These reefs are living, breathing snapshots of a watery world that you can peek into: refreshing oases where the noise of the land falls away; in its place, an intricate and utterly at-ease slice of life that you're lucky enough to witness.
Due to the airspace closure in Bahrain, Gulf Air's scheduled services to and from Bahrain International Airport remain temporarily suspended. The airline currently operates temporary commercial flights to and from Bahrain via King Fahad International Airport in Dammam.
"There was so much beauty, so much more than enough for everyone, that it did appear to be a vain activity to try and make a corner in it." This quote captures the essence of Villa Beatrice, where beauty and luxury converge in a breathtaking setting.
When retirement approaches, many start to wonder where they want to spend their golden years. Some might be most comfortable in the familiar surroundings of their hometowns, but others envision themselves in an idyllic location-one that offers beaches, sunshine, palm trees, and a laid-back vibe. Whether the goal is to reduce expenses and live comfortably on a fixed income or to spend retirement in luxury among beautiful scenery, some tropical spots are perfect for seniors.
As a collection of over 7,000 islands spanning 13 sovereign island nations and more than a dozen dependent territories, there's always a new cove or cay to uncover. Recent years have seen the Caribbean's popularity boom among British holidaymakers, too, with areas including the British Virgin Islands and Jamaica reporting record visitor numbers in 2025.
I was playing against the world No. 1 men's player, Carlos Alcaraz, at a tennis clinic designed for amateurs like me to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against a champion. Three "once mores" later, I couldn't take advantage anymore and offered to call the game.
Violent crime is a risk throughout Jamaica. The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica is among the highest in the Western Hemisphere. The State Department has placed a travel restriction for U.S. government employees working in the region, prohibiting them from using public transit or driving overnight, and encourages American citizens who are visiting to follow the same guidance.
Easily accessible from major U.S. cities, the Exumas remain refreshingly uncrowded, making them one of the Caribbean's true hidden gems, at least for now. As the wealthy look for privacy in paradise, and the world's most sought-after resort groups like Aman and Rosewood prepare to plant their own flags there in the coming years, everyone seems to have their sights on the Exumas.
Back in chilly February, when you were bored at work, you didn't think twice about booking a wine tasting and zipline excursion back to back. By the time reality hits in July, you're desperately chugging water to try and stave off heat stroke. Just like that, your 'relaxing' getaway is not so relaxing at all.
Despite decades of jokes and occasional bad publicity, cruise vacations are more popular than ever - just ask the tens of millions of Americans who take one every year and together represent more than half of all annual cruise travelers. Today's ships are massive, complex affairs backed by giant corporations and celebrity commercial sponsorships, all commanding big money. And while to the uninitiated, a ship may just seem like any other ship, experienced cruisers increasingly understand that unique offerings make all the difference.
Here's the thing: all-inclusive holidays have never been so in demand, with more and more of us seeking a slick and smart hotel that doesn't make us feel too frugal to order one more piña colada. During the summer months, it's the best all-inclusive resorts in Europe that see an influx of visitors, from couples and groups of friends to those travelling with kids.
Sometimes it's about sinking into sunlight and letting a chic villa or vacation rental set the pace. It's always about time to start planning your next spring break vacation, and you'll find it hits differently when you've learned that the real luxury isn't just in the itinerary, but the address itself. Maybe it's a beachfront vacation home in Turks and Caicos or the Caribbean, a sun-soaked estate in Palm Springs or Florida.
Barbados's vibrant mix of breathtaking beaches, Colonial-style architecture, botanical gardens, and characteristic Caribbean hospitality makes it a natural beacon for those seeking sun, sand, rum punch, and a warm island breeze. Despite a slim 21-mile radius, there's a surprising number of excellent hotels here bringing historical charm, plush beds, and unrivalled sea views to restore peace to weary travelers. But for a proper pulse-slowing immersion into island time, a private villa is best.
The temporary route between Dublin and Bridgetown will take off from March 31 and operate to May 31, running three times weekly on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays, it said. Flights will be on an Airbus A321XLR - one of its newest single-aisle aircraft - and fares are currently available from €229 each way. Aer Lingus is to close its Manchester base from March 31, and will cease transatlantic services from the UK airport from that date.
My mother and I are at our best when unwinding on the beach with a piña colada in hand. It's not that we don't love adventurous travel; it's just that our travel styles are different. She's all about going with the flow, and I prefer to have a plan and a well-balanced itinerary. But one thing we both appreciate is a good tropical resort.
"Still relatively undiscovered, Grenada has been a well-kept secret of the discerning Caribbean traveler for decades," says Sheldon Keens-Douglas, the manager of Grenada's Spice Island Beach Resort. Insiders fell in love with the island's more distinct features, like its rugged, rain forest-covered center, enviable reefs, and untouched feel. Dubbed the Spice Island for its bumper crops such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, Grenada also has a growing culinary scene that has quietly been drawing in-the-know foodies for years.
Both cruises and all-inclusive resorts promise stress-free vacations, thanks to upfront pricing and built-in entertainment. But despite similar perks, the travel experiences couldn't be more different. Choosing between a floating resort that whisks you between several ports and a property that promises everything in one place depends on personal travel style. Do you crave variety and a busy schedule, or prefer settling into a single destination? Do you thrive with structure, or prefer flexible days at your own pace?
So when my family and I touched down in an 18-seater plane on Mustique's airstrip, I was expecting to find a place with the high-touch sheen of private island resorts elsewhere in the region: a celebrity chef-driven restaurant, perhaps; a ritzy beach club; or a boutique selling designer swimwear. But Mustique isn't about five-star bells and whistles-not on the surface, at least.
Positive update from the Caribbean-I was online and on the phone for HOURS all day yesterday but finally got flights so we will be heading home sooner than Friday," Han wrote in an Instagram post, adding in the video, "We all recognize and realize fully that there are far worse places to be stuck. We're lucky just to be able to have been here in the first place.
Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region's most accessible islands for travelers from the U.S., and numerous daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla or to hidden gem islands like Saba and Sint Eustatius. Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving as well as more relaxing things to do.
Close enough to island-hop to nearby St. Lucia and Dominica but worlds away in terms of language and customs, Martinique offers a distinctive Caribbean experience. The French overseas territory is greatly influenced by its European counterpart; residents speak French, the euro is the official currency, and outdoor bistros in the capital city of Fort-de-France mimic those of Paris. Many residents speak Creole, too-a nod to the island's rich West African heritage, which is on full display during the annual Carnival season.
I had never seen a cruise ship in real life before April 2022. I'd traveled by car, bus, train, and plane, but the only boat I'd ever been on was a ferry. That changed about four years ago, when I boarded one of the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. During my seven-night Caribbean voyage, the ship sailed round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.
The Holiday Happiness Index study, which was conducted in collaboration with Natalie Dattilo-Ryan, a Harvard-affiliated clinical psychologist and holistic happiness expert, looked at 50 destinations throughout the world and ranked them across five "feel good" factors, including sunlight, quality sleep, a healthy diet, time in nature, and physical exercise. To determine which are the sunniest, the study also took into account each place's total hours of sunlight per year.