Best things to do in Bermuda beyond the resorts

It’s a pink summer.

It’s easy to paint a certain picture of Martha’s Vineyard if you’ve never been. Ahead of my first visit last month, I imagined what’s synonymous with most well-known islands: unspoiled beaches, freshly caught seafood, an unhurried pace of life. But I also imagined locals who were insular, conservative, and flashy with their wealth.

America’s coastal areas don’t have a monopoly on great beaches . . . or groovy beach towns.

Every year, retired cruise ships are sold to ship-breaking yards in Turkey and India where thousands of workers painstakingly dismantle the massive vessels and sell their parts for scrap. 

With its white-sand beaches and sparkling turquoise seas framed by palm trees, lush greenery and soaring mountains, there could hardly be a more romantic destination than the Caribbean. Whether you want to snorkel with spectacular sea life, indulge in a moonlit dinner á deux, have your cares massaged away or lounge together in a private cabana, the Caribbean offers the ultimate idyllic couples’ escape.

Summer, also known as high season for travel, is almost here. And according to AAA just about everyone is poised to hit the road. The organization predicts two-thirds of what it categorizes as “leisure travelers” plan to take vacations this summer, meaning millions of Americans will be hitting the road.

New Zealand offers an idyllic escape and is a perfect place to visit for those in search of a luxurious getaway. From its awe-inspiring mountains and captivating landscapes, to its majestic lakes and sprawling vineyards, New Zealand is a paradise for travelers. There are also plenty of opportunities to indulge in luxury experiences such as enjoying gourmet cuisine with locally sourced produce expertly paired with wines, staying at luxurious lodges that offer superior amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows with unbeatable views, and exploring iconic art collections from the late American billionaire Julian Robertson.

When your wanderlust kicks in but there’s no time to travel, you need a quick fix from the comfort of home. Try these ten simple, savvy do-it-yourself cocktail recipes from some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and resorts. Each one takes you on a summer vacation to an incredible destination with every sip.

Rum is history in Puerto Rico. This island is the leading producer of rum (ron) in the Caribbean and there were once hundreds of small distilleries here.

Despite India’s vastness, foreign travellers tend to clump together in a relatively small number of well-known regions or cities, leaving plenty of destinations to the more intrepid few who are willing to take the challenge of escaping the tourist trail. Here’s a selection of our favourites:

Rugged and vast, Canada is a road-tripper's dream. Driving gives you the freedom to travel at your own pace – pull over and take in the scenery along the way or break up the journey with hiking and kayaking.

At Rough Guides, we’ve always applauded travellers who incorporate a bit of volunteering into their round-the-world trips when feasible. After all, lending a hand at an animal sanctuary or teaching local kids can be a wonderful way to give something back – and enrich your travel experience while you’re at it. Helping out on infrastructural projects is another common type of travel volunteering – and that’s precisely what you’ll be doing on this visit to Washington D.C.