Worldly Destinations to Indulge In

Get lost this summer...

We’re all the hustle, but we all need to take a break once in a while—and summer is the perfect time to rest and recharge. You bought the sunscreen, you switched your sweaters for swimsuits, you remember hearing something about a summer workout, now it’s time to decide where to spend these precious few vacation days. Fortunately for you, we’ve scoured the web (and the world) to find the most interesting and beautiful spots you’ve never heard of across all seven continents–yes, Antarctica included.  

Africa

Giraffe Manor in Kenya

It’s time to check that box on your bucket list next to, “Breakfast with a wild giraffe.” Situated right outside Nairobi, Kenya, the Giraffe Manor is the breezy safari spot you’ve been dreaming of and you don’t even have to leave the hotel grounds. Giraffes are the main attraction, but the 12-acre sprawling accommodation is complete with baby elephants, strolls through the giraffe sanctuary, and afternoon tea on the terrace. All of the above is in addition to the boutique hotel’s luxury rooms, pool and spa.

North/Central America

Maderas Village in Nicaragua

Located five minutes from the beach in the hills of San Juan Del Sur in Nicaragua, Maderas Village is the place for the barefoot Earth deity that lives in all of us. According to co-founder Matt Dickinson, the resort was created as a place “to think and feel like yourself among friends,” which is a pretty easy feat with activities such as surfing, yoga, massages, and catamaran trips. Some of our favorite elements of this Nicaraguan paradise include horseback riding on the beach and the fact that it’s acceptable to wear minimal amounts of clothing pretty much all of the time.

Europe

Torretta Lodge in Manarola

Remember those classic movie scenes depicting a traveler hopping from a Vespa into the ocean? Similar events are transpiring right now in Manarola, one of the Cinque Terre towns of Northern Italy. Your hunt for the best view of the Ligurian sea ends here, at The Torretta Lodge overlooking the quiet, rainbow-colored seaside village. Originally a historic tower, the Lodge is the perfect place to sip Sciacchetra wine and live out your European fantasy.

South America

Montaña Mágica Lodge in Chile

It’s your typical moss-covered hideaway volcano that doubles as a waterfall; complete with swinging bridge and most likely built by mystical elves, the Montana Magica Lodge is the ideal spot for exploring the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve in Chile. If you’ve been yearning for a five-day volcano trek through the Southern Andes, an adventure through the Patagonian Rainforest, or a white-water rafting trip over the Fuy River, the Montana Magica Lodge is definitely your happy place.

Antarctica

White Desert in the South Pole

Here it is—the number one way to bring out the “extra” in you. White Desert is exactly what it sounds like; located in the South Pole, the luxury resort is six sleeping pods and two custom-made tents. It’s so secluded that you can only accessible by a flight from Cape Town, a perfect opportunity to pass through twenty-four hours of continuous sunshine. Once you reach Antarctica, the possibilities are countless—learn the skills of a “polar explorer”, zipline across the arctic landscape, check out some glaciers, or visit one of the local science bases. Whatever you do, bring a jacket.

Asia

Keemala Treehouse in Phuket

As far as we can tell, Keemala is pretty much paradise. Located in Phuket, Thailand, the resort consists of small villas situated next to the Phuket Island rainforest, and the four historic Keemala clans are represented in the architecture of each villa. Most of the villas are elevated above the rainforest and include monsoon showers, clay pools, and beautiful island and ocean views. If you’re really trying to get your zen on, the resort also offers unique experiences such as drum circles under the stars and visiting healing practitioners.

Australia

Longitude 131 in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park

If you’re searching for a glamorous way to experience the outback, search no more; right outside the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is Longitude 131, a luxury “campsite” amidst the dunes. Journeys to the red walls of Kantju Gorge, the Mutitjulu Waterhole, and other natural sites are guided by camp staff, and the art and culture of Uluru-Kata Tjuta includes installations such as artist Bruce Munro’s Field of Light as well as local art in the Mulgara Gallery. In the unlikely case you need any more of a reason to go, they also offer camel rides through the desert.