Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Travel
  3. Features

From Kyoto to the Himalayas: 5 experiential gifts of 2026

By
Ananda in the Himalayas
Ananda in the Himalayas

2026 is the year of creating memories — and data suggests that experiential gifting is no longer just a trend; it’s a cultural shift shaping travel for the good. Spending on experiences is projected to rise 16% year over year. The global wellness tourism market reached $995 billion in 2024 (Global Wellness Institute) and is forecasted to grow at 13.2% annually through 2034 (Global Market Insights, 2025). As a passionate traveler, I can totally get behind this trend. I love the concept of living in an era where gift givers and recipients value making memories and taking place in experiences rooted in culture.

As travelers prioritize sustainability and personalization, the demand for destinations that offer cultural depth, regenerative practices, and transformative experiences continues to rise. If you’re looking for the ultimate experiential gift to give in 2026, these properties give the gift for culture, renewal, and discovery.

The Dylan Amsterdam

The Dylan Amsterdam
The Dylan Amsterdam

A visit to The Dylan Amsterdam is the perfect gift for travelers seeking both sophistication and sustainability. With elegant room features like bespoke oak cabinetry and Vallone bathtubs, a stay here embodies how luxury evolves to meet modern values. Coming soon in spring 2026, this luxury hotel will debut a Technogym-equipped fitness center to enhance wellness amenities.

Recommended Videos

Additionally, foodies can savor Michelin-starred dining at Restaurant Vinkeles and try a signature High Wine experience pairing five vintages with seasonal bites. A stay here is more than just a visit to Amsterdam, it’s a spot where travelers can indulge in curated culinary experiences, wellness amenities, and more — all of which prioritize sustainability.

Imperial Hotel, Kyoto

Imperial Hotel Kyoto
New Material Research Laboratory

Opening March 5, 2026, the new Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is a cultural landmark reborn. The hotel, which occupies the Yasaka Kaikan, a 90-year-old Tangible Cultural Property in Kyoto’s historic Gion district, blends traditional craftsmanship with modern design with stand-out elements like tatami flooring, cedar, and Japanese stone. This historic spot allows travelers to enjoy curated activities, local culinary experiences, and wellness offerings that go beyond the ordinary, including immersive cultural programs that immerse travelers in the destination.

Ananda in the Himalayas

Ananda in the Himalayas.
Ananda in the Himalayas

This year, Ananda in the Himalayas celebrates a 25-year legacy, attracting travelers who want to immerse themselves in a true wellness-focused destination. Award-winning programs here integrate Ayurveda, yoga, and emotional healing with evidence-based diagnostics, offering 14- to 21-night stays focused on stress relief, detox, rejuvenation, and immunity. Signature experiences include sunrise yoga overlooking the Ganges, Himalayan sound therapy, and guided meditation in nature. For the wellness-focused person in your life, a 2026 gift to this retreat offers a unique personalized wellness retreat that transforms a stay into an ongoing journey.

Hotel Belmar, Monteverde

Hotel Belmar
Hotel Belmar

Travelers who love nature are headed to Hotel Belmar in 2026, a leader in regenerative tourism. This property blends sustainability with style from its perch in Costa Rica’s cloud forest, with renovations featuring organic fabrics, reclaimed wood, and private balconies overlooking lush landscapes. From farm-to-table dining to craft beer brewing, there’s something for everyone here to immerse themselves in local culture and enjoy a mindful, regenerative retreat. This year also marks the 40th anniversary for the hotel, making it a perfect choice for travelers seeking journeys that give back to their planet.

Bettoja Hotels, Rome

Bettoja Hotels
Bettoja Hotels

2026 is a big year for Bettoja Hotels which is showcasing renovation across its three historic properties: Hotel Mediterraneo, Massimo d’Azeglio, and Atlantico. Founded in 1875 and still family-owned through five generations, Bettoja remains a landmark in Rome’s hospitality scene, offering 500 rooms, ten meeting spaces, and a panoramic rooftop bar. Modern travelers seeking a celebration of heritage can explore the new properties this year, with access to iconic landmarks and curated experiences like private dining in historic salons or rooftop aperitivo overlooking the Eternal City.

Emily Caldwell
Emily Caldwell
Contributor
Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving… Read Full Bio
Travel
5 Tips If You’re Traveling With Cigars: I Learned No. 2 the Hard Way
Wood, Hardwood, Accessories

Traveling with cigars can be challenging if you’re not prepared. The lack of preparation can lead to your favorite cigars getting smashed from inadequate storage, or they can peel because they weren’t kept at the proper temperature, among other issues. Sometimes you do all the right things, and still come away shaking your head.

I’ve been smoking cigars for two decades now, and it’s not beneath me to admit that I’ve made plenty of cigar travel mistakes in that span, and as recently as two weeks ago. You live, you learn, and hope you don’t waste a stogie on the next trip. My most recent cigar travel mistake is what inspired me to share these tips. Sure, there are plenty of articles out there offering similar advice. But this list comes from a cigar smoker and writer who has visited six countries and about a dozen states in the last year alone. And in that time, mistakes were made, and lessons were learned.

Read more
Travel
The art of adventure packing: packing light but effective
Clothing, Coat, Jacket

If you are like me, you grew up with stories of adventure. Whether you were fans of fictional adventure like Indiana Jones and Alan Quartermain, or you loved the true-life accounts of Ernest Shackleton and David Livingstone, there is a deep pull to venture into the unknown. The desire to abandon the Mon-Fri 9-5 in search of something deeper. You could spend your time thinking about hopping a boat and sailing the seven seas like the pirates of old. You could look up at the elusive peak of a mountain and believe it begs to be summited. You could stare into the depths of a jungle and wonder what treasures it hides beneath its canopy. No matter what kind of adventurer you are, you need to be prepared for whatever the world throws at you. I have climbed Salkantay Peak and explored the jungles of Peru. I have scanned the plains of Africa in search of a giant cat (the prospect of which was much more comforting than the actual sighting and wondering if I was far enough away). And I have disappeared into the secluded areas of Svalbard. One thing that remained constant was the need for the right pack.

Here is what I learned when packing for my adventures.

Read more
Travel
Savannah Beyond the Postcard
Architecture, Building, Spire

Savannah is one of those cities that seems almost too easy to like. The live oaks are dramatic. The Spanish moss does exactly what it is supposed to do. The brick sidewalks buckle in all the right places. The houses look like they were designed by people who understood proportion, shade, and the value of a proper front step. Even the light seems to arrive with better manners than it does in most places.

I have a built-in advantage when it comes to Savannah. We have family there, so we have been back several times, not just once for the checklist version of the city. I have also done a photography workshop there, which is a terrific way to learn any city. You get up early, stay out late, and pay attention to alleys, doorways, ironwork, reflections, and the way a city changes when the tourists are still asleep.

Read more