ON LOCATION · SUMMER
Dreamy Summer Destinations Across Continents
Twelve places chosen for atmosphere, character and the particular pleasure of knowing where to stay, when to go and what to leave unplanned.
THE SUMMER EDIT
The right summer destination is as much about atmosphere as geography.
Summer has a particular quality of light that makes almost anywhere feel possible. This is not a comprehensive list, but a considered one: places chosen for character and the kind of ease that comes from matching the destination to the traveller.
Some work beautifully as a long weekend; others deserve a full week. The practical judgement matters too—heat, crowds, festival dates and the location of the hotel can change the experience completely.
01 · STATESIDE
City, Desert and Mountain
02 · GREAT BRITAIN
Country, Coast and Culture
03 · EUROPE
Light, Water and Slow Rhythm
CHAPTER ONE
Stateside—The United States in Summer
From New York’s outdoor energy to Aspen’s alpine quiet, these places were chosen for a particular quality of atmosphere—not name recognition alone.
NEW YORK CITY · URBAN ENERGY
Summer Spills into the Streets
Park performances, rooftop evenings, museum days and long walks through neighbourhoods give New York its summer momentum. Tribeca or NoMad place stylish hotels within easy reach of food, art and nightlife.
Best for: culture, dining and a high-energy long weekend.
Consider: heat and humidity make location—and a well-paced afternoon—important.
Stay: The Greenwich Hotel or Arlo SoHo.
PALM SPRINGS · DESERT DESIGN
A Mid-century Mirage
Poolside stillness, modernist architecture and a strong spa culture create a polished desert break beneath the San Jacinto Mountains.
Best for: pool-led relaxation and design.
Consider: peak summer heat is extreme; outdoor activity belongs very early in the day and the hotel must be the destination.
Stay: L’Horizon Resort & Spa or ARRIVE Palm Springs.
ASPEN · ALPINE SUMMER
A Mountain Town in Full Colour
Wildflower trails, paddleboarding, music festivals and contemporary art replace the winter ski rhythm with something refined and restorative.
Best for: active days paired with culture and excellent hotels.
Consider: altitude requires a gentle first day.
Stay: Hotel Jerome or The Gant.
CHARLESTON · SOUTHERN CHARACTER
History, Food and Shaded Squares
Cobblestones, pastel façades and oak-shaded streets create an atmospheric base for historic interpretation, Gullah foodways and a strong restaurant scene.
Best for: food-led city breaks with a strong sense of place.
Consider: summer is hot and humid; plan slowly and avoid the middle of the day.
Stay: Hotel Bennett or The Ryder.
CHAPTER TWO
Close to Home—Great Britain
Country, coast and culture each offer a different expression of the British summer—and none requires unnecessary complexity.
THE COTSWOLDS · GENTLE COUNTRY PACE
Golden Villages and Long Lunches
Walking, gardens, antique shops and thoughtful food create a romantic rural reset among honey-coloured villages.
Best for: a restful two- or three-night escape.
Consider: driving is useful; choose one base instead of trying to collect villages.
Stay: Thyme or The Painswick.
CORNWALL · COASTAL RHYTHM
Creative, Untamed and Tide-led
Beaches, sailing, galleries and farm-led food give Cornwall a character that feels both elemental and quietly polished.
Best for: coastal families, food and unhurried days.
Consider: summer roads are busy; stay near the experiences that matter most.
Stay: Fowey Hall or Padstow Townhouse.
EDINBURGH · FESTIVAL CITY
History with a Creative Pulse
Fringe performances, whisky bars, literary cafés and the climb to Arthur’s Seat give the city extraordinary summer energy.
Best for: arts, culture and a lively long weekend.
Consider: festival dates drive demand; secure rooms and key performances early.
Stay: The Balmoral or Old Waverley Hotel.
LONDON · ALFRESCO CAPITAL
Terraces, Parks and Long Evenings
Rooftop cinemas, river journeys, food markets and hidden terraces soften the capital without diminishing its cultural depth.
Best for: a flexible city break built around personal interests.
Consider: choose the neighbourhood around the purpose of the stay rather than habit.
Stay: The Savoy or The Hoxton Holborn.
CHAPTER THREE
The Continent—Europe
Europe rewards specificity: the right base, hotel and rhythm matter more than a vague intention to “do” a region.
PROVENCE · GOLDEN-LIGHT SLOWNESS
Markets, Vineyards and Open Shutters
Lavender, village markets and long vineyard lunches create the Mediterranean rhythm people imagine when they think of southern France.
Best for: food, wine, art and a slow road journey.
Consider: use one or two bases; distance looks shorter on a map.
Stay: Villa La Coste or La Bastide de Marie.
LAKE COMO · CINEMATIC WATER
Gardens, Boats and Effortless Elegance
Terraced gardens, historic villas and travel by boat make the lake feel both romantic and beautifully self-contained.
Best for: romance, milestone travel and waterside stillness.
Consider: town and hotel location determine boat access and atmosphere.
Stay: Grand Hotel Tremezzo or Hotel Belvedere.
MALLORCA · ISLAND CONTRAST
Palma, Mountains and Hidden Coves
Historic streets, the Serra de Tramuntana, olive groves and clear-water coves allow the island to shift with the traveller’s mood.
Best for: a varied week of culture, coast and countryside.
Consider: decide whether Palma, mountains or beach should anchor the stay.
Stay: Cap Rocat or Hotel Cort.
LISBON · SOULFUL CITY LIGHT
Hills, Tiles and Riverside Evenings
Morning coffee in a leafy praça, independent art spaces and sunset rooftops give Lisbon a relaxed energy that still feels distinctly urban.
Best for: food, neighbourhood wandering and an easy city break.
Consider: hills and summer heat make location important for mobility.
Stay: Bairro Alto Hotel or The Vintage Lisbon.
HOW IT FITS THE WIDER JOURNEY
Choose for the Feeling, Then Shape the Logistics
For a long weekend: New York, the Cotswolds, Edinburgh, London or Lisbon.
For a full week: Aspen, Cornwall, Provence, Lake Como or Mallorca.
For a hotel-led pause: Palm Springs—provided summer heat suits you—or a carefully selected lakeside or island retreat.
BEGIN A CONVERSATION
Where Should Summer Take You?
If you have a destination in mind—or simply a feeling you would like to travel towards—The Wanderlust Edit can shape the stay, pace and wider journey around you.
Travel, considered.
Seasonal conditions, festival dates, hotel availability and preferred benefits should be confirmed when planning. Benefits vary by property, programme and booking terms and remain subject to availability.
