Summer might be the best time to take your dream vacation to one of the world’s top cities — but you won’t be the only one with that idea. In the face of global overtourism, what’s an urbanite to do?
Take the road less traveled. Pack your hiking shoes and bathing suit and, whether you're visiting a major city or living in one, head for the countryside. Conveniently, it's in these quieter places that you'll find some of The MICHELIN Guide's most compelling accommodations — the best countryside hotels are the ones around which you can plan an entire trip, in lodges, boutique hotels, estates and even tents designed to show off the very best of their natural surroundings.
This summer, The MICHELIN Guide's editorial teams around the world have been exploring the city escapes just outside their country's major culinary hubs. Below, our guide to the top regions for a summer escape.
TWO HOURS FROM TOKYO
Onsen baths, bamboo forests and mesmerizing views of Mt. Fuji.
Tokyo has it all, but you need not go far to experience the softer, less frenetic side of Japan. Less than two hours from the city by car or train are several escape destinations with excellent hotel options: Hakone, Fujikawaguchiko, Izu City and Atami.
In Hakone, Gora Kadan sits within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. At this Imperial retreat-cum-Three-Key-hotel, with its perfectly manicured gardens and mineral pools, Tokyo is easily forgotten. Same too in the lakeside town of Fujikawaguchiko, where a stay at Fufu Kawaguchiko means private, open-air onsen baths and views of Mount Fuji.
In Izu City, find incredible vistas of the sea and stay at Asaba Ryokan, one of Japan's most historic hotels. In Atami, the relaxed seaside town renowned for thermal hot springs and just 40 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo, guests at Atami Izusan Karaku are rewarded with an extensive public and private bath system, private terraces and an infinity pool that disappears into Sagami Bay’s tranquil horizon.
Head here for five of the best hotels for a weekend trip from Tokyo →
NORTH OF NEW YORK CITY
In the woods and small towns upstate, a region bursting with cool boutique hotels.
The Catskills are in a constant state of evolution. Today, the mountain region two to three hours north of New York City embraces what's cool (high-design and cocktail lounges) while retaining more than a hint of nostalgia (antique shops by the dozens).
Drive just a few hours north of New York City for a deep breath of fresh mountain air and countryside charm. Here, you'll find forest hikes, secret swimming holes and tiny towns full of character. And while in New York City you'll find a hotel for every style of traveler, the same is true here — but your choice is perhaps even more important.
In the Catskills, your stay may revolve completely around your hotel, whether you choose a luxury Airstream on glamping grounds (Autocamp Catskills), a 19th-century Victorian mansion (Hotel Lilien), or a boutique with its own onsite cidery and tasting room (Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery).
PARISIAN ESCAPES
An hour or less from the capital, historic escapes in châteaux and abbeys.
When temperatures break triple-digits, Parisians swap the sweaty crowds of the city for acres of flourishing gardens and sprawling estates. The French countryside is a magical place, dotted with authentic châteaux and abbeys, royal hunting lodges and palaces, each a perfect base for an extended vacation.
Opt for a monastery redesigned by Cordélia de Castellane — of Dior Maison and Baby Dior — at Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay; a country house in the land that inspired 19th-century painter Camille Corot (Les Etangs de Corot), or the Three-MICHELIN-Key hotel located on the grounds of the actual Palace of Versailles (Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle). Spend your days riding horseback, hot air ballooning or strolling royal gardens, parasol in hand.
Head here for seven time-tested country escapes just outside Paris →
MILE-HIGH GEMS NEAR DENVER
Adventure escapes in the American west.
Though Denver may stand out on a list with London and Paris, it has more than earned its inclusion on this list. Set in Colorado, this state is a countryside escape in and of itself. Perhaps best known for its ski scene, in summer its mountain towns become sites of alpine luxury, with particular appeal for families.
Hotels anywhere from 15 minutes to four hours outside the capital city offer hiking, whitewater rafting, stargazing and, perhaps the biggest draw of all, the natural air-conditioning that comes with their towering elevation.
The beauty of the Colorado escape is variety. Travelers have their pick between staycation convenience and wilderness immersion, all in independently owned lodgings with an air of Americana sophistication. Stay in a safari-style tent on a 1,000-acre working ranch (Collective Vail), or at an Art Deco landmark in walking distance to the historic Old Town neighborhood of Fort Collins, where live jazz sets are as common as freshly brewed beer (The Armstrong Hotel).
ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE
Picture-perfect country homes and no shortage of MICHELIN Guide restaurants.
The English countryside is an interlocking jigsaw puzzle of quiet forest, enchanting village and dramatic moorlands, much of it reachable by train in just an hour or two.
It’s a land where ponies roam free, and wildflower-lined walking paths are a dime a dozen. Find here one of the world’s highest concentrations of MICHELIN Keys outside a maor city, from picture-perfect country homes and abbeys in and near Cotswolds (Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa, Lucknam Park) to classic 17th-century luxury in Yorkshire (Grantley Hall), all three of which boast their own MICHELIN-Star restaurant.
Beyond Downton Abbey-style stays, there are ultra-grand Tudor houses (Gidleigh Park), cozy village inns (Crown & Castle) and elegant aristocratic manors (Cliveden House) up for grabs. The Lake District, less than three hours on the fastest train, boasts no fewer than 10 MICHELIN-Star restaurants.
Head here for five more luxurious country escapes outside London →
VENETIAN CAMPAGNE
The underrated mainland outside Venice is a phenomenon of its own.
Venice is a city synonymous with overtourism, but just outside the Grand Canal awaits the Veneto mainland, where surrounding flatlands open up to thermal springs, UNESCO-listed wine regions and ancient monasteries — a far cry from the sardine can of St. Mark’s Square.
One hour north are the Prosecco Hills, the hometown of the famous sparkling wine. Hotels, like Villa Abbazia, are intimate and family-run, set in centuries-old palazzos and offering bike or Vespa tours through the vineyards.
Further inland lie rolling hills dotted with olive trees, striking walled cities and hilltop villages with their own MICHELIN Guide restaurants. Expect too thermal baths alongside idyllic hotels like Esplanade Tergesteo and Abano Grand Hotel.
Head here for a local's guide to the Veneto region →
MAGIC BY MEXICO CITY
An officially designated "magic town" just outside the megalopolis .
It’s one of the most populated cities in the world, boasting over 150 museums, many MICHELIN Guide restaurants and a central park nearly double the size of New York's — and yet, it's still worth a trip out of the city.
The two-hour ride to Tepoztlán is rewarding on its own, just to watch as the gigantic capital makes way for tropical trees and green mountain peaks. When a soft mist descends from the sky and the energy seems to stabilize, you’ll know you’re close.
Tepoztlán is Mexico’s spiritual heart, where it's said that the Mesoamerican god of creation was born and where locals embrace natural remedies and indigenous traditions. Here, two MICHELIN Guide hotels facilitate a seamless experience in this officially designated pueblo mágico. Amomoxtli is a self-contained sanctuary, while Casa Fernanda is known for its chic design and vacation house vibe, located just four blocks from the town center.
Head here for our breakdown of the two best hotels in Tepoztlán →.
90-MINUTES FROM LISBON
Country and seaside escapes.
The city of seven hills, colorful tiles, Fado music and pastéis de nata is surrounded by a wonderful diversity of landscapes. Within 90 minutes or less of leaving the capital, find breathtaking cliffs dotting the coastline, rural vineyards dispersed through the countryside and special dips in thermal spas.
Tucked within the natural paradise of the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park is Casa Holstein Quinta de São Sebastião, a pistachio-painted guest house with delightful gardens and a sun-drenched swimming pool. Alternatively, the Ribatejo region sits along the Tagus River, abundant in activities like horseback riding, wine tasting and boating. Salvaterra Country House & Spa’s greenhouse-style lodging features floor-to-ceiling windows for indulgent garden views, as well as a fireplace, bathtub and a breakfast basket delivered each morning.
Hero image: Outdoor dining at the Collective Vail in Colorado.
