7 Summer Travel Destinations
Here’s inspo to move you from thinking to check-in!
Still narrowing down your summer travel destinations? If you spend just a few minutes online, you’ll find dozens of pictures that make you want to teleport. From the best U.S. National Parks to towns so colorful you’d swear it was a painting, the picture-perfect vacation is one flight away. Here are 7 photos to inspire your journey and move you from thinking about it to check-in!
White Sands National Park: New Mexico, United States
I remember seeing that Boyz II Men video when I was a kid and thinking this was some undisclosed, recently discovered exotic island. Wrong. Alamogordo, New Mexico. 3 hours south of Albuquerque; 90 minutes north of El Paso, Texas, which is right on the border of Mexico. Located in the Tularosa Basin; this is the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The gypsum is actually clear, but the sun’s reflection makes it appear white. Entry is $25 per non-commercial vehicle or $15 per person walking or on bicycle and is valid for 7 consecutive days from date of purchase. You can sled, walk the trails, have a picnic, or set up your own photo shoot. For an additional fee, you can experience sunrise or sunset! This national park definitely deserves a visit and lots of camera space! Get more info to plan your visit here.
Giraffe Manor: Nairobi, Kenya
Yes, that giraffe is real. Imagine waking up to giraffes poking their heads in your bedroom window waiting to be fed. Or afternoon tea with giraffes. Or an evening of relaxing in an all-inclusive, 100-year-old estate on private conservation land. If this is an expense you can manage, go for it! The historic manor house sits on 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest in a suburb of Nairobi, Kenya. Considering the property was an actual family home at one point, it isn’t very large. Book far in advance, because with only a dozen rooms, this place is always full! In addition to having a once in a lifetime experience, you’ll be funding real life conservation efforts of the Rothschild giraffe that lives there. The company operates a breeding program to repopulate the endangered species. Read more about the property here.
Antelope Canyon: Arizona, United States
Antelope Canyon, one of the most famous slot canyons in the world, was formed by thousands of years of erosion. It is accessible only by guided tour and because tours are capped, you’ll want to make sure you buy tickets in advance. The shapes, the colors, the reflections and beams of light… You will never experience anything like being in this canyon. Photos will never do this wonder justice! Page, Arizona is 4 hours east of Vegas, by way of St. George which is always worth a stop. It’s also just a short 15-minute drive from the famous Horseshoe Bend. Be sure to check the weather for your visit, as tours are shut down in the rain. Can you imagine being in there when rain is pouring down? No thank you!
The Blue Pearl: Chefchaouen, Morocco
First things first. Why is the entire city painted blue? Depends who you ask! Even though it was built centuries ago, it wasn’t painted blue until the 1900’s. Some say the blue is to mimic the ocean or heaven. Some say the idea was brought during the Jewish influx fleeing Hitler. One person even told me blue repels mosquitoes and malaria! So maybe the average local doesn’t truly know why, but it certainly makes for amazing pictures!! The city was relatively unknown until recent years, thanks to bursting on to the IG scene. If you’re considering a trip, this one will take extra planning. You can’t fly into the city, as the closest airport is in Tangier. From there you have to take a 2-3 hour bus or a car service southeast. If you’re coming from the south, it would be a 3-4 hour bus from Fes that costs less than $10USD. It’s worth it though! And be sure to put a little thought into what you’ll wear. You won’t believe how many people show up with a suitcase full of blue clothes. This is not the time to match. Whites, yellows, even pinks look best on the blue. You want to contrast here! Trust me.
Huacachina Oasis: Huacachina, Peru
The myth: As a beautiful princess was preparing to bathe, she looked in her mirror and saw a male hunter approaching. As she fled, she dropped her mirror, which turned into the lake. She now lives as a mermaid in the lagoon and can be seen at night protecting the area. The reality: the oasis was formed by seepage from underground aquifers. Either way, it is the only natural oasis in South America. Located between the continents’ largest sand dunes, the area offers breathtaking sand boarding and dune buggy rides. Located 5 hours south of Lima, Huacachina has only 100 permanent residents! So, it’s an incredibly safe and relaxing break from the big city. The lagoon is lined with palm trees and restaurants, more than enough to entertain an overnight or weekend stop on your way through the country.
Manarola: Cinque Terre, Italy
What’s more beautiful than an Italian seaside town? Five Italian seaside towns! Enter Cinque Terre. A common misconception is that Cinque Terre is a city, but it translates to “five lands”. Each of the five villages are strung together along the coast by a hiking trail and train system. It’s somehow Italy’s best-known and best-kept secret! The birthplace of pesto. The inspiration for Luca. Where I had the best bruschetta in my life. Each city has an amazing cliffside view, each with its own color story. Only 90 minutes north of Pisa, you have to squeeze this into your Italian itinerary. You will not regret it! Italy will forever be a top summer travel destination.
Bo-Kaap: Cape Town, South Africa
Beautiful, beautiful Bo-Kaap. Sitting on a hilltop, it literally translates to “above the Cape” in Afrikaans. Why is every house a different color you ask? It’s a symbol of financial freedom. When these homes were built, they were leased to slaves and were required to be left completely white. Once they owned the homes… things got spicy! Enter every color of the rainbow! Bo-Kaap is the oldest Muslim neighborhood in the city and is currently fighting off the push of gentrification. After massive restoration efforts, the area is now a designated national monument. The three original homes comprise the Bo-Kaap Museum. Make sure you stroll through one of the most unique neighborhoods you’ll ever see on your visit to Cape Town. Bo-Kaap!
The world is full of mesmerizing views, and the list goes on. I’ve saved you some time with this round-up of breathtaking summer travel destinations. Now it’s up to you to book that flight! For more tips to get ready for your trip, head on over to the Travel Tips page to get you on your way!
