bay and Long Bay, rent a boat to a sandbar that could be considered your own private island, and end the day with a massage on your terrace while the sun sets. With concierge-planned kiteboarding, snorkeling, and chef-prepared meals under the stars, Haute Retreats’ villas are spread out along Grace Bay, Turtle Tail, and private cays.

When to go: May–July for sun with easier availability; December–April for the best weather.
Highlights include full-moon paddles in Chalk Sound, barefoot boat picnics, and nurse shark snorkeling.
Haute Retreats offers group accommodations on the beach, complete with housekeepers and a private chef upon request.

10) Maldives

One last word in peace. With its powder-soft sand, neon reefs, overwater villas arcing over them, and skies that range from lilac to indigo, the Maldives is a dream come true. Few luxury travel destinations strike such a delicate balance between seclusion and spectacle as these atolls. Create memories of sandbank picnics in Raa, manta rays in Baa, and breathtaking sunsets from your deck pool. Private-island buyouts and resort villas with butlers, house reefs, and the kind of quiet that heals you from the inside out are among Haute Retreats’ offerings.

When to go: May–October may bring softer rates and moody, beautiful skies; November–April will have the calmest seas.
Highlights include stargazing from your netted hammock, snorkeling with turtles at dawn, and enjoying a champagne breakfast while reef sharks pass by.
Where to stay with Haute Retreats: Concierge manages yachts, seaplanes, and everything in between, from famous overwater suites to complete private-island takeovers.

How to use this list

Consider this guide to be the backbone of your year. Choose luxury travel destinations that correspond with your season, such as Como in June, St. Barts in January, and Mykonos in September, and then create contrast by combining one easy beach getaway with one culturally rich week. Luxury travel destinations that complement one another should be combined if you’re organizing a multi-stop celebration (Turkeys & Caicos + St. Barts, Tuscany + French Riviera).

From finding a villa with a kid-safe pool to securing a yacht with a captain who knows where the dolphins are at 10 a.m. on a Tuesday, Haute Retreats can customize stays for honeymoons, families, or milestone trips wherever you land. The ideal luxury travel destinations serve as settings for your tales, while the ideal house transforms them into enduring customs.

At a glance: matching you to the right place

• Lake Como and the French Riviera offer old-world glitz and gardens perfect for leisurely lunches, making them ideal for villa life that resembles a movie set.
• Amalfi Coast & Sardinia: lemon groves, yacht coves, and summery-scented nights for cliff-edge drama and boat-day bliss.
• Tuscany, with its rolling hills and easily accessible Renaissance cities, is a great place to find food, wine, art, and breathing room.
• Mykonos and Ibiza—pick your tempo—both offer beach-club energy and Cycladic serenity.
• Turks & Caicos and St. Barts offer sugary beaches, easy logistics, and villas that resemble private resorts, making them the ideal winter destination.
• Maldives—reef life at your doorstep and mornings that start with a ladder into the sea—are the stuff of overwater-villa fantasies.

FAQs

Which luxury travel destinations are most desirable in 2026?
Ten luxury travel destinations offer year-round excursions throughout Europe and the tropics: Lake Como, Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sardinia, French Riviera, Mykonos, Ibiza, St. Barts, Turks & Caicos, and Maldives.

When should I make my reservation?
Reserve your villa nine to twelve months in advance for Christmas/New Year’s and Europe’s busiest summer months. You can choose without having to rush during shoulder seasons, which are frequently the best time to visit many luxury travel destinations.

Are these suitable for groups, families, or honeymoons?
Yes. Every one of these luxury travel destinations is ideal for all kinds of vacations. Whatever your story requires, Haute Retreats will pair you with homes that have chef service, beach access, kid-friendly rooms, or wedding-worthy gardens.

Planning your stay with Haute Retreats

Tell the concierge what you want to experience—celebration, connection, and leisure—and we’ll translate that into a villa, a rhythm, and a series of little moments that come together to create magic. A good trip begins with a good match, regardless of whether you’re dividing your year between three luxury travel destinations or focusing on one location in particular.

• View the entire collection of luxury travel destinations and vacation rentals.
• Look through the carefully chosen and concierge-backed collections of Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany, Sardinia, the French Riviera, Mykonos, Ibiza, St. Barts, Turks & Caicos, and the Maldives.

Are you prepared to make your shortlist? Talk about the dates, the number of attendees, and the atmosphere you want to create. All you need to do is select the view from a carefully selected selection of villas in the ideal luxury travel destinations.

Editor’s note: This guide exclusively features Haute Retreats properties and services across these destinations.