Why January is the perfect time to plan your 2026 getaways

If you have any travel aspirations for the new year, January is the perfect time to start planning and saving.

Doing so will get you ahead of the pack when booking, potentially getting you better rates and discounts. 

“Start preparing for what you actually want your 2026 to look like, and for many, it is travel. It opens up the mind, shows you new places, and develops you personally," says Martini.

Trendy destinations include Mauritius, the Maldives, and Japan, she says.

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There is also a growing interest in wellness treats and experiences, such as journaling workshops and stress management programmes.

These retreats offer individuals a chance to develop new habits and skills, making it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance upon returning home.

“We need to look at 2026 as an exciting year for personal growth, personal development and bucket lists,” Mantini says. 

To listen to Martini in conversation with Saskia Falken (in for CapeTalk’s Pippa Hudson), use the audio player below: