Three luxury travel experiences for 2026
Here are three exclusive travel experiences for an unforgettable holiday – from a flying visit of Bavaria’s royal castles to ringing in the New Year in the Maldives.
New Year in the Maldives
Join Pixie Lott in the Maldives this Christmas. The British pop star will be performing on New Year's Eve at the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau as part of the resort's "12 Pearls of the Ocean" programme of festivities. Each "pearl" is a day of activities and entertainment following a theme, starting with the lighting of the Christmas tree on 22 December. Santa arrives by boat on Christmas Day, the "Pearl of Champagne" features an exclusive yacht cruise with Champagne, while the Pearl of Play takes the form of a lively lagoon party and a moonlit dinner by the sea. At midnight on New Year's Eve, the sky above Maamunagau will be illuminated with fireworks and a drone display to see in 2027. In tandem with the "12 Pearls of the Ocean", guests can also learn about marine life with British artist and diver Janavi Kramer or enjoy a treatment in the spa, where wellness practitioner Braj Raj Singh will be taking up residence.
From around $1,500 a night, maldives.intercontinental.com.
Live like a local in Munich
Have you ever wished you could experience a place the way the locals do? Kempinski, Europe’s oldest luxury hospitality company, has launched a programme to achieve just that. Called E.R.A.s, which stands for Experience Real Access, guests staying at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Munich can undertake a literal flying visit of Bavaria’s royal castles aboard a private flight, guided by two historians. There is, as part of the programme, also a hosted dinner with live music in the royal halls of the Nymphenburg Palace. Alternatively, guests can brush up on their skills as painters, discover Bavaria's famous beers and the region's automotive heritage. Or they can take the plunge – into the Eisbach canal, guided by a Wim-Hof expert and go for a morning run with legendary German former footballer Lothar Matthäus.
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E.R.A experiences from €130 per person, kempinski.com.
Starry nights in Northumberland
Matfen Hall's location on the edge of the International Dark Sky Park in Northumberland makes it the ideal luxury stay for enjoying starry nights in Britain. The area offers some of Europe's clearest night skies. The wild and rugged Northumberland National Park is also just a 25-minute drive away from the hotel, encompassing around 400 square miles of untouched landscape, tranquil rivers and sweeping moorland close to the Cheviot Hills. But if the nights prove too brisk, you don't even have to leave the comfort of your room – the spacious suites have their own telescopes. Within the Dark Sky Park, the Kielder Observatory will also be hosting stargazing activities. Afterwards, warm up in Matfen Hall's three AA Rosette The Emerald Restaurant.
From £350 a night, matfenhall.com.
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