Whether you prefer it in a sundae, cone or cup, nothing says summer quite like a big scoop (or three) of ice cream. This year, in honor of National Ice Cream Day on July 18, Booking.com has rounded up six scrumptious getaways in delicious destinations that have inspired some of the world’s most cherished and exotic flavors. From the fjords of Alaska to the tropical shores of Tahiti, these super sweet escapes are sure to tempt the taste buds and wanderlust of even the most discerning flavor fans. A bucket list trip to any one of these luscious stays will make your next vacay feel like you’ve won the gelato-ry.
Booking.com’s National Ice Cream Day Truck, New York City, USA
To bring all of these ice cream flavors from around the world together, Booking.com is creating a bookable Ice Cream Truck to treat a few lucky travelers to a once-in-a-lifetime overnight experience in New York City.
Claiming its spot in Union Square Park in New York City just in time for National Ice Cream Day, lucky guests who score a booking will be treated to an overnight stay in a private ice cream truck with a cold confectionery packed itinerary. Sprinkled with travel happiness, the ice cream truck comes complete with a fully-stocked flavor fridge, milkshake making station and for the cherry on top, an all you can eat toppings bar. To be one of the two guests sleeping over in Booking.com’s Ice Cream Truck, visit the listing on Friday, 16 July 2021 at 10:00PM HKT for a chance to book one of the overnight stays on Saturday, 17 July 2021 or Sunday, 18 July 2021 for just $7.18 USD (approximately $54HKD), celebrating the date of the summertime sweet holiday
Alaskan Moose Tracks, Homer, Alaska
The original recipe for Moose Tracks ice cream combines generous doses of peanut butter cups and rich chocolate fudge swirled through a base of creamy vanilla ice cream. With literally millions of acres of bonafide wilderness to explore, there’s no better place to see a few moose tracks in real life than in Alaska. Overlooking Kachemak Bay in the southern part of the state, a stay at the Juneberry Lodge will make every traveler’s frontier fantasy dreams come true. With authentic log cabin charm for days and epic views out over the Alaskan fjords and impressive snow-covered peaks in the distance, every season brings fresh delights, including opportunities for whale watching or kayaking through icebergs in the bay. In addition to spotting harbor seals, sea lions and even bears in the area, there’s a good chance for a close encounter with a moose or two as they trot across the property.
Chilean Corn Crema (Helado de Maíz), Santa Cruz, Chile
A velvety blend of fresh sweet corn, eggs, cream, brown sugar and cinnamon, Helado de Maíz or simply ‘sweet corn ice cream’ is a firm favorite in various incarnations throughout Central and South America, including Chile. Although now renowned for a wider range of agricultural products, including the cultivation of some of the best wines in the world, people have been growing maize in the Santa Cruz region of central Chile for thousands of years. Nestled cozily along the slopes of the Colchagua Valley just to the east of Santa Cruz, the Clos Apalta Residence Relais & Chateaux offers uninterrupted views of the surrounding farmland and vineyards. After cycling or hiking through the fields to take in the region’s rich agricultural history firsthand, guests can take a refreshing sunset dip in the infinity pool overlooking the valley.
Italian Blood Orange Gelato, Siracusa, Sicily
This creamy traditional Italian gelato is infused with the sweet, sunny sharpness of Sicilian blood oranges. Cultivated mostly in villages near Catania, Enna and Siracusa (Syracuse), the iconic citrus variety is renowned for its robust ruby color and purported health benefits. At this rustic farm stay just to the west of Syracuse on the island’s southeast coast, guests can dine al fresco under the stars in the property’s sprawling courtyard after a day spent splashing about in the sea, exploring ancient Roman ruins or touring the fragrant citrus groves by bike.
Kenyan Coffee Crunch, Nairobi, Kenya
A rich blend of marvelous mocha goodness with crispy chocolate bits, this aromatic ice cream is a coffee lover’s dream. Just outside Kenya’s bustling capital Nairobi, some of the world’s most sought after coffee beans are cultivated in farms sprawling along the region’s rolling hills. For those who want to learn more about the entire coffee making process from planting to roasting, a guided tour to Karunguru Coffee Farm is sure to please and includes door-to-door pick-up from most of the city’s hotels. A luxurious escape in the heart of Nairobi, the Villa Rosa Kempinski makes for an elegant home base, whether exploring the sights, scents and sounds of Maasai Market or a visit to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust to learn about their conservation efforts.
Japanese Green Tea, Ureshino, Japan
At once herbal and slightly sweet with the earthy tones of matcha, this ice cream is like a frozen dose of Zen. Located on Japan’s Kyushu island, the city of Ureshino is just to the north of Nagasaki and is surrounded by fields of green tea. Also famous for its natural hot springs (onsen), a stay at a traditional inn or ryokan like Onyado Takasago is the perfect way for travelers to completely immerse themselves in the country’s relaxing rituals. After snapping some epic pics of the verdant rows of tea, guests can settle in to a traditional multi-course, gourmet Kaiseki meal followed by a relaxing dip in the property’s private hot spring.
Tahitian Vanilla Swirl, Taha’a, French Polynesia
With a fruitier flavor than its Mexican or Madagascar counterparts, the Tahitian vanilla in this iconic ice cream makes it anything but Plain Jane. Most of the highly sought after Tahitian vanilla is actually cultivated on the idyllic island of Taha’a, a tropical paradise to the northwest of Tahiti and just a hop skip and a jump from neighboring island Bora Bora. Only reachable by boat, the overwater villas at Le Taha’a by Pearl Resorts are a luxurious castaway dream come true. After snorkeling through some of the world’s most stunning coral with multicolored schools of fish, guests can enjoy some epic five-star Polynesian pampering.
For those inspired to travel to fulfill their ice cream cravings, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travelers to use when booking their summer 2021 getaways, as it becomes safe to do so. Discounts start at 15 percent and are valid for stays until 30 September 2021. In addition, Booking.com is bringing the great value of its Genius program to even more customers by giving all account holders access to the program’s Level 1 benefits, with no minimum number of previous bookings to qualify, including access to exclusive 10% discounts at hundreds of thousands of participating properties around the world. All travelers have to do is download the Booking.com app, log in and look for the Genius logo to identify associated benefits, discounts and perks.
