The modern luxury traveler is no longer looking for someone to simply book a hotel.
They are looking for someone to design how the entire experience feels.
Enter Sanya Narula, a Valley-based luxury travel designer redefining what high-end travel planning looks like. Forget the cliché image of a traditional travel agent plugging in flights and hotel confirmations. Today’s discerning travelers want something more personal: a trusted insider who understands their pace, preferences, priorities, and how to make a trip feel seamless before they ever leave home.
“I don’t just book trips,” Sanya says. “I design experiences.”
And increasingly, that distinction matters.
After years of traveling extensively through destinations including Italy, France, Thailand, India, Mexico, and Canada, Sanya realized even seasoned travelers often feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options, logistics, opinions, and pressure surrounding modern travel.
“I remember planning solo trips and traveling with young children and constantly feeling decision fatigue. I always wished I had a trusted guide or a ‘phone-a-friend’ I could rely on.”
Now, she has become exactly that for her clients.
For our Explore Issue, we sat down with Sanya to talk about the future of luxury travel, the destinations exploding for 2026, and why personalized travel design has quietly become one of the most valuable luxuries in itself.
Because according to Sanya, travelers are no longer paying for bookings. They are paying for ease.
So what exactly does a luxury travel designer actually do?
According to Sanya, far more than most people realize.
When a client first reaches out, the process begins with understanding not just where they want to go, but how they want to travel.
"Some clients want fully curated itineraries with every flight, hotel, transfer, dinner reservation, guide, excursion, and experience seamlessly coordinated from beginning to end. Others may simply want help securing the perfect hotel stay with elevated perks and insider access."
That flexibility has become increasingly important as savvy travelers prioritize personalization over cookie-cutter itineraries.
Sanya works with luxury hotel partners including Four Seasons, Rosewood, Auberge, Montage, Belmond, Hyatt, and more, often securing perks unavailable through traditional online booking platforms. Depending on the property, those benefits may include complimentary breakfast, resort credits, room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, and VIP treatment throughout the stay.
"The real value often lies in the details clients never see. Timing excursions so the day flows naturally. Securing the ideal room category. Pairing travelers with the right local guide. Building enough flexibility into an itinerary so it feels relaxing rather than exhausting. Making sure transportation connections feel effortless. Anticipating needs before clients even realize they have them."
And increasingly, travelers are realizing how difficult it has become to create those experiences entirely on their own.
“Travel today is overwhelming. There’s endless information online, competing recommendations everywhere, and this constant fear of missing out on something better.”
That is partly why luxury travel itself is shifting so dramatically.
"Many are moving away from the idea that luxury means excess. Instead, they are prioritizing access, intentionality, and experiences that feel meaningful. The biggest shift I’m seeing is that people want depth over density. They want experiences that feel personal rather than rushed.”
That could mean private cultural access, immersive food experiences, local experts, slower itineraries, countryside stays, or milestone trips centered around family connection rather than nonstop sightseeing.
One of the biggest mistakes Sanya sees travelers make is waiting too long to plan.
“For true bucket-list travel, six to twelve months in advance is realistic now. By the time people decide they want to go, the best options are usually already gone. Multi-generational travel, in particular, has become one of the fastest-growing segments in luxury travel. It takes time and planning."
And with those evolving priorities comes a growing demand for destinations that balance beauty, privacy, culture, and emotional connection.
Here are the bucket-list destinations Sanya says are defining luxury travel right now.
Puglia, Italy
While Rome, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast remain popular, travelers are increasingly drawn to Puglia's whitewashed coastal towns, boutique masserias, olive groves, beach clubs, incredible food, and slower pace.
“This is Italy without feeling consumed by tourism. Long lunches, local wine, small towns, and relaxed luxury rooted in authenticity."
The Dolomites
One of Europe's fastest-growing luxury wellness destinations, the Dolomites combine dramatic mountain scenery with luxury spas, hiking, skiing, alpine villages, and stunning hotels.
“The Dolomites give people space to breathe. Travelers are seeking places that feel restorative, with panoramic saunas, fireside dinners, mountain air, and slower mornings."
Japan
Japan continues to dominate luxury travel requests, but the most meaningful itineraries extend beyond Tokyo.
“The most meaningful trips combine energy and stillness. Travelers are pairing Tokyo and Kyoto with ryokans, tea ceremonies, countryside stays, and private cultural experiences that blend modern energy with ritual, nature, and reflection."
Banff
Banff has evolved beyond a ski destination into a luxury escape known for wellness, privacy, scenery, and elevated outdoor adventure.
“Banff gives people that sense of escape without sacrificing comfort. Luxury lodges, glacier lakes, spa retreats, helicopter excursions, and breathtaking landscapes make it especially appealing for couples and multi-generational families."
Coastal Baja
While Cabo remains popular, many travelers are venturing farther down the Baja coastline in search of quieter, design-forward destinations centered around wellness, food, architecture, and privacy.
“People want something elevated but effortless. Boutique hotels, chef-driven dining, oceanfront villas, and nature-focused itineraries define the region's appeal."
East African Safari Lodges
Safari travel remains one of the most transformative luxury experiences available and one of the hardest to book last minute.
“The best safari lodges are often booked far in advance. Combining wildlife encounters, luxury hospitality, conservation experiences, private guides, and personalized itineraries, safari travel becomes far more than a vacation. It changes people."
London + Germany During the Holidays
Holiday travel to Europe continues to surge, especially for travelers seeking Christmas markets, luxury shopping, festive décor, winter villages, and seasonal dining.
“People underestimate how magical Europe feels during the holidays."
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