IN THIS ARTICLE
Whether you dream of sandy beaches and sea turtles or if you go wild for cross country skiing, soaring mountain peaks or peaceful fly fishing with the family, vacations can play a huge part in helping us stay balanced and brimming with joy. Travel can help us to open up to new experiences, connect with different cultures, and just grant us that much-needed breath of fresh air we need to avoid burnout and get back on our feet. This feels especially pertinent as the world starts to slowly open up again, gifting us that gorgeous possibility to get out there and seek.
SHOP SOZY
There's a lot of things people are looking for right now when it comes to travel. Some want to return to those bucket list spots of pre-pandemic travel, others prefer to stay close to home and out in the fresh air, and most of us are looking for affordable options as travel costs boom.
Whether heading out on a family vacay, planning a soul searching solo trip, or just looking to hole up in a vacation rental with your boo, we have some sublime suggestions of where to travel both in and out of the United States.
Best Vacation Spots in the US
Grand Canyon National Park
A rite of passage for anyone traveling in the USA, the Grand Canyon is here to strike awe in the hearts of all who gaze upon her. Natural beauty doesn't get any better than this and for those wanting to stick to outdoor adventures, the Grand Canyon has it all. From the thundering flow of whitewater rafting along the Colorado River to epic hikes like Bright Angel, the Grand Canyon is here to remind us just how electrifying nature can be.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: The Grand Canyon Village for close action, Williams for quirk, or camp inside the park
- How to Get There: Fly into LA or Phoenix and rent a car.
- Average Cost Per Day: $130
Yellowstone National Park
From steaming geysers to wildflower meadows and thick forests, Yellowstone is a showstopper. This wild and untamed land is a lullaby of boiling waters, rippling streams, fresh pine scents, bears and wolves. It's the place to roam, be awed by colorful geothermal activity in the bubbling hot springs, and be enchanted by the sheer amount of wildlife that occupies this space. Bald eagles soar overhead, bison roam, and fumaroles and mud pots belch. With a feast of walking trails and endless camping options, sleeping beneath the stars of Yellowstone is always a dream.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Stay inside the park for up-close nature action or pick the West Entrance for geyser glory.
- How to Get There: Fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and rent a car or take a bus
- Average Cost Per Day: $118
New York City
Not all vacation spots are about natural beauty and local wildlife, sometimes you crave a break bursting at the seams with art galleries, delicious food, chic shopping, and bright light entertainment. For that sublime city break, there is no place better than New York City. The city that never sleeps serves up endless plates of iconic sights. Climb to the top of the Empire State Building, wander the MET, fall in love with the glut of green space at Central Park, cross the Brooklyn Bridge for bagels and pizza, see a show at Times Square, and sip cocktails at a rooftop bar with the cool kids at the East Village. For those who are dying to jump back into light and life, the Big Apple is your bite.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Midtown Manhattan for easy access to the big hitter sights or the Meatpacking District for artsy value
- How to Get There: Fly into JFK or Newark or take the Greyhound.
- Average Cost Per Day: $230
Key West
Spring break vibes are alive and well in Key West making it one of the liveliest sun and sand escapes outside of Miami Beach. While it can be the spot for a romantic break or family fling, Key West is best saved for those ultimate vacation days with your gal pals in arms. This southernmost city in the continental USA is all sunshine, conch fritters, key lime pie, and bars that get you drunk from dawn. But even beyond the swaying palms, Key West offers plenty of local art and culture and a wealth of history too. From Hemmingway to Harry Truman, historic state parks, and shipwreck treasures, Key West keeps on giving.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Downtown for easy access to Duval Street or on the southern shore for the best beaches
- How to Get There: Fly into Key West International or take a road trip
- Average Cost Per Day: $170
Best Vacation Spots in Europe
The Amalfi Coast
Scented with lemons and saltwater, the Amalfi Coast is as pretty as they come. This is where the mountains meet the sea and where tiny colorful towns get wedged in-between the golden rock and gauzy greens. Tiny slips of beaches are perfect for guzzling white wine and feasting on the freshest seafood, picture-perfect piazzas and golden churches clang, and chic spots like Positano welcome you in for ritzy afternoons of sun and boutique shopping. While it may only stretch for 30 miles, Amalfi is all limoncello love.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Sorrento for easy access or Salerno if you are exploring the coast without a car.
- How to Get There: Fly into Naples and rent a car or take the train to Salerno
- Average Cost Per Day: $180
Lisbon
The capital city of Portugal, Lisbon is laissez-faire in all the right ways. A stunner of a city, Lisbon is a vision of winding cobbled streets, fado music spilling out of hole in the wall haunts, and captivating cathedrals that rise like white moons over the city. Lose yourself in the historic district labyrinth of Alfama, eat Pasteis de Nata in blue and white tiled halls, explore castles and museums, and trundle up and down in the ancient trams. When evening rolls around, hit Barrio Alto for a lively scene of young people partying and chilling in the streets.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Alfama for a charming true Portuguese experience
- How to Get There: Fly into Lisbon international airport and take a bus or metro to the city
- Average Cost Per Day: $100
The Azores
Europe's answer to a Hawaiian Island, the Azores is as wild and dense as it gets. Craggy coastlines are cloaked in green, surf breaks crash ashore, whales rise out of the cobalt blue waters, and volcanic craters and hot springs bubble and froth. The Azores is a relative newcomer in the world of tourism and it takes the boutique, organic, and sustainable approach seriously. For those wanting a truly natural escape far from any major cities, the Azores is awesome.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Santa Maria for warmer climates or Sao Miguel for the action
- How to Get There: Take a direct flight from Boston or fly to Lisbon for a connecting flight
- Average Cost Per Day: $100
Dubrovnik
The capital of Croatia, Dubrovnik is still hitting the mark years after our Game of Thrones obsession has faded. There's just something incredibly striking about this Unesco world heritage site city. Golden walls, ancient palaces, sunshine, and the cornflower blues of the Adriatic all set the scene for something special. Walk the city walls and see the fort, go gaga for renaissance gothic glory at the Rector's Palace, visit the Franciscan monastery, and eat your way around this entire town with its wealth of cozy and charming restaurants.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: The old town for the buzz or Lapad for both beach and city access
- How to Get There: Fly into the international airport or road trip across Europe
- Average Cost Per Day: $80
Best Vacation Spots for Families
Yosemite National Park
For those wanting to immerse themselves in a world of cascading waterfalls, epic hiking trails, and natural wonders, Yosemite National Park is the best destination for nature lovers. With over a thousand square miles of pristine Californian wilderness to explore, it's one of the best places to visit for outdoor family fun. Days are full of hiking, camping, rafting, fishing, and nature watching and nights are all about cozy cabins, flickering fires, and stargazing.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Inside the park for the best access and experience or Mariposa to get off the beaten path
- How to Get There: Fly into Fresno or drive from San Francisco
- Average Cost Per Day: $100
San Francisco
The summer of love, the gold rush, the Golden Gate bridge, the counterculture, and the hills...oh god the hills. San Francisco is a treat in so many ways. For those who want a chilled-out city experience with eclectic neighborhoods, weighty literary history, and buckets of bohemian charm, a visit to San Fran makes for a hip escape. Wander around Haight Ashbury, ride the cable cars up and down those rollercoaster-like hills, and take your history buffs to Alcatraz. Whether on a family vacation for a fine fill of culture or if you are on a solo adventure along the California coast, San Fran is all whimsy and wonder.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Union Square or Haight Ashbury if with older kids
- How to Get There: Fly into San Francisco international airport, road trip or take the Greyhound
- Average Cost Per Day: $170
Paris
We know Paris may be more synonymous with couples in love having a romantic dinner cruise on the river Seine or struggling artists seeking their down and out, but Paris is actually a pretty awesome destination for vacationing families. Iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Champs-Elysees make for magical memories and with the Euro version of Disney World close by, little ones can delight in fairytale fantasies. Back in the enchanting city, there's scores of stunning parks, lashings of local culture, endless art museums, and it's an incredible city to stroll around too.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: The 7th Arrondissement for Eiffel Tower and iconic sights access, Le Marais for hip charm, or the Latin Quarter for low cost but central fun
- How to Get There: Fly into Charles de Gaulle International airport or take the train from anywhere in Europe.
- Average Cost Per Day: $200
Best Vacation Spots for Couples
Acadia National Park
New England is home to fresh seafood, rocky coastlines, towering trees, and salt whipped air and we can't think of a better spot for a romantic escape. For couples who love embracing the great outdoors, Acadia National Park is rugged grace. Sitting just outside Bar Harbor, there's a constant cool ocean breeze that keeps Acadia fresh - awesome for those wanting to escape humid summer weather elsewhere. From horseback riding to kayaking, sailing and lighthouse hopping and staying in the cutest bed and breakfast joints, Acadia is glorious in every way. Seafood lovers can chow down on all the buttery dripping lobster they could wish for and it's also a prime spot for whale watching.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Bar Harbor is just outside the park
- How to Get There: Fly into Boston and connect to Hancock County airport or drive from Portland
- Average Cost Per Day: $135
Charleston
Soak up all that southern charm in one of the most romantic spots in the USA. Charleston is a vision of horse-drawn carriages, historic grace, and boutique bliss. As the gem of South Carolina, it makes for a majestic lover's escape. Book into a beautiful luxury hotel, dine in style on classy southern comfort food, fall in love with 19th-century architecture and stroll the cobblestone streets arm in arm.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: The Historical District for the most romance or Mount Pleasant for scenic serenity
- How to Get There: Fly into the international airport, plan a southern road trip or take the Greyhound
- Average Cost Per Day:$135
Santorini
The poster child for just how perfect Greece can be, Santorini is a vision of whitewashed beauty against a staggeringly blue backdrop. Creamy turrets, coppices, and cubes spill down the mountainside to the calm waters where yachts breathe easy. Santorini is famed for her sunsets, her wineries, and her charming winding streets that climb high and offer arresting views of the Caldera. Boutique hotels abound here and when it comes to romance, it's one of the most iconic destinations for popping that question.
THE DETAILS
- Where to Stay: Fira or Oia on the western side for those dreamy vibes and views
- How to Get There: Fly to Athens and take a connecting flight or rent a car and hop on the ferry
- Average Cost Per Day: $150
Which destinations are making your list? Are you all about theme parks and fun in the sun or are you more likely to turn towards outdoor adventure? Do you prefer a private beach and blissful cocktail hour or are you happier pitching a tent in the Great Smoky Mountains? Share all your dreamy vacation ideas with us over at our VIP Sozy Community.
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