March 21, 2018 Top 10 family resorts worldwide "We're going on vacation!" elicits squeals of joy. "We're going on vacation with the kids!" Not so much. But choosing the right place to visit with the little ones can make the difference between enjoying your time away as a family or needing another vacation when you return home. Our selections of the top 10 family resorts around the world offer something for all ages, including teenagers, whether you're spending time hanging out together or pursuing different interests apart. Learn where the kids can go cavorting on life-size pirate ships, tightrope walking, baking with Cookie Monster and more at the top 10 family resorts worldwide.
March 21, 2018 Fittest cruise ships Cruises are traditionally a dieter's worst nightmare, almost on a par with French fries, glazed donuts and supersized sodas. According to a survey of more than 1,200 British cruisers, for instance, 52 percent said they’d gained up to 14 pounds during a two-week holiday. Even worse? About six percent reported putting on up to 18 pounds. But going on a cruise doesn't have to mean being cooped up, doing canned excursions, and letting your waistline bulge while you eat coconut shrimp by the pool. Instead, it can mean early morning Tai Chi classes on deck, getting a personal training session in a state-of-the-art fitness center with sweeping views, or putting in an early evening jog in the fresh ocean air. As the public becomes more and more health conscious, cruise lines are offering better options—by way of expanded gyms, fitness classes and over-the-top amenities like jogging tracks, climbing walls and artificial surf waves—to help you stay active while at sea. That way, if you're eating more food (and admit it—you will!), you can balance calories in with calories out without running up and down the stairs or doing lunges down the hallway (and attracting strange looks from fellow passengers). Rather than aim for absolutes—and run the risk of multiple ships from the same company (Royal Caribbean, for instance, would take many slots, based on the sprawling size of its ships alone)—we picked the top ships from 13 different cruise lines, in order to serve cruisers of every stripe, from the family types who might sail with Disney to those who prefer the luxury of a Regent Seven Seas vacation. To come up with our ranking, we looked at passengers per personal trainer, size and number of fitness centers, counted every piece of fitness equipment (at least that we could get numbers for) and factored in number of fitness classes and more exciting amenities like zip lines, rock walls and sports facilities. Ready to set sail on a fitness-friendly cruise? Here are 13 ships with calorie-crunching fitness offerings onboard to keep your waistline intact.
March 21, 2018 World's top 7 eco-friendly resorts From handcrafted driftwood bungalows in Indonesia to remote rain forest lodges in Peru, National Geographic has circled the globe in search of the world's best eco-friendly resorts.
March 21, 2018 Top 10 extreme hotels in the world Tired of cookie-cutter hotel rooms? Check out our list of the top 10 extreme hotels in the world. Here you'll find unique offerings across the globe, including a converted bullfighting ring in Mexico and an underwater hotel in the U.S.
March 21, 2018 World's most beautiful hotel pool waterfalls We love an infinity pool, and a pool with a view—but a pool with the added bonus of a waterfall? Well, we must be in heaven. Check out these amazing properties and bask in the blissful beauty yourself.
March 21, 2018 10 hottest European hotels While many travelers visit Europe for its centuries-old history, there are those who appreciate the Continent's au courant attractions — cutting edge restaurants, sexy nightclubs and, of course, sleek hotels. One of the most exciting things about European hotels is that you can have the best of the past and present, sometimes in a single lodging. With that in mind, we have chosen these ten hotels. From a sophisticated Tuscan farmhouse to a stylish island hideaway, they offer a range of décor and architectural style. At the same time, one element remains constant: warm, traditional hospitality.
March 21, 2018 12 gorgeous urban rooftop pools Deciding on a destination for an upcoming trip is never easy. While the beach and mountains may beckon, cities are a great option year-round, offering an array of activities for every type of getaway. After a long day of sight-seeing, however, some may long for those quiet, relaxing moments by the pool that are often easier to come by in non-urban destinations. So we’ve rounded up our favorite urban rooftop pools, so you can find relaxation even in a bustling metropolis. Discover some of our favorite hotel rooftop pools.
March 21, 2018 World's most beautiful pools We're suckers for a beautiful hotel pool. That's why we've rounded up our favorites from this year's Hot List for your viewing pleasure.
March 21, 2018 Top 10 swim-up bars Who doesn’t like to get their drink on while taking a dip? It’s both the ultimate cool down and the possibly best way to spice up a relaxing vacation. We’re craving some refreshing fun in the sun, so we’ve picked our favorite places to liquor up — all from the cool comforts of hotels’ pools. So get your blender and piña colada mix ready — you’ll be thirsting for a fruity cocktail after browsing these awesome hotel pool bars.
March 21, 2018 Top 10 Caribbean cruises Cruises have been in the news a lot lately, but usually for the wrong reasons. No company is immune to accidents, but we believe the cruise lines below do a fine job of navigating the Caribbean. With their vast (and beautiful) bodies of water and picturesque ports of call, the Caribbean islands are a cruise passenger's fantasy come true. Whether they have their own private islands or craft shore excursions just for you, the ten cruise lines we've chosen for this list are among the very best.