Spring break destinations without the crowds
Less is more especially when it comes to overbearing tourists
Any excuse to pull out my bikinis and have them be the only things I pack, and I’m there. I’m a loyal participant in spring break, long after college. The only difference is now my break looks less like the 2013 A24 movie and more like the unreleased sequel of Eat, Pray, Love—Eat, Pray, Disassociate.
A beach, a good book on the ole Kindle, and zero disturbance from a beachfront Margaritaville—just you, your tanning spray, and a promised escape from the clamor of the world.
My picks for spring break getaways, far from the crowds:
The Azores, Portugal
The Azores are basically a real-life Jurassic Park with plenty of trails and crater lakes. I mean… LOOK! 🤩 The nine-island volcanic paradise is wild, lush, and refreshingly different. Also, I feel like many people (well, Americans) are unfamiliar with the destination, so it’s a gem of a place.
I’d start the trip in São Miguel, where Old European charm meets a buzzing food scene. For a true taste of the islands, head to Lagoa das Furnas for Cozido, a slow-cooked stew buried in volcanic steam. I’m salivating.
The airport you’ll want to fly into is Ponta Delgada Airport and there are direct 6-hour flights from Boston or New York to Ponta Delgada Airport.
Stay here: After a long day of roaming around, retire to your room at Pedras do Mar, a sleek oceanfront retreat with modern rooms, an infinity pool, and a spa. Nightly rates start at $130. For a more posh stay, but still affordable, Solar dos Cantos Botanic House & Garden is a lush, pink retreat with an infinity pool and gorgeous gardens. Nightly rates start at $162.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
These twin islands stand in stark contrast to the busy spring break hotspots of the Bahamas or Turks and Caicos, offering just as many pristine beaches and a slow-life atmosphere without the casinos and pods of jet skis.
The islands are easily accessible from the US with direct flights from American Airlines, Delta, and JetBlue, flying into Robert L. Bradshaw Int’l Airport in Saint Kitts. Once there, you can hike Nevis Peak, walk around Basseterre for its cute colonial charm, take a scenic catamaran tour, or sunbathe on beaches like Pinney’s.
Stay here: For a private stay, Royal St. Kitts Hotel has individual 3-bedroom bungalows with a private pool and golf cart access to the greens. A minimum 7-night stay is required for these specific rooms. They also have studios and one and two-bedroom rooms. Nightly rates start at $153-270 a night. Mount Nevis Hotel is another stay I have my eyes on. Rates start at $250.
Outer Banks, North Carolina
Okay, I know the Netflix show has this place on everyone’s radar, but the real Outer Banks is far from a chaotic Spring Break destination and pretty quiet. The OBX is stunning in early spring with mild temps, beautiful shoreline beaches, and charming waterfront towns.
The water’s chilly without a wetsuit, so personally, I wouldn’t go swimming, but there’s plenty to do—lighthouses, wild horses, and scenic beach walks. Norfolk International (ORF) is the closest airport—90 minutes away—so renting a car is ideal.
Stay here: For bigger groups, this cottage in Nags Head sleeps 10 and has an outdoor shower and jacuzzi. It has a 4-night minimum requirement. If you’re looking for a top-rated hotel, and have Hilton Honors points to spend, the Hilton Garden Inn has a private beach and on-site dining, and each room has a private balcony or patio.
Healdsburg, California
Healdsburg is the laid-back spring break you didn’t know you needed—vineyard-hopping, farm-to-table meals, and warm weather. Tucked in Sonoma County, it’s perfect for scenic bike rides on rolling hills, and cozy boutique stays. It’s one of my favorite California getaways, so trust me on it.
Stay here: Hotel Les Mars is a French-style boutique hotel that brings old-world charm with fireplaces, a farmhouse restaurant, and marble bathrooms. Nightly rates are pricey, starting at $885. If an eco-friendly vibe is more your style, H2Hotel is a sustainable haven with modern rooms, a solar-heated pool, and free bikes for cruising to wineries. Rates start at $364.
The Madrona is also a BEAUTIFUL stay that’s on my bucket list!
Auckland, New Zealand
Yes, it’s far, but Auckland is a bucket-list trip—especially with American Airlines currently offering roundtrip discounts starting at $632 to Auckland Airport! While it’s not the first place you think of for spring break, it does bring late-summer vibes with island-hopping, black-sand beaches, and adventures like bungee jumping and volcano hikes.
Sunbathe by day on its many beaches, sip wine, or bar-hop by night—all without the crowds, mostly locals, with a few out-of-towners in March and April. Peak season is usually from December to February.
Stay here: The Convent Hotel is a charming, budget-friendly boutique stay in a former nunnery, with stylish rooms and an on-site Italian restaurant, Ada. Rates start around $150. For a central stay, Hotel DeBrett is a 5-star hotel that blends retro-chic design with loft-style rooms and a cozy Art Deco bar. Rates start at $250.
As for my own spring break, I’ll be headed to my favorite place on Earth for two weeks in the Caribbean, which I will be documenting on my stories! x
I’ve always wants to visit the Azores