Your Experiential Travel Gift Guide: for the person who needs nothing (but memories)
Think sleeping in a secret location in the Arctic Circle, experiencing totality on Ibiza, and front-row Monaco F1 access via yacht— all wrapped as unforgettable experiences.
‘Tis the season when our feeds are filled with gift guides. And while we’re the first ones to appreciate a thoughtfully curated edit, studies say the cultural pendulum is swinging towards investing more in experiences over things—and that’s where we shine brightest at SmartFlyer.
From the latest in the Economist to McKinsey reports that consumers’ interest in experiences is increasingly rising, research says that the appeal of tangible goods is declining. According to Empower, 88% of Americans say that their love of life comes from experiences, and more than half of people (53%) say financial happiness is being able to pay for experiences with people they cherish. This approach to memory making is fueling a global events industry (the “experience economy”) is projected to reach $2.1 trillion by 2032.
So, now that we’ve talked data, let’s get into the fun bits. We’ve rounded up experiences you could consider during any month of the year for the person who needs nothing but memories.
[ January 23rd-25th: St. Moritz, Switzerland ] Spectate the world’s only high-goal tournament on snow in St. Moritz. Practically the inventors of making snow season chic (have you ever seen photos of the fur-clad women surrounded by vintage cars on a frozen lake? likely St. Moritz!), a trip to this Swiss alpine sanctuary is dripping in elegance all year round, but she especially shines in wintertime. Snow polo was originally developed by Swiss hotelier Reto Gaudenzi here in 1985, and from January 23rd-25th, 2026, you can take part in the Snow Polo World Cup festivities. Chat to your SmartFlyer advisor about scoring access to the highly coveted gala dinner at Badrutt’s Palace and access to the After Party at the King’s Social House.
[ mid-January to mid-February: Korea and Japan ] Seoul, Sakura, and Ski: While everyone else crowds mainland Japan in March and April for cherry blossom season, you’re going to take advantage of the earliest cherry blossom season in Japan on the island of Okinawa. Here, cherry blossoms typically bloom from mid-January to mid-February, which is complemented by the juxtaposition of the snowy ski season taking place in Niseko. But first, begin your adventure by circumventing peak season in Japan’s key cities by swapping Tokyo for a stay in Seoul. Here, we love making the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul home while you oscillate between Korean beauty treatments and soaking up the city’s epic culinary scene. Hop on a nonstop flight and in less than three hours, you’ll arrive in Miyakojima, where the newly opened Rosewood Miyakojima awaits your arrival in the Okinawan Islands. Lap up an off-season stay here and see sakura in a completely new light before gearing up for a gnarly travel day (we didn’t say this combination wasn’t going to make you work a bit!) from Okinawa’s Miyako Island Airport (MMY) via Haneda (HND) to New Chitose Airport (CTS). The Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono is about two hours from the airport on the island of Hokkaido, boasting some of the world’s best skiing.
[ February 6th-22nd, 2026: Northern Italy ] Witness history in the making at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. As we’ve detailed in a recent edition of Stay Awhile, contrary to popular belief, there is still space to book a stay in Milan and various properties in the Dolomites. If you’re looking for one of the only places in the mountains where you could spectate and ski, turn your attention to Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, a family-owned and run property in Ortisei/Val Gardena. We’re also excited about the freshly opened Castel Badia, another family-owned Dolomites gem.
[ February 8th: Santa Clara, California ] Attend Super Bowl LX. There’s nothing quite like witnessing the pinnacle of American sports culture in person, and 2026’s matchup at Levi’s Stadium promises all the drama, spectacle, and star-studded energy you’d expect. Whether you’re there for the game, Bad Bunny’s halftime show, or the people-watching, your SmartFlyer advisor can help secure premium seats, VIP hospitality access, and a weekend itinerary that makes this bucket-list event feel downright effortless.
[ Lapland, Finland ] Sleep in a secret location in the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland beneath the Northern Lights. In an age when travelers crave once-in-a-lifetime moments, few compare to sleeping in an exclusive-use lodge in a confidential location (as in, it’s not on Google Maps!) within the Arctic Circle. The family behind this unique concept has been reindeer herders for generations and, through their passion for Finland, has created a unique oasis in a place where the Northern Lights routinely illuminate the sky above your private wilderness retreat. Remote, refined, and wildly exclusive, a stay at Octola Private Wilderness is a memory you’ll talk about for decades.
[ March 27th-29th: Hong Kong ] Experience Art Basel Hong Kong during one of the best times of year to be in the city. The Hong Kong fair features premier galleries from Asia and beyond, providing an in-depth overview of Asia-Pacific’s astonishing diversity, as well as global artistic perspectives through Modern and contemporary works. Follow along with our Long Weekend in Hong Kong guide as you pair the fair with a stay at one of the city’s top hotels with some of our favorites, including Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, or The Peninsula Hong Kong.
[ April 9th-12th: Augusta, Georgia ] Go to the Masters. With the help of your SmartFlyer advisor, secure coveted badges for one of the world’s most exclusive sporting events. Pair your Masters experience with a stay at The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee, or a private home rental with concierge access. Between the azalea blooms and that almost cinematic Southern spring light, it’s the pinnacle of American sporting elegance.
[ April 21st-26th: Milan, Italy ] Soak up the creative spirit of Milan while at the Salone del Mobile Milano. Experience Milan at its most inspiring during Design Week when the world’s premier designers debut the future of interiors. The city becomes an open-air gallery of installations, pop-ups, and private showroom previews, energizing every stylish neighborhood. Anchor your stay at design-lover favorites like Mandarin Oriental, Milan, the boutique VICO Milano, or the newly opened The Carlton, a Rocco Forte Hotel, for a truly artful escape.
[ May 9th to November 22nd: Venice, Italy ] The 2026 Venice Biennale opens in May, transforming the city into the epicenter of global art and culture. For the aesthete in your life, this is the pilgrimage—pavilions, installations, and boundary-pushing works spread across the Giardini, Arsenale, and the city’s most atmospheric palazzos. Anchor your stay at Aman Venice, The St. Regis Venice, Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel, or the soon-to-open Airelles Venezia and let your SmartFlyer advisor arrange private, curator-led tours that unlock the stories behind the art (and help you skip the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds). A cultural high note of the year, best experienced with a spritz in hand along the Grand Canal.
[ June 3rd-8th, 2026: Monaco] Stay aboard a yacht docked in Monaco’s legendary Port Hercule for front-row access to Formula 1. Stay aboard a yacht docked in Monaco’s legendary Port Hercule for front-row access to the Formula 1 Grand Prix. For 2026, EXPLORA I will assume an ultra-exclusive berth in the heart of the action, giving you a front-row vantage point to one of the Riviera’s most glamorous—and adrenaline-fueled—events. From sunrise espresso on deck to the roar of engines echoing off the cliffs, this is F1 at its most cinematic. Your SmartFlyer advisor can arrange everything from VIP paddock access to celebratory dinners along the harbor, making race weekend feel like your own private Monaco takeover.
[ June 19th-21st, 2026: Aspen, Colorado ] Attend the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, the country’s most iconic culinary festival, where world-class chefs, winemakers, and restaurateurs converge in the Rockies. Days are filled with intimate tastings, cooking demos, and somm-led wine seminars, while evenings unfold at high-altitude parties and private dinners hosted across Aspen’s chicest hotels. It’s the ultimate long weekend for gourmands who want their cuisine served with mountain air and a touch of scene. Consider a stay at Hotel Jerome, Auberge Collection, where the who’s who converge in the Living Room each evening.
[ June 30th–July 5th, 2026: ] Spectate along the River Thames as the world’s most iconic rowing event, the Henley Royal Regatta, unfolds in peak British summer. Founded in 1839, the Regatta blends elite competition with timeless tradition, drawing international crews and impeccably dressed spectators alike. In the picturesque town of Henley-on-Thames (about an hour and a half from Central London), expect five days of head-to-head racing, riverside picnics, and Pimm’s in hand. If you’re looking for the ultimate countryside stay, consider Estelle Manor (about an hour from Henley-on-Thames) or Coworth Park (about two hours away).
[ July 2nd, 2026 ] Attend Palio di Siena with a front row seat. This legendary bareback horse race—run just twice a year in Siena’s iconic Piazza del Campo—becomes even more unforgettable when viewed from a private noble apartment overlooking the action. Pair the spectacle with a stay at Belmond Castello di Casole, where private transfers, insider access, and Tuscan countryside serenity make the whole experience feel cinematic.
[ July 4th, 2026 ] Celebrate America’s 250th birthday while spectating a FIFA World Cup match in Philly, America’s birthplace. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the city where it all began, as Philadelphia becomes both the epicenter of the semiquincentennial and a host city for the FIFA World Cup. Spend the holiday taking in a World Cup match amid global fan energy, then step into history with special anniversary programming across Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Old City. Ground your weekend with a stay at Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia, where sky-high views, destination dining, and world-class wellness turn this once-in-a-lifetime July 4th into a luxury-meets-culture moment.
[ August 12th, 2026 ] Experience total darkness (totality) while having a spiritual reset on Ibiza. Experience the rare magic of totality on Ibiza, where the island’s natural mysticism meets the awe of a total solar eclipse. Spend the day immersed in meditative programming, sound healing, and coastal stillness before witnessing the sky fall briefly into darkness—a moment locals consider deeply transformative. Anchor your celestial reset with a stay at Six Senses Ibiza, where wellness-led rituals, cliffside sunsets, and intuitive therapies turn this cosmic event into a spiritual recalibration.
[ August 5th-14th: Mongolia ] Take advantage of United’s nonstop flight to Mongolia and embark on a bucket-list journey across the country’s vast steppe, where big skies, nomadic traditions, and untouched landscapes set the tone. Settle into yurt-style luxury camps, visit herding families, and explore the wilderness with expert private guides. And for equestrians seeking the ultimate bragging rights, time your trip with the legendary Mongolia Derby—the world’s longest and toughest horse race. It’s an adventure that blends cultural immersion with once-in-a-lifetime adrenaline.
[ September 4th-13th, 2026: Paris, France ] Immerse yourself in Paris Design Week, when the world’s leading interiors fair and a constellation of chic citywide exhibitions transform the French capital into a playground for design-lovers. From boundary-pushing installations to intimate studio showings, the city becomes a stage for global design talent. Pair the inspiration with a stay at Le Meurice, Cheval Blanc Paris, or La Fantaisie for the ultimate blend of culture, style, and five-star Parisian living.
[ October 31st-November 2nd, 20256: San Miguel de Allende, Mexico ] Experience Día de los Muertos in San Miguel de Allende with authenticity and respect, immersing yourself in the city’s vibrant traditions while honoring the holiday’s deep cultural significance. Participate in private altar-building workshops with local artisans, learn the symbolism behind each offering, and enjoy intimate culinary experiences rooted in ancestral recipes. As marigolds and candlelit processions illuminate the city, retreat to Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, where rooftop views, artisan-inspired design, and warm Mexican hospitality create a soulful, elevated base for this meaningful celebration.
[ November 2nd-23rd: Around the World by Private Jet ] Step onto the specially outfitted TCS Jet with 52 flatbed seats to explore some of the world’s most legendary places and natural wonders. Over twenty-two unforgettable days, you’ll touch down in Miami, explore the heights of Machu Picchu, stand before the moai of Easter Island, drift through Tahiti, dive the Great Barrier Reef, wander Angkor Wat, marvel at the Taj Mahal, witness the wildlife of the Maasai Mara, and end in the souks of Marrakech before returning to Miami.
[ Mid-Late December Vienna and Salzburg, Austria ] Experience some of Europe’s most enchanting Christmas Markets the SmartFlyer way, drifting between Vienna and Salzburg for a festive immersion in craftsmanship, culture, and old-world charm. Wander lantern-lit squares, sip glühwein among ornate stalls, and enjoy private visits to revered ateliers where artisans bring centuries-old traditions to life. Anchor your journey with stays at Hotel Sacher Salzburg and Rosewood Vienna, pairing imperial elegance with contemporary luxury for a holiday season that feels both cinematic and deeply personal. If you want even more snowy charm, consider adding a few nights at Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, a winter wonderland set upon the charming Lake Fuschl.
[ December 31, 2026: New Zealand for New Year’s ] Be among the first in the world to ring in the 2027 (!!) from New Zealand, where midnight arrives hours before it hits the rest of the globe. Celebrate against a backdrop of dramatic landscapes, vibrant city festivities, and balmy Southern Hemisphere summer nights. Whether you’re toasting on a vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, watching fireworks over Auckland’s Sky Tower, or celebrating at the freshly opened Roki in Queenstown, it’s a bucket-list way to welcome the New Year.
Ready to get gifting? Chat with your SmartFlyer travel advisor.