Is there a specific destination you keep returning to in your mind? Like when you feel stressed, that's the place you mentally escape to. For me, that place is Inis Mór in Ireland, my favorite island in Europe, all weather-beaten with tangy sea breezes, untamed beaches and thatched pubs. I dream about Greece a lot too, a place that's perennially high on my wishlist. Every year, my Instagram feed is filled with intensely bright images of its whitewashed towns and white-sand beaches, and I imagine myself there, relaxing on an island away from the crowds like Serifos or a secret spot that only locals know about. You'll see from this newsletter that my colleagues have been to all sorts of similarly dreamy spots in June. The kinda places that would occupy your mind long after you’ve unpacked and cleared the sand from your suitcase. – Sasha Brady, Digital Editor | | | Ultimate girls' weekend in Isla Holbox | I took a trip to the beautiful Isla Holbox, Mexico for my sister's birthday. It's a car-free island, with buggy taxis or bikes to get around. There are plenty of tourists, but not nearly the volume of Cancún or Tulum – perfect if you’re in need of a peaceful getaway. I stayed at Punta Caliza, a gorgeous spot with its own beach club down the road. The best things I ate, and still dream about, are the chile relleno tacos and tostones with guac from Ser Casasandra Mojito Beach Club. You also can’t miss checking out Milpa, a stunning spot with a tasting menu. We ate, sipped cocktails by the beach at sunset, walked up Punta Mosquito (if you go in the early morning you can see flamingos) and went horseback riding. What more could you ask for? Tip: Bring tons of sunscreen, bug spray and cash for taxis. Additionally, consider booking some things in advance like dinners and beach clubs. – Serina Patel, Marketing Manager | | | Lesser-known corners of Croatia | I spent a week traveling along the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia, stopping in Split, Korčula and Makarska, I savored home-cooked meals in family-run taverns, explored ancient ruins and natural landscapes and learned about food traditions from locals. A highlight was kayaking out to the island of Vrnik with Korčula Outdoors. Arriving on Vrnik's rocky shoreline, it initially appeared as a ghost island with very few families still residing there. However, it's home to some of Croatia’s most beautiful beaches and secluded sea coves. On our guided tour, we learned about the island’s history in quarrying before visiting Vrnik Arts Club for lunch, one of the few guest houses on the island. Tip: Try torta Makarana, a traditional Croatian cake-like dessert made from almonds, citrus, rose oil, and vanilla to create a sweet but tangy taste. – Aoife Breslin, Publicity and Marketing Coordinator | | | Alternative side to Santorini | Want to discover an alternative side of Santorini? We hit up Nikolas Panagiotakis from wineways.gr and joined his “Fork and Cork” day trip to sample the island’s best food and wine. Our first stop was the architecturally mesmerizing Estate Argyros, the largest privately owned winery on Santorini, to indulge in the island’s indigenous wines, including Assyrtiko (champagne without the bubbles). Next, we hightailed to the sparsely populated Akortiri to visit the charming farmhouse of Faros Products, where we savored rustic home-style cooking using fresh local ingredients – Greek Salad with pickled caper leaves and tyropita (cheese pie drizzled in sweet grape preserves) – whilst the pet donkey Marco Polo laughed approvingly. Tip: The cruise boat day-trippers clog the towns of Oia and Thira during the day, so hit up alternatives like the charming Pyrgos, where you’ll find crowd-free views of the entire island. – Chris Zeiher, Senior Director of Trade Sales and Marketing | | | I spent a week in the Azores for a belated honeymoon! We hit three islands: São Miguel, Terceira and Pico. My favorite place we stayed was Caprica Eco Lodge on Terceira. We were rained in for most of the days there, but it was marvelous listening to the rain surrounded by forest and drinking bubbly. We went to all the hot springs on São Miguel, but I think we both preferred Termas da Ferraria. When the tide is low, the alcove bubbles out 104°F-water (40°C), and ocean waves cool you down at the mouth – the full package. If you get there too late (and the sea is crazy) there is a thermal pool for €5. On Pico, we went to a restaurant, Cella Bar with a view of Faial as a massive storm rolled in. The food was amazing, and I'm now a massive fan of Verdelho wine. Tip: I highly suggest renting a car to find the gems, and make your own schedule around the weather. – Erin Lenczycki, Photo Editor | | | Mother-and-daughter trip to Ecuador | I recently spent 10 days exploring Ecuador with my mom. We visited Quito, the Galápagos and Cotopaxi. Snorkeling in the Galápagos is magical and not to be missed. I mean, who doesn’t like swimming with sea turtles? A gem of the trip I hadn’t expected was hiking to the caldera of the Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island. It is simply stunning! Tip: Prepare for the staggering altitude (it’s no joke!) by arriving early to give yourself time to adjust before diving straight into your activities. – Chamidae Ford, Associate Writer | | | 15% off with code ######## | Start planning your next adventure today with 15% off all guidebooks.
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