You had to know this was coming, right? Let’s talk about where I think you should go this summer and for the rest of the year! Because a) no, it’s not too late to book summer trips at all and b) it’s also not too early to start thinking about fall and holiday destinations either. (This is from the perspective of traveling from North America…)
SUMMER
If you’re hankering for a Europe trip but haven’t booked anything yet, I wish you the best of luck. The heavy hitters (major cities and beach destinations in Italy, Spain, France, Greece) can be best described as over-booked. Believe me, I never want to discourage anyone from living la dolce vita, but I’d say either go off the beaten path with a stay in Umbria, Puglia, or Sardinia or wait until September. Unless you love crowds and overpaying for everything.
Instead!
Make your way to Croatia. You're still on the Mediterranean and can flit between barefoot luxury island life and strolling beautiful walled cities. Not to mention, fascinating history, music festivals, and delicious food abound. Here’s what I’d do: Start with a few days in Dubrovnik exploring the walled city, drive up to Split for a few days of eating, walking, and beaching, and then onto the stunning Maslina Resort, near Hvar.
Or Montenegro, more relaxed and lesser-known to American tourists than Croatia. Here’s where you could stay at the jaw-dropping One & Only, charter a boat for the day, walk old town Kotor, pop to Tivat for lunch…
May I point you in the direction of Switzerland? Lakes are not oceans, I grant you. But I think a summer stay in this otherwise wintry destination could become a new go-to. Crystal clear waters to swim in and an ultra-luxurious stay in Lausanne, plus let's not forget all the chocolate.
Switching gears (and continents) entirely, I love the idea of a summer getaway to Maine. Lobster rolls and sailing trips and oyster shucking, all fueled by wild blueberry pancakes. I’d start at The Press Hotel in Portland, then go off the grid(-ish) at Hidden Pond, just outside Kennebunkport, for a few days of adventure by the sea.
FALL
Let’s go to Copenhagen in the early fall, for nonstop baked goods, strolling and biking, sauna, a stop at Tivoli Gardens, and a side trip (per some of my best-traveled friends) to the Danish island of Bornholm. Home base would be the chic, boutique Hotel Sanders.
Or we could do a long weekend in Mexico City, eating everything. I’m staying at Las Alcobas or Hotel Alest, I’m eating at the iconic Contramar and trying the new speakeasy-ish 686 Bar for cocktails and snacks. I’m gallery-hopping and going dancing, too.
If you’re in for a bigger trip, I’m pointing you in the direction of South Africa, one of my all-time favorite places in the world. Start at the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town (Test Kitchen is a delicious restaurant and I have the best hiking guide for Table Mountain), safari at MalaMala camp of course, and then drive to the winelands for a stay at the absolutely epic Babylonstoren.
Sedona is a gorgeous fall getaway, especially if you really lean into the whole wellness vibe of the place. You’ll stay at Enchantment and you’ll book activities and spa services every day of your trip. By the time you leave, you’ll be charging crystals in the moonlight in total sincerity.
WINTER
For a big winter trip, I’d say Oman and/or Joran, both of which are safe for American travelers and stunning. Start in Muscat, Oman, at the Chedi Hotel and then move out to the desert for a stay at the 1000 Nights Camp, a luxurious camping experience in the dunes. If you spring for Jordan, start with a few days in Amman (at the Four Seasons, why not?) eating at really cool, great restaurants and exploring markets, then drive out to Petra and Wadi Rum for an unforgettable few days in the desert. I highly recommend a stay in a Bedouin tented camp in Wadi Rum.
I adore Jamaica and would spend Christmas or New Year’s (or both!) there anytime. I’ll book you at Goldeneye, which is a collection of bungalows and cottages and is Ian Fleming’s old stomping grounds. (Where 007 was born.) It’s all about that barefoot luxury for a trip to Jamaica, between boat trips and finding the best jerk on the island.
I’m so pulled to both the Canary Islands and the Azores, so why not explore around there? And by explore, I mean sleep in and jump in the ocean and eat. On the Azores, I’m booking the modern Santa Barbara Eco Resort, I’m leaping into the ocean every day, and I’m lazing at waterfront eateries for days. In the Canaries, I’ll do the colorful Ritz Carlton on Tenerife or the luxe, hillside Casa Leon on Gran Canaria.
Perhaps obviously / importantly, if any of these pique your interest I’d love to help get you there!
Links & LA stuff
An important deep-dive into LA’s best burritos.
I recently tried Wine House Kitchen, which is fantastic! It’s a restaurant above the randomly-located but beloved wine shop, Wine House in West LA. Also CouCou in Santa Monica is so fun—food’s good, vibe and cocktails are great.
Spoilers!: After you’ve watched the Succession finale, click this.
South Carolina, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me.
Ok, the HBO documentary series of the Smartless podcast guys on tour is pretty fun. Jason Bateman and his dietary preferences are a bit much, but fuck they’re funny. The interviews with Will Ferrel and Conan O’Brien are both TOPS.
My secondary boyfriend, Niall Horan, (my first is still Harry Styles) made an excellent playlist on Spotify of cool new music coming out of Ireland. I’m digging it.
Per Kottke: The Tesla Model Y is now the best-selling car in the world, beating out the Toyota Corolla. The over-reliance on cars is still a big issue, but an EV topping the best-seller list right now is a small bit of good news re: the climate crisis. (Sidebar: I just got a Model Y and I regret to inform you that I absolutely love it.)
Mango has some great summer lewks these days!
“The Gatekeepers of New York’s Most Coveted Tables Tell All”
Last, but certainly not least… RIP Tina Turner. Simply, the best.
Signing off to never, ever do nothin’ nice and easy…
xoxo,
Nicole