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Luxury trains, cruises and experiences to try in 2026

Sep 26, 2025

Luxury travel in 2026 is about depth, discovery, and the quiet thrill of experiences few others will have. The rush of “see everything, do everything” is giving way to journeys that linger – where the route itself becomes part of the story, and every stop is intentional.

At RASK, our philosophy is simple: we plan journeys we would take ourselves. Every itinerary we choose is considered, every stop purposeful, every detail checked, double-checked, and then refined. We spend years building relationships with operators, hotels, and guides so our clients gain access to experiences that feel effortless and personal – a table at a restaurant before it opens, a private carriage on a train, a chef who remembers your favourite wine.

Take Jonas’ recent adventure aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham, from Cusco to Machu Picchu. This isn’t your quiet, stuffy train ride – it’s part luxury carriage, part moving celebration. Jonas remembers clinking glasses on the observation car, watching the Andean landscape unfurl: terraced hillsides, rushing rivers, and villages tucked into the mountains. Local ingredients star in the onboard meals, from perfectly spiced ceviche to pisco cocktails served with a view, while the interiors – polished wood, plush seating, and small cabins – make it feel intimate without ever being fussy.

This is the kind of thinking that guides every RASK itinerary. Luxury travel isn’t about speed or scale; it’s about perspective, story, and access. Whether it’s the slow glamour of a legendary train, the intimacy of a small-ship cruise along rivers and oceans less travelled, or a bespoke experience crafted for one client or one family – from private after-hours tours to immersive culinary journeys – we ensure every journey delivers moments that linger long after the suitcase is unpacked.

From rails to rivers to rare experiences, here are some of the journeys we can’t stop thinking about. And, if you have your eyes on any of them too, we recommend getting in touch sooner rather than later, as routes are rare, occupancy is limited, and itineraries start booking out early.

1. The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train

We’ve been obsessed with this journey for years, and it’s easy to see why. The Eastern & Oriental Express carries fewer than 80 guests through landscapes that feel almost cinematic: UNESCO-listed George Town in Penang, dreamlike Langkawi Island, and the magnificent Perlis Geopark, among other hidden gems. Every cabin is intimate, every detail intentional – from polished wood interiors to crisp linens and 24-hour steward service that somehow makes the world feel a little smaller, and infinitely more luxurious (there’s even a Dior Spa onboard).

This isn’t just a train ride. It’s three nights of luxury accommodation, including all meals: daily four-course dinners with seasonal menus, continental breakfasts in your cabin, three-course lunches, afternoon tea, and a selection of house wines, spirits, and local beers. You’ll also enjoy curated excursions – cultural walks in George Town, wellness experiences in Perlis Geopark, and unique activities on Penang Island – all designed to showcase the region beyond what any guidebook can offer.

Availability is intentionally limited, with November dates currently open and December–January slots already filling fast. This is one of those journeys where moving slowly feels like the only way to travel – and one we can’t stop recommending.

2. Four Seasons Yachts

We’re seriously excited about this one – and not just because it’s our beloved Four Seasons. The brand-new fleet of luxury yachts launches in 2026, redefining small-ship cruising across Europe and the Caribbean. From the sun-drenched Mediterranean to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, these itineraries are for travellers who prefer quality over quantity, with no crowds, no chaos, just the destinations in their purest form. Fewer than 50 guests per yacht means privacy, perspective, and service that actually remembers your name. Cabins are sleek and serene, public spaces are elegant but never ostentatious, and the whole experience is curated so that every moment feels considered rather than contrived.

Routes span 5–7 nights and hit all the sweet spots: the Dalmatian coast from Dubrovnik to Split, Amalfi’s cliffside villages and hidden Italian ports, Santorini and Mykonos, or Caribbean hideaways like St. Barts, Antigua, and the British Virgin Islands. Excursions are included and handpicked – private walking tours of UNESCO-listed towns, sunset sails in secret bays, and culinary experiences you’ll still be talking about months later.

Availability begins in March 2026, and given the size of the fleet, early booking is non-negotiable. This isn’t just cruising; it’s the way small-ship travel should feel: considered, intimate, and, frankly, irresistible.

3. Aman Private Jet Expeditions

We’re completely captivated by this one. From 11 October to 1 November 2026, only 18 guests will join Aman’s Around the World in Three Continents private jet expedition, and frankly, that’s part of the charm. Spanning three continents in 21 nights, it’s the kind of journey that leaves the usual “see everything quickly” trips for dead.

The route reads like a bucket list on steroids: sake tastings and geisha-led experiences in Kyoto, the prided beaches of Palawan in the Philippines, Borobudur’s UNESCO-listed temples in Indonesia, Maldives island life with yacht excursions and dolphin-spotting, Dubai’s architectural marvels, Venice’s palazzo-lined canals, and Marrakech’s spice-filled souks. Each stop is deliberately chosen for culture, scenery, and that rare sense of being somewhere few others will tread.

Aman handles everything. From private transfers to curated excursions and in-flight service, the experience is seamless, intimate, and deeply considered. There’s no rushing, no crowds, just a small group of like-minded travellers moving through the world with intention – exactly the kind of adventure we live for at RASK.

But this isn’t just a one-off, Aman have a range of private jet expeditions to tickle your fancy. 13-nights across South East Asia, and a journey so wonderful, ‘The Grandest Tour’ was the only name suitable – taking guests from Japan to Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan before landing at the superb Amanzoe in Greece’s Peloponnese region.

4. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train

We can’t resist the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. There’s a reason it’s the world’s most iconic train: from the moment you step aboard, the polished wood, Art Deco details, and attentive service make you feel like you’ve stepped into a bygone era – one where glamour ruled. Our highlight? Watching the Alps glide by over a perfectly poured glass of Champagne in the observation car while the dining car prepares a multi-course dinner worthy of a Michelin menu.

The train travels from London to Venice (or Paris to Istanbul on longer routes), with carefully curated stops along the way. Expect private guided walks, local culinary experiences, and scenery that demands your full attention – rolling vineyards, Alpine peaks, and villages that feel frozen in time. Cabins are intimate, service is impeccable, and the entire journey has that rare sense of theatre where every detail feels considered.

Belmond just gets it right. We recently wrote about the brand-new Britannic Explorer and its inaugural journeys through the UK, but let’s be honest – we’d happily recommend every single one of their trains and journeys.

5. Private Charters by Les Bateaux Belmond

Drifting through France aboard Les Bateaux Belmond is the kind of travel that makes you rethink “luxury.” Each boat has its own character – some boast heated pools, others are adorned with antiques and murals, and one even has a grand piano – but every vessel shares the same quiet elegance. Cabins are spacious and thoughtfully detailed, bathrooms gleam, and technology is seamlessly woven into comfort. Most boats accommodate between 8 and 22 guests, making them perfect for private celebrations with family, friends, or colleagues.

The itineraries read like a dream for anyone who loves to linger. Glide along the Rhône from Lyon to St. Jean, or meander from Avignon to Sète, past vineyards producing France’s rarest vintages. Hop off to sample artisan cheeses, hunt for truffles, or explore markets brimming with local treasures. From Narbonne to Burgundy, each journey blends scenery, culture, and epicurean delights into a narrative entirely your own.

Food is central to the experience. Michelin-starred Chef Dominique Crenn, newly appointed Culinary Curator onboard, has crafted menus that evolve with the regions – Champagne, Burgundy, and the South of France. Guests can tailor meals, join a cooking class, or enjoy a picnic in a sun-drenched vineyard or beneath the walls of a grand château. It’s indulgence without excess, and adventure without chaos.

Here, the pace is deliberate, the pleasures tangible, and every moment feels effortless and unforgettable. Private, intimate, and endlessly adaptable, these charters are ideal for marking a milestone or simply taking over a slice of France for a few days.

6. Four Seasons Private Jet

Aboard a fully custom Airbus A321, the Four Seasons Private Jet delivers a level of luxury few travellers will ever experience. Every detail is widely considered: a dedicated journey team coordinates logistics, in-flight menus are crafted by an Executive Chef, alongside each destination’s Four Seasons culinary team, and service anticipates every possible need.

This is not just a journey by plane – it’s a curated globe-spanning adventure, combining private jet travel with stays in the world’s most exceptional Four Seasons hotels and resorts In Africa, witness wildlife up close; in Asia, explore remote cultural wonders; in Europe, uncover historic cities; and in the Pacific, indulge in turquoise waters and island escapes. At each stop, private guides, exclusive access, and carefully curated experiences ensure you see and feel what most visitors miss – from behind-the-scenes tours to quiet moments of discovery in world-class resorts.

Each day has its own rhythm: a sunrise over a far-flung coastline, a private cultural encounter, a leisurely dinner inspired by local flavours, then back aboard the jet for a seamless transfer to the next destination. The pace is measured, the experiences immersive, and the luxury entirely effortless. Itineraries for 2026 are booking fast, and with such limited seats, early reservations are essential.

7. The Oberoi Zahra, Luxury Nile Cruiser

The Oberoi Zahra is the kind of Nile cruise that makes you forget you’re on a boat at all. With just 27 staterooms and two suites, it’s intimate, quiet, and effortlessly elegant. The recent renovation has brought a fresh sense of luxury – think marble lobbies, hardwood floors, glossy bathrooms, and panoramic windows in every cabin. Locally sourced rugs and decorative accents pay homage to Egypt’s artistry, giving the interiors a quietly sophisticated personality.

What truly sets the Oberoi Zahra apart is the precision of the experience. Every party has a dedicated Egyptologist guide and driver throughout the cruise, and private docking privileges at every port mean you explore temples and tombs while other cruise lines wait on the quay. Visits are timed to avoid crowds, so you’ll see the Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple, and Luxor’s monuments at a pace that allows for real discovery.

Onboard, luxury is thoughtful rather than theatrical. The rooftop sun deck has the largest pool on the Nile, heated and inviting, with a bar and loungers for long afternoons watching the river drift by. The spa’s couple’s treatment room offers panoramic views, and the gym is spacious enough for several guests at once. Dining is elegant and individualised – no group seating, menus that blend Egyptian, Indian, and international dishes, and service that’s attentive without being intrusive.

The shape of luxury travel in 2026 is clear: smaller, more deliberate, and unmistakably personal. It’s about selecting experiences that feel effortless yet exclusive, whether that’s a hidden corner of a historic city, a private balcony over the Nile, or a sunlit cabin on a legendary train.

These journeys move fast – not in pace, but in popularity. Limited cabins, curated access, and meticulously timed experiences mean early planning is essential for those who want priority access to the world’s most coveted itineraries.

For travellers who demand more than just a trip, 2026 promises journeys with depth, intimacy, and perspective. For enquiries, get in touch or send an email to info@rasktravel.com.