FROM BELOVED SEASONAL RETREATS TO UNDER-THE-RADAR DISCOVERIES, OUR CONTRIBUTORS SHARE THE PLACES THAT CONTINUE TO EARN A PLACE ON THEIR SUMMER AGENDAS.
KASIA / Cinque Terre
“I first discovered Monterosso al Mare during a solo trip through Cinque Terre, and after meeting my future husband—a local—a year later, we’ve returned every August since 2009 to this authentic Italian Riviera paradise that remains deeply connected to his family’s roots.”
POSTCARDS FROM LIGURIA
- Our mornings begin with a cappuccino and a Northern Italian-style cannoli at Pasticceria Laura before we wander to the beach for a swim and settle into the slow rhythm of the Ligurian coast.
- While most visitors focus solely on Cinque Terre, some of my favorite excursions include Portovenere, Camogli, Santa Margherita, and Portofino, each offering its own distinct glimpse of the Italian Riviera.
- The perfect day ends with gelato, live music on the harbor, and a final cocktail at Midi Bar as the villages of Cinque Terre glow in the evening light.
ANETTA / The Hamptons
“What keeps me coming back is the balance: quiet days spent in privacy, followed by evenings that unfold into memorable dinners and conversations. The Hamptons offers a rare ability to move between solitude and society, making every summer feel both relaxing and inspiring.”
COASTAL CULTURE
- Our East Hampton home has, over time, become an epicenter for our family. It’s where we host, celebrate, and spend a meaningful part of every summer.
- Duryea’s Lobster Deck is almost obligatory, and admittedly personal, as friends are behind it, but it remains one of those quintessential summer stops, preferably with a boat at sunset, that delivers exactly what you want from it.
- Nothing says Hamptons summer quite like my vintage Porsche 911 convertible. It lives in the garage, and the moment I arrive, I tend to disappear for hours. The Germans call it Fahrvergnügen—the pure pleasure of driving—and on the road to Montauk, it really is exactly that.
- Whether exploring the Pollock-Krasner House or spending an afternoon at Urban Zen, visitors quickly discover that creativity in hospitality, retail, and culture is woven into the fabric of life on the East End.
RILEY / Turks and Caicos
“What keeps me coming back to Treasure Beach is how easy everything feels. Real life kind of pauses there. You don’t have to think about logistics, reservations, cooking, driving, or planning every second of your day. Everything is turnkey in the best possible way, which is something I value more and more now.”
ISLAND TIME
- Real life is put on pause here. You don’t have to think about logistics, reservations, cooking, driving, or planning every second of your day. Everything is turnkey in the best possible way, which is something I value more and more now.3
- Love Butch’s Island Chop House, the steakhouse at Treasure Beach named after the late founder of Sandals. Most people focus on dinner there, but I actually think breakfast is underrated.
- My ideal day here would be a mix of activity and complete relaxation. Slow breakfast, beach or pool during the day, maybe some of the activities around the resort, then sunset on the beach in the evening once the heat dies down a bit. The property becomes really energized at night with lighting, music, and events.
ERIN / Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
“I first fell in love with Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat during family summers in the South of France, and I’ve been returning ever since. What keeps drawing me back is its quiet, unpretentious luxury, days spent by the sea, long lunches, and evenings that unfold at an effortless pace. It remains one of the few places on the Riviera that feels both elegant and wonderfully relaxed.”
RIVIERA RITUAL
- My favorite hotel, The Royal Riviera, sits right on the water and offers guests access to a private beach, which I love. It’s ideally located; close enough to Nice and Monaco, yet within walking distance of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
- I start the day with breakfast at The Royal Riviera (strong coffee and a baguette with their incredible salted butter) before settling in with a book and moving between the beach and the sea. After a leisurely lunch by the pool, I spend the evening at Paloma Beach, a hidden gem that’s perfect for a relaxed dinner by the water.
- I prefer traveling there in May or September, when the weather is beautiful and the crowds are thinner.
- I always make time for a visit to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, where lunch at Le Colombe d’Or comes with an extraordinary collection of art, from Calder sculptures by the pool to works by Picasso, Léger, Matisse, Chagall, Miró, and Cocteau.
DAVID /The Berkshires
“This is an enlightened part of the world that also happens to be naturally beautiful. People who come here need to experience both the nature and scenery and the culture.”
THE LONG VIEW
- I stay at a charming bed-and-breakfast in Columbia County, and each morning begins with a glance out the window to see what the day has in store. If the weather is clear, I’ll head to Ooms Nature Preserve for a walk, explore the OMI Sculpture Park in Chatham, or spend the day wandering one of the area’s vibrant small towns.
- I like the People’s Pub on the main street of Chatham. It’s one of those places where locals and weekenders go.”
- Early morning walks along the trails reveal the region at its most poetic, wrapped in a moodiness that defines its character.
- I make time for a drive to the summit of Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. It’s one of the few places where I can find the kind of uninterrupted quiet I crave, accompanied only by the sound of the wind.
