What's Hot for 2027

Egypt’s story is told along the Nile, where ancient temples rise from the riverbanks and a slow cruise between Luxor and Aswan remains the finest way to travel. Beyond the Pyramids of Giza and the tombs of the Valley of the Kings, 2027 brings the longest total solar eclipse of the century, crossing Luxor in August. The Old Cataract and the Winter Palace reopen under Mandarin Oriental in July, with Four Seasons Luxor and new Nile vessels from Oberoi and Waldorf Astoria also on the way.

Beyond Sydney’s harbor and Melbourne’s laneways lies a continent of extremes: the Great Barrier Reef, ancient rainforest, red desert and some of the southern hemisphere’s finest wine regions. 2027 is a landmark year, with Qantas's Project Sunrise bringing the first nonstop flights between London and Sydney, and New York–Sydney following in 2027. Waldorf Astoria Sydney is set to open early in the year, and the Rugby World Cup arrives in October.

Botswana is safari at its most spacious. Each year, floodwater from Angola’s highlands reaches the Okavango Delta, turning it into a maze of channels and islands where elephants, lions, and wild dogs gather, and days unfold by mokoro, boat, or on foot. Private camps and guides who shape each day around every age suit three generations traveling together. In December 2026, Singita opens Singita Elela, its first lodge in the Okavango, in time for its first full season.

Sri Lanka packs a great deal into one island, from leopard safaris and the climb up Sigiriya’s rock fortress to tea country, best seen from the train to Ella, and a south coast of golden beaches and whale watching. Scott Dunn’s new Teens-First Adventures caters especially to young adventurers, pairing surf and wildlife with a few playful surprises, like a Colombo tuk tuk treasure hunt. Other new experiences include an arrack tasting, reflections with a monk in Galle, and a Sinhalese village and farm visit in Habarana. Uga Ghiri, the country’s most anticipated luxury opening, arrived in Ella this July, and The One Group is adding hotels in Kandy and Colombo.

Chile is a country of extremes, from the Atacama’s salt flats and star-filled skies to the lakes and volcanoes of the south and the granite towers of Torres del Paine in Patagonia. In December, Explora opens its fifth Patagonia lodge in the Torres del Paine Conservation Reserve, making it easier to combine Chilean and Argentine Patagonia in one itinerary, and Awasi Patagonia opens year-round for the first time, with two new Cenit Villas from January 2027.

Tanzania is home to the Serengeti’s open plains, the Ngorongoro Crater and Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak, while Zanzibar adds the spice-scented lanes of Stone Town and long white-sand beaches. It is one of Africa’s great safari and beach combinations, and 2027 makes it easier, with new British Airways flights from May and Air Tanzania from July. Five new Zanzibar hotels open across 2027 and 2028, including the 60-villa Four Seasons Resort Zanzibar.

Iceland feels remarkably close, particularly for East Coast travelers, and has become one of the fastest-growing destinations in Scott Dunn’s portfolio. Once there, the island delivers drama at every turn, offering the perfect escape for families with a range of energy levels and interests. Embark on glacier hikes, volcano descents, and snorkeling experiences for the adventurous, or simply unwind in thermal baths and soak up nights under dancing skies.

Americans are gravitating toward Indonesia, and it’s easy to see why. This sprawling archipelago offers far more than a single beach stay, with volcanic landscapes, rich culture, and island after island to explore. In 2027, new openings put it front and center, among them NIHI Rote, which opened in May 2026.

In addition to domestic luxury having a moment in the spotlight, travelers’ desire for easier access is shifting demand to closer-to-home destinations. From getting off the grid in Canada, with remote wilderness lodges, wildlife encounters, and wide-open landscapes without the long flight, there’s no shortage of ways to escape without going far. Just a short journey from the US, it’s a natural choice for a long weekend family getaway.