The Anderson’s Summer Vacation

10-12 Days | May 22 – June 2 or June 18 – June 30, 2024

I’ve included summer vacation ideas that would be in the $300-600 per night range and are accessible via a direct flight from the DC area.

Iceland’s Ring Road

This was your original idea, so I’ve included it. The ring road makes for an amazing road trip and can be tackled in around a week, and June would be a great time to visit. However, there are ongoing volcanic eruptions in Iceland that have added some uncertainty to the mix. Visitors have had to evacuate the Blue Lagoon area in recent weeks. Experts say the situation could resolve as soon as a few weeks or as long as a few months. It’s not enough to take it off the list but something to consider.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Four Seasons Resort at Peninsula Papagayo / Courtesy of Four Seasons

If you travel in May, you will catch the transition from Costa Rica’s dry to rainy season. This means rates are really good, but showers are not completely disruptive if you stick to the northern Guanacaste province. It’s an amazing international destination for kids – easy to get around, safe, low-key, good food, and lots of fun activities like beaches and monkey viewing. There are lots of options, but I like to get away from the big resorts. Our four year old still talks about the trip we took when she was two and a half!

Todos Santos and Isla Espiritu Santo in Baja

Los Colibris Casitas, Todos Santos / Courtesy of Los Colibris Casitas Families at Camp Cecil de La Isla / Courtesy of TOSEA Isla Espiritu Santo Beach near Camp Cecil de La Isla / Courtesy of TOSEA Mobile tents at Camp Cecil de La Isla / Courtesy of TOSEA

This isn’t the Baja of Resort Row near Cabo. Todos Santos is a more laid-back beach town with boutique hotels, shops, and galleries. I like to pair a stay here with 2-3 nights of glamping on Isla Espiritu Santo in the Gulf of California at Camp Cecil de la Isla. This is the only camp in the national park, and it has gorgeous beaches, nice short hikes, and opportunities to swim with sea lions. I also know the owner of a cool little hotel in Todos, where you can get a nice 2-bedroom house for around $325/nt.

New Mexico to Southern Colorado

Los Poblanos Inn and Historic Farm / Courtesy of Los Poblanos Drum Maker at Bishops Lodge / Courtesy of Auberge Resorts luxury New Mexico nature lodge Hiking at Bishops Lodge / Courtesy of Auberge Resorts luxury New Mexico nature lodge Durango, Colorado / Hally Mandarich / Unsplash

I know y’all will probably be in New Mexico, but it’s one of my favorite places to visit! Plus, you will be missing out on the northern half of the state. I start in Albuquerque at Los Poblanos Farm, a luxury hotel with a reasonable price, and head north toward Santa Fe. After a couple of nights, head to Durango in southern Colorado for a short extended stay. The small town has great restaurants and access to lots of trails and smaller mountain towns. It’s also a great place to take a full-day trip to see the Puebloan ruins at Mesa Verde National Park. There are some good hot springs options along this route, and if you are really into history you can stop at Chaco Canyon on your way back to Albuquerque.

PS: Maine

I also considered Maine for late June, but it runs the risk of still not being quite warm enough for beach days if that’s what you like. If not, I can build this out more.