Articles

Beach & Water Sports

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Arthur Frommer: Viewing Whales and Dolphins in Captivity Should No Longer be Seen as Ethical

A major step forward in the ethical treatment of large sea life was just taken by Sir Richard Branson. On behalf of all the Branson entities, he has announced that his companies…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Vacation Rental Law Hits Hawaii Hard—How to Navigate Tough Rental Regulations

Long before Airbnb was a twinkle on founder Brian Chesky’s browser, New York State had a law severely limiting short-term rentals. Called the "Multiple Dwelling Law," it has, in its…

Article / Slideshows

A Nantucket Vacation: Making it Affordable and Easy, From Hotels to the Best Beaches

There once was a man from Nantucket…and because he was a local, he knew exactly what to see and do on the island. For the rest of us, Nantucket is trickier. Not only is it one of the…

Article / Passportable

Visiting This Australian Museum Will Require Flippers and an Oxygen Tank

Deep-sea divers with an interest in sculpture should mark their calendars for December, when the first installation of visionary artist Jason deCaires Taylor’s Museum of Underwater Art…

Article / Slideshows

The New P-Town: 10 Reasons Why Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Should Be Your Next LGBT Vacation Destination

For years, Provincetown, Massachusetts, has been known as the go-to beach town for LGBT travelers. But what many don’t realize is that there’s an equally welcoming destination in…

Article / Slideshows

Family Cruising: The Ultimate Guide to Planning Cruise Vacations with Kids

It’s such a family-friendly formula: boatloads of food, entertainment, and enough activities for children and teens. That’s why cruising has been a mainstay of group getaways for more…

Article / Passportable

Now Streaming: A Social Media–Themed Water Park near Orlando

A new water park with a social media theme has just opened next to Margaritaville Resort Orlando in central Florida.Dubbed Island H2O Live!, the park has eight water slides with names…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Richard Branson Touts His New Cruise, But What Is it Like, Asks Arthur Frommer

You can count on Sir Richard Branson to market his new ocean-going cruise ship, the Scarlet Lady, in an utterly unique fashion—and that’s what he has now done. Springing the funds…

Article / Passportable

Here Are the Major Cruise Lines' Policies on Cuba Cancellations

Tens of thousands of people are holding tickets for cruises to Cuba that, in a snap of a finger, the Trump Administration has said they now can't use.Here are the cruise companies'…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Trump Administration Announces Bans on Cruises and Tours to Cuba

The other zapato has dropped. In April, White House National Security Advisor John Bolton announced that the Treasury Department would soon implement new regulations to restrict…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Arthur Frommer: Seaweed is Invading the Mexican Caribbean, But There's a Bright Side

Among the current important news of travel is a sudden and mysterious drop in tourist traffic to the so-called “Mexican Caribbean” (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, the…

Article / Passportable

Famous Thai Beach to Remain Closed Two More Years—at Least

Thailand's Maya Bay, which played the titular locale in the 2000 Leonardo DiCaprio movie The Beach, is currently closed to tourists and will remain that way until at least…

Article / Slideshows

Norwegian Joy Ride: A Tour of the Go-Kart-Topped Cruise Ship

This is the Norwegian Joy from Norwegian Cruise Line . The ship was originally used for Asian itineraries, but, following a $50 million makeover, it has been reassigned to North…

Article / Slideshows

You're Eating Where?! The World's Weirdest Restaurants

Some restaurants take the idea of unique table settings to a whole other level, setting their tables in treetops, on the ocean floor, and everywhere in between—caves, cliffs, igloos,…

Article / Slideshows

The Prettiest French Seaside Towns for the Perfect Vacation

France is known the world over for its picturesque villages and towns. While they can be found all over the country, there’s something extra magical about the ones located on the sea.…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Unknown to Most Americans, Florida Now Has a Speedy Railway, Writes Arthur Frommer

When the current governor of California recently announced that he was discontinuing work on a high-speed rail line between Los Angeles and San Francisco, multitudes of train…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

This Spring, It Will Never Be Cheaper to Fly to Hawaii, Says Arthur Frommer

The biggest news in travel is the recent start-up by price-cutting Southwest Airlines of a massive number of flights from the U.S. west coast to the islands of Hawaii. Travel to those…

Article / Passportable

This Rolling Hotel Moves to Wherever the Surf's Up

A new hotel makes traveling among the beaches of southwestern Portugal super-easy—because it's the hotel that does the traveling.The Truck Surf Hotel is just that: a cargo truck that…

Article / Passportable

South African President de Klerk's Retreat Becomes All-Inclusive Beach Lodge

The coastal retreat of former South African president F.W. de Klerk has been reborn as an all-inclusive, eco-conscious lodge overlooking an untouched, nearly 4-mile (6km)-long stretch…

Article / Passportable

Eat with the Fishes at Norway's New Underwater Restaurant

A new restaurant with what's being billed as Europe's first underwater dining room will soon open on the southern tip of Norway. The semi-submerged, aptly named Under is housed in a…

Article / Passportable

Unruly Drinking on This Spanish Island Could Cost You Thousands

Tourists who break public drinking laws on the Spanish island of Majorca—long known for its beaches and raucous party scene—will face fines of up to €3,000 (US$3,400) this summer, as…

Article / Passportable

Spot Orcas and Dolphins Along Western Scotland's New Whale Trail

About a quarter of the world's whale and dolphin species have been spotted at one time or another in the waters around western Scotland's Hebrides islands, according to the nonprofit…

Article / Slideshows

Top Lake Resort Vacations for Families in the U.S. and Canada

Like ice cream on a steamy day, lake getaways have their own special flavors and pleasures. Acres of lawns, golf courses, good food, comfortable accommodations, and diverse children’s…

Article / Passportable

Meet the USA's Newest National Park

The United States has a new national park.Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore has been re-designated Indiana Dunes National Park thanks to a provision in the same spending bill that…

Article / Passportable

You Can Go Standup Paddleboarding at San Antonio's River Walk Now

If you feel your city sightseeing hasn't done enough to test your balance and core strength lately, here's a good remedy: a new way to see San Antonio. Local company SUP SATX now…