First Look At The Jan/Feb 2026 Issue

C&TH’s annual Escape issue is chock-full of travel inspiration – plus discover why editorial director Lucy Cleland journeyed to Dubai to meet SJP.

Inside The Jan/Feb Issue Of C&TH

January is the month when so many of us decide on our travel plans for the year, but has it ever felt so complicated, so charged? Can we justify a weekend in New York for the carbon footprint, or even be allowed in if our social media feeds have a whiff of criticism of the current administration? Do our favourites haunts – Paris, Barcelona, Cornwall, Lisbon – still want us to come? Are we Saudi Arabia curious but can’t get over the human rights issues despite the huge tourism developments being created on the most sustainable principles ever? Like so much at the moment, everything feels on slightly shaky ground – and our annual escape issue is here to help you navigate this changing landscape.

Mongolian herders on horseback (Unsplash)

Travel brings us the most incredible stories of people and places; it teaches us so much about ourselves and others and invokes a love of – and curiosity about – our world. Just read about Emma Blunt’s experience of tracking snow leopards in Mongolia, Annabel Illingworth’s WiFi-free trip to the edge of the world, or Sarah Marshall’s investigation of Iceland, the world’s most gender-equal country. This is what we need and what we seek – as Francisca Kellett discovers, even the world’s richest are using travel to connect to themselves, their families, to nature. We also bring you the top ten global hotel openings, spotlighted by Lauren Ho; our Maldives special sees our flock of writers island hopping to find the right one for you; and I was lucky to sneak an exclusive first-look at the new Surrenne retreat on the French Riviera.

Also Inside The New Issue

• Lucy Cleland journeys to the glittering high rises and deserts of Dubai to meet Sarah Jessica Parker, our first cover star of 2026, as she begins a new role as creative director of lab-grown diamond company Astrea London. Parker shares her memories of her first trip to London, aged 11 – where, as befits the girl who would go on to become one of New York’s most glamorous, her London digs were a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace and boasted Peter Sellers as a neighbour
• We celebrate our 30 Future Icons Power People 2026, a cohort of leaders and changemakers who are doing everything they can to make our planet a cooler, fairer, happier place
• For our new back page, A Life in Balance, style doyenne Alex Eagle shares how she finds her happy place
• Alice B-B learns the art of a samurai warrior on a retreat in Yorkshire; Tiffanie Darke discovers the brands disrupting the shoe industry; and Lisa Armstrong gives her verdict on JW Anderson’s first full season at Dior. Plus, Juliet Herd and Shane C. Kurup hunt down the most inspiring new-season fashion and jewellery
• In our culture pages, powerful women take centre stage: Olivia Emily previews Cynthia Erivo’s turn as Dracula, Ed Vaizey talks to his friend Tracey Emin ahead of her retrospection at Tate Modern and Olivia Cole meets Nieves González, the portrait artist behind Lily Allen’s new polka-dot album cover
• New year, new you? Our beauty & wellbeing Olivia Falcon trials a holistic alternative to Mounjaro, Camilla Hewitt learns how to rest, Nathalie Eleni shares her beauty shortcuts and Dr Federica Amati separates the fads from food that matters
• Carole Annett and Luke Edward Hall showcase the meticulous British craftsmanship at play aboard the new Britannic Explorer trains and Kelly Hoppen shares her design hacks and heroes. On the property front, Anna Tyzack discovers how Robert De Niro is bringing glamorous Barbuda back into focus
• For wild food fans, Jenny Jefferies finds joy at Knepp Estate’s Wilding Kitchen and Tessa Dunthorne has the latest tantalising foodie tales and tidbits
• PLUS interviews with Beverley Knight and South African soprano Pretty Yende, and so much more…. Enjoy!

The new issue is on sale from Wednesday 4 February or pick up your copy here from Friday