Wherever you go to catch the total solar eclipse on April 8, those three or four minutes of daytime darkness — no matter how spectacular — might not be enough.
26.02.2024 - 20:03 / matadornetwork.com
I’m scooped up by a golf cart and whisked along a palm-tree-lined pathway to Paradisus La Perla, an adults-only all-inclusive Meliá resort on the sandy shores of Playa del Carmen, Mexico. I’m taken to the inner sanctum of the Reserve members lounge for check-in, a perk for upgraded guests. I’m surrounded by marble flooring, wall art, and a welcome-snack area. Through the glass doors straight ahead, there’s a sweeping view of the main pool area. This is the start of a relaxing getaway that’s focused equally on wellness and adventure.
Photo: Meliá Hotels International
While Paradisus La Perla is a place where guests can relax beyond Playa del Carmen’s bustle, its design elements are keen to remind you where you are. The natural surroundings are reflected throughout the hotel, from free-flowing streams filled with koi fish to the soft sandy tones of the interior decor. Soft beiges and hints of blue tones adorn the rooms, with wooden furnishings and wicker-like elements to give them a beachy ambiance. Outside of the rooms, the hotel’s shared spaces present a nice balance of being calm yet communal.
Photo: Meliá Hotels International
Among the most exciting communal spaces at Paradisus La Perla are its pools. Each morning during my stay, I found myself walking through the hotel in search of a new one. There are two lagoon-style pools, an activity pool, and an adults-only heated pool for Reserve guests — enough options to enjoy a new one every day of a short trip. To add to the comfort, loungers and cabana-style Bali beds are available to guests. Begin your day with an oceanfront sunrise, enjoy breakfast on your balcony, go for a dip, and soak up the rays.
Photo: Meliá Hotels International
Meliá’s adults-only Paradisus La Perla hotel is conveniently connected to Paradisus Playa del Carmen, a family-friendly property. One of the biggest benefits of being able to wander freely between the properties is the ample restaurant choices along the way.
A relaxed open space with thatched roofing, La Palapa is the go-to breakfast spot for Reserve guests. With a mix of international favorites, it’s the ideal way to start a morning. If you’re in the mood for a little more, Hadar offers an exceptional breakfast buffet for all palettes.
Photo: Meliá Hotels International
With notable pops of red and sandy brown, Fuego serves up some of the best Latin cuisine with a standout ceviche bar. At Capella, celebrity chef Antonia Lofaso serves a menu that integrates local products with her Italian roots, using local ingredients that are native to the region. Reserve guests and those with Nikté upgrades, both of which offer VIP privileges, are invited to enjoy one complimentary dinner per stay at the famous Sal Steakhouse.
If you prefer a
Wherever you go to catch the total solar eclipse on April 8, those three or four minutes of daytime darkness — no matter how spectacular — might not be enough.
Milan Fashion Week showcases innovation and creativity in Italian fashion design. But the introduction of designer Federico Cina’s Tortellino Bag may be the first time a handbag in the form of a pasta shape has taken center stage at the exclusive event.
Cruise travel has never been more popular as the industry is expected to achieve record levels in 2024.
From Mexico to St. Martin, Spain to Jamaica — and quite a few destinations in between, including Bulgaria — Secrets Resorts & Spas have remained a primary player in Hyatt's push toward both luxury and all-inclusive resorts. The luxury brand continues to be one of the best of its kind, impressing Hyatt loyalists and travelers in search of the kind of vacation where you don't have to think about your wallet even once. On top of that, all of the properties are adults-only.
I'm a bit of a whale-watching addict. So when I saw a TikTok of people hanging over the side of tiny boats to pet a gray whale on the head, I knew I had to find a way to experience it for myself.
It's that time of year when our bodies and minds begin screaming for a vacation, unleashing a deep desire to defrost from the winter chill and all the burdens that come with it. While we'd argue there's never a bad time of the year to book that plane ticket—spring 2024 is looking like an especially good one.
The Jewish community celebrates their holidays with a wide variety of food offerings. From latkes to Yehi Ratzon platters, those of the Jewish faith feast on foods that have been part of their culinary culture for many centuries. The traditional Jewish family relies on the comfort of the kitchen where they prepare favorite dishes in the company of friends and relatives.
The party of the month (year?) is underway in India, and the local airport is pulling out all the stops to cope.
Ahead of spring break travel in mid- to late March, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico issued a new warning for travelers Feb. 26 that urges "increased caution" in downtown Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum.
Finding the lowest price for a flight can be challenging, but one airline has a somewhat hidden tool to help travelers snag the best deal. JetBlue has a section of their website with a fare calendar that displays flight prices in grid view between an origin and destination airport, helping travelers plan a vacation to get the lowest cost airfare. The tool, called "Best Fare Finder," is located under the «Book» tab on JetBlue’s homepage. The page allows passengers to select how many children and adults will be traveling, whether they would like to pay in cash or TrueBlue miles, and then choose the desired destination from any airport. For example, the price of a flight ticket from New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Orlando International Airport (MCO) in April 2024 varies widely. If a traveler booked it for April 18, they would pay $259, but if they can wait six days later, the price drops to only $70. The Best Fare Finder provides all of the prices in the calendar view.
The United States is warning travelers heading to Mexico to be aware of their surroundings ahead of the spring break holiday season.
If you’re looking to escape for a long Easter weekend this year, Italy is always a great idea–especially Florence, where the dawn of spring marks an ideal time to visit the city before the summer crowds descend.