16 Dream Vacations You'll Want to Book Tomorrow
Tulum was a great Christmas destination for the last 17 years (!). Now it’s time to find that chill, un-fashionable beach vibe someplace that’s just as beautiful and easy to get to from New York, but not packed with, well, New Yorkers. When I heard about Holbox Island, just off the coast of the Yucatán, from my friend Maria Cornejo—Tulum early adopter who moved on years ago—it sounded just right. No cars, no attitude, just basic beachfront hotels and simple food. I’ll start looking into house rentals soon—or perhaps get a room at Casa Las Tortugas. – Christine Muhlke, editor at large
Photo by @duvine1/15Pedaling the hills of Italy
My dream Healthyish vacation is a selfish one. I leave my wife and child at home, and I head off across the hills, mountains, and coasts of Italy with chef Seamus Mullen and a pack of hardcore cyclists. Orchestrated by DuVine, this weeklong trip deftly marries pampering and punishment. You bike all day and then settle into spectacular hard-earned dinners, knowing no matter how much you eat and drink, you'll burn it all off come morning. – Adam Rapoport, editor-in-chief
Photo by AJ Meeker2/15A PCH food crawl
Years ago, I drove the Pacific Coast Highway from Seattle down to San Francisco, and it was amazing: the perfect mix of long hikes and good meals. At the time, I hit The Walrus and the Carpenter in Seattle for oysters and muscadet, Tasty n' Sons in PDX for a rich Burmese Red Pork Stew (this time around I’d probably go to Tusk (above) for the hummus and salads), and Mission Chinese in SF (though now I’d head straight for some alt-grain goodness at Tartine Manufactory). – Meryl Rothstein, senior editor
Getty Images3/15Going extra virgin in Crete
Seven years ago, I spent several days in Crete, during which time my diet consisted mostly of olive oil in various forms—on beans with fresh herbs, as a dressing for a simple green salad, and mixed in with various tomato/pita/feta combos. While I didn’t actually drink any oil straight out of the bottle, I’m not above it if I ever go back. – Carey Polis, digital editor
Courtesy of Alcaufar Vell4/15Cliffside picnics on the other Spanish island
Minorca is the lower-key version of better-known Majorca, Spain. This island is sheer relaxation, supreme natural beauty, and lots of gorgeous private beaches to explore by hiking the seaside cliffs. Stay in Alcaufar Vell, run by a woman named Rosa, who is basically the sweetest, most angelic woman on the planet. Go to La Taverna de l’Avi in Mahon, Minorca. The tender, crispy, charred octopus tentacles served over potatoes drenched in Spanish olive oil was one of the most delicious things I’ve ever tasted in my life. And you’ll sit outside on picnic tables overlooking the port while you eat. – Molly Baz, senior food stylist
Photo by @rwmayakoba5/15Skipping gravy for fish tacos in Mexico
Last Thanksgiving, I went to the Rosewood Mayakoba in Mexico, and it ruined all other vacations for me. From the activities (bicycling to a cenote!) to the food (one of their restaurants serves only food cooked over an open flame!), the place is full of healthyish vibes. It was the perfect way to spend the gravy-doused holiday. I’ll take flame-licked fish tacos over turkey any day. – Rachel Karten, social media manager
Photo by Ali Francis6/15Surf and seafood in Barbados
When I want the ultimate healthyish vacation, I go surfing in Barbados. Usually I’ll stay in Dover and rent a longboard from a local school. In the mornings, the water’s so blue; you can’t tell the horizon from the sea. Turtles do literal tumble turns under your board, and guys scale palm trees to machete down their coconuts. By mid-morning, warm trade winds whip any residual cloud to the edges of the sky, and it’s time to head in. Late mornings are best spent reading under a shady palm, exploring the farmers' markets (fresh turmeric for days), or hiking along the oceanfront at Bathsheba. For lunch, I opt for the national dish: fried flying fish, cou-cou (cornmeal mashed with okra), and breadfruit (cassava). The evenings are when the sea is at it’s best. The waves are shoulder high; the rides are long and powerful. If it’s a Friday or Saturday evening, I’ll go to the Oistins Fish Fry after. I order my fish—I always do tuna or mahi mahi with grilled potatoes and salad—and try to secure a spot in front for the local Karaoke night. – Ali Francis, freelance food consultant
Courtesy of Topanga Living Café7/15Topanga canyons and small-town vibes
Topanga, California is like being in LA without being in LA. You can roll out of bed and onto one of the awesome hiking trails for a run through the canyons, eat beautiful food at Topanga Living Café, and basically experience a bit of small-town, super-crunchy life just 20 minutes from Santa Monica and Venice. – Chris Morocco, senior food editor
Courtesy of Beniya Mukayu8/15A moveable Japanese feast
After getting married last year, my husband and I jetted off to Japan for a two-week eating extravaganza. We stayed at three different ryokans with amazing hot spring baths and serious culinary programs. Beniya Mukayu was snow crab heaven; Takefue was in dream beef territory; Mari was on Shodoshima, an island known for somen and soy). In any other country, this much feasting would have killed us – or at least induced gout. But Japanese ryokan cooking is so beautifully clean and focused on letting exceptional, pristine ingredients shine that we were able to go pretty crazy and feel mostly great—mostly, because we went a bit overboard on Japanese “soft cream” (soft-serve), too. – Heather Sperling, co-founder of Botanica in LA
Photo by Elizabeth Jaime9/15Island hopping on the Aegean Sea
I spent a week sailing the Aegean Sea in Greece. We rented a 55-foot sailboat and hired a skipper for the week. It was the same price as staying in a hotel, and being on a boat allowed us to visit a few different islands. I especially liked being able to cook our own lunches & breakfasts during the day—the produce in Greece was so absolutely fresh and everything felt light and tasted delicious. – Elizabeth Jaime, visuals editor
Photo by Erika Owen10/15An unexpected slice of Iceland
The one destination where I feel like my best self has always been Iceland. I’ve been twice, and the second visit was the most incredible mix of adventure, relaxation, and tons of amazing food. I did discover one thing I never thought I’d find in Iceland: the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. Suður-Vík Restaurant is a hidden spot up behind the scenic church overlooking Vík’s coastline. Thin-crusted, topped just right, and with a huge variety of options, that pizza alone makes me want to go back for a third time. – Erika Owen, associate director of audience development
Courtesy of Ecotapería el Cortijo11/15Slowing down in Southern Spain
The Costa del Sol is one of my favorite places in the world. The air smells like flowers, the Spanish Mediterranean climate is always pleasant, and the beaches are sublime. The majority of the population is ex-pats from all over Europe so there are plenty of food options. But the can't-miss place to go is Ecotapería el Cortijo. Located at the foot of a 13th century castle, the restaurant strictly adheres to an ethos of slow food and local produce, including the menu of craft beers and local biodynamic wines. I don’t mind telling you their wild boar ravioli literally made me cry. – Anya Tchoupakov, contributing editorial assistant
Facebook / Casa Verde Yoga12/15Not just another Ecuador yoga retreat
Not to oversell it, but Wendy Green Yoga changed my life. She introduced me to raw food and Ashtanga yoga, and I never looked back. The retreat (small groups or singles only) is deeply personal, exquisitely nourishing, and the perfect blend of strenuousness and serenity. Chill in her beautiful hideaway in Ecuador, eat freshly prepared raw/vegan/gluten-free/plant-based/superfood-filled meals, learn yoga or deepen your practice, and pick the mind of an ageless, fiery, inspiring woman who is far and away the healthiest human I've ever met. – Rachelle Robinett, holistic health guide
Photo by Ronald Cadiz13/15A delicious respite in the Catskills
I had the most incredible experience at The DeBruce in the Catskills, the new spot from the Foster Supply team. First, I was so impressed with the food. The chef, Aksel Theilkuhl, is super talented, and everything is either from the mountain on the property or farms nearby. Hyper local and refined, but not in a fussy way. Second, the property is on hundreds of acres with 30 miles of trails. It was the perfect healthyish getaway. – Hayley Russman, executive marketing director
Photo by Amanda Shapiro14/15Bike, swim, eat, repeat on Block Island
I celebrated my 30th birthday on Block Island, Martha's Vineyard's small, quieter sister off the coast of Rhode Island. In September, the beaches are quiet and the traffic is nonexistent, but it's still warm enough to swim. My boyfriend and I rented a big house and a bunch of bikes for a week and invited friends and family to come for as long as they could (Tip: You can get people to do pretty much anything for you when you turn 30). The result was a rotating cast of my favorite people in the world, running, biking, and swimming all over the tiny island, and, of course, eating amazing local seafood. Despite my deep affinity for fried clams, I came home in better shape than when I left. Best birthday ever. – Amanda Shapiro, Healthyish editor
Courtesy of The Loren Hotel15/15Snacking poolside in Bermuda
When choosing a poolside lunch, I typically spend the morning debating club sandwich v. pizza. But on my recent trip to Bermuda (a very popular location for babymooners at the moment, thanks to its gorgeous and Zika-free beaches), I quickly realized that the best things to order at The Pink Beach Club at The Loren Hotel, where we stayed, were the salads: the quinoa-and-sorghum grain salad, the lightly dressed Caesar with Little Gems—even the chicken salad came with delicate little greens. Bermuda imports much of its food supply and is still not much of a dining destination. But in my line of work, sometimes a vacation from indulgent food is exactly what I’m craving. – Julia Kramer, senior projects editor
