We love the off-the-beaten track, quirky accommodations you come across when out on the road. The unusual spots that get woven into your travel stories – and your Instagram feed. While we’re no strangers to the thrill of heading out on the road and winging it with where we’re going to rest our heads…some spots are worth plotting your whole trip around.
Ventura is the perfect blend of beach living and charming downtown, brimming with vintage stores and more shiny brewery taprooms that you can count on two hands. Harness that vintage Americana vibe by bedding down in a retro trailer.
Choose between twenty lovingly restored trailers from the 40s-70s – all with mod hipster cons like locally roasted coffee, outdoor seating, firepits with s’mores, cornhole and free Dutch bicycle hire, perfect for a leisurely beachfront adventure.
If you only do one thing: Work up an appetite to take on the French Cajun bungalow restaurant Café Nouveau – get the Maple Bacon beignets to start.
Caravan Outpost, Ojai, California
Take a 30-minute scenic drive into the mountains from Ventura and you’ll hit the hip Angeleno weekend escape of Ojai. Settle into the slow living vibes in a vintage airstream.
Tucked away, in a lush garden setting, are 11 polished airstreams scented with undergrowth and delicious indie bathroom products. Relax into the community feel around the communal fire pit and covet everything in the ultimate ‘general store’ crammed with local treats, handwoven blankets, records and hand-shaped hats.
If you only do one thing: Tear yourself away from the zen of the Outpost for a tasting flight at TopaTopa Brewing taproom. Nab a spot on the patio for Ojai’s ‘Pink Moment’ sunset.
You may remember our adventure to West Texas – we couldn’t complete this piece without including Queen Bey’s desert hideaway…
Eccentric, nomadic and perfect for Instagram – El Cosmico is a 21-acre bohemian campground, just outside of Marfa. Choose between vintage trailers, teepees, yurts, safari tents and their unique colourful muralled tiny house – the Cosmic Kasita.
If you only do one thing: Coincide your off-grid trip with the annual Trans-Pecos festival of Love and Music in late September for live bands, workshops and general good vibrations.
Collective Retreats, Governor’s Island, New York (and Other Locations across the US)
Sure, you’ve got us – this island is car-free so leave your trusty vehicle behind to check out this hidden gem, ridiculous close to the bustling city.
A ferry ride from Manhattan, you can cosy on down in one of Collective’s tents or shelters with (weather dependent, of course) views of Lady Liberty and that classic NYC skyline from the rom-coms of your youth.
If you only do one thing: Escape the city for a perfectly balanced weekend of craft beers and live music on Fridays followed by morning yoga and health elixirs.
Home Farm Glamping, Hertfordshire
Whether work is a nightmare and you need to reset, quality time with your girls is way overdue or you require an unusual spot for a large group get-together– we’ve got the answer.
A 40-minute drive from London (or train and short taxi ride) will blow away the workweek cobwebs and uncover the outdoorsy you. Well the ‘outdoorsy you’ that needs a cosy bed when you’ve had your fill of toasting marshmallows underneath starry skies and a hot shower in the morning.
If you only do one thing: Book in for the Thursday night supperclub, served up on a communal long table dressed with wildflowers under their ancient oak. It’s as dreamy as it sounds.
Happy Days Retro Vacations, Suffolk, UK
Hankering after the all-American dream of lawn flamingos, cold beers and deck chairs? No need to save up for the transatlantic flight – jump in the car to the Suffolk coast.
This tree-lined campsite boasts seven vintage trailers rescued from the US and an adorable mint green British caravan from the 70s. All are painstakingly restored and kitted out with kitsch – be sure to pack your red lippy and bobby pins.
If you only do one thing: After a day exploring the charms of the Suffolk coast, snuggle down in The Red Shed for movie night before making British s’mores (a #TeamCoco invention of marshmallows plus chocolate digestives!) around the communal fire pits.
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