Pool tips

Skip-gen travel, where grandparents take their grandchildren on a vacation without the parents, is gaining popularity as a unique way to bond across generations.

In a bid to clamp down on overtourism and protect places of interest, popular holiday destinations across Europe and beyond have introduced various forms of a “tourist tax”. In recent years, this has come into play in destinations such as Venice, Lake Como, Brussels, and parts of Japan—and now, UK hotspots are following suit.

One of TPG's most anticipated hotel openings of the year — in one of the most picturesque destinations on earth — is finally here.

It’s a Monday afternoon in Brooklyn, and I’m by the pool on the fourth floor deck of The William Vale. I’m not an overnight guest—I’ve come on a ResortPass.

“I was in Suva, the capital of Fiji, making a film, and our crew took over half of the Grand Pacific Hotel. One day after work, I came back and the pool was full of maybe 40 of the most beautiful men I had ever seen, flapping around in the water. I was like, ‘Who—what is happening?’ It turned out they were the Flying Fijians, the national rugby team, there for the World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup. It was just our film crew and their team sharing this hotel, so we became friends—always seeing each other in the hallways, hanging out by the pool with a boom box, playing cards, and drinking lots of beer. It was like I had a bunch of new cousins. I asked them to show me around Suva, and we went to many rugby games, but I'll never forget the intensity of the first time I saw the Flying Fijians play: I was jumping, shrieking, putting my hands over my eyes, and squeezing the arms of the people beside me. Compared to football, which is so start-and-stop, rugby has this constant movement and rhythm. The stands were full, and I could feel the hope for a win and the dread of a loss so palpably; in Suva, whether it's a good or a bad day depends on how their team played the night before. I could smell all this Fijian food, like rourou and whatever they were cooking in the lovo, wafting through the stadium, but I couldn't even eat. I was too nervous for the players. At each end of the stadium, hundreds of kids were peering through the gates, all wearing the white jersey of their favorite player. People who couldn't get tickets sat on a hillside picnicking and trying to get a glimpse of the game. It felt so important to everyone. Most of the people in the stadium were related in some way to a player because it's such a small island, so there's this familial pressure, like, ‘You'd better bring this trophy home, son, or we are going to have a problem tonight at the dinner table.’ They did win, in the end, and it was electrifying.”

Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Star of the Seas, will welcome guests on week-long cruises out of Port Canaveral in Florida and delight them with half a dozen thrilling waterslides, more than 40 bars and restaurants, and more.

During March 2024, the air was still chilly in New York City. With warm weather just around the corner, it was a good time to start thinking ahead and get a girls trip on the calendar to dream about as summer slowly approached. My parameters were pretty simple: I wanted to go somewhere within driving distance of Manhattan, with a campy atmosphere, and that would be a guaranteed great time regardless of the weather (though hopes were high for a sunny weekend). My friends and I landed on the Wood Hunter Home, the perfect tranquil oasis packed with activities in the picturesque mountains right outside of Woodstock.

Looking for a way to fund some fall travel? This new credit card offer from JetBlue may just get you there. Customers who sign up for a Barclays JetBlue Plus Mastercard before Monday are eligible to earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of having the card.  The JetBlue Plus Mastercard is a credit card that earns holders TrueBlue points and includes special perks for JetBlue customers. When you use your card on JetBlue-operated flights, your first checked bag is free for the primary cardholder and up to three travel companions. You can also save 50 percent on some inflight purchases, including food, cocktails, and movies.  This card generally offers many ways to earn rewards including 6x points on JetBlue purchases, 2x points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. You can also receive 5,000 points annually on your account anniversary and 10 percent of your points back every time you redeem them. Alternatively, if you have more points than you know what to do with, you can redeem them for a statement credit of up to $1,000 annually.  There are no blackout dates on JetBlue-operated flights and you can redeem your points for any seat on JetBlue flights. And, not only can you pool your points with Family Pooling, but your TrueBlue points don’t expire.  One TrueBlue point is estimated to be worth 1.3 cents. While the exact value may vary, 30,000 points, for example, would cover roughly $390 in JetBlue airfare. That pegs the value of the signing bonus at roughly $1,000 when used towards JetBlue economy class fares. 

As the very last town on the eastern tip of Long Island, connected by only a small stretch of land, Montauk feels worlds away from the bustle of New York City and the doldrums of suburban Long Island.

Well-known for its breadth of all-inclusive resorts across the island, travelers flock to the Dominican Republic’s palm-fringed beaches for memorable holidays year-round. Beachfront, budget-friendly accommodations abound, with so many wonderful properties to pick from—including family-friendly resorts that offer robust children’s programs and water activities for a full day of fun. Luxury seekers will have no issue finding five-star service and amenities via many properties' butler services, stunning spas, and oceanfront villas that sit just above picturesque Caribbean waters. Those interested in a romantic getaway or a quiet and peaceful escape will adore the plethora of adult-only resorts available in the area. No matter the type of all-inclusive experience you’re looking to have in the Dominican Republic, this list will help you narrow down the search. But first, answers to a few frequently asked questions about visiting the Dominican Republic.

Tracee Ellis Ross is not a train person, nor is she a boat person. “I like a boat, but I don’t want to travel by a boat, you know what I mean? I just want to go out on a boat,” the actor says while discussing her preferred means of transportation. Right now, she’s in the process of becoming a car person: This week she launched a new campaign with Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV, the first all-electric vehicle from Mercedes-Maybach. “I love elegant. I love chic. I love sleek and effortless,” she says. “It’s either some fancy first-class airline on the plane or a beautiful Mercedes.”

Royal Caribbean first introduced the Allure of the Seas in 2010, but now nearly 15 years later, the cruise line's Oasis Class ship is getting a significant makeover.

Sunny St. Petersburg, Florida — or St. Pete, as it's called by many — has a fun and playful new hotel you can book with Marriott Bonvoy points. Here's a first look at the Moxy St. Petersburg Downtown, a member of the brand that won TPG's 2023 award for Best Affordable Hotel Brand.

Aug 7, 2024 • 9 min read

One of the biggest Royal Caribbean ships at sea is about to get a major glow-up.

In Turkey, flavors, cultures, and architecture of the east and west find a beautiful confluence. The best time to visit Turkey is when the weather lets you enjoy all of it and more. Depending on the season you visit in, you might see Turkey as a region of natural wonders, rich cultural festivities or snowy adventures. Here’s a handy guide on the best time to visit Turkey, suited for you no matter which of the above you prefer.

Presented by Capital One

On a particularly relaxed Friday in August, I spent the morning with my two best friends in the Tulum jungle, splashing around what I'm quite sure is the world's most entertaining pool. We were at the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya Resort's spa pool, which comes tricked out with mystery buttons around the perimeter, each setting off a variety of jets, waterfalls, and even a surge of bubbles bursting out from a lounger submerged a foot below the water's surface. 

A much-anticipated Hyatt glow-up is expected to debut later this year in one of Arizona's most popular destinations.

At the urging of labor activists in the late 19th century, Congress declared a national holiday on the first Monday in September to celebrate the hard workers of the United States. Now, 130 years later, Labor Day has become more widely known as a three-day weekend celebration that officially ends summer. And it's often seen as travelers' last chance to hit the open road, hop on a plane or book a staycation at a nearby hotel to grab one last dose of sunny R&R before the kids go back to school, the days grow shorter and pumpkin spice season begins.

My husband, Andrew, retired early after we sold our business. We live in Melbourne, Australia, but now we spend a lot of time traveling.