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Deep, deep in the French countryside is Maison Ailhon, a culinary destination that delivered our most memorable meal of summer so far. Set in the tiny village of Ailhon, the restaurant and three-room inn is run by husband-and-wife chef duo Clément Guernalec and Lucie Soerensen, who previously did a stint at Paris’ Septime—and their expertise shows. The food is incredible. There were simply no misses on our menu, from the chive butter–glazed new potatoes with wilted greens and bottarga to the sliced duck salad with purple basil, picked vegetables, and a tangy kimchi dressing. We bunked in their just-opened third bedroom, a spacious, cute, simple bedroom with soaring glass windows overlooking the town. Who should go? Anyone obsessed with food—the menu changes daily and you are guaranteed to have spectacular meals. Wake up, head out for a hike to enjoy the rural, forested landscape, and return home for a seasonal spread and great natural wine list.
Opening on September 1, Quinta Fillipa is a wellness retreat and a love letter to the Portuguese countryside that’s at the top of our fall travel wishlist. The 16-room resort is set on a lush estate about two hours from both Lisbon and Porto, and offers elegant design, a saltwater pool, and farm-to-table meals. But what looks to be the property’s most unique draw is its thoughtfully curated activities, which are focused around nature and a slower pace of living. Guests can expect everything from guided hikes and horseback riding to sound healing, stargazing, and creative workshops like chestnut roasting and bread baking in a traditional oven. Discover more of the most exciting new openings in 22 Best New Hotels in Europe for Summer 2026.
Oftentimes the coolest spots in a city are the least discoverable, and nowhere is that more true than at Les Bas Bleus, a restaurant in Marseille from chef Justine Pruvot that opened this summer. Run out of her home on the outskirts of the city and overlooking the sea, the concept is as much an experience as a meal, one where you are encouraged to come alone and mix and mingle. The experience is centered around connection and conversion, but the food is no afterthought, with incredible seasonal menus whipped up and served by Justine herself. Vegetables run the show (for the most part, but some evenings include fish or meat), with past dishes including gazpacho with cherries and mint and a beetroot wrap with herbs, smoked trout, and pickles. It’s intimate and unique, with only 12 seats each night—so book early.
We checked into Skinopi Lodge on Milos, a special pocket of low-key, laidback luxury and relaxation. Milos is a popular and increasingly crowded Cycladic Island, but Skinopi is a private enclave of peace and quiet. The experience begins on the bumpy, rocky road to get to the tucked-away retreat, the car jolting in anticipation. Upon arrival, you're greeted with homemade orange cake drenched in honey, savored at the communal table in the open-air kitchen that’s built into the hillside. Wild flowers and sea grass wave in the wind, and the unending deep blue of the Aegean extends in front of you. A small stone staircase descends to a private swim spot (a rarity in the Med to have direct access to the ocean). This is where your days should begin and end, says Nausika Georgiadou, who founded this special place over a decade ago. The hotel’s seven villas were sustainably designed, inspired by the island’s traditional fishermen houses, and feature cool grays, whites, natural linens, and pared-back decor, a subtle aesthetic that lets the rich blue sea and green brush speak loudest. The land isn't just a backdrop here, but woven into every part of the experience: floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors open to patios with stone walls that frame the view like a painting. It was Nuisaba and the whole team who made everything that much more special, and their passion for Milos and the hotel is felt deeply throughout. Consider this your sign to finally book a stay at Skinopi.
We got a sneak peek at the newest location of Akari, the beloved Japanese sauna house that started in NYC’s Greenpoint. Opening on Orchard Street in the Lower East Side, the zen space is a light-filled enclave of relaxation, with two dry heat saunas, a cold plunge, showers set underneath a beautiful Japanese mural, and lounge areas with glass doors that open to a small patio. It feels like every other week there’s news of another aesthetic wellness club opening in NYC, but Akari is everything those are not: refreshingly low-key and grounded in onsen and sento traditions. A practice, not performative. Intended to be a quiet space to disconnect and reset, access is membership-only to avoid it getting too crowded.
Paris-based architects and designers Hauvette & Madani are the team behind a stylish new villa in the Alpilles region of France. A great place to land for a last-minute family or group trip, La Maison au Pays des Alpilles is a four-bedroom home that puts a modern spin on a traditional Provençal house. Filled with light and natural materials, the villa has a retro farmhouse feel, with a bright orange banquette and yellow light furnishings sitting alongside antiques and local objects sourced by Julie Barrau (who runs one of our favorite shops in Arles, OU). While the house is beautiful, the 5,000-square-meter garden is where you’ll be spending most of your time, with a pool lined with yellow-and-white striped loungers, a pétanque court, a fire pit, and a beautiful terrace dining area for long, leisurely lunches. Discover more of our favorite European villas in The Villa Edit: 19 Affordable-Chic Vacation Stays in Europe.
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