Cave tips

With its pristine white sand beaches and slow pace, Barbados is an obvious destination for wellness. But the tiny island offers so much more than a relaxing beach vacation. Beyond the crystal clear water lies an island filled with tranquil gardens, majestic caves and warm people.

San Diego may be known for its 70 miles of golden coastline, but California’s second largest city after Los Angeles isn’t just about sand and surf (though that doesn’t hurt). Throughout town, visitors find local treasures, such as rare plants, multicultural celebrations, and a vibrant arts scene. To maximize your time, we consulted San Diegans ranging from a chef to a nature expert and a scientist for their favorite spots. Here’s what to see and do.

I went on my first solo cruise to the Caribbean in January, sailing on Norwegian Cruise Lines for three days from Miami to the Dominican Republic.

Beating out even famously scenic states like Alaska and Utah, California boasts more national parks than any other state. The Golden State's 10 national parks show off the diverse range of landscapes you can find on the West Coast, from the towering redwoods of NorCal, the arid deserts of SoCal, the iconic flora of Joshua Tree and the surreal geologic results of past volcanic eruptions and glacier paths.

Can't decide between visiting dive sites and tropical beaches, hiking through mountains or exploring swish city centers? Deliberate no more – Malaysia has you covered with its amazing array of things to do. 

Whether your kid loves soaring above rainforest canopies or will happily spend the day splashing in the waves, there's something for them in Jamaica – the island nation is not just a playground for adults.

Few destinations better demonstrate the raw power of our planet than Iceland. Its ever-changing landscape, marked by stunning lava fields, hot springs, and glaciers, has been further transformed by a series of volcanic eruptions in recent years, showcasing the tremendous forces of nature.

Tiny, tropical Belize is where Latin-flavored Central America meets the captivating culture of the Caribbean, but it pays to think about when to go.

When it comes to adventure, Belize’s glittering Caribbean coastline, wildlife-filled jungles, coral reefs and mysterious underground cave systems provide endless opportunities to explore. 

Beautiful Belize is becoming ever more popular as a vacation destination. Unfortunately, that popularity means it's more expensive than its Central American neighbors.

With wistful misty peaks, ancient hidden temples, otherworldly karst outcrops and dense jungle teeming with wildlife, Thailand offers a veritable feast for hikers.

Twin Coves, on the Atlantic Ocean side of the narrow, finger-shaped Bahamian island of Eleuthera, is a gorgeous spot: Two crescent-shaped, pink-sand beaches free of crowds, with calm waters protected from heavy waves by offshore sandbars.

Twin Coves, on the Atlantic Ocean side of the narrow, finger-shaped Bahamian island of Eleuthera, is a gorgeous spot: Two crescent-shaped, pink-sand beaches free of crowds, with calm waters protected from heavy waves by offshore sandbars.

“More people seem to have discovered Hāna,” explained the staff member of Hāna-Maui Resort in this eastern Maui town. “They used to go to Lahaina but lately they’ve been coming here.” Since the wildfire that destroyed the historic town in West Maui, tourism has been filtering back to the island even to West Maui after it reopened on November 1st. But this town: serene, remote, one of the few remaining vestiges of old Hawaii surrounded by swaths of stunning nature uninterrupted by large developments has become even more of a draw.

The Maldives or Barbados? Even muttering their names can unknot the most tense of shoulders.

Located in the heart of Lecce, in southeastern Italy, the Pollicastro Boutique Hotel offers a blend of history, luxury, and Italian charm. This romantic 4-star boutique hotel is renowned for its distinctive rooms and suites, particularly the Grand Deluxe Nymphaeum Suite, which comes equipped with its very own grotto pool.

If you are still making your list and checking it twice, we found a few gift ideas in Santa's workshop that are sure to please you and the lucky recipient.

With a lush tropical climate and more miles of coastline than any other country on earth (except Canada), Indonesia is the world’s ultimate beach destination. The beaches that line the shores of this enormous archipelago are famed for their black and golden sands, epic surf breaks, prismatic coral reefs and wild seaside parties. Indeed, there's a stretch of sand here for every type of traveler.

Cairo is a magnet for travelers on a budget, and many of the capital’s attractions are free or cheap to visit – paying just $11 gets you entry to the Pyramids of Giza, the only surviving wonder of the ancient world.

First-time visitors to Croatia are often startled by the striking turquoise hue of its sea and see-straight-to-the-bottom waters.

For decades, the only way to access St Helena — a subtropical island 1,200 miles off the southwest coast of Africa — was aboard the Royal Mail ship RMS St Helena on its five-day sailing from Cape Town. But since 2017, a new commercial airport has made one of the world’s most remote islands easier to visit. We speak to Anthony Thomas, founder of St Helena dive operator Sub-Tropic Adventures, and Dennis Leo, wirebird conservation manager at St Helena National Trust, to find out how responsible wildlife tourism is taking hold on this remote South Atlantic island.