Where New Yorkers Are Traveling in 2026: Tailor-Made Luxury Vacations Worth Taking

A look at the destinations defining luxury travel for New Yorkers in 2026 from island escapes to alpine retreats, each itinerary crafted for meaning, comfort, and style.
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New Yorkers travel differently. They move fast, work hard, and want their time away to feel effortless. At GHardy Tours, we design tailor-made vacations that turn travel into something meaningful. Every itinerary is private, flexible, and carefully planned by our experts who know how to balance discovery with indulgence.

As 2026 approaches, we’re seeing a clear trend among our New York clients: they want contrast. One trip might be a sun-soaked island escape, another a deep dive into culture or cuisine. Here are five destinations that continue to inspire our travelers, each one crafted for those who expect more from the world.

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Greece: The Quintessential Mediterranean Escape

Few places capture the imagination like Greece. The pace slows, the light softens, and history feels close enough to touch. Our Greek Islands Luxury Itinerary: Crete, Santorini, Mykonos begins in Athens, where you can stroll the narrow streets of Plaka beneath the Acropolis before settling into rooftop dinners and a glass of crisp Assyrtiko wine.

From there, the islands unfold in a rhythm of sea and stone. In Crete, explore Knossos and taste olive oil pressed by hand for generations. Sail by catamaran across the Santorini caldera, watching the cliffs glow pink at sunset. Finish in Mykonos, where whitewashed alleys and seaside cafes set the stage for a private photoshoot or a final swim in the Aegean. Greece remains timeless because it delivers both beauty and simplicity, a perfect reset for city life.

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Stelia Mare Boutique Hotel Greece luxury travel Europe GHardy
Stelia Mare Boutique Hotel, Paros — A serene base for exploring the Greek islands, where whitewashed walls meet endless Aegean blue.

Morocco: The New Frontier of Design and Desert Luxury

 

Morocco is one of the most captivating destinations we offer. It begins with color: the blue alleys of Chefchaouen, the red earth of the Atlas Mountains, the gold of the Sahara at dusk. Our Luxury Morocco Itinerary moves through the country’s many layers, from Tangier’s coastal cafes to Marrakesh’s storied souks.

Guests stay in elegant riads where rose petals scent the air and mint tea is poured in silver. Along the way, cooking classes reveal the rhythm of Moroccan cuisine—slow, sensory, full of spice. Crossing the High Atlas Mountains leads to the silence of Erg Chebbi, where our travelers sleep under a sky thick with stars at a private desert camp. Morocco rewards those who want a journey that feels both exotic and intimate, rich in texture and design.

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Hotel Xaluca Dades — Terracotta tones and Atlas Mountain views create a peaceful pause between the desert and the city.

Peru: Where Culinary Art Meets Ancient Wonder

Peru continues to surprise even the most seasoned travelers. The trip begins in Lima, South America’s culinary capital, where we reserve tables at the city’s most celebrated restaurants. Our Trail and Train Luxury Itinerary then carries travelers through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and onward aboard the Belmond Andean Explorer sleeper train.

Days are filled with adventure—market tours with local chefs, visits to ancient citadels, and scenic rides through the Andes. Evenings bring candlelit dinners, pisco sours, and views that seem to stretch forever. Each stop, from Cusco’s cobblestone streets to Arequipa’s colonial plazas, reveals a different side of Peru’s story. For New Yorkers who want to combine fine dining, culture, and nature, there is nowhere more satisfying.

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Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba — Nestled in the Sacred Valley, this boutique retreat blends Andean tradition with refined comfort and sweeping mountain views.

Japan: Where Precision Meets Peace

Japan feels tailor-made for travelers who value refinement. Every moment is intentional. Our Tokyo to Kyoto Luxury Itinerary moves from modern energy to quiet reflection, capturing the balance that defines Japanese life.

In Tokyo, explore Tsukiji Market with a private guide, taste street food, then learn the art of sushi-making from a master chef. Outside the city, pause at a Zen retreat in Saitama, where meditation and traditional meals slow the pace of time. Continue to Kyoto to walk through the bamboo forests of Arashiyama, visit temples wrapped in cherry blossoms, and stay in the tranquil Six Senses Kyoto. For travelers who seek beauty in simplicity, Japan offers calm without compromise.

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Tokyo skyline at dusk with Mount Fuji in the distance — the city’s glowing tower and mountain backdrop capture Japan’s blend of energy and calm.

Switzerland: Winter Luxury for the City That Never Slows Down

When the temperature drops, many of our New York clients head for Switzerland. Our Luxury Festive Zermatt & Zurich Ski Itinerary blends alpine adventure with warm hospitality. Days begin with fresh snow and the Matterhorn rising in the distance, followed by private ski guiding and long lunches at on-mountain restaurants known as much for their cuisine as for their views.

Evenings are spent by the fire at Chalet Hotel Schönegg, where dinner is paired with mountain air and a glass of Swiss wine. Guests can cross into Italy for a day’s skiing or celebrate New Year’s Eve under the stars at Zermatt’s village square. The trip ends in Zurich, where luxury shopping, riverside walks, and the scent of chocolate fill the city’s winter air.

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A mountaintop spa in the Swiss Alps — warm water, crisp air, and glacier views that turn winter into pure indulgence.

Let Us Plan Your 2026 Luxury Vacation

Each of these journeys reflects what our New York travelers value most: ease, authenticity, and experiences that feel personal. Whether it’s sailing the Greek islands, exploring Morocco’s deserts, dining in the Andes, or skiing beneath the Matterhorn, our team at GHardy Tours designs travel that goes beyond the expected.

Your next journey should feel effortless from the start. Let us take care of every detail so you can focus on what matters most—being there.

Start planning your 2026 journey →

Meet Our Travel Designers

Every trip begins with a vision and a conversation. These are the people who bring both to life for our travelers.

Melina Mancini

Vice President, Sales

Melina has been at the heart of client experience at GHardy Tours since 2004, bringing global travel expertise and boundless energy to every itinerary. She began her career studying Italian language and culture in Siena as part of the University of Western Ontario’s first study abroad program, later moving to Madrid to teach business English to clients such as the European Commission. After years working across Europe, she returned to Canada to join GHardy Tours, where her understanding of group logistics and attention to detail have become legendary. Fluent in Italian and passionate about discovering new destinations, Melina remains the first point of contact for most of our travelers—and the steady hand guiding them from first idea to final itinerary.

Kathleen Hardy

Vice President, Product Development & Luxury Experiences

Navigator of extraordinary travel experiences.
Kathleen leads luxury itinerary design at GHardy Tours, combining her deep destination knowledge with a talent for creating one-of-a-kind journeys. A former corporate communications executive, she now channels her storytelling and organizational skills into crafting imaginative itineraries for institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum, cultural groups, and luxury families. With a background in History and English from Queen’s University, Kathleen’s curiosity and creativity shine through every program she designs. She lives for those perfect travel moments—family dinners overlooking the Aegean, sunrise hikes in Utah, sailing through the Greek islands—and she brings that same sense of wonder to every client’s adventure.

Itineraries Designed to Inspire

Let these curated journeys spark ideas—each fully customizable to your interests, pace, and style.

Morocco Itinerary: Luxury

Gibralter, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, Erg Chebbi Desert, Ouarzazate, Marrakesh, Casablanca
From
$7,000
USD/PP

Japan Itinerary: Tokyo to Kyoto

Tokyo, Saitama, Hakone, Kyoto
From
$7,000
USD/PP

Greek Islands Luxury Itinerary: Crete, Santorini, Mykonos

Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos
From
$9,495
USD/PP

Peru Itinerary: Trail and Train Tour

Lima, Sacred Valley, Macchu Picchu, Cusco, Andean Explorer Luxury Train from Cusco-Puno-Arequipa
From
$8,000
USD/PP

Ready to Plan Your Custom Luxury Vacation?

Your journey deserves to be as unique as you are. G Hardy Tours specializes in creating tailor-made itineraries that turn your dream trip into reality.

Contact us today to start planning your next custom luxury vacation.

About Georgia Hardy Tours

Georgia Hardy Tours is a family-owned and operated travel company based in mid-town Toronto. While still a Canadian leader in student travel, it has expanded to also offer specialty tours and bespoke, tailor-made adventures around the globe, for families, cultured travellers, museum groups and anyone looking to feed their wanderlust.