These Epic Vacation Photos Are Proof Designers Know the Best Places to Travel
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By no means do you have to travel far to gather design inspiration, but visiting a new part of the country or the world is something pros always appreciate doing when possible. Here, designers share 12 of their all-time favorite travel destinations—from the East Coast to the Middle East—where sophisticated interiors and architectural elements are everywhere you turn.
Cartagena, Colombia
“Cartagena has vibrant colonial architecture, colorful facades, and intricate doorways that showcase a rich and inspiring backdrop. The city’s historic walled old town and lush, tropical setting provide a picturesque and culturally immersive environment for design exploration.” —Dawn Heuer
Palm Beach, Florida
“Palm Beach is one of my most favorite destinations to visit from a design perspective. The historical architecture from greats like Addison Mizner, Maurice Fatio, and John Volk, coupled with exceptional hotels and house museums (the Breakers, Whitehall) makes it a veritable design lover’s paradise. Pair that with the incredible antique and vintage shopping on South Dixie and the burgeoning design scene (hello, Hive and Casa Branca, etc.!)—Palm Beach has it all.” —Ariel Okin
Istanbul, Turkey
“I love Istanbul and stayed at the Park Hyatt Istanbul in 2012. I still think of that trip because it’s such a beautiful place. The architecture in Istanbul is interesting because it encompasses the various empires that ruled it, including Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine, and Ottoman. I fell in love with the domes, arcades, and the scales of the buildings—and the colors, of course.” —Beth Diana Smith
“Having lived in Europe for 10 years before opening my design business, my absolute favorite inspirational destination is absolutely Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul to me represents the meshing of old and new, modern and traditional, and it made such an impact on me that I constantly see myself pulling from its influence in my designs. Turkey is home to some of the oldest textile makers in the world, and their bold, colorful patterns and gorgeous fabrics are just so rich and luxe. They have elevated their traditional textile-making in a way that keeps them contemporary in today’s world, but visiting there you can really feel what it was like to shop at the markets hundreds of years ago.” — McCall Dulkys
Mexico City, Mexico
“Mexico City is an inspiring and creative cultural experience for travel and design lovers alike. Walking through the streets of Condesa and Roma Norte, you’ll not only be met with incredible restaurants, boutique hotels, galleries, and shops, but you’ll also eat your way through the city with some of the world’s best food—from endless al pastor tacos to pristine Mexican fine dining at Pujol. The city’s neighborhoods teeter between traditional Mexican homes, Art Deco buildings, and European-inspired architecture, making you feel like you’re in a new place with every corner you turn. Visit Casa Luis Barragan for a one-of-kind experience to see the legendary architect’s work, or Casa Azul for inspiration from the revered Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s colorful home. CDMX is also thriving with flea markets, artisan boutiques and antique shops filled with vintage Mexican pottery, furniture, ceramics and embroidered textiles—a goldmine for traditional design enthusiasts.” —Stephanie Perez O’Boyle
New York, New York
“Every time I am in need of inspiration, I love getting to New York City, even if only for a day or two. The world is truly at your fingertips, and the energetic buzz is contagious. From food to fashion to interiors, museums, culture, and amazing green spaces, New York has something for everyone. The architecture is inspiring but also the cultivation of spaces for everyone through its numerous parks. Particularly noteworthy are two outdoor spaces that have been meticulously designed for the joyful use of Manhattan visitors and residents alike. Little Island, along Pier 54 in Chelsea, is a ‘little’ world of curated green space to explore, including beautiful views downtown to the World Trade Center. The High Line, a converted elevated train track that runs from Gansevoort Street in Meatpacking north to 34th Street, is also a fun way to take in views and be immersed in the city. Along the way are numerous spectacular building landmarks, including creations from luminaries such as the late Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Bjarke Ingels, Neil Denari, Annabelle Selldorf, and Shigeru Ban.” —Laura Hur
“For glamorous spaces, there is no better inspiration than New York City. With its distinctive Art Deco style, Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel is the ultimate moody-meets-glamorous design destination that feels quintessentially New York. Details like the gold-leaf ceiling, chocolate leather banquets, and small shaded lamps on each glass-top table create a cozy but rich environment, made even more so by the regular live music. Perhaps the most iconic design detail is the mural by the bar’s namesake, Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of Madeline. The mural, titled Central Park, is his only remaining work on display to the public.” —Jennifer McKissick
Tel Aviv, Israel
“Israel is one of the most inspirational countries from a design perspective. Filled with history, culture, and good food and design, every facet of the country is imbued with beauty. One of my favorite places to gain inspiration is walking the streets in the Old City of Jaffa in Tel Aviv. The doors to the houses feature some of the most intricately painted designs, hardware, and carvings. Antiques shops are open daily, but on Friday there’s a giant flea market selling everything from antique lighting to hardware and lots of Middle Eastern furniture as well. The Jaffa Hotel and the Setai Hotel Tel Aviv in Jaffa are gorgeous and original structures dating back to the Bronze Age. The Jaffa Hotel has tall barrel-vaulted ceilings and is splashed with pale colors of pinks and blues, while the Setai, which was formerly a prison, is more traditional in earth tones of stone and with Jerusalem stone walls and ceilings. The pool at the Setai overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and has one of the most beautiful sunsets in all of Tel Aviv.” —Brittany Marom
Palm Springs, California
“From the incredible vintage shopping to the swanky hotels and midcentury architecture, Palm Springs is a city I can’t get enough of. Dirty martini, anyone?” —Hallie Henley Sims
Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France
“Everything about it is perfect. The grounds and interiors are classic and beautiful. The hotel offers amazing service, and it’s in the perfect location for day trips to Cannes, Nice, and St. Tropez. Plus, there are clay tennis courts and a Dior spa. It doesn’t get any better than that.” —Mark D. Sikes
Essaouira, Morocco
“Everyone (at least every designer!) knows that Morocco is one of the most inspirational places to visit, but the coastal town of Essaouira is a destination worth the detour from the more common stops in Fez and Marrakech. It’s only about a three-hour drive west from Marrakech, making it very accessible and worth the trip. Morocco’s souks offer gorgeous handmade textiles, rugs, ceramics, leather goods, and metal lanterns that will make you want to bring an extra bag for all the items you’ll bring home. Essaouira has a beautiful coastline and is a destination for wind sports due to the consistent breeze off the water. This backdrop is breathtaking on its own, but many of the traditional homes tout bright-colored walls and interior courtyards with skylights, bringing light throughout. Rooftop terraces offer breathtaking views of the sea and are a perfect setting for a rest after shopping trips through the souks.” —Laura Hur
Corsica, France
“The coast of Corsica is dotted with these beautiful villages, and each seems to have its own unique aesthetic. In Bonifacio, which is on the southernmost end of Corsica, thousand-year-old buildings are built into limestone cliffs. It’s so beautiful that you almost wouldn’t believe it’s real unless you saw it in person. I’m planning to mimic that dreamy peachy-pink texture with limewashed walls in a fine dining restaurant we’re designing right now.” —Nicole Alexander
Lake Garda, Italy
“Lago di Garda is Lake Como’s bigger and more rugged sister, but it’s also filled with glamorous and inspirational towns and villas. Villa Feltrinelli is the perfect old-school Italian luxury villa with unassuming signage and no flashy logos. Churchill stayed here and D. H. Lawrence wrote about it, and it’s easy to see why. It feels like you’ve just stepped into your most fabulous and rich friend’s summer home, and it’s filled with opulent design inspo from top to bottom. It’s right on the water, and it feels like the center of the world. I’ve been thinking about the peachy painted exterior ever since I visited! While you’re there, take a boat to tour Isola del Garda, a dramatic and striking villa on its own island in the middle of the lake, or stroll around the medieval town of Sirmione and gather as many lemon accessories as you can.” —Shannon Claire Smith
London, England
“London is magical, especially in September. I find it so similar culturally and architecturally to Boston, where we now have a second design office location. I am inspired by all the London city gardens, old walkable cow pastures from yesteryear, and the mixed media of stone and brick throughout—old and new. My favorite neighborhood is Mayfair. The color palette feels like it’s pulled right from Mother Nature herself. I especially love to stay at The Twenty Two in Grosvenor Square. It is a members-only club, very chic, very fun. It is beautifully decorated from the restaurant to the rooms, rich in jewel tones throughout, lots of great patterns—no surface is left behind.” —Georgia Zikas
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