mindholiday: march edit
Affordable Mediterranean beaches that are not crowded
Hi hi! Welcome back to the the monthly Mindholiday edit, the corner of the internet where I share my newest finds and current favorites, places I’m dying to visit, and travels I’ve booked.
This month’s post is a long one and might get cut off in your email, so head here to read it in its entirety.
You guys, in February, Mindholiday surpassed the 1,000 reader mark and is now read in 46 states and 62 countries worldwide!
It blows my mind that MH has found its way to readers in Algeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia. I love you all, and I hope this newsletter continues to be your little escape — a digital vacation from the normalcy of everyday life.
I am also thrilled to announce that I officially started the worldwide Mindholiday snail mail club! I had to stop taking sign-ups for now because there was so much interest and I’m just a girl that can only handle so many logistics, but will open submissions back up in April and announce it in my chat. I can’t wait for the matched pen pals to start sending each other cute letters! I was tickled to receive sign-ups from readers in Brazil, Australia, and Germany — we are all craving analog living right now, and I hope members of the snail mail club form long distance friendships over pen and paper!
Before we dive in, I want to take a moment to reintroduce myself and the concept of Mindholiday, especially since so many of you are new here!
I’m Bella, the founder of Mindholiday, a boutique travel agency dedicated to crafting dream trips to dreamy destinations. I spend my days designing personalized trips + itineraries for my clients, booking curated stays in gorgeous hotels, uncovering incredible hidden gems around the world, and sharing them with you all on Substack. I also do a fair share of research travel! 😏
I started this newsletter because I wanted to make my itineraries and discoveries more accessible to all. Over the past year and a half of exploring and deep research, I’ve come across some truly special places and experiences — the kind you don’t always find in guidebooks. This is a space to share them, so whether you're currently planning your next adventure or simply daydreaming at your desk, you’ll always have a source of inspiration at your fingertips.
But Mindholiday isn’t just about travel, it’s about escape in all its forms.
A Mindholiday is any moment that transports you, whether it’s a luxe vacation to a faraway place, getting lost in a great book, diving into a new hobby or art project, visiting a local museum, being a tourist in your own city, or simply finding inspiration that expands your world. My hope is that this newsletter serves as a mini vacation, whether it sparks ideas for your next adventure or simply brings a little wanderlust to your day.
A lot of you have found Mindholiday this month through the post I wrote about adult hobbies. Hobbies, to me, are little vacations from reality. Hobbies allow us the opportunity to explore and get to know ourselves, without booking a flight to a far-flung land. In addition to travel content, this newsletter serves as a place for me to document those forms of self expression.
At its core, Mindholiday is about more than just travel, it’s about inspiration and personal transformation!
Now, let’s get to the good stuff!!!
Mostly As: An adventure to Japan
You’re organized, love an adventure, and appreciate a strict schedule. You basically belong in Japan! Spend a few days in Tokyo, climb Mount Fuji, and then head over to Kyoto. If you love art, head to Naoshima, Japan’s art island.
Mostly Bs: Exploring Copenhagen
Reading in cafes and walking around is your jam. Jet off to Copenhagen in search of the perfect cardamom bun, and stop by Pompette for a glass of natural wine to celebrate once you’ve found it.
Mostly Cs: Chilling in Saint Lucia
You’re going through it right now, and you clearly need a relaxing, stress free beach trip! Get your ass to Saint Lucia, stat. If you’re feeling adventurous, hike the Pitons after some well deserved time in the sun.
the most underrated beaches in the mediterranean
Everyone dreams of summering on a Mediterranean beach, but with skyrocketing prices and overwhelming crowds, it’s not always the idyllic escape we imagine. But… I have some good news! There are still plenty of stunning, under-the-radar destinations that offer all the charm of the Amalfi Coast, without the insane overtourism and TikTok influencers. If you’re chasing a tan but don’t want to trade your firstborn for a front-row lounger at a French beach club, this list is for you!
Tropea, Italy
What makes it special
Tropea is one of southern Italy’s most beautiful beach towns, but you won’t see American tourists here. This is where Italians holiday, and for good reason. Famous for its red onions, Tropea is the perfect place to soak in sun and savor delicious Calabrian cuisine.
Where to stay
Villa Paola - A former monastery converted into a 12 room hotel. Considered to be the glamorous option here, but in shoulder season (June and September), you can score a room under $500/night. Meanwhile, in Capri, you won’t find a 5 star hotel experience for that price, even in the dead of winter!!
Ksamil, Albamia
What makes it special
Some call it the Maldives of Europe. Ksamil is a coastal gem where pristine waters meet soft, sandy beaches dotted with charming little islands, creating an escape that feels almost surreal. Its blend of untouched natural beauty, vibrant local culture, and a relaxed pace of life sets it apart from the usual crowded, loud Mediterranean hotspots (looking at you, San Tropez). In essence, it’s a hidden paradise that invites you to slow down and savor each moment. And did I mention, it’s extremely affordable?
Where to stay
Airbnb is the way to go here, and you rent a gorgeous apartment for less than $150/night — this one is super cute!
Djerba, Tunisia
What makes it special
With over 300 days of sunshine a year and very little rain, Djerba is a year-round island paradise in Africa. It is described as a mix between Morocco and Greece, with whitewashed villages and bougainvillea. And the best part? There are hardly any tourists!
Where to stay
Maison Leila - Only a 10 minute car ride to the beach, this boutique property is said to have a lovely breakfast, exceptional service, and a relaxing pool. It’s less than $100 a night, year round.
Elba, Italy
What makes it special
Elba captivates with its layered history — it was the site of Napoleon’s exile. Elba is an island filled with natural beauty as far as the eye can see, with gorgeous beaches, coves, and striking landscapes. And did I mention the charming villages?
Where to stay
Villa Ottone - A five star hotel in Italy for less than $400/night in high season? Unheard of, until now. It’s a palatial escape, with its own private beach.
Malta
What makes it special
Malta isn’t actually a single island, but an archipelago. There are three inhabited islands — Malta, Gozo, and Comino. If you stick to the big island (Malta), you can rent a car and do a lovely road trip around, seeing some seriously gorgeous beaches and experiencing the local life.
Where to stay
The Phonecia Hotel - Surrounded by the most gorgeous landscaped gardens, The Phonecia is located right outside of the capital, Valetta. Rooms go for around $500/night in peak summer season.
where i’ve booked clients recently
Palm Heights on Grand Cayman for a client taking a girl’s trip with her sister. So dreamy!
Soprarno Suites in Florence for a client + her husband headed to Italy for a wedding.
Working with a new client I’m sending her and her family to Zihuatanejo, Mexico! We are still in the planning stages, but I’m dying to have them stay at Cala de Mar. Most of the rooms have private plunge pools + insane views!
where i’m off to next
Headed to Oaxaca and Puerto Escondido for the first time this month as a little 30th birthday treat! Staying at Hotel Escondido in Oaxaca and Terrestre in Puerto Escondido. Will obviously share my itineraries with you after the trip! It’s going to be a lot of eating, walking, nature, and exploring, per usual.
And then a family trip to Atlanta at the end of the month! We’re taking Quinn to the World of Coca Cola + the Georgia Aquarium. I remember being his age and overdosing on every single Coke flavor, so I am so excited for him! Excited to also walk the Beltline and visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden. I haven’t been to Atlanta in a decade so I’m excited to spend a long weekend there.
in flight entertainment
Here are my recommendations to make your next flight go quicker — here’s all of the media I consumed at home, on the tarmac, and at cruising altitude last month.
Reading
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar — follows Cyrus, an Iranian American man searching for meaning, connection, and redemption after a life shaped by grief and addiction. Through his journey, the novel explores faith, identity, and the ways we try (and fail) to save each other.
Listening
I made a ton of playlists for the trip (aka adult sleepaway camp, aka Love Summit) that I planned to Mexico for my friends:
Watching
Younger is my newest treadmill watch, and I’ve been devouring it. It’s a comedy/drama about a 40-year-old woman faking her age to reboot her career, navigating love, ambition, and secrets in the fast-paced world of New York publishing.
Wild Babies is another one I flew through! I love watching nature docuseries after gardening, and this one follows around adorable baby animals growing up in the wild.
march tunes
I made a fun little playlist for y’all! It’s best for dancing and loooong walks.
Ok, that’s it for now! See you next month.
xx,
Bella
Thanks for being a subscriber of MindHoliday! Here are other ways you can show your support:
❤️ tapping the heart below (it helps my content get discovered!)
💌 forwarding this to a friend
🤗 supporting my writing by becoming a paid subscriber for $5 a month, or $50 a year
Some of these beaches look SO magical. I've only been to Malta out of your European suggestions.
Was just in Atlanta for work and had a fantastic meal at Delbar! Have a great trip.