7 Top Secluded Beach Resorts Around The World

This is an as-told-to story based on a conversation with David Purcell, 78, a retired attorney. It has been edited for length and clarity. Purcell was among the dozens of people who signed up for a three-year cruise with Life at Sea — an around-the-world journey that was canceled two weeks before its departure. He and 77 other would-be passengers who have not received refunds are asking the US Attorney in Southern Florida to open a criminal fraud investigation into Miray Cruises, the parent company of Life at Sea.

Today, there are lots of ways to see the world in one go. Self-serving, globe-traversing plane tickets where you pick your stops along the way and stay in each as long as you want. Months-long cruises that ply well-trodden coastlines of countries both massive and miniscule. Few, however, promise to be as extraordinary, informative and indulgent as the White Desert World tour, just announced for departure in January 2025 (for those with very deep pockets).

The Seven Seas just got a bit more crowded: Nine new world cruises have recently set sail, joining Royal Caribbean's ongoing Ultimate World Cruise in a quest to travel around the world in 2024.

Ever fantasized about having an entire hotel to yourself while on vacation? The Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora can make that dream come true: For $2.75 million, guests can buy out the entire island property for a week, dining at its open-air restaurants, snorkeling in the lagoon, and playing tennis with the hotel’s pro. Or, you could invite up to 245 of your closest friends to stay with you in the resort’s seven villas and 108 bungalow suites.

The bigger the better, the more the merrier: The world's two largest cruise ships have finally met.

If you're ever wondering aloud where the hottest mid-winter celebrations take place, those in-the-know might quietly respond, “St. Barts.” The island's luxe air of mystery and remoteness are part of what makes it a seasonal staple for jet setters and superyachts as they follow the sun to the Caribbean in winter. The festivities rage on until the St. Barths Bucket Regatta in mid-March, but what most visitors don’t realize is that the island is practically a year-round one, since the only time hotels typically shut is at the height of hurricane season (late summer).

Welcome aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, a luxurious, overnight Belmond train.

The Mediterranean has long been a region of ancient history, incredible cultures and delicious cuisines. The countries surrounding the sea from which the region gets its name offers diverse opportunities for exploration, for every type of travel style. 

Palm Beach features many of the world’s usual luxury tourism bullet points: 5-star resorts, golf courses, fine dining with oceanfront views. While spectacular, these amenities are hardly unique to the 47 miles of coastline north of Miami.

From the heart of Italy's truffle-rich landscapes to the olive trees of Greece, the globe offers a culinary tapestry that transforms gifting into a refined experience. Elevate your senses with the delicate sweetness of French macarons from Ladurée or indulge in the rare pleasure of Spanish acorn-fed ham, Jamón Ibérico. Here are ten gourmet food gift suggestions for Valentine’s Day 2024.

Large hotel chains are always adding to their portfolios, but for those prefer an independent property (or one that’s part of a small regional group) there are plenty of charming inns and lodges opening this year. From Aspen to Athens, here are 15 new boutique hotels with distinctive character and a genuine interest in sustainability.

Art museums have never done much for me.