Hey First name / you,

 

As we spend more time around the table with loved ones during the holidays, travel comes up in conversation in a very particular way. This time of year, things feel more open. We're less caught in the daily rush, a lot more dreamy, and clearer about what and who matter most. Travel shows up often in those conversations because it is where so many of our most vivid memories are made.

 

That’s why January is always my busiest planning month of the year. People return from the holidays with a clearer sense of how they want the year to feel and a willingness to put those intentions on the calendar. Travel becomes less about filling gaps and more about choosing the right moments for rest, connection, experiences, and time together.

 

So consider this email a starting point for those conversations. Each destination I’ve curated below earns its place because it works exceptionally well for a specific type of traveler right now. 

 

These are not trend-driven picks or magazine lists. These are places we know that still feel intact, offer strong value at the moment, and make sense for the way people want to travel in 2026.

 

I hope they invite shared dreaming around the table, with the people who matter most.

For families with kids nearing their double-digit years and beyond, when curiosity is high but boredom can creep in. These destinations invite shared discovery and engagement, without feeling chaotic or unsafe.

 

Vietnam rewards curiosity in a way few places do. Street food culture, layered history, and varied landscapes keep kids engaged while wowing parents. It’s active without being exhausting, and educational without feeling like a lesson. The best itineraries mix city life, time in nature, meaningful interaction with local hosts, and a few days by the sea. Stays like Banyan Tree Lăng Cô, Tam Coc Garden, and Azerai La Residence Huế give families space and thoughtful service in distinctly Vietnamese settings.

 

Chile works beautifully for families craving scale and wow factor. From Patagonia to the Atacama, it’s one of the rare places where teenagers put their phones down without being asked. The infrastructure is strong, the guides are excellent, and the landscapes do the heavy lifting. Pair regions with stays like Explora Atacama and The Singular Patagonia, with time in Santiago, for immersive and well-supported exploration.

 

New Zealand is easy in the best way. Safe, outdoors-driven, and ideal for families who want movement baked into each day. Hiking, cycling, time on the water, and wide-open space are balanced by excellent food and thoughtful lodging. Properties like Blanket Bay or Flockhill give families room to spread out while staying deeply connected to this incredible landscape.

Trips designed for clarity and restoration. Easy to navigate alone, grounding rather than stimulating, and supportive of a slower rhythm.

 

Lanzarote is elemental. Volcanic landscapes, striking architecture, and a pace that encourages routine without rigidity. It’s a place to walk, think, and reset. I often base solo travelers at César Lanzarote for beautiful rooms, thoughtful food, inspiring views, and a deep sense of calm.

 

Northern Morocco offers a different beat than the routes most travelers know. Tangier and the northern coast feel creative and reflective, with a softer energy than the country’s more famous circuits. Ideal for solo travelers who want culture, beauty, and space to think. Stays like La Fiermontina Ocean or Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay provide inspiring settings that feel restorative without isolation.

 

Utah is about vastness and quiet. The landscapes recalibrate you almost immediately. For solo travelers, it offers solitude with structure, especially when paired with the right guides and bases. Amangiri or Dunton River Camp work beautifully depending on season and intention.

These are legacy trips. Destinations that hold meaning across ages and create shared reference points long after the return flight.

 

Egypt is unforgettable when done well and offers exceptional value right now. It brings history to life in a way no classroom ever could and works beautifully for larger families traveling together. With the right guides and pacing, it’s seamless and deeply moving. Think time in Cairo, a Nile cruise on a beautiful, intimate vessel, and a finish in the Luxor countryside at Al Moudira.

 

Antarctica is the ultimate shared experience. Few trips level generations in the same way. It’s awe-inducing, humbling, and surprisingly bonding. For families who value education, nature, and perspective, nothing compares. Small-ship, educational expeditions with operators like NatGeo Lindblad or Silversea, paired with thoughtful planning, make all the difference. This is one to plan well ahead—12 months minimum, with 18–24 months being ideal.

 

Scotland works effortlessly for groups. Castles, landscapes, and storytelling resonate across ages, while logistics remain manageable. It’s familiar enough to feel comfortable and rich enough to feel special. It’s also an excellent place to lean into private homes. I often base families in villas like like Kinloch Lodge or experiential hotels like The Fife Arms and Gleneagles for atmosphere and ease.

Places that create space to connect. Calm, adult, and beautifully paced.

 

Dominica is raw and restorative. Jungle, waterfalls, and a slower rhythm that encourages presence. It’s not about being seen; it’s about being together. Secret Bay is the stay---private, nature-immersed, and so calming.

 

The Balearic Islands shine outside peak season. Quiet villages, long lunches, and coastal walking paths create an easy intimacy. Menorca and inland Mallorca feel especially grounded and grown-up, with stays like Son Brull or Torralbenc setting the tone. Formentera is the quietest of them all…and Teranka is where you want to be.

 

Charleston may be the most charming city in the U.S., if you ask me. Walkable, food-focused, historic, and genuinely friendly. Ideal for couples who want culture without complexity. Stay central at The Pinch, or lean into nature just outside the city at The Dunlin…I'd split a stay between the two every time.

As you gather with the people you love, or take a little time for yourself, my wish for you is that you're able to cherish it deeply. Our moments are the most precious thing we have.

 

Wishing you warmth, ease, and a very happy holiday season. Sending you lots of love and chocolate kisses for good measure.