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By Amisha Shetth
The easiest way to plan an international holiday is to choose somewhere everyone already knows. Paris.
London. Dubai.
The Maldives. Switzerland.
They are popular for good reasons, and none of them needs an introduction. But luxury travel becomes more interesting when the question changes from: “Where is everyone going?” to: “Where would give me an experience I haven’t had before?” For Indian travellers who have already covered many of the classic international destinations, 2026 presents an opportunity to look further.
Some destinations are gaining attention because of improved accessibility. Others because travellers are seeking cooler climates, more privacy, nature, wellness or deeper cultural experiences.
And some simply offer something dramatically different from the conventional luxury holiday. Here are ten I would put on the radar.
Kenya and Tanzania are often the first countries that come to mind when an Indian traveller says “African safari.” Namibia offers something completely different. Here, the landscape is as important as the wildlife.
The enormous dunes of the Namib Desert, the Skeleton Coast, the salt pans and the open spaces around Etosha create a safari experience that feels almost otherworldly. A luxury Namibian itinerary can combine Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast, Damaraland and Etosha National Park.
This is particularly appealing for someone who has already experienced the traditional East African safari. The focus isn’t necessarily on seeing the greatest number of animals.
It is on experiencing an extraordinary landscape while encountering wildlife along the way. Best for Repeat Africa travellers, photographers, couples and adventurous families.
Bhutan is not a destination that rewards rushing. Its appeal lies in its mountains, monasteries, forests, villages and distinctive cultural traditions.
The experience can be particularly rewarding for travellers who have reached the point where they don’t need their holiday to be packed with activities. A morning walk.
A long lunch. A monastery visit.
An afternoon spa treatment. A quiet evening overlooking the Himalayas.
That can be the entire point. For Indian travellers, Bhutan also offers the unusual combination of being geographically close while feeling culturally and experientially very different.
Best for Wellness travellers, couples, families and experienced luxury travellers.
Japan doesn’t need to be introduced to Indian travellers anymore. But there is still a lot of Japan that remains relatively underexplored.
Instead of building another Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka itinerary, consider going north. Hokkaido offers dramatic seasonal contrasts, excellent skiing, nature and distinctive food.
Tohoku provides mountains, hot springs, traditional culture and a quieter interpretation of Japan. The Japanese Alps offer another perspective, particularly for travellers interested in nature and traditional villages.
The advantage is not simply avoiding crowds. It is discovering a side of Japan that feels more intimate.
Best for Repeat Japan travellers, families, couples and food enthusiasts.
Patagonia is difficult to describe without resorting to words like “vast.” And that is precisely its attraction. The region stretches across southern Argentina and Chile and combines glaciers, mountains, lakes, windswept plains and remote wilderness.
A luxury Patagonia journey isn’t about sightseeing from one city to another. It is about landscapes.
Think Torres del Paine, El Calafate, Los Glaciares and El Chaltén, depending on the itinerary. For travellers accustomed to luxury city breaks and beach resorts, Patagonia can be a dramatic change of pace.
Best for Adventure travellers, couples, photographers and repeat international travellers.
Slovenia is an interesting proposition for travellers who love Europe but have already experienced its most obvious destinations. The country combines Alpine scenery, lakes, wine, historic towns and cuisine within a relatively compact geography.
Lake Bled is the best-known image, but the country extends well beyond it. The Julian Alps, Soča Valley, Ljubljana and Slovenia’s wine regions can create a sophisticated itinerary without requiring constant long-distance travel.
It can also work well as an addition to a broader Central European journey. Best for Couples, families, food and wine travellers and repeat Europe visitors.
Dubai is often the default choice when Indian travellers think about luxury in the Middle East. Oman offers something completely different.
Instead of skyscrapers and large-scale entertainment, the landscape takes centre stage. There are mountains, deserts, dramatic coastlines, wadis and historic forts.
A luxury Oman journey can combine Muscat, the Hajar Mountains, desert landscapes and the coastline. The country is particularly attractive for travellers who want the warmth and accessibility of the Gulf but prefer nature and cultural experiences over urban spectacle.
Best for Families, couples, photographers and travellers looking for a quieter Middle Eastern experience.
The idea of luxury travel is often associated with summer. But winter can create some of the most memorable journeys.
Finnish Lapland offers an entirely different environment: Snow-covered forests. Glass-roofed accommodation.
Reindeer. Husky experiences.
Saunas. And the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
For Indian travellers, the contrast is particularly dramatic. Instead of escaping winter, you are travelling specifically to experience it.
The trick is to avoid treating Lapland as simply a checklist of snow activities. The better approach is to build enough downtime into the itinerary so the landscape itself becomes part of the experience.
Best for Families, couples, honeymooners and first-time Arctic travellers.
The Azores are a very different proposition from the Mediterranean islands. Located in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese archipelago is known for volcanic landscapes, crater lakes, dramatic coastlines, hot springs and lush scenery.
It is particularly interesting for travellers who want an island holiday without the conventional beach-resort formula. The experience can be built around hiking, whale watching, volcanic landscapes, local food and thermal bathing.
For a traveller who has already done Santorini, Mykonos and the Maldives, that difference can be exactly the attraction. Best for Nature lovers, couples and adventurous travellers.
Madagascar doesn’t offer the same safari experience as East Africa. Its wildlife is completely different.
The island is famous for its lemurs, chameleons and extraordinary endemic species, while its landscapes range from rainforest to dry forests and dramatic coastline. That makes it particularly interesting for travellers who want wildlife but have already experienced the traditional African safari.
This is not a destination to approach as a conventional luxury resort holiday. The logistics are more demanding.
But that is part of what makes the experience distinctive. Best for Experienced travellers, wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and adventurous couples.
South America is increasingly attracting travellers looking for longer, more immersive journeys. But instead of defaulting to Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro and Machu Picchu, consider Chile’s Lake District.
Volcanoes. Lakes.
Forests. Hot springs.
National parks. And dramatic mountain scenery.
The region can also work as part of a larger Patagonia itinerary. For travellers who want South America without spending their entire holiday in major cities, it offers a very different perspective.
Best for Nature lovers, couples, photographers and repeat South America travellers.
At first glance, Namibia, Bhutan, Finland and the Azores have very little in common. But there is a reason they belong together.
They all offer something that is becoming increasingly valuable in luxury travel: Space. Not necessarily physical space alone.
Space in the itinerary. Space away from crowds.
Space to slow down. Space to experience nature.
Space to spend time with family. And sometimes simply space to be somewhere that doesn’t feel familiar.
Should You Choose an Emerging Destination Over a Classic One?
Not necessarily. There is nothing wrong with returning to Italy, Switzerland or the Maldives.
In fact, repeat travel can often be more rewarding because you already understand the destination. The question is what you want from this particular holiday.
If the answer is: “I want somewhere I’ve never been.” then looking beyond the usual destinations makes sense. If the answer is: “I want the most beautiful version of a destination I already love.” then returning to a classic may be exactly right.
Luxury travel isn’t about avoiding popular places. It is about choosing intentionally.
Start with the experience rather than the country. Want wildlife?
Consider Namibia or Madagascar. Want mountains?
Consider Bhutan, Patagonia or Slovenia. Want winter?
Consider Finland. Want desert and dramatic landscapes?
Consider Oman or Namibia. Want an island but not a conventional beach holiday?
Consider the Azores. Want a different side of Japan?
Consider Hokkaido, Tohoku or the Japanese Alps. Want South America with a stronger focus on nature?
Consider Patagonia or Chile’s Lake District. This is often a much more effective way of planning luxury travel than beginning with a country list.
The Importance of Timing
One reason these destinations require more careful planning is seasonality. A destination can be spectacular in one month and far less suitable in another.
Winter transforms Finland. The seasons dramatically affect Patagonia.
Wildlife encounters in Namibia and Madagascar vary by region and time of year. Japan changes character throughout the year.
Bhutan’s mountain environment is highly seasonal. That means the question isn’t simply: “Is this a good destination?” It is: “Is this the right destination for the month I can travel?” That distinction can completely change the recommendation.
Don’t Confuse “Less Famous” With “Better”
There is also a danger in chasing obscure destinations simply because they are obscure. A destination shouldn’t be selected because it is difficult to pronounce or because very few people in your social circle have visited.
It should offer something meaningful. The best less-obvious destinations have a clear reason for being on the itinerary.
Namibia has its landscapes. Bhutan has its culture and pace.
Finland has its winter wilderness. Patagonia has its scale.
Madagascar has its extraordinary biodiversity. The Azores have their volcanic landscapes and Atlantic setting.
That’s what makes them worth considering.
The biggest luxury isn’t necessarily travelling farther. It can be travelling better.
One extraordinary lodge. Three nights instead of one.
A private guide. A scenic train.
A remote island. A long lunch.
A day with nothing planned. A landscape you’ve never seen before.
These details can create a much more memorable holiday than adding another five destinations to an itinerary. For Indian luxury travellers with the ability to travel internationally, 2026 offers an unusually broad range of possibilities.
The familiar destinations will always be there. But some of the most rewarding journeys may be waiting slightly further off the usual path.
And sometimes, the best international trip is the one that gives you a story that nobody else in the family has heard before.
Amisha Shetth is the Founder and Chief Experiential Officer at Bliss Travels, a luxury and bespoke travel company specializing in personalized international journeys. Her approach focuses on matching destinations, hotels and experiences to the traveller rather than relying on standard international holiday itineraries.