Happy 2026. I don’t personally believe in New Year's resolutions, but I do think now is a good opportunity to reflect on the days and months ahead and consider how we can make the most of our time this year.
Although I don’t usually plan my travels too far in advance, I have given some thought to some destinations I'd like to visit and, crucially, revisit soon. Returning to a place after a gap of some years is interesting because not only has it likely changed, but I will have too.
For example, I’ve only been to Saudi Arabia once. It was for a work trip to Riyadh a couple of months before the Covid-19 pandemic began. Although brief, I enjoyed my time there, particularly because it was clear the city was in the midst of change. There was a sense of momentum even then, and a feeling that the country was on the cusp of something much bigger.
Since my visit, things have certainly accelerated. Beyond Riyadh and Jeddah, developments across the kingdom, from the Red Sea to AlUla, continue to draw attention, with new openings reshaping how Saudi can be experienced.
Oman is another case in point, one I’ve seen evolve in more subtle, but no less compelling ways. Just a month after the Riyadh trip, I remember being impressed by how laid-back things felt while exploring Muscat. The sultanate has long been known for its calming appeal, dramatic landscapes and slower pace of life, making it a popular choice for long-weekend getaways.
In recent years, however, a wave of five-star hotels has added a fresh layer to the experience. Alongside these developments has come a more dynamic dining scene, with restaurants such as Coya and Hakkasan (part of the UAE's Michelin Guides) adding to Muscat’s growing appeal, complementing the Omani capital's understated charm rather than overpowering it.
Thailand also comes to mind. I first visited Bangkok on a family trip in the early 2000s when I was a teenager, and returned last year for a work trip to explore newly opened properties in Bangkok and Koh Samui. Experiencing the country at two different stages of life made the contrast particularly striking.
Thailand has undoubtedly modernised, yet managed to retain a strong sense of identity. Witnessing that balance between progress and preservation was, for me, one of the most rewarding parts of returning.
Even in the US, I continue to feel a shift every time I visit home. Having lived in the UAE for more than a decade, each return highlights how much has evolved, whether in cities, neighbourhoods or cultural attitudes. Some changes are exciting, others unexpected, but all of them serve as a quiet reminder that life is shaped by change, whether we feel ready for it or not.
Taken together, it reinforces the idea that travel is not always about chasing the next hot spot. Sometimes, it is about returning with a fresh perspective, noticing what has changed and understanding how time and distance can reshape both places and people.
Until next time, safe travels.
Bucket-list travel 2026: Our top 15 destinations
Whether it’s a place bookmarked for decades, a journey inspired by recent events, or a destination that feels newly urgent or personal, bucket-list travel is often about more than just geography. Why not make 2026 the year to finally tick off a long-held dream?
Here are the top destinations we want to visit next year – and why now feels like the right moment. Read more of The National staff's picks of bucket-list travel destinations here.
Checking into JW Marriott Auckland
JW Marriott Auckland, the first hotel from the American hospitality brand to open in New Zealand, underwent renovation in early 2025 – despite having opened its doors only three years earlier.
Marriott International took over the property from Stamford Plaza, which opened in the 1980s, so it was time for an upgrade. The resultant design shines a light on the host country, and the hotel is packed with references to all things New Zealand, from art and culture to mentions of the ever-adored All Blacks.
Situated in prime downtown Auckland, the hotel stands as an urban retreat that offers access to the rich tapestry of cultural activities the city has to offer.
For JW Marriott, which has several venues in the Middle East, its Auckland offering builds on its reputation for high standards, while finding the important balance of paying homage to the country and city it finds itself in. Find out more here.
In the spotlight: Uzbekistan
“My first impression of Tashkent came as a taste – the metallic tang of smog in a city undergoing yet another transformation,” writes Kieran Morris about his recent trip to Uzbekistan. Its ancient capital, as he describes, “has been levelled and rebuilt countless times across millennia, and is currently obscured by the dust of its latest reincarnation. Twinkling towers sprout from the earth at a remarkable pace, while the midday air hangs heavy with the price of this progress.”
Uzbekistan is in the midst of an extraordinary pivot towards tourism, putting billions into the national effort while pitching itself as the cultural heart of Central Asia. The nation, once sealed off to foreigners by Stalin, and largely inaccessible to tourists only a decade ago, is now opening itself to the future by reaching into its turbulent past. Read more here.
Travel news this week
Top travel tip
Create a single note on your phone for each trip and use it as a running log as you travel. It’s an easy way and place to jot down taxi fares, restaurant names, neighbourhoods you enjoyed and small observations that would otherwise be forgotten by the time you get home. It becomes surprisingly useful mid-trip when trying to retrace steps or recommend a place to someone else, and invaluable if you return to a destination or want to revisit a favourite spot.
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