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Beach & Water Sports

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Park of the Week: Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore

An easy day trip from Chicago by train, the 15-mile Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is ideal for swimming, horseback riding, and racing up and down the sweeping dunes.

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Norwegian Epic: The Top 10 Cruise Highlights

Our intrepid team of cruise experts was among the first to sail aboard the Norwegian Epic. From the Blue Man Group to massive waterslides, here are the highlights of the new megaship.

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Single Parent Travel Tips: How to Plan a Successful Family Vacation

Traveling as a single parent can be tough. Here are some simple travel tips and ways to even have some free time to yourself.

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Unofficial Guide to Maui's Golf Courses

It's impossible to play all of Maui's courses unless you move here and take up golf full-time (which some do). The only alternative is to choose your preferred courses and catch the…

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10 Safety Tips for Theme Parks and Crowded Vacation Spots

Losing a kid in the crowd is any parent's nightmare. Here are 10 crowd-safety tips to keep in mind when visiting the beach, theme park, or county fair this summer.

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Photo Slideshow: Day by Day: 12 Ways to Get Wet in Hawaii

Get the most out of Hawaii with our highlights of the best beaches and water sports on the islands.

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The Best Bars and Live Music Venues in Key West

We rounded up some of the best bars and live music venues in Key West, where the occasional outdoor concert lets you stand knee-deep in the Gulf's waters and listen.

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8 Foolproof Ways to Save on a Summer Vacation

Anyone who thinks it's easy to take a family on vacation for under a grand has never tried it. Here are eight money-saving strategies to help you plan your summer getaway.

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How to Plan a Wedding in Maui

Jumpstart your Maui honeymoon by planning a destination wedding right on the island. Here are some ideas on how and where to hold the ceremony.

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New York's Fire Island Is For Birders and Sunbathers Alike

With beaches and bird-watching galore, Fire Island feels farther away from New York City than it is. Here's what to do and see after the 90-minute train ride from Manhattan.

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Onboard Waterslides and Water Parks Make a Splash

Elaborate water parks and multi-deck slides are popping up on ships. We round up the best of the bunch, and look ahead at what's to come.

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Family Getaways in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas & the Bahamas

Save a bundle with these three deals, including complimentary nights in Puerto Rico, discounted all-inclusive plans in St. Thomas, and free companion airfare to the Bahamas. We did the…

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Photo Slideshow: 9 Top Cruise Ports for Getting in the Mood

Cruises by nature can be super romantic, and while every cruise port isn't hot, there are plenty that sizzle.

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Photo Slideshow: New Zealand Highlights From the Cover Contest

Top reader shots of New Zealand from our Cover Photo Contest.

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Visiting the Caribbean's Smaller, Cuter, & More Authentic Ports

I tend to prefer small ships, as well as the smaller, less flashy ports they can take you to, where everything runs at half-speed and there's a fair chance a chicken will wander across…

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Cougars, Swingers, Quilters & Koi: Theme & Group Cruises for Every Niche

Today there are few affinity groups that can't find their place aboard a cruise ship if they so choose. And with that said, let's look at some of the niche upcoming organized cruises.

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Job Training in the Sun: Learn Travel Writing in Fiji

After 24 years covering the South Pacific islands for us, author Bill Goodwin will tell you how to get into the business when he teaches travel writing in a place he knows well -- Fiji.

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Agents & the Web: Finding the Best Deal on Your Next Cruise

Today, practically everybody has a website, and the difference between so-called web-based cruise sellers and more traditional travel agencies can be blurry to the beginner. Here's…

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Cruising 101: A Beginner's Guide to Onboard Entertainment

You may be stuck on a ship in the middle of nowhere, but that doesn't mean that your cruise line won't want to make you feel like you're in New York, Paris, or -- more likely -- Vegas.…

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Underwater Upkeep: Helping Biscayne National Park's Reefs

With only 5% of it above water, Biscayne National Park is one of the country's more unusual parks. That watery realm holds some incredible vistas, vistas such as reefs teeming with…

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How to Go Green on Your Next Cruising Vacation

You don't have to leave your good habits in your home port: There's a lot passengers can do to reduce waste and energy use. So go ahead, heed these basic tips. It's easy to be green.

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How to Have an Authentic Bahamas Vacation

Most visits to Nassau bypass the Bahamas' greatest assets -- its exuberant culture, down-home cooking, and -- most of all -- its friendly, welcoming people. To get a true feel for the…

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Go Deep: Diving Four of the World's Top Shipwrecks

Most of the world's best shipwreck sites are in stunning international locales, making a scuba vacation more than just a dip in the ocean. And once you've dived one shipwreck, the…

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Boy's Club: Male-Friendly Spas & Treatments

Over the last decade, men have snapped up ever larger chunks of the spa-going population. Here are places where boys can be boys and still be men, plus a few that offer male-friendly…

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Kids Eat and Stay for Free: Great Value or Money Grab?

The 'kids stay and eat free' promotion is nothing new, but is it a bargain, or a bait and switch? Here's a handful of deals that really will save you money.