Find your calm: End-of-summer trips to recharge
Discover five serene escapes to reset and return refreshed as a new season begins.
By Shayla Martin | July 17, 2025
Shayla Martin
Shayla Martin is an award-winning travel and culture journalist based in Washington, D.C. Find her work in outlets including The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Coastal Living, Hemispheres, Veranda Magazine, and many more. She specializes in content about Black history and culture, luxury travel, historic preservation, wellness, interior design, and personal narrative topics. She is also the founder of The Road We Trod, a bi-weekly newsletter that explores travel destinations through the Black gaze.
As the freewheeling days of summer wind down, we could all use an escape that soothes the mind and nourishes the body. It’s time to lean into the slow travel trend that’s all about decreasing your pace and focusing on nature, wellness, and mindfulness. From sun-drenched beaches in the Dominican Republic to tranquil mornings spent sipping coffee and overlooking the Aegean Sea in Greece, these beautiful destinations offer the perfect reset before the fall.
Santorini, Greece
Santorini’s iconic blue domes and whitewashed buildings might be most famous during peak summer months, but shoulder season is when the real magic begins, with fewer crowds and a calmer atmosphere. Think private terraces overlooking the caldera, immersive wine tastings in ancient vineyards, and slow strolls through charming hilltop villages. Santorini Secret Suites and Spa, an SLH Hotel captures the island’s timeless beauty through a modern lens. Each suite comes with its own private plunge pool or hot tub, and where better to meditate than a balcony with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea? Unwind further at Harmonia Spa, where body scrubs, wraps, and massages utilize Greek ingredients like olive kernels, volcanic stones, and apricot oil. Guests can also book couples treatments and daylong spa packages for even more moments of mind and body connection.
Bali, Indonesia
Bali has long been a haven for wellness seekers, and late summer is one of the most tranquil times to visit. Whether it’s a sunrise hike to Mount Batur, a purification ceremony in a sacred spring, or a quiet day spent reading under a frangipani tree, Bali makes it easy to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with yourself. Conrad Bali is a discreetly luxurious beachfront paradise that blends traditional, open-air Balinese design (some rooms even have a swim-up patio) with modern comfort. The Conrad Spa offers deeply restorative treatments rooted in ancient healing practices like the restorative Yin & Yang signature treatment for couples or the Balinese hot stone massage. Other wellness experiences include the Crystal Sound Healing Chakra Balancing, sunrise yoga, circuit training, and sleep therapy — making Conrad Bali a soulful sanctuary for both spiritual and physical renewal.
Honolulu
Late summer in Honolulu means pleasant weather, fewer tourists, and a sense of tranquility that enhances Oahu's natural beauty. Whether you're snorkeling with sea turtles, exploring Diamond Head at dawn, or sipping herbal tea on a lanai, Honolulu offers a blend of wellness, culture, and tropical adventure that recharges both the body and spirit. The 22-acre (9-hectare) Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort sits on the widest stretch of beach and offers the only saltwater lagoon on the island. The resort’s Mandara Spa, the largest spa in Waikiki, specializes in treatments using natural Hawaiian ingredients such as coconut, chocolate macadamia, papaya, vanilla, coffee, and Hawaiian sea salt. With wellness-focused dining, water activities, and cultural enrichment all in one place, this resort offers a complete rejuvenation experience.
Orlando, Florida
While Orlando is often thought of as the theme park capital of the world, the city is evolving into a refined wellness destination, especially at the tail end of summer when schools are back in session and crowds begin to thin. Set amid natural springs and peaceful lakes, this side of Orlando offers serene kayaking, spa retreats, and beautifully designed resorts tucked into Florida’s wild wetlands and nature preserves. At Conrad Orlando, nestled in the Evermore Resort complex, guests can unwind at a private, white-sand beach, paddle across the crystal-clear waters of Evermore Bay, or relax using any of Conrad Spa’s multiple treatment amenities, such as the steam room, soaking tub, and cold plunge. The resort's approach to tranquility is holistic and immersive. You can even reserve a Wellness Guestroom, which is optimized for your self-healing journey to help you achieve your personal, ideal state of well-being. The resort’s concierge can help guide you to even more wellness experiences.
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