The summer season has drawn to a close in North America and Europe, which means it's time to begin daydreaming about where to go next year!
Amongst the holidays with Cosmos, there are a bunch of sunny seaside destinations I have my eye on. Photos inspire me, perhaps more than anything else, when choosing a destination. I hope these inspire you when you're thinking about where to vacation next summer.
Table of Contents
1. Greece
Greece is quickly becoming my Thailand of five years ago. I feel like everybody's been there, partied there, and island-hopped there but me.
I passed up my first opportunity to visit in 1998, during my backpacking trip through Europe. I'd been in Italy for two weeks and only had so much time left on my trip. Instead of hopping a ferry, I high-tailed it to Ireland, but that's another story.
As recently as last year, I considered heading to Greece, but I was in Europe during the fall and felt it wouldn't be quite as lovely as spring or summer.
Mykonos is my top pick, if only for the beautiful seaside setting, with white-painted buildings contrasting against the deep blue waters. I'd love to photograph it.
This Greek island also looks ideal for travelers who value privacy and luxury. Villas for rent in Mykonos offer an upscale way to enjoy this iconic island, combining pretty views, luxe amenities, and easy access to its world-famous beaches and nightlife.
2. Croatia
Croatia is another seaside country I'm long overdue to visit. My parents were there long ago on a cruise, and as recently as last year, my brother and best friend went for yacht week. I've also heard it praised by many travel bloggers in recent years.
For such a small country, there are many cities to visit, including Dubrovnik (pictured above), Hvar (party central), Split, and Zagreb (the capital). But, because it's small, it's perfect for a quick vacation; a week or two should suffice.
I know nothing of Croatian cuisine, though I imagine it's heavy on seafood. It'd be interesting to discover that aspect of the country and culture.
3. Canary Islands
The Canary Islands were recently featured in the Hollywood blockbuster Fast and the Furious 6. Located 100 kilometers off the southern coast of Morocco, this archipelago belongs to Spain.
Known for its friendly climate, beaches, and varied landscapes, the Canary Islands attract millions of vacationers every year. Surprisingly, they feature the world's third-tallest volcano, Mount Teide, according to Wikipedia.
4. Turkey
Turkey is another destination I hadn't thought much about until friends started visiting and spending time there over the last few years. At the crossroads between Europe and Asia, there's a lot of history and foreign culture for me.
My top priorities would be to explore Istanbul and experience a Turkish bath. The latter is something I've wanted to do since seeing Anthony Bourdain suffer through it on one of his old TV shows.
5. Italy
My fifth and final European dream destination is Italy, and specifically, the Italian Riviera.
Last year, I visited the Spanish Riviera, known as Costa Brava, for the first time, as well as the French Riviera for the second, but I've yet to experience Italy's version.
The main hub is Genoa. And while I still find it humorous that their beaches are often a pile of round rocks, it seems to deter the Europeans from enjoying the sun in summer.
