“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commissions or revenue from some articles through these links.”

You certainly don’t have to travel far to gather design inspiration, but pros appreciate visiting a new part of the country or world when possible. Here, designers reveal their 12 all-time favorite travel destinations—from the East Coast to the Middle East—where you’ll find sophisticated interiors and architectural elements everywhere.

Cartagena, Colombia

“Cartagena has vibrant colonial architecture, colorful facades and ornate gates that provide a rich and inspiring backdrop. The city’s historic walled old town and lush, tropical surroundings provide a picturesque and culturally rich environment for design exploration.” —Dawn Heuer

Palm Beach, Florida

“From a design perspective, Palm Beach is one of my favorite destinations. The historic architecture of the likes of Addison Mizner, Maurice Fatio and John Volk, coupled with exceptional hotels and house museums (The Breakers, Whitehall) make it a true paradise for design lovers. Add to that the incredible antique and vintage shopping in South Dixie and the burgeoning design scene (hello, Hive and Casa Branca, etc.!) – Palm Beach has it all.” —Ariel Okin

Istanbul, Türkiye

“I love Istanbul and stayed at the Park Hyatt Istanbul in 2012. I still think back to that trip because it is such a beautiful place. The architecture in Istanbul is interesting because it reflects the different empires that ruled here, including Roman, Egyptian, Byzantine and Ottoman. I fell in love with the domes, arcades and the size of the buildings – and of course the colors.” —Beth-Diana Smith

“I lived in Europe for 10 years before starting my design business. My absolute favorite destination for inspiration is definitely Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul represents the fusion of old and new, modern and traditional to me and has impressed me so much that I am constantly inspired by it in how I create my designs. Turkey is home to some of the oldest textile manufacturers in the world and their bold, colorful patterns and beautiful fabrics are just so rich and luxurious. They have evolved their traditional textile making in a way that keeps it contemporary in today’s world, but when you travel there you can really feel what it was like to shop in the markets hundreds of years ago.” — McCall Dulkys

Mexico City, Mexico

“Mexico City is an inspiring and creative cultural experience for travel and design lovers alike. As you walk the streets of Condesa and Roma Norte, you’ll not only come across incredible restaurants, boutique hotels, galleries and shops, but you’ll also be able to enjoy some of the best food in the world—from endless al pastor tacos to impeccable Mexican fine dining at Pujol. The city’s neighborhoods vacillate between traditional Mexican homes, Art Deco buildings and European-inspired architecture, making you feel like you’re in a new place around every corner. Visit Casa Luis Barragan for a unique experience to see the legendary architect’s work, or Casa Azul to be inspired by the revered Frida Kahlo and the colorful home of Diego Rivera. CDMX is also full of flea markets, artisan boutiques and antique shops full of vintage Mexican pottery, furniture, ceramics and embroidered textiles—a goldmine for lovers of traditional design.” –Stephanie Perez O’Boyle

New York, New York

“When I need inspiration, I love coming to New York City, even if it’s just for a day or two. The world is truly your oyster and the energetic atmosphere is infectious. From food to fashion to interior design, museums, culture and amazing green spaces, New York has something for everyone. The architecture is inspiring, but the numerous parks also have space for everyone. Of particular note are two outdoor spaces that have been carefully designed for the joyful use of visitors and residents of Manhattan. Little Island at Pier 54 in Chelsea is a “small” world of manicured green spaces to explore and offers beautiful views of downtown all the way to the World Trade Center. The High Line, a converted elevated railway line that runs from Gansevoort Street in Meatpacking north to 34th Street, is also a great way to enjoy the views and immerse yourself in the city. Along the way there are numerous spectacular buildings, including creations by celebrities such as the late Zaha Hadid, Renzo Piano, Bjarke Ingels, Neil Denari, Annabelle Selldorf and Shigeru Ban.” —Laura Hur

“For glamorous spaces, there is no better inspiration than New York City. With its distinctive Art Deco style, Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel is the ultimate design destination that is both atmospheric and glamorous and feels quintessentially New York. Details like the gold leaf-adorned ceiling, chocolate brown leather banquettes and small lamps with shades on each glass table create a cozy but rich atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the regular live music. Perhaps the most iconic design detail is the mural of the bar’s namesake, Ludwig Bemelmans, author and illustrator of MadelineThe mural entitled Central Parkis his only remaining work that is made available to the public.” —Jennifer McKissick

Tel-Aviv, Israel

“Israel is one of the most inspiring countries from a design perspective. Full of history, culture, great food and design, every facet of the country is imbued with beauty. One of my favorite places to find inspiration is walking the streets of Old Jaffa in Tel Aviv. The doors of houses feature some of the most intricate painted patterns, hardware and carvings. Antique shops are open daily, but on Fridays there is a huge flea market selling everything from antique lighting to hardware and also plenty of Middle Eastern furniture. The Jaffa Hotel and Setai Hotel Tel Aviv in Jaffa are beautiful and original Bronze Age buildings. The Jaffa Hotel has high barrel-vaulted ceilings and is dotted with pale pinks and blues, while the Setai, which was formerly a prison, is more traditional with earthy stone tones and walls and ceilings made of Jerusalem stone. The pool at Setai overlooks the Mediterranean Sea and offers one of the most beautiful sunsets in Tel Aviv.” —Brittany Marom

Palm Springs, California

“From the incredible vintage shopping to the chic hotels and midcentury architecture, Palm Springs is a city I can’t get enough of. Want a dirty martini?” —Hallie Henley Sims

Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes, France

“Everything about it is perfect. The grounds and interiors are classic and beautiful. The hotel offers fantastic service and is perfectly located for day trips to Cannes, Nice and St. Tropez. There are also clay tennis courts and a Dior spa. It doesn’t get much better than this.” —Mark D. Sikes

Essaouira, Morocco

“Everyone (at least every designer!) knows that Morocco is one of the most inspiring places to visit, but the coastal town of Essaouira is a destination worth a detour from the more usual stops in Fez and Marrakech. It’s only about a three-hour drive west of Marrakech, so it’s very accessible and worth the trip. The souks of Morocco offer beautiful handcrafted textiles, rugs, ceramics, leather goods, and metal lanterns that will tempt you to bring an extra bag for all the things you’re taking home. Essaouira has a beautiful coastline and is a destination for wind sports due to the constant breeze from the water. This setting is stunning in itself, but many of the traditional homes have colorful walls and courtyards with skylights that let light in everywhere. Rooftop terraces offer stunning views of the sea and are the perfect place to rest after a shopping spree through the souks.” —Laura Hur

Corsica, France

“The coast of Corsica is dotted with these beautiful villages, and each one seems to have its own unique aesthetic. In Bonifacio, at the southernmost end of Corsica, thousand-year-old buildings are built into limestone cliffs. It’s so beautiful that you almost wouldn’t believe it’s real unless you saw it in person. I plan to replicate this dreamy peach-pink texture with whitewashed walls in an upscale restaurant we’re currently designing.” —Nicole Alexander

Lake Garda, Italy

“Lake Garda is the bigger and rougher sister of Lake Como, but there are plenty of glamorous and inspiring towns and villas here too. Villa Feltrinelli is the perfect old-school Italian luxury villa, with understated signage and no flashy logos. Churchill stayed here and DH Lawrence wrote about it, and it’s easy to see why. It feels like you’ve just stepped into the summer home of your most fabulous and rich friend, and it’s filled with opulent design inspiration from top to bottom. Sitting right on the water, it feels like the center of the world. I’ve been thinking about the peach-painted exterior ever since I visited! While you’re there, take a boat to tour Isola del Garda, a dramatic and impressive villa on its own island in the middle of the lake, or stroll through the medieval town of Sirmione and collect as many lemon accessories as you can.” —Shannon Claire Smith

London, England

“London is magical, especially in September. I find it so culturally and architecturally similar to Boston, where we now have a second design office location. I’m inspired by all the London city gardens, the old walkable cow pastures of yesteryear and the mix of stone and brick everywhere – old and new. My favorite neighborhood is Mayfair. The color palette feels like it’s been taken directly from Mother Nature herself. I particularly like staying at The Twenty Two in Grosvenor Square. It’s a members-only club, very chic, very fun. It’s beautifully decorated, from the restaurant to the rooms, rich in jewel tones throughout, lots of great patterns – no surface is left out.” —Georgia Zikas

Follow House beautiful To Instagram And TikTok.

You might also like