Start planning your next great escape.
Sometimes a destination leaves an indelible impression, not for its inspiring setting, remarkable attractions or rising cultural enclaves, but for allures that cater to your individual travel preferences and goals. If you’re planning a romantic getaway with the person you love, you may crave experiences like a candlelit dinner in a cosmopolitan city or relaxing along secluded sands in a tropical locale. Or, if you want to head outdoors with the family, one of America’s prized natural parks may be well-suited for you and your companions. Whatever your ideal escape involves — an eco-minded philosophy, solo-friendly enticements, wellness amenities or something else entirely — there’s a perfect summer getaway for you.
Best for a romantic break: Quebec City
If you’re pining for an enchanting atmosphere with impressive cultural institutions and charming cafes — without the high price tags of Paris — consider Quebec City, says Robert Firpo-Cappiello, editor-in-chief of BudgetTravel.com. The city offers comfortable temperatures in the 70s from June to August, making it even more enticing to stroll along Old Quebec’s cobblestone streets, explore the Quartier Petit-Champlain shopping district and admire the well-maintained gardens of Battlefields Park. What’s more, there are plenty of romantic boutique hotels catering to a range of price points, including the Auberge Saint-Antoine, which offers a variety of packages and opulent touches, including Bose stereo systems and Nespresso machines.
Best for an eco-conscious getaway: Belize
“For an immersive eco experience, eco-lodges that minimize their carbon footprint, gather their own rainwater, make use of locally sourced ingredients and minimize garbage and waste can be very inspiring,” Firpo-Cappiello says. He recommends leaving a positive impact at national parks and historic sites that are close to home. You can aid the park system by paying an entrance fee, which helps support preservation, or signing up for summer volunteer event, such as a beach cleanup or a habitat restoration program. But if you’re longing for a far-flung, planet-friendly trip, Belize offers a unique tourism infrastructure with sustainability initiatives at the forefront, says Gabe Saglie, senior editor at Travelzoo. Plus, summer is an excellent time to maximize savings, he adds, spotlighting Thatch Caye Resort, which “captures rainwater and uses solar power and wind turbines to produce energy,” and offers rates under $250 in the summer season.
Best for culture vultures: Portland, Oregon
“Of course, America’s biggest cities offer incredible food and culture scenes,” Firpo-Cappiello says. Beyond larger destinations, plenty of lesser-known and intriguing midsize cities are also worth exploring, he adds. In forward-leaning PDX, for example, you can explore microbreweries and trendy restaurants, check out must-see festivals in the summertime (the Portland Rose Festival and the Oregon Brewers Fest are crowd-pleasers) and admire renowned art institutions and literary hubs (hat tip: Powell’s Books). Best of all, June to August marks an ideal time for exploring lush green spaces such as Forest Park and Washington Park, with daytime temperatures hovering in the mid-70s and low 80s.
Best for outdoorsy types and health nuts: Avon, Colorado
Of all the places an avid wellness-seeker might want to explore, Avon might not be the first destination that comes to mind, but it offers many charms. “The same mountains that are covered in snow in winter — and that command high prices from seasoned ski bunnies — can be bargain destinations in summer, meaning outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort,” Saglie says. “The Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch is the perfect mix of rugged mountain and refined luxury,” he adds. Plus, fitness classes like barre are bundled into the resort fee, and you can enjoy meals prepared with locally sourced ingredients such as farm-fresh eggs, elk sausage and slow-cooked bison chili at the resort’s eateries.
Best for a solo trip: A cruise vacation
“There has never been a better time to be a solo traveler,” Firpo-Cappiello says. “Package tours and cruises are, one by one, dropping the dreaded solo supplement [the additional charge for getting your own cruise cabin or accommodations without a companion],” he adds. For example, Royal Caribbean’s Anthem of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas offer studio ocean view category staterooms with balconies that do not require a single supplement, making it easy to snag a deal on Caribbean-bound sailings this summer. Pricing for a four-night Bermuda cruise departing on June 22 from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, aboard the Anthem of the Seas starts at $834.
Best for a family vacation: Utah and Arizona’s national parks
If you’re an active group looking to create long-lasting memories (and photos) together, consider embracing the great outdoors in America’s top national parks, Saglie says. A Grand Canyon getaway is a fantastic choice for families, with inviting and iconic attractions such as the Bright Angel and North and South Rim trails, as well as kid-friendly lodging options. If you want to avoid crowds during the peak season, consider retreating to Utah’s famed Arches National Park, which draws fewer visitors and offers eye-catching natural sandstone formations such as Landscape Arch and Delicate Arch. Best of all, the nearby town of Moab offers cost-effective accommodation options for budget-minded families.
Best for the deal-chaser: Scottsdale, Arizona
Summer marks an excellent time to enjoy first-rate accommodations at a lower rate, Saglie says. He points to Southwestern destinations as particularly appealing since five-star resorts “can drop prices 50 to 70 percent, compared to winter’s peak season.” At the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia, for example, you can take advantage of a world-class spa, three pools and a striking landscape with the Sonoran Desert and Camelback Mountain, he says. Of course, you will have to contend with soaring temperatures, which can reach the triple digits during summer. But if you don’t mind the heat, Travelzoo.com is offering a promotion for stays starting at $119 from June to September.
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