Spring is finally in full swing, which means that summer is just around the corner! Whether you just got back from spring break or are planning your first getaway of the year, one truth remains the same: you deserve a vacation. Head to a local beach town to relax and unwind in style, or grab your passport for the culture dive of a lifetime. As a writer and frequent flyer who maps out travel plans three years in advance, I've rounded up the coolest summer vacation ideas for 2024. Keep reading for tips on how to plan your perfect getaway to one of these trending cities!
Photo by Ken Cooper/PEXELS
It's an understatement to say that New Orleans is festive. While we all know about Mardi Gras, it's safe to say there's something fun going on all year round. Our favorite area to explore is the famed French Quarter, but we recommend booking a hotel in the slightly tamer Garden District or a haunted property elsewhere in town. Luckily, NOLA is highly walkable and Ubers are readily available, which makes it so much easier to see it all. Get spooked on a ghost tour with Free Tours by Foot (they offer a variety of other, non-occult tours too!). Dance the night away on Frenchman Street, where the best jazz musicians in the city play.
Photo by Pixabay/PEXELS
It's hard to believe that Napa Valley is only 50 miles from San Francisco and the bay area. The region, which is made up of five towns (Calistoga, St. Helena, Yountville, American Canyon, and the city of Napa), is tucked between two mountain ranges. This means that the scenic views are endless, whether you're having a vineyard day or strolling through town. For a first visit, we recommend staying in Napa (colloquially known as Downtown Napa). Visitors will love the riverfront promenade and Napa Valley Wine Train. Yountville, the charming home to multiple Michelin Star restaurants, and Calistoga, which is a mix of Napa and Sonoma, are both absolutely worth a day trip while you're there, too.
Photo by Allie Feeley/PEXELS
Joshua Tree was designed with nature girlies in mind! It's made up of two different deserts, both with their own unique landscape, and dozens of picturesque hiking trails. The national park is just a two hour drive from Los Angeles, so flying into LAX is best if you're not a SoCal local. Make a list of your can't miss hikes (we recommend Hidden Valley) and get an early start. After a morning of hiking, cool off at a hot springs hotel (day passes are available for $8-$45, depending on the location).
Photo by Ennvisionn/PEXELS
Toronto is one of Canada's biggest (and most famous) cities. Fun fact: most NYC scenes in movies and TV shows are often shot in Toronto, thanks to the city's expansive skyline. Air Canada allows passengers to schedule a layover of up to 7 days in Toronto for free, but we think there's enough here to warrant a trip of it's own. One of the most iconic spots to visit is Casa Loma, a 98-room castle that's one of Toronto's most famous landmarks. Venture down Philosophers Walk, a scenic footpath, and spend the afternoon in Baldwin Village, famous for it's small shops and foodie-approved eateries.
Photo by Jose Espinal/PEXELS
Montego Bay is a lazy girl's best friend. While it's a tropical paradise that any traveler would adore, the hotels go above and beyond to ensure you never have to (nor want to) leave. Check into the S Hotel and spend your days enjoying the crystal clear beaches, dreamy pools, and delicious restaurants located right on site (there are four of them!). If you're feeling adventurous, book a catamaran tour or go rafting down the Marta Brae River.
Photo by Sparks Darby/PEXELS
Machu Picchu is one of the seven modern wonders of the world, and something you have to see to truly believe. To get there, fly into Lima and spend a few days in the coastal city. From there, take a domestic flight (1-2 hours) to Cuzco and begin making your way to the mountains. Getting around the small mountain towns of Peru is no joke, so I recommend joining a guided tour for ease. Stay overnight in a traditional hacienda to continue taking in the beauty of your surroundings, and consider extending your trip to visit the Rainbow Mountains.
Photo by Niklas Eichler/PEXELS
Cape Town has a little bit of everything: pristine beaches, vibrant city life, and untouched natural wonders. An extremely walkable port city, every neighborhood has its own personality. Check out the street art in the Woodstock neighborhood and then enjoy a fresh seafood lunch near the V&A Waterfront. Visit Boulders Beach, where several species of penguins live in harmony right on the beach. Take a day trip to the regions famous wineries, like Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, both of which are just two hours out from Cape Town proper. Spend two days on the Western Cape, where you can go on an African Safari and get up close and personal with the best of South Africa's wildlife.
Photo by Nhi Uyen/PEXELS
Within the past few years, Denmark's capital has emerged from under-the-radar locale to a must-see destination for in-the-know travelers. Copenhagen was named one of the happiest cities in the world and in our expert opinion, it's also one of the most beautiful, thanks to Nyhavn, the famous 17th century harbor. First time visitors should stay downtown in Indre By, which is centrally located to fun activities and some of the most picturesque parts of the city. We recommend Hotel Bethel or The Socialist, for a more luxe hotel option. Stroll down the waterway and explore the medieval architecture, like Rosenborg Castle. Wander into Tivoli Gardens, a small amusement park with aesthetic gardens. Embrace the playfulness of Scandi Girl style, by supporting CPH-based designers like Saks Potts and Ganni.
Photo by Haley Sprankle
When thinking about Greece, Santorini is the first thing to come to mind. And for good reason! The infamous white-and-blue buildings have made their way into (almost) every piece of media surrounding Greece, and for all the girlies who grew up on a diet of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants rewatches, it makes our Y2K hearts happy knowing that the idyllic island exceeds expectations IRL. Since others have heard about the magic of Santorini as well, we recommend visiting at the beginning or end of the season to avoid the crowds and high prices. Oia and Thera are the most popular towns, but staying on the eastern side of the island will offer a more low-key and secluded getaway. We love Imerovigli, which offers an unobstructed view of the volcanic crater. To get the full experience, stay in a cave hotel. We love Perivolas Hotel for a luxe option, or The Architects Cave for a midrange hotel.
Photo by Pixabay/PEXELS
South Korea is a small country with so much to see and do. Make Seoul as your home base, and plan day trips to other areas of interest. Start in Hongdae, Seoul's most vibrant neighborhood, where you can try the newest street food and see edgy fashion trends up close. From there, make your way to Gyeongui Line Forest Park, a disused railway line turned lush, 3.7 mile walking trail. Venture into historic Seoul with a trip to Gyeongbokgung Palace, which was first built in 1395.
Photo by Taryn Elliott/PEXELS
Morocco may seem like a world away, but with a 7 hour flight from NYC, it's actually closer than most of Western Europe. Fly direct into Casablanca, where you should stay for 1-2 days until you get sick of quoting the famous film. From there, catch the high speed train to Marrakesh, which is even more aesthetic than Instagram would have you believe. Check into La Mamounia (Anna Delvey's hotel of choice) and take your time exploring the local markets. Plan a morning at the Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent's picturesque garden, and take pictures at the famed Ben Youssef Madrasa.
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Header image by Taryn Elliott/PEXELS
We're thrilled to kick off our new Jetset Journeys series, where we turn the best U.S. cities to explore this year into our own personal playgrounds. This is not just a travel guide but a way to spark your creativity and your wanderlust for weekend and week-long travel. Pack your bags , join us here every week, and get jetsetty this summer.
Though you might not get summers “off” anymore, the season is a great chance to slow down a little, press the reset button, and carve out some time for yourself. What better way to do this than to book a visit to a wellness retreat? There are so many options available that include indulgent massage treatments, nourishing meal choices, and activities like hiking and forest bathing geared toward getting you more centered and reconnected with yourself. Here are a few of our favorites.
Photo: Lake Austin Spa Resort
Located just about 20 miles from downtown Austin, this lakeside all-inclusive wellness getaway feels much farther from the city than that. Your stay includes all meals, snacks, and nonalcoholic drinks, including fresh juices and smoothies; access to the spa’s pools and relaxation spaces; wellness activities; and gratuity.
Photo: Lake Austin Spa Resort
Summer is a beautiful time to visit and enjoy full access to the resort’s watersports, such as hydrobikes, waterskis, wakeboards, and kayaks on secluded Lake Austin. Daily programming includes activities like lakeside yoga, guided hikes through private trails in the Texas Hill Country, Japanese sword classes, myofascial release in the water to help unwind those stubborn knots in your neck and shoulders, Tarot readings, and wine cruises.
Photo: Carly Diaz
The on-site spa’s [ comfort zone ] FACE SPAce is the first of its kind in the U.S., utilizing new specialty therapies to stimulate collagen and leave you glowing. Challenge yourself to a treatment that includes an outdoor cold plunge (this can be fun with friends) followed by a warm, soothing massage to fully relax. Then follow it up with a thoughtfully presented meal, such as heirloom tomato salad, whipped ricotta made with local honey, or Texas blackened redfish, served in the dining room or outside on one of the breezy patio spaces.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive wellness getaway that feels deeply meaningful, head to Sedona’s breathtaking Boynton Canyon, where the iconic spa Mii amo has recently reopened following a $40 million, two-year renovation. Here you’ll find 23 casitas with private balconies or patios, in-room kiva fireplaces and soaking tubs, as well as a new restaurant called Hummingbird.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
Daily guided meditations and special presentations and ceremonies (examples include a Summer Solstice Ceremony and Canyon Bathing) create an ideal environment to slow down and refocus.
Photo: Douglas Friedman
At the spa, beyond the typical massage and facial offerings, you’ll find a unique to Mii amo menu of services, including Chakra Balancing; Aura Photography; a Connection Ceremony that focuses on letting go of past hurts or welcoming in new beginnings; an Inner Quest including special ceremonial elements like braided sweetgrass and cedar/sage oil; and Intuitive Massage.
Photo: Mii Amo
The chef-created menu at Hummingbird includes items like salmon ceviche, duck breast, poulet rouge, and gluten-free and vegan selections, and there’s a juice bar serving a full slate of smoothies, juices, and wellness tonics.
Photo: K Hayden
Next door at neighboring property Enchantment Resort you’ll find additional amenities you can use while exploring the surrounding 400 miles of trails.
Photo: Canyon Ranch
Secluded within 16 acres of majestic redwoods in Northern California, about an hour south of San Francisco, is the all-inclusive Canyon Ranch Woodside. There are additional locations in Tucson, Lenox (outside of Boston), and Las Vegas.
Photo: Canyon Ranch
If you find forest bathing appearling, this is the ideal wellness getaway for you. The resort celebrates its forest environs from its 24 luxury treehouse rooms that peek through the forest, to ropes courses and guided meditations that take place under the magnificent canopy. Locally sourced dining menus are served al fresco or in a cozy dining room and include afternoon tapas, colorful salads, and fresh salmon.
Photo: Canyon Ranch
Each day, Canyon Ranch offers dozens of mind-body activities including hiking, kayaking, mountain biking, dancing, and free-flow abstract painting. Upcoming summer wellness presentations and workshops focus on themes such as “Wisdom of the Horse and Herd” equine therapy; “Activating Your Empathy and Intuition”; and “Find Your Purpose.” Spa treatments include Forest Aromatherapy Treatment and Hiker’s Retreat, designed to perk up your feet after a strenuous hike.
Photo: Art of Living Retreat Center
You can design your own stay at the Art of Living Retreat Center depending on your intentions. Customizable itineraries include silent retreats, wellness cleanses and detoxes, meditation-focused retreats, and happiness retreats. This summer, guest faculty will lead sessions on “Healing Through Feminine Practices,” “Trusting Our Transformation,” and “Experience the Divine.”
Photo: Art of Living Retreat Center
The spa offers Ayurvedic-informed treatments, including Eye Bathing, targeting relieving tired eyes with warmed ghee; Clear Breath Support with herb-infused oils to clear the sinuses; and a treatment to settle the nervous system, with warm oil poured into the ears. Round these out with soothing body wraps and massage treatments for the ultimate restorative experience.
Photo: Art of Living Retreat Center
Buffet-style meals are prepared with vegetarian, whole foods, and are informed by Ayurvedic wisdom, including selections like Jamaican Jackfruit Stew and Gado-Gado Peanut Sprout Salad. Each day, you can enjoy yoga sessions, nature walks, a fire circle, and there are additional class options such as pottery and Ayurveda cooking.
Photo: Sasithon Photography
The newest all-inclusive wellness resort on this list just opened in October 2023. Hemlock Neversink is situated on 230 acres of land in the Sullivan Catskills, about two hours northwest of New York City. Your stay includes all meals and non-alcoholic beverages, programming, and on-site amenities.
Photo: Clay Banks
The prix fixe menu at the on-site restaurant Bittersweet highlights plant-forward cuisine, including options like enoki mushroom and warm spinach salad and roasted cabbage or skirt steak.
Photo: Upland Creative
Enjoy spa treatments such as the 90-minute Return to Nature Ritual, which exfoliates with berry seats and white peat, then hydrates your skin with organic mushrooms, helichrysum blossoms, and berry oils. Then float while breathing in birch extract and other aromas.
Photo: Sasithon Photography
You’ll find a variety of workshops, yoga and meditation classes, and there’s even a goat sanctuary on site (you can go for a daily goat hike for some animal therapy), as well as tennis courts and hiking trails. This summer, nationally recognized guest instructors will teach classes and lead workouts on mat pilates and dance cardio in the honey-toned wood Movement Building, and in the Activity Building, do a Catskill honey and tea tasting, join a Shamanic drum circle, and make a vision board.
Main Photos: Lake Austin Spa Resort
Follow along for all your travel needs with our Flights of Fancy series and Jetset Journeys series.
If you’re already daydreaming about your spring break and summer travels, you’ve probably already planned out the best destinations to visit, beach reads to devour, and breezy outfits to wear. But the missing piece in it all is, of course, a swimsuit!
When it comes to swimsuits, there are a few non-negotiables: they have to be cute and colorful, plus it never hurts if the swimsuit you choose doubles as a tank top or bodysuit on dry land!
We scoured our favorite brands for some swimsuits that are exactly what you need to make a statement on vacation. Whether you’re jet-setting to a new place, or you’re spending your staycation tanning on your porch, grab one, or grab them all — we know we want to!
This moody suit is fit with different shades of pink to amp up the feminine vibes this spring and summer. While the top is a bit more revealing, the bottoms are def more modest, with a high waist and generous bottom coverage.
The multicolor gingham pattern on this swimsuit is unique and will make your look fully your own this summer! The top of this bikini features some light ruching to flatter and shape your figure. The overall silhouette is pretty basic, so you can be sure the fit feels great.
Rosettes are still all the rage, so embrace their trendiness with this bandeau swimmie! The aqua blue and hot pink combo feels wonderfully Barbie-esque. Let's go swim!
Little fruit illustrations dot this bikini, and it's too cute to ignore! Summer already makes us crave a massive fruit bowl, but with this swimsuit, you can amp up the fruity vibes even more! The straps on both the bottom and top contrast with the overall print, drawing some nice visual interest to your look.
This set is just what we need for summertime. The bottoms come in boyshort form, which is honestly so nice for the days we want more coverage down there. The electric green color really speaks for itself, making you stand out amongst the crowd!
This trendy piece by L Space is bound to be the swimsuit of the season! The limited color palette means there's endless matching potential, plus the suit itself is fairly modest so you can feel confident and comfy all (beach) day long.
Anything colorful, rainbow, or multicolor is gonna catch our eye, which is why we had to include this Aerie swimsuit! In addition to a tie-back design on both the bottoms and top, this suit features some sleek gold rings as hardware to keep the look chic as ever.
This slightly-ribbed bikini comes in a handful of different colors, but we adore this blue. It just feels so serene, setting the relaxing tone for your spring and summer getaways. The stringy fit sees that you get a ton of sun!
The neon color-way on this swimsuit reminds us of the 80s (in the best way). Throw it back this summer by donning this colorful two-piece! The high-waisted bottoms ensure maximum comfort, no matter what activity you're doing. This is an excellent choice is you're searching for swimsuits that are more modest.
The ruching on the sides of this suit will flatter your figure with ease! This one piece also comes in a wide range of other colors to match your summer vibe perfectly.
Chartreuse is one of our fave colors, and sporting it this spring and summer just makes sense. Especially if it's this lightly-textured one piece with removable, adjustable straps!
The nautical, tropical print on this Old Navy one piece will instantly send you into vacation mode, no matter where you wear it!
The open back design on this one piece swimsuit lets your beach or pool look breathe, allowing the opportunity for some more sun, too!
The graphics on this swimsuit are so adorable, and so picturesque. Show it off, gal!
This chic square-neck swimsuit has the cutest amount of color blocking. The white pops against the green to make sure all heads turn toward you this season!
We're suckers for colorful gradients. Now, you can wear it on your swimsuits!
Keep shining all spring and summer long with this wrap-front swimmie from Old Navy! It definitely supplies enough coverage on the top and bottom, so you can feel comfy!
Tag us with your favorite swimsuits on Instagram and follow us on Pinterest for more swimsuit inspo!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.
I'm so inspired by coastal decor in all of its renditions, from the Nancy Meyer’s-inspired coastal grandmother to elegant and coastal luxemodern, from California surf shacks to Cape Cod cottages. While coastal decor can be an all-year decor trend that combines fresh whites, soft blues and natural elements like jute, wood, and rattan, it’s around this time of year that I start to really embrace the relaxed and refined aesthetic. Here are 20 coastal accents to refresh your home for the season.
Coffee table books are a great way to bring in a coastal aesthetic. New York Times bestselling author and photographer Gray Malin is known for his aerial beach photography in the U.S. This new collection highlights coastal locations from around the world.
This removable and eco-friendly wallpaper (water-based inks and no toxins) features a swan graphic in a seaside color for a breezy addition to any room.
This boho cotton rug also leans into the greener side of coastal decor with a fun polka dot print.
Bring in natural elements like wood and rattan to keep your coastal decor casual and earthy.
Soho House uses these classic cabana stripe towels around their poois. This fade-resistant one in their signature hue is used at their Nashville location.
This photo book shows surf culture in a new light, showing the passion for nature and respect for the ocean that surfers universally have.
Bringing in natural elements in a refined way is a key part of coastal decor. These modern counter stools in a beautiful ethically-harvested mindi wood are handcrafted by fair-trade artisans in Jepara, Indonesia.
Inspired by sand dunes against a blue sky, this machine-washable cotton quilt is a nod to the serene landscape of New Mexico's White Sands National Monument.
This textile art features hand-cut vintage dark indigo lettering on a lighter indigo background and a small wave stitched detail. It comes with the salt oak frame and each one is one of a kind.
Woven seating in a white oak wood frame brings in the sandy colored hues of coastal decor. Blu Dot is one of my favorite modern decor brands, and this quiet luxury bench is so lovely IMO.
Extend your coastal decor to the great outdoors with these acacia wood loveseats and chairs with washable cushions.
This LA-based ceramics company designs unique pieces for casual and special occasions. Love the organic edge on these that would suit a coastal decor aesthetic.
Adore the idea of these upholstered chairs in a cabana stripe around a wood dining table - so chic and fun!
Marble shell bookends feel just a tiny bit kitsch without feeling too old-school beach decor. Add these to your desk or bookshelf.
Hand-tied fringe hints to a surf shack vibe while the elegantly framed jute rug keeps it more refined.
Make a statement with a beachy landscape that recalls the best of summer days.
Find anecdotes and photographs in this book that reveals a more personal side to surfing.
Swooning over these cotton terry towels with an embroidered detail (an illustrated shower) and contrast border in the most perfect blue.
Cheeky prints like this one make sure your coastal decor doesn't get too serious.
Peek inside surfers' homes, from bungalows to trailers to cabins, in this bestselling design tome for coastal decor lovers.
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Images courtesy of Shutterstock + Wayfair
Are you stressed right now? Maybe not so stressed that you curl up in a ball, or run around screaming, but most of us have at least some stress in our lives. And often that’s a good thing; the right amount of stress motivates us and gets us up in the morning. But if stress gets too much, we start to suffer, become demotivated, and eventually collapse as our nervous system falls apart.
Fortunately, there are ways in which we can build our resilience. Some of these are useful for everyone; getting support from your family and friends, nurturing a positive view of yourself, doing things that you enjoy and find relaxing, developing realistic goals and taking action to achieve them. But some will be unique to you, to your particular circumstances to your personality. If you know your personality type, you will have a head start on knowing what your stress triggers are (and so dealing with them), how you react to stress, and how to cope with that reaction. In other words, how to build resilience.
Image via Photo by Mikhail Nilov/Pexels
The personality type framework, as measured by the Myers-Briggs(MBTI) assessment, looks at four aspects of personality:
Image via Photo by Mike Jones/Pexels
Everyone will have a preference for Extraversion (E) or Introversion (I), for Sensing (S) or for Intuition (N), for Thinking (T) or for Feeling (F), and for Judging (J) or for Perceiving (P). These four preferences combine together dynamically to give one of 16 types. For example, if someone has preferences for Extraversion, Sensing, Thinking and Judging, then their overall type would be ESTJ. If you know your type, you can identify your likely stressors (and so avoid or mitigate them), your typical behavior under everyday stress (so that you can recognize when you are stressed) and what to do to cope with that reaction, stop the stress cycle and so build resilience. Here’s the detail for each type.
Image via Photo by Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image via Photo by Karolina Grabowska/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image via Photo by Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image via Anna Shvets/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image via Yan Krukau/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image via Mizuno K/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image via Tima Miroshnichenko/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
Image viaMART PRODUCTION/Pexels
Stressors
Behavior under everyday stress
How to stop the stress cycle
When you feel stressed, it can get in the way of dealing effectively with life’s demands, and it can affect everything you do. Understanding your MBTI personality type will help you to build resilience.
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Lead image viaKarolina Grabowska/Pexels
