Vacay Fragrance Edit: Our Top Fragrance Recommendations For Your Next Holiday
Headphones? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Perfume that matches your destination? Wait. As you get ready to jet off on your long-awaited holiday, don’t forget the most important detail – no, it isn’t your Pinterest-worthy outfits or your backup tubes of sunscreen, you need to choose the right fragrance! Certain scents take you back to a very specific moment in time, which is why the perfumes we wear when we travel become the ultimate souvenir that lasts a lifetime. Whether you’re heading to the white sandy beaches of Jeju Island or trekking your way through the Andes in Ecuador, we have the perfect fragrance for you.
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Destination: Istanbul, Turkey
Straddling the East & West, Istanbul embodies the perfect balance of old-world charm & thrilling gourmet experiences. The city has appeal for those seeking to make the most of old city life, a charming combination of Byzantine era monuments and night cruises along the Bosphorus strait.
Our picks:
If you’re looking for a warm and spicy fragrance reminiscent of Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, then Montblanc Emblem Eau De Toilette is the perfect pick for you. Featuring top notes of grapefruit and cardamom, a heart of violet leaf and cinnamon that’ll remind you of evenings spent sipping fresh Turkish tea, and hits of tonka bean and woody notes that tie this strong and charismatic ozonic scent together.
And if you’re heading to the traditional Turkish hammams (bathhouses) for a steam bath, a floral, musky fragrance like the Narciso Rodriguez All of Me Eau De Parfum is a perfect mix of rose and magnolia with a heart of delicious bourbon and geranium along with a base of musk and sandalwood. It’s a sweet pick whether you’re snacking on some baklava while exploring the city or heading for a fabulous Michelin star dinner.
Destination: Jeju Island, Korea
A peaceful getaway from the buzz of city life, Jeju Island also known as ‘Korea’s Hawaii’ is the perfect serene holiday destination. With a stunning volcanic landscape, winding coastal trails and golden beaches, the Island is a dream to visit for K drama fans and seafood lovers.
Our picks:
Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue Summer Vibes Pour Homme Eau De Toilette should be your pick for this destination. This aromatic citrusy fragrance has top notes of tart Sicilian lemon with a heart of cypress and a base of warm Amberwood, your perfect companion while making a wish on an ancient stone statue.
For an offbeat summery pick, take the Palazzo Nobile Fizzy Mint Summer Edition by Valmont with you, a fresh and spicy fragrance, it has a mix of bergamot and peppermint with a base of verbena flower, that is often described as a cross between a sparkling lemon and a lush green herb garden.
Destination: Ecuador, South America
Offering some of the most incredible outdoor experiences on earth, Ecuador is home to the high Andes Mountain range and one of the most diverse areas of the world. From coastal sites to local cuisine to the Amazon Rainforest, and spotting humpback whales on its islands, Ecuador has it all.
Our picks:
A spicy and woody aromatic fragrance, Calvin Klein Eternity Eau De Parfum is a unique blend of fabulous notes. Top notes of apple and sage make way for a unique heart of geranium, nutmeg and lavandin, tying the scent together with a base of vetiver along with orris, the root of the iris flower, cypriol oil and a hint of suede, making it the perfect compliment getter.
Sisley’s Soir De Lune Eau De Parfum is an elegant and discreet mossy scent that comes in a keepsake bottle, a perfect souvenir for your travels to Ecuador. With top notes of chili pepper, coriander, lemon and nutmeg the scent moves on to a floral heart with notes of iris, jasmine, and a light lily of the valley scent. Settling down into a musk and honey base mixed with patchouli and sandalwood, this opulent scent leaves a cream-like feeling on the wearer.
Destination: Mallorca, Spain
Playing host to names like Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor in the 1920s, this picturesque Spanish island has attracted the likes of artists and writers for over a century who visited to get a taste of bohemia. With stunning mountain ranges and impressive cathedrals, the island is known for its nightlife that ranges from authentic Spanish tavernas to fashionable drinking spots.
Our picks:
Viktor & Rolf’s Spicebomb Infrared Eau De Parfum is an intense leathery fragrance, perfect for a night out by the Mediterranean Sea. Top notes of pink pepper and hints of cinnamon line the scent, leading into a heart of chili and leather and a captivating woody base.
This iconic, intoxicating, peachy fragrance is a superb choice for Mallorca. An ode to its rich history, spritz on Jimmy Choo’s I Want Choo for that sense of elegance. This white floral, cool weather scent has top notes of mandarin and succulent peach, a heart of fragrant jasmine and red spider lily along with a base of classic vanilla and benzoin.
Destination: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
If you’re a fan of Dune who is looking to go off the beaten path, yet enjoy the finer things in life, you’ll love AlUla. The rocky terrains of AlUla are a favourite for luxurious five-star desert resorts and eco style boutiques with sweeping deserts and lush green oases.
Our picks:
Travelling to the Middle East calls for all things Oud, a rich woody fragrance holding significant cultural importance, adds a traditional vibe to your holiday. Gentlemen will enjoy Atkinsons’ The Other Side of Oud, a warm spicy fragrance that starts off with notes of cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom, followed by a heart of oud, coffee blossoms and fruity geranium and a base of roasted coffee beans and vanilla.
Another equally royal looking and smelling oud fragrance is Alexandre J’s Golden Oud Eau De Parfum, takes you through a timeless journey during sandy terrains, starting out with warm solar notes, leading you into a heart of white wood, vetiver and patchouli and resting into a musky oud scent.
Destination: Los Cabos, Mexico
At the southernmost tip of the Baja peninsula, Los Cabos is where the desert meets the sea. With a worldwide reputation for its myriad of cuisines and water sports, you can gorge on Mexican delicacies while enjoying laid-back nightlife and some old-fashioned fun under the sun.
Our picks:
The ideal partner while you are golfing by the sea with a stunning view of the mountains, Serge Lutens’ Ecrin De Fumee Eau De Parfum is an opulent scent with top notes of smoky cocoa, a heart of tobacco with an inviting base of golden rum.
Looking for an aromatic musky fragrance? The Tory Burch Dreams Cosmic Wood Eau De Parfum is a sublime choice, with top notes of ambrette and cardamom, a heart of sweet jasmine and sage along with a base of vetiver.
Destination: Sri Lanka
Close to home, Sri Lanka, also known as the Land of Serendipity, perfect for star crossed lovers looking for a quick getaway. From beaches to adventure sports, eight world heritage sites and the famed nine arches bridge, this isle in the sun has it all.
Our picks:
If you’re heading out for a trek into the woods or visiting a turtle farm, the Coach Green Eau De Toilette is a fresh, woody fragrance that offers a respite from the tropical heat. Top notes of kiwi and bergamot dissolve into an aromatic heart of rosemary and geranium, fading into a base of cedarwood and moss.
A floral delight, the Gucci Bloom Profumo Di Fiori Eau De Parfum feels like walking in a garden of dreams, with top notes of jasmine, sambac and Rangoon creeper, the sultry fragrance has a heart of tuberose, jasmine and sweet ylang ylang, and a multifaceted base of sandalwood, benzoin, warm solar notes, and musk.
Destination: Kimberley, Australia
Spread over Australia’s entire northwestern corner, Kimberley is one of the world’s largest wilderness frontiers. A destination with great food, luxury resorts and majestic canyons, this beach town has no shortage of places to visit.
Our picks:
While you’re out exploring waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes, don’t forget to spritz on some Versace Eros Pour Homme Eau De Parfum. This long-lasting fragrance has top notes of apple, lemon, mandarin and fresh mint, heart notes of amber, geranium and clary sage lend a sweet but gentle note while leaving the wearer with a base of cedarwood, patchouli and vetiver.
An aquatic floral, Issey Miyake’s L’eau D’issey Eau & Magnolia Eau De Toilette Intense complements Kimberley’s white sandy beaches and steep mountain ranges. The bergamot top note mixes into a heart of magnolia and water with a base of sandalwood, making this scent a cool mix of both.
Destination: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
With skyscrapers towering over French colonial buildings, Ho Chi Minh has a slice of Vietnam’s past along with the hustle of city life. Whether you’re looking for the best pho in the city or doing a quick round of night shopping at the Ben Thanh market, exploring all day means you need to smell fresh.
Our picks:
A fresh and spicy fragrance, the Dunhill Icon Racing Eau De Parfum greets you with top notes of grapefruit, cardamom and bergamot, the fruity heart of orange blossom, lavender and pepper leaves you with a classic base of musk, vetiver, and wood. This long-lasting citrusy scent is the perfect compliment getter, even when you’re on the run.
The iconic Davidoff Cool Water Woman Eau De Toilette is a go to fresh, floral, and aquatic fragrance when you’re out and about. From rooftop bars to street markets, this scent reminds you of cool ocean breeze and sea water, with fruity top notes of watermelon, pineapple and lily, a floral heart courtesy lily of the valley and a musky base.
Destination: Salzburg, Austria
Tucked away in the Austrian Alps, the birthplace of Mozart is a world heritage site. Housing fortresses and palaces along with cathedrals and wine tasting tours, this city is also the famed backdrop for the Sound of Music.
Our picks:
The chilly city is perfectly complemented by a warm and woody fragrance. M Micallef’s Secrets of Love Passion Eau De Parfum Vaporisateur Natural Spray envelops you with a cozy mélange of oud, orange and spicy cinnamon, a heart of rich caramel, cashmere, and wood along with a base of benzoin, patchouli and sandalwood.
A soft and warm floral citrus, YSL Libre Eau De Parfum gets richer and lovelier as you move from top notes of sweet lavender, bergamot and plump mandarin, a heart of jasmine and orange blossom to a base of musk, cedarwood and vanilla.