It’s been pretty impossible to not start dreaming up vacations even if we aren’t actually planning on going on a vacation soon (aka me). And maybe it’s just me but the mere act of looking feels extremely adventurous, against the rules even. That sounded way lamer than I intended but for those of us still a little hesitant to hop on a plane you get it. FYI it’s not against any rules! And since vacations have been on the brain, we decided to share with you some of the places we plan on going to, “if money weren’t an issue” dream hotels and/or rentals, or just places on our “someday lists” that are really really beautiful! Ready, set, relax…
Emily
While I really just want to go back to Ojai Valley Inn every single time we think of a “getaway”, I suppose if I were to try somewhere new it would be the Amangiri in Utah or Miraval in Austin. It’s more of a girls’ trip or with Brian, less for the whole family but both look STUNNING, secluded, quiet, and delicious. I’d also love to take the kids to a Dude Ranch like Paws Up sometime, and we will definitely be visiting Suttle Creek when we need a quick retreat from Portland. Ooh and at some point, I want to go to my hometown in Coos Bay and try this new place. I know none are too exotic but exploring the PNW or a quick plane ride sounds like way more fun to us right now than getting on a 12-hour flight.
While I’m still in the “let’s wait to travel till the kid are older” phase of life, there is one location/destination that does tempt us all for a family trip – Scotland. Brian has never been and his family is Scottish, meanwhile, after binging Outlander I became OBSESSED with going. I went when I was 21 while touring Europe and my best friend and I LOVED it because everyone was so nice, it was so easy to navigate, and it has medieval castles everywhere – basically untouched from the wars. A deep rich history, with less crowds than the rest of Europe and it just feels very kid-friendly with a lot of nature, quaint towns, and some city culture. A few years ago our cousins took their older kids there and rented out part of a castle and they said it was an absolute success for the entire family. Not just “for kids” or “for grownups”. So right now if we were to travel internationally Brian and I both would want to go to Scotland and stay in a castle (this one above is very pricey but a SO COOL).
Jess
Mexico is one of my favorite places in the world. I have dreamed of moving there more times than I can count but ya know, my Spanish is bad at best and I kinda love my friends and job here in LA. SO visiting is good enough for the foreseeable future. I first saw this Airbnb on Alexandra Cadiz’s (incredible designer and old office building neighbor:)) Instagram when she and her fiancé (incredible ceramicist) stayed there. I had actually forgotten about it when Julie reminded me and sent me the link. THIS PLACE IS MY DREAM!!!! Old, romantic, soulful, and in Merida where I actually went on a school trip to in middle school and have wanted to revisit ever since. It also sparked my love affair with this beautiful country. Actually, that trip was pretty transformative for me, and if your kids get an opportunity to do something similar LET THEM or maybe even insist! Anyway, I will be campaigning for me and 7 friends (8 is the max amount of ppl who can stay) to go to this utter oasis. *Starts Duolingo as she finishes typing this blurb*
It’s Mexico again! I’ve been to Mexico City for a total of 5 hours because I was either on my way or coming back from San Miguel de Allende (which if you haven’t been is too magical to describe in this short blurb). And both times I was there I told myself I would be back for a proper trip. And while stunning hotel (Condesa df) is a little out of my price range, a girl can dream.
Mallory
I’ve seen this airbnb’s backyard all over Instagram so it’s about time somebody links it and it’s gonna be me. Check out this awesome tiled, checkered sofa and all-around VIBEY desert lodge. Oh and the whole thing is bright pink which is so bold and never not cool.
My friend recently stayed at this hotel and it was SO beautiful I had to know where/what it was. It’s called White Water Cambria and oh boy oh boy is it stunning. Total Scandi vibes (and it’s RIGHT on the water btw). Check out photos of the lobby…it’s GOOD.
Ryann
Looking at these photos makes me physically ache with longing. I’ve never been to France (but am dying to) and this is exactly what I have always pictured my dream vacation home would look like. The cobblestone, the incredible view of Saint Paul de Vence, and the 12th-century exterior charm are magical but the interior is even more breathtaking. It is dripping with charm and has that cool, relaxed French style that I desperately want to emulate in my life. I am starting to wonder who gave this apartment permission to be this perfect for me and how do I manifest spending a summer here drinking wine and writing poetry??
I’ve only been to Austin, TX once but when I did it left a permanent mark on my soul. I’ve been wanting to go back ever since and if/when I do, I could die happy if I could spend just one night in this hotel. It has every design element and style that I am attracted to (including cabana stripes) as well as this unexpected old-world European charm that I am deeply in love with. Has anyone stayed here?? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience and live vicariously through you.
Caitlin
This isn’t the first time I’ve written about how inspired I am by the Hotel Les Deux Gares in Paris (designed by my current all-time favorite Luke Edward Hall – he’s so good) and it surely won’t be the last! I am so inspired by the masterful pattern mixing, the fearless use of bright colors, the blend of Deco and Chinoiserie and traditional elements presented in a new way. O and the “leave no surface untouched” attitude of color pops on every. single. ceiling. It feels so finished and considered and beautiful – I’ve never been to Paris and feel like this would make the experience even better.
For what it’s worth, I almooooost included a link to the Bachelor mansion here. I wanted to stay there for my 30th birthday, but then I learned that it’s bananas expensive… so I guess I’d also settle for this super clean, simple, uber-relaxing cave house (with a private outdoor plunge pool!) in Greece. It’s no rose ceremony, but I have a feeling that I could make it work. Can you imagine spending a week relaxing and drinking wine and reading and enjoying the sun and walking around Santorini? WHAT A DELIGHT IT WOULD BE. (Plus, I have a feeling that these listing photos may be a welcome treat for some of y’all with more minimalist tastes!)
So those are ours! Any that you now have your eye on? Where are your dream vacation spots or ones that you are actually going on soon??
Love you, mean it.
We just came back from our mini-moon – our first trip since Covid – and it was MAGICAL to get out of the house, be by the water, and have a week with no chores or errands or work.
Our wedding was postponed 3-4 times due to Covid and we finally decided to do a ceremony just with our families. We were planning to hold off on the honeymoon until things fully opened up, but my now-mother-in-law felt very strongly that we would benefit from a getaway and offered to plan the whole thing for us (we had hit a wall of decision fatigue after everything that could go wrong with our little ceremony did).
We were able to get a direct flight from SF to Cancun and stayed at Chable Maroma (you will feel calm just by looking at the photos). It was five days of reading in a hammock, eating chips and guacamole beachside, and sunset cocktails.
If you can do it safely, if it’s feasible right now, I beg of you to do a getaway – it was like a full reset after Covid and everything accompanying it and could not have come at a better time.
That sounds wonderful and congratulations!!
nice :))))))
A photographer I follow on IG just went to this fab airbnb in Hawaii. It’s big enough you could share the expense going with extended family. Not an option for us but I have been drooling over these views and and dreaming of this gorgeous retreat ever since I saw her posts.
Air-Conditioned Kilauea Sunset View Home
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/24184278?source_impression_id=p3_1624476411_bqtdMkKyNwdZvxRP&guests=1&adults=1
Ugh SO DREAMY!!
This summer will be a few road trips in CA and OR and a big post-Covid trip to visit family in Maryland. Next summer will be the deferred drool worthy Mediterranean vacation. Last summer we rented a camper van and did an epic 2 week road trip to Yellowstone. We found a service called Harvest Hosts and got to stay in some really special spots like an Alpaca farm in Bozeman and a winery in Walla Walla. It was a great trip that I’d like to do again sometime.
Your plans sound like mine! Some road trips this year and then abroad next:) But the service sounds so so cool.
I live in Oaxaca, MX (Jess, you only need a little bit of Spanish to travel in MX – don’t let that stop you!), and every time we go up to Mexico City, we have cocktails at the rooftop bar at Condesa df. It’s so lovely to sit on their terrace and significantly cheaper than staying there, which means more money for all the other amazing things to see, and do, and eat in CDMX. And I am definitely booking that amazing property in Merida the next time we’re up there!
You are pulling at my heartstrings!! I can’t freaking wait to really explore. And please tell me how your Merida stay goes<3
I completely agree about Scotland and I’ve been there twice. The first time, I ended up there because a college boyfriend’s cousin was attending university in Edinburgh and I loved it! We were there for Hogemany, so that may have had something to do with it. But, people are so friendly and it’s stunningly beautiful. Alas, I got pickpocketed there, but I was excited about calling Scotland Yard to report it. Plot twist. They don’t handle that (it’s hilarious to me now). What did I know about anything at that point in my life though. 🙂
Wow. I’ve missed travel so much. In Australia, it actually isn’t allowed to leave the country without getting a government approved exemption first (very hard to secure) so we are hanging out for overseas travel. Even our state borders have been frequently closed and for many months, with few police approved exceptions no-one could get in or out of my home my state Western Australia and were (and often still are) required to do two weeks quarantine in a hotel on entry, which is reported to be tough. As I speak borders are closed to New South Wales and I think Victoria who have had outbreaks (still less than 20 people with Covid there). It’s brought challenges and heartbreak for families separated but kept us all safe, our lives virtually normal and our economy strong. Many Australians are still desperately trying to get home from other countries but it’s hard to get flights back and quarantine is strict and mandatory and limits incoming numbers. The upside is discovering the amazing things in our own state as we’ve been encouraged to ‘holiday at home’ and I had a wonderful week in Karijini last year, also staying on a station in Cheela… Read more »
Trying to get home to Australia to see family. Actual travel is so far from my mind 🙁 And we moved to Malaysia partly to have that experience, so desperately missing it. Luckily Australia is a huge wonderful country to explore, but I am worried that there doesn’t seem to be any plan to open the borders any time soon.
Probably @a year from all reports.
Sally, I’m in Perth!!! 🙂
I’m immensely gratefil for being ‘stuck’ in Australia, seriously, how lucky are we in WA?!?!
Karijini is magical!
I think people who’ve always gone overseas are finally getting out and finding the treasures available in our own state – from the sub-tropics to old growth forests, whitesandy beaches, wilflife, whales…..we really DO have it all.
Frankly, I’m quite happy to be “trapped” in Australia!!!
Rusty, I completely agree. I have felt thankful so many times watching and reading about the rest of the world, almost slightly guilty. Especially this time last year it felt like the most privileged and protected complete safe haven. I was so grateful to feel my parents were safe. After we were encouraged to ‘wander out yonder’, I wrote down a list of all the holiday options and after considering all the amazing adventurous options, even when the borders are open I’m going to take a WA holiday somewhere different (ie not just Margaret River or Busselton, although I’ll take the chance to go there anytime) every year!!
The wonderful vacation spot outside of Portland you’re thinking of is Suttle Lodge not Suttle Creek. In fact, it’s on Suttle Lake and really just amazing.
Wow, so many cool places! We are currently in Hawaii and have booked trips to London and Greece. We are staying at the Santorini Sky, which is very modern and sleek. Fingers crossed we’ll be able to go.
We were in Scotland when the pandemic hit. I’d been there once before as well. Em – it’s the PERFECT place for a long, relaxing family vacation with your kids. It’s truly magical. We were there in March/April, and I’ve also been there in August. I recommend the spring, though it was a bit cold and rainy.
It’s so quiet and empty you wonder how people actually live there and the landscapes are incredible to explore. Rent a car. Wend your way up the coast then back down, taking time to explore several locations.
Scotland is very kid friendly. We traveled there with two other families (so 6 parents, 2 5 year olds, an 8 year old, a 17 year old, and an 18 year old). While a castle would certainly be more cool, we found staying in an Airbnb in Edinburg to be a great home base. Such a beautiful country, full of kind people.
Emily, if you do go to Scotland…bring the kids!!! My husband and I went on a 7 year postponed honeymoon to London, Paris, Edinburgh, and the Isle of Skye and the entire time we were in Scotland we were SO SAD our girls weren’t with us (they were 4 and 5 at the time and yes, we’ve been taking them overseas since they were 6 months old so they’re seasoned pros, but we obviously wanted romance on that particular trip). The big cities like London and Paris are just too overwhelming and too much walking for that age group, but Edinburgh and the Scottish countryside would’ve been perfect for them to explore at their own pace. I am Team-Start-Kids-On-Travel-ASAP and have never once regretted taking them somewhere awesome, only kicked myself for leaving them behind. You’ve only got those kiddos for such a short amount of time (and boy, will it fly!) and kids will be kids no matter where they are in the world.
I’ve stayed at the Maison Azul in Merida. It’s a beautiful as the photos. Best to reserve the whole place though, when I stayed each room was rented separately and you could hear everyone coming and going.
I just want to have the ability to be able to return ‘home’ to see family who we haven’t seen for nearly 18 months. There are hundreds of thousand of expats living in the US (pay US taxes etc) who currently can’t easily leave the US due to the UK/European travel ban. At this stage of the pandemic it seems crazy to not allow those expats on non immigrant visas (i.e.: they don’t hold a green card but live here in L1, H1B, E2 etc visas) to be able to freely enter the US (subject to full vaccination, negative tests etc) like green card holders and US passport holders are allowed to. If we were to leave the US now, we would not be allowed back in despite living, working here and paying US tax. The current ‘workaround’ is to return back to Europe, then enter the US having spent two weeks in Mexico. That is absurd and not cheap. Due to the UK quarantine regulations it would mean us taking a six week vacation- 2 weeks in quarantine in the UK, 2 weeks in the UK visiting family, 2 weeks in Mexico before entering the US via Mexico!! I… Read more »
Are these responses generated by GPT-3?