18 Winter Travel Destinations to Escape This Mess

Where to Escape Screen Addiction

No hourly alerts. No app blockers. No “mindful tech use.” Just places so good you’ll forget your phone even exists.

By Madeline Bilis

Anton Petrus / Getty Images

Water Meets Wonder: Iguaçu Falls, Brazil

GETTING THERE: Plan for a 10-hour flight to São Paulo on LATAM Airlines, then a much quicker one to Foz do Iguaçu.

Iguaçu Falls spans the border between Argentina and Brazil, and good luck staying glued to your phone with 275 waterfalls thundering for your attention. Once you’ve caught a rainbow shimmering through the mist, check into Belmond’s Hotel das Cataratas, the only hotel inside Brazil’s Iguaçu National Park. Within its pale-pink walls, luxury abounds: think tropical gardens, a sprawling heated pool, and an expansive spa. But here’s the real flex: Once the park closes at dusk, day-trippers vanish, and hotel guests have the falls entirely to themselves. What are emails, again?

Courtesy of Castle Hot Springs

Log Off, Sink In: Morristown, Arizona

GETTING THERE: American, Delta, and JetBlue all offer nonstop flights to Phoenix. You’ll want to rent an SUV or arrange for a driver to Castle Hot Springs resort, as Ubers won’t navigate the dirt road in.

Tired of doomscrolling? Castle Hot Springs is calling your name. Since 1896, the resort has beckoned weary travelers to soak up the glorious, mineral-rich waters. A century later, the vibe is still firmly “unplugged,” albeit with some swanky modern updates (hello, spa cabanas and multi-course dinners). But don’t bother looking for the remote—there are no TVs here, and the WiFi password, “RUsureUwant2?” is a gentle warning. With limited cell service, you’re encouraged to ditch your devices and luxuriate in a sound bath, tour the farm, and finally inhale some mountain air. Go on, you deserve this digital detox.

Merr Watson / Women Who Drone / Getty Images

Sunshine Down Under: Byron Bay, Australia

GETTING THERE: Get ready for a journey with a capital J. You’ll fly to L.A., then to Sydney, before catching an hour-and-a-half flight to the Gold Coast.

The beaches and surf breaks will take your mind off *gestures broadly* everything, but you’ll be so deep into a different time zone that your notifications will become irrelevant anyway. Byron Bay’s laid-back lifestyle is contagious, especially at the Sunseeker, a surfer-style getaway that harkens to simpler summers. Housed within a repurposed ’80s brick motel, it offers “tropical brutalist” rooms, suites, and bungalows, all centered around a kidney-shaped pool and a tiki bar serving organic wines and beer. By day three, you’ll stop checking what time it is back home.

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Time Travel: Southern Italy

GETTING THERE: Delta offers nonstop flights to Rome. Pack extra books for the eight-hour flight.

Three days on the La Dolce Vita Orient Express will make you forget what year it is—in the best possible way. This month, the vintage-inspired art deco train pulls out of Rome for a decadent trip to Sulmona and back. Your biggest decision? Whether to savor the view of the Italian countryside from your cabin’s plush sofa or head to the lacquer-walled dining car. There, you’ll tuck into feasts from a Michelin-starred chef and afterward, retire to the bar car for a soft soundtrack of live piano. But the biggest highlight is hitting the brakes in Matera, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its ancient caves. Standing in a 9,000-year-old stone city has a way of putting your unread messages in perspective.

My Greatest Escape: Santorini, Greece

I’m a chronic trip optimizer. The kind of person who makes restaurant reservations three months out, builds Google Doc itineraries, and looks up “best time to visit” everything. It’s exhausting, actually.

So when I arrived in Santorini, I expected to do the same. But my room at Andronis Luxury Suites made me forget all about my Google Docs. It was carved into a cliff, with an airy terrace overlooking the cerulean sea beyond it. A plush sun lounger called my name, as did a private pool with incredible views of the island’s famous blue-domed churches.

Suddenly, all those questions I’d been frantically Googling had obvious answers. Where’s the best spot to watch the sunset? Right here. Where can I order fresh octopus with fava beans? Room service. When does the hotel pool close? It doesn’t. I had my own pool, private sunset viewing, and some of the island’s best food at my fingertips.

I stashed my phone in my nightstand; I didn’t need it anymore. I picked up the books and magazines I’d brought—refusing to spend the afternoon scrolling—and sprawled out. By the end of the day, I’d gone hours without a screen, and I hadn’t even realized it. It turns out the whitish-blue glow of my iPhone pales in comparison to the white-and-blue vistas of the Greek islands. —Madeline Bilis

Where to Escape Climate Anxiety

No gas-guzzling SUVs in the parking lot. No strip malls packed with future landfill material. Just destinations where saving the planet still feels like vacation.

by David Gawkowski

Francesco Bergamaschi / Getty Images

Fjords, Forests, and Forward Thinking: Norway

GETTING THERE: Delta and SAS offer connecting flights from Boston to Oslo, Norway.

From electric ferries to green-certified hotels, Norway has been defining green travel for decades. The country makes low-impact travel look easy—it invests heavily in renewable energy, so you can be virtuous without even trying. Glide silently through the Geirangerfjord on a Zodiac boat, surrounded by waterfalls. Hike the Romsdalseggen ridge for views across mountains and fjords. In Oslo, farm-to-table and sea-to-table dining are practically universal: Sample traditional dishes like rakfisk before exploring Viking and Sami heritage at the city’s museums, including the Norsk Folkemuseum, where history blends with modern eco-consciousness, or the National Museum, which showcases contemporary art. In the winter, you can experience the dramatic Northern Lights at the Aurora Fjord Cabins. Located just over an hour from Tromsø, the cozy cabins feature floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking dramatic fjords—basically front-row seats for aurora gazing.

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Pura Vida in the Wild: Costa Rica

GETTING THERE: Direct flights from Logan to Liberia are available on Delta and JetBlue.

Think of this as climate anxiety’s antidote: Costa Rica is the OG of eco-tourism—more than 25 percent of its land is protected from development, and the country runs on nearly 100 percent renewable energy. Its eco-lodges and biological corridors, meanwhile, make it a leader in conservation tourism. Visitors can zipline through the dense canopy of Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, spotting resplendent quetzals and sloths that move slower than climate policy negotiations; traverse the famed Hanging Bridges in the shadow of Arenal Volcano; or take a break and rejuvenate in the natural hot springs of La Fortuna, heated by geothermal energy. The natural wonders continue at the luxurious El Silencio Lodge & Spa, situated within a protected 500-acre nature reserve in Bajos del Toro. The property is home to three stunning waterfalls, none of which disappoint. Decades after it started its green travel push, Costa Rica remains the trailblazer, and everyone else is still taking notes.

Punnawit Suwuttananun / Getty Images

Happiness Meets Sustainability: Bhutan

GETTING THERE: It’ll be a long journey: Make your way to Bangkok or Delhi, and from there Bhutan Airlines offers flights to Paro, Bhutan.

Forget doomscrolling climate reports—Bhutan measures success by “Gross National Happiness,” and you’ll feel it in every quiet valley and temple here. You’ll also feel it in the kingdom’s commitment to the environment: Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas between India and China, Bhutan is a pioneer in carbon neutrality, even absorbing more carbon than it emits. How do they do it? To start, Bhutan limits tourist numbers through a daily tariff, ensuring minimal environmental impact while funding infrastructure and conservation. Trek through pristine forests on the Druk Path, where monasteries perch on cliffs, and you’ll immediately understand the importance. Or immerse yourself in local life at a village homestay, savoring organic red rice and fiery ema datshi (chili and cheese). The elegant Dhumra Farm Resort offers cozy accommodations overlooking a historical 17th-century fortress, as well as meals made with ingredients harvested on the property for a truly sustainable stay. In Bhutan, the future looks bright—and carbon-negative.

My Greatest Escape: Roatán, Honduras

As the rickety prop plane, built in the 1930s, bobbed and weaved through the turbulence on its descent toward the short, gravel runway in Roatán, I wondered if I had chosen the right career path. But the moment I stepped onto the island, any doubts vanished. I was on one of my very first travel-writing assignments, at Anthony’s Key Resort in Honduras. What struck me immediately wasn’t just the charming waterfront cottages and world-class snorkeling and scuba programs—it was the resort’s deep commitment to maintaining the island’s marine ecosystem.

Anthony’s Key has been a model for sustainable tourism in the region for decades. Today, it boasts the largest privately owned solar energy system in the western Caribbean. The resort has eliminated single-use plastics, promotes water conservation, and runs a coral nursery program in partnership with the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences, which restores damaged reefs. During our snorkeling and diving excursions there, I saw their rehabilitation efforts up close. I also visited the local animal rescue center, which rehabilitates wildlife like sea turtles for release. It was the kind of place that made you feel good about being there—not just because it was beautiful, but because it was actually doing something right.

That said, renting a vintage moped and cruising around the island as the warm sunshine filters through the jungle canopy is also totally the move. —David Gawkowski

Where to Escape Politics

No breaking news. No hot takes. No trending topics. Just five far-flung escapes where the only thing you’re voting on is lunch.

By Jonathan Soroff

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Northern Attitude: Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

GETTING THERE: Air Canada hopscotches from Boston to Gander (the town from Come from Away). Then it’s only an hour drive to Farewell and a 45-minute ferry.

The only outside news you’ll get on this island off the coast of Atlantic Canada’s northern tip is hockey scores and shipping news. It’s so remote, the “flat Earthers” consider it one of the world’s “four corners,” yet it’s home to the five-star Fogo Island Inn, which operates as a charity to support the isolated community. Guests are immersed in local life, joining residents for hikes, fishing, or even lunches at private homes. Meanwhile, nature is just outside the door. Icebergs drift past while whales, puffins, and caribou can wander into view. Like the lovechild of a Lego set and a centipede, the inn itself is a striking sight, but its ultra-modern design boasts rooftop hot tubs, a screening room, a library, and a Michelin-worthy restaurant. Not bad for one of the world’s four corners—especially when your cocktail comes with ice cubes carved from actual “bergy bits.”

Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort on Statia / Courtesy

Hidden in Plain Sight—Literally: Saint Eustatius

GETTING THERE: JetBlue and United fly nonstop to Saint Martin, and Winair gets you to Saint Eustatius.

This tiny former Dutch colony was the first foreign country to formally recognize the United States, saluting the American flag way back on November 16, 1776 (now celebrated as Statia Day). But thankfully, that’s where the stateside politics end. In fact, Statia, as it’s affectionately known, is gloriously removed from modern life: There’s the Golden Rock Dive and Nature Resort, where you can immerse yourself in a lush green sanctuary; a dormant volcano to climb; and a charming 17th-century town to explore, but the real star is the diving, with the National Marine Park offering reef and wreck dives. Perched high on a cliff, Golden Rock is your basecamp, complete with a full PADI center for experts and novices alike. Best of all, it’s impossible to watch CNN or Fox News underwater.

Courtesy of HBD Príncipe

East of Everything: Príncipe Island, São Tomé/Príncipe

GETTING THERE: TAP operates direct flights from Logan to Lisbon and on to São Tomé. Príncipe is a 40-minute puddle-jump from there on STP Airways.

Better brush up on your Portuguese; no one here knows what a Big Mac is or cares if they serve them at the White House. In fact, this tropical Shangri-la couldn’t feel farther away from the United States: Its geographic coordinates are just northeast of 1°N, 7°E, where the equator intersects the Prime Meridian off the coast of West Africa. Like King Kong’s island, it rises out of the ocean—mist-shrouded volcanoes, untouched palm-fringed beaches, and waterfalls enveloped by rainforest. Uninhabited by humans until the 1470s, it’s a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and a hospitality company called HBD Príncipe (for “here be dragons”) is sensitively but elegantly developing it. Three luxury hotels—Sundy Praia, Roça Sundy, and Bom Bom—make it easy to forget about midterm elections.

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Desert Disconnection:
Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

GETTING THERE: Emirates flies nonstop daily to Dubai, and then it’s a little over an hour’s drive. (Pro tip: The “premium economy” is as good as first class on most other airlines.)

The UAE already feels like another world, but compared to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, this sister sultanate is a truly unplugged desert oasis, where outdoor adventures replace the news cycle. You can polish your survival skills at the world’s first Bear Grylls Explorers Camp, or chase an adrenaline rush on one of the world’s longest ziplines down Jebel Jais (the country’s tallest peak). For a truly detached perspective, the Jazirah Aviation Club offers a stunning bird’s-eye view of the landscape. The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert resort, hidden away in a 1,200-acre nature preserve, offers unparalleled luxury alongside its own rugged activities—think horseback riding, falconry, and desert excursions. Out here, the only notifications you’ll get are “Dinner is served.”

My Greatest Escape: Kenya

On January 20, 2017, I was on safari in Kenya at the Mara Naboisho Conservancy, a private reserve north of the Masai Mara National Reserve. It wasn’t until after lunch that I realized it was Inauguration Day, and even if I’d had the slightest desire to watch Donald Trump getting sworn in, it was literally impossible. That felt like a tremendous luxury. It was an extraordinary safari. A lioness had taken up residence under one of the far tents in our camp with her three cubs, whom two male lions out in the bush were trying to kill. A solitary, foul-tempered, and very large male baboon hovered menacingly around the dining tent. In the first 72 hours, we saw an astonishing five kills—two by lions, and one each by a leopard, a cheetah, and hyenas (a gruesome sight). We also spent time with the nomadic Maa people, whose lives are so starkly different than ours that it felt like a different planet. And when I left to finally face the fact of a Donald Trump presidency, I at least had the animals of Mara Naboisho Conservancy to remind me that politics is no more civilized than the savannahs of East Africa. The last I heard, the lion cubs were still alive. —Jonathan Soroff

Where to Escape Self-Help Culture

No journaling. No cold plunges. No “becoming your best self.” Just beaches, booze, slopes, and not a single unwanted epiphany.

By Brittany Jasnoff

Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection

Going Nowhere in Style: The Caribbean

GETTING THERE: Fort Lauderdale, Barbados, and San Juan all serve as cruise departure ports, and all are nonstop from Logan.

You could sail away on a mega-ship with 16 tube slides this winter. Or you could vacation like an adult—on the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. This year’s late-winter and early-spring sails on the Evrima and Ilma ships, both outfitted with gorgeous suites boasting private terraces, include stops at such posh ports-of-call as St. John and St. Thomas, as well as lesser-traveled destinations like the breathtakingly beautiful Terre-de-Haut and Bequia, in the Grenadines. Though honestly, spending a day at the discreetly gorgeous pool is probably all you need to forget why you needed to escape in the first place.

Starcevic / Getty Images

No Resolutions Required: Aspen, Colorado

GETTING THERE: Fly direct to Denver on JetBlue, Delta, United, or Southwest, then rent a car and make the scenic 3.5-hour trek west to Aspen. (Or land right in Aspen if you don’t mind a layover.)

Aspen is basically the winter version of Nantucket: sophisticated, beautiful, crawling with people who summer and winter as verbs. The two destinations will have even more in common this month when an outpost of ACK’s beloved White Elephant hotel opens in town. The 54-room property, designed by Boston-based firm Embarc, comes with a beautifully curated art collection and the brand’s signature Lola 41 restaurant—plus an on-site Boot Lounge with heated ski lockers and gear from Alps & Meters, for those disinclined to schlep their own. Snowmobile tours, winter fly-fishing, skiing: It’s all here. But really, the appeal is having the same favorite spot in both ZIP codes.

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Delightfully Excessive: Las Vegas, Nevada

GETTING THERE: Fly nonstop to Vegas on Delta or JetBlue.

The point of Vegas used to be bad decisions. Now it’s just…a lot to look at. There’s the Sphere, of course, the $2.3 billion entertainment venue with a massive wraparound LED screen, and the Area15 “immersive district,” which just opened the year-round Universal Horror Unleashed (fair warning: genuinely scary). Fans of sleight of hand will want to check out the new Magicians Room, a so-called magic speakeasy at the open-air Linq Promenade—the entrance is hidden through a retro crane arcade—with a full-service themed bar. And when you’re ready to retreat from all that stimulation: the Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas is still the best place to recover from a city that doesn’t want you to.

My Greatest Escape: Walt Disney World, Florida

“But what do you do there for two weeks? Don’t you get bored?” I get this question a lot about my family’s annual summer sojourns to Disney World, and look, I get it. It’s hot. The lines can be long (if you don’t know how to navigate them). And yes, Space Mountain is still Space Mountain the 15th time around. But here’s the thing: You could spend a month and still not hit every attraction in the four parks and every dining option on the property, from a high-end rooftop French spot with cotton-candy sunsets (looking at you, Topolino’s Terrace) to a drive-in-movie-themed burger joint complete with extra-thick Oreo shakes.

Admittedly, the yearly Disney trip isn’t my tradition; it was started by my husband’s parents and extended family in the ’80s and has been going strong almost every year since. But I’m a convert, especially now that we have two kids who marvel at every last bit of the fun: the character hugs, the unlimited Little Mermaid and Finding Nemo rides, the daily Mickey ice cream pops. We stay every year at the red-roofed Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, where we often watch the fireworks from our Cinderella Castle–facing room, cozily tucked into our pajamas—no crowds, no stress, no bubble wands.

And you don’t need kids—or Mickey ears—to get it. You can drink around the world in Epcot (no DD required when you can monorail, bus, or Skyliner your way back to the hotel); check out the buzzy nightlife scene in Disney Springs; or check into the full-service spa at the Grand Floridian to unwind from it all. But one ride on the Tron coaster in the Magic Kingdom and I guarantee you’ll be revving up for more action. No meditation retreats, no digital detoxes—just roller coasters and gloriously overpriced cocktails. —Brittany Jasnoff