If you’re in need of a
damn good getaway (and let’s be real, you almost definitely are), you’ve come to the right place. Personally, I’m always daydreaming about the next time I can get the hell out of dodge, because honestly, vacation me is just the best version of me. If you agree, I urge you to keep reading.
Because we here at Cosmo are obsessed with a) all things travel, and b) knowing the hotspots before they can even be considered hotspots, we reached out to four of the coolest jetsetters we know to ask what destinations they think are about to become the new It Spots. And they didn’t let us down. We chatted with Olivia Culpo, Suni Lee, Tayshia Adams, and Kelsea Ballerini (casual, I know), about which cities they think are going to alllll over your FYP in the coming weeks, months, and years. No gatekeeping here!
Some of these spots might surprise you—in fact, there’s a chance you’ve never heard of a couple of ’em—but we promise they’re worth booking a flight to ASAP. And you’ll probably want to do so sooner than later. You know, before the rest of the world finds out.
Ladies! Who! Travel!
Just some It Girls sharing destinations that need to be on your radar. (No gatekeeping here.)
Olivia Culpo
This pageant queen turned host turned model turned The Culpo Sisters (now on HBO Max!) star is the definition of “globe-trotter.” The tagged locations on her Insta feed, which are basically the whole world now, are proof.
You may know this all-star best from a certain event in Tokyo (where, yes, she won Olympic gold), but between gymnastics world championships and subsequent vacays, she’s also no stranger to a glorious getaway.
Reality TV isn’t always paradise, but the Bachelor Nation favorite spun her fame into a chance to jet-set. As a content creator, she shares FOMO-inducing snaps with her followers as she hops between countries.
You kind of just end up going everywhere when you sell out multi-continent tours, and that’s exactly what this country-pop singer-songwriter has been doing as of late—unapologetically, we might add.
Olivia’s Pick
If you have been to Croatia and had to be damn near dragged out (same), immediately book a trip to Montenegro. Also in Southeast Europe, the laid-backcountry (where you can get a bottle of wine for less than the cost of a beer back home) is about to be all over your FYP, promises Olivia, who fell head over heels for Sveti Stefan, a tiny 15th-century coastal town.“I went a few years ago and I’ll never forget the colors,” she says.
EAT & DRINK: At Konoba Zago, a local hangout with oodles of seafood. SLEEP: At Villa Geba, a luxe resort overlooking the pink-sand beach. VISIT: The Praskvica Monastery, a working monastery in an olive grove.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
Tayshia’s Pick
Winter wonderland chasers, this one’s for you. “Geneva is so magical, especially during the holidays,” says Tayshia, who stopped in the city in 2019—hitting the Geneva Lux light festival and bopping around Place du Bourg-de-Four (the city’s oldest square)—before going skiing in the Alps. “It seriously looks like a storybook.” No matter the time of year, expect cobblestone streets, chocolaty baked goods, epic views of Lake Geneva, and more fondue than you can possibly stomach (although you should still try). “I wish I could have stayed,” says Tayshia. “I must return!”
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: Somewhere in Carouge, an artsy community known for its cute cafés and eateries. SLEEP: At Hotel d’Angleterre, a pet-friendly retreat on the lake with a free boat shuttle service. VISIT: Jet d’Eau, a water jet that spouts up to 460 feet in the air (you can’t miss it).
LAO CAI, VIETNAM
Suni’s Pick
“The next time I have a few weeks on my hands, I’d love to travel here,” Suni says of the big adventure she’s dreaming about to the mountainous province in Northwest Vietnam. About five hours from Hanoi, Lao Cai has become a hot spot for its local markets, spiritual centers, and breathtaking scenery. Think misty summits above your head and terraced rice fields beneath your toes. “Vietnam just has such a diverse landscape,” she explains, “from beautiful cities to tropical and almost otherworldly bays.”
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: At Aliana Sapa Restaurant & Bar, a popular venue for local gourmet cuisine.
SLEEP: At Hotel de la Coupole, a glam boutique hotel that opened in 2018. VISIT: The Den Mau Temple, an 18th-century place of worship.
ATHENS, GREECE
Kelsea’s Pick
“I went to Greece a few years ago and was so excited to visit Santorini because of all the iconic photos I’d seen,” says Kelsea. “But Athens is the place that stole my heart. You can really feel the past when you’re there, and it just has an ‘enjoy your life’ energy.” Her core memories of the capital city? “Walking the winding cobblestone streets, finding trinkets and tea shops down alley-ways, eating until I found the best falafel and grilled octopus, hiking up to the Parthenon, and then having a glass of bubbly at Thea Terrace Bar afterward.” We’re ready for round δύο when you are, Kelsea!
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: At Varoulko Seaside, a Michelin-star joint known for its fish dishes. SLEEP: At Hotel Grande Bretagne, a famously swanky hotel in the historic city center. VISIT: The Acropolis, a collection of ancient building remnants on a hill above the city.
PARO, BHUTAN
Olivia’s Pick
“Bhutan is super high on my list,” Olivia says of this teeny South Asian kingdom between India and China. Paro, one of its most popular cities, is known for endless paddy fields, vast valleys lined with snowy mountains, and traditional farmhouses speckling the rolling hills. Its history is also well preserved: There are more than 155 sacred temples and fortresses, called dzongs, in Paro alone—many of which date back to the 14th century (!). “It’s also the only carbon-negative country,” thanks to its many forests and commitment to renewable energy, adds Olivia. Which, honestly, just makes it that much more appealing.
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: At Bukhari restaurant, where you should get the dumplings. Period. SLEEP: At Six Senses Paro, a 5-star lodge perched up in the mountains. VISIT: The Tiger’s Nest Monastery, a Buddhist site built into the side of a cliff.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Tayshia’s Pick
Tayshia isn’t afraid to step out of her comfort zone (see: finding love on TV), so it’s no surprise that her dream destination is on the other side of the planet. “I was told the views alone are worth the trip,” she says, referencing the iconic cityscape from the top of Table Mountain, a flat-top range that surrounds Cape Town. The city is also the perfect home base for shorter regional trips—its great food andbumpin’ nightlife are driving distance to several safaris and a boozy tram through the Franschhoek wine valley.
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: At Mariams Kitchen, a sandwich counter known for traditional Gatsby subs. SLEEP: At Kensington Place, a tucked-away hotel with a lemon grove. VISIT: Boulders Beach, a protected site where you can watch penguins soak up some sun.
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, MEXICO
Suni’s Pick
You may think of beaches, bikinis, and bottomless margs when you think of Mexico, but the country’s coolest cities go beyond the all-inclusive. In 2023, Suni’s got her eye on San Miguel de Allende, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stunning atmosphere, drawing in art lovers and foodies alike. “I’ve heard incredible things about the food,” she says(stuffed chiles! deca-dent churros! cheesy enchiladas!), “not to mention the colorful architecture and street markets packed with local artisans.”
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: At Quince, a restaurant frequently dubbed one of the best rooftop destinations in the world. SLEEP: At Hotel Matilda, a zen spot with mezcal spa treatments (yes, mezcal the liquor). VISIT: Fábrica La Aurora, an old fabric factory turned art lover’s dream with near-endless studios and shops.
BARCELONA, SPAIN
Kelsea’s Pick
A Disney-Channel-loving millennial at heart, Kelsea’s second pick is another metropolis worth, ahem, strutting through. “This is my bucket list trip this year,” she says.“Maybe my Cheetah Girls stan days are still an influence, but I feel like Spain has such romance to it, and I am in a ‘romanticize your life’ season.” She’s right: Between the dazzling shoreline, dreamy architecture, and delicious cuisine (please order jamón ibérico), there’s no way you won’t fall in amor. If you want Kelsea’s ideal itinerary (duh), it’s as follows: “Taking my interior-design-junkie heart to see Casa Batlló, strolling around La Boqueria and picking up some fresh goodies, then venturing off to a park for a picnic.”
QUICK HITS
EAT & DRINK: At El Quim de la Boqueria, a locals-favorite tapas bar. SLEEP: At CottonHouse Hotel, a former private palace turned posh accommodation. VISIT: Sagrada Família, a gorge (but unfinished!) church from famed architect Antoni Gaudí.
Hannah Chubb is the associate lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
This content was originally published here.
