Plan an escape while you wait the arrival of spring.
Seasonally speaking, March can be quite the struggle. It’s still cold in most parts of the country, and spring, though technically on the horizon, feels nowhere near arrival. Why not take this opportunity to plan a getaway? Perhaps you actually like the cold and want to squeeze in one last snowy retreat, or maybe you want to wait out winter’s last breath from the warm confines of a beach cabana. Whatever your preference, we’ve rounded up some of the best places for a March holiday, from the rugged wilderness of Alaska to the wildlife enthusiast’s haven of the Galapagos. Safe travels!
Alaska Wilderness
Love the cold and want to retreat into the wilderness? Then journey up to Alaska, where majestic snowcapped mountains, national parks, and a long list of outdoor activities make it perfect for adventure-seeking travelers. Think heli-skiing, glacier trekking, dog mushing, and even an excellent chance to see the Northern Lights (until April). This month also happens to be the 50th anniversary of the Iditarod Race, a world-renowned annual sled dog race. Stay at adventure company Within the Wild’s remote Winterlake Lodge, located an hour from Anchorage via small plane and nestled on the edge of the Alaska Range, where new-for-2022 experiences include backcountry mountain biking and, for the true daredevil, heli-biking (yes, it’s a thing).
Riviera Maya, Mexico
This is not your college kid’s spring break. The latest property to join the stretch of luxury hotels lining Mexico’s Riviera Maya is the Auberge Resort Collection’s Etéreo, which opened in December. It’s a mere 30 miles from Cancun airport yet seemingly worlds away from the raucous scene up there. Seventy-five accommodations, all oceanfront or oceanview, are set amongst a lush protected mangrove forest. Choose from the Mayan-inspired signature restaurant Itzam, or four other F&B options throughout the resort. And this being an Auberge, the activities list is endless: snorkeling the Great Mayan Reef, diving in the Yucatan’s famous cenotes, parasailing, deep sea fishing, and sunset catamaran tours among them.
Easter Island, Chile
The ancient Polynesian wonders are reason enough to visit Easter Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site most known for the hundreds of extant stone statues, called Moai, that were created by the early Rapa Nui people, who inhabited the island around 300 AD. Also of note: Nayara, the brand behind the trio of barefoot luxury properties in Costa Rica, recently expanded its portfolio into Chile with Nayara Alto Atacama, in the Atacama Desert, and Nayara Hangaroa, on Easter Island. Plenty of immersive experiences abound at the 75-key, all-inclusive hotel, including ATV tours to secret caves and remote beaches, biking through archaeological remains, and hiking Ara O Te Ao, one of the oldest paths on the island that leads to a massive volcanic crater.
Newport, Rhode Island
Bid adieu to the season with one last wintry New England getaway at the Chanler at Cliff Walk, a real former Gilded Age mansion right on the famous waterfront path lined with iconic palaces like the Breakers, Marble House, and Rough Point. The Chanler was originally built in 1873 as a summer retreat for New York Congressman John Winthrop Chanler and his wife Margaret Astor Ward (yes, of those Astors—she was the great granddaughter of John Jacob). In other words, staying here will get you as close to living like Gilded Age royalty as you can get.
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
How do you explore one of the most pristine, diverse, and unique ecological and wildlife destinations on the planet in a way that is conscientious and responsible? Start with Pikaia Lodge, an eco-luxe property perched between two inactive volcano craters and located in the heart of its very own private giant tortoise reserve (for which the hotel’s owners planted 12,000 trees. There are just 14 well-appointed suites at this carbon neutral Relais & Châteaux, where rates include land excursions, marine explorations aboard Pikaia Lodge’s private yacht, a naturalist guide, and full use of wet suits, mountain bikes, and snorkeling gear.
Palm Springs, California
As of now, Coachella is back on for April 2022 after having been cancelled the past two years due to Covid. But why not skip all that debauchery and visit sunny Palm Springs this month instead, during the calm before the storm? That way you can really take in the best of the desert oasis, from the hot springs and spas, to golf, hiking, and horseback riding. The iconic 1930s-era Colony Palms recently underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation masterminded by hotelier and designer Steve Hermann. While honoring its storied Old Hollywood past, the new and improved 57-key hotel also features gorgeous design that references the bygone glamour of the French and Italian Rivieras.
