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I’ve always loved this question because it comes with joy, excitement and a desire to live life to the fullest. Some want to celebrate in ultimate relaxation while others want to dance the night away while quite a few want to finally embark on that bucket list-worthy trip.
As a breast cancer survivor herself, my mom wanted the latter: That blowout, once-in-a-lifetime, jaw-dropping experience that swept her off her feet and sent her soaring through adventure after adventure because let’s be honest…once you’re bitten by the travel bug, there’s no return. Since she was diagnosed in 2014, we’ve been to Thailand, the Maldives, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, Fiji, Canada, Hawaii and New Zealand together. My mom has always been a go-getter, but beating cancer has given her a new lease on life. I’ll be the one next to her, passport in hand, saying “Where to next?!”
Traveling Beyond Breast Cancer
Expedia is committed to helping make your travel go farther by donating a portion of every booking made through their dedicated site and partnering with Susan G. Komen to raise breast cancer awareness. Expedia is pledging to give a minimum donation of $200,000 to Susan G. Komen from June 1, 2023, until May 31, 2024.
10 Destinations to Celebrate Beating Breast Cancer
1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
That’s 1 person in the U.S. every 2 minutes.
By booking your lodging through this website, you are contributing to Susan G. Komen’s efforts to provide hope and help to people with breast cancer and their loved ones.
From wellness retreats to girls trips to national parks, here’s my list of celebratory places to travel as a breast cancer survivor, previvor, breastie or caregiver. Y’all deserve it!
Banff National Park
Who: For those who love the outdoors and find healing in Mother Nature
Where: A stay at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is one of those must-dos when you find yourself in the middle of Alberta, craving a beautiful vibrant blue glacial lake.
Why we love it: Banff National Park was my very first trip after my double mastectomy back in 2017. I found it so healing to be surrounded by nature and completely by myself. I’ve now visited 3x and can’t wait for a 4th! Sure, we’re beyond spoiled with the amount of National Parks to explore in North America, but this one is special with its picture perfect mountain town, vibrant lakes, majestic mountains and easy access to outdoor adventures of all kinds. And who’s friendlier than a Canadian?! Short answer: No one.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
Who: For those who want the bucket-list, wide-eyed, jaw-dropping trip full of splurges, sun, and shopping again and again and again.
Where: I love staying in Amalfi because it’s very central between Positano and Ravello. We booked Miramalfi Hotel as our LimitLes hotel (hello, girl’s trip!) and loved everything from the Beach Club to the 10 minute walk to town. Hotel Santa Caterina is another impeccable hotel and where we stayed on our honeymoon last year!
Why we love it: Novelist John Steinbeck once said of the region, “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.” Truer words have never been spoken. Put this one on the list.
Queenstown, New Zealand
Who: Adventure and thrill seekers, wine lovers, hiking enthusiasts
Where: The Rees Hotel and Luxury Apartments! I’ve stayed here 3 times and have a 4th stay booked for February during my LimitLes Travel retreats! If that’s not a rave review in itself, I don’t know what is. It’s a 20 minute walk into town, it’s luxe without being pretentious, and all rooms look out at Lake Wakatipu.
Why we love it: Known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” Queenstown is situated in the Otago region of the South Island. If adrenaline pumping activities are what you’re after, look no further than the birthplace of bungee jumping. If the shores of Lake Wakatipu and the scenic attraction of The Remarkables aren’t enough, the Central Otago wine region will have you tasting bottles before noon. Don’t even get me started on Milford Sound.
Aspen, Colorado
Who: For the skier, the hiker, the outdoor goddess, the mountain maven, the luxe lover and anything in between.
Where: Hotel Jerome doesn’t disappoint with its storied past, prime real estate downtown, its beautifully bold interiors and spa. Don’t miss J-Bar inside where the best burger is made for your eating pleasure.
Why we love it: No matter if you’re in Aspen for the summer or Aspen for the winter, it’s in season 365 days of the year. I’m a warm weather girl, a skier, a mountain lover, a hiker and an all around outdoorsy person, and I don’t mean just taking back beers on a patio, either. From wildflowers to mountaintop yoga, this destination blooms during the summer just as much as it comes alive in winter months.
Vienna, Austria
Who: Christmas market lovers, music enthusiasts, summer hikers
Where: Look no further than the Ritz-Carlton Vienna where you won’t want to remove yourself from the rooftop terrace, but if you do, Pastamara bar downstairs will lure you in with its tableside Campari trolley visits.
Why we love it: It’s clean, it’s safe, it’s charming, it’s livable. Vienna will take you in and never let you go…especially if you visit when the Christmas markets are in full swing!
Copenhagen, Denmark
Who: Design afficionados, Danish pastrie lovers, coffee fanatics, history buffs, and urbanites
Where: The Nimb Hotel located overlooking the Tivoli Gardens. It’s a family favorite, and I can see why. The Gardens will lure everyone from the youngest to the oldest inside its manicured walls.
Why we love it: Consistently voted as one of the happiest countries in the world, Denmark is hip, historic and, well, happy! The Copenhagen capital of cool is drenched in Scandinavian architecture, great coffee, dining and waterways.
Tokyo, Japan
Who: For the weird and the wonderful. The flashy and the fun. The zesty and the zen.
Where: The question is…where not? Luxe hotels are a dime a dozen in Tokyo, so between the Hoshinoya Tokyo, Four Seasons, Park Hotel Tokyo, Shangri-La, and The Peninsula…the list goes on and on.
Why we love it: Tokyo can be anything you want it to be. From sipping match lattes to relaxing at an onsen spa to stuffing your face with the best sushi on the planet to shopping til you drop at all the amazing boutiques to indulging in ramen vending machines, it’s there for the taking.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Who: Beaches babes, sun worshippers, whale watchers and night owls
Where: Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection is hard to beat but Chileno Bay, Las Ventanas, and The Cape certainly try! You can’t go wrong with any of these.
Why we love it: Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name and they’re always glad you came. Esperanza should probably be featured in the Cheers opening credits because it’s exactly that way. The property is also on a private beach with 5 swimming pools to choose from so this hotel exudes fun in the sun. Go off property and see whales during the winter months and clubbing year round if that’s what you’re after!
Scottsdale, Arizona
Who: Spa lovers, luxury resorters, shoppers, and golfers alike
Where: The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is big, bold and oh so beautiful. I’ve been here for a girls trip, and we also planned our 75-person LimtiLes reunion here this year. The property is enormous, but they have done a superb job of creating intimate spaces along the grounds.
Why we love it: Scottsdale is home to more destination spas per capita than any other U.S. city. Need I say more?
Bali, Indonesia
Who: Those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, wellness and an Eat, Pray, Love moment
Where: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is above and beyond.
Why we love it: Imagine a place in this world where beauty exists at every corner, where delicious food is at your beck and call, where your sheet thread count is so high you’ll never want to wake up, and where the biggest question of the day might just be, “Beach or pool?” It’s so nice, we took LimitLes twice!
What an inspiring article! Celebrating life and resilience after overcoming breast cancer is a beautiful testament to the strength of survivors. These 10 destinations sound like perfect ways to mark this incredible milestone, offering not just relaxation but also a reminder of the incredible journeys each survivor has been through. It’s a reminder that life is precious, and there’s so much beauty in the world to explore and savor. 🌸