It’s an image that stops you scrolling every time: travellers submerged in the milky geothermal waters of Iceland’s iconic Blue Lagoon. This Nordic retreat offers unbridled access to the world-famous wellness destination, but without the crowds.

Is Florida entering her redemption era? It’s possible. With several creative initiatives for disabled travellers taking hold, the Sunshine State may be moving towards its most accessible chapter yet. The question is: will it open the door to wider inclusion along the way?

Commanding standout views across Vancouver Harbour and the surrounding coastal mountains, and home to the city’s first rooftop garden, Fairmont Waterfront is a natural choice for anyone looking to immerse themselves in one of Canada’s most liveable and diverse cities.

In the southern Masai Mara – close to where the Great Migration enters Kenya, yet with a respectful distance – Sala’s Camp delivers a timeless safari experience, complete with game drives to see the Big Five and sundowners in the bush.

In today’s Experientialist, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our latest issue: It’s a London Thing. Spotlighting the British city’s leading cultural figures and top hotels, this issue also extends to Chile, Japan, Australia and beyond – plenty to keep your mind travelling this January.

Bordering Santiago’s artsy Lastarria district, this 20th-century mansion was reawakened in 2016 as the city’s first ‘experience hotel’. Its contemporary Chilean restaurant and prime location speak to foodies and culture-seekers in equal measure.

On a postcard-worthy stretch of sand in Turks and Caicos, Wymara delivers all the polish you’d expect from a luxury resort, with the ambience of a private coastal retreat and a genuine commitment to sustainability.

As we open our gates to a new year of travel, we look at ten of what we think are the most important luxury travel trends that don't chase noise, but surface need... gleaned from real conversations with travellers moving through the world with intention. www.outthere.travel/2026-luxury-...

For sun worshippers seeking a calm and considered base to experience the Costa del Sol’s most talked-about enclave, ME Marbella steps in like a breath of fresh Andalusian air.

On the slopes of the Dassenberg mountains in Franschhoek, the 19th-century manor house Leeu Estates delivers all the hallmarks of a modern luxury hideaway, complete with exceptional wine tasting experiences and vinotherapy-style spa treatments.

Artist and Charleston cultural ambassador Jonathan Green meets OutThere to talk reclamation, sexuality, and growing up in the Gullah community – one of the most culturally distinctive African American populations in the US.

Few cities test the senses like Kathmandu, which is why having a restorative base to return to is essential. With its luxurious amenities and commitment to preserving Nepal’s cultural heritage, the Dwarika’s Hotel fits the bill.

Once the only five-star hotel in Val Thorens, Europe’s highest ski resort, Altapura still holds its own in a fast-expanding luxury landscape, retaining a fun, funky edge. Layered with modern comforts, it makes for a perfect Christmas base.

Does the thought of skiing fill you with dread? You’re not alone. In his latest edition of The Layover, avowed non-skier Zack Cahill shares some of his favourite alternative winter escapes that don’t require risking life, limb, or Lycra.

Tierra Atacama is an oasis of local culture and desert-modernist design. Recently reawakened after a $20-million facelift, its 28 rooms and plunge pools provide welcome respite after a day exploring one of the driest landscapes on Earth.

Experience living like a local in the North Side neighbourhood of Andersonville, with your own spacious apartment at the Guesthouse Hotel Chicago. This charming bolthole places you just steps from a mix of award-winning restaurants, craft breweries, and lifestyle businesses.

AI can now research destinations, compare prices, build itineraries, and book entire trips in a matter of seconds. It’s undeniably impressive. But if machines can now do most of the thinking, how much space remains for human judgement and connection? The Experientialist® weighs in.

Serra Cafema is your wild-at-heart launchpad for exploring Namibia’s far north. Operated by Wilderness, this sumptuous desert lodge folds travellers into their surroundings with a rich programme of guided excursions and respectful cultural encounters with the local Himba community.

Writer, speaker, and accessibility advocate Carrie-Ann Lightley has spent over two decades travelling the world solo as a wheelchair user. Here’s where she thinks the tourism industry can improve in 2026.

For travellers seeking Bali ‘as it used to be’, your best bet is to opt for a base that sits beyond the island’s most popular destinations. One such idyllic base is Samsara Ubud, a 17-villa, LGBT-owned rainforest resort, just 25 minutes from the island’s spiritual centre.

Hôtel Le Coucou moves beyond the familiar alpine luxury formula, bringing the French Alps a welcome dose of character and quirk. Its comfortable suites, restorative spa, and choice of three restaurants set the perfect scene for post-slope relaxation.

The OutThere elves have issued their festive decree: fewer things and more experiences this Christmas. For this year’s gift guide, our team has combed the world for some of the best experiential gifts that promise connection, curiosity and, of course, a sprinkling of luxury.

For our new issue, It’s a London Thing, OutThere travelled to Australia’s Red Centre – while there, we savoured uninterrupted views of Uluru alongside Michelin-quality dining at boutique desert camp Longitude 131º. Find the full story in our latest issue, available online and on newsstands now.

Go beyond borders with The It’s a London Thing Issue, an ode to our hometown. We also venture out to Ubud, Mykonos, Uluru, the Atacama Desert and Okinawa in search of escapism. Get your copy today, from newsstands or online: www.outthere.travel/product/outthere-the-its-a-london-thing-issue

A peppy, party-minded base in Marylebone, The BoTree layers lifestyle attitude with the service standards of a five-star establishment. Dine at the hotel’s Lavo restaurant for Italian cooking done exceptionally well, then descend to the basement nightclub to shake a tail feather.

With its upcoming experience, ‘The Queen’s Lost Diamonds’, ultra-luxury travel agency Ariodante Travel is inviting a select few to unravel one of France’s most intriguing conspiracies in a first-of-its-kind immersive investigation.

An 80-villa resort in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Baa Atoll, Anantara Kihavah promises a quintessential island-life experience, enriched by an underwater restaurant, spa on stilts, and the world’s single largest two-bedroom overwater villa. @visitmaldives.bsky.social

With just a dozen adobe-built suites inspired by pre-Incan architecture, Awasi Atacama places guests within reach of one of the world’s most extraordinary landscapes.

“Get some fresh air” was perhaps the first piece of ‘wellness’ advice we were all given as children, and apparently… not the worst. This December, Finland’s Octola Private Wilderness will launch its second resort, which promises to boost longevity by giving guests access to ultra-clean air.

Little Kulala serves as a tranquil, design-forward base for exploring the otherworldly landscapes of Namibia’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Namib Sand Sea, complete with sustainable cuisine and pulse-raising adventure activities.

Gran Canaria just levelled up: luxury, inclusivity, big flavour, big views. Hedonism + heritage = the perfect island mix. 🏝️✨

Back for a second year, WTM London’s DEAI Summit assembled some of the travel industry’s most influential voices to reclaim a principle that has been twisted, politicised, and pushed off-course in recent years.

Hugging the estuary in the Basque Country’s de facto capital, Axel Bilbao is a stylish base for exploring the city’s cultural treasures and queer nightlife scene. After a day of pintxo hunting and gallery hopping, the hotel’s rooftop pool offers a refreshing (and flirty) respite.

Styled after a traditional Ryukyu village, with single-storey villas edged by coral stone walls and red-tiled roofs, Hoshinoya Taketomi Island translates the soul of its remote Okinawan setting into a stay that feels deeply rooted in place. @visitjapan.bsky.social

Housed in a set of restored townhouses in Spitalfields, Batty Langley’s welcomes you into a world of Georgian splendour. Sink into its plush rooms, claim a spot in the library for an hour, and mix yourself something strong from the ever-tempting honesty bar. www.outthere.travel/batty-langle...

What does it take to rank among The World’s 50 Best Hotels 2025? This year’s edition of the showcase revealed that travellers are looking past the polish and towards culture, communities, and stories that lie beyond hotel walls.

While much of Mykonos has succumbed to “Cycladic clone chic” – all whitewashed cuboids with infinity pools – Mykonos Theoxenia stands apart, proudly embracing its 60s modernist roots from its perch beside the island’s iconic windmills. @visitgreece.bsky.social

As one of the first resorts to grace Moorea – the second-largest of French Polynesia’s Windward Islands, after Tahiti – this Sofitel resort serves as an idyllic base for honeymooners and anyone drawn to its postcard-perfect serenity. @sofitel.bsky.social

In recent years, the cuisines of the African diaspora have proudly claimed their place in mainstream Parisian gastronomy. In honour of Black History Month, let’s meet the chefs leading the charge.

Traversing the wild corners of rural Canada calls for somewhere warm and welcoming to return to, and Hotel Zed Tofino fits the bill. Proudly Rainbow Registered and brimming with colour, quirk, and youthful energy, it’s the perfect home base for discovering Vancouver Island. @hotelzed.bsky.social

Days at Nayara Gardens swing between exhilaration and perfect calm. One moment you’re gliding through the canopy on the world’s longest jungle zip-line, the next, you’re melting away stress in a plunge pool with views of Costa Rica’s majestic Arenal Volcano. @visitcostarica.bsky.social

Goldmoor Inn leans into its romantic, schloss-like charm, yet what truly sets the 18-suite guesthouse apart are its quality comforts, acclaimed restaurant, and location in this seriously scenic spot just minutes from Galena, the crown jewel of northwest Illinois. @enjoyillinois.bsky.social

There’s something wonderfully full-circle about visiting Stockholm through the lens of ABBA. This is the city that helped launch the pop group into global fame, after all, and it still wears that legacy with pride. Here we’ve gathered the must-visit ABBA landmarks for visiting fans.

This ultra-luxe urban resort is the buzz amongst OutThere travellers in Bangkok, thanks to its dreamy riverside setting, Michelin-starred dining, and tailored cultural experiences. It’s no surprise it took the No. 1 spot at The World’s 50 Best Hotels Awards 2024.

Etched into Oia’s volcanic cliffs, Andronis Boutique Hotel distils the spirit of Santorini at its most sophisticated. Its cave-carved suites spill down the caldera, offering private plunge pools and front row seats to the island’s world-famous sunsets. @visitgreece.bsky.social

As funding cuts continue to impact marginalised voices in the arts, these queer artist residencies – each set in scenic, rural regions in Switzerland, Italy, and the UK – are emerging as sanctuaries for resistance and restoration.

Occupying one of the city’s most iconic Art Deco landmarks, Pendry Chicago feels like a conversation between two eras: the roaring twenties that gave birth to its gilded walls and the modern twenties that have restored their sparkle for a new generation of travellers. @pendryhotels.bsky.social

Japan’s first Edition hotel is a playground of modern indulgence. Housed in the upper floors of the Tokyo World Gate tower, the hotel pulls in a fun-loving crowd with its sociable public spaces and minimalist rooms with some of the best views in the city. @editionhotels.bsky.social

Many hopeless romantics find themselves content with the endless charms of Thailand’s capital, but it always pays to have a few nearby escapes on standby for when you need to sweep someone off their feet. From queer-popular coves to ancient towns, here are some of our favourites.

Relais & Châteaux Hotel Bülow Palais puts you near the centre of Dresden’s ornately preserved Baroque Quarter, while providing a haven from its well-trodden streets. A cigar room and acclaimed restaurant are just some of the indulgences that await behind its storied walls.