Beauty Entrepreneurs Share Their First Travel Plans In The Time Of Covid

After a year of isolation a vacation is finally in order! Thanks to a robust vaccine rollout, travel no longer feels like a distant dream. The subject of where we would go as soon as we got the chance has been a hot topic since the pandemic became a household name a year ago. As much as self-care rituals soothe the spirit and lessen the Ground Hog Day quality of quarantine life, they can only do so much 365 days in. Nothing says self-care like a truly great escape. 

Where to go? For me it would be Blackberry Farm. This Relais & Chateaux property is nestled at the foot of the Smoky Mountains and offers elevated farm-to-table cuisine and great outdoor excursions, all just a short trip from New York City.

We approached 7 wellness entrepreneurs whose brand offerings enriched our stay-at-home rituals for their own spring travel plans. 

From a remote little island near Cartagena to the best West Coast spa experiences, here are some destinations to consider from some of the beauty industry’s savviest tastemakers. 

Tata Harper, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Tata Harper Skincare

 Paris, France

I would have to choose Paris! I dream of a warm sunny afternoon in Paris spending time with friends, sipping wine, and taking a boat ride. I love to walk around , especially in the 6th Arrondissement, filled with little hidden gems where I constantly get inspiration from. My favorite place for lunch is the quintessential Parisian cafe, Cafe Antonia at The Bristol. Whenever I get a chance, I love to stop by the more casual but amazing restaurant with a special place in my heart, Maisie Cafe.

Cartagena, Colombia

I love to visit all my family in Colombia. Colombian women love beauty and there are so many cool beauty stores and places to see. Some of the best highlights, haircuts, etc. are in Cartagena in my opinion. Some of my “must-dos” include Sofitel Legend Santa Clara – this is my go-to, it has so much character and strikes a super cool balance between vintage and contemporary aesthetic. For dinner it’s La Vitrola – everything they have is delicious and the vibe is super unique. One of my favorite boutique shopping spots in Cartagena is St. Dom. The entire store is beautifully curated

Big Sur, California

Big Sur is by far one of my favorite places in the US. The beauty of this place always has me coming back for more. I get so excited to drive the world’s most awesome coastal highway, the windy road that makes up Highway 1 through Big Sur. I love to discover the ocean vistas, to hike down to a secluded cove and dine in those amazing and eclectic inns.

Cotswolds, UK

The magnificent rolling hills and the honey-colored stone buildings provide a quintessential English charm. The hiking and the gardens are breathtaking. The food is outworldly, especially the cheese. And I can stay in one of my new favorite hotels, The Dormy House– a converted 17th century farmhouse with a luxury (Tata Harper) Spa.

Chase Polan, Founder, Kypris Skincare

Tucson, AZ 

Canyon Ranch Tucson 

“Canyon Ranch is my favorite for a fully immersive wellness experience. Every service and amenity they offer blends the best of Science, spirituality, and Nature. Canyon Ranch is also home to the first ever full body Kypris treatment with our beloved Deep Forest Clay.” 

Carlsbad, CA

Omni La Costa Resort & Spa 

“I love the indoor/outdoor setting of this gorgeous property, located just minutes from the Southern California coast.

Springdale, UT

Cable Mountain Lodge

“When I’m craving a mountain getaway, there is nothing more luxurious than Cable Mountain Lodge. After a day of incredible excursions at Zion National Park, I love to relax in the spa’s social suite, or indulge in a facial at the private spa studio.” 

Giovanna Campagna, Founder of Joaquina Botanica

My first escape will be to Cartagena, Colombia. I would stay with family in the Old City, and then spend a few nights on the island of Baru at the beautiful Las Islas hotel. They have an incredible oceanfront spa designed by local architects. I would opt for a lymphatic massage, which I have as much as possible when I am in Colombia. I have found that practitioners are especially skilled at it there, and many women swear by frequent lymphatic drainage for detoxifying and toning the body.  

Vicki Levine, Co-Founder and CEO of Symbiome

Sicily

The relaxed atmosphere and beauty of Sicily is enough to want to return immediately – but it probably has some of the best food I’ve ever had in Italy, as well as ever. Simple and fresh cuisine that is the perfect complement for leisurely summer vacation.

Argentina

I spent a lot of time in Brazil for work – but I dream of returning to The Vines Resort in the Uco Valley outside of Mendoza. The picturesque landscape at the base of the Andes and the surrounding vineyards is epic – plus its home to Francis Mallmann’s Siete Fuegos restaurant, which is just an added bonus — plus the wine, of course.

Morocco

I visited Morocco a decade ago, but it’s been the top of my list for several years. The vibrace of the culture, cities, and the food, have been luring me back. I dream of wandering the souks, feasting at the Jemaa el-Fnaa, and settling back into one of the many stunning, design-forward riads in the medina of Marrakech.

Japan

This was one of my last trips before the pandemic. I could literally eat my way through this country over and over again – the food scene is especially rich in Osaka — not to miss is Hajime restaurant – probably one of the most beautiful and captivating (and delicious) culinary experiences I have ever had (also no pictures allowed, which is a nice respite from the common plate journalism)

Up next: Bhutan

Bhutan has been on my list for years and was actually going to be my major trip of 2020. The country is supposed to open up this fall and I have my eyes set on the Amankora Journey.

Siffat Haider, Co-Founder and CEO of Arrae

Tulum, Mexico

 I’ve been going to Tulum at least once a year since 2015, the only exception was last year because of the pandemic. My husband and I got engaged there in 2019, and we haven’t been back since. It’s such a special place and I’m so excited to go back.

Courchevel, France

My husband turned 30 in January, and I had really hoped to take him to Courchevel to celebrate since he loves to snowboard. Of course Covid ruined our plans, so we’re hoping to go this December to celebrate his birthday a year late – better late than never, right?

Mykonos, Greece

Probably my favorite holiday destination in the world. Good food, beautiful beaches, amazing hotels, and just an overall great vibe. Fingers crossed I get to go for my 30th birthday this year!

Phoenix Gonzalez, Co-Founder, Silked

Oahu, Hawaii 

In May I am traveling to Oahu Hawaii. I visited 12 years ago and am excited to go back and see what’s changed and visit some of my favorite places along with places I didn’t get to spend time at on my last trip. Because we live in LA catching a flight to Hawaii was easy and made the most sense as our first vacation in COVID times. 

We’re staying at Waikiki Sands Villa Hotel because it is close to the beach where I can unwind for 9 days. My favorite restaurant is Michel’s. It’s one of the longest running establishments on Oahu, and consistently rated one of the best beach-side restaurants on the island. I’ll visit Byodo-In Temple a non-denominational Buddhist temple located on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park. It is one of my favorite places to be at one with nature and spirituality.

We also snorkel at Ko Olina lagoons, a great place for safe snorkeling. I plan to snorkel in lagoons #3 and #4, each of these lagoons are protected from the open ocean by rock and stone barriers. The must visit beach is Lanikai Beach or Kaʻōhao Beach located in Kaʻōhao, a community in the town of Kailua and on the windward coast of Oahu, Hawaii. They say this beach is the stuff that dreams are made of as well as desktop screensavers. It’s been consistently rated the “Best Beach in America” and I cannot wait to spend a day or two or three there. 

Sandra McCurdy, Co-Founder, Silked

Newport Beach, California

I’ll be renting a house in Newport Beach. It’s perfect for us because we can drive there in 1.5 hours, it can be stressful traveling long distances with our toddler right now, it’s also become a bit of a tradition for us. Now that everything is opening up we can really enjoy eating out and going to a spa. I’ll visit Lido House Hotel as it has a great spa and you can use their bikes to ride along the strand at sunset. Restaurants to hit up include Hook and Anchor for great lobster rolls and Malibu Farm Lido for healthy lunches and afternoon cocktails.