SKIP EURO SUMMER & HEAD DOWN SOUTH
A Roundup of Destinations with Cooler climates, fewer crowds, and extraordinary landscapes that might make you rethink your typical summer haunts.
TRADE IN THE FRENCH RIVIERA FOR MEXICO’S RIVIERA MAYA SPOTLIGHT: HOTEL ESENCIA
With quick, seamless flights for American travelers, the Riviera Maya is an effortless alternative to the French Riviera — offering the same sun-drenched coastline and barefoot beachside ease, with Hotel Esencia firmly established as the place to stay on the region’s most beautiful stretch of sand, and one of the chicest, most discreet hotels in the world.
Beyond its pristine beaches, dining is simple yet elevated, blending Mexico’s vibrant regional cuisines with Mediterranean influences and the freshest locally sourced ingredients.
Here, wellness and nature take center stage, from the Esencia Spa’s soulful Shaman-led rituals beneath a traditional palapa roof to extraordinary wildlife encounters in a hidden lagoon, where guests can paddle through mangroves and swim alongside manatees just minutes from the property.
BRAZIL’S SAO PAULO: SOUTH AMERICA’S VIBRANT GATEWAY SPOTLIGHT: PALÁCIO TANGARÁ
For travelers seeking the most seamless access into Brazil and South America, São Paulo offers international connectivity with direct flights from major global hubs
Just moments from the city’s dynamic core, Palácio Tangará - the city’s Grand Dame and true urban oasis - provides a rare sense of escape from the bustle.
Located in the lush surrounds of Burle Marx Park, the hotel feels uniquely resort-like within the city, with its iconic expansive outdoor pool – ideal for long, lazy days poolside, cocktail in hand, framed by rainforest greenery and the sounds of nature beyond.
Inside, further moments of relaxation await at the Lancôme Absolute Spa, offering a curated selection of advanced facial treatments using Lancôme technology and expertise, alongside indulgent body therapies including aromatherapy, candle massage, hot stone, lymphatic drainage, and aromatic baths.
The gastronomic offering at Palácio Tangará spans Tangará JeanGeorges, the hotel’s signature fine dining restaurant and Pateo do Palácio, a relaxed all-day dining venue set amid the greenery of Burle Marx Park, featuring Afternoon Tea, live jazz and bossa nova, happy hour music sessions, and the hotel’s hottest attraction, Sunday Brunch.
SWAP THE MEDITERRANEAN FOR BRAZIL’S EMERALD COAST SPOTLIGHT: AWASI SANTA CATARINA
Set between the Atlantic rainforest and Brazil’s Emerald Coast, Awasi Santa Catarina offers a compelling alternative to the traditional European summer, with more untouched nature, privacy, and space to truly reset. This is a destination for those seeking cooler coastal air, immersive landscapes and a slower rhythm far removed from the intensity of the Mediterranean in peak season. At its heart is a new expression of wellbeing, a deeply personalized approach that goes well beyond a
typical spa offering. Designed around five tailored pathways—including Sleep & Stress Recovery, Gut Health, Hormone Balancing and Longevity Essentials—the experience blends evidence-based movement, functional nutrition and restorative therapies for guests to experience throughout their stay and beyond
Outside, guests can fully immerse themselves in the destination through Awasi’s fully hosted programming, with a private guide curating bespoke experiences ranging from island snorkeling and diving amongst vibrant reefs and marine life, to surf lessons on secluded local beaches, coastal boat excursions, and rainforest hikes along the Emerald Coast.
DISCOVER IGUAZÚ
AWASI IGUAZÚ, ARGENTINA
Set deep within Argentina’s Atlantic rainforest just 15 minutes from Iguazú National Park, Awasi Iguazú offers a landscape and sense of scale entirely unlike anything found in Europe — where subtropical jungle, dramatic falls and extraordinary biodiversity replace crowded coastlines and predictable summer itineraries.
·As with every Awasi property, guests are paired with a private guide, allowing travelers to shape each day entirely around their own pace — from exploring Iguazú’s towering waterfalls and rainforest trails to kayaking through the jungle, spotting exotic wildlife and visiting nearby Guaraní communities.
·Each villa is elevated within the rainforest and features floor-toceiling windows, expansive terraces and private plunge pools, allowing guests to retreat into complete privacy while remaining immersed in the surrounding landscape.
WINE COUNTRY, ARGENTINA’S WAY at AWASI MENDOZA
Step into the height of Argentine living at Awasi Mendoza, the first luxury lodge at the foothills of the Andes in the Agrelo district of Luján de Cuyo – the beating heart of Argentina’s wine region.
Set across 35 acres of vineyards, this sun-drenched sanctuary enjoys over 300 days of sunshine annually and stands as South America’s first dedicated wine-themed hotel.
Bespoke itineraries await with immersive excursions from horseback rides with local gauchos and olive grove walks to vineyard harvest rituals and visits to nearby wineries. Recent enhancements include sixteen new Toyota SW4 vehicles for seamless regional exploration and seven electric bicycles for a slower, more scenic way to experience Mendoza’s vineyards and foothill landscapes
LAKE COMO’S NEW COUNTERPART: LAKE
TITICACA, PERU TITILAKA
For travelers ready to swap the welltrodden glamour of Lake Como for something far more unexpected, Titilaka offers a striking alternative in Peru.
Set on the shores of Lake Titicaca the world’s highest navigable lake— at 4,000 metres above sea level, this remote retreat replaces Europe’s crowded lakes with vast open water, silence and a profound sense of space and stillness
Here, guests don’t just look out over the landscape, they experience it directly: canoeing across glassy waters, swimming in secluded coves, and exploring by boat as the horizon stretches endlessly into the Andes Beyond the water, exploration extends into the surrounding ecosystems, where the Totora reed beds reveal a rich habitat of native wildlife and plant life, alongside encounters with the living traditions of the Quechua and Aymara communities, offering a deeply authentic connection to Peru’s highaltitude highlands.
AVOIDING CROWDS ALTOGETHER: DISCOVER PERU’S MOST SECLUDED RETREAT
TINJANI, PERU
Opened in Summer 2025, TINAJANI is Andean’s most secluded retreat — a tented hamlet nestled within the Valley of Giants, where ancient legends, dramatic scenery, and thoughtful hospitality come together
in remarkable harmony. Far removed from the crowds, it offers something increasingly rare: the luxury of space, silence, and complete immersion in one of South America's most pristine wilderness regions
Situated between Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and the Colca Valley, the property encompasses 400 acres of protected terrain, inviting guests to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with the natural world. With just six camps, a sense of privacy and exclusivity defines the experience
Designed for those seeking genuine solitude, each camp features two beautifully appointed tents — one dedicated to sleeping and the other to living — along with a private deck and hot tub for soaking beneath the exceptionally clear Andean skies.
Days unfold through scenic hikes, cycling excursions, and visits to local artisan communities, while evenings are spent around crackling fires with locally inspired cocktails under a blanket of stars. Here, the extraordinary landscapes of the Andes take center stage, creating a profound sense of escape that feels worlds away from the Northern Hemisphere summer.