Mountain City's Travel Blog

Over 150,000 hatchlings of endangered loggerhead sea turtles were released during the latest nesting season from hatcheries in the Atlantic archipelago of Cape Verde, including one in front of RIU’s hotels. What’s more, local eco organizations also reported successes in helping mitigate the negative effects of climate change on the critical turtle population. The country of Cape Verde (also called Cabo...

What’s better than a mid-winter getaway? The chance to test-drive a new resort before any of your friends, or try a new, tropical destination. Ask us about your best options for escaping to any of these three new resorts, in three favorite Caribbean locales - with three very different beach vacation styles! And the best part? All three belong to resort...

Travelers are looking for more than sun and sand from their all-inclusive vacations – and Sandals and Beaches Resorts has its finger on the pulse of your island holiday fantasies. Their parent company, Sandals Resorts International, has revealed the most in-demand practices and innovations that are transforming Caribbean vacations – and where they’re already being implemented in resorts you can...

Sandals is introducing its first-ever four-bedroom butler villas, brand new ‘Skypool Suites’ with rooftop terraces, more guest-favorite ‘Rondovals,’ as well as re-imagined beachfront and bluff view rooms across adults-only, ‘luxury-included’ Sandals resorts throughout the Caribbean. Now available for booking, these new, ‘suite’ experiences are part of ‘Sandals 2.0,’ and encourage visiting amongst friends, and bringing the tropical outdoors into your living...

New digital border processing and hall at SXM airport mean arriving for your next trip to the Caribbean’s famous twin-nation island will be faster, easier, and better than ever before. But you do have to get online and fill out the new forms before you check in to your flight to St. Maarten.Mandatory Digital Forms for Travel to St. MaartenSt....

Stop and think before you nonchalantly pack all your digital devices on your next trip to Mexico. A growing number of reports warn tourists that Mexican border officials are increasingly enforcing old laws about entering the country with electronic items – and it’s costing unsuspecting travelers hundreds of dollars in import duties. In our increasingly digital world, the number of devices...

Marriott Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort, has opened its doors to guests. The newest resort for Marriott Hotels is more proof of two growing travel trends: multi-generational family vacations and redefining the increasingly popular all-inclusive holiday. There are 600 Marriott Hotels around the world, and this marks the first all-inclusive in the namesake chain of hotels that’s part of the mega hospitality...

You don’t have to travel half way around the world to the South Pacific to experience the romance and luxury of overwater suites. Antigua is the latest Caribbean island to bring overwater luxe close to home. The newly opened Royalton CHIC Antigua, is an all-inclusive, adults-only resort and part of An Autograph Collection, with its signature sophistication and a ‘Party Your...

Nayarit’s stunning Pacific coastline, rich culture and lifestyle, seafood and traditional Mexican cuisine and charming towns have made it a magnet for beach vacation lovers. But which is the best beach for a holiday of lounging, swimming, snorkeling, diving and wildlife watching? One of the most popular areas is the Riviera Nayarit, a 200-mile stretch of coastline that includes the luxurious...

Health is its own reward, but a hotel company has teamed up with one of the biggest brands in fitness to give members points for staying fit while on the road – and make it easier than ever. Hyatt and Peloton’s new partnership is breaking new ground for those who take their wellness goals seriously – even while they travel. Travelers benefit...

Looking for a luxury, all-inclusive, nature-forward beach resort experience in a mostly-undiscovered destination? Sandals has opened the doors of its newest resort – with a view down a 300-foot pool straight to the pristine blue sea off the shores of the Eastern Caribbean destination of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. ‘Vincy,’ as it’s affectionately called by those in the know, is...

Tulum's brand-new international airport – plus the inauguration of a tourist train in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula – are opening up fresh travel opportunities to explore Tulum and beyond. NEW: FELIPE CARRILLO PUERTO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, TULUMNot too long ago, Tulum was a tiny beach town of mangroves, powder-white beaches on crystal-clear waters and Mayan ruins on a cliff over the Caribbean sea....

It's not too late to book your all-inclusive getaway this season. But all resorts are not created equal. Making the wrong choice of an all-inclusive vacation can be the difference between the relaxing… or romantic… or active… or fun-filled family holiday you were hoping for. Even if you’ve had terrific holidays at certain resorts in the past, a different group of...

Just add love. Kindle or rekindle the flames of your relationship at two new, all-inclusive, adults-only, beach resorts this year. You can be among the first couples to indulge in the embracing warmth of all-new luxury resorts that make it easy to relax, knowing practically everything is already paid for. Royalton Chic Resorts Debuts in Antigua with an Overwater RestaurantIf you’ve...

The all-inclusive trend keeps growing! All-inclusive resorts used to be all about packaged beach vacations. But more and more people are tuning into the benefits of all-inclusives, especially the ease of paying upfront once, then putting your wallet away and not having to think about keeping to your holiday budget, even as you enjoy food and drinks, entertainment and activities...

Mexico is more than beaches. It’s also a country rich in folklore, traditions, culture, history, nature and cuisine. And some of Mexico’s towns have such a concentration of significance and authentic experiences for visitors, they’ve earned the label “Magical.”  As of 2023, 177 towns in Mexico have been designated “Magical Towns,” or “Pueblos Magicos” by the Mexican government. The program empowers...

Black Friday is one of the best times of the year to book travel – for more than one reason! Not only will you find some of the best deals of the year, but they allow you to give one of the most precious gifts to your loved ones during the festive season.  Break free from giving things that become worn...

Most of us are pretty careful about sun exposure when we travel on beach vacations these days. It’s hats and sunscreen all the way to protect our skin from the sun’s rays. But how about protecting the ocean we love to visit from the chemicals in our sunscreens?  The rise of "reef-safe" or "reef-friendly" or “ocean-friendly” sunscreen claims has a lot...

It’s the best of both worlds. Part of the appeal of luxury, all-inclusive resorts is the array of dining options on the property where you can enjoy effortless, delightful dining you’ve already paid for.  But what about getting a taste of the local restaurant scene on the rest of the island? And how about supporting other local businesses? Sandals Resorts has come...

Til death do you party! Dia de los Muertos is a cherished Mexican holiday honoring the memories of loved ones who have passed away. Coming just a day after Halloween, and symbolized by an elegantly-dressed skeleton, Day of the Dead is often thought of as a similar celebration of the supernatural, but it is a uniquely Mexican holiday that’s more...