Nostalgic Travel Is the Hottest New Way to Vacation (Yes, Even If You're a Grown-Up)

We used to travel to escape. Now, more and more of us are traveling to remember. Call it the comfort trip. The "back-then getaway." Or just a really good excuse to revisit your favorite childhood feels, only this time, with better cocktails, upgraded beds, and no parental supervision. Welcome to nostalgic travel, one of the year's most emotionally charged vacation trends.

It's not about going back in time; it's about going back to your time. To the waterparks that defined your summers, the storybook escapes you imagined from your bedroom floor, or the quirky cult TV towns that lived rent-free in your teen brain. 

Here are four destinations serving major nostalgia, reimagined for your adult self, with just the right mix of memory and modern magic.

For Recreating Waterpark Days - Sandos Caracol Eco Resort

Sprawled within the lush jungle of the Riviera Maya, Sandos Caracol Eco Resort is the ultimate throwback to childhood waterpark bliss. The resort's massive 29-slide water park (one of the largest in the region) stirs up carefree nostalgia with splash zones, twisting slides, and waterfall fun for all ages.

However, the magic doesn't stop at the slides. Guests can snorkel in crystal-clear cenotes, encounter native wildlife like spider monkeys and coatis, and catch vibrant cultural performances. Plus, it's all wrapped into one eco-friendly, all-inclusive price that satisfies both your inner child and your adult budget.

For Recreating the Great American Road Trip - The Meritage Resort and Spa

Pack the car, roll the windows down, and cue the road trip playlist. The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley channels the golden age of family vacations, only this time, it's luxe.

Think of it as a grown-up version of those summer road trips to wine country with Mom and Dad, where instead of fast food stops and motel pools, you're indulging in farm-to-table dining, wine tastings, and cabana-side lounging. With its backyard vineyard, nostalgic lawn games, retro-inspired bowling alley, and scenic hillside views, The Meritage Resort and Spa offers the charm of a classic California escape with all the adult perks you never knew you needed back then.

“California wine country is basically one giant autocross course, only with better scenery, slower cruising, and the kind of rewards you can sip and savor.”— Olivia Richmond,Guessing Headlights.

For Recreating Storybook Summers - Villa Bokéh - Antigua, Guatemala

Remember the childhood joy of curling up beneath a tree, nose buried in a book, imagining faraway places filled with magic, mystery, and adventure? At Villa Bokéh - a 15-room luxury retreat set on the edge of Antigua, Guatemala - that feeling comes rushing back. With its own private lagoon and complimentary canoe rides aptly named 'The Notebook Experience', the hotel invites guests to paddle past willows and wildflowers at their own pace, like a scene pulled straight from a vintage storybook.

Surrounding it all is a pristine six-acre garden dotted with reading benches and hidden nooks perfect for quiet reflection, plus a charming picnic basket amenity service that brings lunch straight to the lawn. It's a grown-up version of the summers you once loved, and the books you imagined yourself living in.

For Recreating Your Twin Peaks Obsession - Bellevue, Washington

If you ever found yourself captivated by cherry pie, damn fine coffee, and the eerie mystery of Twin Peaks, now's your chance to step into the show's surreal Pacific Northwest world. While the iconic series was filmed in nearby Snoqualmie and North Bend, savvy travelers base themselves in Bellevue, just outside of Seattle, and it is the perfect 'basecamp' to explore the entire area where the iconic show was filmed.

Spend the day tracing the show's most iconic locations, from the real-life Double R Diner (aka Twede's Café) to Snoqualmie Falls, which famously appeared in the opening credits. For those serious about making the pilgrimage, Visit Bellevue has compiled a complete Twin Peaks guide here - including exact filming sites, fun facts, and tips.