Beach tips

When you close your eyes and think of Belize, visions of a dreamy, tropical vacation likely dance through your mind. Think: sugary shores, brilliantly blue water, bright green palms and thick, verdant jungles. Maybe throw in a luxury villa or a palapa-topped bungalow, for good measure. What you're not likely thinking of is an all-inclusive resort.

I grew up vacationing in a beach town called Nags Head on the Outer Banks, the string of barrier islands off the coast of North Carolina. My parents did, too — they were high school sweethearts — and their stories about hitchhiking to Nags Head as teenagers in the 1960s and seeing bands like the Drifters perform at the local dance hall were the stuff of legend in my mind. As a kid in the ’80s, I loved climbing the massive sand dunes at nearby Jockey’s Ridge State Park and fishing at Cape Hatteras. So I was excited to learn that this month, Steidl will publish a book of images the photographer Joel Sternfeld took in Nags Head in the summer of 1975. Sternfeld’s weatherworn cottages and roadside snack bars bring back memories real and imagined, and I’ll enjoy reliving them with my mom. The book is currently available for preorder, so, in the meantime, I’m eyeing some other ’70s-inspired gifts for Mother’s Day. Vacation’s Orange Gelée sunscreen is reminiscent of the vintage tanning staple Bain de Soleil, and this portable wine chiller designed in 1978 by Richard Carlson is easy to find on eBay. It fits two bottles of wine. Alternatively, Cann Social Tonic’s zero-proof Roadie pouches, infused with 2 milligrams of THC, travel easily to the beach. And for a nostalgic summer pants set, turn to the Rockaway Beach-based Zingara Vintage. The designer Erin Silvers custom makes her ZingaraTerry loungewear from vintage YSL towels produced in the 1960s and ’70s.

Ontario is known for summer road trips and with warmer weather finally here it’s time to pick a small town and start exploring. Canada's second largest province covers over 415,000 square miles and borders the United States and the mighty Great Lakes. Toronto, Ontario’s capital city, is a fun and convenient home base with vibrant multicultural communities and endless adventures, so you may want to arrive early. Then get ready to discover Ontario’s diverse landscapes and rugged beauty on a road trip to one of these charming Canadian towns.

Golden sand beaches in the Algarve and the Canary Islands, wild secret counterparts in Greece, others with therapeutic power in Italy and lush, green beaches in Albania: They all grace this year’s rankings of the Most Beautiful Beaches in Europe assembled by the European Best Destinations (EBD) organization, offering something for everyone.

I cycled into birdsong, into colour, the light glimmering against the white of the low stone walls. There was a spaciousness as I cycled, a lateral stretching of soundscape, big skies, birds fluting. I didn’t meet anyone else on the narrow lanes and had a sense of being completely alone on an island of 2,000 people. Is there anything happier than being on a bicycle early in the morning, heading to the sea?

Cincoro Tequila, the luxury tequila brand co-founded by Michael Jordan, is about to see a major global expansion – thanks in part to MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter.

In many ways, the Netherlands is a year-round destination, with each season offering its own charms. Spring sees fields full of tulips in bloom. Summer spells long days at sandy beaches along the coast and on the Wadden Sea islands, and as autumn turns to winter, the darkening chill invites you to embrace the Dutch quality of gezelligheid (conviviality, coziness) at atmospheric cafes. Cycling is a Dutch way of life, while festivals fill the calendar throughout the year.

Some of Spain’s most popular seaside cities and villages will soon be linked by a new train line.

My first stay on Anguilla's Meads Bay was more than 20 years ago, and I was a little apprehensive about returning. In memory, it was the best shoreline I'd come across in the Caribbean: uncrowded, wide beaches, family-friendly surf.

Dallas-based real estate investment trust (REIT) Ashford Hospitality Trust has handed over possession and control of 14 hotels back to the loan servicers.

When it comes to sun-soaked adventures, Florida reigns supreme. It was the most popular U.S. state among international visitors in 2022, according to the latest report from the International Trade Administration. Beyond its famed theme parks, the vacation destination offers plenty of exciting excursions for thrill-seekers of all ages.

Coolibar makes three items that are fashionable, fit moms of all size, and best of all, offer UPF 50+ protection. The Freestyle Long Sleeve Rash Guard is refreshingly different from the traditional form-fitting styles. It cuts a feminine figure that flatters, but a bit of flare at the bottom makes it loose around the middle. The side zipper stores your phone out of the way of movement and hides behind a fabric cover. This shirt is ideal for paddle boarding, kayaking, and beach volleyball.

These days, there’s no need to visit a museum to see otherworldly art when you’re on vacation. Many of the nation’s top hotels are dabbling in the illustrious world of collecting themselves. It’s not unusual for a boutique hotel to partner with a local gallery to display a rotating array of pieces or for a property to commission new works to unveil in its lobby or garden.

When it comes to favorite summer vacation destinations that require a passport stamp, Americans are, well, all over the map with their preferences, according to new findings from Google. Search data breaks down the most Googled international summer vacation spots by each U.S. state, and Italy emerges as the No. 1 sought-after summer vacation in the most states, according to Google Trends. Several Caribbean hotspots as well as some Canadian destinations, like Vancouver, Whistler, and Mont-Tremblant, are also on the leaderboard.

Why experience the creations of one chef when you can experience a range of local and noted guest chefs plus wine tastings, seminars and other gastronomic treats? That’s the ethos of an enticing food festival and it’s even better when it’s located in a destination that is desirable anyway as a holiday spot. Here are some of the best festivals in, and just outside of, the U.S.

Imagine a day jet skiing between islands accompanied by a pod of dolphins, then getting in a round of golf before your stress-relieving Ayurvedic massage, heading back to your overwater villa to enjoy sunset cocktails then ending the evening with a gourmet meal overlooking the Indian Ocean. All right — they can’t always guarantee the dolphins. But the rest is a sure thing at your stay at Velaa Private Island resort in the Maldives.

If you've been invited to a beach wedding, you're in for a treat. A cool sea breeze, romantic sunset, and ceremony on the sand—it's the perfect excuse to take a tropical vacation. But despite the picturesque setting, it can be difficult for wedding guests to know just what to wear to a destination wedding like this. Beach weddings present a number of obstacles when it comes to appropriate attire—you need shoes that can be worn on sand, and a dress that's lightweight enough to keep you cool and easy to pack without wrinkling or taking up too much real estate in your suitcase.

Amid velvety green valleys and oak-covered hills, more than 425 wineries flourish on 63,000 acres of vineyards, producing some of the nation’s best pinot noir, zinfandel and chardonnay — 99% of which are sustainable. Welcome to laid-back Sonoma, located an hour north of San Francisco (depending on traffic), yet a world away. 

When you think of Barbados, dreamy images of sun, sea and sand probably come to mind.

Looking for the best places to travel in Europe? So is the rest of the world.

Puerto Rico, known for its rich culture and stunning landscapes, is a favorite destination for families.