The Hot List

1. New Italian escapes

Top: Coastal views at Fawn Bluff, British Columbia, Canada; Above: The Master Room at JK Place Roma, Italy

Italy is always in voga, but 2025 promises to be its most exciting year yet. The Orient Express La Dolce Vita train has just launched, offering a nostalgic route from Rome to Venice in classic Italian style. This reimagined, ultra-luxurious experience celebrates the romance of train travel with a journey that showcases Italy’s most alluring landscapes.

For city explorers, Italy’s newest hotels offer the perfect base. Opening later this year, Six Senses Milan is the ultimate sanctuary for unwinding after a day spent uncovering the city’s hidden spots. In Rome, the much-anticipated openings of JK Place Roma Maison and La Minerva place you right in the heart of the Eternal City. Our insider experts can arrange private tours to skip the crowds at the Vatican Museum or show you the best of the Umbrian countryside – our perfect pairing to any Roman holiday.

SDP tip: ‘Italy is on everyone’s radar for 2025 as the country gears up to celebrate the once-every-25-years Jubilee, when Catholics flock to Rome to receive forgiveness for their sins. Rome will be buzzing but for every Italian hotspot there is a similar, undiscovered region: instead of Tuscany, try the rolling hills of Umbria. Skip Lake Como and head to spectacular Lake Garda. Already done the Amalfi Coast? Discover farm-to-table cuisine and uncrowded beaches in Puglia.’ – Julie Durso, Scott Dunn Private

2. Into the Canadian wild

Above: Experience glacier paddleboarding at Fawn Bluff, British Columbia

Accessible only by seaplane or helicopter, Fawn Bluff is an ultra-remote retreat committed to preserving the raw beauty of British Columbia’s Bute Inlet and its sacred connection to the Homalco First Nation. The 340-acre estate offers rustic lodges with coastal views, secluded bays and the Great Bear Rainforest right on your doorstep. Here, sightseeing takes on a whole new meaning, with ocean safaris offering the chance to spot orcas, humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions.

The experience here is designed to blend seamlessly with nature, whether you’re tracking wildlife with expert guides, paddleboarding on glacial lakes or unwinding by a crackling fire with a glass of BC’s finest. For a breath-taking perspective, we recommend a tailored helicopter adventure, followed by guided bear tracking in the heart of the wilderness. The autumn salmon run, when grizzlies gather around fast-flowing rivers to fish, is the best time to visit – an unforgettable finale to your Canadian adventure.

3. Off-grid glamour in New Zealand

Above: The Four Bedroom Villa, Rosewood Matakauri

Rosewood has taken the reins of New Zealand’s legendary triumvirate of über-lodges: Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri Lodge, bringing its signature understated elegance to these spectacular retreats. Set in landscapes straight out of a Tolkien epic, each lodge offers its own take on adventure. In Northland, Kauri Cliffs – with its white-sand beaches and world-class golf course – is perfect for those who love activities with an ocean view, while Cape Kidnappers, perched on dramatic cliffs, offers yomps through the landscapes on foot, by 4x4 or by private helicopter. On the shores of Lake Wakatipu on South Island, Matakauri Lodge is the ideal base for heli-skiing, jet boating and après ski with a glass of Central Otago pinot noir in hand. Time your visit right, and you could witness the Aurora Australis, or Southern Lights, best viewed from the southernmost coast.

SDP tip: ‘New Zealand is all about the experiences, from exploring vast hectares of pristine wilderness by e-bike, to flying by helicopter to a private mountain chalet to learn the skill of high mountain trekking across snowcapped ridges. It’s a destination that forces you to step outside of your comfort zone and find new strength both mentally and physically, leaving you with a deep sense of fulfilment and renewed purpose.’ – Dominic Atterton, Scott Dunn Private

4. Glamping in Argentina’s wild north

Above: El Impenetrable National Park; sunset views at Los Palmares Glamping, Argentina (Photo: Florian von der Fecht)

Deep inside El Impenetrable National Park – one of Argentina’s last wild frontiers – newly opened Los Palmares Glamping offers a rare gateway into an untouched wilderness. At its heart is a remarkable conservation story: what was once threatened land is now a thriving sanctuary for jaguars, Yabotí tortoises and Pampas deer, thanks to restoration efforts led by Kris Tompkins (read our interview) and the pioneering Rewilding Argentina team.

The journey to Los Palmares is part of the adventure: charter a flight from Pista Nueva Pompeya or Pista Castelli, skimming over dense forests and winding rivers to the nearest landing strip, or brave the five-hour drive from Resistencia through the untamed province of Chaco – including a thrilling 60km stretch of bumpy dirt road (4x4 recommended). Once inside the camp, you’ll be greeted by expansive safari-style tents, each with a private bathroom and incredible views of the Bermejo River. Dining is no less impressive, with menus that showcase local Chacoan ingredients. From guided hikes through the forest to river safaris in search of the elusive tapir, SDP can arrange an action-packed itinerary that takes you deep into the heart of northern Argentina’s newest and most exhilarating national park.

5. The rise of the adventure yacht

Above: Explore northern Australia’s remote wilds with True North Kimberley

Beyond the world of floating palaces, the new frontier is all about expedition vessels that take you where the big ships can’t. &Beyond Galápagos Explorer sets sail this year, offering 12 guests thrilling adventures in the wildlife-rich archipelago, while its Peruvian Amazon riverboat takes a maximum of eight passengers on an immersive journey deep into the rainforest. And for access to the far reaches of the Kimberley in Australia, True North’s 2026 voyages reveal the region’s remote, rugged beauty, from towering waterfalls to tidal reefs.

Launching in December, Aqua Expeditions’ newest route will take travellers from the Seychelles to Tanzania, offering access to some of the Indian Ocean’s most secluded marine ecosystems. Meanwhile, Lindblad and National Geographic’s Arctic voyages in East Greenland reveal some of the world’s least-visited landscapes in the company of expert naturalists. And for deep-sea explorers, EYOS Yachts is redefining ultra-intrepid travel with submarine-equipped charters and on-board marine scientists taking you 300 metres beneath the waves. Book soon to secure your front-row oceanview seat.

SDP tip: ‘For the past nine years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with our members and trusted yacht partners. One thing is clear: our members truly value incorporating yachts into their holidays as a way to escape the usual tourist paths. Chartering a yacht offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing you to prioritise what matters most during your trip, all while embracing a distinctive and liberating approach to travel. From personal experience, I can confidently say that it’s the ideal way to explore more off-the-beaten-path destinations.’ – Victoria Reynolds, Scott Dunn Private