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Travel + Leisure
a day ago
- Travel + Leisure
We Asked 7 Travel Experts Their Favorite U.S. Beach Getaway—and They All Picked the Same Destination
Here's a bit of good news for you: the days may be getting a little shorter, and you might even feel a slight chill in the morning air—but summer isn't over yet. In fact, according to the travel professionals we spoke to, there's no reason your summer ever has to end, so long as you head to their shared favorite beach getaway destination. In August, we asked travel professionals to share their favorite coastal escapes, and one state came up again and again with resounding enthusiasm: Florida. After all, it's called the Sunshine State for a reason, and with 825 miles of beaches along its eastern, southern, and western coasts, it offers more than enough shoreline to explore. If you're looking for specific spots to visit, the experts have you covered. Here are the top beach destinations travel professionals recommend you visit in Florida. Brad Busby, the executive vice president of Hospitality at RREAF Holdings, suggests seeking out lesser-known beach towns as the season winds down to help people unwind on one final getaway. "Cocoa Beach, Florida, is a prime example, where peaceful days on the sand might be punctuated by the awe of a rocket launch from nearby Kennedy Space Center," he told Travel + Leisure . "[It] offers a sense of nostalgic charm, reminding us of a time when beach towns felt more personal and more relaxed." David Ciccarelli, the CEO of also recommends venturing beyond the usual spots in search for more solitude. That's why he thinks a drive up to West Palm Beach is a fantastic way to spend a Floridian vacation. "It's away from the crowds of Miami's beaches, and further north of the yacht capital of the world is West Palm," Ciccarelli said. "I first visited there because my grandparents have a place in the city, and they took me to the beach each day. Certainly, it's changed since then, but it has all the beauty without the busyness of Miami." Looking for both a little hustle and bustle with your beach time? Follow Elizabeth Valdez, the founder of Paradise Food Tours, to Naples and Bonita Springs. "It's where powder-soft beaches, upscale dining, and serene natural beauty overlap, offering the sophistication of Palm Beach without the crowds of Miami or the commercial buzz of other Gulf Coast towns," Valdez told T+L, adding that the area has something for everyone. "Naples offers art galleries, luxury resorts, and manicured golf courses, while Bonita Springs has a slower, more casual vibe: think nature preserves, historic charm, and a laid-back beach culture." Shannon Jones, a travel advisor and founder of KeeKee's Big Adventures, believes more travelers should consider Sarasota as a prime beach escape. "It has a small-town feel with a great culinary scene, think Italian, seafood, and more," Jones said. "The area has a youthful vibe due to local colleges like Ringling College of Art & Design." Bonus: Sarasota also has a strong arts and culture scene thanks to spots like the Ringling Museum and the upcoming Mote Science Education Aquarium. Ava Wilson, a travel expert at Travel Taste Discover, calls Navarre Beach her top pick for a quieter coastal experience. "Loved by families looking for secluded beaches as well as the general tourists, and for good reason, it is a beautiful beach. Sugar white sand, emerald waters, and fewer crowds than what we usually have in Florida's panhandle, Navarre Beach is one of my favorite domestic beach destinations that I recommend to literally everyone." According to Wilson, the prime time to visit is September as it's the time when "the temperatures are still balmy and the summer crowd is gone." Susan Blume, the founder of Personal Escape Travel, recommends an easy, breezy getaway that's quick to reach and packed with everything you need in one spot. "One of my favorite beach destinations to recommend is Delray Beach. Very easy flights from most of the East Coast, lots of hotel options, and a great stretch of beach," Blume said. Here, you can "walk everywhere in terms of dining and nightlife, plus there are always cultural events. It's a reasonable getaway and a good option for a long weekend." Chelsea Wimberley, an online scout for Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism, invites travelers to visit her home turf. "Destin-Fort Walton Beach is surrounded by water, and each waterway is different. We have The Gulf, Choctawhatchee Bay, Destin Harbor, and each is unique for all kinds of water activities. It's also the perfect place to try something new, such as snorkeling, fishing, or paddleboarding." Her must-see picks include the tidepools and the Gulf on Okaloosa Island because it's "laid back, kids can play in the sand, and right on the water."
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Yahoo
This Is the Best Time to Use the Bathroom on a Plane, According to a Flight Attendant and Frequent Fliers
We've all been there—we need to use the bathroom on a plane, but we're not sure when to go. Thankfully, flight attendants and travel professionals have a few thoughts on the best times to the airplane bathroom can be complicated. Get the timing wrong, and you could be stuck in a line that runs past the galley, or you could be waiting in your seat for what seems like an eternity. Of course, there are the obvious times when the lavatory is off-limits (during takeoff and landing, and when the seatbelt sign is on), but when is the best time to use the bathroom on a plane? According to Sarah B., a flight attendant for a major international airline (who wished to keep her last name anonymous), there are two key windows to aim for: shortly after the first meal service is cleared, and just before the landing announcement. 'The best time to use the lavatory is right after we've cleared the first meal service or just before the landing announcement,' she says. 'The moment they announce that you're going to land soon, everyone runs to the toilets. They also run there right after eating, and they can get stuck behind the carts for clearing the meals, and it's difficult for them to get back to their seats.' The second meal usually happens about 60 to 90 minutes before landing, so if you wait until then, you'll often be stuck in a long queue or risk not getting in before the seatbelt sign goes on for descent. The strategy that she recommends is to go right after the first meal cleanup, when most people are still settling in, watching a movie, or falling asleep. That tracks with the general rhythm of a long-haul flight: meal service, lull, second meal, descent. That lull, when the cabin is dim, quiet, and relatively still, is prime bathroom time. It's also when most people are preoccupied with their screen or napping, which means fewer elbows to dodge in the aisle. Rani Cheema, a travel coach and consultant who regularly takes long-haul flights, has her bathroom timing down to a science—and it all begins before she even gets on the plane. 'I'm using the bathroom as many times as possible before getting on the plane,' she says. For those who tend to board early, she also suggests using the bathroom before the plane takes off. Once in the air, Cheema's hydration plan continues to shape her strategy. 'I don't drink a lot of liquid before my flight,' she says. 'I drink a lot of liquid during my flight, so I don't have to deal with the bathroom as soon as I get on.' Her go-to loo time? When everyone's asleep. Since most of Cheema's flights are long-haul, she's found a lull in the bathroom lines when people start falling asleep. She also pays close attention to location. 'If there's a bathroom that's very viewable, like towards the front, that means I'm not going to that bathroom,' says Cheema. 'I am probably going all the way to the back, because most likely people are looking forward at that bathroom and they can see the sign.' When bathrooms inevitably start looking a little worse for wear, Cheema says she doesn't hesitate to flag it—gently. However, she emphasizes that she always leads with kindness (and little treats) and finds that flight attendants have always been willing to help. It's good advice. The average airplane has about one bathroom for every 60 passengers. With that level of usage, timing becomes important. So, if you're aiming to avoid the lines and stress, go early and take advantage of the bathrooms while others are sleeping. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Forbes
Astrotourism Is On The Rise: Here's How To Plan A Trip In 2025
Aurora Borealis dancing over Tromso Urban Skyline. Tromso Panorama and winter night landscape with Northern Lights (Aurora Polaris) on a cold night, with starry sky, polar lights and snowcapped mountains on Kvaloya Island in the background. Cityscape with Brightly Street Light of the Arctic Capital, Northern Norway getty You don't have to be Katy Perry to plan an unforgettable astrotourism trip. It is becoming more and more common for travelers to plan trips around specific natural phenomena, seeking out unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experiences like viewing a solar eclipse or catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights over plotting a music festival or museum-packed itinerary abroad. The thing about astrotourism, though? You've got to be intentional about planning it. If your dream is to see an unobstructed solar eclipse, for example, well, you've got two years before the next one is set to arrive. Here are three ways to plan for an astrotourism trip—and how travel and hospitality professionals are shifting gears to offer travelers the best possible experience while seeking out natural and rare-occurring phenomena: The Northern Lights are often visible in Canada and the U.S., but for the best—and most clear—chance of seeing the wonders of the aurora borealis, travelers are heading much further north. "We decided to introduce trips to Scandinavia due to increased demand for visitors to this region, as well as the chance to showcase the spectacular scenery and chances for incredible nighttime displays,' said Bruno Kaufmann, European Travel Specialist at Unforgettable Travel Company. 'Iceland, Northern Norway and Finland offer fantastic chances to see the Northern Lights, as there are an abundance of properties located away from artificial light, giving clients the best chance to see the Aurora, as well as the night sky.' According to Kaufmann, In Iceland, the Hotel Ranga is a particularly special location, with two highly powered telescopes and an on-site astronomer who hosts evenings to enjoy the night sky and the aurora (while it is cloudless). 'With us being in the Solar Maximum, Northern Lights displays are more frequent and more spectacular than ever, but every year between September and April, it is possible to witness the lights dancing in the sky." The total solar eclipse had us scrambling for eclipse-viewing glasses and the best spots to see the phenomenon, but the next solar eclipse in 2026? Many travelers are planning far in advance to ensure the best possible viewing experience. 'The excitement around viewing a total solar eclipse the past few years has been palpable, and we jumped at the chance to create more itineraries that give our guests the incomparable opportunity of viewing the eclipse at sea,' said Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment for Holland America Line. 'When you're at sea, there is a greater opportunity to witness an eclipse in the clear because the ship can attempt to position itself away from cloud cover—and the view on the horizon means you get more of the shadow coming in and going out. Because of that, these cruises are extremely popular: for everyone from professional astronomers to travelers looking to check an eclipse off their bucket list.' 'For millennia, civilizations have studied celestial happenings, and that impact is seen even now in many famous landmarks and monuments,' said Grigsby. 'We took care to add ports into the itinerary that have some connection to the study of the sun and stars: on the 28-day, one example includes Portland, England, within close proximity to famous Stonehenge, long believed to be built with the solstice in mind. And on the 14-day, guests can visit the world's largest and most complex astronomical clock in Messina, Italy.' Seek out the dark sky in your own backyard According to Ash Nudd, WorldMark by Wyndham's National Park Hiking Concierge, one of the most overlooked natural resources of the national parks is their night skies. 'Many people who live in or around cities and towns have no idea what they are missing because of the light pollution that has become such a mundane feature of our everyday life,' explained Nudd. 'Our cities are saturating our skies with light, so it is often impossible to see the masterpiece hidden beyond.' 'The National Park Service, on the other hand, is dedicated to preserving and protecting our ability to observe the night sky in all of its glory. With many national parks that are considered International Dark Sky Parks, they are the perfect places to go to see meteor showers, lunar eclipses, the northern lights, the Milky Way, and all of the amazing constellations that have fascinated humans throughout the ages.'
National Post
02-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
Recognizing the World's Most Exceptional Destinations: Nominations Now Open for the Inaugural TOURISE Awards
Article content The TOURISE Awards spotlight the world's most impactful destinations, celebrating culture, connection, and innovation in travel. Five categories are open for nominations, with a flagship award selected by an independent jury of global tourism experts. Nominations are open until July 9 and winners will be honored at the TOURISE Summit in Riyadh, taking place from November 11–13, 2025. Article content Article content RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — The TOURISE Awards officially launched today as a new global benchmark celebrating excellence in tourism destinations. Created to honor places that are shaping the future of travel, the Awards spotlight destinations delivering meaningful, memorable, and measurable value across the traveler journey. Nominations are now open to individual travelers, industry professionals, and organizations passionate about recognizing the world's most exceptional places. Article content The TOURISE Awards are an extension of the TOURISE platform powered by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Tourism and announced via a virtual press conference on May 22, 2025. Article content In line with the TOURISE ethos, the Awards take a bold stance recognizing destinations with a strong sense of identity, measurable impact, and responsible management. Eligible destinations must have (i) a defined geographic scope (a city, region or site), (ii) a distinct identity and character that stems from culture, landscapes and attractions that shape how the destination is perceived by travelers, and finally (iii) must be backed by a tourism governing body responsible for ensuring a destination is effectively managed. Article content The TOURISE Awards feature five distinct award categories: Best Arts and Culture Destination, Best Adventure Destination, Best Food and Culinary Destination, Best Shopping Destination, and Best Entertainment Destination. In addition, a flagship Best Overall Destination award will recognize the destination that excels across all aspects of the traveler experience — setting a new global benchmark as the most exceptional place to visit. Article content Jean-Philippe Cossé, CEO of TOURISE, said: 'Tourism is not just a key economic engine — it's a powerful connector of cultures, a builder of communities, and a driver of sustainable change. As the industry undergoes a bold transformation, it's more crucial than ever to spotlight the destinations that are leading with vision, purpose, and resilience. The TOURISE Awards are our tribute to those extraordinary places that don't just welcome travelers — they inspire them, challenge the status quo, and push the boundaries of what tourism can achieve. These awards put destinations at the center of the global conversation, celebrating the pioneers who are shaping the future of travel.' Article content The TOURISE Awards will be judged by an independent jury panel comprised of a powerhouse of cross-industry trailblazers from the worlds of travel and tourism, fashion, culinary, art, retail, culture, adventure and entertainment: Article content Filip Boyen, Former CEO, Forbes Travel Guide; Michael Ellis, Former Global Director, Michelin Guides; Fiona Jeffery, Former Chair, World Travel Market; Former Chair Tourism for Tomorrow Awards; Renaud de Lesquen; Former CEO, Givenchy, Former President Dior AM; Lars Nittve, Former Founding Director, Tate Modern; Albert Read, Former Managing Director , Conde Nast; Caroline Rush, Former CEO, British Fashion Council; Omar Samra, UN Goodwill Ambassador, Mountaineer and Polar Explorer Bernold Schroeder, Former CEO, Kempinski; Pan Pacific. Article content Eligible destinations will be evaluated across 10 assessment criteria, grouped into three key areas, which make up the destination experience: offering, value, convenience. Judges will assess how destinations perform across these areas — considering what they offer, how accessible and visitor-friendly they are, the overall value they provide, and most importantly, the quality and impact of the experience. This includes looking at factors such as authenticity, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, accessibility, accommodation variety, and safety, all of which contribute to a destination's ability to deliver a meaningful and memorable journey. Article content The winners of the inaugural TOURISE Awards will be announced at the TOURISE Summit, taking place in Riyadh from November 11 to 13. The Summit will bring together leading voices from across tourism, travel, investment, and innovation — from heads of state and visionary CEOs to creators, disruptors, and global investors. It will serve as a platform to spark bold ideas, build transformative partnerships, and shape new standards for the future of travel. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content
Travel Weekly
29-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Weekly
ASTA and Travefy partner on new award for advisors
ASTA and Travefy have partnered to create the ASTA Emerging Leaders Award Program, Presented by Travefy. ASTA members under 45 who have been working in the industry for two or more years are eligible for the new award. It was designed to recognize the industry's future, the Society said in a release. "At Travefy, we've always been committed to empowering travel professionals," said Travefy founder and CEO David Chait. "Whether it's through our itinerary management tools or helping agency scale, our mission is to make the business of travel better, smarter and stronger than when Travefy launched 13 years ago. That's why we wanted to partner with ASTA to help further elevate the travel advisor profession through a new signature award." More new award categories are coming, ASTA said. The Society will host an awards gala on Jan. 22 at Chicago's Palmer House Hotel, where suppliers and advisors will be recognized.
