A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
Spring is the ideal time to explore Tunis, as the rainy winter months give way to longer, sunny days, bringing the city to life with live music and artisanal showcases. Discover the charm of riding a bike around the city, enjoying the refreshing sea breeze and pleasant temperatures.
London has proven an irresistible source of inspiration to film directors over the decades, providing an epic backdrop for productions ranging from feel-good rom-coms to edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Consequently, the city is teeming with recognizable locations that are perfect for exploration. Once discovered, visitors can reenact relevant scenes and even ponder their imaginary acceptance speeches.
With visitors to North Macedonia typically flocking to Lake Ohrid and the capital Skopje, Bitola patiently awaits its moment to shine. This enchanting city offers curious travellers significant historical sites alongside a charming cafe culture. Additionally, it features a celebrated international film festival, growing local wine production, and superb hiking opportunities nearby. Consequently, Bitola deserves a place on any North Macedonia itinerary.
Festivals create a wondrous sense of community, allowing us to tap into our creative spirit, draw inspiration, and weave a common bond with complete strangers. In keeping with its role as the UAE’s capital of culture, Sharjah boasts a full quiver of fun fiestas. Here are five festivals that let you easily plug into the local culture and enrich your trip.
Note: If you’re looking for our most recent recommendations, check out the 2023 list of our favorite cities in the world.
While the words “hotel chain” may drudge up thoughts of cookie-cutter interiors, dusty bed runners and carpet long overdue for a refresh, the world’s best brands are proving that sharing the same proprietary name doesn’t mean a property is destined to be bland or mediocre. In fact, the top hotels in the world are proving that there may very well be strength in numbers. Shared management provides, if nothing else, consistency. Our favorite hotel brands foster loyalty and set reliable standards: guests know they can count on exceptional service, food and beverage programs that will rival the best independent restaurants, and design that conjures a sense of place. You should know exactly where you are just by drifting along the Rosewood Mayakobá’s mangrove-fronted lagoon or lounging in the Four Seasons Hotel Miami’s Art Deco lobby. A stay at any one of these hotel chains, from the first trademarked Ritz-Carlton property in Boston, launched in 1927, to the hotly-anticipated grand openings set for later this year, could easily banish your fears of brand-name boredom with a single step through the front door, which will inevitably be held open by a cheerful attendant or a bellhop in full regalia.
Over 4.5 million people visit the Statue of Liberty each year. However, it’s astonishing to learn that just six months after our national icon of freedom was opened to the public in 1886, it became a desolate spot, nearly abandoned by a disinterested populace.
This surprising fact is one of the many gems revealed by Elizabeth Mitchell, author of
Travelers have long looked to Hawaii as the perfect island getaway — and top-notch accommodations are not in short supply. There are oceanfront resorts where private villas spill right onto the sand, hotels that offer sunset views through floor-to-ceiling windows, and fine restaurants perched on cliffs. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, GoTravelDaily asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise lines, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated hotels on their rooms and facilities, location, service, food and drink, and overall value. Properties were categorized as city or resort based on their locations, not on the features of any individual hotel. There were a number of repeat winners among Hawaii’s top resort hotels this year. The Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, which came in at No. 3 spot, has appeared on the list for more than a decade, topping it several times. “All I can say is WOW,” one reader said. “We arrived and I felt like the red carpet was rolled out and we were VIPs.” The resort offers more than impressive service — like seven swimming pools, each with a distinctly different feel. King’s Pond is essentially an aquarium carved out of natural lava rock — you can swim among the more than 4,000 tropical fish that call it home. But one newcomer to the category had a very impressive showing: Montage Kapalua Bay, the No. 1 resort in Hawaii this year. All of the guest rooms have full gourmet kitchens, and several readers who took our survey remarked on the resort’s combination of mellowness and polish. The Spa Montage got high marks, too. For a romantic escape you can have a couples’ treatment, then head for the Cliff House, the property’s private dining venue. Read on for the full list.
Tucked away on the central west coast of New Zealand’s North Island, the Taranaki region is both overlooked and under-appreciated. However, for more intrepid travellers, the area dubbed ‘the Naki’ is definitely worth a detour.
With its secluded beaches and intimate resorts, this region has always been a favorite among couples. Our readers’ preferred destinations for romantic getaways range from a glamorous 1950s icon on St. Bart’s to two luxurious hillside retreats with Piton views in St. Lucia. It’s not just the stunning sea views that elevate these 10 resorts to the top; readers praised the unique amenities such as personal infinity-edge pools and butler services, which create an enchanting atmosphere upon arrival.
If there’s one thing you can guarantee when travelling somewhere new, it’s an unexpected cost you didn’t budget for – an irresistible detour, a magical memento you just have to have, or a few extra days in somewhere amazing.
Sequinned revellers, shiny pants, pilgrimages, and historic towns – July certainly has a lot in store for the culture-conscious traveller.
Portugal has been on a serious roll lately—so much so thatGoTravelDailynamed it Destination of the Year for 2016—due in part to a revitalization of urban centers like Lisbon and Porto. The wine industry in the Douro Valley is also thriving (and bottles are unbelievably reasonable). Moreover, the beaches and charming coastal towns are less known to American travelers than those in France and Italy, yet that’s part of the appeal. The country’s moment in the sun continues with Convento do Espinheiro, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa set in the town of Évora, receiving top honors among resort hotels in Spain and Portugal. Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is one of the top attractions in the Alentejo region, which is experiencing growing popularity for its sweeping landscapes, robust food and wine culture, and rich history. Convento do Espinheiro, housed in a former convent building with vaulted cloisters and expansive grounds, offers a winning combination of atmosphere, setting, and luxury. One respondent lauded it as “one of the most beautiful experiences of my life,” praising its “excellent service, dreamy comfort, extraordinary history,” and restaurant, which “will blow your mind.” Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, respondents share their opinions on travel experiences worldwide—ranking top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Hotels were evaluated based on their facilities, location, service, food, and overall value. Properties were classified as City or Resort based on their locations and amenities. The Penha Longa Resort, located in the historic resort town of Sintra, 30 minutes outside Lisbon, secured second place this year. Set in the rolling hills of a 545-acre national park bordering two magnificent beaches, the property features a 27-hole golf course, a 19th-century palace, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. The only Spanish property on this year’s list was the Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa. This legendary hotel, which opened in 1954 and captivated celebrity beachgoers in the 1960s and 70s, continues to attract a glamorous crowd with its impeccable styling and lush gardens.
Spain is one of those countries that’s constantly surprising. It’s a nation that varies dramatically depending on which region you explore. With a plethora of beautiful places to visit in Spain, it is an iconic country that you must experience.
From the lush fishing villages in the north to the sun-kissed Mediterranean coastlines, Spain hides many treasures and off-the-beaten-track locations that will amaze you—steering clear of the usual suspects like Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid.
Spanning 87 sq km (34 sq miles), this lush, mountainous Caribbean jewel is the world’s smallest landmass split into two nations: the French side, St-Martin, and Dutch side, Sint Maarten. Not only can you discover their twin influences here, but the island also boasts a strong African heritage and is home to residents from 120 different countries. This cultural melange leads to a dizzying array of culinary delights, making it a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
When people consider a trip to Central America, El Salvador probably isn’t the first country that comes to mind. The tiny nation has had its fair share of uncomplimentary headlines in recent years, but a trip to this mountainous little corner of the isthmus will turn any and all preconceived notions upside down.
We all know that lodging can make or break a vacation, but staying somewhere truly unique – like a tipi, a giant bird’s nest, or even underwater – can elevate a regular trip into an unforgettable experience.
Located around 200km north of Dubrovnik on the Dalmatian coast, the Croatian city of Split is often overshadowed by its glamorous neighbor. However, once you’ve wandered Split’s enchanting Roman old town, lingered over a coffee on its sunny waterside promenade, and ventured into its beautiful surrounds, you might find yourself agreeing with the locals (known as Splićani), who describe their city as ‘the most beautiful in the world’.
