From the Winter Olympics to a total solar eclipse, discover the world's most extraordinary destinations and events worth booking now for each month of 2026.
Image courtesy of Aman Rosa Aplina
When it comes to travel, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year. Each month offers a new reason to get away, from the Winter Olympics and World Cup to music festivals and cultural events. Plus, 2026 will see a host of exciting hotel, cruise, and train launches.
If all we could do is travel (isn’t that everyone’s dream?), these are the places we would go for every month of the year. Planning for seasonal travel or large-scale events can get overwhelming quickly, and even booking the right hotel can be a lot to navigate.
That’s where a Fora Advisor comes in—with Fora’s extensive network, partnerships with VIP perks at top hotels, and access to the best intel and insider expertise, you can leave all the planning to the professionals, and just enjoy the best of what 2026 has to offer.
January: Spain & Antarctica
Image courtesy of SHA Wellness Clinic Mexico
Start the year right by focusing on health and wellness at a destination spa. SHA Wellness has locations in Spain and Mexico. Their acclaimed resorts provide a holistic focus on health, combining natural therapies with innovative methods. With two- to seven-night programs focused on detox, weight management, and longevity, SHA provides the perfect reset to launch into 2026 as your best self.
For those with an unlimited budget and a desire to kick off the new year with the ultimate bucket list experience, there are few trips more awe-inspiring than White Desert. Antarctica has never been more accessible—at least from a logistics standpoint—since getting to the white continent involves a long flight over the dreaded Drake Passage (a treacherous ocean crossing). You’ll need a cool six figures per person to set out on a South Pole expedition, where you’ll reach the bottom of the world at the southern axis, come up close to a colony of Emperor Penguins, and camp atop a glacier.
Where to stay in January
SHA Wellness, Spain: Cutting-edge medical science meets Eastern philosophy at this resort set on Spain’s Mediterranean coast. Fora Perks include a $100 wellness credit, daily breakfast, welcome amenity, complimentary parking, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
White Desert: Luxury camps in Antarctica, which include astronaut-inspired domes situated on a glacier and a seasonal expedition camp.
February: Italy & Qatar
The XXV Winter Olympics, known as Milano-Cortina 2026, takes place in venues across northern Italy from February 4–22. Tickets are still available, so if you haven’t booked a trip to catch the Olympic Games yet, now would be a good time to secure them. As to where to stay, Cortina d’Ampezzo is in the heart of the Dolomites and plays host to Alpine skiing, bobsled, luge, and curling. Make your trip truly memorable with a pre- or post-games stay in nearby San Cassiano at the luxe new Aman Rosa Alpina, a showstopper of a property.
If art speaks to you more than sports, check out Art Basel’s Middle East debut in Doha, Qatar, running from February 5–7. Rosewood Doha is the event’s partner hotel, but there’s no shortage of luxury and mid-range brands in this booming metropolis.
Where to stay in February
Aman Rosa Alpina: This ultra-sleek Alpine retreat belies its multigenerational legacy as an iconic hotel in the Dolomites. Fora Perks include a $100 food and beverage credit, daily breakfast, welcome amenity, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Rosewood Doha: Centrally located in Lusail, Qatar’s “City of the Future,” this hotel combines contemporary design with oceanfront views in a sculptural landmark. Fora Perks include a $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast, welcome amenity, and an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
March: Seychelles & Bolivia
Expedition cruising is taking off as the new luxury trip du jour. With just 15 cabins, Aqua Expeditions’ newest luxury yacht, Aqua Lares, will chart a new cruise route from Tanzania to the Seychelles. This 11-day itinerary embarks at Zanzibar and takes you through remote islands inaccessible to larger cruise ships in the Indian Ocean. It’s billed as a “floating safari,” showcasing encounters with giant tortoises, coconut crabs, frigate birds, and, if you’re lucky, whalesharks.
If luxury cruising isn’t in the cards, head to the more budget-friendly Bolivia. March is its rainy season, when the country’s famous salt flats, Salar de Uyuni, transform into a giant mirror reflecting the sky. It’s a photographer’s dream, as no other landscape has this otherworldly effect.
Where to stay in March
Aqua Lares: The ship’s inaugural journey is in February, so connect with a Fora Advisor to book.
Bolivia: Avoid the crowds to take a surreal photo of yourself suspended between sea and sky at Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia by staying at an Airstream camp, bookable only through one of Fora’s partners, Crillon Tours.
April: Lesser known Japan
Image courtesy of JANU Tokyo
It’s impossible to talk about travel to Japan and not discuss cherry blossom season. Everyone wants to go during sakura, which takes place around the first two weeks of April. Yes, it is beyond crowded. Yes, hotels and services will be much more expensive this time of year.
Most people do the same circuit, focusing mostly on Tokyo and Kyoto. You’ll have a better shot of avoiding crowds by visiting off-the-beaten path locations that have late blooms, such as Nagano, Tohoku, and Yoshino. Better yet, level up your trip by timing it with the Ashikaga Wisteria Festival, which starts on April 19 in 2026.
Where to stay in April
Tokyo: Aman’s sister brand JANU opened with a splash in time for last year’s cherry blossom season, quickly establishing itself as a favorite among the design set. Fora Perks include a $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast, welcome amenity, and an upgrade at the time of booking, plus extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Nagano: Come for the cherry blossoms, stay for the Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs. For true cultural immersion, experience a traditional inn, particularly Ryokan Sakaya. Book through a Fora Advisor, who will help navigate the complex logistics of travel in Japan.
May: Botswana & Austria
Rains in Angola in February flood the Okavango Delta by May, creating Botswana’s unique water safari experience. Botswana is known as an expensive safari destination, and Singita will be joining the mix when it opens its first camp in the country in 2026. But Botswana doesn’t have to be all decked-out lodges with individual plunge pools; sometimes, it’s worth getting truly close to nature. &beyond is opening two new Under Canvas locations in Sandibe and Nxabega in the Delta, with only three tents each offering intimacy, authenticity, and a good value.
For something unabashedly kitsch, the Eurovision Song Contest Final takes place in Vienna, Austria, from May 12-16. If voting in person at the world’s biggest singing competition is your jam, then fit in a side trip to Salzburg, where the hills are alive with—you know. Up the ante with a stay at a fairytale castle from the 15th century, which recently reopened as Rosewood Schloss Fuschl.
Where to stay in May
&beyond Under Canvas: Laid-back camps offering seclusion and an exclusive feel.
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl: Set on the banks of Lake Fuschl, this centuries-old castle was once a royal country home transformed by Rosewood into a fairytale luxury retreat. Fora Perks include a $100 food & beverage credit, daily breakfast, welcome amenity, and an upgrade at the time of booking, plus extended check-in/out whenever possible.
June: British Columbia & Indonesia
In a year of major sporting events, FIFA World Cup 2026 takes the cake. With matches taking place across North America (Canada, United States, and Mexico), it’s hard to pick where to set up a base. If you find yourself in Vancouver, take a quick jaunt to reset in nature in spectacular fashion, at Clayoquot, a wilderness lodge in British Columbia.
For a trip farther afield, head to Indonesia, which has prime weather this time of year, unlike the rest of Southeast Asia, which will be in its typhoon season. For a taste of something wild, visit the Komodo Islands to get staggeringly up close to the dragons. Remote doesn’t have to mean foregoing luxury, especially if you’re cruising on one of Rascal Voyages’ fleet of “floating villas.”
Where to stay in June
Clayoquot: Remote luxury, the freshest farm-to-table-cuisine, and endless wilderness make Clayoquot a leader in eco-luxury travel. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, $100 helicopter credit, plus an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Rascal Voyages: Book this epic adventure through Indonesia with a Fora Advisor to receive two hours daily of “free-flow Rascal Cocktails.”
July: Mongolia & Lapland
Few cultural moments imprint your soul as much as the Naadam Festival in Mongolia. There is something life-affirming about witnessing a celebration of age-old nomadic culture. While the major events take place in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, it’s worth traveling farther afield to satellite festivals in the countryside, where yak herders, shamans, and nomads participate in the annual games of horse racing, archery, and wrestling.
Travelers flock to Lapland in the winter since it’s most associated with winter activities, but did you know the summertime can be just as magical? The Midnight Sun provides a surreal effect—since it never gets dark, you can just keep going with activities. Hike, bike, fish, kayak, sauna—just pack it all into each day to not miss a moment of this breathtaking landscape.
Where to stay in July
Three Camel Lodge: Sets the standard for adventure camping in the Gobi Desert with its gers (yurts) that are equal parts authentic and luxurious.
Octola II in Lapland: One of the world’s most remote and exclusive lodges—exclusively for buyouts, no disclosed address, and interested guests join a waitlist for an invitation to stay.
August: Mallorca & Iceland
Image courtesy of Jumeirah Mallorca
Not all events this year are man-made—Mother Nature’s got a big one on August 12, 2026, when a total solar eclipse will be visible across Russia, Greenland, Iceland, and Spain. Eclipse travel has become a cottage industry these past few years, and no doubt it will reach its peak with the “Eclipse of the Century” taking place a year later, in August 2027. For now, plan your trip to see the 2026 eclipse where you have the best chance of clear skies and good weather.
Hotels are booking up fast on the Balearic Islands, where you can witness totality for up to two minutes. The Jumeirah Mallorca is set on a clifftop and offers prime viewing. To get far from the madding crowds, consider a remote destination resort like the extraordinary Eleven Deplar Farm in Iceland.
Where to stay in August
Jumeirah Mallorca: Built on a cliff overlooking the coast, this 120-room hotel will no doubt be the most popular address for the 2026 eclipse. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, $75 food or spa credit, a welcome amenity plus an upgrade and extended check-in and 4:00 pm late checkout, whenever possible. Suites get a complimentary one-way airport transfer.
Eleven Deplar Farm: This far-flung adventure lodge deep in Iceland provides the perfect backdrop for 2026’s biggest natural phenomenon. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, $200 hotel credit, plus an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible. Stays in the Grettir and Floki rooms will receive two Isopod therapy treatments during the guests’ stay.
September: Egypt
Whenever you can travel during shoulder season, do it—you’ll benefit immensely from smaller crowds and good, if not perfect, weather, not to mention lower hotel rates. This is true for Egypt in late September, when the hot summer days fade into cooler fall temperatures. Tourists have been flocking to Egypt in recent years, and there’s been a boom of hotel openings and Nile River cruise launches. Why go now? The much-anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum has finally come to pass after years of delays. Visitors can see an astounding collection of Egyptian antiquities from the largest museum in the world for a single civilization.
Viking just launched a 41-room vessel, the Viking Sobek, to ply the Nile. Oberoi has been a mainstay with its two large ships, but it is also launching two 7-cabin dahabeahs—traditional wind-powered Egyptian sailboats.
Where to stay in September
Viking Sobek and Oberoi’s Nile River cruises: Fora Perks vary according to the sailing dates.
October: Munich & New Zealand
Oktoberfest famously takes place in September, but in 2026, it runs until October 4th. Catch the tail-end of the celebration in Munich, marked by a traditional gun salute at the foot of a Bavarian statue. While in Germany, you could be one of the first guests at the Harry Potter Hotel at LEGOLAND Deutschland, but details are sparse on its supposed 2026 opening date.
On the other side of the world, New Zealand offers mild spring weather and a landscape in bloom. It’s the perfect time to go hiking and enjoy outdoor activities, with daytime temperatures in the 60sF. A crop of new hotels just opened down under, including the superb Roki Collection Queenstown.
Where to stay in October
Hotel Bayerischer Hof: A classic choice in Munich even more iconic with its new suite spanning the eight floor, designed by art impresario Axel Vervoordt. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, a guaranteed upgrade at the time of booking, $100 food and beverage credit, plus an upgrade and extended check-in/out when possible.
Roki Collection Queenstown: This 15-room lakeside property is the latest entrant to Queenstown’s luxury boutique hotel scene.
November: Chile & Saudi Arabia
Image courtesy of Tierra Atacama
Saudi Arabia continues to make waves as the hottest emerging destination. Come November, the Dream of the Desert will launch as the kingdom’s latest foray into luxury travel: a train that traverses the Arabian desert in sheer opulence. The one-to-three-night rail journeys start at Riyadh and include itineraries to Al Ula, the destination du jour for avid travelers. Pre-booking is available, with rates starting at 3,000 Saudi riyal per cabin per night (about $800).
For something just a tad more low-key, head to Chile to find stillness in the Atacama Desert and Patagonia. It will be late spring in the southern hemisphere, and it’s still early enough to enjoy these vast landscapes without the crush of tourists that arrive as the summer deepens. Perennial favorite Tierra Atacama reopened in April 2025 after a $20 million renovation, and in Patagonia, luxury cruise liner Silversea is opening the The Cormorant at 55 South, billed as the world’s “southernmost hotel” to provide a luxurious stay for guests about to embark on an Antarctica journey.
Where to stay in November
Dream of the Desert: Reserve this Saudi Arabia stay through a Fora Advisor.
Tierra Atacama: An old cattle corral that’s now one of the most luxe addresses for adventure lodges. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, a complimentary 50-minute massage for two guests, plus an upgrade and extended check-in/out when possible.
The Cormorant at 55 South: Opening soon—connect with a Fora Advisor for booking.
December: Japan & Thailand
During this time of year, travelers often gravitate to traditional destinations like Christmas markets in Europe or the Santa Village in Finnish Lapland. When travelers aren’t seeking out cold and cozy Christmas-themed locales, they often escape to warm beaches.
What many don’t realize is that early December is actually peak fall foliage season in Japan. It’s the perfect time to hike the Kumano Kodo, ancient pilgrimage trails in Japan’s Kii peninsula. This multi-day trek dates back more than 1,000 years, and there are several routes of varying levels of difficulty. The most popular itinerary is the Nakahechi trail, once the imperial route that drew long processions of pilgrims, earning it the nickname “The Pilgrimage of Ants.”
If the holidays equate to hedonism over “religious pilgrimage” for you, then make your way to Thailand for the first Tomorrowland in Asia. This popular electronic music festival will launch its first Asian outpost in December 2026 (exact date TBD), bringing together famous international DJs in an immersive dance party with creative set designs and lighting shows. After the bacchanalia, treat yourself to a restorative spa in one of Thailand's acclaimed resorts, including Chiva Som and Kamalaya.
Where to stay in December
Kumano Kodo: Your Fora Advisor can pair this trek with local accommodations, usually in simple ryokans, or inns, which must be booked as part of a pilgrimage itinerary.
Chiva Som: Pioneering wellness destination Chiva-Som Hua Hin offers all-encompassing retreat stays in a tranquil beachfront setting. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, a complimentary health and wellness treatment per person (valued at $150); complimentary lunch once during the stay, plus an upgrade and extended check-in/out when possible.
Kamalaya: Combining Eastern healing traditions with Western medical research, Kamalaya is a beloved wellness sanctuary. Fora Perks include daily breakfast, a complimentary 45-minute wellness and goal-setting consultation, plus an upgrade and extended check-in/out when possible.
