Holly Johnson – The News Desk

7 Best Chicago Boat Tours of 2024: River & Lake Cruises

2Apr

By adminNo Comments

Travel

7 Best Chicago Boat Tours of 2024: River & Lake Cruises

If you're hoping to see as much of Chicago as you can in a short amount of time, you may want to sign up for a boat tour. During each tour, you'll learn the historical significance of the skyline's iconic buildings while enjoying breathtaking views of the Windy City. Considering traveler reviews and expert opinion, U.S. News selected the best Chicago boat tours, ranging from an architectural boat tour on the river to a thrilling speedboat ride on Lake Michigan.Tall Ship Windy – Chicago Skyline SailPrice: Adults from $49; kids from $39Duration: 75 minutesTall Ship Windy's Chicago Skyline Sail introduces you to the beauty and splendor of Chicago's world-famous buildings aboard the company's four-masted schooner. On the sightseeing tour, you'll learn interesting facts about the history of th...

The 7 Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries for 2024

19Dec

By adminNo Comments

Travel

The 7 Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries for 2024

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from,...

13Dec

By adminNo Comments

Travel

Is Travel Insurance Worth It?

While the cost of travel can vary based on your choice of hotels and resorts, your mode of transportation, and other factors, adding a travel insurance plan makes your trip cost an average of 4% to 12% more. This may leave you wondering if travel insurance is truly worth the cost, or if you should take on the risk of going without it.The first detail to note about travel insurance is the fact that plans vary dramatically by provider, and that you may not actually need this coverage for every trip you take. The key to knowing whether you need travel insurance is figuring out your specific risks for any given vacation, then deciding if you can buy coverage that adequately protects you from common financial losses and pitfalls that might occur.What does travel insurance cover?Travel insuranc...

12Dec

By adminNo Comments

Travel

6 Top Transatlantic Cruises for 2024

Transatlantic cruises are unique when you compare them to traditional cruises most people book for family trips and romantic getaways. These voyages tend to be longer in general, and they have more built-in days at sea and offer a lot more time on board as a result. Repositioning cruises that include a transatlantic crossing tend to attract more retirees and travelers who just want to relax and enjoy their ships' amenities, especially since fewer days in port means fewer excursions and more time doing nothing at all.That said, the fact that transatlantic cruises can last as few as seven nights means they may fit in your plans more easily than you may think. There are also some benefits to transatlantic crossings that may not be obvious, including lower nightly rates, more onboard credit, ...

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

1Dec

By adminNo Comments

Travel

The 50 Most Beautiful White Sand Beaches in the World

1/52These beaches boast stark white sand that beautifully contrasts with azure waters and painted skies.Beach lovers often remark on the beauty of soft white sand and how this dynamic coastal feature really makes a shoreline stand out. To help you plan your next beach vacation, this list rounds up the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world and other offerings these scenic beaches provide.Next:Rendezvous Bay: Anguilla2/52Rendezvous Bay: AnguillaTravelers flock to Anguilla for its stunning scenery, soft sand beaches and amazing culinary experiences. Rendezvous Bay is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island, with powdery white sand, striking turquoise waters and amazing views of nearby St. Martin.Next:Grace Bay: Turks & Caicos3/52Grace Bay: Turks & CaicosGrace Bay in ...

22Nov

By adminNo Comments

Travel

The 4 Newest Royal Caribbean Ships

The world's biggest and most ambitious cruise lines never stop building out their fleet of ships, and Royal Caribbean International is no exception. The Florida-based cruise line currently boasts 28 incredible vessels for cruisers of all ages, including the four newest ships that have been added to the fleet since 2021. An even newer ship, Star of the Seas, is also being constructed with a planned launch date during the summer of 2025.If you're interested in trying out one of the most over-the-top cruise ships sailing the world today, consider Royal Caribbean's newest vessels from the last few years. Read on to learn about the brand-new Icon of the Seas, the jaw-dropping action offered on the Wonder of the Seas, the Utopia of the Seas and the Odyssey of the Seas and all the amenities and ...

12 All-Inclusive Resorts with the Best Food | Travel

17Nov

By adminNo Comments

Travel

12 All-Inclusive Resorts with the Best Food | Travel

All-inclusive resorts aren't necessarily known for their dining options or cuisine. In fact, many people have traditionally associated all-inclusive resorts with bland buffets and uninspiring meals that are meant to feed the masses.Fortunately, more and more all-inclusive resorts are elevating their culinary offerings with diverse options, locally sourced ingredients and acclaimed chefs. Follow your taste buds to these all-inclusive resorts with the best food. El Dorado Seaside Suites: Riviera Maya, Mexico(Getty Images)Located in Mexico's Riviera Maya, about halfway between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, El Dorado Seaside Suites is part of the Karisma brand of resorts, which is known for its "gourmet inclusive" offerings. This meal plan covered by the room rate includes customized dishes fro...

The 9 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Weddings

16Nov

By adminNo Comments

Travel

The 9 Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Weddings

Planning your wedding at an all-inclusive resort can take a lot of the stress and planning work of your nuptials off your plate. After all, all-inclusive properties offer rooms for all your guests, as well as all the foods, drinks and amenities you will need for your big day. Many properties also have a wedding planner on-site, which can help you organize details like securing your marriage certificate and an officiant for the ceremony.A variety of all-inclusive retreats have also introduced special packages to make hosting a wedding even more seamless. From the Florida Keys to the Caribbean, here are the top all-inclusive resorts offering enticing wedding packages that cover almost everything you could need.Hard Rock Hotel & Casino: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic(Courtesy of Hard Roc...

43 Surprisingly Cheap Tropical Vacations

11Nov

By adminNo Comments

Travel

43 Surprisingly Cheap Tropical Vacations

1/45Stretch your dollars further on your next trip.While it's easy to see the word "tropical" and think "expensive," there are plenty of must-visit vacation destinations with stunning palm-fringed beaches and warm weather year-round that won't break the bank. From the idyllic Caribbean and Mexico to Asia and South America, these tropical spots offer an affordable and fun place to relax for those willing to go off the beaten track. Many beach vacations on this list compiled by U.S. News also offer a range of lodging options, including cozy bed-and-breakfasts, luxurious hotels and even all-inclusive resorts.Ready for a tropical vacation you can afford? Dive into some of the best and most affordable cheap tropical vacations to add to your travel list this year.Next:Los Cabos, Mexico2/45Los C...

5Oct

By adminNo Comments

Travel

The 22 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S.

Many Americans would agree that putting on a pair of skis and hitting the slopes is one of the best ways to enjoy winter. And for many adventure travelers, there's no better place to participate in winter sports than the United States.From massive vertical drops in Colorado to fresh powder in Oregon and family-friendly getaways in New England, there are ski resorts tailored to every type of traveler. The amenities at a given ski spot can make or break your experience, so it's important to find a place that suits your needs.Beginners may want to look for a resort that offers easy to intermediate-level trails (usually labeled green and blue runs) and private lessons. Meanwhile, experts will want to seek out challenging black diamond and double black diamond runs, as well as terrain parks an...