Better Than Instagram—7 Euro Trips to Book ASAP

If you have yet to solidify your summer plans, now is the time to do so. Soon, our Instagram feeds will be saturated with picture-perfect destinations that will induce a serious case of wanderlust. The only logical fix is to plan a getaway of your own.

Not quite sure where to start? We rounded up an edit of the cities you’ll be seeing all over the ’gram. Driven by exciting new hotel openings and regions on the cusp of worldly acclaim, the spots ahead have one unifying theme: They’re all located in Europe. After all, it is the unofficial/official place to vacation. Start planning.

Ischia

You can credit author Elena Ferrante for putting Ischia on the map with her four-part Neapolitan Novel series. The underrated destination is a stone’s throw from Naples and a respite from the tourist-packed streets of Capri and Positano. Make it your base and you’ll have the freedom to explore the neighboring isles at your leisure. But something tells us that the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea and charming character of the locale might just persuade you to stay put.  

Head over to the newly opened Mezzatorre Hotel, a picturesque resort built around the island’s iconic thermal hot springs.

The Balearic Islands

From Ibiza to Mallorca and all the tiny islands in between, Spain’s coastal towns are making waves in the design world.

Once a destination ripe for partygoers and club enthusiasts alike, Ibiza has come a long way from its infamous reputation. Head over to the east side of the island for a tranquil experience, if that’s more your speed. There’s Wi-Ki-Woo (opening June 2019), Paradiso, and Cubanito—each promising to outdo the other with an extravagant display of color, pattern, and personality that puts Miami’s South Beach to shame.

For a more low-key and family-friendly experience, head over to the tamer (yet equally enjoyable) island of Mallorca. There, it’s all about sun, water, and long walks through the historic towns that dot the isle. The newly opened Purobeach hotel promises to deliver on style and leisure.

Paris

Not that we ever really need an excuse to go to Paris, but a new hotel is just the sort of nudge we could use. J.K. Place Paris—sister hotel of the iconic Capri jaunt—opens its doors this summer, and you can bet that it will be quite the bustling scene. If you fancy yourself more of the Right Bank type, the new Hoxton Paris will surely suit your vibe. Housed in an elegant, 18th-century building, the design-forward hotel epitomizes the spirit of the new Paris. That said, consider the City of Lights your jumping-off point for the real portion of your vacation: a Mediterranean getaway.

Gordes

Speaking of the South of France, Gordes is one place you won’t want to miss. Take a break from tradition and skip out on Cannes and St.Tropez for a secluded retreat. We’ve got our eyes on La Bastide de Gordes, a mountaintop hotel that’s ripe for R&R and taking in the dazzling sights of Provence.

Barcelona

Escape from the hustle and heat of the city and make your way toward the water. Soho House’s Little Beach House Barcelona recently reopened its doors, following a swanky yet effortlessly cool revamp, and it’s already poised to become one of the most Instagrammable spots of the summer. Lounge in the sun, dine alfresco, and live your absolute best life by the sea.

Puglia

Located on the Adriatic coast of Italy, Puglia is yet another destination rapidly on the rise in popularity. There, you’ll find yourself between the rustic countryside and the beach, taking in the best of what the low-key city has to offer. Book a stay at the newly renovated Masseria Torre Maizza, a 15th-century masseria refurbished with all modern-day conveniences and design-forward elegance in mind.

Copenhagen

Scandinavian summers are what dreams are made of—a thriving culinary scene and endless evenings by the lake are just a couple of its many draws. If your idea of summer break doesn’t entail a trip to the beach, this one’s for you. Hotel Ottilia is where you’ll want to head. A Scandi-chic design scheme complete with streamlined furnishings goes without saying, but what really sets this spot apart from the rest is the hotel’s self-disinfecting technology, which entails a unique solution that purifies the air. It doesn’t get more high-tech than that.