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An average of 60 million Americans travel for the 4th of July, according to the AAA, and while some prefer celebrations in the U.S. complete with patriotic parades and fireworks, more people are opting for vacations abroad. “We’re seeing clients capitalize on 4th of July falling on a Thursday this year, which offers more time for immersion wherever they are going,” explains Tom Marchant, co-founder of luxury travel company, Black Tomato.
Unsurprisingly, many of Marchant’s clients are choosing to immerse themselves in Italy, which is shaping up to be the hottest ticket across key travel companies including Virtuoso, Indagare, and Scott Dunn. Cruising Lake Como on a vintage Riva? Seeing ancient Rome from Bulgari’s chic new rooftop bar? Dining al fresco along the rainbow-hued Amalfi Coast? La dolce vita glamor is in abundance in Italy, and an endless variety of adventures are possible, from the shores of Sicily to the charming canals of Venice.
Paris is, of course, also having a moment with the Olympics (and Vogue World ahead of the opening), and travelers are adding on accessible side trips, from Versailles, just forty minutes away, to Provence and the French Riviera in the south. “The Mediterranean is always popular over the summer,” says Indagare’s founder, Melissa Biggs Bradley. “The Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ibiza, Santorini, and the French Riviera are all top destinations year after year.”
But the classic American towns that have lured generations of holidaymakers remain a popular option. “Many of our clients are looking for something within driving distance that offers a quintessential taste of summer—lobster rolls, ice cream, beach days with family and friends, watering holes on the water, and charming seaside or mountain towns,” explains Biggs Bradley.
Whether you’re interested in something local, a European excursion, or relaxing in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, these are the best destinations to experience this 4th of July.
New York City, USA
Everything is more extravagant in New York, and seeing the fireworks light up the Manhattan skyline is a magical way to celebrate. Beyond the annual show (which is set to take place on the Hudson River), it goes without saying that there is a lot to do in the Big Apple. Summer represents a different version of the city: you can cruise out to Lady Liberty on The Mark Sailboat, park up for a picnic in Central Park, or take in the views from one of the city’s rooftop bars. Shop the latest designer collections at Bergdorf Goodman and wander along Madison Avenue to The Lowell for its new Dior high tea in the courtyard. There are always new exhibitions at world-renowned museums including the Met, the Guggenheim, MoMA, and the Whitney (we highly recommend the Costume Institute’s “Sleeping Beauties”). If you’re into the theatre, book a Broadway show (The Great Gatsby is an entertaining new addition), or for a more intimate affair, head to Aman’s chic jazz club or the iconic Café Carlyle—some of the most elegant date night options around. Fine dining aficionados should check out Café Boulud, which offers four unique menus to suit a variety of palates (including vegan and Asian-inspired options). And to refresh after pacing around the city, head to The Well for a lymphatic drainage massage and a yoga class. It is, of course, notoriously hot in July, so be sure to pack some airy summer dresses and good walking shoes.
Where to stay:
Where you stay in New York depends entirely on what kind of experience you are hoping to have: Covering key attractions? Getting amongst the nightlife? Or living like a local? If you want to explore major landmarks and museums, consider The Carlyle or The Mark, each located on the glitziest blocks of the Upper East Side, within walking distance of Central Park (you’ll probably recognize the gilded lobbies from the Met Gala departures). And for something less storied but equally fabulous? Head downtown to Fouquet’s—the most luxurious hotel to open in the city in years, situated on a quiet yet high-end corner of Tribeca. It has a chic rooftop, Le Vaux (only open to members and hotel guests), a gorgeous subterranean spa, and the most photogenic rooms in the city.
Rome, Italy
If you feel like you’ve been seeing more of the Trevi Fountain and St. Peter’s Basilica on your Instagram feed lately, you’re not imagining it—the Eternal City is indeed having a moment. Rome is the most popular tour destination globally for July 4th, per data from the AAA, and over recent years, its luxury hotel scene has multiplied with several five-star hotels opening, including the Six Senses, The Rome Edition, and Casa Monti, which opened its doors just in time for summer. Our pick of the bunch? The ultra-luxurious Bulgari Hotel is in the center of the city, where you can escape into a glossy world of Italian craftsmanship and hospitality. It has 360-degree views from its chic rooftop terrace and is undoubtedly the best place to base yourself, especially if you’re only in Rome for a weekend. And what to prioritize if you are on limited time? “Visit Villa Medici, walk through Villa Borghese, and check out the exhibitions at Galleria Borghese. From there walk to Coppedè,” advises Italy Segreta’s Marina Cacciapuoti. For lunch on the go during a day of requisite sightseeing, Emily Fitzroy, founder of Bellini Travel, recommends an authentic new pizza al taglio joint, Pantera, located in the garden district. “I challenge you to spend more than 10 euros, but be quick, everything tends to sell out by midday!” she says. Another reason to visit now? 2025 marks the Jubilee and the city is expecting over 30 million visitors (for context, around four million people live in Rome currently, and as you might have guessed, locals perceive the incoming influx as un problema).
Where to stay:
Like Bulgari Milano—which has been the unofficial Fashion Week address since it opened in 2004—Bulgari Hotel Roma has quickly established itself as the most sophisticated stay in the city. It excels in everything that matters: location, atmosphere, cuisine, design, and service. It’s always bustling with characters that look like they’ve emerged straight from a glamorous photoshoot, but it’s also a haven of rejuvenation, from its spa and spectacular pool resembling a Roman bath, to its rooms with sprawling marble bathrooms and extensive pillow menus. Here you’ll find well-heeled locals enjoying espresso and biscotti at Il Caffé, and in the evenings, the rooftop restaurant rooftop helmed by Niko Romito is the place to be, with postcard views of Rome. It also has its own chocolate boutique, where you can find beautiful handmade chocolates with unique flavor combinations.
Hawaii, USA
Nowhere embodies a classic American resort destination quite like Hawaii, which is perhaps why it was the location that kicked off the White Lotus series. Since then, it has boomed, and this July, it’s ranked as one of the top domestic destinations across airlines and hotel booking sites (Leading Hotels of the World told Vogue that Halekulani is its most booked hotel nationwide). The island state’s ascent is part revival, part nostalgia. Resortwear royalty, Nicky Zimmermann, who launched the brand’s first boutique in Honolulu in 2022, says Hawaii was one of her first holidays, and it still holds fond memories: “It’s a place that allows you to embrace feelings of summer and vacation,” she says. Zimmerman is among many high-end brands that have set up shop in recent years, catering to the rise of stylish jetsetters and honeymooners. Also catering to those crowds are luxurious new hotels, elevating the retro lineup that has long characterized its sandy shores (there’s Mauna Lani from Auberge, the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, and Rosewood’s Kona Village, to name a few). Beyond shopping at Ala Moana and spending days at the beach, a lovely way to experience Hawaii is to step away from the overcrowded tourist spots and embrace the great outdoors: hike up Diamond Head, charter a sunset cruise, or book a surf lesson at a less crowded beach (basically anywhere but Waikiki).
Where to stay:
The Four Seasons Maui (where the White Lotus was filmed) saw a 425% increase in searches following the release date, and today it’s still riding the buzz. If you want the same luxurious standards without the crowds, opt for one of the group’s other Hawaiian properties, such as the beachfront Four Seasons Lanai or the wellness-focused Four Seasons Sensei Lanai, 20 minutes inland. There’s also, of course, the revered Halekulani in Honolulu, which boasts all the requisite resort highlights.
Watch Hill, Rhode Island, USA
We’ve all seen Taylor Swift’s ‘Taymericana’ festivities on the shores of Rhode Island, which presents the question: if you can celebrate anywhere, why choose here? The reason is simple: it has beautiful beaches, excellent seafood, and a low-key vibe that makes for a lovely long weekend escape. Unlike some of the more bustling beach towns on the Northeast, Watch Hill is a private place where people tend to go with friends and family to enjoy enduring summer rituals: Sunsets spent grilling lobster and corn on the cobb, days spent reading books on the beach, or perhaps hiking to Napatree Point (a wildlife preserve). Watch Hill is not a place where you will encounter throngs of tourists, but there is one notable place that has attracted sophisticated travelers since it originally opened in 1868: Ocean House, one of Relais Chateaux’s few five-star hotels in the region, with sweeping views across the Atlantic Ocean. Here guests occupy their days with the same leisurely activities as affluent New England residents: croquet on the lawn, squash, tennis, golf, making s’mores over a firepit in the evening. It has six dining options and a seemingly endless list of amenities, including a 12,000 square-foot spa with an indoor lap pool, yacht tours, and a Center for Wine and Culinary Arts, where guests can book in to do cooking classes and wine-tasting sessions.
Where to stay:
Ocean House is a destination in and of itself. Book one of its 20 signature suites, or if you need more space, it has a collection of well-appointed cottages located nearby. A more informal option is its sister property, the Weekapaug Inn, located a 15-minute drive eastward—particularly popular for younger crowds and families over holiday weekends.
Paris, France
Paris needs no headline event to be an appealing destination, but the Olympics has reinvigorated the city’s cultural credentials and its hospitality industry. Furthermore, Vogue World (scheduled for June 23) will be a pre-opening ceremony of sorts, celebrating fashion, sports, and building hype in the French capital ahead of the event (a limited number of tickets are available here). Beyond the bucket-list landmarks—the Eiffel Tower! Notre Dame! The Louvre!—Paris is home to 12 hotels that are so fabulous they have been awarded Palace distinction, so if you’re in the market for a lavish escape, this is the place. Sex and the City fans will recall the exquisitely opulent suite at the Hotel Plaza Athénée in the series finale, and that flawless standard can be found throughout the arrondissements, from LVMH’s Cheval Blanc in the first, to the Four Seasons Hotel George V in the eighth, and Hotel Lutetia in the sixth. For something completely unique, you can quite literally live like Marie Antoinette by venturing 30 minutes out of the city center to Airelles Chateau de Versailles, Le Grand Controle. Here, you can do a private tour of the iconic Hall of Mirrors, enjoy a private performance at the Royal Opera, and experience a decadent 18th-century-style banquet. But simply floating around the city like a modern-day Parisian is a lovely way to spend a weekend. Wander around the Tuileries Gardens, enjoy an espresso in the Marais, and take in some of the stunning impressionist artworks at Musée d’lOrangerie and Musée d’Orsay. And if you want to arrive looking fresh from the transatlantic journey, consider flying Air France, which has Clarins spas in its airport lounges offering pre-flight facials (it also just unveiled new Michelin-star menus).
Where to stay:
It’s hard to stand out in the land of Palace hotels, but spending the night at Versailles is a bucket list experience indeed. You really only need a night to take it all in and do the private tours, so once you’ve emerged from your boudoir (appropriately appointed with towers of Ladurée macarons), head to Paris and check into the Four Seasons Hotel George V, located in the eighth, otherwise known as ‘The Golden Triangle,’ within walking distance of key attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and Champs-Elysées. And if you really want to live it up, book the Eiffel Tower Suite, featured on Emily in Paris.
Chatham, Cape Cod, USA
More accessible and less crowded than Nantucket, Cape Cod is a quintessential New England getaway located just a 4.5-hour drive from New York and just over an hour from Boston. It’s an excellent option if you enjoy authentic, low-key towns, free of any chains or markers of tourism. Instead, you’ll find a 70-year-old candy shop, family-owned arts and crafts stores, quaint boutiques, and a handful of casual restaurants. Many East Coasters own summer houses on ‘the Cape,’ and some are available via Airbnb or Vrbo, but there is really only one hotel to consider and that is Chatham Bars Inn. The charming hotel has a quarter-mile private beach, five restaurants, and a lovely spa with an outdoor adults-only pool. It’s the center of activity for July fourth each year with line dancing, fireworks, cornhole tournaments, a float in Chatham’s annual parade, and a carnival with activities for all ages. One of the best things about visiting in July is the variety of boat cruises on offer: you can do a whale-watching tour, an evening sunset cruise, or even a venture to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket for a day trip.
Where to stay:
Chatham Bars Inn has 217 rooms throughout the historic main inn and 30 shingle-style cottages surrounding the property, including a collection of adult-only spa suites. But for the best experience, request an ocean-facing suite, where you can wander on down to a beach cabana and order a glass of Sancerre.
The Hamptons, USA
New Yorkers will be heading to the Hamptons in droves through until Labor Day, and every long weekend the Long Island holiday enclave becomes a little bit livelier and noticeably more crowded. To plan an enjoyable trip, there are a few things to consider: firstly, it’s wise to make restaurant reservations in advance, as hotspots like Sunset Beach, Si Si, and Le Bilboquet can book out (most of the good ones are available on Resy, but some are walk-in only, including Crow’s Nest and Duryea’s). Secondly, the traffic heading out east on any long weekend can be absolutely dire. But, if you stay closer to the city, you can avoid a lot of it, which is why Canoe Place, 20 minutes from Southampton, is an excellent option. Another great place to consider is The Reform Club, further up in the heart of Amagansett, within walking distance of the shops and cafes (including The Row’s new boutique, for all of your quiet luxury wardrobe needs). Beyond the usual Hamptons activities (beach, dine, drink, relax, and repeat), there are various festivities for the fourth, including fireworks, designer pop-ups, DJ sets from Navy Beach to Gurney’s and, of course, the perennial reveler’s paradise, The Surf Lodge, where Diplo will be playing. And if you’re in the mood to shop, head to Newton Lane, where key designer boutiques (Gucci, Loewe, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton) have curated collections to suit the Hamptons lifestyle. The final thing to consider is that you really need a car to get around, since everything is so spread out: Kyte is a convenient option, which delivers your vehicle to your preferred address and picks it up once you’re back. And whether you’re staying at a hotel or a rental property, be sure to ask about a parking permit, as beach parking is restricted to residents during the summer months.
Where to stay:
Canoe Place claims to be America’s oldest inn, but it recently underwent an extensive renovation, and everything has been updated with chic decor and contemporary comforts to suit modern holidaymakers. It has a collection of cottages, which are ideal if you’re traveling with children or as a group. The Reform Club also has a collection of well-appointed cottages with private outdoor spaces.
Turks and Caicos
If you’re seeking a beach holiday where you can relax and rejuvenate, your choice of where to stay is paramount, because the entire point is that you won’t want to leave. So, with that in mind, it’s best to skip the overcrowded all-inclusive and go for something sophisticated and secluded. Amanyara is just that, widely considered one of the best resorts in the Caribbean, located on the Northwest coast of Providenciales. It has a private beach, a variety of watersports ranging from scuba diving to paddleboarding, an outdoor yoga sala, a tranquil spa, two restaurants, and a poolside bar. It’s a family-friendly destination, too, offering an extensive range of children’s activities including everything from interactive science camps, where children are encouraged to learn about local marine life and coastal conservation, to pizza-making classes. This July, it has the chocolatier from Wonka hosting masterclasses along with a series of wellness experiences from the sisters behind KYN (holistic health pioneer, Erika Bloom, also hosts regular wellness immersions at Amanyara). It is highly unlikely that you’ll feel inclined to go anywhere else once you check in, but if the mood strikes to explore the island, it’s a 30-minute drive into Grace Bay where there are several restaurants, a few shops, and some beach clubs (but take our advice and save that sort of thing for St. Barth’s).
Where to stay:
The question is not where, but what room? Amanyara has 36 secluded pavilions and 20 sprawling villas that come with private chefs and dedicated hosts—ideal for multigenerational holidays where you can stay together and still have your privacy.
Surfside, USA
If you want the highlights of Miami without the scene, venture four miles up the coast to Surfside, where you can enjoy the same Floridian sunshine, crystalline waters, and Art Deco charm without being surrounded by bachelorette parties. And while neighboring Miami and Palm Beach have many five-star hotels to choose from (The Setai and The Colony Hotel are the most notable), in Surfside there is only one place you will want to stay: The Four Seasons, which took over the iconic Surf Club in 2017. It has every amenity you could want, with three pools, a kids club, a spa, and excellent dining from the Italian Lido with its new Crudo Bar, to Thomas Keller’s first Florida-based restaurant. For the fourth, the hotel’s more casual restaurant, Winston’s, will be hosting a BBQ and sunset picnics will be served on the beach, complete with champagne, but if you feel like venturing out, it’s only a 20-minute drive to central Miami, where you could book into a buzzy restaurant like Carbone, Byblos, or Cecconi’s at Soho Beach House. And for a spot of shopping, the Bal Harbor shops are only a four-minute walk away (where you’ll find luxury boutiques and a notable restaurant, Makoto), or if you want to head into Miami’s Design District is just nine miles away.
Where to stay:
The Four Seasons Surfside is one of the most elegant hotels in Florida (hence why Dolce Gabbana chose it as the venue for its Alta Moda show in 2022). It has 20 different room types, including light-filled oceanfront suites and residences with fully equipped kitchens and laundries—an excellent option for families traveling with kids.