For travellers who expect more than just five-star trimmings, the perfect getaway begins with a sense of rarity—places where privacy is a given, service feels intuitive, and every moment feels intentionally crafted. To help plan your 2026 holiday calendar, Robb Report India asked India’s top luxury travel curators to share the destinations they personally recommend to clients who have seen, done, and experienced almost everything. Their selections go beyond the usual suspects: think destinations defined by majestic natural settings, rare wildlife encounters, striking seascapes, and regions now shaping some of the world’s most compelling luxury narratives. Whether you’re planning a milestone celebration, a restorative retreat, or simply your next unforgettable escape, consider this your insider guide to the world’s most exceptional destinations for the year ahead.
Antarctica
In a world of ‘been there, done that,’ Antarctica feels like the final frontier. It is a place that even the most seasoned travellers speak about with awe. Its allure lies in its sheer inaccessibility; only a select few can reach this vast, untouched continent each year, and fewer still do so with the comfort and care that high-end expedition operators provide. “The seventh continent is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience; it’s still exclusive and a true bucket-list destination,” says Vinitaa Rawat, founder and director of Amazing Vacations. Here, luxury is about the privilege of stepping onto untouched ice, witnessing emperor penguins in their natural habitat, and flying deep into the interiors for views few humans will ever see. “And there are many ways to explore it: flights from South Africa, glamping in Antarctica, and the traditional way of cruising through the Drake Passage,” adds Rawat. When it comes to glamping, White Desert’s Echo Camp is the way to go—just six state-of-the-art igloo-like pods with full-length windows, king-sized beds, five-star meals, and evening martinis shaken with 10,000-year-old ice. If you’re seeking the rarest, most transformative journey, Antarctica stands unrivalled.
The Dolomites, Italy
While Courchevel (France) or St. Moritz (Switzerland) may have top-of-the-mind recall as ski destinations, Kanika Gandhi and Devrath Sagar, founders of Pangea Travel, pick the Dolomiti Superski region in Italy as their favourite. “It offers one of the world’s largest interconnected winter playgrounds, with impeccably groomed slopes, dramatic limestone peaks, and seamless access to Europe’s most luxurious ski villages and mountain refugios,” they say. There’s plenty to do in summer as well, with the Dolomites serving up a balance of outdoor activities, world-class wellness resorts, culinary excellence, and breathtaking Alpine scenery. “Properties such as Aman Rosa Alpina, Forestis, Como Alpina, and Gardena Grödnerhof have elevated the region into one of Europe’s most refined mountain escapes,” adds Gandhi. Pangea Travel also organises highly customised spa and wellness retreats, Michelin-level dining in historic mountain huts, as well as private guided skiing and other snow activities in the region.
Fiordland National Park, New Zealand
On New Zealand’s South Island, Fiordland National Park is an unparalleled wonderland of glacier-carved fjords, verdant rainforests, and diverse wildlife. “Our clients land on untouched ridgelines and near remote alpine lakes by private helicopter, then enjoy a chef-prepared mountaintop tasting menu with glaciers and sky around them. The entire landscape is reserved solely for our guests,” says Richa Fotedar, co-founder of TravelNLiving. She adds that many of their clients pair the Fiordland helicopter experience with a stay at Rosewood Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown, a glass-fronted sanctuary overlooking Lake Wakatipu. It’s the ideal base for heli-experiences, blending world-class culinary artistry with an understated, nature-immersed luxury that defines modern travel.
Mongolia
In recent times, Mongolia has been a magnet for well-travelled, discerning clients. “They are attracted mainly by its vastness, purity and, perhaps, the sensation of experiencing the world before it was mapped and tamed. Mongolia offers all that. There is an innate sense of wanting ‘to get lost’ and ‘get off the grid',” says Loveleen Arun, founder-director of Panache World. There is a dearth of good accommodations, apart from the Three Camel Lodge. However, the advent of private, exclusive, and purpose-pitched ger camps (or yurt camps) has solved that. Usually positioned in remote locations sans names and identifiable only by GPS coordinates, these camps give a taste of the nomadic herdsman life. Small aircraft land on strips closer to these remote locations. “To experience Mongolia in all its glory, you should plan a trip through reliable travel designers who work closely with established local ground companies,” adds Arun.
Namibrand Nature Reserve, Namibia
Set in southern Namibia, the NamibRand Nature Reserve is a privately protected wilderness dedicated to preserving the fragile ecosystems and wildlife of Namib Desert. “Here, Zannier Hotel Sonop feels like stepping into a cinematic dreamscape, with 10 tented suites perched on granite boulders in 13,800 acres of private desert. Its remoteness has elevated it to an art form,” says Richa Fotedar of TravelNLiving. Experiences include horseback expeditions across endless desert plains, sunrise hot-air ballooning, even open-air cinema in the middle of the wilderness. “Namibia’s night sky is one of the most profound natural luxuries on earth. It reminds travellers of their smallness, and that humility is a form of beauty,” adds Fotedar.
Patagonia, Argentina and Chile
Patagonia has become the ultimate destination for ultra-luxury travellers seeking remoteness paired with exceptional lodge design. “It’s usually a destination most people haven’t travelled to before. Now, more well-travelled clients are looking for new destinations for experiential travel,” say Kanika Gandhi and Devrath Sagar of Pangea Travel. Travellers can take a chartered yacht journey through Patagonian fjords and glacial channels, head out on private horseback expeditions or go puma tracking with wildlife experts. Patagonia is also a paradise for high-end adventure offering everything from heli-accessed glacier trekking and world-class hiking. “The landscape is dramatic, while private estancias and top-tier lodges such as Awasi (in Torres del Paine National Park) and Explora (in Patagonia National Park) deliver complete seclusion,” they add.
Phang Nga Bay, Thailand
For a quick getaway, consider this island where luxury hides far from the crowds. Nestled between Phuket and mainland Thailand, Phang Nga Bay is a UNESCO-protected marine landscape, featuring limestone cliffs, glittering emerald waters, and secluded lagoons. “Many of our UHNI travellers are seeking destinations that offer seclusion with soul a quick flight away from home, and Six Senses Yao Noi Island captures that beautifully. It’s one of those places where sustainable luxury doesn’t feel like a concept, but [it feels like] a way of living,” says Tilak Gaurang Shah, founder of Ace of Highlands. Indulge in cliff-edge villas surrounded by lush greenery (plus a private pool), go island-hopping, kayaking, or diving, and then rejuvenate with restorative wellness rituals. Ace of Highlands curates exclusive experiences like access to the resort’s largest four-bedroom hideaway villa with two private infinity pools and expansive terraces, as well as custom wellness by the pool, including sound healing, meditation, and sunset cocktails.
Saudi Arabia
Another destination attracting ultra-luxury travellers is Saudi Arabia, a place rapidly transforming from a pilgrimage and business travel destination into a bold new chapter in global travel. Its appeal lies in the contrast: vast, cinematic deserts where silence feels endless, alongside ambitious cultural and architectural projects reshaping the country’s future. Explore ancient Nabataean tombs in AlUla, gape at the mirrored architectural wonder that is Maraya, and retreat to desert sanctuaries like Banyan Tree and Dar Tantora. “The Red Sea Project in Saudi Arabia is another great draw. Pristine waters for diving, top-end luxurious resorts, and great weather make a superb combination for travellers who want peace, exclusivity, and some downtime. With some of the biggest brands in luxury hospitality (like Ritz-Carlton, Six Senses, and The St. Regis) having a presence, it combines well with the rugged terrain of AlUla,” says Vinitaa Rawat of Amazing Vacations.
Tanzania
There’s something about Tanzania that continues to captivate travellers. “Over the past year, we’ve seen a strong shift toward safaris that feel intimate, soulful, and far removed from crowded game routes,” says Shah from Ace of Highlands. He adds that Mapito Safari Camp has become a favourite as it offers the kind of privacy and authenticity that UHNIs value most: beautifully-styled tented suites, personalised expedition-led game drives, and a deep connection to a land that’s impossible to replicate in larger lodges. The experience includes a dedicated butler service, unlimited private game drives for sightings, and Boma storytelling evenings around the fire, celebrating local culture under the stars. “For many of our UHNI clients, it’s a return to nature in its most untouched form,” adds Shah.
Tokyo, Japan
If it feels like everyone has been travelling to Japan these last couple of years, you’re not imagining it. According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, 2,33,000 Indian travellers visited Japan in 2024, marking a 53.6 per cent increase over 2019 levels. “Innovation in every sphere of indulgence is making Indian travellers look eastwards. After their first discovery of Japan by doing the usual circuit of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Mt. Fuji, they are now going back for refinement and gratification,” says Arun from Panache World. Gastronomy in particular is a big draw, with travellers making a pilgrimage to places like The Pizza Bar on 38th at the Mandarin Oriental or signing up for a coffee omakase experience in the Kiyosumi district. “UHNI’s come with a list of must-experience Michelin-star restaurants and cocktail bars that push limits, which have been fine-tuned by their peer groups,” adds Arun.
