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The Best Things to Do in Mauritius

The tiny island nation of Mauritius lies in the southern Indian Ocean, about 700 miles to the east of Madagascar and more than 1,000 miles south of the Seychelles. It’s a long way from anywhere (connecting flights through Dubai and Paris take about six and 11 hours, respectively), but those who make the journey are…

Top 5 Tips for Hiking in Cinque Terre

Restaurant at Hotel Porto Roca/Oyster There are many reasons to visit Italy’s famous Cinque Terre. Built into the cliffs on an incredible stretch of the Ligurian coast in northwestern Italy, the five former fishing villages lure tourists with breathtaking views, pastel-painted architecture, local wineries, tasty seafood and pesto, and a national park of nearly 10,000…

8 Adorable Animal Experiences to Add to Your Bucket List

The Sistine Chapel. The Taj Mahal. These are typical line items on a bucket list. And while we’re all for seeing the wonders of the world, as animal lovers, we have to confess that nothing makes us as giddy as a good nose-to-nose experience with an adorable creature. If otters holding hands warms your heart…

Top Things to Do in Jackson Hole in the Winter

For nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts, there are a few places that come close to Jackson Hole, a low-lying valley that’s flanked by the Teton and the Gros Ventre mountain ranges. Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks sit nearby, making the charming mountain town a playground for outdoor recreation — summer beckons travelers who wish…

9 Unexpected (But Amazing) Dive Sites in the U.S.

Many travelers flock to warm tropical shores for a chance to scuba dive among the world’s most vibrant coral reefs. There’s hardly an experience that can compare to diving beside whale sharks, witnessing the rich biodiversity of the Galapagos, or exploring the massive Great Barrier Reef. However, those lacking the time or budget for an…

Our 5 Favorite Hotels for Family Ski Trips

With additional reporting by Rachel Klein. For many of us, family ski trips are some of the fondest memories from our childhoods; they often involved fire pits, heated pools, hearty meals, and, well, maybe a few kamikaze-style downhill runs as well. We know from experience that kids always have a great time in the snow,…

Where to Find the Best Skiing in Japan

For many travelers, Japan evokes images of modern cities, Shinto shrines, and of course, amazing sushi and ramen. Few people would add skiing and snowboarding to that list, but for winter sports enthusiasts, Japan remains a best-kept secret. Like most ski resorts in the Northern Hemisphere, Japan’s prime ski season is from January through March,…

Video: What It’s Like to Go Dog Sledding in Alaska

Brimming with mind-blowingly beautiful places (the magical Mendenhall Glacier and Denali National Park come to mind first), Alaska unsurprisingly figures on many a traveler’s bucket list. Though it’s largely uninhabited, the last frontier is packed with adventurous activities — many of which can’t be replicated elsewhere in the world (or captured in a photograph). Some…

The Best Sunscreens for Your Vacation

Beach Access at the Hotel Due Mari/Oyster One of the beauties of travel is the opportunity it gives us to disconnect from our everyday routines. Maybe we push back our usual wake-up time a couple of hours or indulge in a pre-dinner poolside cocktail or three. However, the regular application of sunscreen is not one…

Get Your Hands Dirty: 12 Hotels on Working Farms

Additional reporting by Lara Grant Hay! How about a visit to the ‘ole barnyard for your next getaway? Hotels on working farms allow you to leave the fast-paced city life behind — at least for the weekend — and hit the country to hone your farming chops. But don’t worry; the farmtastic resorts that make…