Welcome Beyond’s 2026 Travel Wish List
Welcome Beyond unveils its 2026 Holiday Wish List - a considered curation of one-of-a-kind places to stay aligned with three travel trends set to define some of the year ahead’s most coveted journeys.
From architecturally striking retreats with wood-fired saunas immersed in nature, to European hideaways ideal to visit, not just in summer, but year round, the collection celebrates destinations designed for deep rest, local immersion and reconnection. Some stays champion slow travel: days shaped by seasonal rituals, locally rooted experiences and a meaningful relationship with nature, while others are ideally located to tempt travellers outside of peak summer months.
Welcome Beyond is a collection of hand-picked small hotels and holiday rentals that are truly original and reflect their owners’ passion for distinctive architecture and design. Each is singular, memorable and definitely worth writing home about.
1. Sauna Fever
Finland’s sauna culture is going global and 2026 looks set to see even more community saunas take over London and other European cities. Health-seekers look to the benefits of regular sauna use, including improved mental health, reduced symptoms of depression, even a lowered risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as the social benefits of a shared sauna session with friends and community.
Where to stay: For those looking to embrace this natural high on holiday, two properties with write-home-about saunas with a view make it onto our list -
Pension Leuchtenburg, South Tyrol, Italy
A small farmhouse-turned-hotel with 12 rooms, located on Lake Caldaro. On the lower floor, the Finnish sauna is housed within what was an old taverna built from porphyry stone and enjoys a peaceful lakeside view and an expansive arched ceiling. There’s also a communal living room where guests can connect pre and post sauna, and a room for yoga and meditation. There are plentiful hiking trails amongst the wineries and apple orchards of the lakeshore and forested mountains surrounding the hotel, and Bolzano, Merano and Lake Garda are all easily accessible.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Pension Leuchtenburg from £207, based on two sharing. Rates include a delicious breakfast, dinner at the restaurant, access to the private meadow on the lake, bio sauna, Finnish sauna, free paddle boat and standup paddle rental and yoga classes. Minimum stay 1-3 nights depending on dates.
Iceland Escape, Iceland
Two intimate new lodges with a minimalist interior of warm woods, clean lines and carefully chosen objects. This is a space in harmony with Iceland’s vast, ever changing landscape. Iceland Escape lies on Iceland’s South Coast, directly facing the Vestmannaeyjar Islands and just 10 minutes from Seljalandsfoss waterfall. Each lodge has its own Nordic outdoor hot tub and private free-standing glass-walled sauna overlooking pristine nature.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Iceland Escape from £685. Each lodge sleeps two.
2. Nature Immersion
As more people seek restorative experiences to counterbalance the stresses of modern life and digital overload, travellers are prioritising deeper connections with the natural world. Outdoor activities such as forest bathing and hiking, which nourish both mental and physical wellbeing, are shaping travel itineraries. Accommodation that allows guests to truly feel immersed in nature stands out.
Where to stay: These properties were designed to cultivate connection with nature from their very inception - and to provide truly beautiful shelter to boot -
Portal Village, Transylvania, Romania
Portal Village is a contemporary adults-only eco-village retreat that redefines travel objectives. It’s a relaxed, free-spirited place to connect with nature, your partner and your inner self within the simplicity of a natural environment. “Sun” and “Moon” bungalows are set secluded in the forest, close to the UNESCO-listed village of Sibiel, and offer minimalist design and huge windows allowing guests to connect to nature, the sun and the moon as well as the starry sky, even before stepping outdoors.
The natural environment here fosters innovation and creativity. Guests can absorb it through forest bathing experiences, foraging, gardening and hiking, before a long soak in the secluded forest hot tub.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Portal Village from £115, based on two sharing and including breakfast.
Alpine Farmstead, Savinjska, Slovenia
An abandoned farm turned into a truly one of a kind place to stay. Alpine Farmstead comprises three buildings - the House, the Granary and the Stable. The architect envisioned the whole valley as the “house”, and the buildings simply as the rooms. The property was designed to encourage discovery of the roots of a lifestyle that is almost forgotten. This is one of the only untouched parts of the Southern Alps - the history and nature, which is as it was 100 years ago, have a deep impact on guests. An alpine spring feeds showers, sinks and the swimming pool. The technology of the house is very sophisticated - but it’s hidden. Hiking and climbing are possible year-round in this part of the Alps, and the setting of Alpine Farmstead calls guests to get out and discover the outdoors in all seasons.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Alpine Farmstead from £1,100. Sleeps 4-6 people.
3. Shoulder season Europe
Shoulder season in Europe, especially in warmer countries like Spain and Portugal, is growing in popularity as travellers (especially those not beholden to school holidays) seek better value, moderate weather, and fewer crowds compared with the peak months. Visiting March-May and September-October means more comfortable temperatures for sightseeing and outdoor activities, lower prices, and often a more authentic, relaxed experience without the throng of high-season tourism.
Where to stay: Three’s a charm - two heavenly villas perfect for out of season stays, and a mountain chalet that’s not just for winter -
The June, Benissa, Spain
The June, in Valencian country, stands for a looser kind of luxury, with earthy tones and natural shapes. You’ll find a harmonious blend of handcrafted Moroccan rugs, Italian design pieces and outdoor furniture made from recycled materials. Among the outdoor spaces are a rooftop terrace that offers panoramic views, a covered alfresco cooking and dining area that invites memorable gatherings and a communal pool deck for those after-dinner dips.
The nearest beach is five minutes' walk away. The sea views are incredible - you'll soak in that authentic Mediterranean charm. With its heated pool and outdoor spaces, gas fireplace and cosy interiors, the owners dare to say “It’s always June in Benissa”.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at The June from £458, sleeps 10. Minimum stay 4-7 nights depending on dates.
Melides Retreat, Alentejo, Portugal
A luxurious villa offering a serene retreat amidst the nature beauty of the Alentejo. Large windows along both sides of the building allow natural light to flood the open-plan living and dining space, creating an inviting atmosphere. It’s upmarket beach house chic, sleeping up to 14 in seven bedrooms. In cooler months, the pool can be heated and guests can cosy up in the sauna or by the fireplace.
With roughly 300 days of sunshine each year, even winter is a great time to visit this region in Portugal. Temperatures remain mild, ideal for hiking and cycling, a refreshing contrast to the summer highs of 40°C. Shoulder season brings spring almond blossom and nesting birds, and the wine fairs and harvest food festivals of autumn.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Melides Retreat from £1,400. Sleeps 14. Minimum stay 5-7 nights depending on dates.
Modern Chalet, Dolomites, Italy
This chalet is a place to find peace in the South Tyrolean Dolomites. Here, guests live in complete harmony with nature, held by the mountains surrounding the valley. Modern Chalet was designed using only local materials, providing a constant interaction between the house and its setting. There is a perfect harmony between the white surface of the Dolomite-concrete, the custom-made wood furniture from the typical mountain pine and rustic items sourced from the local area.
Interest in the Dolomites is set to surge this year, with the region’s broader shift toward an extended season outside of the prime winter skiing months, as well as the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. Spring is a beautiful season to visit, with the entire valley in bloom, whilst summer brings the ideal time for mountain lake swimming and autumn offers hiking against a mesmerising backdrop of trees ablaze.
Welcome Beyond (www.welcomebeyond.com) offers nightly rates at Modern Chalet from £359. Sleeps 4-6. Minimum stay 3 nights.
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