The 2026 Virtuoso Luxe Report has arrived, giving eager jet-setters a peek at where the world’s savviest travellers are dreaming of next. Drawing on insights from over 2,400 travel advisors across 50 countries, it shows luxury travel is still on the up — with nearly half predicting more bookings and 55 per cent expecting travellers to spend more per trip.
For Australian travellers considering air charter for their next international escape, these insights serve as a stylish shortcut to what’s next: the destinations climbing the wish list, the experiences stealing the spotlight, and the trends set to define luxury travel in the year ahead. Whether you’re exploring private jet hire options for a milestone trip or comparing private jet price ranges across different aircraft categories, knowing where demand is heading can help shape smarter itineraries.
The Destinations Commanding Attention
Italy has claimed the top position as the world’s most sought-after luxury destination for 2026, followed closely by Japan and Greece. France, Croatia, Portugal and Spain round out a European-dominated top ten, while South Africa, Australia and Canada represent diverse options for those seeking experiences beyond the continent.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the ‘destinations on the rise’ list. Iceland leads this emerging category, followed by Antarctica, Norway, Morocco and Egypt. These destinations suggest affluent travellers are increasingly drawn to dramatic landscapes, unique wildlife encounters and culturally rich experiences that feel genuinely distinctive.
For city-focused travellers, Paris remains the premier urban destination, with Tokyo, Barcelona, Kyoto and Rome completing the top five. The presence of two Japanese cities in the top ten reflects the country’s enduring appeal for luxury travellers seeking a blend of ancient tradition and contemporary sophistication.
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Italy
Beautiful villa in italian Varenna on lake Como
Italy is a masterclass in la dolce vita, best done with a “city + coast + lake” rhythm: Milan for fashion-house appointments, then Lake Como for villa days and private boats, finishing with a Riviera stay where the glamour feels timeless. The luxury upgrade is anchoring your itinerary around iconic properties that deliver privacy, scenery and seamless service, so every transfer feels intentional.
Japan
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Japan delivers that rare mix of ritual and wow factor, and luxury travellers feel it most in the precision of the experience: immaculate service, design-led stays and a pace that lets you properly sink in. Pair Tokyo’s energy and elite dining opportunities with a Hakone ryokan stay where private hot-spring time and kaiseki dining turn “wellness” into something quietly extraordinary.
Greece
Koroni town, Messinia, Peloponnese
Greece is sunlit glamour with a side of mythology, where island days are made for yacht hops, hidden coves and long lunches in the shade. The luxury insight is skipping frantic island-hopping and choosing a single base that gives you space and privacy, then building your days around high-touch experiences: a dedicated yacht charter to quiet anchorages, beach-club afternoons with service baked in, and dinners that feel as curated as the scenery. If you want the “effortless but elevated” version of Greece, the Peloponnese delivers—think Amanzoe-style seclusion with a private beach club, multiple pools, on-site dining and water-based excursions without the crowds.
France
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France is elegance in every detail, but the most memorable luxury trips are built around one hero experience per region. In Paris, make the centrepiece a fashion-house-level wellness reset at the Dior Spa inside Cheval Blanc Paris, where treatments are delivered in private suites and everything feels discreetly orchestrated. Then swap the city tempo for a Riviera rhythm designed around signature dining and restorative rituals—Cheval Blanc St-Tropez pairs a private-beach setting with a Guerlain spa (hammam, experience showers and bespoke face and body treatments) and a culinary program led by a three-MICHELIN-starred chef, so you can move between spa, sea and dinner without ever leaving the bubble. For culture that still feels VIP, book a private morning tour at Fondation Louis Vuitton with a dedicated guide in reserved hours.
Croatia
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Croatia is at its most luxurious when you treat the coast as a private villa-and-water itinerary: base near Dubrovnik, then disappear to a car-free island where days are built around captained boat time, late Adriatic seafood dinners, and a heritage stay that feels like a secret. Lopud 1483 is the kind of place high-end travellers book for total discretion—an immaculately restored 15th-century monastery turned private villa, with curated experiences and the option to keep everything in-house (chef-led meals, wellness and slow island living).
Portugal
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Portugal overdelivers for luxury travellers because it’s easy to do high-touch without feeling overproduced: Lisbon for design, galleries and long dinners, then the Douro for vineyard views and a wellness reset that still revolves around serious wine. At Six Senses Douro Valley, you can make the experience as curated as you like—sommelier-led tastings, educational wine experiences, and on- and off-site tours—then balance it with spa time and slow, terrace-view afternoons. For the Algarve, lean into resort living that’s still chic: clifftop sunsets, rooftop cocktails and an excellent restaurant program—Tivoli Carvoeiro is a strong example with multiple venues and a rooftop bar built for late golden hour.
Spain
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Spain is pure pleasure, but the luxury version is all about high design, high dining, and zero wasted time: anchor Barcelona on Passeig de Gràcia and book a rooftop table at Terrat by Hublot at Mandarin Oriental, where the whole point is elevated dining with panoramic city views. In Madrid, base somewhere that makes “one-and-done” evenings easy—Rosewood Villa Magna is built around that idea, with a dining lineup designed for long, elegant nights without leaving your address.
South Africa
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South Africa is cinematic luxury in two acts: begin with safari silence at a private reserve where game drives are the headline, then shift to the Winelands for artful dining, cellar doors and suites that feel like a destination in themselves. Sabi Sabi is the kind of reserve travellers book for a fully immersive lodge experience—expert guiding, private reserve atmosphere, and the feeling that your days are choreographed by the landscape. Then do Stellenbosch at Delaire Graff Estate, which pairs vineyard views with a polished hospitality offering that sits comfortably in the luxury bracket.
Australia
Picture Credits: baillielodges.com.au
Australia is luxury with space to breathe, and it’s at its best when you build the trip around one statement lodge and one coastal or city stop with serious dining. Southern Ocean Lodge is a classic “anchor stay” for Kangaroo Island—remote, cinematic and designed to make nature feel effortless and indulgent. If you want to keep the itinerary flexible (and genuinely high-end), Baillie Lodges is a strong reference point for Australia’s lodge-style luxury—ideal for pairing a wilderness stay with a reef or city leg without losing the sense of occasion.
Canada
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Canada does grand-scale luxury beautifully when the journey itself is part of the event: mountain scenery, refined service and a pace that’s deliberately unhurried. Rocky Mountaineer is the standout for that—daylight rail through the Rockies with elevated hospitality and routes designed around the view, not the rush. Use it as the spine of the trip, then add a lodge stay that matches the season (ski-and-spa in winter; lake and wilderness in summer).
What’s Driving Luxury Travel Decisions
The motivations behind luxury travel reveal much about what affluent travellers truly value. Celebrating milestones tops the list, followed by the excitement of exploring new destinations and spending quality time with loved ones. Rest and relaxation, escaping unfavourable weather and health and wellness round out the primary drivers.
This emphasis on meaningful experiences and personal connection is reflected in the year’s biggest travel trends. Family travel, both immediate and multigenerational, dominates the top positions. Active and adventure trips claim third place, with cultural immersion and expedition cruising following closely behind.
The report also highlights a significant shift towards ‘ultraluxe’ travel, with 45 per cent of advisors noting increased demand for exclusive, private and exceptionally high-end experiences. All-inclusive offerings, celebration travel and privacy-focused itineraries lead this premium category, alongside active adventures and hyper-personalised experiences.
Adventure Destinations Worth the Journey
For those seeking adventure, Antarctica leads as the most popular destination, followed by Iceland, South Africa, Costa Rica and Kenya. Canada, the Galápagos Islands, New Zealand, Peru and the Arctic complete the top ten.
These destinations share common threads: extraordinary natural environments, unique wildlife and experiences that simply cannot be replicated elsewhere. Whether witnessing penguin colonies in Antarctica, tracking the Northern Lights in Iceland or embarking on safari in Kenya, adventure travellers are prioritising once-in-a-lifetime encounters.
Private jet charter offers significant advantages for reaching these remote destinations efficiently. Direct routing, flexible scheduling and the ability to access smaller regional airports can transform complex multi-leg commercial itineraries into seamless journeys.
Family and Multigenerational Travel Takes Centre Stage
Family travel’s dominance in the 2026 trends reflects a broader shift in how affluent travellers approach their journeys. Italy and Japan lead as the most popular family destinations, followed by Costa Rica, the United States and Greece. Mexico, France, Spain, Canada and the United Kingdom complete the top ten.
The appeal of these destinations for families lies in their combination of cultural richness, safety, infrastructure and diverse activities suitable for multiple generations. Whether exploring ancient ruins in Rome, experiencing traditional ryokans in Japan or enjoying wildlife encounters in Costa Rica, these destinations offer depth and variety that keep all ages engaged.
Solo Travel Finds Its Moment
Solo travel continues to gain momentum among affluent travellers, with Italy, France and Japan leading the preferred destinations. Adventure travel and trekking top the list of solo travel experiences, followed by health and wellness, guided tours, cultural exploration and culinary travel.
This trend speaks to a growing confidence among luxury travellers to pursue personal enrichment independently. Whether undertaking a wellness retreat in Bali, a culinary tour through France or an adventure trek in Iceland, solo travellers are seeking transformative experiences tailored precisely to their interests.
Australia Shines on the Global Stage
Australian travellers planning overseas adventures may be pleased to note that their home country continues to attract international luxury visitors in significant numbers. Australia ranks ninth among the world’s most popular global destinations for 2026, sitting alongside prestigious company.
This recognition reflects Australia’s unique positioning in the luxury travel landscape. Few destinations can offer the combination of world-class wine regions, extraordinary wildlife encounters, pristine coastlines and Indigenous cultural experiences that Australia delivers. From the ancient landscapes of Uluru to the vibrant culinary scenes of Melbourne and Sydney, the country presents a compelling proposition for discerning international travellers.
New Zealand’s appearance on the ‘destinations on the rise’ list at number ten further highlights the Asia-Pacific region’s growing appeal for luxury adventure seekers. The proximity of these two destinations creates natural opportunities for combined itineraries that showcase the best of both countries.
Planning Your 2026 Journey
The 2026 Virtuoso Luxe Report confirms what seasoned luxury travellers already understand: the value of a journey lies not merely in the destination but in the quality of the experience itself. Whether celebrating a milestone anniversary in Italy, embarking on a multigenerational adventure in Japan or pursuing a solo wellness retreat in Iceland, the common thread is intentionality.
Private aircraft charter aligns naturally with these priorities. The flexibility to design itineraries around personal preferences rather than commercial schedules, the privacy to enjoy meaningful moments with family and the efficiency of direct routing to remote destinations all contribute to experiences that feel genuinely exclusive.
For Australian travellers planning ambitious international journeys in 2026, working with experienced charter specialists ensures access to appropriate aircraft for each route segment. It also helps you make informed decisions around private jet price, which can vary significantly based on aircraft type, routing, runway requirements, seasonal demand, and how far in advance you book. Whether you need private jet hire for a long-range international sector or private plane hire for regional connections on arrival, the right solution is the one that fits both the itinerary and the experience you’re trying to create.
Ready to plan your 2026 luxury travel experience? Contact Adagold Aviation’s charter specialists to discuss aircraft options for your international journey. Whether you’re exploring the temples of Kyoto, the glaciers of Iceland or the savannas of Kenya, our team can arrange seamless private aviation solutions tailored to your itinerary. Get in touch with our team to begin planning.
