Canadian travellers are leaning into “intentional luxury” this year, and choosing from some of the world’s most enticing destinations. And Canadian luxury travellers know what they want.
From a booking travel point of view, this is a gold mine for travellers and anyone who works in travel, from entertainment, activities, and accommodations.
As travellers, knowing in your mind that you’re taking charge of your own travel, and only want to accept what you know is the best of the best in terms of services.
What does this mean for travellers the world over? You can take this list of places that Canadian luxury travellers are booking for their summer trips to the bank as one of the best and most comprehensive luxury travel lists!
Trends in Canadian Travel for 2026
The biggest luxury travel trends that Canadians are following in 2026:
- “Slow luxury” instead of packed itineraries that leave no time for smelling the roses, so to speak.
- Private villas with privacy, character, and space over large hotels.
- Culinary and wine-focused travel that offers an insight into the cultural history and personality of the areas visited.
- Multi-generational family trips that give families a chance to experience the wonder of new destinations as a unit.
- Wellness and recovery travel gives the traveller not only a chance to see somewhere new and beautiful, but also to reset and learn new habits or practices that will stay with them for life.
- Flexible booking and concierge-heavy experiences that take the stress off of the traveller and imbue them with the power to delegate and change their minds if they see fit.
- Cooler-climate “coolcation” destinations that provide access to truly magical places that may have been overlooked in favour of packed tropical islands.
- Fewer but more meaningful trips, giving the traveller more resources per trip and not over-tiring them with more frequent but more average travel experiences.
Travel advisors are seeing the changes in preference and noting that luxury travellers now care more about ease of experience, the ability to personalize each trip, and the emotional value, taking precedence over flashy excess.
The trips that Canadian luxury travellers are booking in 2026
Spain
The vibe: Culture and coastal luxury
The Spanish destinations most booked by Canadian travellers are:
- Barcelona
- Madrid
- Ibiza
Why are Canadians booking a trip to Spain this summer?
- The level of service often far exceeds other “Riviera” destinations such as France and Italy, giving the traveller a more looked-after experience.
- Michelin-star dining and wine tourism are both booming in Spain. Traditional inspiration fuses with modern influences and a genuine passion for both industries.
- Luxury beach clubs are readily available, as is access to family-friendly resorts that include the little ones in the experiences and entertainment.
- The luxury travel infrastructure is solid and seamless: the perfect place to book private jet charter travel to!
Japan
The vibe: A long-haul luxury boom
The Japanese destinations most booked by Canadian travellers are:
- Tokyo
- Osaka
Why are Canadians booking a trip to Japan this summer?
- Ultra premium luxury comes standard. Hospitality culture in Japan has been refined over thousands of years and is taken very seriously all over the country. Add that to luxury accommodations and amenities, and you have an incredibly high-end experience.
- Wellness ryokan are part of Japan’s hospitality culture, offering tranquility, relaxation, and abundant natural beauty. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn. More than just a place to sleep, staying in a ryokan is an immersive cultural experience featuring tatami-matted rooms, public hot spring baths (onsen), and multi-course dining (kaiseki)
- Culinary tourism flourishes in Japan, with its regional dishes and commitment to incredible, fresh, and often very healthy and nutritious dishes.
- Multi-city itineraries are possible thanks to the incredible transport infrastructure that expats and connects major cities with ease.
Norway
The vibe: Fjord luxury and a colocation escape
The Norwegian destinations most booked by Canadian travellers are:
- Oslo
- Bergen
- Lofoten Islands
- Geirangerfjord
- Tromsø
Why are Canadians booking a trip to Norway this summer?
- Scenic fjord cruises are like no other cruise experiences on the planet. The private yacht charter business is also booming if you’re looking for something with a little more privacy and seclusion.
- Luxury lodges in the North offer dramatic arctic landscapes and a chance to experience the far and all it has to offer.
- Even in the heart of summer, the temperatures in Norway never rise to the level of “uncomfortable,” and being on or in the water is a joyful, unique summer experience there.
- Wellness and nature come together to offer travellers a chance to refresh themselves in the most idyllic settings: traditional saunas, classic sauna retreats, and gorgeous hiking trails abound.
Emerging “Under-the-Radar” luxury destinations
Affluent Canadian travellers are choosing more unique, emerging destinations, too:
- Croatia
- Montenegro
- Oman
- Sweden
These destinations fit this year’s trend predictions to a T:
- Fewer crowds
- Cooler climates
- Scenic nature
- Exclusive boutique properties
- Yacht and fjord experiences
Canadian travellers know what’s what
Take your summer travel cue from Canadian luxury travellers this year. These destinations offer a wide range of enjoyment for all different sorts of travellers. If you give them a try, you might just broaden your travel horizons, too.
