10 Luxury Destinations That Belong on Your Travel Bucket List

In this Persian Gulfside oasis, wealth runneth over in the form of flashy sports cars, modern architecture and man-made islands boasting panoramic views of the ocean and some of the world’s tallest buildings, including the 163-story Burj Khalifa. Start your trip with a business class flight on Emirates for the gold standard of in-flight luxury, including full three-course menus, twinkling star ceilings, and, yes, the famous bar featured in the second Sex and the City movie.

Where to Stay: Atlantis The Royal—which actually dubs itself as the “most ultra-luxury experiential resort in the world”—paid Beyoncé a reported $24 million for a one-hour concert as part of its opening weekend. Needless to say, it was symbolic of the lengths in which this brand-new hotel will take to provide an unforgettably extravagant vacation. The property is home to 17 world-class restaurants, 43 stories of modern suites, a holistic spa, as well as multiple pools with adjacent Bellagio-esque fountains. Cloud 22, a rooftop bar and club area with private cabanas and an oversized infinity pool, offers views of the entire Palm Island and is the building’s crown jewel.

When it comes to Caribbean destinations, the Bahamas is having a major resurgance. Beyond its turquoise water that extends miles beyond its 700 coral islands, the famous vacation spot caters to a luxury clientele in many forms. Visitors can either enjoy the hustle and bustle of Nassau—which boasts five-star hotels, golf courses, and an abundance of ports to charter daily yacht trips—or they can venture to more remote islands like the Exumas, which harbor more private and secluded beachside experiences.

Where to Stay: Opt for an island that’s off the beaten path to really immerse yourself in the beauty of the Bahamas’ sand, sun, and palms. The Abaco Club on Winding Bay stuns with a world-renowned golf course, beautiful beaches, and members of this private club have the ability to rent entire waterside homes for intimate soirees.

Norway is certainly worth adding to your luxury travel bucket list. The Scandinavian country features a wonderful range of topography, so guests can visit pebble-lined beaches, majestic fjords, green-capped mountains, and even plush forests. Its commitment to sustainability and preservation puts nature at the forefront, making it one of the most breathtakingly scenic regions on this list, no matter the season.

Where to Stay: Consider a start in northern city Trondheim at the trendy Britannia Hotel (which also hosts Norway’s most famous Michelin-starred restaurant, Speilsalen) before heading outwards to reside at waterside Naustet Stokkoy. This well-appointed modern lake house boasts a full chef’s kitchen and oversized wooden deck where you can dive for scallops. If the planning is overwhelming, Up Norway specializes in creating individualized itineraries for the luxury traveler and incorporating hidden gems, like the stunning Øyna Cultural Landscape Hotel, which is built into a mountain and camouflaged by surrounding foliage.

There is no shortage of places to explore in Italy. After all, its nickname, Bel Paese, translates to “beautiful country.” One can, of course, find splendor in its range of delicious food—especially when there's a table set among breathtaking backdrops like the sun-drenched valleys of Naples, the canals of Venice, and the cliffside towns of Amalfi Coast. Italy is proof that the notion of luxury can be simple and straightforward if the food and its surroundings are allowed to speak for themselves.

Where to Stay: Rome's Hotel Eden has well-appointed, palace-like interiors that are filled with plush velvet furniture, pleated sconces, and floor-to-ceiling Italian marble. The staff goes above and beyond to make guests feel extra special with monogrammed leather key holders and a Rolls Royce car service. Book a reservation at on-site La Terrazza for what will be, perhaps, the most memorable meal of your trip…and maybe even your life. If you're craving something more low-key, consider the ultra-chic Grand Universe Lucca, which is located in an adorable town square in Tuscany with cobblestone streets and a weekend antique market that puts stateside options to shame.

Located 995 miles off the coast of Kenya, the Seychelles has quickly emerged as the world’s premiere honeymoon destination—and rightfully so. The cluster of islands is so removed from modern civilization that it takes over 18 hours to reach by plane from New York. Aside from the feeling of complete seclusion, guests can go SCUBA diving, snorkel, sail, relax on private beaches, and hike mountains with panoramic views, making it equal parts relaxing and full of vigor.

Where to Stay: The Anantara Maia Seychelles Villas provide unparalleled service with private accommodations, a personal butler, and infinity pools that stretch deep into the steep cliffs that welcome the ocean breeze. Here, you have everything you need to feel relaxed, detached, and then some.

No list of luxury travel destinations would be complete without the inclusion of the Maldives. This South Asian destination is practically synonymous with opulence, known for its overwater bungalows that have visitors become practically one with the emerald ocean beneath them. This is the spot to kick up your legs and enjoy the dazzling crystal-clear water, eat meals with locally foraged ingredients like coconut, tuna, and chilies; and experience world-class, in-room spa treatments.

Where to Stay: No detail has been overlooked at Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa. In fact, the brand-new, word-class resort has been recently been ranked as one of the best in the world with its jaw-dropping architectural beauty and host of amenities like a spa, fitness center, and even a tea lounge—all perched above water teeming with brightly colored tropical fish.

Buenos Aires may be regarded as the Europe of South America, but the country of Argentina, which is larger than Texas and Mexico combined, is chock-full of other appealing areas deserving of fanfare. Natural wonders from massive waterfalls to glaciers can be observed during the day, and you can reward yourself after all your adventures with an incredible steak dinner (an Argentine specialty).

Where to Stay: Wander to wine country and book a stay at SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites. Several rooms come equipped with fully integrated in-room spa features and services, including a steam room, sensations shower, dry sauna, and massage table, so guests can enjoy wine-themed treatments, sip the property’s vino, and take in the sights and sounds of peaceful rural living. You can even book a private seaplane for luxury day and overnight trips to see the aforementioned sights in the Andes Mountains, Esteros del Iberá, and Patagonia.

In our desperate attempt to escape the stresses of everyday life, we sometimes forget the magnificence that can be found in our own backyard. Sure, a flight to Hawaii isn’t quick (at least for East Coasters), but this taste of luxury doesn’t require a passport, making it an ideal option for those who’d rather not go through customs and immigration upon arrival. The benefit of traveling to the Aloha State is the range of exploration — every island is unique, from hip and cosmopolitan Honolulu to Jurassic Park-esque Kauai. You can create a diversified itinerary to see it all, while not skimping on the five-star accommodations that will provide comfort during the off-hours.

Where to Stay: Head to Maui and stay in one of the well-appointed suites or villas at the Fairmont Kea Lani. All are just steps from Polo Beach, where you can observe whales in the winter and sunbathe, snorkel and swim all spring and summer. Don't miss E Ala Ē, a traditional Hawaiian sunrise chant on the resort's beach that helps welcome each new day.

From the lavender fields of Provence to the beaches of Saint-Tropez, it’s no surprise why many Americans fall in love with this romantic country and never want to leave. In fact, the effortless luxury and blasé attitude exuded by locals can be so extreme that you may not even feel worthy at times during your trip.

Where to Stay: The Four Seasons Hotel George V embodies French wealth and prosperity with gold-adorned furniture, light fixtures, and framed paintings fit for, well, a king. Just off the historic Champs-Élysées, the famed hotel’s suites enjoy some of the most impressive views of the Eiffel Tower with shops like Chanel, Dior, and Yves Saint Laurent just a stone’s throw away.

While it is typically billed as an active, nature-filled trip, there are opportunities to explore this otherworldly island in style and comfort. Iceland has quietly emerged as a premiere wellness destination, thanks to its low population, vast uninhabited land, and ability to allow guests to disconnect from the world around them.

Where to Stay: The Retreat sits adjacent to Reykjanes’s famed Blue Lagoon, offering guests private access to the geothermal pools and the spa treatments that can take place in them. Views from rooms provide panoramic views of the ice blue water below, along with the craggy rocks that cradle them. The decor is muted and minimalistic, but calm and inviting, featuring rainfall showers and standalone tubs so guests can pamper themselves in between all the pampering that the hotel does for them.