10 Destinations You Should Book a Year in Advance
Some trips you can plan on a whim. Some need a little more forethought to do right. Whether it's a once-in-a-lifetime safari, a coveted coastal town that sells out every summer, or a remote island that caps visitors by design — certain destinations reward the planners. If any of these places are on your list, let's start talking now so we can get ahead of the waitlists together.
Amalfi Coast Cliffs
1. The Amalfi Coast, Italy The Amalfi Coast is one of those places that lives on most travel wish lists. The pastel-colored villages stacked against limestone cliffs, lemon groves spilling down toward the sea, and winding streets big enough only for a tiny car to squeeze past. The best hotels along this dramatic stretch of southern Italian coastline book out 12 to 18 months ahead, particularly for summer, and the smaller towns like Positano and Ravello fill faster than the larger ones. The properties worth staying in are the ones with the cliffside terraces, the private boat access, and the staff who've been there for decades.
2. Patagonia, Argentina & Chile Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is one of the most breathtaking landscapes on earth, and it has the waitlists to prove it. The iconic trekking circuits — the W Trek and the O Circuit — require permits and lodge reservations that open up to a year ahead and disappear increasingly fast. The shoulder seasons (October and March) offer slightly more availability, but this is a trip where having someone in your corner makes a real difference.
Faroe Islands
3. The Faroe Islands Tucked between Norway and Iceland in the North Atlantic, the Faroe Islands have emerged as one of travel's best-kept secrets. The landscape is unlike anything else on earth: dramatic sea cliffs that drop straight into the Atlantic, cascading waterfalls, grass-roofed villages, and a stillness that feels genuinely rare in modern travel. With a small number of accommodations and a government committed to keeping tourism sustainable, there's simply not much room. The people are warm, the seafood is exceptional, and the pace of life is intentional.
4. Kyoto, Japan Visiting outside of peak cherry-blossom season means thinner crowds and a quieter, more authentic side of the city. For anyone drawn to watch culture and craft, Kyoto is where Japan's obsession with precision and artistry runs deepest, and the food scene matches that energy perfectly. The best ryokans weave it all together: world-class food, immaculate design, and an experience that's impossible to replicate anywhere else. These properties book out well in advance, so let's connect and start building your itinerary.
5. The Galápagos Islands, Ecuador Visitor access to the Galápagos is intentionally limited to protect the ecosystem, which means cruise and land-based tour availability is finite. The islands offer something almost no other destination can… wildlife that has no fear of humans. It's one of the most incredible experiences on earth, and securing your spot is exactly the kind of thing I help clients navigate.
Banff
6. Banff & the Canadian Rockies Banff National Park has become one of North America's most photographed destinations, and the lodges and boutique properties inside and around the park reflect that demand. Lake Louise in summer and Banff town in winter both fill up well in advance. If you're dreaming of turquoise glacial lakes and mountain views, this is a closer-to-home bucket list destination.
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve
7. Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town is one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Table Mountain rising above the Atlantic, world-class wine country just 45 minutes away, and a food and culture scene that genuinely surprises first-time visitors. The best boutique hotels and private villas book up fast, especially during Cape Town's peak summer season (December through February). It also pairs beautifully with a safari extension if you're making the trip to Africa.
Classic Whitewash overlooking Caldera
8. Santorini, Greece Yes, you've seen the photos. The blue domes, the white-washed walls, the sunsets over the caldera. What the photos don't show is how limited the best accommodations actually are. Cave hotels carved into the cliffs in Oia and Imerovigli have a handful of rooms each, and they fill up quickly during summer and honeymoon season.
9. Belize Belize is having a moment, and the best small lodges and eco-resorts are responding by filling up fast. What makes Belize special is the vast range of what you can experience. You can dive the Great Blue Hole, explore ancient Mayan ruins, zip-line through jungle, and be back at a thatched-roof lodge on the water by sunset. It's accessible from the U.S., affordable relative to the Caribbean, and truly under-visited for what it offers.
Moore Reef Pontoon Experience - Great Barrier Reef
10. The Great Barrier Reef, Australia The Great Barrier Reef stretches over 1,400 miles off the coast of Queensland and is the world's largest coral reef system, home to more than 1,500 species of fish, 4,000 types of mollusk, and over 600 species of coral. Whether you're a seasoned diver, a curious first-time snorkeler, or traveling with kids who are just beginning to discover the ocean, the Reef delivers an experience that's hard to put into words. The best liveaboard dive experiences and private island resorts ( Lizard Island and Qualia on Hamilton Island) book out well in advance and require detailed planning.
The Bottom Line
The destinations that take your breath away rarely wait for you. If you see yourself somewhere on this list, treat it as your sign to stop saving the idea and reach out. I can help you navigate permits, waitlists, availability windows, and the kind of access that turns a good trip into one you'll talk about for years.
