Cityside Adventures

An hour by train from Barcelona, Montserrat’s jagged peaks rise around the storied Montserrat Monastery, a Benedictine sanctuary dating back to the 9th century. Here, winding mountain paths and dramatic rock formations offer a striking change of pace from the city. On your return to Barcelona, Hotel Midmost Barcelona picks up where the day left off, with a rooftop pool and chic cocktail bar overlooking the streets below.

Paris is always a good idea, but a day in Champagne offers another reason to love the French capital. Just 45 minutes away by high-speed train, the region invites leisurely tastings of the sparkling wine that made it famous, alongside a glimpse of the vineyards and cellars behind every bottle. Back in Paris, Hotel Keppler sets the scene for a fireside nightcap in its discreet, residential-style setting, just moments from the Champs-Élysées.

Milan may be Italy’s fashion capital, but Piedmont offers a different kind of spectacle from above. A hot air balloon ride over the Langhe wine region reveals vineyard-covered hills, medieval villages and distant Alpine peaks, before touching down for a Barolo tasting and leisurely lunch. In Milan’s trendy Porta Garibaldi neighborhood, Hotel VIU Milan offers its own elevated vantage point, with crisp architectural lines, leafy terraces and a sparkling rooftop pool overlooking the Porta Nuova skyline.

Steps from the White House and Washington’s iconic monuments, Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. places you in the thick of the capital’s political pulse. An hour west, Middleburg, Virginia offers a decidedly different scene, with an 18th-century village center known as “the nation’s horse and hunt capital.” Here, polo matches, vineyard tastings and antique shops replace political intrigue, all against a backdrop of rolling countryside and the Blue Ridge foothills. Pair The Willard’s stately elegance with a day in Virginia horse country for a city break with two distinct sides.

Calling all Hocus Pocus fans, witchcraft enthusiasts and history buffs: Salem, Massachusetts, is a spellbinding day trip from Boston. Around 40 minutes away by seasonal ferry, the historic town invites you to delve into the legacy of its infamous witch trials, step inside the Witch House and discover the collections at the Peabody Essex Museum. Back in Boston, the waterfront Boston Harbor Hotel welcomes you beneath its signature archway, with sweeping harbor views and a classic New England sense of place.

Beyond Hong Kong’s glittering skyline, hiking trails wind into the hills, revealing a more rugged side of the city. At The Upper House Hong Kong, Head Hiker Leo Chung, one of the hotel’s esteemed House Locals known as the “map king,” leads private excursions tailored to each guest. One of his favorite routes climbs Lion Rock, a powerful symbol of Hong Kong’s resilience, where panoramic views stretch across Kowloon and Hong Kong Island. Along the way, Leo shares local stories and points out lesser-known vantage points that bring the city into a new light.

In New Canaan, Connecticut, Philip Johnson’s Glass House offers a study in modernist architecture, set across 49 acres of landscaped grounds dotted with art and sculpture. From Park Hyatt New York, guests can travel by private chauffeur for a golden-hour tour of the landmark, where the transparent glass pavilion sits in striking harmony with its surroundings. Upon returning to Manhattan, Park Hyatt’s residential-style sanctuary offers a warm welcome back with small plates and a glass of bubbly at The Living Room.

Left image credit: © 2026 National Trust for Historic Preservation and The Glass House

Lisbon charms with soulful fado, historic ruins, vintage trams and freshly baked pastéis de nata. Beyond the capital, InterContinental Lisbon’s concierge can arrange everything from dolphin watching in the Sado Estuary to horseback rides along Praia do Meco and through Arrábida Natural Park, where limestone cliffs plunge toward turquoise bays and secret beaches. After a day outdoors, Akla restaurant brings the day to a close with seasonal dishes rooted in Portugal’s culinary heritage.

Just a 10-minute bumboat ride from mainland Singapore, Pulau Ubin offers a glimpse of a different era. Wooden houses, dirt tracks and forest-fringed granite quarries evoke the island’s kampung heritage, a reminder of village life in decades past. Rent a bicycle to wind through the trails and discover a greener, more rugged side of the city-state. Back on the mainland, Andaz Singapore provides a striking contrast, with story-rich design and easy access to the colorful shophouses and cultural heritage of Kampong Glam, as well as the Downtown Core.

Two hours from Bucharest, the rolling vineyards of Dealu Mare reveal another side of Romania, where historic estates and family-run wineries are putting the country on the wine map. A landmark since 1914, InterContinental Athénée Palace Hotel, Bucharest makes an elegant starting point for arranging a private excursion, with intimate tastings, vineyard visits and local delicacies on the itinerary. It’s a chance to trade city streets for country roads, with plenty to savor along the way.

A 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, Bowen Island offers a refreshing escape from Vancouver. Forested trails, quiet coves, independent shops and cozy eateries invite exploration, while local galleries and studios showcase the island’s creative spirit. No car required. Back downtown, Hyatt Vancouver Downtown Alberni extends the relaxed mood at Orrin Spa, where massages, glow-enhancing facials and restorative body treatments offer a soothing end to the day.

From extravagant shopping malls to the world’s tallest building, Dubai rarely does understated. Neither does SO/ Uptown Dubai, where bold architecture, catwalk-inspired interiors and dazzling skyline views bring a fashion-forward edge to the diamond-inspired Uptown Tower. But beyond the skyscrapers, the Lahbab Red Dunes and Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve beckon visitors to explore the wilder side of Dubai on a thrilling desert safari, with dune drives, sandboarding, camel rides and wildlife encounters. Time your adventure for sunset for a spectacular finale across the sands.