It’s not often that traveling off-grid for a vacation actually accomplishes lasting relaxation. For any sense of real remoteness, I’ve long come to terms with the fact that you usually need to sacrifice some luxury: Hiking through silent desert valleys, camping in elephant-adjacent safari tents, and sleeping in jungle-nestled tree houses lit only by candlelight all come to mind as the kinds of places I’ve savored the off-grid experience, but felt there was a mandatory “roughing it” subtext. Often, you have to choose between remoteness and relaxation—but every once in a while you find the rare place that serves you both on a silver platter; that happened for me for the first time recently over a stay at Ambergris Cay, a completely private island located in the southwest Atlantic off the main chain of Turks and Caicos.
6 annoying things tourists do in the Caribbean, according to a local
24.09.2023 - 14:27 / insider.com
Riselle Celestina lights up whenever she has the chance to talk about the Caribbean.
Born on the island of Curaçao, Celestina has called St. Maarten home for more than two decades.
Between the region's welcoming people, diverse landscapes, historic sites, hidden destinations, and rich cultures, Celestina told Insider that she's seen and experienced many of the islands that make up the Caribbean.
She isn't afraid to share the highlights of her home on her travel blog The Traveling Island Girl or her podcast Paradise Perspectives. And while she's eager to broadcast the good, she doesn't hesitate to share the ugly, too.
Celestina told Insider that her points of frustration often stem from visitors and their behaviors. Whether it's a cruise passenger who prances around St. Maarten wearing only a skimpy swimsuit or a visitor who forgets to say hello, Celestina said there are plenty of things tourists do that annoy both her and other islanders.
Before a trip to the Caribbean, Celestina urges travelers to research. And once you're there, don't be afraid to keep learning.
"It's your vacation destination, but it's our home," she said.
Amsterdam’s Increased Tourist Tax for 2024 to Become Most Expensive in Europe
Government officials in The Netherlands revealed that the new tourist tax increase scheduled to take effect next year in Amsterdam would make the city’s fee the highest in Europe.
The Luxury of Time With AmaWaterways’ Grand River Cruises
Longer vacations are trending within the travel industry, not only offering your clients unforgettable getaways to their dream destinations, but also presenting you with an opportunity to increase your commissions. In response to increasing consumer demand for longer vacations, AmaWaterways has introduced a collection of specially curated 14-night Grand River Cruises.
On Board a Vintage Boat, Matthew Rhys Shows New Yorkers Their City from the Water
As a flock of noisy jet skiers circle the Statue of Liberty on a warm October evening, Matthew Rhys looks out at the horizon. “There’s a Welsh word, hiraeth, which is loosely translated to ‘a longing for home,’" he says. “But it's something slightly more than that. It's a longing for something that can never be again.”
‘I loved drifting along the canals’: readers’ best unsung city breaks in Europe
Take a little staircase down from an old tollbooth on one of Leiden’s 88 bridges and hop on to one of the electric tour boats. I loved drifting along the canals of this stunning old Dutch city past townhouses as fine as any in Amsterdam, the botanical gardens, windmills, university buildings and the 17th-century observatory. Except in summer, ducks, swans and local wild swimmers outnumber tourists. You can scout out the best waterside terrace cafes for lunch, daydream about living on one of the many well-kept houseboats with their flower-filled decks, and plan excursions by water further afield; the city canals link up along the waterways for countryside day cruises to Delft, Haarlem or the coast.Maartje
The Best Things to Do in Milwaukee—the Midwest's Most Overlooked Gem
Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a city on the rise; so much so that it just joined our Readers’ Choice Awards list of the best big cities in the US, ranking third—just behind San Diego and Chicago. Long considered nearby Chicago's little sibling, Milwaukee has finally come into its own by growing amongst younger people for its affordability over the Second City, allowing people to buy homes and rent better apartments. Not to mention the growing restaurant scene, new infrastructure increasing walkability, and enough city amenities for the Midwest gem to truly feel desirable—it’s no longer just a small town. And with so many local colleges and a venerated art museum, there is strong curiosity and willingness to embrace the new.
Will Saudi Arabia Host The First Alcohol-Free World Cup?
It was two nights before Qatar’s World Cup, and all across its stadiums, staffers were frantically removing beer stands – the country had reversed its decision to serve alcohol in stadiums.
Thinking of visiting Chicago? Musician Foy Vance has the best music and street food spots for you
Renowned for its jaw-dropping architecture, world-class museums and mouth-watering street food (did some say deep-dish pizza?) it's no wonder Chicago was voted the second-best city in the world by media and hospitality giant TimeOut.
The most annoying things tourists do in Italy, according to a local
I have the privilege to live in Rome, Italy's capital, and a pilgrimage destination for tourists worldwide.
12 of the best things to do in the Hudson Valley
For decades, authors, artists and presidents have all been drawn to the Hudson Valley in New York.
This Popular City Will Have The Highest Tourist Tax In Europe In 2024. Here’s What You’ll Have To Pay
Cities and countries across Europe have introduced visitor taxes as they battle the return of mass tourism following the pandemic. The extra fees can mean increasing the cost of your holiday by hundreds of dollars.
The Exact Day to Book Your Flight for the Cheapest Airfare, According to Expedia
Expedia may have cracked the code to successful travel in 2024.