Home to 365 beaches—and all of them are public by law—Antigua has plenty of sandy spots to explore. You’ll find that just about every beach has a resort spreading along its edges, but don’t let that scare you off. You may not have access to the resort’s chairs or facilities, but the sand, sea and sun are all free for all.

Note that if you want to escape the resort scene entirely, Antigua packs choices for that also.

Turner’s Beach

Umbrellas are free to use, but you’ll pay a fee for chairs at this west side beach known for flat water and latte-colored sand. On site, a bar and restaurant—also named Turner’s Beach—offer a full bar, pub food, and restrooms.

When entering the water, note that there is a big dip down a couple yards from the shoreline. For that reason, Turner’s may not be the best pick for children and not-so-confident swimmers—but for everyone else, it’s heaven.

Darkwood Beach

Easily the beach on Antigua with the most facilities, Darkwood offers a bar and restaurant with reasonably priced fresh fish and lobster, plus umbrellas and chairs and a small inflatable waterpark just 10 yards from shore.

The downsides: Darkwood can be popular, aka crowded, especially on cruise ship days. However, it’s easy to see why this beach constantly makes every best-of list, boasting the white-sand, turquoise-water experience that everyone pictures when they hear the word Caribbean.

Little Ffryes Beach

One cove north from the better-known Ffryes Beach, this is one of the best picks for, well, the little fries. A shallow, gradual entry makes this a favorite with the kids. You won’t find it on Google maps, but you will find it if you search for Cocobay Resort. Yes, the resort claims a stretch of the beach, but you can keep walking until you find a patch free of development.

Galleon Beach

This east side beach is on the maps handed to tourists at the airport, but that doesn’t mean it ever gets crowded—outside of yacht season, that is. Galleon Beach is a good choice to spread out, snorkel, and even walk the full length of the beach to check out the Pillars of Hercules, a series of impressive rock columns carved by years of waves and weather.

Do note that if you travel in the summertime, the beach is especially peaceful—so much so that you’ll likely have the place to yourself.

Carlisle Beach

Lots of palm trees give Carlisle Beach an exotic feel. We like this spot for its wide swath of golden sand and for its gradual entry, making it a great choice for small kids. Carlisle Bay Resort spreads out along the cove, but the northernmost and southernmost bits are free of chairs, umbrellas, or anything else belonging to the resort.

One bonus is that if you come in the afternoon, you can grab a nibble at Indigo on the Beach—and perhaps also a cocktail that includes some freshly squeezed watermelon juice—and then stay for sunset at this west-facing spot. Note that the resort does ask that non-guests call ahead to make a reservation if it’s during season.

Pigeon Point

Pigeon Point may feel like two beaches—one that’s hopping during winter’s sailing season and chilled out the rest of the year. When it’s crowded, you’ll find this south shore spot jutting into Falmouth Harbour buzzing with sailboats helmed by pros and those just learning.

On shore, beach restaurants and pop-up bars provide steady supply of barbecue and cold beer. The rest of the year, when the yachts move on, this is a much calm spot. Bonus: It’s also long enough to take a decent stroll.

Green Island

Reachable only by boat, this white-sand beach is the stuff of playing castaway. The water is clear, calm, and ideal for swimming, snorkeling, or floating while sipping on rum punch. This is certainly one of Antigua’s quieter beaches, so you won’t have crowds—but you also won’t have facilities or any food beyond whatever you or your tour operator bring along.

Rendezvous Bay Beach

Thanks to the hike in, Rendezvous Beach is among the most secluded on Antigua. From Wallings Dam, it’s a 30-minute walk. If you’re not feeling confident in your jungle-navigation skills, you can always hire a guide to be on the safe side. Once there, you may even meet the wild pigs—which, unlike those of the famous Bahamas beach, have not been fed and aren’t nearly as photo ready, but fun to see just the same.

Ffryes Beach

Unlike many Antigua beaches, Ffryes isn’t hemmed in by any resorts—just a road lined with sea grape and palm trees. We love that by any standard, this beach is massive. Moreover, the beach is all white sand, free of rocks, which makes for lovely walking and playing—just not so great for snorkeling.

As a bonus: On a clear day, you can see the neighboring island of Montserrat.

Dickenson Beach

Found on the northwest side of the island, this line-up of restaurants and resorts makes for a happening spot to meet fellow travelers and strike up conversation. For its white sand and impossibly clear water, Dickenson Beach is a top contender for best beach on Antigua. Do note that Instagrammers won’t want to miss the red phone booth just steps from the water’s edge—making for the best on-island playful photo op.

The post Antigua’s Best Beaches for Any Style of Vacation appeared first on Islands.

From the Caribbean and Mexico to Spain, South Africa and even Utah, there’s a host of luxurious hotels with private pools perfect for the most relaxing, most romantic getaways. Isolate yourselves at Amangiri in the seemingly remote landscape of Utah; there are sunsets and gorgeous horizons all around. Prefer something more tropical? Visit St. Lucia and Jade Mountain for vistas overlooking the island.

If you’re looking for hotel rooms with a private pool, read on for our list of the best 14 locations.

Jade Mountain – Soufriere, St. Lucia

The 24 suites, aptly called sanctuaries at Jade Mountain, are stacked atop each other on a hillside, all with heart-stopping views. As you open the door, get ready to be wowed: Organic architecture blends curved stone walls with exotic hardwood floors, and the open plan means you’re never without a view, from the king-sized bed draped with mosquito netting to the sans-walls bathroom with its sexy whirlpool tub.

But the stars are the pools. Sized from 400 to 900 square feet, each is lined with iridescent glass tiles in shades like sapphire, jade, magenta and bronze. The effect is so mesmerizing you won’t mind that there’s no TV (or air conditioning, as the lofty locale provides cooling breezes). Just pour yourselves some bubbly, and slip into your infinity-edge paradise.

Royal Davui Island Resort – Beqa Lagoon, Fiji

Each romantic “vale” is nestled into hillside foliage with plunge pools facing out toward the lagoon for ultimate privacy at Royal Davui Island Resort. Trading up from the island or deluxe categories to premium earns you the largest and most private oasis with its own refreshing rock waterfall.

Inside, a 20-foot netted canopy hangs from the ceiling to cocoon the king bed, which floats mid-room on a sea of polished Fijian-wood flooring adjacent to a large bathroom with a whirlpool tub and outdoor shower. A separate living room has sliding glass walls and a sunning patio with twin chaise lounges.

Grand Velas Riviera Maya – Playa del Carmen, Mexico

This 539-room all-inclusive is definitely abuzz, but the quiet Grand Class section perfectly combines luxe amenities with honeymoon privacy. All 90 suites in this section have ocean views, spa tubs and oceanfront balconies with private plunge pools. There’s even room for a massage table, should you prefer your spa treatment in suite. Top-floor rooms boast vaulted ceilings and the best views.

Hermitage Bay – Antigua

Yes, Hermitage Bay has cottages set right on the beach. But if it’s privacy and plunge pools you seek, request one of 17 hillside-cottage suites. You have to trek up a steep stone path to get there, but your effort is rewarded with the treehouse-like enclave, boasting sexy extras like a king bed, outdoor shower, wraparound sun deck and infinity-edge plunge pool with views that stretch all the way to neighboring Nevis and Montserrat.

The Resort at Pedregal – Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Each of the 66 rooms and suites features a private terrace with a plunge pool, but, for the most indulgent ambience, book one of the eight Capella rooms at the Resort at Pedregal. These oversized havens have carved, wood-beam ceilings, a separate sitting area and a driftwood-back king bed positioned opposite a fireplace. The terrace door opens to an infinity-edge plunge pool with stellar sea views. More watery revelry is on tap inside in the rainforest shower for two.

Cavo Tagoo – Mykonos, Greece

Cavo Tagoo stays true to the stark-white Cycladic architecture Mykonos is known for, but the whitewashed interiors are refreshingly modern. Classic rooms on the lower level have private terraces and refreshing plunge pools while the upper-level deluxe rooms come with infinity-edge pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. A free shuttle runs between the hotel and Old Town five minutes away.

Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora – Bora Bora, French Polynesia

All of the resort’s plush, overwater bungalows offer dive- or step-in access to the lagoon, but couples who book an overwater bungalow with a plunge pool can also take a freshwater dip on the lanai right outside their room. It’s perfect for a relaxing rinse after a snorkel session or a sunset soak complete with champagne.

Inside, contemporary Polynesian décor is equally seductive, especially the oversized tub with lagoon views. The glass panel in the living room floor lets you spy on multicolored reef fish below.

Banyan Tree Mayakoba – Riviera Maya, Mexico

For a romantic respite, book a bilevel spa-pool villa at Banyan Tree Mayakoba. Here, your rectangular H2O oasis is the perfect relaxation spot after a massage in your private treatment area. The décor is Asian spare meets Mexican spice. Think minimalist architecture that blends into the landscape and a neutral color palette accented by touches of orange and red.

Your outdoor terrace has twin chaise lounges and a dining area. Round-the-clock room service ups your incentive to stay put, too.

Ladera – Soufriere, St. Lucia

St. Lucia oozes romance, and the 32 treehouse-style rooms at Ladera match that vibe perfectly. Situated on a ridge 1,100 feet above sea level, the three-walled suites boast panoramic views of the Caribbean, the Pitons (two mountainous volcanic plugs) and the town of Soufriere. Each terrace has a private plunge pool surrounded by lush landscaping. Many also have waterfalls and teak swing sets hanging from the ceiling.

Spice Island Beach Resort – St. George’s, Grenada

This all-inclusive, 32-room boutique resort on Grenada’s southwest coast is on prime real estate, steps away from expansive Grand Anse Beach. The resort’s 1,200-square-foot Anthurium pool suites are located on the lower level, and each has a private courtyard terrace where gardens and chaise lounges surround a supersized 12-by-16-foot plunge pool.

Uma Ubud – Bali, Indonesia

There are just three Uma pool suites at COCO Uma Ubud. They’re constructed in an open, airy Balinese style with separate lounging, dining and sleeping areas. Each bedroom features a four-poster king bed and gleaming terrazzo floor that leads to a light-filled bathroom with a sunken tub for two. Outside, a pair of chaises flanks a sapphire-blue infinity plunge pool embraced by the solitude of the Balinese jungle.

Belmond La Residencia – Majorca, Spain

The isle of Majorca is classic Mediterranean: olive groves, quaint towns and seaside cliffs. Within the sleepy artists village of Deià is Belmond La Residencia, a pair of stunning stone houses that have been converted into a 67-room Orient Express retreat. Here, guests lounge around the grounds, hike to the nearby swimming cove or hole up in a Tramuntana suite with a tiled garden terrace and private pool.

Amangiri – Lake Powell, Utah

The stunning Utah landscape is best experienced at Amangiri, a 34-room oasis surrounded by stark plateaus near the Arizona border and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Six of the hotel’s suites have spacious plunge pools and private, candlelit sky terraces accessed by staircase and furnished with a daybed. It’s perfect for evening stargazing.

Earth Lodge – Mpumalanga, South Africa

Spend your mornings spotting lions, giraffes and elephants from a Land Rover while on safari around Kruger National Park. Then, return to Earth Lodge for afternoons staring out over the bush from the pool on your private terrace. The lodge’s 13 suites were made from stone and built low to the ground. While they appear minimal on the outside, inside, they’re an interior designer’s dream.

Each suite is filled with rich metallic art and funky, locally sourced furnishings, such as handmade twig chandeliers.

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The tiny island of Barbuda–Antigua’s quieter sister, which lies 27 miles to the north–has long lured celebrities looking for an off-the-radar retreat in a quieter corner of the Caribbean popular with yachties and other intrepid travelers. 

And it turns out Robert de Niro is a fan of the hideaway, too. The legendary American actor and director is behind the Nobu Barbuda project, which opened a seasonal restaurant on the island last year and recently unveiled its first beach club here, too–a chill and sophisticated locale designed to lure as a day trip destination, with private cabanas fronting a silky stretch of pristine pinkish white sand. 

“We are excited to introduce Nobu Barbuda,” said Robert De Niro in an official statement about the project, pointing to the island’s natural features and remote appeal as the inspiration for planning such a project in this location. 

“In addition to the natural beauty of the island, we were drawn to the quiet and secluded atmosphere Barbuda offers,” he explained. “This vision for this peaceful hideaway will remain authentic by offering a sense of place, coupled with informal, yet impeccable service.” 

With just five cabanas, including one with a VIP experience complete with a lounge and private dining, the beach club is designed to be a personal base camp for a luxe oceanside experience, with personal hosts and even massages on request. You can hit the Caribbean style lounge bar between dipping into the sea, too, to sample Nobu-style dishes featuring fish from the surrounding waters. (Barbudan lobster, conch ceviche and tempura? Yes, please. And Nobu’s famous miso black cod will also be served.)

There’s more in the works for Nobu Barbuda, which happens to sit on the same location as Princess Diana’s favorite getaway, The K Club, and will likely draw a similar jetset crowd. 

In coming years, look for a build-out of the project, Nobu Beach Inn, to add a resort hotel and spa for a complete wellness retreat as well as private residences and an organic farm on one of the Caribbean’s most coveted islands.

The post Nobu Beach Club and Wellness Retreat Developing on Barbuda appeared first on Islands.

Trying to decide where to go in 2019? Every year, we compile our list of the best places to travel in the coming year, with a focus on islands and beach destinations. These tropical locales are buzzworthy for 2019, with new hotel openings, nonstop flights, exciting cruise calls and noteworthy celebrations. From the Adamans to the Whitsundays, here are our best places to travel in 2019.

Antigua & Barbuda

Thanks to Delta’s new nonstop flight from New York’s JFK to V.C. Bird International Airport, the 108-square-mile island of Antigua and its tiny sister island, Barbuda, are primed for weekend getaways. (Hurricane Irma severely damaged Barbuda in 2017; the island is still recovering, but one of its most lauded properties, Barbuda Belle, reopened in fall 2018.) Plan a trip for late April, when Antigua Sailing Week brings a new kiteboarding competition to the islands. Those looking for something unique should head to Antigua’s Valley Church Bay, where the Wild Lotus Camp introduced the Caribbean’s first beachfront glamping sites last summer. The canvas tents come with double beds and private showers, plus fire pits and loungers for roughing it in style.

Big Island, Hawaii

When the Kilauea Volcano erupted May 2018, it shut down Hawaii Volcanoes National Park for more than four months. But all is now back to normal around the 4,000-foot peak, and most of the park is open and safe for visitors. Resume plans to hike, bike, or drive around the park, or book a cruise on Norwegian Cruise Line‘s Pride of America and let the line handle your excursions. To promote the ship’s return to the Big Island, Norwegian is offering free or reduced round-trip airfare to Honolulu from several U.S. and Canada cities with cruise bookings. The seven-day sailing includes stops on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.

Cancun, Mexico

The beauty of Cancun (beyond that azure water, of course) is the destination’s broad appeal: Dreamy beaches for the laze-the-day-away crowd, nearby Mayan ruins and cenotes for adventure-seekers, and a solid tequila scene that has cemented Cancun’s status in the spring break hall of fame. New accommodations set for 2019 celebrate this variety: On the Riviera Maya, an all-inclusive Nickelodeon Hotel will cater to families come summer, while the sleek Ushuaïa Cancun — sister property to Ibiza’s Ushuaïa — promises adults-only digs and DJ-powered dance parties. New nonstop flights on Southwest Airlines launching in March from Milwaukee, Raleigh, San Antonio and Pittsburgh make getting to paradise even easier.

Canouan Island

It’s not exactly a breeze to get to this buzzworthy Caribbean island, part of the St. Vincent & the Grenadines island chain, but those who embark on the trip — usually via a charter flight from St. Lucia, Grenada, or Barbados — say it’s worth it. A huge part of the allure: September 2017’s opening of the Mandarin Oriental, Canouan. The former Pink Sands Club property is the first Mandarin Oriental in the Caribbean, and the intimate, 1,200-acre compound wows with personal butler service, a jaw-dropping infinity pool, and a signature “Beach of the Day” program.

Crete, Greece

Skip the crowds in Santorini and Mykonos and head south to Crete, the largest of the Greek Islands. Crete offers a quiet countryside, charming fishing villages, medieval ruins (this is the birthplace of Zeus, legend states), plus affordable hotels, villas, and Airbnb rentals. And in summer 2019, the Mirabello Beach & Village hotel in Agios Nikolaos will reopen as a Wyndham Grand property. Wherever you end up on the 3,200-square-mile island, some standout Cretan cuisine is likely nearby: The island’s strong farming and fishing communities mean locally sourced dishes are abundant. Don’t leave without trying dakos, Crete’s version of meze.

Cuba

Cuba has experienced a visitor boom since it reopened to tourism for U.S. travelers in 2015. Restrictions are still in place — you can still only visit on a People-to-People cultural exchange visa — but that didn’t stop 619,000 U.S. travelers from visiting the country in 2017. One of the easiest and most popular ways to visit is on a cruise — Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, and Silversea will all add new Cuba-centric itineraries in 2019. And come 2020, Richard Branson’s hip new Virgin Voyages cruise line will make Cuba one of its inaugural ports of call.

Galapagos Islands

Darwin’s playground is home to some of the world’s most pristine wilderness — plus tortoises, iguanas, 22 endemic species of land birds, and more. Several outfitters lead nature-centric expeditions to the archipelago — some 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador — including Celebrity Cruises, which will debut a new 100-passenger ship purpose-built for the Galápagos this year. The Celebrity Flora takes it maiden voyage in May, and expeditions will include snorkeling off of Santiago Island and riding in a Zodiac through the islands’ mangrove ecosystems.

Ischia, Italy

Italian author Elena Ferrante’s four-book series, the Neapolitan Novels, tells the story of Lenù and Lila, who grew up in Naples and spent summers on Ischia, a volcanic island in the Bay of Naples known for its thermal spas and laid-back lifestyle. The books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, and HBO adapted them into a miniseries, My Brilliant Friend, which premiered in November 2018 — further sparking readers’ desires to see the story’s real-life setting. At the Hotel Regina Isabella, a new three-night package includes a tour to the locations described in the books, plus a creative-writing workshop with a local literature professor.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Golfers should book it to this quaint island off Charleston’s coast: It’s home to the No. 1 golf course in South Carolina, the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which is gearing up to host the PGA Championship in 2021. As a result, the resort is in the midst of a $200-million redevelopment that will add a new 150-room hotel and a state-of-the-art conference space by the end of 2020. And just around the corner, the Timbers Kiawah Ocean Club & Residences opened in October 2018 with 21 beachfront vacation homes perfect for a family vacation.

Madeira

Happy birthday, Madeira! The four-island archipelago, an autonomous region of Portugal located off of Africa’s northwest coast, celebrates its 600th anniversary in 2019. Milestone events will take place across the main, mountainous island of Madeira throughout the year (be sure to toast the island with a glass of its eponymous wine); and hotels debuting in the New Year include the Savoy Palace in the capital city of Funchal, and the Pestana Churchill Bay, which opens in the sleepy fishing village of Câmara de Lobos this spring. (Yes, the Churchill is a nod to Winston the Prime Minister, who frequented the island in the 1900s.)

Naoshima, Japan

It might be one of the world’s most unconventional contemporary art destinations, but this island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea is a bastion of thought-provoking artistic expression and architecture — from Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Pumpkin sculpture that sits on the pier in front of the famous Benesse House museum and hotel, to the Tadao Ando-designed Chichu Art Museum. In 2019, the Setouchi Triennale will take place across 12 islands in the Seto Inland Sea, including Naoshima. Visitors can expect rotating art exhibits, installations, and interactive experiments from predominately Japanese artists.

Puerto Rico

Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017, but more than a year later, this soulful island has bounced back. Several hotels and restaurants have reopened, many with new amenities and menu updates. The best way to support the island’s continued recovery? Book a trip. The New Year promises even more additions, including the reopening of San Juan’s Caribe Hilton in January, plus a brand new Four Seasons Cayo Largo Resort currently slated to open in late 2019. Hamilton fans will be happy to hear that Lin-Manuel Miranda is making good on his promise to bring the mega-popular musical to the island: He’ll reprise his role as Alexander Hamilton in January at the University of Puerto Rico.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

It’s all about the all-inclusive in Punta Cana, a resort getaway on the Dominican Republic’s easternmost tip. Head here if your idea of a dream escape is checking in once and knowing everything is handled. In December, Spanish hotel chain Melía opened The Grand Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, complete with swim-up suites and a Natura Bisse spa. The new, adults-only, Hedonesque-style Temptation Punta Cana is slated to open later in 2019.

Sri Lanka

This island nation off India’s southern coast feels like Bali may have 20 years ago: an emerging, diverse destination that packs just as much cultural appeal as it does tropical allure. The country only recently opened its doors to tourism in 2009 at the end of a 26-year civil war, and a decade later, its tourism infrastructure is solid — and very much on the rise. Tourism has grown by 15 percent in 2018, and the government expects to welcome 4 million annual visitors by 2020. Most travelers fly into the capital city of Colombo and head south to the beach (Unawatuna) or inland to Udawalawe National Park for a safari, but one of the best ways to see the country is on a multi-day tour that offers a little bit of everything. Abercrombie & Kent‘s 14-day adventure includes temple and tea plantation visits, game drives, and more.

St. Barth

St. Barth was yet another Caribbean island that took a beating from Hurricane Irma in the fall of 2017; and while much of the past year was spent on recovery, 2019 will be all about getting back to glamorous on this notoriously glitzy isle. Many of the island’s most exclusive properties will reopen in December 2018 — including Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, Le Sereno, and Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa. Later in 2019, Le Guanahani and Eden Rock-St. Barths will return with updated guest rooms and new dining outlets. Plan your trip for May, when the weather is still great, but shoulder season pricing makes the elite island more accessible.

Tahiti

Dreamy, bucket-list spot Tahiti — the largest island in French Polynesia — may feel like a world away, but it’s actually only an eight-hour flight from Los Angeles. Air Tahiti Nui’s new 787 Dreamliner fleet makes the jaunt even more comfortable. (Couples can even preorder a bottle of Champagne to get the celebration started.) In October, United Airlines became the first U.S. carrier to fly nonstop to Papeete — and the nine-hour flight from San Francisco recently expanded to year-round service. In 2019, the island will commemorate the 250th anniversary of James Cook’s arrival: expect plenty of festivals and cultural events throughout the year.

Todos Santos, Mexico

Los Cabos had a huge new hotel boom in 2018, and farther south, Puerto Vallarta is making waves, but in-the-know travelers are booking it to Todos Santos — Mexico’s bohemian, laid-back surf enclave. The costal getaway is about an hour’s drive north of Cabo San Lucas (thanks to a new highway that opened last April), and the place to stay is Hotel San Cristóbal, the latest project from hotelier Liz Lambert, known for Marfa’s hip El Cosmico hotel. Check into one of the 32 funky-chic rooms before heading into town for vintage shopping at Mixtica and fish tacos at Jazamango. Prime season for snorkeling with whale sharks in nearby La Paz falls between November and June, but surf lessons at Mario Surf School are available year-round.

Whitsunday Islands

Queensland’s Whitsunday Islands are home to some of Australia’s most gorgeous beaches, and the 74-island archipelago (70 of those islands remain undeveloped) is a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef. After it reopens in July following extensive renovations, the ultra-luxe Hayman Island by InterContinental will take visitors to the reef by boat, helicopter, or seaplane. Coral-bleaching events (caused by climate change) have damaged and even killed off some areas of the Great Barrier Reef in recent years; while reports out of Australia state that the reef is showing signs of recovery, coral reefs are still especially vulnerable to climate change, says the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Go see them now before it’s too late.

Andaman Islands

For years, regulations issued by the Indian government kept travelers away from the Andaman Islands — a remote, 325-island Bay of Bengal archipelago — for years, but recent changes have made 29 of them accessible. Head to Havelock Island via a 2.5-hour catamaran journey from Port Blair, and check into the new Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, the islands’ first luxury property. Part of India’s opulent Taj hotels chain, the resort comprises 50 stilted villas overlooking the rainforest-fringed Radhanagar Beach. Spend days here practicing yoga, kayaking through mangroves, and island hopping in one of the resort’s private boats.

Editor’s Note: Visiting tribal reserved areas in the Andaman Islands is prohibited. In November 2018, American John Allen Chau went missing when he illegally visited one of these restricted areas. Be sure to review the entry formalities for foreigners before planning a trip and, as always with travel to other countries, be respectful and follow the rules.

The post 19 Best Places to Travel in 2019 appeared first on Islands.

The renovation — the largest since the family-owned resort opened 56 years ago — extended to all the common areas beyond its 72 suites, taking six months and $13 million to complete. So do the changes become the island’s undisputed grand dame? We recently checked in to check them out.

The Porte Cochere

First impressions count, and Curtain Bluff’s new entryway appropriately sets the tone for a vacation that is both laid back yet luxurious. The driveway is now covered and illuminated with chandeliers; terracotta tile on the steps has been replaced with off-white Turkish stone; and the concierge counter has been swapped for desks that offer for a more personalized feel.

The Tamarind Tree Restaurant

Make no mistake: This plantation-style breakfast and dinner venue was always a looker, with an open-air design centered around a sprawling centuries-old tamarind tree. But now its been given a facelift, with Turkish stone replacing terracotta floor tile; new furniture and lighting; and an updated off-white color scheme that offers a lovely contrast to the vibrant colors of the tropical gardens just beyond the courtyard.

The Library

Adjacent to the Sugar Mill Bar and Tamarind Tree is the Library, a relaxing spot that’s Curtain Bluff’s social center. Guests come here to read the resort’s selection of international newspapers (yes, they’re old-school like that); chat with friends; and for afternoon tea, served daily promptly at 4:00 p.m. And now the meeting point has gone mod, with a new neutral color scheme punctuated with pops of teal and blue prints. New furniture is relaxed yet sophisticated, just like the resort.

The Sugar Mill Bar

Belly up to this bar, and the first thing you’ll likely notice is that 30 years’ worth of dark varnish has been painstakingly stripped from the countertop, revealing the beauty of its decades-old whorls and natural markings. A combination of new chairs and stools, and illuminated floating wall shelves give the spot a more open and modern feel, and now that the drop ceiling has been removed, guests can fully appreciate the beauty of the former mill’s peaked roof.

RFID Bracelets

The first time we visited Curtain Bluff we were surprised that we weren’t offered a room key. Sure, they were available upon request, but given the resort’s carefully cultivated homey feel and the in-room safes for our valuables, walking around keyless soon felt perfectly natural. The resort introduced modern credit card-type keys in 2014, and now guests also have the option of high-tech RFID rubber bracelets, which you simply wave in front of a sensor near the handle to unlock your room door. And because you wear them on your wrist the keys are never lost in the depths of your beach bag.

Beach Cabanas and Concierge Service

Among Curtain Bluff’s amenities is access to not just one but a pair of beaches: “Surf Beach” on the Atlantic side of the resort’s peninsula, is a wildly beautiful ¼-mile sweep with buoyant waters, while “Calm Beach” on the Caribbean side is (you guessed it) more calm and bordered by scores of coconut palms. And now there’s a new bonus on both strands. Surf Beach has a pair of curtain-draped Bali beds, perfectly placed for watching the sunrise. And on Calm Beach, concierges proffer scented cold towels and fetch fruity cocktails while you soak up the sun.

The post Antigua’s Curtain Bluff Completes a Major Renovation appeared first on Islands.

Photos and video shot with the Nikon COOLPIX W300. Full review coming soon.

Antigua

Rum is the theme from the moment you arrive at Antigua’s Starfish Jolly Beach Resort, as you’re greeted with a glass of rum punch. Enjoy a laid-back day on the beach sipping on rum cocktails of your choosing — relax, it’s all included — before dining at Lydia’s, the resort’s seafood restaurant.

The next morning, dive headfirst into Caribbean rum culture with a visit to Antigua Distillery. Get a personalized tour from blending to bottling of this rarely visited distillery and learn the island’s rum history. Next up, it’s time for samples in the tasting room. Then it’s off to the airport for a brief flight to the next stop on the rum trail.

St. Kitts

Explore Wingfield Estates, one of the island’s oldest sugar mills, which produced sugar, molasses and rum until the 1920s. Wandering through the restored ruins and distillery is like taking a step back in time — you can almost smell the molasses.

Just a short drive away is Clay Villa Plantation, whose family members are native to the Caribbean. At the end of the estate tour tour, stop in the pint-sized pub — also known as the owner’s husband’s man cave — and sample four local rums, plus a generous serving of the rum punch, a secret family recipe. End your day beachside at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Barbados

When a tour starts with a glass of rum punch, you know good things are coming. At Mount Gay Rum, opened in 1703, you’re not only given a glass to sip while you learn the local rum history, you’re also given the opportunity to taste the molasses used to make Mount Gay’s finest. After an entertaining film that delves deeper into the island’s rum history, it’s tasting time. Three generous samples are yours to drink while your guide walks you through proper tasting procedure. (Hint, it’s a lot like wine tasting: swirl, sniff, sip.)

But the rum journey isn’t over yet. Sit down in the distillery’s dining room and savor a Dark ‘n’ Stormy while the chef explains what’s next: a three-course rum pairing meal where the food is chosen to complement the rum, not the other way around. The bartender expertly blends each cocktail, explaining the ingredients and why particular rum was chosen for the beverage, and the chef explains why each dish pairs with that particular cocktail. You’ll leave stuffed and more than a little tipsy, which is the perfect time to head back to Turtle Beach Resort and enjoy an afternoon at the beach.

How to Book

The tour package is $4,999 per person and includes airfare, five nights of all-inclusive hotel accommodations, meals, and rum tours. CheapCaribbean.com has also partnered with Tourism Cares and will donate 20 percent of the proceeds to Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria relief efforts. Book now through November 30, 2017, for travel from April 26 through May 1, 2018.

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Kata Rocks – Phuket, Thailand

Your vacation will go to infinity and beyond at this luxury resort on Thailand’s sunny Phuket island, where the pale aquamarine water of the sleek infinity pool that fronts each of the 34 modern suites and villas meets the deep blue calm of the Andaman Sea. The private pools are generously sized (23 or 46 feet depending on the category) but if you’re feeling social you can also soak in some sun at the chaise-lined Infinity Pool located off of the main bar and lounge. katarocks.com

Hotel Caesar Augustus – Capri, Italy

Check into this 55-room luxury hotel perched on a hillside on the beautiful Isle of Capri and you can literally surround yourself with blue at the irresistible infinity-edge pool. The cool cobalt of the 88-foot-long pool is matched by the the intense cerulean of the Bay of Naples, the brilliant cornflower of the Mediterranean sky and the dusty indigo of the silhouette of one of Italy’s most famous volcanoes, Mt. Vesuvius (of Pompeii fame). This pool is a daydreamer’s paradise — even during cooler months when it’s heated. caesar-augustus.com

Jade Mountain – St. Lucia

Yes, there’s a resort pool atop this sexy, one-of-a-kind hotel overlooking St. Lucia’s famous Piton peaks. But it’s not the one you’ll be spending most of your time in — not when each of the 24 wood-and-stone Sanctuaries has its own private pool with a view. And we’re not talking tiny plunge pools that can barely fit two people. Depending on the category (except for Sky, which only has a Jacuzzi), your personal glass-tiled oasis will measure between 400 and 900 square feet. The pool, not the room. The Sanctuaries, which have just three walls and are open to nature, are 1,400 to 2,000 square feet. jademountain.com

Four Seasons Resort Hualalai – Big Island, Hawaii

The King’s Pond isn’t really a pool per se, but it’s one of the coolest and most refreshing places to swim (make that snorkel) at this 243-room resort on the island of Hawaii. That’s because this 1.8-million-gallon, man-made saltwater “aquarium” carved from lava rock has been stocked with more than 4,000 tropical fish and a few spotted eagle rays. If snorkeling isn’t your thing, there are five other more traditional pools to choose from, including a lap pool, the adults-only Palm Grove Pool and the family-oriented Sea Shell Pool. fourseasons.com

InterContinental Hong Kong

Where does the pool end and Victoria Harbour begin? You’ll have to swim on over to the infinity edge of one of the three spa pools (each a different temperature) to find out as you soak in views of Hong Kong across the harbor — crisscrossed by the legendary Star Ferries — from your perch on the Pool Terrace of this 503-room hotel located on the Kowloon waterfront. There’s also a large central pool and teak-decked dining area with a distinctly Asian ambiance that both offer plenty of space to relax and recover from your jetlag. intercontinental.com

One&Only Ocean Club – Paradise Island, Bahamas

Lots of pools in the Caribbean offer water views — and this 105-room luxury resort on Paradise Island has a new 125-foot infinity-edged Ocean Pool that’s framed in serene Bahamian blue — but this is also the only property in the region with a smaller, palm-shaded pool that faces a manicured terraced Versailles Garden topped by a 12th-century Augustinian cloister brought to the island from France. Breezy seascape or historic backdrop — the choice is yours. oneandonlyresorts.com

Grace Santorini Hotel – Santorini, Greece

Slip into the spare, geometric confines of this serene infinity-edge pool and you’re apt to decide that this is exactly what heaven should be like. Set high atop of the volcanic cliffs of Oia — perhaps the most photographed village in the Greek Islands, famous for its whitewashed Cycladic-style houses and blue-domed churches — the largest pool of its kind on Santorini overlooks the dramatic sea-filled caldera and offers a perfect view of the famously romantic sunset. gracehotels.com

InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa – French Polynesia

Travelers sometimes overlook French Polynesia’s main island of Tahiti, treating it as a mere gateway to neighboring Moorea or bucket-list mainstay Bora Bora. But two of the most amazing infinity pools in this South Pacific paradise are just a few miles from the international airport at this 245-room resort. One, Le Lotus measures 8,600 square feet and features a sandy bottom, swim-up bar and incredible views of Moorea, while the 12,900-square-foot Te Tiare pool has refreshing cascades. intercontinental.com

Zoetry Agua Punta Cana – Dominican Republic

A river runs through it — a lazy, leisurely, pale-blue river of cool, refreshing pool water that winds its way around the lush, palm-tree-lined grounds of this 96-suite all-inclusive in the Dominican Republic. “Agua” mean water in Spanish, so the meandering pools (two separate ones, actually, that end with infinity-edge views of the white-sand beach and sparkling Caribbean) are totally apropos. zoetyresorts.com

Banyan Tree Seychelles

Set on a hillside above a perfect crescent of golden sand, this intimate resort on Mahe island in Seychelles features 60 contemporary Creole-style villas, each with its own sapphire-blue infinity pool that seems suspended in mid-air. The views are as dreamy as the décor and the privacy is the stuff honeymoons and romantic getaways are made of. The larger infinity pool near the bar and lounge area has an inviting glassy sheen just waiting for someone to take a dip and send ripples racing off toward the endless horizon. banyantree.com

Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Puerto Rico

Having a choice of pools — one reserved for adults and the other dedicated to family fun—is always a welcome amenity. At this 115-room super-exclusive resort located 30 minutes from San Juan, you can enroll kids aged 4-16 off in the Ambassadors of the Environment program, order an icy mojito and claim a chaise (or reserve a cabana) at the serene, palm-tree-lined Positivo Pool with its soothing views of the beach and waves. An equally compelling panorama awaits at the Encanto Beach Club Pool, where splash pools will assure even the littlest ones enjoy some fun in the sun. ritzcarlton.com
Editor’s note: Puerto Rico was heavily impacted by Hurricane Maria and this resort may be closed. Please visit the hotel’s website for updates.

Hilton Molino Stucky Venice

What it lacks in size it more than makes up for in drama. The seasonal rooftop pool (open mid-May to September) at this 379-room red-brick hotel located on Venice’s Giudecca Canal — it was converted 10 years ago from a late-19th-century flour mill — offers some of the best panoramic views in the city. It’s almost surreal to enjoy a swim here as you gaze down on the red rooftops and bell towers of one of the world’s most famous island cities. Hang around until twilight (there’s a rooftop bar, too) when things truly get magical. hilton.com

Alila Villas Uluwatu – Bali

The island of Bali is pretty magical all on its own, but when you slip on your swimsuit and glide over to the edge of the infinity pool at this 65-villa resort to watch the sunset, it becomes absolutely divine. Set atop limestone cliffs more than 300 feet above the Indian Ocean and measuring a generous 164 feet in length, this is the kind of pool that transports you to a deeper kind of relaxation than you ever knew was possible. alilahotels.com

Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa – Jamaica

The all-inclusive fun at the family-friendly, 488-room resort in Montego Bay includes a swimming pool complex that’s home to the Sugar Mills Falls Water Park, the largest in Jamaica and the second largest in the Caribbean. Features include a 280-foot water slide, several waterfalls, a lazy river for splashing and tubing, three terraced pools — and for the accompanying adults, a swim-up bar. The resort also has a large, chaise-lined main pool if screams and thrills aren’t your thing. hilton.com

Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort – Maui, Hawaii

It’s the best of both worlds at this 776-room enclave set on 40 acres along Maui’s Wailea Beach and offering a splash-centric pool for kids of every age and a more sedate adults-only option for guests who prefer to chill. The former, known as the Canyon Activity Pool, measures over 27,000 square feet and features nine separate pools on six different levels with rapids, slides, waterfalls, rope swings and a swim-up bar. The latter is 4,850 square feet and features more than 2.2 million glass mosaic tiles forming the giant flower that gives it it’s name: The Hibiscus Pool. grandwailea.com

Belmond Reid’s Palace – Funchal, Madeira

If the beach isn’t your thing, perhaps you’d rather be surrounded by a lush, 10-acre subtropical garden as you swim in your choice of three heated pools (two of them saltwater) and gaze at the intense blue Atlantic Ocean hundreds of feet below. That’s how you’ll spend a relaxing afternoon at this 158-room historic hotel — it dates back more than 120 years — located in Funchal, the capital of this Portuguese territory of Madeira, which is known as the Island of Eternal Spring. belmond.com

Gansevoort Turks & Caicos – Providenciales

Sometimes size does matter. The folks who created this 91-room resort on Providenciales in the sunny Turks & Caicos Islands certainly thought so when they built a 7,000-square-foot infinity pool for their guests — even though the clear, calm, invitingly blue water of Grace Bay is just steps away. Lined with chaises and accented with rustling coconut palms and four umbrella-shaded “island pods,” this pool can channel a bit of a Miami scene, complete with a DJ at times, but there’s plenty of room to kick back and relax. gansevoorthotelgroup.com

Cheval Blanc Randheli – Maldives

When privacy is a priority it’s hard to beat the 40-foot infinity pools attached to each of the 45 island and water villas at this luxury resort located on private Noonu Atoll in the Maldives. The contemporary style of the Jean-Michel Gathy-designed villas extends to the sleek, slate-lined pools and sun decks, where room-service breakfast, lunch or dinner can precede or follow a relaxing dip. chevalblanc.com

Jumby Bay Island – Antigua

Shhhh! If you’re a couple looking to unwind, you’ll be happy to learn that the most alluring pool at this intimate 40-room resort set on a private island just off the coast of Antigua is the lagoon-shaped infinity pool. Set at the far end of Jumby Bay Beach, next to the Pool Grille casual dining restaurant (you won’t have to budge from your chaise to enjoy lunch), it’s a blissful spot to work on your tan, finish that book you started on the flight or just reconnect with your partner as you sip some seriously potent rum punch. oetkercollection.com

Qualia, Hamilton Island – Australia

This exclusive resort set on the secluded northern tip of Hamilton Island in Australia’s postcard-worthy Whitsunday Islands offers its guests not one but two infinity-edge pools, each with views of the aqua-hued Coral Sea and verdant green hills that are so soothing, they’ll convince you you’ve discovered the travel alternative to Prozac. Better still, the resort, which features 60 harmonious one-bedroom pavilions, doesn’t allow guests under the age of 16, so your zen zone at the pool won’t be interrupted. qualia.com.au

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Think you can’t afford a beachfront hotel? Think again! We crunched the numbers to find ten luxury beach resorts that offer travel packages for four (or more!) nights, all for less than $2,500. Read on to score an amazing travel deal.

Sandals Grande Antigua

With 16 all-inclusive resorts across the Caribbean, from low-rise pastel bungalows to suites with their own private plunge pool, Sandals has a vacation configuration for any wish or want. If you gotta choose one, try Sandals Grande Antigua, tucked into a verdant hillside on Dickenson Bay. The resort is offering a summer deal that includes 50 percent off standard room rates, a $25 online booking discount, and a $275 air credit. The four-night total is $2,100, with only $400 down when booking.

W Retreat and Spa Vieques – Puerto Rico

Vieques is the getaway’s getaway — a spit of land east of Puerto Rico‘s mainland. Because of its low-key locale, there are only a few hotels, and the W Vieques is the sleekest among them. The Sunsational Savings travel package includes an extra night free and a $100 dining credit. The third-night-free version runs from August 6 to November 2. Rates start at $324 per night. (The ground-floor pool oasis room with patio and direct pool access for $341 is the best option.) The fourth-night-free offer is available through August 5, and again from November 3 to December 20. Same guestroom rates apply, save for a few dollars difference.

Jakes Hotel – Jamaica

The hotel’s cheerful color palette matches the vibe of the Treasure Coast, the south side of Jamaica where Jakes is located. The Family Way travel package is the simplest path to a quirky but active family vacation. It includes seven nights in a two-bedroom cottage (accommodations for up to four), and four extracurricular activities: a two-hour fishing excursion with a local guide, a guided bicycle tour, a pizza-making class, and a day at nearby Pedro Plains Farm. Look into Pedro Plains’ monthly farm-to-table dinner which takes place on the closest Saturday to the full moon. $1,705. Use promo code FAM7.

RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas – Mexico

There’s a good reason the word “palace” is in the resort’s name. The landscaping, fountains and Moorish architecture look like they were cribbed from a royal estate in Madrid. But you’re actually in Los Cabos, at the tail end of the Baja Peninsula. RIU Palace Cabo San Lucas includes the all-inclusive standards: food, drinks, bottomless mini bar in your room, etc. But the Flight and Hotel deal makes your money go even farther: four nights and airfare starting at $799 per person, which shaves roughly 55 percent from the standard room rate. Total for two: $1,600.

Plantana – Grand Cayman

Seven Mile Beach boasts a number of brand-name hotels including the Westin, Ritz-Carlton and Kimpton. Nestled in their midst is Plantana, the low-rise, down-tempo condo rental within walking distance of the local shops and restaurants. And the rates are much more affordable, which helps because the U.S. dollar doesn’t go as far in the Caymans. Plantana’s spring, summer and fall rates range from a garden-view condo for $305 per night to a two-bedroom suite with an ocean view for $370 per night. The tally for a five-night stay ranges from $1,525 to $1,850.

One&Only Ocean Club – Bahamas

Oceanfront golf course, Michelin-rated chef, infinity pool, and that trademark breezy, open-air Bahamian architecture are key ingredients of One&Only Ocean Club, one of Nassau’s most luxe resorts. If you’re making the quick flight from the States, stretch it as long as possible — for as little as possible. We recommend the self-explanatory Journeys Fourth Night Complimentary travel package. A four-night stay in a 450-square-foot guestroom overlooking the Versailles-inspired garden costs $2,445.

Fontainebleau Hotel – Miami Beach

While the concrete corridor of Collins Avenue can be a bit claustrophobic, the broad-shouldered, 1,504-guestroom Fontainbleau is a welcome break in the action. The property’s glitz and history (it opened in 1954, and was a Rat Pack fave in its heyday) creates the perception of high cost, but it’s surprisingly affordable. Take, for example, the Pre-Pay and Save travel package, which offers a 15 percent discount if you pay 30 days in advance of your stay. Rates begin at $299 per night (four-night minimum, $1,196 for four nights).

Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa – Jamaica

Located on a former sugar plantation, the Hilton Rose Hall near Montego Bay boasts 400 acres of tropical landscape, seven restaurants, three pools, a water park and a golf course. This all-inclusive makes it easy to vacay on the cheap. During the summer, the rate for an ocean-view room with king-size bed is $459 per night ($1,836 for a four-night stay). In the fall, the same room runs $379 per night ($1,516 for four nights).

Cap Juluca – Anguilla

Don’t be confused: when Cap Juluca promotes its “Anguilla 5-0” package, they aren’t referring to the Royal Anguilla Police Force. Rather, the name refers to the island celebrating its golden anniversary in May 2017. The travel package offers a fifth night free, which gives you an extra 24 hours to stare longingly into cool, blue Maundays Bay, where the resort is situated, plus two $50 dining credits. A five-night total in a beachfront superior guestroom with king size bed is $1,980 (breakfast buffet included).

Grotto Bay Beach Resort – Bermuda

While some lump in Bermuda with the Caribbean, being located east-southeast of Savannah, Georgia, makes it very much its own region. One of Bermuda’s coziest spots is Grotto Bay, where the 11 seaside cottages and pink-sand beach are trumped only by the spa, which is located in a natural cave. The resort’s All-Inclusive Package is a great way to experience it on a budget. For an additional $109 per person per day, guests have their meals, drinks and activities (non-motorized water sports) covered. Summer rates begin at $506 per night. $2,460 for four nights.

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Personal butlers, outdoor hot tubs, private plunge pools: When it comes to amor, these romantic hotels know just how to serve it up. Check in to one of these Caribbean resorts on your next romantic getaway.

Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort – St. Lucia

Sugar Beach‘s name itself is delicious, and beachfront bungalows with private butlers, patios and plunge pools only sweeten the deal. The view of the Pitons is epic at every turn (thanks to its setting on a UNESCO World Heritage site) as are the amenities — including the beachside bliss lunch at the thatched-roof Bayside Restaurant, the local rum selection at Sleek Cane Bar, the tropical treehouse treatment rooms at Rainforest Spa and the owner’s intriguing art collection that peppers the property.

Petit St. Vincent – St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Couples, head to PSV (as the regulars call it) to disconnect and reconnect. No phones, WiFi, TV or clocks… color-coded flags, rather than texts, are the primary means of communication on this 115-acre private island. Each freestanding cottage has a unique view — whether it’s cliffside or beach, vistas centered around tranquility help tune out the world beyond. Book a couple’s treatment at the hilltop spa or ask your butler to arrange a beach picnic anywhere on the island.

The Palms – Turks and Caicos

It’s on one of the most divine beaches in the world (that’s the five-mile-long Grace Bay Beach), but The Palms exudes romance beyond its sugary white sand. Restaurant Parallel23 offers the prettiest Caribbean-meets-colonial backdrop for dinner for two, a couple’s massage amid swaying palm trees heightens the spa experience and the serpentine infinity pool is meant for cuddling in a corner.

Port Ferdinand – Barbados

At Port Ferdinand you’ll want to book a room overlooking the shiny sheltered marina to get a view of the yachts that anchor there. The Caribbean resort’s water taxi, which ferries visitors to nearby beaches and restaurants, is a much more elegant means of a travel than a rental car. The property is less than a year old, but the island’s local endangered hawksbill and green turtles already know the beach is the place to be — see if you can spot them during a swim.

Baoase Luxury Resort – Curacao

Within under-the-radar Curacao’s mix of cultures (and year-round sunshine) is Baoase‘s equally off-the-beaten-path charm. Opt for a private pool villa, where swimming isn’t merely an afterthought — couples can practically fall off a cushy sofa into their own stretch of sparking blue water that winds through the tropical gardens surrounding the villa.

El Secreto – Belize

With only GPS coordinates (and no address) to guide you the tip of Belize’s San Pedro Island, seductive El Secreto really does feel clandestine. Once dropped off via speedboat, get ready for the most delicious alone time — an eco-chic villa with an outdoor Jacuzzi, which is stocked with books to peruse while lounging in a hammock on what feels like your own private beach. Take a snorkeling jaunt to Hol Chan Marine Reserve on Belize’s barrier reef to observe a rainbow of fish.

Le Guanahani – St. Barth

If the words “private enclave” appeal, head to Le Guanahani, a 8½-acre peninsula on the northeast tip of the chic island. Guanahani means “welcome” in the region’s native tongue, and the romantic hotel’s laid-back elegance makes you feel exactly that. Spicy French and Creole influences reign through colorful yellow, blue and lavender cottages with subtle West Indian style (opt for one with a private pool). And don’t forget a Panama hat — it’s the Caribbean resort’s unofficial uniform.

Editor’s Note: St. Barth was heavily impacted by Hurricane Irma. The resort is expected to reopen summer 2018. Please visit the hotel’s website for updates.

Jumby Bay Island – Antigua

Jumby Bay, a 300-acre private island is already on any romantic’s radar — who can resist the idea of being whisked away from the mainland? And all the attributes of a private island apply: Naturally, rooms are elegant with four-poster beds, and beaches (all four-and-a-half miles) are pristine with endless stretches to claim for one’s own.

Round Hill Hotel & Villas – Jamaica

With 110 acres to frolic, no in-room TVs and a spa in a restored 18th-century plantation house, Round Hill invites you to simply just be, once you’re settled into a Ralph Lauren-designed oceanfront guest room, of course. Upping the celeb-approved romance factor, Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle recently took their love public here at a friend’s destination wedding.

Eden Roc Cap Cana – Dominican Republic

Within Cap Cana’s sprawling gated estate at the most eastern part of the island, Eden Roc feels like an extravagant enclave. And with 26 new two-bedroom beachfront casita-style suites complete, this romantic hotel is prime for a rendezvous. Rustic earthy tones, natural woods and handmade local art keep your feet on the ground, or have a heavenly experience on a daybed at the private beach club.

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Antigua

April is all about sailing. First up is Classic Yacht Regatta, a chance to drool over traditional beauties. (“They don’t build ’em like they used to” takes on new meaning here.) Stay on for Antigua Sailing Week, when modern high-performance sailboats move in. Together, they deliver two weeks of serious racing — with great looks for spectators shoreside and on the water. Serious parties, too.

Florida Keys

You have to move fast for this one: Last year, the 1,500 slots for the 7-Mile Bridge Run, across the longest of the Florida Keys‘ 43 bridges, were snapped up in a mere 10 minutes. (If you’re skunked, you can bid for one of 10 additional slots on eBay.) Not up for a quarter-plus marathon? The Cow Key Channel Bridge Run, across one of the Keys’ shortest bridges, claims to be the world’s only Zero K run. A crazy costume is de rigueur, one of the heats features pets with humans, and there’s a bar at the finish line.

Tobago

Finish off Easter weekend by cheering on your favorites at the Buccoo Goat Races. Seriously: These goats have trainers and jockeys. (They run alongside.) And stay on for the Tobago Jazz Experience. Headliners have included Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Janelle Monae and D’Angelo, and events are held in picturesque spots around the island like Pigeon Point Heritage Park.

Thailand

No ball drops in Thailand to announce the New Year celebrations happening April 13 through 15; instead, it’s thousands of buckets of water. The Songkran festival happens amid the shoulder season with hotter, drier temperatures — perfect weather for the in-street water fights that happen to wash away the previous year’s sins. Phuket, the jumping-off point for many island locales, is a prime spot for the festivities.

Miami Beach, Florida

Did someone say rum cocktails? Yes, please! The Miami Rum Renaissance Festival is the perfect excuse to plan your trip to Miami Beach. Sample rums from around the globe and learn more about the spirit through seminars, lectures and master classes. The event kicks off with the Rum Fest Tiki Night at The Mai-Kai Restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, a retro kitschy tiki bar built in 1956.

Bali

Calling all foodies: sample the best that Indonesia has to offer at the Ubud Food Festival. During the three-day event, expect food and wine tastings and culinary markets, along with special events highlighting the best of Bali (think lunches overlooking the rice paddies). Southeast Asia’s most prominent chefs go head-to-head in cooking competitions, and lead master classes on topics like the power of coconut, Indonesia’s forgotten flavors and the secrets of Masala.

Puerto Rico

San Juan’s Escambron Beach becomes more than just a spot to park a beach towel and swim in crystal-clear water when it sprouts a “tasting village” and transforms into the foodie fest Saborea. Celeb chefs, cooking demos, and lots of tastings (food and drink), with a kick-off party called “Bubbles and Bites”: Champagne paired with Puerto Rican chefs’ creations. We’ll drink to that.

St. Croix, USVI

Raise a glass the second week of April to the St. Croix Food and Wine Experience. The weeklong festival includes a series of events including wine tastings, gourmet dinners and a sunset barbecue.

Vanuatu

Neither getting to Vanuatu’s remote Pentecost Island nor watching Naghol Land Diving is for the faint of heart. To appease the gods and ensure a successful yam harvest, men of the Sa tribe build a 98-foot-high tower in a jungle clearing and jump from it, tethered by vines tied to their ankles. Think bungee-jumping, with a much-higher risk factor.

Barbados

Celebrate all things reggae at the weeklong Barbados Reggae Festival. Djs and live performances from local and international artists (Shaggy and Wyclef Jean have headlined in the past) take place over four main events including a beach party, vintage reggae night, a party cruise and a concert at Farley Hill National Park.

South Walton, Florida

Florida’s Panhandle beaches are some of the prettiest in the state and the weather is a near-perfect 70 degrees in April. Plan your getaway the same weekend as the Sandestin Wine Festival to try hundreds of domestic and international wines, and sample local restaurants at the Savor South Walton food tents.

Grand Bahama Island

Compete in coconut bowling and coconut-tart-eating contests at the Pelican Point Coconut Festival. Or just chill with a Gully Wash (a killer combo of coconut water, gin, and condensed milk) while you feast on coconut fried shrimp.

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