We live for long weekends, and increasingly, we’re traveling for them too. “Micro-cations” are the latest travel trend, where people prioritize short, four-day jaunts as a way to maximize their vacation days and explore more of the world. According to a study by travel insurance company Allianz, nearly 75% of travelers now opt for trips of four days or less.
“People are turning to shorter, more intentional escapes as remote and hybrid work models have opened the door to more flexible schedules, allowing travelers to stretch a weekend into something more meaningful,” says Connor Smith, vice president of masterbrand strategy and awareness at IHG Hotels Resorts. “They’re perfect for people who crave a change of scenery and want to recharge, without needing to plan months in advance or use up all their PTO.”
From cultural coastal cities to European islands that feel worlds away, these destinations make for the perfect “micro-cation.”
Faroe Islands
If you’re looking for peace and quiet paired with endless scenic beauty, look no further. Situated between Iceland and Norway, Icelandair’s increased weekly flights make travel from the United States to the Faroe Islands easier and faster than ever.
“Spending three to four days here is a great introduction to the destination,” says Høgni Reistrup, owner of Guide to Faroe Islands. “If you’re staying in the capital, you are never more than one hour away from even the most far-flung corners. People often return to explore more and delve deeper into the places and the serenity.”
Rent a car via Unicar and let Guide to Faroe Islands plan the four-day trip of your dreams. Go on one of dozens of incredible hikes near famous villages like Tjørnuvík, Gjógv, and Saksun. Stay at Hotel Føroyar, the country’s premier hotel, with a new Scandinavian spa house with views over the capital city. And if you can score a reservation, try Faroese food at the newly crowned two Michelin star restaurant, Paz.
Boston, Massachusetts
Ringing in 250 years since the start of the American Revolution, Boston is arguably America’s most historic city. Walk the 2.5-mile-long Freedom Trail, stopping at the city’s most momentous sights. Peruse art at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, home to the world’s largest art heist. And during the summer, take in a baseball game at Fenway Park, the country’s oldest ballpark.
The city’s newest and swankiest hotel, Raffles Boston, has unbeatable views over the city from its 17th-floor lobby and restaurants. Its highlights are the ultra-elegant rooms with warm wood flooring, New England touches and marble bathrooms. Don’t leave without a Soufflé Espresso Martini at its speakeasy bar, Blind Duck.
England
A quick hop across the pond and you’re surrounded by double-decker buses and ivy-covered pubs. Book a stay at One Aldwych in the heart of cultural Covent Garden. Its rooms and suites are the epitome of modern British elegance with wainscoting, plush, curved furniture and dreamy pastels. It also serves one of the city’s top afternoon teas with honey right from its rooftop bee farm.
Do as Londoners do and escape to the countryside for a night or two. Less than an hour from London, Coworth Park is a regal countryside estate with 70 homey rooms and eight on-site horses. Its newly renovated spa includes a massive indoor pool that features underwater music. Things get historic in the Cotswolds, where Ellenborough Park welcomes guests to its medieval estate dating back to the 1400s. Tweed, original wood paneling, and clawfoot tubs decorate rooms and suites here. And on a sheep-filled farm in Southrop, Thyme’s 17th-century stone cottages are straight out of a film set.
St. Thomas
There are no passports required to visit the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Thomas. Add on the direct flights from major hubs and new direct flights from Orlando and BWI on Southwest, and it s arguably the easiest Caribbean destination for a quick tropical beach getaway.
Travelers can use points to book the Buoy Haus Beach Resort St. Thomas, a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel, directly on the beach. Caribbean pinks and blues blanket the spaces filled with woven furniture and ocean views. This winter, it will open the island’s first beach club with Caribbean cocktails and beachside bites. If you’re looking to beach hop, head to the white sands of Magen’s Bay Beach, followed by the coral-rich waters of Coki Beach.
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Maybe it s the canals, the slanted row houses or the oodles of world-class museums, but Amsterdam has never been more popular. Celebrating its 750th birthday, this capital city has something for every traveler. Spend hours staring at Vincent van Gogh’s sunflowers, jump on a canal boat and take in the architecture or sit in one of the city’s famous weed-friendly coffee shops, like Prix d’Ami or Siberië. And when you start feeling hungry, Amsterdam’s Asian food scene is fantastic, particularly the ramen noodles at Fuku Ramen and the Indonesian food at Paon Bali.
Stay at Anantara Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, the city’s Grand Dame. Positioned in the center of Dam Square, it s been an Amsterdam bolthole for 150 years—but thre recently renovated rooms and suites here are modern with neutral tones, parquet floors, and mid-century touches. Home to the city’s oldest restaurant, The White Room, where its prix fixe menus honor Dutch ingredients. Nearby, the Rijksmuseum, the stately Conservatorium Hotel, will become the Mandarin Oriental in 2026. Its towering ceilings, lived-in hardwood floors, and original stone touches honor the building’s history as a bank and a music school.
Savannah, Georgia
In need of some Southern hospitality? Savannah, Georgia, will fix you right up. Easy to reach from nearly every major eastern, Southern, and Mid-Western city, Savannah is Georgia’s oldest, and arguably, its prettiest city. Stroll under its famous Spanish moss trees, admire American art at Telfair Academy, and shop for local products and art at Forsyth Park Farmers’ Market every Saturday.
The city’s newest boutique hotel, Municipal Grand, is a mid-century modern masterpiece housed inside a former Federal Savings Bank—and their new “Proper Martini Service” offer includes a tableside martini for two paired with a side of salty French fries. Libations continue at its new underground bar, The Hot Eye, scheduled to open this winter. Just off Forsyth Park is the Bardo: opened last year, it’s already one of the city’s see-and-be-seen spots. Set inside a former brick mansion, its 149 rooms and suites feature Art Deco furniture, warm greens and pinks, and all-brass everything. The Italian comfort food menu at its restaurant, Saint Bibia, is a must, as is an afternoon in one of its poolside cabanas.
Anguilla
The statement “will travel for food” has never been more popular, with Virtuoso reporting a 70% increase in culinary-focused trips in its 2024 travel report. Anguilla is considered the food capital of the Caribbean, offering everything from upscale, world-class restaurants to feet-in-the-sand beach shacks. And this December, BermudAir is adding direct flights from Newark, Baltimore, and Boston to this slice of food paradise.
Zemi Beach House sits on Shoal Bay East, minutes from the airport, for a quick transfer time. Its coastal chic rooms are light and breezy with nautical blues, and ocean view rooms with private plunge pools. Its Rhum Room has 140 small-batch rums to pair with fresh sea bass or swordfish crudo from their signature restaurant, Stone. For something more casual, head to Blanchards Restaurant and Beach Shack to try their fish tacos and Caribbean cornbread.