Traveling during the mistral is no easy feat. The notoriously cold and relentlessly fierce northwesterly wind that blows from France’s heartland into the Mediterranean Sea can reach up to 20 miles per hour, last for several days (the record is 65 hours straight), and buffet everything in its path when it peaks in the winter and spring. Knowing that, you might wonder: Who in their right mind goes to the South of France in November? Me, that’s who.

As Condé Nast Traveler’s self-appointed France correspondent, I took it upon myself last year to head to the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region and report on the joys of going in the offseason. I had hoped to spend sunny, crowdless days exploring the area’s hot spots: the wine cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the painter Cézanne’s old atelier in Aix-en-Provence, and the harbor restaurants of Marseilles. But then I got off the high-speed train at Avignon, my home base for the week, and the mistral knocked me off my feet and forced me back indoors. “Going out?” the mistral said, laughing. “I think not.”

And so I spent most of my five nights in town staying at home in the cozy embrace of one of my new favorite Airbnbs in the South of France: this renovated apartment in Avignon. It’s a supremely chic space, simple yet overflowing with charismatic texture. The cream-colored stone walls, the high ceilings done in dark wood, linen fabrics on the sofa and queen-size bed in the bedroom, and woven seats exuded a strong sense of place; this is an apartment in an ages-old city with great history, save the baskets from Ikea. But the induction stovetop, Nespresso machine, dishwasher, flat-screen TV equipped with Chromecast, Wi-Fi, washing machine, electric towel warmer, and combination air conditioner-heater—thank goodness for it—kept this abode firmly in the 21st century. So well-appointed is the space that the host even put together a magazine-like guide on how to operate the appliances. Très chic!

A few things to note: There’s no elevator in the building and this Airbnb is located up a flight of stairs on the first floor, which actually means it’s on the second floor in American terms. (Remember: the French count the ground floor as “zero.”) The apartment, though well laid out, is still rather small; I’d only recommend this for solo travelers and couples. Families might feel cramped, but hey, Junior can always sleep on the comfortable couch. I certainly did after a night of watching French game shows and training myself to better understand the language.

When planning a recent reunion to celebrate two decades of friendship, a group of girlfriends and I, whom I’m lucky enough to have known since middle school, knew we wanted to go somewhere laid-back, but with more going on than a typical beach resort. Now that we’re all deep in our careers and building our families—and mostly scattered across the country, with one in Colombia—it’s harder than ever to get all six of us together, so finding somewhere relatively accessible to everyone was a priority too. Once Mexico City was brought up, we never looked back—as an artsy group who loves to aimlessly wander arm-in-arm, the popular capital city promised the perfect balance of design, innovation, food, and relaxation.

That said, we had a few requirements when searching for the perfect place to stay. We all agreed we wanted to be in a central area within walking distance from shops and dining, and with enough space to comfortably house a large group (and our extensive wardrobes). We were immediately hooked on this beautiful apartment in the heart of Condesa, which offered four spacious bedrooms, three full bathrooms, and a stunning balcony overlooking the city. When we arrived at the seventh-floor space (don’t worry, there’s an elevator), the first reaction from everyone was, “This is so much better than the photos!”

The building itself features terrazzo floors in the lobby and stairwell, complemented by rich wood paneling throughout. It was easy to access the home via a code sent to us the day of arrival, and there was a doorman present inside and outside the building during our stay, adding additional security. Thoughtfully curated by One Up Design, a local interior design firm, the apartment was furnished and decorated in alignment with the building’s midcentury-modern design, featuring unique touches like a wall of Mexican artisanal wooden bowls, handmade ceramics, and utensils. Each room felt warm and inviting, without sacrificing the aesthetic. Plenty of plants throughout the apartment called back to the foliage just outside, taking advantage of the abundance of natural light streaming through the windows.

Number of guests: 2
Bed & bath: 1 bedroom, 1 bath
Why we love it: Six‑seat hot tub, sunset views, porch swing, fully stocked kitchen

Designed as a romantic hideaway for two, this caboose occupies a quiet ridge with wide‑open views of the surrounding hills, where horses wander through the fields, and the sky feels impossibly big. Inside, the space feels warm and thoughtfully upgraded without losing its antique charm. There’s a reclining loveseat for cuddles, a queen bedroom tucked away for privacy, and a bathroom with a walk‑in shower, towel warmer, and overhead lighting that plays music through a built‑in speaker.

The kitchen is stocked for real cooking (not just snacking) with a full stove and refrigerator, a kettle, blenders, and both a Keurig Mini and an Aeropress for those mornings when you need extra fuel. In the yard, the six‑person hot tub is the centerpiece, offering lots of bubbles and a clear view of the night sky. A porch swing, covered deck, firepit, and yard games give you plenty of ways to settle in and savor the quiet.

Logan, Ohio, sits at the gateway to popular Hocking Hills, so expect dramatic rock formations, forested trails, waterfalls, and scenic drives that feel especially magical in the early morning light. The town itself has an arts‑and‑antiques vibe, with local wineries, cozy cafés, and wildlife sightings that remind you just how close to nature you are.

Location: Logan, Ohio
Things to do nearby: Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls, Hocking Hills State Park, Logan Antique Mall

But the real star of this stunning rental is the 108-foot heated indoor swimming pool. Not only does it change colors, but the Flos lighting system sets the ambience via a user-friendly remote. After dark, the house becomes ultra-moody—perhaps why it’s been the backdrop for many music videos. Personally, I’m obsessed with how the Invisible House looks at night: When the interior lights are on, the house loses its reflective effect, and the inside becomes visible from the outside. Not to worry—the smart glass shifts to privacy mode with the touch of a button.

Donovan Vim Crony

What’s nearby:

Joshua Tree National Park is less than 10 minutes from the Invisible House by car, offering nearly 800,000 acres of protected desert landscape defined by its namesake yucca trees, massive granite boulders, and otherworldly rock formations that draw climbers, hikers, and artists from around the world. The proximity makes it easy to dip in for sunrise or golden hour without committing to a full-day expedition.

If your timing lines up, consider visiting during the Joshua Tree Music Festival, held in May, when the area fills with live music, art, and a creative crowd tuned to the desert. Nearby Pioneertown, originally built in the 1940s as a movie set for Westerns, is also worth a stop. It’s now a functioning town with shops, restaurants, and venues that lean fully into its cinematic roots. You can also catch the High Desert Art Fair in March, when the region briefly transforms into a desert campus of art and performance.

Speaking of art, the Noah Purifoy Desert Art Museum is a longtime favorite of mine and one of the best cultural hubs in the area. Spread across 10 acres, the open-air museum features assemblage installations that are bold and political, yet deeply rooted in place. If outdoor art is your thing, run—don’t walk. If you prefer a good vintage crawl, the high desert has no shortage of hidden treasures. The Station Joshua Tree is a great stop for vintage finds and gifts, while Yucca Valley has its own gems, including The End, a spectacular trove of rare jewelry, clothing, and decor.