More and more travelers are planning travel around their passions, whether that’s live music, movies, or nature. After all, what could be better than plotting your dream trip around a pursuit you already know you love?
If you’re looking for travel inspiration for 2027, consider following your passion to the places and destinations around the world that make it easiest to tap into the things you love to do.
From exploring hidden beaches in Indonesia on a tropical Mexican island to a wellness escape on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco (and much more), here are some of the world’s best places to go this year for passion travel.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Get Your Glow On in Seoul, South Korea
As travelers gravitate toward trips that are more experiential in nature as well as more intentionally designed, “glowcations” have taken seed as a major trend. Think getaways that incorporate high-tech skincare and beautifying rituals that nourish you from the inside out so when you return home it’s with a brand-new glow.
Such beauty travel is booming in Seoul, the South Korean capital that has given the world not only K-Pop and K-Dramas but also K-Beauty in all its exfoliating, plumping, and refining forms.
Partake in a public bathing ritual at one of the city’s many jjimjilbangs (gender-segregated public bathhouses with steam rooms, saunas, relaxation areas, and more) or relax with an evening stroll along the Han River. In trendy neighborhoods like Gangnam and Myeongdong, indulge in skincare treatments in the abundant beauty clinics. Whatever your preference, Seoul makes it easy to put the focus squarely on you and your glow-up.
Base yourself in Gangnam at JW Marriott Hotel Seoul to keep the glow going with an indoor swimming pool and spa complete with a sauna and jet lag–soothing therapies like facials and body wraps.
Beach (Reimagined) on Belitung Island, Indonesia
If you feel most connected with the Earth via its oceans, landing upon a coastal escape that still seems under the radar can feel like the ultimate travel win.
Bypass busy Bali in favor of the Indonesian island of Belitung instead, where white sand beaches lapped by the turquoise waters of the Java Sea await just to the east of Sumatra. Belitung is famous for impressive granite formations lining the beaches and vibrant coral reefs ideal for snorkeling and diving just offshore.
In a secluded location fronting the beach on the island’s northwestern corner, Sheraton Belitung Resort has modern villas and suites overlooking a lagoon and offers seasonal all-inclusive rates.
‘Microcations’ on Marco Island, Florida
This beautiful barrier island astride some of southwest Florida’s most incredible wilderness and sugar-sand beaches is prime for a quick getaway.
During a microcation on Marco Island you can fit wild adventures in nature, world-class shopping and dining, and even the arts into an itinerary that spans just a few days.
Plan an airboat boat tour through Everglades National Park to spot dolphins, manatees, and wading birds. Once back on dry land, go café-hopping and browse boutiques along Fifth Avenue South in historic Naples. Pop into galleries and studios within the Naples Art District.
Whether you’re microcationing with the kids or looking for something adults-only, JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort and the adjoining Paradise by Sirene put you smack on sandy beaches within close reach of all the area’s relaxation and action.
Music Tourism, Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong is quickly making its mark on the international music scene. With music festivals such as Clockenflap, Nextwave Beach Music Festival, and Great Music Festival, the city is becoming a destination for music lovers of every genre, from classical and indie to pop and hip-hop. Kai Tak Stadium regularly hosts major international acts, while venues across the city, from intimate clubs to large concert halls, keep the music going year-round.
While in the metropolis, make time for a MICHELIN-starred meal at Man Ho Chinese Restaurant at the iconic JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong. Stroll out onto SkyTerrace 428 for incredible skyline views. For a break from the urban jungle, hike to the city’s oldest fishing village, Tai O, known as the “Venice of Hong Kong.”
More epic views of glittering skyscrapers await at Ozone, the rooftop bar on the 118th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong.
Astronomy buffs and stargazers can revel in the night skies during their stay at Moxy Tromso. (Photo: Marriott International)
Astrotourism in Tromso, Norway
Astronomy enthusiasts already know that 2027 is predicted to bring high solar flare activity on the sun’s surface. That means that the fall, winter, and spring months are a perfect window for an epic trip to see the northern lights.
The harborside town of Tromso, Northern Norway’s cultural beating heart, is a great place to look for the aurora borealis right in town or during reindeer sledding and cultural tours with the Sami people.
During the summer months, the midnight sun streams all day long. The sustainable Moxy Tromso has the distinction of being the northernmost property in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio, as well as one of the northernmost hotels in the entire world. It beckons with cozy rooms and a sky bar with mountain and ocean views.
Wellness Travel in Tamuda Bay, Morocco
When it’s time for wellness, many destinations step up to the plate with top-notch spa services, saunas, steam rooms, thalassotherapy, and more. In Morocco, getting a glow-up at a local hammam in the form of a scrub down that leaves your skin radiant as a peach is simply part of the local culture. Ingredients like argan oil and mineral-rich clay, which have been used to nourish skin and hair for centuries, find their ways into traditional and modern treatments across the country.
When you stay along the Moroccan Riviera in Tamuda Bay on the country’s Mediterranean coast, spend your days soaking up a little “vitamin sea” and shopping for gorgeous rugs, jewelry, and ceramics in the winding streets of the medina of nearby Tetouan, too.
Fronting a Mediterranean beach, Iridium Spa at The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay has sea views, plus Moroccan roses and gorgeous lanterns, that create a truly transporting ambience.
Slow Travel, Isla Mujeres, Mexico
Ride a ferry offshore from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and the pace automatically slows to a crawl. Take a beat to tune into the pull of the tides and the sway of the palms in this idyllic setting.
Golf carts are the preferred way to get around to sites that include gorgeous white sand beaches and the Mayan ruins dedicated to Ixchel at Punta Sur on the island’s southernmost tip.
Swing in a hammock at a beach club, sip something frosty, and make catching sunset the only thing on your to-do list. Slow travel goes the distance when it comes to returning home refreshed.
On the quiet southern end of the island, Almare, a Luxury Collection Resort, Isla Mujeres Cancun, Adult All-Inclusive sets the tone for automatically slowing your roll and settling in.
Celebrate Indigenous Cultural Heritage in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island
On the east coast of Vancouver Island, the seaside town of Nanaimo takes its name from the Snuneymuxw First Nation word for “gathering place of a great people.”
See ancient stone carvings and other artifacts from the Coast Salish people at the Nanaimo Museum and admire prehistoric rock carvings at Petroglyph Park. Then hop a quick ferry ride to explore more Indigenous history on nearby Gabriola Island, where a sandstone formation known as Malaspina Galleries was used by the Snuneymuxw people in traditional burial rites.
Right across from the Nanaimo Harbor, Courtyard by Marriott Nanaimo has a heated indoor pool and hot tub for warming up from the brisk Pacific Northwest climate.
Take a break from set-jetting to unwind at MANNA, A Member of Design Hotels in (Photo: Marriott International)
Set-Jetting (Emerging Destinations) on the Peloponnese Peninsula, Greece
If you were enthralled by the blockbuster rendition of Homer’s “the Odyssey,” take your own epic journey to the place that inspired it. Give the Greek Isles a miss and head inland to explore the country’s intriguing Peloponnese Peninsula, where parts of the movie were filmed.
In the evocative Arkadia region, you can visit the clifftop Prodromos Monastery, raft along the Lousios River, and hike past stone villages lining the storied Menalon Trail.
Perched 1,200 feet above sea level within an ancient fir forest surrounding Mount Mainolo, MANNA, A Member of Design Hotels has beautiful gardens, a sauna, and a restaurant serving incredible cuisine based on the Mediterranean diet.
Sports Tourism in Melbourne, Australia
Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth are among the cities hosting matches during the Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. But the “sporting-est” city in the country, by far, is Melbourne, where France will play against the U.S. and Argentina will battle Spain, among other rugby matches on the World Cup docket. Melbourne is also set to host the Australian Open, the 150th Anniversary Test Match in cricket, the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, and the Melbourne Cup in 2027. Sports fans, start your engines.
Stay about a 15-minute stroll from Marvel Stadium at Melbourne Marriott Hotel Docklands, with water views and a rooftop restaurant and pool bar, Sunset House.
Related Articles
