Image courtesy of Jérome Galland for La Fantaisie
Summer is almost here, which means it’s time to start planning. You can never be too early when it comes to summer travel, as everyone’s ready for a much-needed escape.
Tried-and-true favorites — Paris, London, et. al. — are trending this summer, but we’ve also seen some under-the-radar newcomers swiftly move up the ranks. Regardless of where you want to go, though, Fora Advisors have a knack for making magic happen. Here’s where to go to stay on top of the trends, and where to go to start some new ones.
Trending destinations to book now
This summer, Fora travelers are heading to these top five cities: Paris, London, Rome, Athens and Florence. And it’s easy to see why. Each locale has its own distinct personality, a rich mix of culture, history and cuisine. Expect crowds, but the throngs are worth it. Even better, Fora Advisors will help you get off the beaten path and discover gems beyond the tourist traps. They help you travel like an insider.
Paris
Image courtesy of La Fantaisie Paris
Paris is the perfect city to enjoy longer days and more sunlight. Al fresco aperitifs and picnics by the Seine, or near Canal Saint Martin, are in order. Wander around the city’s gardens — the Jardin du Luxembourg is a favorite, with its manicured greenery and youthful locals enjoying a baguette or reading a book by the fountain. And don’t miss its many parks, like Parc Montsouris, a lovely, leafy escape in the 14th, filled with locals jogging, celebrating birthdays or relaxing on picnic blankets.
La Fantaisie: This charming, ever-chic hotel feels like a beautiful dollhouse, with its patterned wallpaper, pastel hues, feminine forms, florals. You’ll love the hyperlocal neighborhood and warm, attentive service. The hotel feels like Paris’ best-kept (and effortlessly cool) secret.
Fora Reserve perks include €100 food and beverage or spa credit, a welcome bottle of Champagne, an upgrade and extended check-in/out for stays of at least two nights.
Le Bristol: Few Parisian hotels are as iconic as Le Bristol, which celebrates its centenary this year. It’s classic and elegant, with an exquisite garden and a can’t-miss rooftop pool.
Fora’s Oetker Pearl partner perks include €100 food and beverage or spa credit, breakfast daily, access to the best room in the requisite category and priority access to a courtesy car.
London
Image courtesy of Broadwick Soho
This summer, London’s calling. The city’s energy is always high, but especially in the warmer months, when locals can be found lunching in pocket gardens, savoring midday ice cream and enjoying a pint (or two) at a quaint pub on a cobblestoned street. The city is also a jumping off point for exploring England’s countryside. It’s the perfect setting for an active vacation, whether you want to hike amid the Cotswolds or bike around the Yorkshire Dales. Regardless, a Fora Advisor will design a personalized itinerary for you and your companions.
Broadwick Soho: Embrace this buzzy boutique hotel’s posh whimsy, playful spirit and see-and-be-seen (in a fun way) vibe.
Fora Reserve perks include £20 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
1 Hotel Mayfair: The eco-chic brand’s London outpost is complete with leafy interiors, natural stone, sustainable cuisine and all the wellness you could want.
Fora Reserve perks include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Rome
Image courtesy of Stephen Julliard for Casa Monti
Rome is consistently one of our top-booked cities, and for good reason. Whether you want to sample authentic Roman cuisine in Testaccio, the city’s food district, visit historical sites in Centro Storico or café-hop in the trendy Monti neighborhood, Rome delivers. Use the city as an entry point for exploring the rest of the country, from Tuscany to Como.
Casa Monti Roma: From the same team behind La Fantaisie, Casa Monti is equally whimsical and delightful. It has a lovely local feel, a vibrant personality (they’ve mastered the art of wallpaper) and a legendary rooftop bar.
Fora Reserve perks include €100 hotel credit for 2+ nights, a welcome bottle of Champagne, breakfast daily, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel de Russie, A Rocco Forte Hotel: You’ll love the playful décor, cocktails and gorgeous garden, one of the city’s buzziest addresses.
When you book Rocco Forte with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Rocco Forte Knights amenities.
Athens
Image courtesy of A77 Suites
In many ways, Athens was built for summer. Fresh hummus and tzatziki somehow taste better in local, open-air tavernas, whose shaded terraces overlook the winding, narrow streets below. Even the upscale restaurants transform outdoor courtyards into elegant, perfectly lit evening dining venues. Athens is also an excellent starting point for a cruise. Spend a few days in the ancient capital, then explore the Mediterranean (or beyond) in style.
A77 Suites: Perfect for a boutique moment in Athens’ Plaka neighborhood, where art-filled, airy suites and in-room fashion styling (if you so desire) awaits.
Fora Reserve perks include €50 hotel / resort credit, a welcome drink, a boutique discount, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens: Although it’s a bit outside of the city, it’s worth the slight detour. The Athenian Riviera is the place to be this summer. You’ll get the best of beach, history and culture.
When you book Four Seasons with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner amenities.
Florence
Image courtesy of The Place Firenze
Florence, the Renaissance’s birthplace, is brimming with art and culture. Architecture lovers will be especially happy here. The Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral’s famed Duomo is but one of the marvels you’ll encounter here. And with more daylight, you’ll have more time to explore city’s impressive array of museums, food markets and gardens.
The Place Firenze: A perennial favorite at Fora HQ, and among our advisors. The hotel is effortlessly elegant, a true paean to Italian craftsmanship. (They even have a scholarship that sponsors Italian artisans to learn traditional fields like porcelain production, glass etching, cashmere and silversmithing.)
Fora Reserve perks include $100 food / beverage credit, welcome amenities, daily breakfast, access to Florence Fitness Gym, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Hotel La Gemma: This boutique hotel is bedecked in handsome emerald accents. It exhibits the kind of intimacy only a family-owned hotel can master. You’ll love its serene vibe and keen eye for design.
Fora Reserve perks include €85 hotel credit, complimentary minibar soft drinks, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Under-the-radar destinations to book now
Classic destinations (like the above) are classic for a reason. But there are several other spots around the world that merit a shoutout. After looking at our summer bookings data, a few locales in particular caught our eye. Here’s where to go this summer to get off the beaten path, if only slightly.
Kenya
Image courtesy of Angama Mara
Kenya was one of our Hot List destinations. A safari here is a no-brainer, but there is so much more to the country than its glorious flora and fauna. The safari lodges you stay at will depend on where you want to go and what you want to see (hence why to book with a Fora Advisor), but our partner rolodex in this department is robust. A Fora Advisor will point you in the right direction and align lodging with your goals.
Singapore
Images courtesy of Capella Singapore
Apart from being exceptionally modern and innovative, Singapore is also one of the world’s most accessible destinations. Fora Advisor Judy Tudor, who specializes in accessible travel, said she was “blown away by how accessible it was. It wasn’t just one or two things that stood out, but the entire city seemed designed with inclusivity in mind.” Judy added that every transit station is fully accessible, and the public spaces are impressively clean and easily navigable. But Singapore’s food also stands out. Judy loves the country’s famed Hawker Centres, open-air, impeccably organized food courts serving everything from Indian to Malay to Chinese fare and more.
COMO Metropolitan Singapore: This refined, urban retreat is also a foodie’s dream, with a fancy pâtisserie and outpost of the Michelin-Starred COTE Korean steakhouse.
Fora Reserve perks include a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, priority dining access at Cote-Cedric Grolet and Como Cuisine and preferred rates at Club 21 Orchard.
Capella Singapore: The Foster + Partners-designed getaway sits on Sentosa Island, a leafy peninsula just off the main city.
Fora Reserve perks at Capella Singapore include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Dublin
Image courtesy of Dylan Dublin
Dublin in the summer is magical. It’s no wonder the Irish capital is among our 10 top-booked destinations this summer. Expect leafy gardens and squares, lively pubs, pervasive wit and a rich literary heritage. The city is also the perfect jumping-off point to explore the rest of the country — manor-laden pastures, coastal foodie cities, charming villages, world-class golf resorts.
Dylan Dublin: This gem is housed within a regal red-brick building from the early 1900s.
Fora Reserve perks at the Dylan Dublin include $100 food and beverage credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Conrad Dublin: This is where the brand’s modern aesthetic meets Irish warmth, right off St. Stephen’s Green.
Fora’s Hilton for Luxury partner perks at the Conrad Dublin include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast and an upgrade whenever possible.
Bonus: Seattle
Image courtesy of Palihotel Seattle
If a far-flung vacation isn’t in the books this summer, consider Seattle, which is swiftly moving up the ranks as one of our top-booked domestic cities this summer. The Pacific Northwestern gem is especially ideal for solo travel, one of the trends we predicted in our aforementioned Hot List. The city is laid-back, compact and brimming with things to do, from brewery tours and market visits to museum immersion and hikes. And the food scene does not disappoint (see our local’s guide to where to eat and drink in Seattle).
Palihotel Seattle: Stay here for a youthful, hip boutique stay steps from Pike Place. Expect vibrant colors, tasteful wallpaper and retro vibes.
Fora Perks at Palihotel Seattle include a welcome amenity, an upgrade and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Thompson Seattle: You’ll love the strong community vibe at this sleek local hangout. Don’t miss a rooftop cocktail or a drink at the handsome, speakeasy-esque Zig Zag Café.
Fora’s Hyatt Privé perks at the Thompson Seattle include $100 hotel credit, a welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade and early check-in whenever possible.