Adios 2015!
2015 was filled with lots of great travel, exploring new destinations and revisiting old favorites. But before we move into the new year, we wanted to look back and compile our 5 favorite FLYAWAY destinations of the year.
cartagena, colombia
Cartagena is a city filled to the brim with color, flavor and character. Compass + Twine visited in January and spent a long weekend soaking in the colonial charm of the vibrant Colombian port city. The food in this town will captivate you immediately, with street vendors on every corner dolling out fresh fruits and hot, cheesy arepas. The ceviche, however, is what you come for. Fresh and inventive fish combinations at places like El Boliche Cebicheria make Cartagena a world-class destination for the beloved seafood dish. After dinner, throw back some local rum and dance the night away to live music at the famous Café Havana.
Perhaps most special to our visit, was the experience we had at Hotel Casa San Agustin. The luxury boutique hotel is the perfect retreat following a day out on the buzzing streets of Old Town. The hotel also coordinated an amazing day trip to their sister property on the gorgeous Isla Baru to lounge under the sun and take in Colombia’s dazzling blue water. For all the deets on what to do in Cartagena, check out our Cartagena City Guide.
napa valley, california
Ahhh California wine country…one of the most beautiful regions in the U.S. We could stare for days at the rolling hills lined with endless rows of grapes waiting to be turned into a velvety Cab or toasty Chardonnay. The cuisine here is world-class and satisfies any foodies palate. Fresh, locally grown produce and organically-sustained meats are prepared to perfection by some of the best chefs in the country. We spent our weekend trip to Napa touring the vineyards of Quintessa, Cab-tasting at Chateau Montelena, and relaxing at our favorite luxury hotel in the valley, The Carneros Inn.
The 27-acre estate is dotted with private cottages, each with its own secluded backyard space. Nestled among some of the best vineyards in the world, the Carneros Inn is breathtakingly beautiful and luxurious. It’s a hard place to leave.
tulum, mexico
Tulum is just about overflowing with local character and natural beauty. We found the town’s focus on ecological sustainability to be a welcomed (and much appreciated) change from some of the mega-resort sections of the Riviera Maya. You won’t find any of the mammoth hotel players here, just a scattering of charming boutique hotels with a focus on wellness and local surroundings. The relaxed, bohemian vibe coupled with the gorgeous scenery made this an easy pick for a 2015 favorite.
Our stay at BeTulum proved to be one of the highlights of the experience. It’s a beloved boutique hotel with a cool beach scene and world-class spa. Their weathered little blue beach bar with insane mezcal selection stole our hearts from day one. Settle into a poolside lounger or beachfront cabana and never get up. For the full run down on Tulum, check out our Tulum City Guide.
Saint Barthélemy
St. Barths is not an easy place to get to, but holy cow is it worth the extra trouble. The island’s only landing strip is smaller than that of an aircraft carrier, so only small prop planes can make the journey. There are no direct flights from NYC, but you can snag an easy connection through San Juan or Saint Maarten and then puddle jump over. Once you get there though, you realize St. Barths is truly paradise. Set in the French West Indies, the island exudes a chill Caribbean vibe combined with a healthy dose of that leisurely-lux French lifestyle we dig. Home to some of the best beaches in the word, turquoise water laps up onto soft, white sands and that ‘Wish You Were Here’ post card hanging on your fridge comes to life.
A stay at Hotel Christopher always makes the trip that much more special, and we’re hard-pressed to ever want to stay elsewhere. A stunning property and top notch service keeps us coming back for more. From the loungers surrounding their plunge pool, you can sip rosé, dine on fresh seafood, and watch that St. Barth’s sunset after dinner. The place is pretty spectacular.
sunset key, florida
Key West, the Southern most tip of the continental United States, has plenty of history and tasty seafood to go around…but sometimes the large crowds can be unappealing. There’s something about all those air brush t-shirt stores and souvenir shops that doesn’t always feel relaxing. However, a mere 500 yards off the coast of Key West (5 minutes by ferry) and you’ll find yourself in a haven called Sunset Key. Worlds away from the busy Key West streets, the 27-acre island is home to a handful of private residences and only one hotel – Sunset Key Cottages. Named as one of the Top 100 Hotels in the World by Travel + Leisure in 2015, Sunset Key was a highlight destination of our year as well.
The resort has cottages ranging from 1-4 bedrooms, making it awesome for group travel with friends or family. The well-appointed cottages make for a comfortable abode, but you’ll soon be lured onto secluded white-sand beaches with crystal-clear water just outside your door. We’ll be honest, we just lazed for hours on that beautiful beach sipping cocktails and noshing on fresh fish sandwiches. This is where you go to happily unwind. A 3 hour flight and no passport needed makes this private island an ideal getaway for quiet relaxation with a good dose of sunshine.
bermuda
It’s hard to believe this gorgeous island is only 1.5 hours from the chaotic streets of New York City. While it’s easy to get to, Bermuda’s cerulean waters and pink sand beaches certainly make it tough to leave.
We fell in love with the Cambridge Beaches Resort this past September. Far removed from the busy streets of the island capital, Hamilton, Cambridge Beaches is a picturesque luxury resort. They don’t allow children under 13, so if you’re looking for a serene setting with peace and quiet, choose this place. We brought a few books, planted ourselves in the sand, and spent the days reading and sipping rum swizzles. A favorite 2015 FLYAWAY, Bermuda’s brilliantly short flight will undoubtedly make it a go-to destination in 2016 as well.
Photo Cred: Casa San Agustin, The Carneros Inn, BeTulum, and Compass + Twine
