Extraordinary Journeys: The Best Places to Visit in 2027

The dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, combined with the quiet countryside of Umbria, offer a captivating journey through landscapes dotted with time-softened Renaissance palaces. We’ll also be recommending time spent in Sicily in 2027, an island that although deeply connected to the mainland, reveals a rich and distinctive heritage.

In Umbria’s medieval hill towns you will be able to trace the roots of Italian art. Stop in the pink stone town of Assisi, visiting St. Francis Basilica to view masterworks by Giotto and Cimabue. Then, wander the flower-lined, narrow streets and staircases of Spello and see Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio. 

Further south on the island of Sicily, in Palermo, step inside Palazzo Conte Federico, built on the Punic-Roman city walls. Count Federico’s family has lived here for centuries, lending it a deeply personal atmosphere. You’ll be welcomed into the 11th-century home of Countess Costanza Piccolomini d’Aragona in Siena for lunch.

Need to know: At Castello di Reschio in Umbria, a 1,000-year-old castle hotel, you can stay in one of the completely private medieval farmhouses. Enjoy the peaceful swimming pool and farm-to-table dining on the stud farm surrounded by flowering meadows and vineyards.

New Zealand has always been high on our list of favourites, but in 2027 the country will be the ultimate destination for families. Celebrate birthdays, graduations and life’s big moments together – bringing grandparents, teens and young kids along for the fun.

There’s an excellent blend of natural wonder and the uncompromising luxury found in an array of exclusive-use lodges and farmhouses. Isolated havens like Minaret Station and estates like Rosewood Cape Kidnappers, Annandale, Poronui and Hapuku Lodge are among our top picks. Featuring a new seven-bedroom suite, the opulent Roki Collection in Queenstown has established itself as an outstanding option for large groups.

Maximise your family bonding time and board a seaplane to Waiheke Island for a tailored culinary tour. In Rotorua, immerse yourself in Māori culture as you prepare your own steam-cooked hangi lunch together with a host from the Ngāti Whakaue community. Then, enjoy a privately guided tour of Ohinemutu Village, the first settlement in Rotorua.

At the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute you’ll see how traditional flax objects are woven, before heading to the Te Puia Thermal Valley where the world famous Pohutu Geyser explodes up to 30 meters high. Your cultural journey continues across the North Island, whether sailing Lake Tāupō to view the monumental Mine Bay rock carvings or taking a private Bay of Islands tour with a local Kaumātua (elder) to learn about the region’s rich history.

Need to know: Step into the incredible conservation success story of Tahi which was transformed from a dilapidated farm into an 800-acre sanctuary of native wetlands. Stay in its exclusive-use Beach House where custom culinary journeys overseen by Onslow’s Executive Chef meet authentic Māori cultural encounters led by Tahi’s Indigenous team.

South Africa offers you the opportunity to safari in style. Think ultra-luxe safari lodges set on vast, completely private concessions. Dedicated guides tailor your safari drives to suit your interests. Imagine early morning expeditions out into the bush to see how the previous night unfolded. Dreamy siestas and refreshing plunge pool dips back at camp as you wait for the sun to sink towards the horizon when it’s time for you to head back out for more wildlife action.

One of our favourites is Cheetah Plains in Sabi Sands Game Reserve. Each of the villas here can accommodate up to eight guests and have their own expansive swimming pool deck, wine gallery and curated art collection. While you’re here you’ll have your own guide, tracker, vehicle, chef and dedicated host team.

When it comes to wine experiences, South Africa should be high on your list for 2027. Begin with a contemporary tutored wine tasting at Delaire Graff, either in the art-filled Wine Lounge, out on the terrace with dramatic mountain views, or inside beside a crackling fire. Franschhoek House is also among our top picks. Another exceptional place to call home while exploring the Winelands is Mont Rochelle.

Need to know: At One&Only Cape Town you can lose yourself in the art of assemblage as head sommelier Luvo Ntezo guides you through the process of creating your ideal blend. You’ll select several local varietals and vintages and learn how to finetune the tannins, notes and flavour profiles.

Chile’s wild Aysén region is an excellent option for adventure travel in 2027. South Aysén is defined by its dramatic peaks and vast ice fields, while North Aysén invites you to sail down incredible fjords and explore temperate rain forests.

You’ll find one of our favourite places to stay set on the banks of a turquoise river in an Andean valley in the north. Río Palena Lodge offers a combination of thrilling outdoor activities and warm, inviting interiors. Each of the seven guest suites looks out over the tranquil Río Palena for which it’s named. The lodge functions as a fully equipped expedition base designed to deliver unforgettable excursions. There’s gear on hand for a variety of pursuits including mountain biking, kayaking, fishing, hiking and stand-up paddling. After a day out in nature, soothe your muscles in a wood-fired sauna or an outdoor hot tub.

Evenings at the lodge are a culinary celebration with locally harvested produce paired with sublime Chilean wines. One of our highlights here is the traditional Chilean asado, an open-fire barbecue that showcases the rich regional flavours and warm hospitality of Patagonia.

Need to know: When it comes to pristine and remote locations, we also highly recommend Pata Lodge. Crafted from local timber and stone to match Patagonia’s rugged terrain, this rustic lodge is nestled among forested mountains. While you’re there, allow the surrounding landscape to spark your own creativity during an immersive art workshop.

France is a timeless favourite. Discover a hidden side of Paris as you explore its galleries after hours. Study Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ at Musée de l’Orangerie with an art teacher before creating your own Impressionist artwork in a studio in St Germain des Prés.

Privately guided treasure hunts through The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay bring the work of artists like Da Vinci, Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh to life. And a visit to the Palace of Versailles with us can include a backstage tour, including access to secret passages and rooms and apartments usually closed to the public.

Dijon in Burgundy is great for quiet and exceptional restaurants, perfect to combine with the popular restaurants of Paris. Home to the UNESCO-listed Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin, and also where you’ll find Gustave Eiffel’s magnificent 19th-century covered market. Dijon’s menus abound with regional dishes reflecting Burgundy’s rich terroir.

Need to know: Opened in 2026, Les Sources de Vougeot in Burgundy is an excellent place to stay when discovering the flavours of the region. It has 49 custom-designed rooms, surrounded by world-class vineyards where the emphasis is on highly tailored tasting and wellness experiences.

For the ultimate Arctic adventure in 2027 we recommend your own small-ship charter through Finland’s Arcipela Sea. The experience offers you extreme luxury coupled with incredible scenery. Enjoy your morning coffee with the scent of fresh pine in the air as you glide past pretty islets.

At night, marvel at the midnight sun after a meal prepared specially by your dedicated chef. The small vessels allow you to slip into hidden coves, giving you easy access to pristine Arctic wilderness that few get to see.

Need to know: During the polar night, from late November to mid-January, you can experience the blue hour or blåtimen. Between around 1 to 2pm the sun lingers just below the horizon and the snowy landscape and fjords are washed in shades of brilliant blues and soft purples. To capture the best images, use a tripod and use a wider aperture.

Regional culture, centuries old crafts and architecture await in Japan. We think families will adore getting off the beaten path in 2027, adventuring to, and then beyond, the much-loved Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka Golden Route.

Your travels could take you to Kiso Valley, Hakone, Kyushu Island and the Seto Inland Sea. With ample time to explore historic streets and quiet nature trails, budding photographers can focus on capturing every intricate detail. This kind of journey also allows you the space to truly connect with local tradition and take time to savour regional specialities. A slower pace means you can linger in onsen towns and alpine valleys, creating lasting memories.

Step behind closed doors for a series of extraordinary moments: observe a sumo training session up close, dine with a geisha and take part in a candlelit tea ceremony hosted by a monk inside a quiet Zen temple.

In Tokyo itself you can join an expert on a private architecture walk and participate in a ceramics masterclass in the kilns of Shigaraki. And learn about the ancient art of the blade alongside your family in an unforgettable Samurai swordsmanship class, hosted inside a historic temple closed entirely to the public.

Need to know: Japan’s regional landscapes offer ultra-boutique retreats that blend modern design with traditional tranquility. Stay at minimalist villa sanctuaries like Zenagi in the Kiso Valley and Hakone Kairai near Mt. Fuji, or serene hideaways like Azumi Setoda on the Seto Inland Sea.

In 2027, explore Rwanda with behind-the-scenes access to world-class conservation efforts. We recommend the remote Wilderness Magashi Peninsula, situated in a private concession in the northern reaches of Akagera National Park. Here, overlooking Lake Rwanyakazinga, you’ll have first-hand experience of the vital anti-poaching work and wildlife tracking being done in the region. Head out with expert rangers to monitor key species, including reintroduced black rhinos as well as apex predators.

Keeping the focus on conservation in Volcanoes National Park, you can spend time with gorilla doctors as they share extraordinary behind-the-scenes stories of their work with these incredible creatures. You’ll hear tales of life-saving treatments performed in the wild and learn more about how they are trying to ensure the survival of the gorillas.

Need to know: Rwanda’s only savannah park, Akagera National Park tells a remarkable story of resurrection and conservation. After a 15 year absence, the first seven lions were brought in from South Africa in 2015, followed by 18 eastern black rhinos in 2017. Then in 2021, 30 southern white rhinos arrived, with an additional 70 being relocated into the park in 2025.

Head to Bonito and the Pantanal for unparalleled wildlife observation in pristine nature reserves in 2027. Plunge into Bonito’s world-famous rivers, such as the Rio Sucuri and Rio da Prata, where natural limestone filtration creates surreal underwater visibility of up to 50 meters for an unforgettable snorkeling experience. Here, expert-led wildlife tracking is paired with complete isolation. One of our favourite places to stay is Bonito Villa via Matueté Villas set on a farm teeming with birdlife and animals.

You can create an unforgettable journey by pairing this tranquil retreat with a stay in a villa at Caiman Lodge in the Pantanal. Head out on safari drives and night excursions in the vast reserve and learn more about the jaguar conservation initiatives running.

Need to know: A distinctive way to see jaguars in the wild is to head out on a comfortable, open-sided boat with an expert guide. Look out for these magnificent creatures and other wildlife as you explore the waterways. This time out on the water with your guide is an invaluable way to experience the splendor of this part of Brazil.

The allure of the Dalmatian Coast and Istria lies in secluded island escapes and the rare opportunity to have a heritage property all to yourself. One of our favourites is the striking Lopud 1483 – a restored 15th-century Franciscan monastery and fortress, perched atop a cliff on Lopud Island overlooking the sparkling Adriatic Sea, just north of Dubrovnik.

Another is Villa Nai 3.3, an architectural marvel carved into an ancient olive grove on the island Dugi Otok. You’ll arrive by tranquil boat trip through the dramatic landscapes of the protected marine national park, Kornati.

Your journey culminates in Istria. Venture into hillside villages, pairing total seclusion with access to world-class vineyards, where centuries of winemaking tradition unfold.

Need to know: At Roxanich Winery, go behind the scenes with the owner for a private walk through the cellar, learning about long-aged, natural winemaking in Istria. And Rossi Winery makes an excellent stop after a walking tour of the hilltop towns of Buje.

Families should include Krabi in their 2027 Thailand adventure to discover a rich variety of nature and wildlife. Think birds, monkeys, bats and more. And islands like Koh Yao Noi are often on the quieter side. Head out on island-hopping boat trips, marvel at dramatic limestone cliffs as you hunt for secret caves and soak up the sun as you explore quaint beach towns where the sands are golden and the market stalls are bright and cheerful.

Leave island life behind to discover the allure of Bangkok. Start your day with morning blessings at Wat Suwan, followed by a stylish cruise through the city’s historic canals aboard a sleek Hacker-Craft boat.

Along the way you’ll savour an exquisite meal at the waterfront Siri Sala heritage home. As night falls, after hours access to the Grand Palace or Wat Pho, gives you the extraordinary opportunity to explore the glowing, illuminated temples empty apart from you and a royal cultural advisor.

Need to know: Escape to ÀNI Private Resorts on the quiet island of Yao Noi. It’s the perfect sanctuary for a family looking to enjoy intimate beach dinners, effortless adventure, wellness treatments and a team of dedicated staff on hand to curate every detail.

For exclusivity and hands-on conservation activities, Gorongosa National Park is one of our top choices for 2027. The expansive floodplains and woodlands of Gorongosa offer wildlife sightings alongside world-class biologists where you’re often the only ones there.

Spend time out in the field with expert ecologists and rangers, getting realtime experience of some of the park’s active conservation projects. Don’t miss the chance to accompany the specialised pangolin guardians on a foraging walk to learn about the care, science and community collaboration behind their efforts.

Gorongosa has been celebrated as one of Africa’s greatest ecological revivals. Decimated by decades of civil war that left its once-teeming ecosystems and wildlife nearly wiped out, the park entered a revolutionary public-private partnership in 2004. The project recognised that wildlife restoration could only succeed by uplifting the human communities surrounding the park. Today, Gorongosa is thriving with over 100,000 large animals and booming predator populations.

Need to know: Your adventure on the wild floodplains and savannahs of Gorongosa will pair well with the sparkling waters of the Bazaruto Archipelago, creating a memorable bush to beach experience. Go from tracking pangolins through the undergrowth to spotting dugongs in the brilliant blue waters.

Opened at the end of 2026, the brand-new Explora El Calafate in Patagonia is among our top picks for high-end wilderness access in 2027. You’ll find it set on the Chorrillo Malo estancia facing Argentina’s Andes and the wind-swept Patagonian steppe. Not too far in the distance, the Perito Moreno Glacier glints. While here you’ll venture out into the wilderness with a seasoned guide, follow trails, explore glacial valleys and marvel at mountains and lakes.

Another new option we’re excited to introduce is Estancia Piloli, which is ideally suited to groups of friends or extended families looking for outstanding views and comfort. Settle into the six-room private lodge and you’ll find yourself with 23,000 acres of Northern Patagonian countryside all to yourselves. Its name draws from the Indigenous Mapuche word for “holed stone”, inspired by the prehistoric volcanic rock formations, dramatic canyons and ancient caves that frame the estate.

Head north to Mendoza, and an unforgettable highlight of your Argentine adventure will be taking part in a personalised culinary masterclass on the deck of the owner’s residence at Bodega DiamAndes. You’ll cook alongside the estate’s head chef with sweeping vineyard views.

Need to know: The best time of year to see the ice fields and glaciers in Patagonia is during the southern hemisphere’s summer from November to March. Warmer afternoon temperatures increase your chances of seeing active ice calving. And with up to 18 hours of daylight, you’ve far more time for exploring.

Our attention is firmly fixed on Egypt not only because of the solar eclipse forecast for August and the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum, but also because of ongoing archaeological digs that continue to unearth fascinating artifacts. In 2027 we’ll be taking to the water for a boutique cruise along the River Nile. Bypass the mega-cruisers and set sail aboard a privately chartered dahabiya – a traditional twin-sailed wooden vessel.

A tailored itinerary allows you to unlock stretches of the river that usually remain hidden from most. And the magic of a charter like this is that you’re able to dock at incredible ancient sites.

Step ashore at places like Gebel el-Silsila, the dramatic sandstone quarry that supplied the stones for Karnak and Luxor, and explore the ruins of El Kab. As night falls, and you moor alongside secluded river islands, it’s just you and the expansive night skies with the Nile rocking you gently to sleep.

Need to know: We can arrange access to the 14th-century BCE tomb of Queen Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens. As the highly educated and revered wife of Ramses II, her extraordinary legacy comes alive on these ancient walls. This intimate and rarely granted encounter elevates your Egyptian journey into a highlight of a lifetime.

A 2027 escape to Norway and Finland will deliver a fusion of sleek Scandinavian architecture and raw Arctic beauty. In Norway, Åmot estate is an intimate sanctuary available for private use with highly personalised hospitality. Expect service tailored to your tastes, but balanced with the freedom for serendipitous moments, whether it’s a visit to a local farm, glacier hike, cultural experience or even an afternoon of salmon fishing. Tucked away in the heart of the Norwegian Fjords it offers you traditional country living and subtle elegance.

Crossing over into Finnish Sápmi, you’ll focus on architectural isolation and bespoke Arctic adventures. Here we recommend properties like Octola, a luxury timber retreat complete with floor-to-ceiling glass observatories – and Jávri Lodge, a hideaway tucked into the snowy wilderness. Private chefs, expert local guides and tailored wellness rituals make for the ultimate experience.

Need to know: In 2027 the sun is in an active phase of its 11-year cycle, this solar maximum is marked by a surge in solar flares and sunspots. It also means a higher frequency and intensity of the aurora borealis. So this year comes with excellent odds of seeing the northern lights across Arctic Norway and Finnish Sápmi.

For a deeply immersive trip in 2027, delve into living history as you explore some of Ireland’s most impressive castle estates. Stay at meticulously restored properties like Ballyfin Demesne, Cashel Palace or Ashford Castle, which was once owned by the Guinness family.

Wander the manicured grounds and magnificent rooms accompanied by only estate historians and curators. Go on an enlightening tour of the Ashford estate with a historian getting access to secret underground tunnels, elegant drawing rooms and estate landmarks. Together you’ll unlock centuries of lore.

Need to know: Join Charles Plunket MBE, DL, the great-great-nephew of Lord Ardilaun for Lord and Lady Ardilaun’s Afternoon Tea in the Connaught Room and, of course, a pint of Guinness in the Prince of Wales Bar.

Our best tip for travelling to Peru in 2027 is to include a stay at a private lodge or villa. This offers a deeper connection to Peruvian culture – as well as and time and space truly to yourselves.

Tucked away in the Sacred Valley’s dramatic terrain you’ll discover private villas with dedicated chefs, concierges and tailored wellness amenities. Find yourself surrounded by mountain lakes and glaciers and spend your days exploring hiking trails that snake through the valley, leading to ancient ruins and sacred sites.

Make your way down from the Andes to Peru’s northern coast and settle at a private, sea-facing villa in the fishing town of Máncora. Cool off in your own pool overlooking the gently lapping waves before sitting down to a meal of the freshest seafood. Known for its sandy beach, Máncora is a haven for surfers and the main street Avenida Piura is lined with restaurants and cafes. If you’re there in August and September you may get to see humpback whales nursing their young in the warm waters.

Need to know: While San Francisco Church in Cusco is fascinating to explore during the day, high inside the historic bell tower a special access cocktail experience awaits. Sip on sundowners as the lights blink on beneath you and the city’s nightlife begins to stir.