By Deborah Dunn, Town and Country
There's a lot to be said for tradition, and the tried and true summer vacation. Nantucket for the nth time? Nice. But even nicer is being spoiled for choice. How about front row seats to the great migration in Kenya? Or surfing (and feasting) on the coast of France? Or stargazing from a catamaran in French Polynesia? Here, 12 divinely exclusive getaways all around the globe—and the places that might still be able to squeeze you in.
There's a lot to be said for tradition, and the tried and true summer vacation. Nantucket for the nth time? Nice. But even nicer is being spoiled for choice. How about front row seats to the great migration in Kenya? Or surfing (and feasting) on the coast of France? Or stargazing from a catamaran in French Polynesia? Here, 12 divinely exclusive getaways all around the globe—and the places that might still be able to squeeze you in.
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Ladakh, India
What: Thanks to protection from the Himalayas, this under-the-radar region in the North has a different climate than the rest of the country—which makes it the only Indian region that's considered a summer destination.
Why: Ladakh first opened to tourists in the mid-70s, and it's rapidly becoming a sought-after destination for intrepid travelers. Quaint Buddhist villages, Tibetan cultural influence, and sweeping mountain landscapes are all part of the draw.
Best Time to Go: June, July, and August are perfect for trips and you can easily connect/fly up from Delhi.
Why: Ladakh first opened to tourists in the mid-70s, and it's rapidly becoming a sought-after destination for intrepid travelers. Quaint Buddhist villages, Tibetan cultural influence, and sweeping mountain landscapes are all part of the draw.
Best Time to Go: June, July, and August are perfect for trips and you can easily connect/fly up from Delhi.
French Polynesia
What: Vahine Island Resort, a hideaway in the same archipelago as Tahiti, sits on its own small island, in the middle of a clear lagoon.
Why: The nine units aren't as opulent as the ones at the big resorts, but they offer a fantasy vision of the Polynesian beach bungalow (grass walls, hammocks, endless sea views), meals by an ambitious French chef, and sublime seclusion. If five days as a castaway is enough, add a few nights sailing around the Society Islands on a crewed catamaran. Few pleasures compare with star-gazing at the South Pacific sky.
Best Time to Go: Mid-June through September it's sunny but not too hot; July is filled with festivals in Tahiti and the outer islands.
Why: The nine units aren't as opulent as the ones at the big resorts, but they offer a fantasy vision of the Polynesian beach bungalow (grass walls, hammocks, endless sea views), meals by an ambitious French chef, and sublime seclusion. If five days as a castaway is enough, add a few nights sailing around the Society Islands on a crewed catamaran. Few pleasures compare with star-gazing at the South Pacific sky.
Best Time to Go: Mid-June through September it's sunny but not too hot; July is filled with festivals in Tahiti and the outer islands.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
What: For families, particularly fussy ones, Jackson Hole is an unrivaled summer playground. Look for moose and bison (as well as hot springs) on a guided hike around the Tetons; whitewater-raft down the Snake River and sleep in a teepee; ride a horse and picnic in a stunning meadow. Or, if you dare, go mountaineering with a private guide—maybe even former Olympic skier Hans Johnstone.
Why: Home base is Phillips Ridge, a five-bedroom showstopper set on 56 pristine acres just outside town (trout-stocked pond, bowling alley, and movie theater included). For a more old-fashioned take on home entertainment, the Jackson Hole Playhouse will drop by with costumes for the kids.
Best Time to Go: July, when the days are warm and sunny and the nights are crisp and clear.
Why: Home base is Phillips Ridge, a five-bedroom showstopper set on 56 pristine acres just outside town (trout-stocked pond, bowling alley, and movie theater included). For a more old-fashioned take on home entertainment, the Jackson Hole Playhouse will drop by with costumes for the kids.
Best Time to Go: July, when the days are warm and sunny and the nights are crisp and clear.
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Kenya
What: East Africa's annual migration, arguably the greatest wildlife spectacle on the planet, typically reaches its peak in August and September. That's when nearly 2 million wildebeest, zebra, and other animals thunder through Kenya's Masai Mara Game Reserve. It's also the time of a more tedious stampede: swarms of tourists jockeying for a view.
Why: Most camps are hours from the action, but the new Angama Mara lodge is just a 20-minute drive away—yet far from the hordes. Built on an escarpment, it also happens to be a spectacular destination in its own right, as well as an unusually modern arrival on the safari scene. From its floor-to-ceiling windows (and the infinity pool), you can take in the heart-stopping views of the plains where many scenes from Out of Africa were filmed.
Best Time to Go: July through September.
Why: Most camps are hours from the action, but the new Angama Mara lodge is just a 20-minute drive away—yet far from the hordes. Built on an escarpment, it also happens to be a spectacular destination in its own right, as well as an unusually modern arrival on the safari scene. From its floor-to-ceiling windows (and the infinity pool), you can take in the heart-stopping views of the plains where many scenes from Out of Africa were filmed.
Best Time to Go: July through September.
Muhu Island, Estonia
What: Padaste Manor, an elegant seaside inn on the small island of Muhu, is known only by the lucky few—at least for now. It is fast becoming a foodie pilgrimage site (much like Washington's Willows Inn, only with more herring on the menu), and Alexander, the manor's restaurant, is a rising star of the New Nordic cuisine movement. The sprawling grounds and medieval stone walls make it a dreamy place to soak up the Baltic summer. Follow some biking, horseback riding, or boating with a (non-negotiable) visit to the seawater hot tub.
Why: Helicopters can zip you over to Estonia's charming capital, Tallinn, from where it's just a short flight to St. Petersburg.
Best Time to Go: June through early July, when the annual Stars of the White Nights festival, featuring the world's premier dancers and musicians, is held at St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater—a sensational way to celebrate the summer solstice.
Why: Helicopters can zip you over to Estonia's charming capital, Tallinn, from where it's just a short flight to St. Petersburg.
Best Time to Go: June through early July, when the annual Stars of the White Nights festival, featuring the world's premier dancers and musicians, is held at St. Petersburg's Mariinsky Theater—a sensational way to celebrate the summer solstice.
The Aegean Coast of Turkey
What: No offense to the Mediterranean and its armada of mega-yacht party people, but the life aquatic is a little sweeter on the Turkish Aegean. Maybe it's the sight of all those gulets, the traditional wooden sailboats, drifting on the azure water. Or the fact that even at the height of summer you can still find quiet swimming coves and empty tables at the harborside cafés. Better yet, the string of Lycian ruins near Fethiye is all but deserted.
Why: Gulets that you can charter come in all sizes, but the five-cabin Nialanca is the choicest. Onboard, enjoy all that justifiably legendary Turkish cuisine on deck.
Best Time to Go: June, July, and September (August is busiest); the top gulets are reserved six months in advance.
Why: Gulets that you can charter come in all sizes, but the five-cabin Nialanca is the choicest. Onboard, enjoy all that justifiably legendary Turkish cuisine on deck.
Best Time to Go: June, July, and September (August is busiest); the top gulets are reserved six months in advance.
Okavango Delta, Botswana
What: Safari by jeep? Yawn. An elephant safari, on the other hand, is as exciting and immersive as it gets.
Why: At Abu Camp, in the middle of a 500,000-acre reserve (how's that for privacy?), guests can tromp around the grasslands with a family of elephants, either riding them (just don't look down) or walking beside them. Instead of peering at the oddly graceful behemoths through a zoom lens, you'll be part of the herd.
Best Time to Go: July and August, Botswana's high season, when it's sunny but not scorching and water levels are high in the lagoons and channels where elephants congregate.
Why: At Abu Camp, in the middle of a 500,000-acre reserve (how's that for privacy?), guests can tromp around the grasslands with a family of elephants, either riding them (just don't look down) or walking beside them. Instead of peering at the oddly graceful behemoths through a zoom lens, you'll be part of the herd.
Best Time to Go: July and August, Botswana's high season, when it's sunny but not scorching and water levels are high in the lagoons and channels where elephants congregate.
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British Columbia
What: With just nine cabins, three helipads, and zero roads—in the middle of grizzly bear country, no less—the Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort floating lodge would tempt any nature lover. Explore the waterways and countryside (including the world's largest temperate rainforest) by boat or chopper—prime fly-fishing spots are a short helicopter ride away.
Why: Hike through cedar forests, visit remote native villages, or take a yoga class on the dock jutting out into the fir-lined bay.
Best Time to Go: June through August—especially for whale and bear sightings. There are just nine cabins, so next year might be your first option. If you can't wait, try BC's other top lodges, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort and Sonora Resort.
Why: Hike through cedar forests, visit remote native villages, or take a yoga class on the dock jutting out into the fir-lined bay.
Best Time to Go: June through August—especially for whale and bear sightings. There are just nine cabins, so next year might be your first option. If you can't wait, try BC's other top lodges, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort and Sonora Resort.
Lake Garda, Italy
What: Even Mussolini mellowed out at Villa Feltrinelli, a pink-walled confection on the mountain-backed shores of Lake Garda; the melancholy Duce spent the last years of the war on the grounds of the neo-Gothic villa, bicycling under the olive trees. A more intimate experience than Garda's other luxury hotel, Lefay Resort, it is also closer to town, right on the lake, and includes a Michelin-starred chef. An alert staff keeps wineglasses and flower vases refreshed.
Why: As tough as it may be to leave the property, splurge on a private boat trip to the nearby vineyards, Roman ruins, and lovely harbor towns.
Best Time to Go: The weather is ideal in June and September, when there are festivals everywhere.
Why: As tough as it may be to leave the property, splurge on a private boat trip to the nearby vineyards, Roman ruins, and lovely harbor towns.
Best Time to Go: The weather is ideal in June and September, when there are festivals everywhere.
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The Norwegian Arctic
What: The jaw-dropping landscape of the Lofoten Islands, in the northern reaches of Norway, is warmed by marine currents that bring surprisingly mild temperatures year-round—more like coastal Maine than the North Pole. In May, June, and July, when the sun never sets, the mountains are creased with snow, but the meadows are full of wildflowers, and sunbeams streak the white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
Why: Hotels are few and modest, so go glamping (as one Saudi royal family recently did). At your bidding, a tented camp emerges in a mountain valley, with separate sleeping quarters, lounge, kitchen, and shower. Staff includes a guide to lead expeditions, including rock climbing, kayaking, deep sea fishing—even a whale safari.
Best Time to Go: July and August.
Why: Hotels are few and modest, so go glamping (as one Saudi royal family recently did). At your bidding, a tented camp emerges in a mountain valley, with separate sleeping quarters, lounge, kitchen, and shower. Staff includes a guide to lead expeditions, including rock climbing, kayaking, deep sea fishing—even a whale safari.
Best Time to Go: July and August.
The Galápagos Islands
What: The dream destination of the earthy-crunchy set is an unlikely one for a glamour girl, but there she is: the M/Y Grace, a lovely 1920s yacht once owned by Monaco's Princess Grace.
Why: A few owners and upgrades later, the ship is now the charter of choice for American royalty, including a certain eco-minded Oscar winner. With nine staterooms, there's enough space for your nearest and dearest. Itineraries feature wildlife gawking, diving or snorkeling, kayaking, and scampering around volcanoes with naturalists.
Best Time to Go: June; the wind picks up July through September, but it's prime snorkeling season.
Why: A few owners and upgrades later, the ship is now the charter of choice for American royalty, including a certain eco-minded Oscar winner. With nine staterooms, there's enough space for your nearest and dearest. Itineraries feature wildlife gawking, diving or snorkeling, kayaking, and scampering around volcanoes with naturalists.
Best Time to Go: June; the wind picks up July through September, but it's prime snorkeling season.
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Landes Coast, France
What: On a rugged stretch of the Atlantic shoreline is a section few American tourists see, one with wide, sandy beaches backed by miles of pine forest and with more surfboards than yachts. Wild, serene, and unpretentious, it's also home to Les Maisons Marines d'Huchet, run by master chef Michel Guérard, a pioneer of French nouvelle cuisine, and his design-savvy wife.
Why: You don't come to this petite hotel (with just two guest lodges) for swimming—the ocean is too rough—but for long strolls along the dunes and forest bike rides, followed by insanely good meals (or picnic baskets). Bordeaux, a 90-minute drive, offers wine tastings at such legendary houses as Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild.
Best Time to Go: June and July, before the rest of the continent goes on vacation.
Why: You don't come to this petite hotel (with just two guest lodges) for swimming—the ocean is too rough—but for long strolls along the dunes and forest bike rides, followed by insanely good meals (or picnic baskets). Bordeaux, a 90-minute drive, offers wine tastings at such legendary houses as Château Margaux and Château Mouton Rothschild.
Best Time to Go: June and July, before the rest of the continent goes on vacation.
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