Our favorite women on their getaway looks and locales.

While the effortless, carefree glamour of a well-deserved holiday might feel a bit out of reach these days, we like to plan for the moment we’re jetting off to the Southern Med - kaftans, ponchos and all. So, in the spirit of our Destinations collection - a breezy assortment of happy styles with an escapist sensibility - we asked Ala and some of our favorite Women of AvA which destinations are inspiring them, from their dream bucket list locales to the cocktails they’ll be sipping upon arrival.

Tammy Caciola, the Austin, TX.-based blogger of Her Fashioned Life knows a good thing when she sees one. Hence the longstanding tradition of heading out of town with good friends and family each year. We got the scoop on where she’s headed, what she’s up to, and of course what she’s packing on her annual spring break jaunt.

Where do you go to recharge in the sunshine?

I’ve been to Costa Rica six or seven times over the years. I always look forward to the warm weather, beautiful surf, and sunsets!

Can you share your go-to spot for a post-beach cocktail?

After the beach we usually head to a small restaurant along the beach to watch the sunset and eat dinner.

Where’s your favorite place to stay?

We’ll usually travel with another family and rent a big house. That is definitely part of the charm of going - being able to bond and visit with friends! My boys grew up with this tradition over spring break.

Where do you go to shop like a local?

This is probably the one time I do not do a lot of shopping! I like to make sure I have everything packed with me before I come and just enjoy myself when I get here!

Do you have a favorite sunset dinner spot?

I would say anywhere along the beach, at a restaurant or the house we usually rent is on a beach. We’ll usually have a chef come to the house and have a huge bonfire on the beach on the last night of our stay.

Which Ala Von Auersperg outfit is a must have for your vacation?

Ala Von Auersperg pieces are so versatile. They’re easy to dress up or down and never wrinkle when I pack them! The prints colors are always perfect to match the tropical mood of a beach vacation!

Get the Look - Tammy Caciola is wearing the Paloma Cotton Pareo in Palmetto (top left) and the Racquel Mesh Poncho in Blooming Orchid

Whether she’s glamming it up for an evening out or going lowkey by the beach, Sheree Frede, aka @shesheshow, knows how to live a life that’s stylish, carefree and full of joy. So naturally we had to get her picks on where she goes to disconnect. From the perfect sunset cocktail to what she’s throwing in her carry-on, here is Sheree’s Destination Style hitlist.

Where do you go to recharge?

We have had a home on Sanibel Island for four years. This island, unlike other US southern destinations, is like a wildlife sanctuary with beautiful white sandy beaches and an abundance of tropical landscapes and wildlife. It is not unusual to see rare birds, bobcats, sea turtles, dolphins, and, of course, alligators. Visitors love to bike all around the island. We love that there are no highrises on this island.

What’s your go-to spot for a post-beach cocktail?

There are not a lot of spots but I do love Coconuts located at the Casa Ybel resort.

What’s your favorite place to stay?

Since we stay at our home, I can't offer first-hand information here but if I was planning a visit then I would definitely stay at the Casa Ybel Resort or the Sun Dial. There are so many quaint beachside motels that are so "Old Florida" that I think are charming as well.

Where do you go to shop like a local?

Perriwinkle Place is the best for shoppers. Bailey's and Jerry's are the only two grocery stores but they are both fun to visit. Bailey's is owned by a founding family that goes way back.

Where’s your sunset dinner reservation?

The Thistle Lodge is so good and it’s a beautiful setting located at the Casa Ybel Resort. We also love Mad Hatter and Cielo. There are so many more options.

What Ala von Auersperg outfit is a must-have for your vacation and why?

I have several beautiful pieces from the Ala Von Auersperg collections. I especially love my latest look from the Antigua Collection and the Queen Palm print is definitely another favorite.

Get the Look - Sheree Frede is wearing the Annie Cotton Blouse in Green Island and the Crawford Cotton Skirt in Pradise and Green Island

Celebrating, decorating and exploring is how blogger Grace Hamlin defines her passions, and nowhere more so than in Boca Raton, where she escapes with her family to catch some sun and disconnect. Here, Grace shares her favorite stops on this South Florida stretch, including the shops, the restaurants and thee cocktails that have her “humming.”

What do you love about Boca Grande?

Even though it's just a hop, skip and a jump down south for us, once I cross that bridge I feel like I'm a world away and can truly unplug - even if I'm visiting for work.

What’s your go-to spot for a post-beach cocktail?

By the beach, it's hard to pick between the Gasparita and the Boca Punch. But if you're looking for post-beach libations, hit up BZ's for your favorite cocktail done right, which for me is a dirty martini with blue cheese stuffed olives and Tito's vodka. Or save yourself for a Hummer at Pink Elephant!

What’s your favorite place to stay?

The Gasparilla Inn and Club is a Florida icon. The easy elegance is unmatched. Whether staying at the Inn or in a cottage, we have a blast tootling around the island in golf carts looking at the beautiful homes and finding the perfect stretch of beach to get our toes in the sand.

Where do you go to shop like a local?

The gift shop at Gasparilla Inn is tiny but so thoughtfully curated. As is their Spa and Tennis shop! And throughout the season they bring in beautiful artists and designers for trunk shows.

Where are you making a reservation for sunset dinner?

We love to spend all day at the Beach Club and once we've said "goodbye to the sun," a vacation tradition we have with our girls where we wave at the shore, we love to get dressed up for dinner at The Inn. The attention to detail and preparation of everything from the freshest fish to local Florida veggies, is a treat. This was our daily dinner ritual on our most recent visit as a family to celebrate my younger sister's 30th birthday and by the end of the day we were sun kissed and well fed. Next time I'd love to rent a boat and try a sunset cruise!

What Ala Von Auersperg outfit is a must have for your vacation and why?

I love the Rachel Mesh Poncho in Paradise because I can pair it with the Catarina Stretch Knit Tank Top and Elaine Stretch Knit Pants for dinner at the Inn, and then throw it over my bathing suit for our days by the Gulf!

Get the Look - Grace Hamlin is wearing the Rachel Mesh Poncho in Paradise over the Caterina Stretch Knit Tank Top and Elaine Stretch Knit Pants in Paradise. 

As a super stylish blogger and influencer in the lifestyle space, Isabella Thorp (aka ConfessionsofaSuperAger) is in-the-know on the best spots to relax, reconnect and enjoy the sand-in-the-toes moment that only comes with being somewhere sunny. In her case, that’s the US Virgin Islands. Here Isabella shares her favorite sunset spots, must-stay hotels and all the local haunts that come with celebrating life on the islands.

What do you love about the US Virgin Islands ?  

They remind me of my home in the Philippines. The beaches there, especially Trunk Bay in St. Johns, is the closest to our pristine beaches in the Philippines.

What’s your go-to spot for a post-beach cocktail?

Soggy Dollar in the British Virgin Islands. It’s a 30 minute boat ride from St. Thomas.

What’s your favorite place to stay?

The Ritz Carlton

Where do you go to shop like a local?

Local shops on Red Hook in St. Thomas or Mongoose Junction in St. John's

Where are you making a reservation for sunset dinner?

Mirador by Chef Benny

What Ala Von Auersperg outfit is a must have for your vacation and why?  

The Camille dress simply because its stunning.

Get the Look - Isabella Thorp is wearing the Izzy Cotton Tunic in Paradise with the Trish Mesh Skirt in Paradise.

As a blogger whose passion for style, fashion, decorating, cooking, and interior design permeates everything she does, Tiffany Blackmon is proof that life in your 50’s and beyond is truly fabulous. When she’s not blogging or recording podcasts for her site My So-Called Fabulous, you’ll find Tiffany under a palm tree in Mexico sipping her signature drink. For more of Tiffany’s travel intel, check out her picks in our latest AvA Destination Style.  

Do you have a favorite getaway destination? Where and Why?

My husband and I began traveling to Cabo and instantly fell in love with Las Ventanas in Cabo. We were married overlooking the beautiful Sea of Cortez in 2011 and we’re celebrating our 10 year anniversary this year! The culture, the people, the staff, the beauty, the food are simply fabulous. We purchased a villa there in 2020.

What color sums up your island mood?

The color of the ocean, so many shades of blue.

Pina Colada, Margarita, Rose? Do you have a favorite getaway beverage?  

If I had to select I would say a “skinny” margarita with no sugar but I would have to add to this list, crisp cold champagne and/or my signature cocktail The Puppy - fresh grapefruit and vodka, served up.

Where does the AvA print you’re wearing transport you?  

Every single piece of wearable art transports me to a magical place. The Rachel mesh poncho in birds of paradise transports me to a beautiful tropical garden with lush foliage prepared for a small cocktail party with friends and family. 

Get the Look - Tiffany Blackmon is wearing the Rachel Poncho in Birds of Paradise (Top Left Image), the Georgia Poncho in Nonsuch (Top Right Image), and the Artemisia Poncho in Queen Palm over the Lavinia Short Dress in Queen Palm (Bottom Right Image)

As the founder of luxe jewelry brand Hazen & Co., Taylor Turner knows a thing or two about style. The Houston native’s lineage of taste and design stems from her grandmother, who inspired Taylor’s love of jewelry with her fabulous vintage pieces. So when it comes to travel and destination planning, we had to get the details into Taylor’s favorite spots and what she’s toting along with her.

Do you have a favorite getaway destination?

Any beach is a welcome retreat! My first trip as a little one was to the beach, and to this day, the beach is the place I can relax the most. Something about the beautiful colors that make up the tropical terrain always inspire.

Where was the last place that you visited that you were inspired by?

My husband and I recently took a trip to Mayakoba in Mexico. Not only is the gulf and its beaches beautiful in that part of the world, but the canals that cut through the property give the resort a uniqueness unlike any other I know. Large tropical plants and branches create idyllic bike paths that quickly transport you to a foreign land.

Where does the AvA print that you are wearing transport you?

This beautiful AvA print transports me somewhere green and sunny! I’ve never been to Palm Springs but when I go, I most certainly plan to wear this!

Pina Colada, Margarita or Rose? Do you have a “getaway” beverage?

There’s nothing better than a fresh margarita on the beach!

What is the one item that you always pack?

A big sun hat is always in tow!

Get the Look - Taylor Turner is wearing the Camille Dress in Bougainvillea

Georgia native-turned-New Yorker Lindsey Coral Harper has made a career out of infusing personal style with a strong dose of wanderlust. The interior designer cites travel as a central influence in her personal aesthetic, which fuses the traditional with bold, textural accents and color. So naturally, we had to discover her destination favorites. From carry-on essentials to the cocktail she’s sipping upon arrival, check out Lindsey’s Destination Style.

What’s your favorite getaway destination?

Harbour Island, Sea Island, Palmetto Bluff....you can see it's very cold in the Northeast right now. I am dreaming of warm destinations. I like any place warm, with character, charm and cocktails!

Where was the last place that you visited that you were inspired by?

Savannah, Georgia. I was there with some of my best girlfriends the last weekend in February 2020, right before we were all quarantined. Thank goodness for that trip.

Where does the AvA print that you are wearing transport you? 

Charleston. It makes me want to go to a beautiful outdoor garden party and sip mint juleps!

Pina Colada, Margarita or Rose?   Do you have a “getaway” beverage?

Yes please! Pina Coladas poolside in Sea Island. Margaritas for Miami and Tulum. Rum Dum's if I'm in the Bahamas. Dark and Stormies are great for a sunset sail in the Northeast. Rose is pretty perfect all summer long, anywhere!

What color sums up your island mood?

Sunset Coral

Favorite island scent?

Jasmine

What items do you always pack?  

The travel size perfume set from Hermes, it's perfect to throw in your carry-on! I'm sort of obsessed with Laniege lip sleeping mask in grapefruit - perfect to slather on your lips after being out in the sun! And I always pack a slip! It’s very old school, but it always comes in handy when you want to throw on a pretty dress for dinner, ask my friends!! I always have one with me. Plus a book - I love to read, it relaxes me.

Get the Look - Lindsey Coral Harper is wearing the Kathe Dress in Gardenia

As an esteemed design consultant, Marisa Marcantonio is always at the forefront of emerging trends, new talent and the most up-to-date furnishings. So for this former editor and founder of design blog Stylebeat, travel is an opportunity for visual inspiration and to get a sense of how other cultures and regions reflect their aesthetic. Here, Marisa shares her Destination Style, from architecture to colorful tiles to the AvA looks that evoke her sense of wanderlust.

What’s your favorite getaway destination?

Bermuda! I haven’t been in a long time, but I adore the white sand beaches with rock formations, pale blue water and British influenced architecture. It has an old world feel and a genteel charm.

Where was the last place that you visited that you were inspired by?

I grew up going to Palm Beach and every time I am there I enjoy the beautiful lush tropical landscape along with the building styles. Addison Mizner’s Mediterranean influenced homes in the Spanish Colonial Revival Style are enchanting.

Which destinations are on your travel bucket list? 

Palma, Mallorca. The Cappuccino Grand Hotel designed by Jacques Grange would be my hotel of choice, with its eclectic mix of design styles, chic lattice adorned bar, colorful tiled floors and unique custom touches. A beach day to explore the coves and coastline of this magical island would be the best way to spend time.

Where does the AvA print that you are wearing transport you?  

Anywhere warm and sunny!

What is your Go-To destination?

Los Angeles is a go-to for me. There is always a new restaurant to visit, the best sushi and incredible art museums and galleries to discover. I cannot wait to explore the new LACMA.

Get the Look - Marisa Marcantonio is wearing the Kate Blouse in Bougainvillea