Meanwhile, the 2026 Virtuoso Luxe Report, which gathered insights from 300 luxury travel advisers in Australia and New Zealand, highlighted Japan, Italy, Greece, Croatia, and Fiji as the top choices for luxury travelers.

Interestingly, not all destinations favored by luxury travelers come with a hefty price tag. If you’re considering these hotspots for your next getaway, here’s a preview of the expenses you might encounter.

For the first time, Japan has claimed the top spot in Virtuoso’s rankings, as noted by Greg Treasure, the general manager of the luxury travel network in Australia and New Zealand.

Japan has become a magnet for Australian tourists in recent years. Its allure spans all seasons, with attractions ranging from the ski slopes, the vibrant urban life in Tokyo, to Kyoto’s breathtaking cherry blossoms, among many others.

“Italy, I think it’s been our number one destination for quite some time,” Treasure told SBS News. “Japan has been extraordinarily popular, not only in the luxury space, but in the general travel space.”

Japan is popular year-round, but in the popular cherry blossom season in March and April, many direct flights cost upwards of $1,500 return.

Food: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Tokyo can range from about $7.80 to $14.60, according to the Numbeo global cost of living database. On average, a coffee will set you back around $4.90 and a beer around $5.80, the crowdsourced database suggests.

Italy

While Italy will always be popular, Treasure said, price pressures, overtourism and crowding have put many travellers off European destinations in recent years.

The Colosseum is one of Rome’s biggest drawcards, along with its food, history, culture and iconic landmarks. Source: Getty / Dave G Kelly

Airfare: Return airfares from Sydney to Rome in February, the off-season, can range from around $1,175 for journeys with two or more stops to $1,375 for those with only one layover. In the peak summer season, many flights cost at least $2,000 return, though some cheaper deals do exist.

Food: A meal at an inexpensive restaurant can range from about $21 to $44, according to the Numbeo cost of living database. A cappuccino might range between $2.10 and $4.40, while a beer might set you back around $8.80 on average.

Greece

There’s long been a high level of interest for Australian travellers to Italy and Greece, Long said, and he doesn’t expect that to change — but “we aren’t expecting to see any significant growth” to those destinations this year across the broader Australian market.

Athens, with the world-famous Acropolis perched on a hilltop, also serves as a gateway to Greece’s iconic islands, including Santorini. Source: Getty / nantonov

Airfare: Return airfares from Sydney to Athens start from around $1,130 in the European winter and shoulder seasons next year. In the European summer months, flights generally start at around $1,550.

Food: The average cost of a meal at a budget-friendly restaurant is $26.60, according to the Numbeo database. A beer typically costs $8.80 on average, while a cappuccino goes for around $6.50.

Croatia

“We are seeing that there is a little bit of price pressure coming on Croatia now,” he told SBS News. “Everyone hears about it, [it] becomes the next trend, and it gets really busy really quickly.”

Dubrovnik in Croatia exploded in popularity after it was used as a filming location for the hit Game of Thrones TV show. Source: Getty / Nico De Pasquale Photography

Airfares: Flights from Sydney to Dubrovnik, one of Croatia’s most popular tourist hubs, typically include two or more stopovers, which can make fares a bit pricier than those to some other European destinations. In February, the off-season, return flights start from around $1,840. That starting price goes up to roughly $1,940 in July, a peak travel month.

Food: Expect to pay $26.60 on average for a meal at a reasonably-priced restaurant in Dubrovnik, according to Numbeo. A beer is estimated to cost around $12.40, while a cappuccino is around $6.35.

Fiji

“When we’re comparing similar resort experiences to other destinations, it’s really become far more challenging for Fiji to compete,” Long said.

Fiji’s Denarau Island, located around a 20-minute drive from Nadi International Airport, is home to a variety of major resorts. Source: Getty / Westend61

Airfares: Flights to Nadi International Airport in June, during the popular dry season, start from about $560 for a round trip. Prices are fairly consistent throughout the year.