We set out with a simple question, but it quickly turned into a journey across the globe: where would each of us go if we could design the perfect summer escape? From sun-soaked beaches to hidden mountain retreats and vibrant cities bursting with life, every answer revealed a different dream waiting to be lived. Here’s where our team would go—if this summer had no limits.
Cindy’s summer dream destination is Santorini, Greece, because it is near the water and has a rich culture and history. She’s actually visiting it this year, very soon, eager to eat local cuisine, relax by the ocean, and have a wonderful time with her family. Santorini is a very popular island in the Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea. It’s breathtaking, dramatic caldera views formed by a massive volcanic eruption, iconic whitewashed cave houses, and vibrant blue-domed churches.
Ralph’s summer dream destination is Barcelona, Spain. He has always been in love with how it looks and has always wanted to go to Spain, and loves everything about it. He saw it in a movie once and said it was beautiful and wants to take his wife there one day soon to explore the sights, restaurants, nightlife, and all that it has to offer. Barcelona is unique for its Gaudí’s surreal architecture, beaches, and the vibrant walk able city center with a distinct Catalan culture.
Jay’s summer dream destination is Gunma, Japan. He wants to explore the extraordinary mountains and small-town life. He believes driving on mountain roads is very cool, especially during the summer. He even wants to have an Initial D experience. Initial D is a 90’s-2010’s Japanese anime/manga series about street racing. It’s centered on a character called Takumi Fujiwara, who unknowingly becomes a legendary driver while delivering tofu in his Toyota AE86 on the mountain passes of Gunma Prefecture. This is why Jay wants to live out his dream summer vacation in Japan. Gunma is a mountainous, landlocked prefecture on Japan’s Honshu Island. It’s known for its hot springs (onsen) and ski areas. The small town of Kusatsu has more than 100 hot springs and is an hour away from the city of Karuizawa, where you can enjoy delicious local foods and stores.
Britt’s summer dream destination is Greece. He loves Mediterranean food and ancient history and looks forward to enjoying delicious meals while exploring the country’s rich culture and art. He would love to island-hop between places like Santorini and Mykonos to experience both the relaxing coastal views and lively atmosphere. He’s also interested in immersing himself in authentic Greek culture, from trying traditional dishes like gyros and moussaka to learning more about the country’s deep-rooted mythology. From Bronze Age ruins to Classical temples, Greece offers iconic sights like the Acropolis in Athens, the breathtaking caldera views of Santorini, and the dramatic clifftop monasteries of Meteora.
Savanna’s summer dream destination is Florence, Italy. She has always wanted to go because of the history, art, and architecture, and heard that the pasta is good. She even looks forward to relaxing on boat rides, visiting the world’s top art museum, the Galleria degli Uffizi, walking through the Palazzo Pitti, eating at the finest restaurants, and, especially, looking at the iconic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Italy is home to and the birthplace of the Renaissance in art, music, architecture, and history. Such a wonderful place to be, with incredible nightlife.
Faith’s summer dream destination is Phuket, Thailand. She has never been to Thailand before, but has seen a YouTube vlog on it that inspired her to go, let alone travel across the world for the first time, yet she wants to enjoy a nice, peaceful new experience exploring stunning white-sand beaches with crystal clear water, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural experiences. This is Southeast Asia’s premier island destination, a mix of luxury resorts, affordable dining, delicious Thai cuisine, and convenient access to nearby islands, catering to both party-seekers and those looking to relax, which is Faith’s ideal summer destination she’s been yearning for and can happily start using her passport.