The Best Summer Travel Destinations, According to Your Vacation Style

Perhaps you’re plotting a season of easy weekend escapes from the city; maybe you’ll be dipping your toe into sports fandom with the World Cup and U.S. Open. It’s possible the sum total of your plans simply involve laying on a beach, any beach, and not getting up until Labor Day. It’s also possible that you have no idea where you’re going this summer yet—it’s still May—and that is where we come in.

If you don’t have wedding obligations or specific destinations to hit, start pinning down plans by thinking about your own personal travel hierarchy of needs: Are you activity- or aesthetics-motivated? Do you immediately bookmark the nearest beach to your accommodation, or do you have a standing appointment at the hotel spa before you even check in? City or country? Exploring or unwinding? Your dream summer vacation depends on a range of factors; ahead, our recommendations for where to go, according to your travel style.

For the Epicurean

The Destination: Mexico City, Mexico

The Itinerary: You: are food-motivated, frequently in charge of making the dinner reservation, and can name the best chocolate mousse within a 10-mile radius. Your holiday of choice: Mexico City, a food capital of the world and a quick flight from many American hubs. From elevated dining in trendy Roma Norte to laid-back eateries in Condesa, you’ll have no shortage of options for eating your way through the city. Lunch (and dessert) at Contramar, Michelin-starred dining at Rosetta, tacos at Taquería Orinoco, a pre-dinner glass of natural wine at Hugo; the latter, according to Vogue Shopping Director Talia Abbas is home to a life-changing Basque cheesecake and is “the kind of local wine bar that makes you want to pack up your life and move to a new city.” Or at least, postpone your flight back.

The Accommodation to Book: When it comes to hotels, Mexico City spoils its visitors. You’ll find plenty of jewel box boutique stays where design is top of mind—none better than Casa Tenue, a charming, cozy (just eight rooms, to be precise) property whose origins date back to 1904. It’s right in the heart of Roma Norte, so you’ll be well-situated for your culinary adventures.

For the Thalassophile

The Destination: Aeolian Islands, Italy

The Itinerary: Greece, Croatia, the Balearics, Puglia—all beautiful places with equally beautiful water, but if you’re craving something a little more off the beaten path, pack your bags and book your ferry for the Aeolian Islands. From remote Filicudi and Alicudi to the slightly more lively Lipari and Stromboli, this volcanic island cluster right off the coast of Sicily is perfect for the traveler who is OK with working for their swim; all while never being too far from their next dip in the turquoise Tyrrhenian. Rocky terrain makes for crystal clear water, while the dramatic black sand beaches (the product of volcanic ash) offer a wild coastline—for best results and true seclusion, rent a boat so you can zip around unhurried to all the best swimming spots.

The Accommodation to Book: If you’re traveling with friends and family, gift yourself a little more space. Il Frantoio, a three-bedroom villa in Panarea, grants you direct views of the shoreline and plenty of room to stretch out in for your post-swim siesta.

For the City Mouse

The Destination: Copenhagen, Denmark

The Itinerary: A Scandinavian summer offers endless hours of sunlight, a mild climate compared to Southern Europe, and charming cobblestoned streets that come alive following a long, dark winter—Copenhagen has it all. Its reputation for fashion and design is well-known, but bike rides around the city, refreshing dips in the harbor, and evenings in Nørrebro, where natural wine bars spill out onto the side streets, give the city a distinct summer character the cosmopolitan traveler will enjoy.

The Accommodation to Book: Cosplay as a local with your very own apartment; this one, a sunny one-bedroom in the center of Nørrebro, puts you in an unbeatable location a block away from the waterfront.

For the Consummate Outdoorsman

The Destination: Jackson, Wyoming

The Itinerary: If lazing on the beach and eating your way through a bustling city is not how you prefer to spend your PTO, look instead to the national parks. Jackson, the entry point to both the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, offers rugged adventure in the form of hiking, kayaking, animal-spotting, camping, and even swimming, if you’re brave enough to face a plunge in an alpine lake.

The Accommodation to Book: Sleek style in full seclusion is the name of the game at Teton View Cabin, a modern retreat set on eight acres of land. It’s a little off the beaten path (about a 75-minute drive from Grand Tetons National Park but just ten minutes from downtown Driggs); you’ll have your calming oasis when you want it, and access to a town when you don’t.

For the Indecisive Traveler

The Destination: Nice, France

The Itinerary: The best thing about a trip to the French Riviera is that you’re not stuck in one place. Tiny seaside towns dot the coast, all easily connected via fast and affordable train, so you can use one city as your hub and spend your holiday day-tripping to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cannes, and Antibes. Nice is the best spot to call (temporary) home, with an influx of new hospitality and dining ventures ushering it into a long-overdue renaissance. The recently opened Le Bistrot de Serruriers in the Old Town is one place to bookmark; the far older (circa-1953-older) Chez Davia is another.

The Accommodation to Book: There are plenty of Airbnbs in the French Riviera worth considering, but for a treat, stay at Hôtel du Couvent. This restored 17th-century convent opened its doors in 2024 as a stylish, thoughtfully curated, and carefully preserved 88-room luxury hotel; you’ll leave pondering a monastic redesign of your own home.

For the R&R Seeker

The Destination: Sumba, Indonesia

The Itinerary: Skip Bali in favor of something even more remote: Sumba, an as-of-now still relatively under-the-radar gem of an Indonesian island, where unspoiled landscapes, a vibrant local culture, and natural pools and waterfalls join for a memorable trip that still feels removed from the grips of overtourism. Right now, it’s peak dry season—take advantage of beautiful weather and see the natural beauty up close.

The Accommodation to Book: It’s no longer the only hotel on the island, but for a luxury resort, Nihi Sumba is still top choice. Comprised of 31 villas set along the beach, it’s private and indulgent, with a packed activities list that ranges from sunset horseback riding to spearfishing. Its wellness program, dubbed “Wild Wellness,” is also noteworthy—there’s a spa, yes, but you’ll also find more unique menu offerings including water meditation and equine therapy.

For the Person Still Not Over Love Story

The Destination: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

The Itinerary: Live out your East Coast prep dreams in the ultimate haven of New England charm. Connected to both Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket via ferry, this crescent-shaped stretch of land is not all ice cream stands and sandy dunes—though they’re easy to find if you seek them out. Situate yourself closer to the coastline, so you can spend days biking to the beach and creating a ranked list of the best lobster rolls, and spend evenings watching the sun melt into the horizon. All in your finest J.Crew, of course.

The Accommodation to Book: Wellfleet Cottage by the Sea is just that: A cozy, quaint, butter yellow-painted cottage with direct access to the beach. It can accommodate up to four people, but it’s also a sweet option for a couple—you can hear the waves crashing each night, a real-life white noise machine.