For the first edition of our Postcards from Summer series, we’re featuring Victoria Yore of Follow Me Away Travel (followmeaway.com) one of the travel industry’s leading influencers and a trusted source for luxury travel inspiration.
When it comes to summer escapes, there's one destination Victoria returns to time and time again: Florida. Read on to learn about her favorite Florida beach towns, local gems, and the Helen Jon swimwear she'll be reaching for all season long.
1. What do you love most about spending your summer in this location?
Florida is one of my favorite luxury summer destinations because it offers an incredible combination of beautiful beaches, world-class resorts, and endless opportunities to get out on the water! While many travelers visit during the winter months, summer feels like an insider's season. The beaches are quieter, luxury resorts often have greater availability, and you can enjoy many of Florida's most exclusive destinations at a much better value.
Whether I am spending the day by an oceanfront pool, relaxing at a luxury spa, or heading out for a sunset cruise, Florida always feels like the perfect place to embrace a slower pace and spend as much time outdoors as possible.
My one recommendation is to purchase travel insurance and keep an eye on the forecast, as summer falls during hurricane season. With a little flexibility, it is one of the best times of year to experience this state!
2. Share your favorite destinations, hidden gems, and local experiences in Florida.
Florida has so many incredible destinations, but these are the ones I return to again and again!
Naples & Marco Island:
This area is one of my favorite luxury escapes in Florida. I love starting the morning with coffee overlooking the Gulf before spending the day relaxing on the beach or by the pool at one of the area's beautiful beachfront resorts. A luxury resort I LOVE in this area is the JW Marriott Marco Island; it even has an adults-only section! Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park offers one of my favorite stretches of sand, while Marco Island is perfect for long beach walks, boating, and spectacular sunsets. If you are looking for a beautiful experience off the beach, make sure to check out the Naples Botanical Garden, which is huge and gorgeous. This is refined Florida elegance at its best.
The Palm Beaches:
The Palm Beaches perfectly blend luxury with coastal adventure. Whether I am staying at an iconic oceanfront resort, enjoying waterfront dining, or spending the afternoon at Peanut Island, there is always something elegant yet relaxed about this destination. If you plan to visit Peanut Island for a beach day (one of my favorite hidden gems in Florida), make sure to go around high tide for the bluest and prettiest water. Some of my favorite luxury resorts are the White Elephant, The Four Seasons Palm Beach, and Eau Palm Beach, making The Palm Beaches one of my favorite places to enjoy both exceptional resort amenities and time on the water.
The Florida Keys:
Easily one of my all-time favorite places to visit in the summer! With the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. running the length of the Keys, summer is prime time for snorkeling, sandbar hopping, and boat days in glassy, warm water, all at off-season rates most people don't realize exist. There are so many great luxury hotels in the Florida Keys, and many are at capacity during the winter, so summer is the perfect time for a visit! Due to the coral reef, there aren't that many good beaches in the Florida Keys, but you can enjoy boating out on the water and then a wonderful evening with a fine dining seafood dinner!
30A:
If you want to feel like you are in Europe, without ever leaving the state, you are going to love 30A! 30A has a completely different feel from the rest of Florida, and the charming beach communities, boutique hotels, upscale vacation homes, and white-sand beaches create an effortless coastal luxury experience. I love spending mornings biking between the beach towns, shopping the local boutiques, and ending the day with dinner overlooking the Gulf. I am obsessed with the laid-back luxury energy mixed with genuinely elevated dining and the sugar-white sand and turquoise Gulf water!
3. What are your must-pack summer essentials? Any favorite Helen Jon pieces you'll be bringing along?
Sunscreen and the right swimsuits are my summer non-negotiables! In Florida's summer heat, the water is your best friend, so I want pieces that feel as luxe as they are functional.
- My Tortoise Ring String Bikini in White Textured Metallic is a go-to! It's elevated enough to wear resort-to-lunch, and the white keeps me feeling cool even on the hottest days.
- For any day on the water, I reach for my Over The Shoulder String Bikini in Navy and Ivory. The shoulder straps, instead of a neck tie, make it genuinely the most functional suit I own without sacrificing style — perfect for snorkeling and boat days!
- And my most-worn piece overall is the Black Laser Cut Bikini ; it's the most luxe, statement-making suit in my rotation, and somehow looks incredible on everyone!
Florida is a destination where you'll spend most of your time outdoors, so packing beautiful swimwear, good sun protection, and a sense of adventure is all you really need for an unforgettable summer getaway!
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Whether you're planning a luxury resort escape, a beach-filled weekend, or a spontaneous summer adventure, Florida proves there is no shortage of beautiful places to explore. Thank you, Victoria, for inspiring our next summer escape.
Follow along with our Postcards from Summer series as we continue sharing summer inspiration from our favorite creators and tastemakers. Be sure to follow @followmeawaytravel for more travel inspiration, and tag @helenjon if you're soaking up the Florida sunshine in your favorite Helen Jon pieces.