Imagine you’re Blair Waldorf (a reference for the elder millennials among us) or maybe you’re the ultra glam Liz Taylor, only slightly less over the top (because really, has anyone ever been as OTT as the great Liz?). Maybe you see yourself as more of an Ernest Hemingway type when it comes to travel: someone experienced and well educated. If you’ve got a weekend that desperately needs to be filled with plans and a checkbook that never says no, where are you heading off to this weekend? America’s elite, including modern celebrities and those of posthumous prestige, always know how and where to travel well.

 

From weekends on unpretentious capes to foreign escapes designed to invite a little extra culture into their lives, they know where to go to not only have the best time possible, but also retain that exclusive, elite status that they’ve attained with their flawless taste and fearless spending. If you want to experience traveling the way America’s elites do, you need to ask yourself one question: where are they off this weekend?

 

 

Quiet Luxury Escapes

Quiet luxury may not be the buzzword it was when Succession was still airing, but the concept has never disappeared and was, in fact, around a long time before the wildly successful show was. In 2026, elite American travellers are leaning hard into “long weekend” escapes that offer them a hefty dose of that quiet luxury. Places that are often rather inaccessible without needing to charter a private plane are often rather understated instead of flashy and “obvious,” and places that feel incredibly “old-money” and indulgent. IF you’re looking to replicate the experience, here is where you’re likely to find elite American travelers this weekend: places that positively whisper “quiet luxury”.

  • Napa Valley – private tastings, vineyard estates, and miles of stunning scenery
  • The Hamptons – classic NYC elite beach escape replete with beachfront homes and excellent dining opportunities
  • Aspen – even off-season, this beloved ski location is known for wellness and fine dining
  • Florida Keys – indulge in that tropical feel and excellent weather without even leaving S. soil.

 

 

“Close By But Feels Like It’s Not”

Even the most elite in American society can’t bend time to their will (yet…but science works fast!), so a weekend really does mean a weekend, even for them. Either it’s a regular weekend with Saturday and Sunday availability, or a long weekend that may perhaps include an extra day of availability. That’s a maximum of three days to frolic in their chosen location before the toils and troubles of the real world drag them back into their responsibilities. With that in mind, many luxury travelers avoid long flights (which, even in the comfort of a private jet, take up time that could be used for sunbathing or wine drinking) and choose destinations close to home, but that don’t feel like it.

  • Hawaii – a top luxury escape with resort privacy and scenery that is beyond irresistible
  • Scottsdale – this may not sound like an obvious one, but the magnificent resorts, golf courses, and desert architecture are spectacular
  • New York City – this is a classic, home to many luxury hotels, incredible culture, and Michelin-starred dining.

 

Low-Key Locations

Those elite travelers who like to avoid any kind of crowd traditionally stick to destinations where discretion is the top priority and tourist traps are nowhere in sight. Low-key is the way to go if you’re all about luxurious relaxation or even just enjoy peace and quiet more than being surrounded by other people, and this is where the elites of American travel are getting a dose of both.

  • Puglia – a much quieter, villa-heavy alternative to Tuscan trips
  • Paros – in culture and appearance, much like Mykonos, but without the tourist chaos
  • Kanazawa – “mini Kyoto” with far fewer tourists and much less bustle

 

Wellness

Travel, for the American elite, doesn’t always have to be about a destination but often about what happens there. With wellness travel being one of the biggest contributors to the luxury travel sector in 2026, it’s hardly a surprise that it’s one of the top pursuits of those at the top of the travel food chain. Wellness-focused travel began with elite travelers, but it’s become a global phenomenon that can offer rejuvenation, reinvigoration and relaxation in equal measure, if you know where to look.

  • Clinique La Prairie (Montreux, Switzerland)– The worldwide gold standard for longevity science, medical diagnostics, and longevity-focused retreats
  • The Ranch (Malibu, California)– A highly structured, results-driven program focused on hiking, plant-based nutrition, and functional fitness, limiting intake to 25 guests for ultra-provacy
  • Romazzino (Sardinia, Italy)– A key, nature-driven, and mineral-rich destination in a Blue Zone, offering deep, scientifically backed restoration
  • The Dolomites, Italy– Emerging “cool-cation” spot, allowing travelers to swap hot climates for alpine air while enjoying luxury wellness, cold therapies, and spa rituals.
  • Anguilla (Cap Juluca)– Known for advanced treatments, such as the Cap Juluca Spa by Guerlain using AI-based ‘Longeviskin’ devices for skin health

 

Travel Like the Elites

You’ve got the ultimate guide to where the most cultured, refined, and wealthy Americans in the world spend their weekends. Are you going to take the time to join them?