When to go: There’s no bad time to go to Mykonos. But go in May if you’d rather see the island’s quieter side.
What not to miss: No trip to Greece is complete without a meal of grilled octopus under an olive tree-shaded pergola. Find it at Kiki’s, a beachside spot that’s refreshingly free of pretense on this otherwise-sceney island.
Let the French Riviera lure you.
The super-stylish team behind Paris’s Le Pigalle has just set up shop amid a string of tiny fishermen’s villages on the Provence coast, midway between St. Tropez and Cannes. Their Hôtel Les Roches Rouges is an idyllic escape, with a saltwater swimming pool that’s cut into natural rock formations, an open-air cinema, and a pétanque court. As for the 50 rooms and suites: They’re all whitewashed with wicker and sand accents, most with either sea views or private gardens. Rooms from $223.
When to go: The region is at its buzziest in July and early August; if a quiet retreat is what you’re after, go in June or pre-Labor Day.
What not to miss: The town of Saint-Raphaël, where Les Roches Rouges is based, lies at the foot of the Massif de l’Estére hiking trails. It’s worth spending a day amid the red rocks and mossy vegetation that seem to tumble right into the shore.
And know this: Croatia no longer requires a yacht.
Go to Westeros in luxurious style by visiting two new properties on the island’s two prettiest beach towns. First is the just-redone Excelsior in Dubrovnik, all glitz and glam in a landmarked royal villa. And then there’s Little Green Bay, a sweet gem of a property that’s brimming with design smarts. No boat required, but that doesn't mean you can't get on one for fun. Rooms from $386 and $413, respectively.
When to go: Avoid crowd by traveling in May or June.
What not to miss: Walk Dubrovnik’s Old Town ramparts: You’ll see how the city’s picturesque terra cotta roofs edge all the way up to the coastline. (You might spy a few recognizable Game of Thrones landscapes while you’re at it.)