As we approach summer, the allure of travel is palpable. Has Beyoncé's trailblazing Cowboy Carter album given you a bit of Western fever? It's sparked some intrigue into classic cowboy culture for us, so first off, we plan to combine a classic US road trip with a stay at The Lodge at Blue Sky, a Utahn ranch property by Auberge that has a characterful sense of place. Spend the day horseback riding and the evening at Guy Ritchie's onsite WildKitchen.
Popularised this year by Taylor Swift and Madonna, we're seeing the combination of destination gig travel and city breaks continuing to rise over the summer months as festival season swings into full effect. Why not take the chance to combine a concert with a sightseeing weekend? Taylor's The Eras Tour will be in Edinburgh in June – a beautiful time to explore one of the UK's most exciting cities.
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Utah
Also on the horizon: Adele in Munich in August, Bob Dylan covering much of the US, and Bruce Springsteen's European tour throughout June and July (culminating with two shows at Wembley at the end of the month). And speaking of London, our home city continues to evolve and excite, entertaining both travellers and us locals. We are enthralled by the new opening of The Emory, the Maybourne Group's fourth property in the capital. Gorgeous and expectedly luxe, the all-suite hotel has an intimate sensibility. Plus, the UK's first Tracey Anderson Method outpost is onsite at their health and fitness club, Surrenne.
We love Broadwick Soho, too. Beautifully decorated throughout (we can thank Martin Brudnizki for yet another gorgeous property), it was conceived by a group of friends and feels as such with a warm and convivial atmosphere. The flagship restaurant, Dear Jackie, features excellent Italian food in a stunning environment, and its rooftop bar, Flute, offers some of the most spectacular views I've seen in London – perfect for enjoying on a warm summer's eve.
Dear Jackie at Broadwick Soho, London
Another of our favourite hotel groups, Mandarin Oriental, brings a sibling to its Hyde Park location to Mayfair in just a few weeks. Located on Hanover Square, the new property will feature signature contemporary interiors with handprinted de Gournay wallpapers and several spacious suite layouts. More so, almost every room has floor-to-ceiling windows – perfect for absorbing the city views – and the flagship Japanese restaurant is courtesy of acclaimed Michelin-starred chef Akira Back.
The classic European hotspots are still just that and sure to maintain their vast popularity. There are some excellent new hotels to explore: One&Only Kéa Island in Greece, featuring luxe all-villa accommodations not too far from Athens; Gundari Folegandros is another Greek resort strikingly built into the landscape of the island; Hôtel du Couvent brings a much-needed update to the Nice hotel scene with sophisticated, minimalist rooms in the Old Town; Belmond reimagines Romazzino on Sardinia's Costa Smeralda; and Oetker Collection arrives in Capri with the new, intimate, and exclusive 50-room La Palma.
Gundari Folegandros in Folegandros, Greece
Incredible though it may be, we all know that the Mediterranean gets rather crowded during the summer – so why not take the opportunity to venture somewhere a bit more niche? Maybe take the Eurostar to Antwerp for a weekend at the beautiful Hotel Flora, a small gated property in the city's centre with rooms named after precious gems. We plan to visit Helsinki and take advantage of the long days, staying at The Hotel Maria. Or, head in the opposite direction to Tunisia – Dar El Jeld in Tunis is in the heart of the medina yet somehow very peaceful, and makes the perfect base from which to explore.
Summer is also a great time to set sail – why not see some of the world's most picturesque settings aboard a cruise? There are some new cruise lines doing things differently. Explora Journeys, which launched last year, has some great itineraries through the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and more; the ships marry chic Italian design with modern technology for a sumptuous onboard experience. In February, we sailed with them from Barbados to Miami and were highly impressed… We advise booking this year: as their popularity rises, so will the prices.
Wherever you choose to go, let us know, and we'll help you get there.
Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. Our global network of dedicated travel specialists plans one-of-a-kind, tailor-made travel experiences to make every trip your best yet. Find out more about Quintessentially Travel here.
