We're sinking into summer with some sun, sand, and our favorite beach reads.As travel editors, we get to cover a lot of ground—and we don’t just mean miles, but all the proximate joys that come along with life on the road, from the restaurants we’re dining at to the books we’re reading on the plane. This July, the editors at Condé Nast Traveler are sinking into summer with sisterly trips to Maui and staycations in Cornwall. Some of us are taking advantage of Euro summer, while others are crossing off bucket lists at Niagara Falls. As you can imagine, inspiration is coming from all corners, whether that's in the form of ocean safaris in Scotland or beach hops in the Dominican Republic. Below, what our editors across our London and New York City desks are loving this month.Jessica Sulima, commerce writerThere are few places I’d return to again and again, and with around 200 (inhabited) islands, Greece is one of them. From Mykonos to Milos, every Greek isle offers a unique topography, a new seafood dish to become obsessed with, a distinct pace of life you can’t help but mirror. That’s why, when browsing through Airbnbs for a July vacation with my best friend (I act like it’s my job, because it is), I cared more about finding a breathtaking property than I did the right island. When I saw the ultra-blue view from the bedroom at this beautifully minimalist Kalamaki home, I booked it immediately. And surely enough, with very little planning, Andros turned out to be a stunner, offering beautifully rugged beaches and a marble-lined capital city that’s somehow evaded a touristy draw. The highlight of the trip was the day we spent at Achla, a pristine pocket of nature that’s as beautiful as it is hard to get to—the one-hour drive we took along bumpy, cliffside roads was totally worth the sight of elegant swans surfing waves (yes, magic does exist in Greece).Trips to the beach are not complete without my L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, a bag that is (in my opinion) just as suitable for the sand as it is the airplane or office. Inside, I packed a copy of Talk by Linda Rosenkratz, essentially 200 pages of real-life dialogue between three friends who sit on the beach and talk about nothing but also everything during a Hamptons summer in 1965; life really is art, because decades later, my friend and I were having the same kinds of conversations, staring at the Aegean. As for my vacation uniform, I found myself reaching for a new pair of Buck Mason cutoffs that feel like a chic graduation from the denim diaper; a pointelle tank from Gap that’s the perfect amount of crop; and my G.H. Bass fisherman sandals, which make me feel like a leather-skinned grandpa.Buck MasonOff Duty cut-off shortG.H. BassFisherman sandalLucy Bruton, social media managerJuly might just be my favorite month of the year, and as a true sun baby, whenever the UK gets a glimpse of sunshine, my mood is instantly lifted. It also means we're well into wedding guest season, so I've been planning my outfits for the upcoming celebrations. What better way to celebrate love than in this joyful, sunny yellow Simkhai dress? I don't know if anyone else does this, but I always switch up my scents with the seasons, and I'm keeping those sunny vibes going with the uplifting Vyrao Sun Rae fragrance. Vyrao is my all-time favorite fragrance brand, and Sun Rae is designed to inspire joy, positivity, and calm—something we could all do with a little more of.Sometimes an item of clothing comes to you in a dream and simply refuses to leave your mind, and that's exactly what happened with this eccentric pair of studded clogs. I'm already picturing myself stomping from London pavements to festival fields in them—is this my Sarah Jessica Parker moment?Although I adore London in July, I do have a couple of escapes from the city on my calendar. I'll be starting with a jaunt down to Cornwall, where I'm looking forward to long, lazy days basking on one of my favorite beaches, followed by indulging in the freshest seafood at North Street Kitchen in Fowey. This tiny restaurant in a converted boathouse is an absolute gem and a true love letter to Cornwall’s bountiful natural larder. Later in the month, I'm beyond excited to visit Glenapp Castle, where I'll get to experience one of their unique ocean safari adventures (I'm keeping everything crossed that I spot a minke whale.) We all know the forecast in Scotland can be a tad unpredictable, so I'll be packing this uber-cool lightweight rain jacket, just in case.SimkhaiEmma strapless embellished jersey gownRainsSuva hardshell jacketVyraoSun Rae eau de parfumPallavi Kumar, senior visuals editorSome trips you plan, and some trips you wait for. My sister and I have been dreaming about Maui for years, and this July it's finally happening. They call it the heart chakra of the world, and I am leaning all the way in: a week of sunshine, sisterhood, and slowing down. She is chasing waterfalls and hiking trails; I am here for the wellness and seafood. We’re splitting our week between two Wailea beauties, starting at the Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea, where I plan to spend as many hours in the spa as politely possible, before wandering down the beach to Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, and a blissful afternoon in its Hydrotherapy Garden.The rest of the week belongs to the island: a guided waterfall hike through the rainforest for her, massages galore for the both of us, snorkeling at Turtletown just off the resort’s beach, and, if I get my way, a little boat out to Molokini crater, where I am quietly hoping a manta ray or two will make an appearance—plus poke bowls, lobster, and shave ice at every possible opportunity. As the visuals person, I pack the way I art direct, which is to say everything has to earn its place in the frame, and this suitcase is pure joy. My new Hunza G Nadine bikini (the crinkle fabric packs down to nothing) with Same’s Palm Beach shell silk sarong knotted over it, Rat & Boa’s Valentina dress saved for golden hour, and my Celine Triomphe ovals, which go on at JFK and stay on until the very last sunset. One week on Maui with my favorite person, in the sunniest things I own. My heart is full already, and we haven’t even landed.Rat and BoaValentina dressCelineTriomphe oval sunglassesPreshita Saha, global video director of contentI’m starting July at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone as an optimistic first-time Formula 1 attendee. We’re glamping on-site for the race weekend, which has resulted in a rather long packing list. At the top of it is a showerproof jacket from Barbour and Tower 28’s Hypochlorous Acid Spray. As for the race itself, I’m hoping for just enough rain to keep things interesting.The following weekend, I’ll be celebrating my birthday with a picnic in our back garden, which feels like the perfect antidote to the rush of Silverstone. I’m still deciding on what to wear. I love the details on this Cult Gaia dress and how fun these Massimo Dutti sandals are!I’ve just returned from Cambodia, where I got the chance to sample the best of Phnom Penh's food scene while filming an episode of Where the Chef’s Eat (watch it here!). I stayed at Raffles Hotel Le Royal, a property so rich in history and character that it left me very reluctant to come home. Much of my time at the hotel was spent lounging poolside beneath fragrant frangipani trees, sipping on fresh coconut water. And my suitcase arrived back considerably heavier thanks to a lovely local artisanal scene. A standout souvenir has been Kampot pepper, which has found its way into almost everything I’ve cooked since returning.London, meanwhile, has been delivering exactly what it does best: a confusing mix of sunshine and rain. I spent a very fun evening wandering through London Zoo after hours (Zoo Nights are bookable until July 24) and another at the Royal Albert Hall watching the dreamy Sleeping Beauty ballet. In between, I’ve continued my favorite city pastime: eating exceptionally well. Recent highlights include Maza’s spectacular steak tartare with graviera cheese ice cream and the wonderfully light and bright prawn, burnt mandarin and ginger ceviche at Cometa.A growing pile of books is also waiting patiently on my bedside table. I am particularly excited to dive into Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zi. As for what’s next, I’m putting together an itinerary for a multigenerational family trip to Egypt that I suspect will be one of the highlights of the year.Tower 28SOS daily hypochlorous acid sprayBarbourDanica Showerproof JacketMassimo DuttiMid-heel sandals with toe dividerCult GaiaCamelia knit dressMadison Flager, commerce directorThis summer, I’m checking off a bucket list trip: Niagara Falls! I’ve lived in the northeast for almost 10 years and still have never been, so I’ll be flying up to Toronto for the weekend, staying at the lovely Kimpton Saint George (“you can’t get more central than that!” a friend from the area told me), with a day trip to the falls planned. I’ll be packing a waterproof phone pouch so that I don’t have to worry about any mist or spray hitting my phone on the actual boat tour; this is one of the most recent ones I’ve tested, and is one of the easier ones I’ve used to take photos through. I’ve been living in Aerie’s linen pants this summer, so those will be in my suitcase (if I don’t wear them on the plane). I’m also loving these low-profile Adidas sneakers; the gray and yellow adds a pop of color while still pairing well with most outfits. For the plane and beyond, this new hand serum is perfect for summer—it moisturizes well without feeling as heavy as a lotion.Nite IzeRunoff waterproof phone pouchAmerican EagleLinen-Blend pull-on pantAesopSolais replenishing hand serumAdidasSong For The Mute shoesChloe Laws, acting senior audience development managerLast month was a biggie for me. I got married at the end of June in a fun-filled London wedding in my neighborhood of Hackney, with 145 of my nearest and dearest. We danced through the heat to pop classics, ate full-to-the-brim souvlaki wraps, and generally had the most silly, lovely time. I’m slightly bereft that I’ll rarely have another occasion to wear a huge taffeta gown (mine was made by the talented designers at The Own Studio), or accessorize with an iconic Simone Rocha pearl egg clutch.After packing up the wedding venue the next day, my partner and I hopped on a flight (and then a ferry) to the Italian island of Ischia to decompress. And decompress we did, with lazy days spent floating in the sea and soaking in the thermal pools at the hotel where we holed up—San Montano—which has now become a firm favorite and somewhere we’re already planning to return to for a future wedding anniversary. We ate exceptionally well, hopping between small trattorias, local pizza spots, and beach clubs. My hankering for proper buffalo mozzarella since returning has been insatiable. Two weekends before the big day, I also ventured to the Cotswolds for a remote cabin stay to settle any pre-wedding jitters. If you like the idea of a cabin but don’t want to forgo any luxuries, the newly opened Alcoves are a treat.All in all, I think I’ll look back on June 2026 as one of the best months of my life, which means July has some big boots to fill. More realistically, though, its task is to stave off the inevitable post-wedding blues. First on the agenda is a low-key weekend in the city, where I’ll be going to the Tracey Emin exhibition, seeing a screening of Olivia Wilde’s new film The Invite, and mooching from coffee shop to coffee shop, writing, planning, and regrouping after a few busy months. Then the rest of the month is full of even more love, with two weddings (dotted across England) and a stay at The Hoste Arms in Norfolk, near where some of my family live. On the final day of July, I’ll be traveling once more, this time to Mykonos—my first visit—for a slow jaunt around the island, checking out a few hotels and working my way through my summer TBR pile. I’ve just finished the funny and razor-sharp Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, and next up is Josh Silver’s Fruit Fly.Never Fully DressedCelestial midi dressSol de JaneiroGlow Motions glow oilSimone RochaMicro Egg faux pearl-embellished acrylic clutchNoah Cortez, social media editorYou know, I’ve never really had the itch to go to the Dominican Republic. I’m not a huge all-inclusive resorts guy (yes, I know DR is not all about the Punta Canas of it all), and my mental image of the country has largely been, unfairly, a swim-up bar with a wristband dress code. But after doing some research, I learned about Las Galeras, a fishing town at the very end of the Samama Peninsula where the road literally runs out, and Ocama, a 35-acre hillside boutique property above the Bay of Rincón that, funnily enough, is owned by the founder of Stacey’s Pita Chips. I booked a last-minute flight and was on my way to spend a lovely long weekend there for the Fourth of July. My days were mostly a rotation of beaches you can primarily reach by boat or on foot: Playa del Amor, Playa Breman, Playa Frontón, and Playa Rincón, among others. This California boy needs his beach time, and while the Rockaways are great as someone based in NYC, I have to admit that the beaches in this part of the Dominican Republic rival the best beaches anywhere else in the world.For a trip that was 90% saltwater, I packed accordingly. I’ve been on the oversized boardshorts wave for a minute now, and Billabong’s Fluid 2K Pro boardshorts are quick to dry and look great on the beach or walking around town. Cotopaxi is a brand I’m a bit late to become familiar with, but the hype is real, and my Allpa X hip pack—each one comes in its own scrappy, one-of-a-kind colorway—held my phone, cash, and room key with ease as I traversed rugged terrain to get to some of the beaches. Evenings called for slightly more effort, clothing-wise, so I brought The Brown shirt from Alfie’s Mission, an Australian clothing brand (one of my favorites) that does stellar button-up shirts, often covered in patchwork. So surfy! So chic! And, for the three-plus hours of driving between Santo Domingo’s airport and the peninsula, my tried-and-true deep brown Beats Studio Pro kept me sane as I looped through the same Spotify playlist over and over and over again.BillabongFluid 2K pro performance boardshortsAlfie's MissionThe Brown shirtA version of this gallery was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK. It has been updated with new information since its original publish date.Jessica Sulima is a Commerce Writer at Condé Nast Traveler, where she covers hotel and booking content, as well as travel deals. Originally from New Jersey, she attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she holds a Bachelor’s degree in English with minors in Spanish and Art History. Previously at Thrillist, ... Read More
Where You'll Find Our Editors This July—And What We're Taking With Us
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