I’ve noticed more travelers asking for wellness trips without actually wanting a wellness retreat. They want a beautiful hotel with an exceptional spa, great fitness facilities, access to nature, healthy dining options, and the flexibility to enjoy it all on their own terms. No prescribed schedules, no mandatory classes, and no pressure to optimize every hour of the day. It’s a different kind of luxury: having everything you need to recharge, while deciding for yourself what that looks like....

Festive season has a booking window unlike any other time of year. With so many travelers wanting to take advantage of slower schedules or dedicated time off all at once, popular destinations and marquee experiences are booked solid before most people even spare a glance at their calendars. I put together a destination-by-destination guide to the trips where planning now makes the biggest difference, plus my picks for the best sleeper hits of the season. If any of these spark ideas, let’s...