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Holiday trends are constantly evolving: be it intergenerational escapes, lesser known destinations, spacations, or pickleball getaways. While some travellers seek the comfort of returning to familiar destinations, others are drawn to the thrill of discovering places less explored. Whatever your travel style, we at Robb Report India have made it easier for you with a list of the 50 Greatest Places to Explore, paired with luxury properties worth-their salt. Curated with recommendations from RR Circle members, insights from a panel of over 30-plus experts across travel, hospitality, and other fields along with our editorial team, this is your guide to the destinations worth the journey.
Ready to explore? Let’s checkin.
Mpumalanga in zulu means the place where the sun rises. It is brimming with greenery, stunning scenery, and national reserves. The reserves are one of the major draws for locals, travellers, photographers, and wildlife enthusiasts. Mbombela, the capital city, offers a few other attractions such as the Sudwala Caves and God’s Window in the Blyde River Canyon Natural Reserve. Mbombela also houses Alkmaar Raceway, a motocross track.
“At Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, the thrill of the destination lies in its rawness—elephants drinking from your private plunge pool, watching leopards’ mate, or even lions at your doorstep making sure you can’t leave your room,” says Avarna Jain, chairperson, RPSG Lifestyle Media, vice chairperson, Saregama India Limited, and RR Circle chair.
Sabi Sand is well-known for its leopard conservation project. The Big Five of Africa roam about freely here. It also provides luxurious stays in different categories of lodges and camps. As the sun goes down, the night sky turns on its charm. “With its clear skies and millions of stars, it literally is like Van Gogh’s The Starry Night,” sums up Jain.
In Budapest, remnants of the past have found a new lease of life as vibrant spaces for revelry. Known as ruin pubs, these bars occupy old, dilapidated buildings. “Peeling paint, mismatched furniture and crumbling walls are all part of their charm. Szimpla Kert, one of the earliest and largest ruin pubs, is a must-visit,” says Shashwat Goenka, vice chairman, RPSG Group. He also recommends visiting Fisherman’s Bastion, an architectural landmark offering spectacular views, rivalled in popularity only by the iconic Hungarian Parliament overlooking the Danube.
The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest enjoys a prime location in the heart of the city. Housed in a magnificent Art Nouveau building, it lies at the foot of the Chain Bridge. “The glass-covered atrium floods the lobby with natural light, creating a beautiful sense of space. The service is exceptional too,” says Goenka, who believes the hotel is possibly at the best location at Budapest
An archipelago of 40 coral islands, Turks and Caicos in the Caribbeans is one of the most exotic destinations to travel to. Here, one can see myriad shades of blue. The colour of the sea is stunning and goes from azure and electric blue to cobalt blue. The shimmering water is framed by white powdered sand beaches. Other than relaxing and restoration, one can also experience activities such as bone fishing, sailing, snorkelling, or see the La Familie Express Wreck. This might be the island you would want to get left behind on.
“Amanyara is proof that true luxury doesn’t need to announce itself,” says Shivika Goenka, director—luxury & education, RPSG Group. Set inside a vast nature reserve on Providenciales, celebrated architectural designer Jean Michel Gathy’s minimalist pavilions open straight onto the ocean. “Turks and Caicos is one of those places that stays with you long after you’ve left, the water is unlike anything else in the Caribbean, and Amanyara captures that beauty without ever competing with it. That restraint is exactly what makes it unforgettable,” she says.
Imagine a narrow stretch of beach with the playful sea on one side and a calm lagoon on the other— this is what Bentota looks like. The coastal resort town is dotted with luxury resorts and boutique properties. Once a laid-back escape, it now offers a host of activities like wakeboarding, diving and banana boats, as well as gastronomic and wellness experiences.
Long after Geoffrey Bawa’s passing away, a part of the famous architect still lives on in his designs in Sri Lanka. These include cafes, hotels, the parliament house and the Lunuganga Country Estate. The property features nine rooms spread across 12 acres. It took Bawa around 40 years to create and nurture the sprawling garden. It comes recommended by Ashiesh Shah, founder and creative director, Ashiesh Shah Architecture + Design.
Thimphu, bhutan’s capital, is a city of intriguing contrasts, where Buddhist monasteries and traditional dzongs meet contemporary architecture, independent boutiques and intimate cafes. Designer Rahul Mishra suggests this city that’s framed by forested hills, and moves at an unhurried pace. Yet its bar scene reveals a spirited, cosmopolitan side with convivial pubs and intimate drinking dens to music led venues. Enjoy the local brews and the easy camaraderie.
At Pemako Thimphu, the panoramic view from the hotel includes the snow-capped Himalayas, lush green ery, along with sounds of nature, and fresh air. The property resembles a medieval Bhutanese fortress. The interiors are alive with traditional artworks, hand-drawn Buddhist murals, and intricate ceiling and wall motifs. Pemako Thimphu reimagines Bhutan’s ancient healing traditions, which help restore and nourish the mind, body, and soul, inspired by tra ditional Bhutanese medicine known as Sowa-Rigpa.
The city of palakkad is known as the gateway to Keralam (formerly Kerala). It’s mostly marked by verdant green lands, reservoir backwaters and clear blue skies, making it look like the poster child for all things bucolic. Situated at the foothills of the Western Ghats, it harbours pleasant weather for the most part and is great for rest and relaxation. And to explore, there is a reservoir with landscaped gardens, Silent Valley National Park—a UNESCO-recognised rainforest reserve, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve, and Palakkad Fort among others.
CGH Earth Kalari Kovilakom is becoming a destination in itself. Set in the palace grounds of the erstwhile Vengunad kingdom in Palghat, Kalari Kovilakom focusses on healing. Recommended by Aditi Dugar, co-founder, Urban Gourmet India, here experienced therapists design personalised lifestyles to help with the guest’s concerns. The treatments include complete detox, weight management, Ayurveda immunity boosting, and treatments for specific ailments and conditions.
Mozambique is slowly entering the luxury traveller’s radar. “The entire country is a coastline,” says Prateek Jain, co-founder, Klove Studio. “It was a Portuguese colony, and Portuguese is still their official language,” he adds.
Jain landed in the capital city of Maputo and then spent time in the Bazaruto archipelago. “I am a diver; the coral reef here is very vibrant,” he says, adding, that in these blue waters you can swim with turtles and humpback whales, dive with bull sharks and tiger sharks.
The Two Mile Reef boasts colorful fish, reef sharks and moray eels, while the Indigo Bay is home to sailfish and marlin.
Spread across 300 acres, Kisawa Sanctuary is said to be one of the world’s first 3D-printed eco-resorts. There are around a dozen private villas. With their thatched roofs and innovative architecture, sustainability meets style here. Guests can join scientists to understand the marine life, and also other underwater expeditions like a whale shark ocean safari.
In kumaon lies kalakhet, a tiny village with barely 40 houses. It majestically sits high on a ridge between two vast valleys. There is a rich population of birds and wildlife here. It is surrounded by silver oak, pine and deodar forests, with several gentle natural trails beginning close by.
The village was once known locally as bageecha, a fitting name for a belt known for its orchards and agriculture. Peaches, apples and walnuts thrive here, and farming remains largely organic, with much of everyday life still connected to the land and local produce.
Aatman is Rahul and Divya Mishra’s private mountain home in Kumaon, opened for a limited number of stays each year. Situated at nearly 6,000 feet and surrounded by reserve forest, the house is designed around a holistic idea of wellbeing. The architecture along with sunlight, air, water, soil and natural materials work together to create a more balanced rhythm of life.
Aatman has five suites spread across three levels. A team of resident chefs works with locally grown produce to create a vegetarian farm-to-plate experience. Much of the team comes from neighbouring villages, making local employment and community an integral part of the experience. An approximate 1.5:1 staff-to-guest ratio allows the hospitality to remain highly personal
Unlike most of rajasthan’s forts, Jaisalmer’s is still lived in. Several thousand people live and run shops and guesthouses inside the walls of the 12th-century Sonar Qila, founded by the Bhati Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal in 1156. Start inside the fort, where lanes wind past the Jain temples, and the former royal palace. Down in the old city, the five adjoining mansions of Patwon ki Haveli and the peacock-arched façade of Salim Singh ki Haveli show what trade money built. Further out, the Sam dunes, about 40 kilometres west, are where the desert opens up for camel rides and nights under the stars. Wildlife enthusiasts can head to Desert National Park, one of the last refuges of the critically endangered great Indian bustard.
Beyond the city, the desert is all space and silence. Suryagarh fills it with indulgence. Recommended by Miheeka Daggubati, founder, Boheim Studio, this fortress built for modern guests, stands at the edge of the Thar, with ramparts, turrets and latticework borrowed from the region’s medieval palaces. The rooms range from Fort Rooms to a two-bedroom Thar Apartment. Its best experiences, though, lead guests back into silence: dinners on the dunes, sundowners among the ruins of Kuldhara.
Bora Bora in french polynesia, is surrounded by a clear turquoise lagoon and framed by the lofty peaks of Mount Otemanu. This is one of the favourite destinations of Kulsum Shadab Wahab, founder, Ara Lumiere and Ara Pret. Spend your days swimming, snorkelling, diving or cruising the lagoon. Bora Bora is less than an hour by plane from Tahiti, followed by a boat ride from the tiny airport on Motu Mute to the resort of your choice. The arrival is part of the magic: as the plane dips lower, Mount Otemanu emerges above the turquoise lagoon, making an unforgettable first impression.
Set on a sand-fringed private island in the heart of French Polynesia, the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is an all-suite private island paradise, complete with lagoon-blue waters, overwater suites and spectacular views of Mount Otemanu.
Wake up to the soft rhythm of the Pacific, linger in your private plunge pool as the sun sets, or dive into the lagoon, that’s alive with colourful corals and tropical reef fish.
Lake Como is synonymous with italian glamour. Beyond the postcard views are charming villages, centuries-old traditions of silk-making and boat building, regional cooking, wine and olive oil, and a history shaped by wartime resistance. Como, at the lake’s southwestern tip, is an ideal base for exploring the region that is a preferred destination of Aditya Dugar, co-founder, Masque. Medieval walls surround the historic centre.
Around the lake, every town has its own allure. Wander around Varenna’s romantic Lovers’ Promenade; watch the dramatic Orrido di Nesso waterfall; climb Bellagio’s stairway streets before heading to Punta Spartivento, the lake’s peaceful centre point.
Villa d’Este was built as a noble residence in the 16th century. The palatial retreat now delivers timeless luxury amid Renaissance architecture, manicured gardens and sweeping lake views. Days drift between lake excursions, rejuvenating wellness rituals, and sunset aperitivo. Come evening, retreat to one of the classic rooms, where views of the Renaissance courtyard wrap you in the romance of another era.
Komodo Island is a wild slice of indonesia, where volcanic hills, pink-sand beaches and clear, coral rich waters set the scene for an inimitable holiday. Part of Komodo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is best known for its resident Komodo dragons: the world’s largest living lizards, which roam the island in their natural habitat. Tarang and Akanksha Arora are enamoured by the whole setting. There’s plenty beyond the dragons, too. Swim alongside graceful manta rays, dive into dazzling marine ecosystems and discover sleepy fishing villages far removed from the tourist trail.
Set on the edge of Komodo National Park, Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach pairs easy access to wild Indonesian landscapes with five-star comfort. Each of its 205 rooms has a private balcony overlooking the ocean, pristine shores and the Kukusan Island. It’s a well-placed base for exploring Komodo’s rugged islands, snorkelling in crystal-clear waters and discovering the extraordinary marine life that makes this corner of Indonesia worth the journey.
Stockholm, apart from its history and culture, has a bunch of other offerings. In summer, Stockholm is particularly delightful espe cially for music lovers. Head to Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum, founded in 1891. Its historic buildings, traditional farmhouses and gardens offer a glimpse into Swedish life. And there’s the much loved band–ABBA! The Mamma Mia! din ner experience combines a four-course meal with music, dancing and live enter tainment. Fans wouldn’t want to miss ABBA The Museum in Djurgården has interactive exhibits bring the legendary Swedish pop group’s story to life.
Also, make your way to Gamla Stan, where you can walk through Stockholm’s narrowest alley.
In Stockholm’s elegant Lärkstaden, this 1910 Arts and Crafts townhouse was transformed by designer Ilse Crawford into an intimate retreat. There’s no lobby or formal check in. Instead, guests are invited to settle in: eat at the open kitchen, read or retreat to the glasshouse courtyard. Owner Jeanette Mix and Crawford have preserved the townhouse’s original character.
Once the capital of the inca empire, high in Peru’s Southern Sierras, UNESCO-listed Cusco is the gateway to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and some of the country’s most fascinating Inca sites.
The city is a high-altitude beauty of cobbled streets, grand plazas and layers of history. Explore the Plaza de Armas and Q’oricancha. San Blas is the place to wander, with artist studios, independent shops and laidback cafés. For a taste of everyday Cusco, dive into San Pedro Market.
After dark, check out local gigs, art shows or a traditional performance at Centro de Arte Nativo Qosqo.
Palacio Nazarenas is a Spanish palace and convent turned into one of Cusco’s most atmospheric hotels. Ancient stone walls, quiet courtyards and leafy gardens give the place plenty of old-world character, while 55 suites bring in the modern comforts— including oxygen-enriched rooms, and personal butlers. All this while you’re right in the historic centre.
Set in the brilliant turquoise aegean, this Cycladic charmer is famous for its whitewashed houses, blue shutters, winding lanes and legendary nightlife. Mykonos Town, or Chora, is a maze.
Of narrow alleys, colourful doors and sugar-cube buildings, originally designed, supposedly, to confuse marauding pirates. Today, getting gloriously lost in its chic alleys is part of the fun. Then there are the iconic windmills, dating to the 16th century when they were used to grind the island’s wheat. Perched above Little Venice, they’re now perfect backdrops for a scenic sunset. Grab a waterside table, order a cocktail and watch the sky turn pink and gold. Mykonos has earned a reputation as one of the world’s great party islands. Lazy beach days to hedonistic fun, Mykonos has it all.
Fouquet’s Mykonos occupies a prime stretch of Paraga Beach. Recommended by Sanya and Varun Jain, founder of Smoke Lab Wear and and CEO, Smoke Lab, this property’s 60 suites and three villas are arranged around clean lines, and the private pools, hot tubs, and terraces all point towards the sea.
There is a quieter side to the place, but Mykonos is hardly known for restraint. At Roka Beach Club, Japanese food, cocktails and sunset views set the pace, while the beach is conveniently close enough for an impromptu dip.
Insider tip: The suites at the far end of the property have the best views.
There is more to patiala than just being the namesake of the iconic Patiala salwar, if you didn’t already know. Popularly known as the Royal City of Punjab, Patiala is steeped in the state’s rich history and princely heritage. From the splendour of Qila Mubarak and the intricate beauty of Sheesh Mahal to the lush Baradari Gardens and the grandeur of Moti Bagh Palace, the city offers glimpses of a regal past.
To immerse yourself in Patiala’s royal legacy, there is no better way than to experience it at Raan Baas, The Palace, nestled within Qila Mubarak. Dating back to the 18th century, this heritage property invites you to turn the pages of Patiala’s celebrated past.
Gautam Seth, co-founder, Klove Studio, admires how Raan Baas beautifully blends old-world glory with contemporary comforts to offer an experience that is about living history and luxurious hospitality.
Roughly a stone’s throw from manali, Palchan is an idyllic mountain village. For those in search of peace and quiet, this village provides that in abundance, with the added bonus of lush mountains and tranquillity suspended in the air at all times. It serves as a great base camp to explore other close-by destinations such as Manali, Solang and Rohtang pass, Jogini Waterfall, Nehru Kund, and Gulaba Viewpoint.
In Palchan near Manali, Sitara Himalaya is a 10-room private lodge that boasts of not one but two Michelin keys. Set in a valley fringed with magnificent peaks, it was created by the founder of Good Earth, Anita Lal, as an extension of her own home. Although a regional-style architecture, a visitor is apt to find a unique blend of Indian, Tibetan and English aesthetics. Guided by the Vedic idea of oneness with the cosmos, it offers an Ayurvedic spa, yoga, a plunge pool and sauna, and a Himalayan kitchen using local produce.
Rishikesh is where spirituality comes with a side of adrenaline. yoga is the reigning ritual, but you could also try white-water rafting, wander through the graffiti-covered Beatles Ashram, or catch the Ganga aarti at Triveni Ghat.
Ananda is a 100-acre wellness retreat set in the former palace estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal. RR Circle Member Aashica Khanna is the executive director of the property that’s lush with forests, gardens and blissful quiet, with Ayurveda, yoga and meditation at its core. Choose from Ayurvedic rejuvenation, detox and panchakarma, holistic yoga, sleep and stress programmes, or simply slow down with organic food. It’s a good excuse to switch off for a few days.