The biggest mistake modern travelers make? not planning far enough in advance. Reach out to your travel advisor for ideas on The Best Places to Travel This summer – while it’s still springtime! there have been record bookings for 2024, meaning other travelers are already planning ahead of you.
To get started, here are 10 of the best places to travel this summer. Plus, some enticing promotional rates and perks you don’t want to miss. Reach out to me to plan your perfect getaway. you’ve earned it.
1. Austria
Austria’s recent popularity is thanks in part to a burgeoning natural wine industry in the countryside. It’s undeniably also because it’s been top ranked on a multitude of “happiest places to live” lists in the last couple years. Yet, it’s always been an excellent epicurean destination with palaces, opera houses, renowned coffee culture, and famous dishes. Visitors can enjoy Wienerschnitzel, Apfelstrudel, and Sachertorte – a glossy dark chocolate cake with layers of sweet apricot jam. In particular, what makes it one of the best places to travel this summer this year is that while the focus is on Paris for the Olympics, you can enjoy Austria with fewer crowds.
Choose between Vienna and Salzburg (or if you have the time, visit both). End your trip with a wellness stay at the highly anticipated Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, a newly restored 15th century castle opening Summer 2024 along the signature shores of Lake Fuschl. The word “castle” admitedly gets used too casually in Europe, but the Hotel Schloss Fuschl is a genuine fortress of a property. I certainly love it when the building is over 500 years old and I still can plug in my USB charger bedside. The new(ish) hotel will have world-class restaurants and Asaya, Rosewood’s client customized well-being program. The best part: there’s a heated outdoor swimming pool with commanding views of the picturesque lake. Get complimentary perks here when booking with me: A welcome amenity, $100 resort credit, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
2. Costa Rica
Travel and Leisure’s 2024 Destination of the Year. Have you heard? (Of course.) Do your best to beat the crowds accordingly: visit during the rainy season. There may be showers during the day, but warm rain quickly evaporates to sunshine: all things considered, a fair trade for less crowds.
Costa Rica is on everyone’s list this year and is consequently no longer a last minute destination. Plan ahead, especially if you have your sights set on popular resorts near Arenal. I’ve seen some of the most popular resorts booked solid for up to 5 months in advance. If you need a jump start itinerary for Costa Rica, here is my Two Week Itinerary for Your First Time.
Start off the beaten path at a rainforest bungalow at Rio Perdido. Tucked in the forest next to thermal rivers, raise your adrenaline levels via zip line, mountain bike and white water raft without leaving the property’s 1500 acres. It’s not Arenal, but the activities are the same – and you won’t need to get in your car every day.
Balance adventure with luxury beach resorts dotted throughout the Papagayo Peninsula. The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica added a beach club and updated its golf course (while reducing water usage). The newly introduced Wellness Shala spa features treatments that use local coconut, cocao, and volcanic clay.
Perks of booking with me: $100 resort credit, welcome amenity, free breakfast, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible – and right now the Four Seasons is offering a 5th night free.
If you’re a trailblazing traveler, go South to stay at the new Our Habitas Santa Teresa opening Spring 2024. The surfing hub has experienced a boom in development the last decade. The unveiling of Habitas along with more convenient domestic flights will bolster the region’s appeal to luxe travelers. Visit before the Tulum crowds descend. Come here to snorkel, surf, yoga al fresco, or ride an ATV through the rugged countryside. Just keep an eye out for Gisele Bündchen, a local homeowner and perennial trend setter.
3. The Alaskan Coastline
Cruising is back in a big way, and you can choose your own adventure. From big cruises to small intimate adults-only ships, cruising Alaska is a low-stakes way to see the most of the massive state’s coastline. Experience the tallest pine trees you’ve ever seen, bald eagles soaring in the sky, and humpback whales singing below. Learn about indigenous culture and history, see the scenic White Pass and the gold-rush Yukon Railway – and only unpack once. Year after year, Alaska is one of the best places to travel this summer thanks to its mild weather and amazing vistas.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a promo until April 30th for a free 2-category Suite Upgrade and a $500 Shipboard Credit when you reserve a Superior Suite and below. And be sure to check out their Epicurean experiences!
4. Big Sur, California
As an favorite California roadtrip destination, Highway 1 is one of the best places to travel in the summer each year to take in the jagged, breathtaking coastline views (cue the Big Little Lies soundtrack). Plus, thanks to a plethora of trendy boutique hotels, more find themselves extending their pit stop on the Northern California coast.
This fall saw the reopening of Carmel-by-the-Sea’s historical La Playa Hotel. Once a luxurious mansion built in 1905 by an artist as a gift to his wife, the Grande Dame of Carmel has been completely restored with modern comforts. (Former guests include Ansel Adams and Steve Jobs, who launched Apple’s Macintosh Computer first prototype at the hotel.) Meanwhile, infamous properties like Post Ranch Inn and Ventana Big Sur keep visitors returning year after year.
Now through March 29th, enjoy 25% off suites at the all inclusive Ventana Big Sur. Still enjoy perks when booking with me, like a $100 resort credit, welcome amenity, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
5. Fiji
Want to push the envelope past Hawaii? June is Fiji’s shoulder season and a great time to take advantage of the smaller crowds and dry weather. Come here to go snorkeling and diving – tropical fish and marine thrive in the barrier reefs. For land lubbers, there are rainforests, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Fresh seafood and ripe tropical fruit are consistently on the menu. Plus, daily nonstop flights from Los Angeles on Fiji Airways make getting there easy.
You have your choice of gorgeous hotels and islands – private or otherwise – to stay while in Fiji. I’m a fan of Nanuku on Fiji’s largest island of Viti Levu. The 500-acre estate feels like a private world of its own. Adrenaline junkies can zip-line, go white water rafting, treks through waterfalls, surf, and even dive cage-less with bull sharks (eek!) Give a helping hand with rehabilitating Nanuku’s private coral reef by replanting coral with the resort’s marine biologist, then watch the sun go down at Nanuku’s restaurant, where you can enjoy local fresh seafood alongside South Pacific specialties like ivi chestnuts and peach palm hearts. Complimentary perks for booking Nanuku with me include a $100 resort credit, welcome amenity, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
6. Greece
I can’t make a list of Epicurean places to visit and not include the birthplace of Epicureanism itself: Greece. Like Austria, Greece one of the best places to travel this summer while Europe’s eyes are on the Paris Olympics.
I’m excited about the launch of Odera on the remote island of Tinos in May 2024. The smaller, quieter islands of Greece will receive more notice this year thanks to celebrity spottings (and instagram posts). Notably, Athens-based Trésor Hospitality made a name for themselves with several luxury hotels across the islands and mainland, but Odera is a departure from Greece’s usual Mykonos vibes. This is the first ultra-luxury hotel on the quiet, unspoiled island of Tinos.
But what is a visit to Greece without seeing the main sites? Spend several nights in Athens to appreciate the ancient Greek monuments before jetting off to the islands. Land at the Athens Capital Center – MGallery for a reasonable stay in the heart of Athens and enjoy the complimentary perks: Welcome amenity, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
7. Bhutan
If you really want to get away – look no further than the “happiest place in the world.” Known for its stunning landscapes and monasteries, June marks the start of the summer season when two major festivals take place and feature traditional performances, vibrant folk dances, and Buddhist ceremonies – making it one of the best places to travel this summer.
Bhutan is the kind of vacation you take when you crave a change of pace or a new lease on life. Bhutan infamously is a more expensive place to visit (there is a $100 daily tourist fee), but you should visit in the next few years – they announced they will double the fee in 2027. At least you can feel good about your investment: the funds are used to offset the carbon produced by tourism to the country.
Luxurious wellness focused brands have found their stride in Bhutan. The Amankora is a wondrously secluded retreat perfect for nature lovers. Located riverside deep in a valley, this private farmhouse turned Aman is picture perfect. From the moment you embark on the suspension bridge decorated with prayer flags – which must be crossed to reach the lodge – you know you’re somewhere special. Enjoy complimentary perks when booking with me too: Welcome amenity, $100 resort credit, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
If Aman is not in the budget, consider Six Senses Bhutan. The Spa and Wellness brand famous for their barefoot luxury is a natural fit in the sustainably focused country. The first thing that you notice when checking in are the views: rolling forest-covered mountains stretching out to the horizon, and on clear days a streak of snowy peaks in the distance. Get complimentary perks here too: A welcome amenity, $100 resort credit, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
8. Germany
Soccer – or should I say fooßbal – fans: pay attention. Germany is one of the best places to visit this summer because between June and July they’re hosting the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship. Held every four years, the tournament for men’s national teams will take place in 10 cities across Germany, including Berlin, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Munich.
If i had to pick one town to plant my roots for the tournament, it would be Munich with a stay at the iconic Hotel Bayerischer Hof. This Grand Dame exudes 19th-century sophistication. Originally built as a private residence in 1813, it has been thoughtfully updated throughout the years. You’ll want to book a table at the hotel’s Atelier restaurant—it has three Michelin stars. Naturally, there are perks here too: a welcome amenity, $100 resort credit, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
9. Madagascar
Madagascar is high on my bucket list, and it’s one of the best places to travel this summer because it’s been made easier to visit in 2024. New flights and cruise itineraries are linking remote destinations across Madagascar, making the world’s fourth-largest island more accessible this year.
Summer is Madagascar’s dry season. Visit to see the rich and unique biodiversity like the lemurs and baobab trees, marvel at the otherworldly natural beauty and upend your senses. Split your time between viewing wildlife in the national parks, exploring the colorful markets in the capital, and relaxing on the stunning beaches.
Several new luxury tented camps are opening in the practically unvisited Namoroka National Park – a Jurassic limestone covered park home to 8 different species of lemurs and more than 220 species of plants (of which over 100 are endemic to Madagascar).
10. Scotland
Scotland is a captivating country where boundaries between fairytales and history get blurred. Full of rugged beauty, serene lochs, and majestic castles, the scenery is only overshadowed by the friendliness of the Scots. Deeply dedicated and proud of their cultural heritage, their hospitality is evident through warm welcomes, vibrant festivals, and traditional music and dance.
Don’t miss Edinburgh – the entire city is a gorgeous Gothic UNESCO World Heritage Site with a buzzy restaurant scene. It’s one of the best places to travel this summer thanks to the mild weather, and – if you’re not afraid of crowds – the huge Fringe Festival in August. This festival celebrates the weird, theatrical, and dramatic with live performances everywhere from the stage to the street. Yes, please!
For a traditional stay, there is the historical The Balmoral, A Rocco Forte Hotel. Perfectly located right next to the Royal Mile, the hotel has a relaxed whiskey tasting room with gentlemen in kilts can recommend tipples for you, and the Palm Room – a palm and tapestry lined tea room that serves scrumptous afternoon tea. Enjoy a complimentary welcome amenity, $100 resort credit, and upgrade whenever possible when booking with me.
For an escape to the countryside, visit Glenapp Castle or The Gleneagles Hotel. Glenapp is a far flung castle-lovingly-turned-hotel that’s quintessentially Scottish. Think turrets, towers and Victorian decor. Try falconry, clay pigeon shooting, croquet, hunting, and fishing. At the Gleneagles Hotel, enjoy 850 acres of land to play and explore. But you really come here to golf: their three courses are world famous and host to both the Ryder and Solheim Cups. At both hotels too, enjoy a welcome amenity, $100 resort credit, upgrade & late check-out whenever possible if you book with me.
Ready to get away? Schedule time with me to talk about your upcoming trip.
