Welcome to JETSETTER’s December Wunderlist, and as we already start looking to winter escapes and 2026 adventures, there’s a little something for every traveller.
From a chic Niseko hideaway for ski-bunnies and a sublime new suite high above the harbour in Hong Kong, to a curated dining experience in Hoi An, an eco-driven safari for teens, and captivating driving adventures in the US.
A Safari for Teens
Geared specifically for teens, Cottar’s Safaris’ new Tracks for Tomorrow is a privately guided, hands-on conservation experience for younger travellers.
This unique five-day experience, set at the award-winning Cottar’s 1920s Camp in Kenya’s exclusive Olderkesi Conservancy in the Maasai Mara, blends hands-on learning with real-world conservation, immersing young people in Africa’s ecosystems while fostering a deep reverence for nature.
Hosted by Doug Nagi – one of Kenya’s top Gold-level guides, and a certified ethnobotanist, astronomer and conservation expert – children will explore biodiversity, sustainability, and cultural heritage through a variety of educational and adventure-based activities.
These include either a Mara Cheetah Education or Raptor Adventure with Mara-based wildlife experts; hands-on reforestation efforts that teach sustainability and conservation; a wild foraging session that searches for edible plants and insects; biodiversity workshops that focus on the importance of various species in the ecosystem, and the impact of human activities on wildlife; and a Maasai Warrior School, during which teens will learn the skills and traditions of the Maasai people, one of Africa’s most iconic cultures.
Cruising USA
Luxury driving specialists HunterMoss has expanded to the USA’s East Coast with new driving adventures in New York, North Carolina and Virginia.
The 2026 journeys, which reimagine the classic road trip through a luxury lens, take guests through New York’s Hudson Valley, Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and the mountain roads surrounding Asheville, North Carolina.
The Hudson Valley Weekend Getaway (July–August 2026) captures the classic beauty of summer in full bloom over four days, as guests drive classic sports cars – including Ferraris, Lamborghinis, McLarens and Porsches – along some of the most picturesque roads and scenery in Upstate New York, with accommodation in a classic country estate, visits to heritage towns, farm-to-table dining (including a wood-smoked BBQ paired with local craft beer), and even a hands on watchmaking workshop.
In Virginia (September 2026), drivers will explore the state over four days as fall begins, navigating the Blue Ridge Mountains, including panoramic ridgelines, forested slopes and the storied Skyline Drive. Accommodation set within a 4,800-hectare private mountain estate is paired with golf, wellness experiences, a private stargazing session and a curated moonshine tasting.
Finally, in North Carolina (October 2026), the four-day journey explores approximately 400 kilometres of scenic routes through the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest, with accommodation at an iconic historic luxury estate on the outskirts of Asheville, renowned for its heritage, rejuvenating spa and locally inspired fine dining, paired with multi-course dinners and clay shooting.
An Indulgent New Chalet for Niseko
This winter, The Luxe Nomad welcomes Meigetsu Aki Niseko to its exclusive collection of luxury vacation homes in the distinguished neighbourhood of Upper Hirafu. Designed by Japan’s leading interior architecture firm Nomura, this four-bedroom, ultra-luxe property promises to become one of the area’s most sought-after stays, occupying a rare location just steps from the slopes.
One of the very few chalets perfectly positioned directly next to the slopes, Meigetsu Aki Niseko, which is spread across two levels, features open-plan living and dining areas, a fully equipped kitchen, a private wellness hideaway with spa room, sauna and cold plunge, two chauffeurs, ski storage, and two bars – an indoor speakeasy and a rooftop setting with BBQ, ensuring every aspect of the guest experience is effortlessly anticipated, all under one roof.
Additional comforts include dedicated ski storage, daily housekeeping, in-house laundry facilities, indoor garage parking, and an elevator connecting all four floors, while venerated restaurants, such as Bang Bang and Musu, are within striking distance.
Shangri-La Launches Hong Kong Suite
Part of Island Shangri-La’s multi-year renovation, the Hong Kong hotel has launched the stunning Hong Kong Suite, a 50th-floor retreat that captures the rich heritage and stunning vistas of the Fragrant Harbour.
With interiors that fuse a sophisticated contemporary Asian aesthetic – think painted fabric walls and local craftsmanship – with commissioned works of art and antiques, including 19th-century paintings of traditional Hong Kong sampans, the 130 sqm suite boasts a living room with a dining area catering to four guests, a maxi pantry featuring a filter tap and duo zone wine fridge, a 65-inch television, and dedicated butler service.
The suite’s bedroom continues to space’s feng shui elements and boasts a super king-size bed (you’ll love the extensive pillow menu), a luxurious window side day bed, an intricate full-wall mural that reflects the lush greenery of Hong Kong’s famous Victoria Peak and Botanical Gardens, a spacious dressing room, and an ensuite in white marble that includes twin overhead rain shower heads and a heated shower bench in the expansive walk-in shower, double vanities, Acqua di Parma bath amenities and a polished round marble bathtub with a Bluetooth speaker and 21-inch mirror television.
Here, guests can indulge in bath time rituals with the Shangri-La Signature Bath Salt, a bespoke creation from YUN WELLNESS, the property’s award-winning spa. Suite guests also have access to the Horizon Club Lounge with perks including daily breakfast and evening cocktails.
A Dining Affair in Hoi An
Namia River Retreat will host an exclusive dinner by French chef and television host Benoît Chaigneau and executive chef Thu Lê this December.
This intimate, one-night-only (6 December) event, held at The Merchant restaurant – Namia River Retreat’s all-day dining experience, which serves authentic Vietnamese food inspired by the ancient trading port and exotic merchants of East and West – pays homage to Vietnam’s culinary heritage—particularly the deep cultural legacy of fish sauce—through contemporary interpretations and immersive storytelling.
Inspired by Flavours & Beyond, the acclaimed VTV4 series, the dinner will bring together gastronomy, culture, and narrative, with reimagined traditional dishes, guided flavour explorations and a shared table experience designed for curious palates and culinary enthusiasts.
Time to Cruise Komodo
Ayana Cruises’ flagship yacht, Ayana Lako di’a, will once again cruise UNESCO World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park with a new season of two- and three-day journeys taking place from April to October 2026.
The Ayana Lako di’a is a 54-meter state-of-the-art phinisi that pays tribute to the traditional wooden sailing ships of South Sulawesi. Featuring nine stylishly appointed cabins, including a 69 sqm Master Suite with private balcony and ocean-view bathtub, as well as six Luxury Suites with ensuite bathrooms and expansive sea views, the vessel also features a lounge, bar, indoor dining area, and spacious daybeds across the main deck.
The 2026 voyages continue to showcase the natural beauty of Komodo National Park through immersive itineraries, visiting destinations like Kalong Island, where guests can watch thousands of fruit bats take flight at sunset; Komodo Island, for encounters with the popular rough and scaly Komodo dragons; Pink Beach, for snorkelling; and iconic Padar Island for a sunset hike to its panoramic lookout. Longer voyages also visit Taka Makassar’s dunes, Manta Point for the chance to swim alongside graceful manta rays, and Siaba Island, an idyllic setting for relaxation and snorkelling.
All sailings include full-board gourmet dining, non-alcoholic beverages, a wide range of activities, evening film screenings, round-trip transfers to Komodo International Airport, Komodo National Park entrance fees, and professional digital photo documentation.
Arts in the Desert
Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Arts Festival returns for its highly anticipated fifth edition in January, transforming the ancient oasis city of AlUla into a vibrant stage for contemporary art, design and culture.
Set against a dramatic backdrop of majestic desert canyons, lush palm groves and the vibrant AlJadidah Arts District, the 2026 edition, running from 16 January to 14 February, promises to be the most diverse yet, with bold new land art commissions – part of the fourth edition of Desert X AlUla – a major art exhibition, and a Design Space AlUla exhibition spotlighting Saudi and international talents.
Visitors will also enjoy live music, immersive performances, educational programmes and design showcases.
The Desert X AlUla 2026 exhibition will present 10 new site-specific artworks from leading multigenerational artists centred around the theme ‘Space Without Measure’, while Arduna, which translates to ‘our land’ in Arabic, is a pioneering exhibition, presented as part of the pre-opening programme of the upcoming contemporary art museum in AlUla, that will offer a glimpse of the museum’s vision through a selection of more than 80 diverse artworks from Saudi Arabia and beyond, exploring our evolving relationship with nature and land.
Also, look out for outdoor galleries, new public art installations, and a series of Arabic, fusion, vocal and jazz concerts taking place at AlJadidah Arts District, a vibrant hub for creativity in the heart of AlUla, works by Saudi artist Sara Abdu at ATHR Gallery, and the revival of traditional arts and handicrafts at art and design centre Madrasat Addeera.
Electric Kimono Arrives at The Slate
In its latest chapter in its Bold event series, Phuket’s The Slate resort will once again become the creative heartbeat of the island with Electric Kimono: Tradition Meets Vibration, a multisensory celebration of art, fashion, music, sound healing and gastronomy.
Promising to push the boundaries of imagination, merging Japan’s timeless grace with the pulse of contemporary expression, the event, led by renowned Tachyon musician Kenta Hayashi, will have two components: a 432Hz Quantum Deep Healing Workshop (9 December) featuring Violet Flame purification, white light cleansing and ATVOR technology; and an evening of food, music and fashion at Rivet & Rebar (10 December), the resort’s iconic industrial-chic venue, culminating in the Electric Kimono runway show.
The evening’s culinary journey will match its visual brilliance, with guests savouring a meticulously crafted six-course Japanese-inspired menu featuring Sakizuke, Otsukuri, Sushi Duo, Agemono & Yakimono, Donburi & Menrui, and a Mizumono Dessert Trio, set to the hypnotic, looped soundscapes and a bamboo-electric fusion of performers Dragon Sound and the dance movements of Goddess Erilia.