The Best Way to Avoid Crowds on a Cruise to Santorini
Royal Caribbean and Celebrity cruise guests are getting a private beach escape on one of Greece’s most famous – and famously busy - islands. The new Royal Beach Club Santorini is set to open in summer 2026. It’s the first Royal Beach Club in Europe, and one part of the Ultimate Santorini Day that also includes tours of the island’s hot spots. Royal Beach Club Santorini will combine the breathtaking volcanic beaches and Mediterranean beach club culture of this bucket list...
One Thing NOT to do on Your Next Trip to the Great Outdoors
Remember the saying for those of us who love to experience nature when we travel: “Take only pictures and leave only footprints.” Well, we have another piece of advice for responsible travelers – one you may find surprising. Social media has fueled a boom in “rock-stack art.” But now a crescendo of voices – from park rangers to indigenous communities – is asking everyone to leave the stones alone. The rock-stacking trend, and its downsideThey look harmless, peaceful, even. A few...
Head for the Hills! Mexico's Coolest Mountain Towns This Summer
Don’t fight the heat on holiday in Mexico this summer – escape it altogether! While Mexico’s coastal hotspots heat up for the summer, savvy travelers are moving up — literally — to uncover the breezy mountain escapes of the Pacific state of Nayarit. Away from the beach crowds and humid shorelines, these mountainous Magical Towns ("Pueblo Magico"), plus one volcanic lagoon, offer fresh air, cool climates, and immersive cultural experiences that make for the perfect summer hideout.With average temperatures in the comfortable low...
Discover Hong Kong’s Seaside UNESCO Geopark
Travel beyond Hong Kong’s dazzling skyscrapers, historic backstreets and a skyline that ranks among the most stunning in the world. Away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong Island, there are over 260 more islands, 450 miles of coastline, and a UNESCO Geopark that straddles land and sea. A new, island-hopping boat tour lets visitors get up close to the sea caves and volcanic wonders of urban Hong Kong’s flip side. The Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark is a protected, ecologically rich...
The Best Destinations to See the “Clowns of the Sea”
Puffins are a lot like penguins: among the most beloved, iconic and recognizable seabirds – yet occupying the opposite ends of the planet in some of the most remote regions of the Earth. So seeing either of them in the wild is a magical travel experience. Unlike tuxedoed penguins with their mostly monochrome coloring, puffins are often called the “clowns of the sea” for their vivid, almost carnival mask-like countenance that livens up their pudgy, black-and-white bodies, not to mention their...
Disney Announces New Theme Park
Disney fans collecting theme park visits will soon have a new and spectacular destination to compare cherished characters, memorable experiences and new thrills. The Walt Disney company has announced plans for its 7th park. The uniquely waterfront resort will be located on an island in futuristic Abu Dhabi. The Yas Island Disney park will combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines, and breathtaking architecture. Yas Island Located on the shores of Abu Dhabi – just 20...
RIU Resort-Supported Eco Project Reports Triumph for Turtles
Over 150,000 hatchlings of endangered loggerhead sea turtles were released during the latest nesting season from hatcheries in the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde, including one in front of RIU’s hotels. What’s more, local eco organizations also reported successes in helping mitigate the negative effects of climate change on the critical turtle population. The country of Cape Verde (also called Cabo Verde) is made up of 10 volcanic islands in the central Atlantic Ocean, about 500 miles west of the coast...
10 Tree-mendous Trees to Inspire Travel this Arbor Day
Arbor Days vary around the world, but for tree lovers, every day is a day to celebrate the awe-inspiring vegetation that towers above us on six of the world’s seven continents. Whether you plant a tree or plan a walk or hike in the woods, worldwide, tree huggers like us find any excuse to commune with the trees, especially while we travel. For Arbor Day, we thought we’d round up some of the spectacular trees that produce oxygen, provide shade, shelter,...
New Hiking Trail in Sydney, Australia Offers Fresh Perspective on Iconic Harbor
Sydney’s one of the most famous harbor cities in the world. From the beautiful natural harbor that is central to Sydney’s identity to the unmistakeable silhouette of the Sydney Opera House, the drama of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the legendary beaches that foster a coastal lifestyle of surfing, sunbathing, barbecue parties and boating, Sydney is all about its one-of-a-kind outdoor lifestyle. With its breathtaking landscapes, stunning coastal views, and some renowned trails, Sydney’s already a hiker’s paradise. Now a new...
Dive Into Local Tradition at the Caribbean’s Only Channel Swim
For nearly a quarter century, it’s been the premiere open water swimming event of the Caribbean. And again this March, swimmers from around the world challenge themselves on the Nevis to St. Kitts Cross Channel Swim – the only channel swim in the Caribbean. The 2.5-mile expanse of scenic water of the “Narrows” strait between the sister islands might not represent the longest or most difficult channel swim in the world, but it might be one of the prettiest. With Nevis’ famous,...