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.
No private island resort in the Caribbean or Atlantic scored higher than Ambergris Cay in this year's Readers' Choice Awards.
Ambergris Cay’s reputation preceded itself in the form of our Readers’ Choice Awards, in which the resort just won the title of number five best resort overall in the Atlantic and best private island in that group—as well as in the Caribbean, considering no private island resort scored higher in that category. The title might not be a surprise to our readers, who voted in droves for Ambergris Cay and described the island as “unlike anything I could imagine,” a means to “experience Turks in the best way possible,” and (my favorite two-word response) simply “pampered seclusion.” And it's not just us; the island also won the World Travel Awards’ title for Leading Caribbean Private Island Resort in August.
The remote island that straddles the cusp of the Caribbean and the Atlantic is just a 20 minute flight from Providenciales (and is not to be confused with the Belize island Ambergris Caye). It's something straight out of a Drake song, achieving billionaire-level relaxation over serene azure waters, rugged nature, and butler-serviced waterfront villas—some of which have private owners who hand-picked this island as their uber-remote Caicos Banks community of choice for holidays and family trips that serve as the antidote to any see-and-be-seen tourist spots. Ambergris Cay has become popular with outdoor-minded CEOs and professional athletes whose ideal getaway includes as much deep-sea fishing and tennis as it does five-course dining, indulgent spa treatments, and multi-bedroom beach houses with a stretch of unending coastline all to yourself (and whoever you’d like to take along).
The resort's standalone villas—two more are on the way—are popular for their spaciousness. Plus seven new suite-style beachfront bungalows with private pools are also in the works.
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For many, the concept of Hell exists in another dimension. But in Belize, the entrance to the underworld is right below your feet. The small Central American nation is home to hundreds of caves, many of which visitors can explore. But they are more than just a place to go cave diving. These caves are said to be the pathway to Xibalba, or the Maya underworld.
There are plenty of dazzling luxury resorts in the Caribbean, but people who like to fly private often like to stay private on vacation. One of those dreamy, secluded getaways is Villa Papillon in Antigua. Listed for $9.5 million, the 9,700-square-foot villa is located at the tip of Reed’s point, overlooking the water. For $8,000 to $12,000 a night (depending on the week), the villa can accommodate up to 12 people—but expect to spend your time on the vast terrace (on a clear day, you can see to Nevis and St. Kitts) or in the infinity pool.
New York City is ever-abuzz with reasons to celebrate– and the annual TCS NYC Marathon provides the perfect stage for a city-wide celebration of those we know, do not know, and of course, love. The 26.2-mile route is a testament to the collective spirit—and diversity, of the city. As the runners weave through its five boroughs, each street and corner offers distinct and thrilling experiences for spectators– all catering to a rich and electric city-at-large block party. This year, we asked our editors at Traveler to weigh in on their top spots to soak in the marathon's pulse and cheer on the athletes along the way.
Virgin Atlantic has officially launched a new direct flight route between London Heathrow and Velana International Airport, Malé, connecting London to the Maldives.
Saudi Arabia announced Thuwal Private Retreat, an ultra-luxurious and likely ultra-secretive private island along its Red Sea coast. Promised as a place of “indulgence” the island opens next year, available for total buy-outs only.
Whoopie pies probably won't save humankind. But a stop at DonnaSue Bakes + Cooks in Vermont's Champlain Islands is sure to boost your faith in humanity. As soon as my mom and I see the large handwritten letters spelling out “PIE” on a sun-faded shed off Route 2 in the town of Grand Isle, we hit the brakes on our bikes. A sign next to a Betsy Ross flag informs us that Sunday business hours are “by chance.”
There's something seriously special about train travel—particularly when the journey includes a sleeper carriage as good as these ones. There's only one problem: you'll be so mesmerized by the view whooshing past your window that sleep seems nigh impossible. Below, we take a look at some of the world's very best sleeper trains, where the sleep cabins are just as inviting as the views.