7 Unique Summer Destinations for Every Interest

7 Unique Summer Destinations for Every Interest

With summer approaching and travel increasing, time is of the essence.  More and more, people are planning vacations with purpose and combining experiences with relaxation.  Some of the most incredible areas are a little different; a little off the ‘normal’ tourist track, but should be top of mind.

Escape To Southern California and Immerse Yourself in an Oasis of Absolute Luxury and Style

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa - Rancho Santa Fe, California

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property and has garnered a reputation as one of the West’s most sought-after five star resorts. A sanctuary of good living tucked away on 45 acres of lush gardens and olive groves, this Mediterranean-inspired, all-suite property near Del Mar, California offers 49 luxuriously-appointed, guest casitas with their own patios and fireplaces and 3 opulent private residences, all of which provide the perfect backdrop for your next weekend escape or extended family gathering. Situated across 45 acres of lush gardens and citrus groves, this Forbes 5-star rated Resort and Spa features rejuvenating wellness, fitness, and world-renowned tennis programming. The signature restaurant, The Pony Room, showcases Rancho Valencia’s commitment to fresh and sustainable culinary practice with its distinctive Coastal Ranch cuisine in an enchanting and delightful al fresco dining atmosphere.

Fitness, Wellness & Health Retreat Programs

The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi

The Ranch Malibu brings its award-winning, transformational wellness program to a historic property, nestled in one of Italy’s richest naturalistic areas, just 50 minutes from Rome.   The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi combines a results-oriented fitness program with the services and expertise of the esteemed team at this renowned medical wellness retreat. The result is an immersive and transformative program that gives guests a more complete picture of their overall health and longevity, departing with a greater sense of self, feeling rested and rejuvenated while losing weight and gaining muscle.

Culture, Bucket List and Beach - All In Peru.

Hotel Arrenas-Mancora, Peru and Country Club Lima

Country Club Hotel is a celebrated oasis in the middle of the city of Lima that is a perfect symbiosis of the glamour of the past and cutting edge of the present, shining a light on its VIP offerings to ensure guest safety and peace of mind. Country Club Lima guests can enjoy VIP access to ultra-secure restaurant reservations and tables, private guides for visiting museums and attractions after hours to avoid crowds, and a VIP driver throughout their stay to ensure safety throughout all activities and transfers. The hotel will also help guests plan and organize travel within Peru as Lima is the gateway to all bucket lists and adventure destinations from Machu Picchu to the Amazon.

With a new sumptuous Golf View Presidential Suite, an array of  oversized suites and rooms, access to Lima’s premier golf course, museum art installations onsite, spa services and incomparable food and beverage offerings, this centrally located property is among the best in the city. Its sister property, Hotel Arrenas located in Mancora, Peru is a little touch of paradise.  Just an hour and a half away, with rooms set by the sea, some with their own private pools, this beautiful, natural destination offers a step back from everyday chaos to travel into a sea of calm.  From Ceviche classes to Pisco Sours on the shore to Yoga on the beach, to private dinners by the waves, this seaside hotel is perfect for a relaxing break, after your adventure experience, before heading back home.

Five Star Country Living By the Water

Domaine de la Bretesche—Brittany, France

Nantucket. Lovely, quiet, A place to relax.  A mere 14 miles surrounded by cool, blue waters. A little golf. Maybe a spa treatment. Local produce and delicacies fresh from local farms. What if one could take that feeling and have all of that along with history and being a mere 2-hour train ride from Paris? Add 5 star accommodations, and you have one of the loveliest places in Europe and a great side trip to or from Paris.

In the heart of the forest, the cottages constitute an ideal respite for golfers but also for families looking for a stay in a natural environment. The geographical area of La Bretesche allows guests to discover nature through lovely walks and boat rides on the Gulf of a Thousand Islands.

The outdoor pool and tennis of the Estate are accessible to cottage guests; jogging, cycling and walks are among many of the activities offered. 13 Cottages, managed by the Golf de la Bretesche, are available for accommodation for two, four or five people. These comfortable cottages are carefully decorated, for a cozy, bright atmosphere. They are equipped with a kitchenette and have a terrace, ideal for breakfast outside.

Beginners to experts can all enjoy the various golf facilities, which include an 18-hole course, a grass driving range, covered driving ranges, two putting greens and an approach area.

For a little relaxation, the Spa de la Cour Carrée offers a place of well-being where every guest is pampered by expertly skilled staff. And then there’s cuisine…

Committed to sustainability, B Signature Hotels & Resorts group has created a permaculture vegetable garden onsite. The fruits, vegetables and flowers from the garden are where the restaurant sources its food. It is organic and has its own henhouse and beehives. In the old stables of the Château de la Bretesche, try teas and whiskies as well as the signature "Cocktail Bretesche" and chef’s delicacies in a historic and rustic setting.

Namaste on the Shore

Hotel Manapany—St Barth

There is no better way to experience Yoga than with Hotel Manapany’s Yoga by the sea. Take that a step further by joining renowned Yogi, Diana Bourel, for a week or even a weekend at the resort’s Summer Camp. This year, her focus will be on movement as transmission, the energetic, fluid and ever-changing canvas within which our lives unfold. This dynamic force gives direction and this summer camp will be life-changing, and is open to all levels!

From July 15th to August 15th, join Diana (award-winning instructor and former NYer) for a stimulating summer program of personal growth, yoga, meditation and healing.

Diana will be joined by renowned professionals from NY to Paris, specializing in osteopathy, holistic health and transformative eco-psychology.

The camp will be based at the Manapany but will explore the island with discovery hikes, aqua yoga, sound therapy and much more!

A Smart Adult Beverage and a Michelin Starred Chef

Hotel Matilda-San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

The Food: Now, residing at the award-winning Hotel Matilda, as Executive Chef at Moxi, is Vicente Torres who has explained that his inspiration behind the new menu comes from the environment and from the small producers who are artisans and a fundamental part of the kitchen’s team. He sources the finest products from organic gardens, delighting in their exquisite colors and aromas He best defines his type of cuisine as a product-based cuisine with Mediterranean touches. At Moxi, he strives to have the best products in order to offer the finest dining experience to their distinguished guests.

Over the years, Vicente has also been awarded several distinctions, including the best Chef Millesime 2011, best chef Dónde Ir 2012, Distinción Bohemia Award 2012, and participated in the 2019 edition of Millesime GNP Mexico as the image of Koblenz. Furthermore, Garum is part of the Mexico Gastronomic Guide, The 120 Restaurants Mexican Culinary/S. Pellegrino/Nespresso. His performance and excellent knowledge have earned him essential awards such as “Best Millesime 2011” and “Mejor Chef Donde Ir 2012,”  and he received the “Distinción Bohemía 2012”.

The Drinks: Monkey Bar, an open-air poolside bar in the hotel's picturesque courtyard. At Monkey Bar, guests can indulge in handcrafted cocktails. The driving force behind Monkey Bar's innovative beverage program is none other than Axel Cortes, the talented and charismatic bartender.

At just 19 years old, Axel Cortes is the youngest associate at Hotel Matilda, but he brings with him a passion for mixology that belies his age. Axel's focus is on creating natural cocktails that showcase the freshest ingredients available. He creates all of his syrups and infusions from scratch, ensuring that every cocktail is a unique and unforgettable experience. His innovative and imaginative approach to mixology means that guests are always in for a surprise when they visit Monkey Bar.

Monkey Bar at Hotel Matilda offers an unparalleled experience for guests, combining stunning design, a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, and the innovative cocktails of Axel Cortes. Whether you're looking to unwind with friends or celebrate a special occasion, Monkey Bar is the perfect place to do it.

Müi Ramen Bar has earned a reputation for its exceptional Asian cuisine, art ambiance, and now, with the addition of bartender Essau Zuñiga, its innovative and enticing beverage program. Patrons can expect to embark on a sensory journey, where each sip tells a story and each cocktail is a work of art. At just 26 years old, Essau Zuñiga has quickly established himself as a rising star in the world of mixology. His relentless pursuit of excellence and dedication to his craft has earned him a reputation for creating unforgettable experiences through his exceptional drink creations.

Drawing inspiration from classic cocktails, Essau infuses his own unique touch, combining traditional elements with innovative techniques. His ability to push boundaries while respecting time-honored traditions sets him apart as a true visionary.

Exotic, Romantic and Sustainable-Sun Siyam Resorts, Maldives

Sun Siyam Resorts are committed to the preservation of local heritage and sustainability, and the group works together with the local islands to protect various species and engage in activities such as coral planting and bio-farming.  Guests can actively “make a difference” and leave the stunning Maldives knowing that they had the experience of a lifetime, but also made an impact.  For example, guests can actively join the resort’s biodiversity conservation program with in-house marine biologists, to assist in the creation and restoration of new coral reefs in the lagoon.  Led by Thuhu, lead Marine Biologist at Siyam World, guests work together to collect damaged coral and replant it on metal frames. Visitors enjoy learning from her and watching her work, leaving further inspired to know that their work assisted in protecting marine life for future generations. The Farm Island at Iru Veli property, called Llohi, is a place where guests can meet the farmers and learn about the produce grown that consists of over 38 varieties of fruits and vegetables that are supplied to the resorts.

This summer, the resort is celebrating International Yoga Day on the 21st of June, 2023 by hosting a series of yoga activities and events with renowned Russian yoga specialist Anna Sologub at Siyam World and Korean Yoga Master Yeo Dong Gu at Sun Siyam Olhuveli. Summer brings a slew of special offers from free transfers to group and family offers and more.

With five resorts dotted across the Maldives, and one soon to reopen in Sri Lanka, Sun Siyam Resorts offers unforgettable experiences and affordable luxury for couples, families, watersport enthusiasts and travelers who are looking to make a change. From the biggest floating water park to the first horse ranch in the Maldives, to stunning overwater villas with slides into the ocean, a floating platform, a romantic dining experience, the world’s first underwater jet pack in collaboration with Cudajet, and premium, all-inclusive dining and beverage packages, Sun Siyam Resorts is truly distinct and in a category all their own.