Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-travel-daily/id1842162269
Travel Daily Podcast — January 3, 2026
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
3 underrated destinations the ultrawealthy are visiting to avoid the crowds, according to a luxury travel planner
Source: Business Insider
By: Kelsey Vlamis | Published: January 2, 2026
High-net-worth travelers are dodging overtourism by swapping headline hotspots for quieter, high-end alternatives: Puglia in Italy, Paros in Greece, and Kanazawa in Japan. These “secondary markets” are rapidly building luxury infrastructure, offering privacy, top-tier dining, and culture without shoulder-to-shoulder crowds. The takeaway: luxury isn’t about zip codes anymore—it’s about space, serenity, and access.
The most exciting U.S. hotel openings coming in 2026
Source: Observer
By: Paul Jebara | Published: Date not provided
From Aspen to Miami Beach and Yosemite’s doorstep, 2026’s standout U.S. hotel openings blend meticulous restorations with bold, experience-led concepts. Expect wellness-forward revivals (Delano Miami Beach), arts-driven alpine chic (White Elephant Aspen), national-park-adjacent glamping (Under Canvas Yosemite), and celebrity-backed originals (Dolly Parton’s Songteller Hotel in Nashville). The broader shift: less coastal routine, more mountain-town momentum and heritage properties reimagined for modern travelers.
How to get extra holiday days for nothing, and 10 other ways to save money on travel in 2026
Source: The Irish Times
By: Conor Pope | Published: January 2, 2026
Smart planning can stretch your budget and your time off: book earlier (especially with charter shifts), buy travel insurance up front, and fly midweek or via alternate hubs to save big. Consider emerging destinations like Tirana, bundle add-ons at booking to avoid price spikes, and target off-peak months outside school holidays. Pro tip: early-out flights and late returns can net you nearly two “free” vacation days.
Amtrak is booming: why more Americans are taking its trains than ever before
Source: Business Insider
By: Kelsey Vlamis | Published: January 2, 2026
Amtrak posted record 2025 ridership and revenue as major investments—new NextGen Acela trains, rolling stock upgrades, and station improvements—made rail more reliable and comfortable. With driving less pleasant and airlines piling on fees, short- and medium-haul routes, especially in the Northeast, are winning converts on convenience and experience. Funding and infrastructure remain hurdles, but cultural momentum toward lower-emission, experiential travel is firmly on rail’s side.
Behind the mesh curtain: why airline class wars will intensify in 2026
Source: CNBC
By: Leslie Josephs | Published: January 2, 2026
Airlines are doubling down on premium flyers with new lounges, upgraded cabins, and segmented products, while overall fares are expected to stay broadly flat. Expect big moves: Southwest shifts to assigned seating, American rolls out A321XLRs and perks, and Spirit’s future remains uncertain amid restructuring talk. Reliability is the universal pressure point—when operations stumble, everyone feels it, regardless of cabin.
Shankh Air to launch in March, targets international routes by 2029
Source: The Economic Times
By: ANI | Published: January 2, 2026
India’s Shankh Air plans a March 2026 launch with three Airbus A320s, aiming to boost regional connectivity and keep fares accessible for middle-class travelers. Fleet growth is slated through 2026, with ambitions to start international routes by 2028–2029. The carrier is betting on consistent pricing and service reliability to win first-time and value-focused flyers.
