Ever wonder how our editors travel? In Vogue Vacations, you can take a peek at our itineraries, out-of-office style, and trip highlights to see what we wore and we where we went—and maybe bookmark some inspiration for a getaway of your own.
A save-the-date for the wedding of two friends on the outskirts of Dublin gave us exactly what we’d been waiting for: a perfectly legitimate excuse to take a week off from work and finally plan the European getaway my fiancé and I had been talking about for ages. We tossed around plenty of ideas for where to spend the week, but ultimately landed on Spain (an easy flight from Ireland), with an itinerary of three days in Mallorca followed by two days in Madrid.
Mallorca and Madrid were the perfect yin and yang, striking just the right balance for our vacation. Mallorca cultivated a relaxed atmosphere, surrounded by stunning mountain landscapes and sweeping sea views that encouraged us to slow down and truly unwind. On the other hand, Madrid brought the energy back up, inviting us to spend our days immersed in the city’s lively streets and endless activity. The one constant between the two? The astonishing number of olives I managed to eat.
Ahead, here’s everything I packed, shopped, and ate (besides olives) during a five-day trip to Spain.
The Packing List: There’s nothing like a heatwave hitting Spain during our trip to make packing a challenge—think, sweltering 100-degree days with a UV index of 10. Besides including plenty of sunscreen, my strategy was simple: lightweight pieces that could handle the blazing heat.
I lived in airy dresses, like this vibrant Sézane x Inoui Editions piece, easy tops (this Tory Burch cotton tank is one of my favorites!), and breezy bottoms—Uniqlo’s linen shorts were an absolute lifesaver. When your outfit is built around basics, it’s always fun to let the accessories shine. I personally love a statement necklace to pull everything together.
With so much time spent by the water, swimwear was also top of mind when packing. This Staud tankini ended up being my most-worn suit of the trip. And once my pink shoulders had enough sun, a crisp white button-down became the perfect cover-up for a little extra protection. (Mine is actually borrowed from my grandpa’s closet, but I’m eyeing one from The Frankie Shop too.)
The Hotels: The Jumeirah hotel in Mallorca was our first stop—and it made the most epic first impression. Stretching across one kilometer on a cliff top in Port de Sóller, it offered the most breathtaking views of the Mediterranean’s bluest waters and the charming town nestled into the surrounding mountains. Those sprawling views continued into our room, which featured a spacious balcony that quickly became our favorite spot for mid-day siestas. The rest of the property was truly designed for guests to recharge and relax in style, from the sparkling infinity pool to the top-notch spa.The on-site restaurants are also not to be missed—including Cap Roig, where the salt-baked sea bass is dramatically cracked open tableside, and the Sunset Lounge, whose basil margaritas were every bit as memorable as the sushi and wagyu dinner courses.
After our three days in Mallorca, we settled into the Brach Hotel in Madrid. Standing tall on Gran Vía right in the heart of the city, the location made it easy to come and go during our daily adventures. The hotel itself is a work of art, blending materials like marble, terracotta, and tile. Each room felt like an I Spy book, with walls lined with intricate pottery, vintage photographs, books, a full flamenco set of musical instruments, and so many other unique details—such a special space to unwind in after long days exploring the city. And when the summer heat became a little too much, the 24-hour pool was perfect for a late-night dip.
The Memorable Meals: On our last night in Mallorca, we had dinner at Miró, the restaurant at the Belmond hotel. It’s definitely a place you’ll want to reserve well in advance, but it’s worth the wait: The sunset views were even more delicious than the entrées—which is saying something. We started with the pink tomatoes and cottage cheese and ended with an incredible handmade pasta.
Upon touchdown in Madrid, we wasted no time making our way to Barrutia y el 9, a lunch spot recommended to me by our Fashion Market Director Maddy Fass. The neighborhood favorite was packed with locals lingering over a long Thursday lunch, glass of wine in hand—exactly my kind of place. We wrapped up the trip with a 9 p.m. reservation at HER in the Salamanca neighborhood. The beet hummus and short rib tacos were standouts… so much so that we couldn’t help wondering why the restaurant wasn’t packed. Then 10:30 p.m. rolled around, and the place was absolutely buzzing. Consider it a reminder that the Spanish dining schedule is no match for anyone with an early bedtime.
The Itinerary MVPs: Can a mode of transportation be considered an activity? For us, taking joy rides on our rented Vespa was one of the highlights of the entire trip. I felt very Lizzie McGuire riding on the back of the scooter as my fiancé zipped us through the most gorgeous winding streets. Fun, yes—but also very practical. The towns around Sóller are spread out, and exploring by Vespa made getting around part of the adventure. We visited Deià and Fornalutx, and I’ll never forget the feeling of the wind in my hair (metaphorically speaking; we were of course wearing helmets) as I took in the dramatic cliffside views each town had to offer.
While in Deià, we rode the Vespa down to Cala Deià. The walk there can be a pretty lengthy hike if done on foot, but the trail leads you to a small, secluded swimming cove where visitors sunbathe on the rocks and swim in the sparkling sea. Even the highlight reel has its twists: I did get stung by a jellyfish here, but it was nowhere near as traumatic as my childhood fears had led me to believe. A quick vinegar rinse helped clear up the sting, and I was back in the water soon after.
In Madrid, many of the most memorable activities were food-adjacent. We visited several markets, including Mercado de la Paz and Mercado de San Miguel. Each offered a completely different experience: Mercado de la Paz felt authentic and local, with residents grocery shopping and gathering with friends for a mid-afternoon snack, while Mercado de San Miguel showcased Madrid’s tapas culture—a place to take in the energy of the city, with visitors from around the world laughing, chatting, and sharing food together.
The Shopping Stops: The main street in the town of Deià, Mallorca, is lined with charming shops, restaurants, and art studios. I was most excited to visit Caserra 71, a lifestyle concept store filled with fun, creative summertime pieces and accessories. A couple honorable mentions were located just a few steps away, including Datura Studio Isla, a sustainable label featuring colorful basics, and De Haan Gallery Studio, spotlighting beautiful artisan pottery.
Between all the eating and aperitivo-ing in Madrid, we left little time for shopping. Still, while strolling through Barrio de Salamanca, we couldn’t resist popping into the Loewe flagship—a label that felt especially fitting to experience in its hometown.
The Travel Bag: With a tux and wedding guest dresses in tow from Dublin, we opted to check our bags—a rare move, as I usually stick to a carry-on for Europe. I love my Béis roller. It’s surprisingly lightweight, incredibly roomy, and makes packing so much easier.
I also recently picked up this Loeffler Randall travel tote. It has so many interior pockets—a nice touch for keeping smaller travel essentials (passport, earphones, beauty products) organized—and it zips shut even with a travel pillow and sweatshirt stuffed inside.
