
Where to Go Next: 5 Vacation Alternatives for 2020
Summer is in full effect and unfortunately, many of our travel plans have been canceled or postponed. However, after all of the craziness, we all deserve a much-needed vacation. Skip the international travel and explore your homeland with these 5 vacation alternatives!

Glamping/Camping
Have you ever heard of glamping?! It’s a glamorous version of camping. The big difference between the two is that when go glamping, a sheltered frame such as a Yurt or Tipi is already set up for you! Glamping locations may include additional amenities such as a fridge, a mattress, and a private bathroom. Either way, both traditional camping and glamping are set surrounded by nature and provide you with a relaxing experience.
As a gal who has never been camping, I recently spent the weekend glamping in a tipi! It was the perfect weekend getaway and introduction to camping. There are plenty of websites such as Glamping Hub, Glamping, and HipCamp dedicated to finding you a glamping accommodation. Also, you can find unique accommodations such as tree houses, cottages, and cabins in special locations all around the world! You can find many of the accommodations listed on Airbnb and Vrbo as well.
Read about my first trip during the pandemic here.

Wine Country Resorts
How come no one told me about Wine Country Resorts earlier? Sign me up please! Wine country getaways make for the perfect girl’s trip! Sip on local wines, stroll through picture-perfect vineyards, experience farm to table dining, and enjoy luxurious spas. When you think of a wine country getaway, you think oh Napa! While California is blessed with many beautiful vineyards, the US is home to stunning wineries. Best of all, wine country resorts exist all over the entire world and you are sure to find one near you!
I’m breaking down the best ones for you (that won’t break the bank):
USA
- Allison Inn and Spa (Oregon)
- The Meritage Resort and Spa (Napa Valley)
- Chateau Elan Winery & Resort (Georgia)
- Belhurst Castle & Winery (New York)
- The Farmhouse at Veritas (Virginia)
- The Villas at Gervasi Vineyard (Ohio)
- The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance (California)
INTERNATIONAL
- Les Hauts De Loire (France)
- Grace Cafayate (Argentina)
- LOISIUM Wine & Spa Resort (Austria)
- The Yeatman Hotel (Portugal)
- WineBox Valparaiso (Chile)
- Pałac Mierzęcin Wellness & Wine Resort (Poland)
- Castello di Gabiano (Italy)

Ski Resorts
There’s just something about strolling through a snowy village with a cup of hot chocolate or sitting by the fire after an adventurous day of winter activities. Unleash your inner thrill-seeker and hit the slopes for a skiing or snowboarding adventure. Cruise on a snowmobile or experience the views by foot as you snowshoe with mountain peaks insight. Skip the winter activities if you’re not much of a skier or snowboarder, and immerse yourself in the surrounding small villages. Buy local goods, try hearty cuisine, read a new book by the fireplace, and recharge for the next day!
Best of all, you can visit ski resorts in the summer-time as well. During the off-season, you will find tons of hikes, festivals, food vendors, and shopping. It’s less crowded and budget-friendly as well! With nearly six thousand ski resorts around the world, you have plenty to choose from!
Here are a few standouts:
USA
- Vail Marriott Mountain Resort (Colorado)
- The Hotel Telluride (Colorado)
- Deer Valley Resort (Utah)
- Squaw Valley Resort (California)
- Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa (Wyoming)
- The Cliff Lodge (Utah)
- Big Sky Resort (Montana)
INTERNATIONAL
- Fairmont Chateau (Whistler, Canada)
- La Folie Douce Hotel (Chamonix, France)
- Hotel Kitzhof Mountain Design Resort (Kitzbühel, Austria)
- Hotel Garni Alpenlodge (Zermatt, Switzerland)
- Hotel Ambra Cortina D’Ampezzo (Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy)
- AYA Niseko (Niseko, Japan)
- Hosteria Sudbruck (Catedral Alta Patagonia, Argentina)

Beach/Lake
Don’t overlook beaches or lakes near you! They make for a fun-filled mini vaca full of your favorite water sports. Try kayaking, surfing, jet skiing, white water rafting, paddleboarding, or one of many other water activities. Slow down and enjoy the nature surrounding you on your own time. Read a book, layout in the sun, catch the sunrise or the sunset, take a morning stroll down the beach, and capture the breathtaking views around you. This is a fantastic trip idea for friends and families, and it’s full of fun-filled adventures for kids too! Rent a cabin nearby for the full experience and get ready to create some new memories!

Road Trips
I wholeheartedly believe this is the year of road trips! As travel is indefinitely changing and most people are postponing international travel for the rest of this year, it’s a wonderful opportunity to take a road trip. Road tripping gives you the freedom to stop on your own time and discover hidden gems all around the country. You can include the four above getaways as stops in your road-tripping extravaganza.
I’m all about local when I travel and taking a road trip allows you to experience local cuisine, boutiques and shops while supporting the community. Always create an itinerary to plan out the major stops you would like to take and leave a little room for an unexpected adventure. Rent an RV or pack your car, and get going!
Are You Ready for Your Vacation?
Travel is not canceled for the rest of the year, but we must be creative with our planning to ensure we are staying safe and fueling our souls! To cure my travel bug, I’ve taken a few road trips, been glamping, and spent time at a nearby lake. Next on my list: hello to wine resorts (#1) and a ski resort after! Which of these 5 vacation alternatives are you most excited about?
With love,
Meli
Save me for later!


33 Comments
Kez
Ohhh I LOVE glamping! We may have to organise a road trip TO a glamping spot 🥰🥰
Withlovemeli
Yes!! I think it’s my new favorite getaway!
Sharon Holmes
Great post! We’re actually going glamping in a safari style tent in a couple of weeks. There is a lake next to the tents so we can kayak and explore! It’s not far from our home but we cannot wait to get away.
A ski resort would be awesome!
Withlovemeli
Thank you! A safari style tent sounds amazing and it’s perfect that it’s next to the lake! So many fun activities!
Kelsey
Great suggestions! Our vacation to Hawaii was cancelled this year so we are looking to do something local and low key instead!
Withlovemeli
That’s a bummer to hear and I feel you on the cancellations! I’ve been having a blast discovering local gems so far, I think you’ll like it too! 🙂
Gina Abernathy
Great post! I am so ready for a vacation. I’ve even thought about pitching a tent in my own backyard. 🙂
Withlovemeli
Thank you! I love that idea and I would totally go for it!! 🙂
Cathy
I definitely want to go glamping this year! I’m so ready to travel again soon! Great post!! 🙂
Withlovemeli
I can’t wait to go again! There are so many fun glamping locations 🙂 Thank you!
Briana | Next Destination Unknown
Great ideas! Road trips are definitely where it’s at this year. I’ve always preferred road trips as they allow you to see so much more of the area and find interesting places along the way versus flying. But now with COVID, it can also be a healthier/safer option, especially if you RV and bring your home-on-wheels with you. 🙂
Withlovemeli
Yes!! Well said and I agree! I’ve always loved road trips for the same reasons. It’s so much fun discovering new places along the way 🙂
Kimberly
We have a road trip planned for the fall. We have had to cancel one to the Oregon coast back in April. Love your enthusiasm and photos. So ready for a vacation.
Withlovemeli
I hope you’ll make it back to the Oregon coast sometime, it’s absolutely amazing. Enjoy your road trip in the fall, it’s much deserved!
Francesca
I love wine country! I foresee me spending a lot of time there this year. I would also like to visit more ski resorts.
Withlovemeli
I can’t wait to visit a wine resort! Right up my alley!
Taylor
This is a great article Melisa! I love all of these ideas. I definitely agree that this is the year of road trips and also camping/glamping. It’s nice to be able to still “travel” in our own backyards. 🙂
Withlovemeli
Thank you so much Taylor!:) Most definitely agree! I think many of us focus on international travel, including myself, that we neglect exploring what our surrounding area has to offer. I’m excited to continue “traveling” in my own backyard!
Maria
I love your ideas! Especially camping or visiting a wine country resort is something I’d love to do
Withlovemeli
Thank you, I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed it! I think you would love it, safe travels!
Ming Qian
Oh man, I love these ideas but I live in Singapore and it’s an island city-state. At its broadest, my country is only 50km wide on land. Most of these aren’t options for me 🙁
I still enjoyed reading this blog post though. I miss traveling so much!!!
Withlovemeli
I would love to visit Singapore some day! Thank you so much for reading 🙂 Stay exploring at home as much as you can, fingers crossed you’ll be able to travel soon!
Cristina
These are great ideas 🙂 I want to go glamping this year and I am looking at some locations near home.
Withlovemeli
Thank you! I highly recommend glamping – there are so many unique places to stay. Stay exploring and happy travels! 🙂
Shire
Wow! Love the post. I’d love to do them all. Whistler is already on my list. It’s so beautiful = D
Withlovemeli
Thank you, I appreciate it! Whistler is on my list too! 🙂
Rachel
Heck yes! We are doing a road trip next month and I can’t wait!! Thank you for sharing these ideas – great for all the time travel, too, not just when everything is uncertain!
Withlovemeli
Yess!! I’m SO excited for you, I hope you have the best time!
The Brown Bride
Never heard of Glamping Hub but Hipcamp is amazing – this list gives us hope that travel is not impossible in 2020!
Withlovemeli
I found both websites for the first time when I was searching for glamping locations! I most definitely agree, we just have to be creative!
Tiffany S
Wonderful ideas! We love camping, but thinking about planning a cabin in the mountains for fall.
Withlovemeli
Thank you! I love that idea – it’s the perfect weekend getaway.
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