Listed by Original Travel and in the latest Hilton Hotels’ Trends Report, nostalgic travel is set to be one of the big travel trends for 2026. “Next year, Americans in particular, are expected to lead the world in what Hilton has coined ‘Time Travel’— the act of taking vacations and booking travel experiences inspired by nostalgic memories,” says Hilton. “In fact, ‘recreating memories’ was the third most-cited reason for leisure travel in the U.S.”
Couple this with the uptick in the popularity of heritage hotels, as cited by Preferred Hotels’ just-released Luxury Travel Report, and there seems to be a yearning for a bygone elegance and deep meaning that is associated with the past.
“Heritage Travel is the frontier of luxury,” says Preferred Hotels. “Travelers seek significance when they travel and want to immerse themselves in history and heritage. Not only do they want to experience history, but they also want to build new memories and histories with their families.”
This desire to be ‘part of history’—whether it is staying in a converted convent or a restored castle—has also crossed over to luxury retail, with a surge in demand for prestige products, that have a rich history or artisan craftsmanship at their core, to cater to well-heeled travelers just in time for the festive season.
Briggs & Riley, for instance, has been creating luxury luggage for over 30 years and pairs high functionality with a sleek design ethos across all its products to give a sense of the ‘golden age of travel’. Its latest Torq Medium Hardside Spinner in Ocean (£599) is a case in point (pun intended). It offers the classic durability of hard-sided luggage yet is lighter than most models, with plenty of packing space for an extended time on the road. Now available in a limited edition ‘Ocean’ colourway, it has double spinner wheels powered by metal ball bearings to give the four-wheel luggage 360º ‘maneuverability’. To elevate each piece further, Briggs & Riley luggage can also be personalised with monograms and the brand’s lifetime guarantee ensures each case has a sustainable lifespan.
Richard Krulik, CEO of Briggs & Riley, reveals the trend for more artisan goods lies in the ‘investment’ factor: “In a world overflowing with choices, true luxury today isn’t about excess, it’s about endurance. Modern travelers are more thoughtful than ever about where they invest, and they recognise that real value lies in products built to last a lifetime. At Briggs & Riley, our heritage is rooted in craftsmanship, timeless design and innovation that never stands still. For over 30 years, we’ve focused on creating luggage that performs trip after trip, backed by our ‘Simple As That’ lifetime guarantee. Heritage is the new luxury because it represents trust, quality and a commitment to continuous improvement—the things that never go out of style.”
Celebrating the rich history behind two distinct brands is the WOLF X Liberty collaboration (from £135.20), which has resulted in a covetable collection of luxury travel cases for jewellery, which has taken over two years to design and develop. Known for its exquisite jewellery boxes and travel cases, WOLF dates back to 1834, when Philipp Wolf I began his box making business driven by a desire to “present beautiful things in the perfect box”. Four generations later, WOLF’s legacy, driven by design excellence and sustainability, is driven by CEO Simon Wolf. Holders of the Butterfly Mark, WOLF holds sustainability close to its heart and the collaboration sees the use of innovative bio-based materials with tactile finishes and intricate embossing, proving luxury and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.
The iconic Liberty of London store, meanwhile, was first opened in 1875 by Arthur Lasenby Liberty. The emporium of luxuries had a mission to revolutionise design: not to follow fashion, but to create it. The London store, full of Tudor charm and layered with history, became a sanctuary for artistry and discovery, and this year Liberty celebrates 150 years, with the in-house studio continuing to breathe life into over 60,000 archival prints.
Making the ultimate gift for any traveller, the jewellery boxes and travel cases are adorned with famous Liberty designs and handmade by WOLF. Each product features WOLF’s innovative patented LusterLoc™ lining, to prevent jewellery from discolouration or tarnishing for up to 35 years.
“When it comes to significant purchases or meaningful gifts, people naturally gravitate toward brands known for quality that they can trust,” says Simon Wolf, CEO of WOLF. “Our collaboration with Liberty embodies this, blending the heritage of two iconic brands with WOLF’s patented innovations and commitment to sustainable, bio-based materials. This collection goes beyond caring for jewellery—it’s about offering a timeless, thoughtful design that reflects the values of quality, craftsmanship, and storytelling.”
Celebrating heritage of the olfactory kind is Creed Fragrances, a perfume house which dates back to 1760. One of its most popular scents is Aventus for men (from £310), which this year marks its 15 year anniversary, and which is highly sought after across different generations. Regarded as the olfactory equivalent of a luxury watch—a signifier of success for men, the scent is one of the most revered fragrances from The House of Creed, featuring dynamic pineapple and a sophisticated smoky edge. The fragrance opens with vibrant bergamot, unfolding into smoky birch and a rich cedarwood base that leaves a bold, unforgettable impression. The female counterpart, Aventus For Her, meanwhile has a fresh, floral notes, blending crisp green apple and a heart of rose and ylang ylang. Both make ideal gift for travelers who are seeking a scent that works for any occasion.
Lori Woodhouse Creed’s global director of Education, says: “When investing in luxury, people trust brands with a rich heritage and prestigious reputation. They have a proven strength and authority through time, not just in longevity of a brand but also in the authority of luxury through products, service and community. Having been established in 1760, Creed has stood the test of time and it is a brand synonymous with luxury craftsmanship.”
Tres London, a luxury childrenswear brand, may be newly founded by Monica Soni, but its prestige lies in ‘quiet luxury’ and craftsmanship. The latest AW25 collection, made in soft organic cottons and luxe merino wool, have been designed to be heirloom pieces, with the brand offering a hand-embroidery service to elevate any gifting.
“This year, we’re debuting a modern twist on the classic Christmas jumper,” says Monica. “The customer will have the option to choose from a few chic Christmas icons, and gift it in our premium gift box. Today’s luxury-minded consumers invest in brands like ours because they care about purpose as much as thoughtful design—beautifully made, consciously crafted pieces that don’t chase trends but stand the test of time.”
Madeleine Thompson’s cashmere knits are perfect for travelers seeking a sense of luxury and comfort when on the road. Having launched the brand over 10 years ago, Madeleine melds her experiences of growing up in both London and Hong Kong into her design aesthetic. Her cashmere knitwear essentials have quality and sustainability at their heart, with each piece made with the highest grade cashmere. “We use reputable suppliers who are committed to providing traceable fibre of the highest quality,” she says. “This is continuously monitored. The yarn mill has a clear animal welfare policy and all of our knitwear is made in-house.”
Madeleine adds: “I’m so glad to see that people are returning to prestige and a reputation for luxury and commitment to quality. I think this ties in with a need for trust in brands in quite turbulent times. And, also, a simple and elegant aesthetic is really enhanced with well-made and beautifully-fitted garments which are crafted to the highest level; something that we have been striving for ever since the label began.”
Founded in 2015, Ruskin England captures the artisan skill of small craftsmen and women in its collection of leather and tweed bags, accessories and luggage. “We believe small artisan brands like Ruskin, embody a form of luxury deeply rooted in time, care, and human skill,” says Alli Abdelal, Ruskin’s owner and designer. “Working on a smaller scale allows us to remain close to every stage of the process and to the people who will bring our designs into their daily lives. True luxury, for us, isn’t about rarity or spectacle; it is about the honesty of something made with the utmost care and meant to endure. Smaller brands can respond to individual needs and preferences, creating pieces that feel personal, considered, and that truly reflect our customers’ lifestyles and values. At its core, our work is about connection—human connection between those of us who create, who craft, and who carry our design work.”
Also proudly made in England is Moloh, a luxury fashion brand with a discernibly British style. Heralding from the Cotswolds with a flag ship store in Tetbury, the brand is known for its beautiful tailored coats and jackets and sumptuous cashmere—which are timeless and designed to be worn for years. The collection is all made in the UK, using the highest quality fabrics and very limited runs with the brand saying its “desire is to create clothes that are irresistibly wearable. We craft each piece to be lived in and to be loved for seasons to come.”
Finally, for the ultimate in luxury taste, and perfect for Christmas gifting, is the new artisan-made Marble Panettone, designed by pastry chef Gian Paolo Bassi. Elevating Italy’s traditional Christmas cake, which dates back to the 15th century in Milan, and dubbed the most expensive panettone in the world, it is crafted with a host of handcrafted ingredients (think: Alpine butter from the Dolomites; wild Manuka honey from New Zealand and birch sap from the forests of Northern Europe). Chef Bassi took three years of testing to create Marmocottura, a patented baking technique using Carrara marble moulds, repurposed from quarry scraps. The result is a light, sweet cake, which has its foundations in rich artistry, artisanship and… the past.