"Although I’ve been visiting Croatia for 50 years, I’m always discovering something new and even more wonderful that makes me want to come back again and again. I’ve got several trips planned this year, and more stories to tell."

Mary Novakovich, Travel writer, Author of My Family and Other Enemies:
Life and Travels in Croatia’s Hinterland
@marynovakovich

"Greece is my home base (lucky me!) and I’ll be spending time experiencing Crete’s gourmet heritage, exploring Samos’ remote mountain villages and bouncing over rutted roads in under-the-radar Lesvos to discover this northern Aegean island’s mineral-rich hot springs, archaeological sites, and a unique museum, which is home to original works by Picasso, Monet and more."

Heidi Fuller Love, Travel Writer
@heidifullerlovestravel

"While the tragedy of ongoing wars continues to unfold across parts of the world, there are still pockets of calm to retreat to. Venice is one of them—a city where time seems to have stood still, its dining scene included. But that may be about to change. A wave of headline hotel openings from luxury heavyweights like Orient Express, Cheval Blanc and Airelles, each bringing a roster of high-profile chefs, could soon transform the city’s long-understated culinary reputation, putting it on my map of places to go this year."

Rooksana Hossenally, Travel editor, Michelin Guide
@roxyhoss

"South Korea has been on my K-pop-loving daughter’s bucket list for a while, and I was just as tempted, easily topping our list of top 2026 travel destinations—and it lived up to every expectation. There’s history and heritage to discover, including the eerie no man’s land of the DMZ (demilitarized zone) between North and South Korea, but also palaces, temples and a chance to wear traditional hanbok. Plus, plenty of modern K-culture, from music to art, along with food galore, gorgeous scenery, buzzing cities and more."

Cathy Winston, Freelance travel writer
@mummytravels

"Lech in the Austrian Alps, draws me back in every season, but summer has a particular clarity. Days stretch in flower-lined hikes, scenic e biking trails and long lunches on mountaintop terraces. My daughters roam contentedly—canyoning, climbing, foraging—and we swim in Lech’s riverside forest pools as the sun dips behind snow-topped peaks."

Gabriella Le Breton, Freelance writer specialising in ski, luxury & adventure travel
@gabriellalebreton

"One of my favourite corners of the world is actually where I also call home. The English Lake District has long inspired authors, poets and artists, including the likes of Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, with its beautiful landscape of rugged fells and dramatic lakes. Cumbria and the Lake District is also perfect for food lovers—home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other region in the UK outside of London. Whether you visit for the scenery or the food, you’ll also find plenty of quality places to stay, including our very own luxury riverside apartment at the Gateway to the Lakes."

Paul Johnson, Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog
@paulhjohnson

"The Cape Winelands in South Africa are shifting beyond traditional tastings into something far more dynamic, reflecting a consumer trend towards movement, immersion, and a deeper connection to place. It’s less about sitting in tasting rooms, more about engaging with the landscape and the people behind it. As travellers look for destinations that combine food, nature, and adventure, the Winelands are emerging with a more rounded, experience-led alternative to the offering of classic wine regions."

Charlie Shepherd, Adventurer and Director at Epic Travel
@epicbemore