Where FTLO Founder Tara Cappel Thinks You Should Travel This Summer (2026 Edition)
- FTLO Travel
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
Still figuring out your summer vacation plans? If you're looking to skip the overcrowded hotspots and discover somewhere that feels fresh, our founder, Tara Cappel, has a few ideas.
Tara's picks for this year have one thing in common: they're places where incredible culture, food, and adventure still outweigh the crowds. Here are the four destinations she'd recommend for Summer 2026.
1. Scandinavia: Long Days, Moderate Temperatures & Endless Adventure
If you've spent the last few summers melting your way through Southern Europe, consider heading north instead.
Summer is Scandinavia at its absolute best. Thanks to the midnight sun, you'll have incredibly long days to explore the hidden gems of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Whether you're exploring Norway's breathtaking landscapes, Sweden's stylish cities, or Denmark's vibrant food scene, Scandinavia offers the perfect balance of nature, design, and culture.
Why Tara loves it:
Cooler temperatures during peak summer
Unexpectedly amazing food options
Outdoor adventures for every activity level
Cities built around the water
Beautiful design everywhere you look
If you've never experienced a sunset at 11 p.m., this is your year.
2. Crete: Greece Beyond the Islands You've Already Seen
Crete gives you the sun, the sea, and the food of the Greek Islands, but with a slower, more layered feel than the Santorini-Mykonos circuit most people default to.
As Greece's largest island, Crete has something for every type of traveler: turquoise beaches, dramatic mountain villages, incredible hiking, ancient ruins, and charming harbor towns. Plus, Crete has a real claim to being one of the best food destinations in the Mediterranean.
Instead of hopping between islands, slow down and spend a week exploring this beautiful island.
Why Tara loves it:
Beautiful beaches without quite the same level of crowds
Incredible local cuisine and wine
Rich history dating back thousands of years
Easy mix of relaxation and adventure
It's the kind of destination where you can spend the morning hiking a gorge and the afternoon swimming in the Mediterranean before finishing with a seafood dinner overlooking the water. chef's kiss.
3. Kenya: The Safari Trip You'll Never Forget
If you've been waiting for the "right time" to take a safari, consider this your sign.
Few travel experiences compare to seeing elephants, lions, giraffes, and cheetahs in the wild. But Kenya offers far more than incredible wildlife. Between vibrant cities, welcoming communities, conservation-focused tourism, and stunning landscapes, it's a destination that stays with travelers long after they return home.
Summer also coincides with one of East Africa's most spectacular natural events: the Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest and zebras move across the Maasai Mara.
Why Tara loves it:
One of the world's greatest wildlife experiences
Luxury and adventure at every budget level
Meaningful cultural experiences
Truly bucket-list-worthy travel
This is truly a trip you will never forget..
4. Bordeaux: France's Most Underrated Summer Destination
Paris gets the headlines. Provence gets the Instagram posts. But Tara says Bordeaux deserves far more attention.
This elegant southwestern French city combines world-class food and wine with beautiful architecture, lively markets, and easy access to both vineyards and the Atlantic coast.
Spend your mornings exploring the historic city center, your afternoons tasting wine in nearby châteaux, and your evenings lingering over long dinners at neighborhood bistros.
It's everything people love about France but with a more relaxed pace.
Why Tara loves it:
Incredible wine region without the intensity of Paris crowds
Outstanding restaurants
Easy day trips to vineyards and charming villages
Beautiful walkable city perfect for slow travel
If your ideal vacation revolves around great meals, great wine, and beautiful scenery, Bordeaux checks every box.
Where Will Summer 2026 Take You?
The best trips aren't always the ones everyone else is taking.
Whether you're chasing the midnight sun in Scandinavia, relaxing on the beaches of Crete, spotting wildlife in Kenya, or sipping wine in Bordeaux, each of these destinations offers something memorable—and just a little more unexpected.
At FTLO, we're always looking for places that combine unforgettable experiences with opportunities to connect with fellow travelers. And these four destinations are at the top of Tara's list for Summer 2026.
Wherever you go this summer, choose somewhere that surprises you.