Cyclades, Greece
PHOTO:COURTESY OF KALESMA
When Greece reopened in mid-May, it was the first time both foreign travelers and Greek citizens could explore the country in more than a year. And that's one of the most remarkable things about traveling to the Cyclades right now — you're rediscovering the iconic isles of the Aegean along with the Greeks who've been locked down for a year. With Delta and United launching new direct flights to Athens as of July, it's easier than ever to get to Greece from hubs like New York City, Atlanta, and Washington D.C. There's an impressive amount of new luxury hotel talent popping up in Greece this summer, too. On Mykonos, Kalesma opened in late May. The suite- and villa-only hotel is a collaboration by local hoteliers, featuring design work by the same studio that just finished Mykonos' new airport. While on Mykonos, visit The Wild Hotel, which captivates guests with a private beach, newly redesigned suites, and a brand new cliffside restaurant opening in June. Hop over to Santorini, where you'll find serenity and incomparable sunsets, along with two of the island's best resorts — Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection and Andronis Concept Wellness Resort — in Imerovigli. Or, try a sparkling new private villa on for size at Santorini Sky, at the island's highest point, in Pyrgos. Finally, after embracing the quintessential white-and-blue Cycladic scenery, change it up by heading south to Cayo Exclusive Resort & Spa for a Cretan wellness experience on the Spinalonga inlet. —Maya Kachroo-Levine
Advertisement
London
PHOTO:COURTESY OF MAYFAIR TOWNHOUSE
London's hospitality crowd didn't rest during lockdown, and travelers can finally reap the benefits: brand-new hotels to visit include the Mayfair Townhouse, a stylish retreat offering private garden suites and vibrant eating-and-meeting spaces between Shepherd Market and Green Park; Nobu Hotel London Portman Square with a buzzy new Nobu restaurant, a Japanese gin bar, and a pilates studio in Marylebone; and the sceney NoMad London, the brand's first property outside the U.S., across from the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. It's also an exciting time in Indian fine dining: the owners of celeb-loved Gymkhana are opening Bibi with "Top Chef" Chet Sharma this summer, and Benares has regained its Michelin star under executive chef Sameer Taneja. In the fall, Carlo Scotto will bring the elaborate tasting menus he was known for at Xier to Amethyst (three or four courses at lunch and six or 15 at dinner, because now that we can dine out again, why not go big?). Frieze and Pace are both opening new gallery spaces to make room for more art and more eyes to coincide with Frieze London in the fall. On the relaxation front, Sea Containers London's new spa program is based around easing travel-related woes, and the Roman-style pool steals the show at the new Spa at 45 Park Lane. And for a relaxing English countryside retreat an hour and change outside the city in Ascot, Dorchester Collection's Coworth Park just opened its stunning North Lodge, a private three-bedroom cottage surrounded by lush gardens that's worth extending your trip for. —Nina Ruggiero