We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: summer isn’t just a season, it’s a state of mind. And as the heat sets in and your group chats start buzzing with escape plans, we figured it’s time to drop our official getaway edit.
Introducing Aa’s Summer Stay Wishlist: our yearly guide to the dreamy, the unexpected, and the almost-too-perfect-to-be-true. From sun-drenched corners of Marseille to lush gardens in Sicily, rooftop mint tea moments in Marrakesh, curved glass pods hidden in the woods, and Puglia spots we’ve had bookmarked for years. Some are for solo resets. Others are made for bringing your loved ones. A few are just meant to be fantasized about.
It’s not about going everywhere, it’s about going somewhere that feels like exactly what you need. Whether you’re craving a cliffside swim, a table full of strangers-turned-friends, or a place where the silence hits different, we’ve got you.
Guide by Awa Anne and Anastasia Gviniachvili
France
Casa YOUM, Marseille
A perfectly dreamy escape from the hustle and bustle of Marseille, Casa YOUM sits atop a mountain with postcard-perfect views of the harbor. What truly sets this house apart is the warm hospitality of its owners—Amira, Édouard, their dog Mastock, and their little baby.
Five years ago, they acquired and lovingly restored the 1870 villa where artist Paul Cézanne once sought inspiration. Now living on the second floor, they’ve created a space that feels more like home than a guesthouse.
This summer, they’re opening Casa YOUM to outside visitors with a special dinner residency featuring Chef Khouloude. Even if you don’t manage to book a room, be sure to stop by for a plate when you’re in Marseille.
Pavillon Southway, Marseille
Pavillon Southway sits just outside the Calanques in Marseille, a domestic extension of Southway Studios and a continuation of the 2019 exhibition Les Chemins du Sud, which explored the magic of the metaphorical South in art.
Part home, part living artwork, it invites you to get lost in the details, shades of pastels, soft stucco, sunlit corners, and let your mind wander.
It’s a place to daydream, seek inspiration, and find a moment of romantic silence. With two rooms for guests or artists in residence and an upstairs space for exhibitions, the Pavillon isn’t about merely seeing art, its about living with it.
Chateau de la Haute Borde, Loire
Tucked away in the Loire valley, Chateau de la Haute Borde is one of those rare places that feels both cinematic and lived-in. With five dreamy rooms, rotating chefs, artist residencies, and an ongoing flow of exchange, the estate threads the line between retreat and gathering space. Imagine yourself have late breakfasts, long forests walks, a dip in the pool, and getting inspired by interiors you’ll want to mentally screenshot. Whether you’re here to write, rest or just reframe things a little, its the kind of place that stays with you.
L55 Lumipod , Lamorlaye
A modernist dream 40 minutes from Paris. Stay at Villa Besson, a 1963 gem by Jean Balladur, and sleep in a curved glass LumiPod with forest views and your own outdoor sauna. It’s architecture meets nature, inside meets outside, and a rare chance to live inside a piece of design history.
Italy
Casa Lawa, Sicily
A guesthouse by Lukas Lewandowski that radiates warmth, colour, and ease. Set above a lava pool with a sea view and surrounded by 300 cherry trees, it’s a place to slow down and stay a while. With a chef in residence cooking daily, you’re fully taken care of : just show up, soak it in, and don’t overthink it.
Masseria Moroseta, Puglia
This one’s been on our travel wishlist for years. Nestled in the olive groves of Ostuni, Masseria Moroseta is everything we love: crisp white stone, sun-soaked courtyards, and just the right balance between design-minded and deeply relaxed. If you don’t make your way to Puglia this summer (we get it), head to the recipe section on their site and remind yourself you’ve got a little slice of southern Italy at home.
Villa Lagi Piemonte, Bistagno
This one’s been on our travel wishlist for years. Nestled in the olive groves of Ostuni, Masseria Moroseta is everything we love: crisp white stone, sun-soaked courtyards, and just the right balance between design-minded and deeply relaxed. If you don’t make your way to Puglia this summer (we get it), head to the recipe section on their site and remind yourself you’ve got a little slice of southern Italy at home.
Villa Elena, Selva di Fasano, Puglia
Puglia is one of our favorite Italian escapes. With its long stretches of sandy beaches, endless rows of olive trees, and the distinctive Trulli dotting the skyline, Italy’s ‘heel’ is a perfect destination for a summer getaway.
What sets it apart from other Italian regions is its vibrant nightlife, highlighted by festivals like Polifonic, which brings world-renowned DJs to the area every summer.
Staying at Villa Elena will make your experience in Puglia truly special. The beautiful facilities—and the even more wonderful host, Elena—make for a relaxing (and delicious) experience.
The Holiday Art & Seahorse house, Vittoria, Sicily
The perfect spot for a Sicily getaway with friends, this beautiful home feels straight out of Call Me by Your Name, with its authentic interiors, a pool nestled among olive trees, and a sprawling 600m² Arab garden.
Portugal
Marqi Holiday, Sintra, Portugal
A 1980s hillside mansion reimagined as one strange hotel. Tucked between the Sintra mountains and the Atlantic, Marqí is part private escape, part social playground — with vintage-filled suites, a pool wrapped in tropical greens, and a basement club called Nando’s Place. Think mid-century curves, fireplaces on every floor, and a lobby that feels more like your coolest friend’s living room. Fifteen minutes to the beach, forever from ordinary.
Morocco
Riad no 37, Marrakesh
A calm one in the Medina. Riad No. 37 is all clean lines, warm light, and unfussy details. Mornings start with mint tea and a slow breakfast in the courtyard, afternoons disappear between the tiles of the hammam, and somehow, every corner makes you want to take a photo (but not in an annoying way). Thoughtful, quiet, and exactly the pace we needed.
Riad Kniza, Marrakesh
Tucked away in the heart of Marrakesh’s old town, Riad Kniza is everything you want a riad to be: intimate, opulent, and impossibly warm. We stayed a few years back and still think about it. From the traditional breakfast to the rooftop terrace with sunset views, every detail was dialed in. The rooms feel like private sanctuaries, layered with rich textures and charm. One of the dreamiest and most hospitable stays we’ve ever had.
Mimi Calpe, Tangier
Tangier is a city at a crossroads, between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, between North and South, and a refreshing escape from the heat of central Morocco.
Mimi Calpe feels like a retreat of its own, with exquisitely designed interiors and lush, layered gardens overlooking Tangier’s harbor. It offers everything you need to stay in and unwind—between the hammam, the pool, and delicious food you may never want to leave.
But if you do, Tangier has so much to offer: bustling markets, a vibrant restaurant scene, long white beaches, and the perfect starting point for unforgettable road trips.
Spain
Casa Maru, Andaluciá
An old farmhouse turned hideaway in the hills of of Andaluciá. Casa Maru is all whitewashed walls, terracotta floors, wildflowers, and the blazing summer sun. Secluded but warm, with just enough room for your favourite people and nothing you don’t need.
Heaven Can Wait, Vallromanes
Just 30 minutes from Barcelona, nestled in the serene village of Vallromanes, Heaven Can Wait is the perfect spot for a quick getaway to recharge, get inspired, and reignite your creativity. Each of their tents and yurts is thoughtfully designed with meticulous attention to detail, creating charming spaces where your imagination can roam free.
Georgia
Rooms Hotel, Kazbegi
Nothing beats a mountain escape to avoid the summer heat—and Rooms Hotel in Kazbegi might just be one of the best out there. With breathtaking views of the Kazbegi mountains, a world-class spa, and one of the most scenic pools we’ve ever seen, this spot is a must if you’re planning a trip through Georgia this summer.
What We’re Packing
Before you disappear into the sunset (or sprint to your gate), we figured we’d do you a favour. Here’s our list of summer non-negotiables. Whatever your destination, trust us, these will come in handy.
Embrolysse Hydra-Crème Légère – The perfect moisturizer for hot, sticky summer days
Birkenstock Cannes Black – No summer getaway packing list is complete without a go-to pair of sandals. These Birkenstocks are made for long days of exploring, keeping your feet comfortable through all 50,000 steps.
Travel Bag – This one from Gimaguas doubles as a beach bag and features plenty of compartments, so you’ll never have to spend 30 minutes digging for your sunscreen again.
Silk Scarf – The most versatile item you’ll ever pack: wear it on your head for sun protection, over wet hair to prevent frizz, or style it as a tube top or sarong!
Havaianas – An indisputable must for any getaway, bonus points for funky colors!
Beauty of Joseon Sunscreen – Non-negotiable. We’re currently swearing by Beauty of Joseon’s lightweight SPF. No white cast, no breakouts, just glowy, protected skin that can handle a whole day in the sun.
Digicam – For the blurry, joy-filled snapshots that your phone can’t quite capture. Plus, looking at them later always hits different.
Leuchtturm1917 Notebook – For brain dumps, love letters you’ll never send, or plotting your entire future under the sun. Trust us, you’ll want it close.
A Book – Whether it’s a poolside paperback or a chunky novel you’ve been meaning to finish since last summer, there’s no better time to finally read. Need a rec? Our Aa Summer Reads got you.Water Bottle – Dehydration? Not on our watch. We’re currently loving the ultralight Kinto bottles: cute, practical, and won’t weigh down your tote.
Xx, Aa
