The great football migration | FIFA World Cup 2026 luxury travel guide

The FIFA World Cup frenzy taking over 16 cities across USA, Canada and Mexico wraps up on July 19th. Nothing beats cheering for your favourite team, but after the final whistle blows and the post-match celebrations wrap up, it’s time for an indulgent North American vacation. Those overwhelmed by the adrenalin rush, slow the pace aboard luxury trains, cruise to Alaska’s icy wilderness on The Ritz-Carlton’s newest super yacht, or unplug at one of America’s most exclusive wellness retreats. Wine and tequila lovers join scenic trails past blue agave fields in Mexico and sun kissed vineyards in Napa valley or continue the after party at trending Michelin star restaurants in Mexico City and New York.

VANCOUVER

Romance of the Rails

Gliding past gorgeous turquoise lakes, ice fed rivers and snow-capped peaks, the two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff on the country’s most luxurious trains, the Rocky Mountaineer, unfolds like a moving picture postcard. Choose the most iconic itinerary, the ‘First Passage to the West’, a 965-km epic ride into the Canadian Rockies. After boarding at Vancouver, the train snakes through Fraser Valley before breaking journey at Kamloops, for an overnight hotel stay. The following day explores even more gorgeous landscapes winding past Glacier National Park, across the stunning Stoney Creek Bridge before entering the Rocky Mountains, while storytellers share fascinating tales about the Gold Rush, abandoned towns and indigenous communities. Gold Leaf passengers occupy glass dome coaches and dine in an elegant restaurant car, while Silver Leaf passengers travel in single storey cars with picture windows and meals served on their seats.

Www.rockymountaineer.com

Starts from $2,974 CAD per person (approx. Rs. 2 lakh)

VANCOUVER

Untamed Wilderness Meets Unrivalled Luxury

To experience Alaska’s untamed landscape through the lens of superlative luxury, book a seven- or ten-day voyage aboard the newest superyacht from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection from Vancouver to Whittier. With 226 suites with private terraces, five restaurants, a sprawling spa, seven bars, a wine vault, and an art collection, Luminara has all the makings of a chic floating resort. The onshore excursions vary from watching black bears hunt for salmon, spotting humpback whales to soaring over Alaska’s glaciers on a seaplane. On board, indulge in a pampering spa session, gaze at the rivers of ice or linger over a decadent dinner. Wine lovers can book a private dinner at the wine cellar where vintage pours from the world’s best vineyards are the highlight.

Https://www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com/

US$14,100 per person (approx. Rs.13 lakh)

NEW YORK

Triumph of Taste

If you are craving a slice of home after the match frenzy, pick one of these culinary gems that have quietly, reimagined defined Indian cuisine in the city. Semma, a one Michelin star South Indian restaurant in Manhattan, broke all records when it topped The New York Times annual list of the city’s 100 best restaurants last year—no small feat in a city of more than 20,000 dining spots.

Serpentine queues outside chef Vikas Khanna’s storied Bungalow, since the day it opened, still remains still one of the hardest reservations to procure. An homage to his roots and heritage, dining here has often been equated with a soulful homecoming. Getting a table at Ambassadors Clubhouse from London, which opened in February this year, is also a bit of a struggle. Its rich, bold Punjabi flavours, especially Original BBQ Butter Chicken Chops, have delighted many palates. But will you get that table? Remember, ‘fastest finger first’.

Https://www.semma.nyc/; https://www.bungalowny.com/; https://ambassadorsclubhouse.com/newyork/

Meal for two at these is upwards of US$150 (approx. Rs. 14,000)

SAN FRANCISCO

Uncorked and Unbound

Experience the rolling hills and valleys of California’s most celebrated wine region from a hot air balloon or atop a vintage train. Gliding slowly above sun-kissed Napa at 3,000 feet for a birds-eye-view of dawn breaking on the valley, is an unforgettable experience. Naturally, the ride ends with a glorious Champagne toast.

For a deep dive into the region’s most iconic wineries, book the six-hour Legacy Experience of the Napa Valley Wine Train that takes you to its most iconic wineries in plush, open-air cars. See Napa’s oldest winery, Charles Krug and pick up a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Madeira at V. Sattui, famed for its award-winning wines. At Robert Mondavi, which has reopened after a three-year makeover, lounge in new, glass-walled open-air tasting rooms. This is the winery which put Napa wines on the global map; a gourmet four-course meal is just par for the course.

Https://www.visitnapavalley.com/ and https://www.winetrain.com/

Wine train cost US$1,441 for two (approx. Rs. 1.3 lakh)

MEXICO CITY

Food Haul

An omakase with tacos shouldn’t come as a surprise—you’re in Mexico City after all. One of the most iconic places for this experience is Pujol, a two-Michelin-star restaurant that serves creative, gourmet interpretations of the popular Mexican street food. In fact, many travellers book a table along with their flight tickets. This is just one of the culinary highlights in Mexico, a city now known as one of the world’s most exciting food destinations with 11 Michelin-star restaurants.

Daring diners can opt for dishes that incorporate ingredients like grasshoppers and chicatana ants at the two-Michelin-star restaurant, Quintonil. But it isn’t all shock and awe; weaving traditional flavours into modern preparations, the restaurant has been feted for pushing the boundaries of Mexican cuisine.

Https://quintonil.com/; https://www.pujol.com.mx/en

The Omakase costs $4,500 MXN (approx. Rs. 24,000)

GUADALAJARA

Tequila’s chic makeover is not new. After the football match in Guadalajara, explore Jalisco, the birthplace of tequila to understand the Mexican spirit’s heritage. A newly launched experience, the Los Altos del Tequila Route, weaves through blue agave fields and historic distilleries across eight municipalities for a deep dive into tequila’s lifecycle, from plant to pour.

Another exciting experience awaits at La Hacienda, the sprawling 50-acre estate of tequila’s most luxurious brand, Clase Azul. Against a backdrop of landscaped agave fields, the visitor centre provides a deep dive into how this spirit is produced. Opt for the seven-hour experience which includes an exploration of the distillery, a visit to the ceramics centre which crafts the brand’s iconic hand painted decanters, guided tastings and a lavish six-course meal.

Https://claseazul.com/

The 7-hour experience is for $10,200 MXN per person (approx. Rs.55,000)

KANSAS CITY

Rocky Mountain High

Once the crowds thin and the noise dies down in Kansas City, take a flight to Denver to board the luxury train, the Canyon Spirit, which winds past the majestic Rockies of Colorado and the Red Rocks of Utah. Over the next three days, it may be difficult to peel your eyes away from the ever-shifting landscape of America’s southwest. Traverse the dramatic Continental Divide past the gushing Colorado river, Alpine forests and canyons before reaching Glenwood Springs for an overnight hotel stay.

On day two, the geography shifts to the red rock desert sculpted with rugged mesas, towering canyons and stone arches. As the train heads to Salt Lake City on the last day, the desert shades transition to green as it ascends the Wasatch Mountains.

Https://www.canyonspirit.com/

Cost US$2,439 per person (approx. Rs. 2.2 lakh)

LOS ANGELES

Bliss out

After the match in Los Angeles is over, hop on to a one-hour flight to Las Vegas to one of America’s most exclusive wellness escapes, and then drive to the luxury retreat, Amangiri, in Southern Utah. Wrapped in the stillness of the vast desert, check into one of its sleek suites, a six bedroom villa that only opened this April or the tented pavilions to tick all the boxes for rejuvenating the body, mind and soul. Immerse yourself in sound healing, meditation or breathwork; take a mindful walk or a guided hike in the midst of 200 million old brooding mesas or stargaze under impossibly clear skies. The extensive menu at the massive 25,000-square-foot spa, incorporates healing therapies from the ancient Native American culture. In summer, the focus is on water wellness with therapies like Aqua Shiatsu and floating guided meditation. You’ll return rejuvenated.

Https://www.aman.com/resorts/amangiri

Rooms from US$4900 per night (approx. Rs. 4.6 lakh)