And how they’re already shaping my 2026 plans
As I move into 2026, I’ve been reflecting on my 2025 travels — not in a highlight-reel way, but more in a what actually held up way. The trips that raised the bar, the places that delivered beyond expectation, and the experiences I still reference when clients ask, “What really stood out?”
At the same time, my 2026 calendar is already filling in quickly — and these experiences are very much shaping what I’m excited about next. Consider this a personal short list: the stays, meals, and moments that genuinely earned their place.
Best Girls’ Trip
San Miguel de Allende + Mexico City
This is an exceptionally good pairing for a girls’ trip — stylish, social, and surprisingly easy to pace. We stayed at Rosewood San Miguel de Allende in a four-bedroom suite, which immediately set the tone. It’s the kind of setup that makes mornings slow, sunsets mandatory, and staying in just as appealing as going out.
San Miguel brings charm, color, and an artsy, romantic feel. Then Mexico City adds depth — one of the best food cities in the world, strong design energy, and a sense of scale that keeps things interesting. Together, it feels celebratory without tipping into chaos, which is harder to find than it sounds.
Destination That Set the Standard
Fiji
Fiji didn’t just win — it reset expectations.
We planned this as my birthday trip, starting with a few days just with my husband before friends joined us at Six Senses Fiji. We rented a six-bedroom beachfront villa with a private pool, and from there, the rhythm of the trip took over. Ocean swims, long meals, barefoot everything, and that distinctly Fijian warmth that immediately lowers your baseline stress level.
The snorkeling and diving were unreal — an underwater world of rainbow-colored coral, schools of fish moving in every direction, and visibility that made it feel like you were swimming through a living aquarium. It’s the kind of place where you don’t need to be a hardcore diver to be completely blown away. Seashell hunting was a daily ritual and each shell I found seemed more beautiful than the last.
Most Cinematic Hotel Pairing
Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como is often over-romanticized, which makes it even more impressive when it actually delivers.
Passalacqua is intimate, design-driven, and quietly exceptional — terraced gardens, layered interiors, and service that’s polished without being performative. Grand Hotel Tremezzo brings contrast: bolder, more iconic, with lake views that feel almost theatrical.
Together, they work incredibly well — private and refined on one end, classic Como glamour on the other.
Most Memorable Meal of the Year
COMO Laucala Island, Fiji
This wasn’t just a great dinner — it was a masterclass in how thoughtful hospitality creates memory. I could write an entire post just on the meals we ate here.
At COMO Laucala Island, the team set up a private dinner on the pier: candlelight, ocean in every direction, three musicians playing just for us. Earlier that day, the chef sat down with us to talk through exactly what we were in the mood for. The result was a completely personalized feast — fresh fish, lobster, sushi, vibrant salads — executed flawlessly.
It felt intentional, unforced, and deeply well done. That’s rare.
Runner-Up Dining Moment
Mexico City
Dinner at Parole is less about the food and more about the experience — and that’s not a critique. Music, performers moving through the space, energy building throughout the night. By the end, the room feels more like a celebration than a restaurant.
It’s a perfect snapshot of Mexico City’s creative confidence and willingness to blur lines.
Island That Surprised Me Most
Anguilla
Anguilla is exactly what people hope the Caribbean will feel like — and often doesn’t.
Slow, polished, friendly, and anchored by one of the strongest food scenes in the region. We stayed at Malliouhana and Four Seasons Resort, and next time, Cap Juluca, A Belmond Hotel is firmly on my list.
It’s also far easier to reach than many expect — fly into Anguilla or St. Martin, then a short boat transfer. Renting a Moke and spending at least one day on the water are non-negotiable.
Best Hike (With a Payoff)
Algarve Coast, Portugal
The Seven Hanging Valleys Trail delivers exactly what you want from a coastal hike: dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and views that don’t require imagination.
We paired it with kayaking into sea caves and had a cliffside walking path directly from our hotel, which elevated the entire experience. It’s active, scenic, and very worth the effort.
Hotel Stay of the Year
COMO Laucala Island, Fiji
This stay is going to be difficult to top. Como Laucala is what dreams are made of.
Our private villa had a pool, private beach access, expansive indoor-outdoor living, and complete privacy. Everything was included — from Michelin-level meals and a minibar stocked to our preferences, to experiences like horseback riding through the ocean and a private snorkel trip followed by a chef-prepared lunch on an untouched beach.
It’s not flashy luxury. It’s considered, seamless, and exceptionally well executed.
Flight That Actually Impressed Me
Fiji Airways Business Class
Fiji Airways stood out for all the right reasons: genuinely attentive service and food that feels intentional rather than obligatory. Business class dining is à la carte — dishes like smoked edamame, curried squash soup, and perfectly cooked shrimp with vegetables — and it’s one of the rare flights where the meal feels like part of the experience, not something to get through.
Flight Moment That Stuck
Delta One to Hawaii
One of my favorite moments of the year was getting to treat a close friend to her first Delta One flight to Hawaii on Delta. Watching someone experience that level of comfort for the first time never gets old — and it reinforces why thoughtful planning actually matters.
Maui by Helicopter
A helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is one of those experiences that fully earns the hype. Waterfalls, ridgelines, coastline — all seen from a perspective that completely reframes the landscape. Add music in your headset and it feels cinematic in the best way.
As I look ahead to 2026, these experiences are very much shaping what I’m excited about — for myself and for my clients. If any of these sparked an idea, a question, or a we should talk about this moment, I’m always happy to start that conversation.