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.

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From Maui to Mykonos, these island destinations promise relaxed attitudes and buzzy bars, beaches and nightclubs. If you seek sun, sand and diversity, pack your sunscreen and sunglasses and head to any one of these 15 gay-friendly islands.

Aruba

Like its Dutch neighbors, Saba and Curaçao, the popular island of Aruba embraces diversity. Dance the night away at Oranjestad newcomer @7, a vibrant nightclub with five different party areas. LGBTQ-friendly hotel options include Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort or gay-owned Little David Guesthouse.

Cuba

Cuba’s gay community has come a long way in recent years. With Raúl Castro’s daughter, Mariela, leading the Cuban National Center for Sex, the country is becoming increasingly more LGBTQ-friendly. Most of Cuba’s gay social scene takes place on the streets. Check out Vedado, Havana’s once mafia-run gay district or Mi Cayito, the unofficial gay beach.

Curaçao

This teeny island just off the coast of Venezuela doesn’t hold back with its hospitality for gay travelers. “With exceptional gay-friendly hotels and attractions, [Curacao] encourages gay and lesbian travelers to visit the island and experience its ‘live and let live’ atmosphere for themselves,” says the Curacao Tourist Board. Most of the hotels on the island are gay-friendly; Baoase Luxury Resort is a favorite stay for luxe-seeking couples. Same-sex marriage is also legal.

Florianópolis, Brazil

Florianópolis is a hot destination with a party-hard scene. Think Ibiza, done South American style. In late February, tourists descend upon the small city for Carnival, for parties, parades and the rhythmic dance of samba. Praia Mole, a beach on the east side of the island, buzzes with beautiful gay men.

Grand Canaria, Canary Islands

Carnival is a big draw for LGBTQ travelers, with an incredible Drag Queen festival and a major contest that attracts the hottest gay talent from all over Europe. The gay social scene descends upon Yumbo Centre, a four-story mega shopping and leisure center packed with bars, cafes, restaurants and a large outdoor area for events. Stay nearby at Gay Paso Chico in Playa del Ingles, which is within walking distance of Grand Canaria’s most famous gay beach, Maspalomas, located at Kiosk #7 (aka, The No. 7).

Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza is by far the most popular of Spain’s four Balearic Islands. The small Mediterranean island is infamous for its vibrant nightlife scene. Most of the island’s gay culture assembles on the south end of the island, where clubbing reigns supreme. Head to the terrace at Bar MonaLisa for cocktails and the occasional celebrity sighting. Then nurse your hangover the next day at Es Cavellet, the gay nudist beach at the southern end of the island.

Key West, Florida

Key West is a gay mecca. It was one of the first places in the U.S. to elect an openly gay mayor (Richard A. Heyman in 1983). With its thriving gay nightlife scene, large local LGBTQ population and a number of gay-friendly guesthouses, this destination is all about queer inclusiveness. Check out Island House, a men’s-only, clothing optional property that OUT Traveler called, “The Best Gay Resort In The World.”

Maui

Since the 2013 passing of the Hawaii Marriage Equality Act, Maui has been a popular pick for same-sex destination weddings and honeymoons. For queer travelers in search of sun and surf, check out the weekly beach party at Little Beach in Makena each Sunday for clothing-optional fun. Or plan to visit the first weekend in October for Maui Pride.

Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos has long been an escape for well-heeled gays. In addition to wild club and beach parties that happen almost every night during high season (July to early September), the island is home to several LGBTQ-friendly hotspots, including Jackie O’s and Kastro. By day, gay sun worshippers flock to Elia Beach.

Phuket, Thailand

Thailand is a welcoming country for LGBTQ travelers. Phuket has a host of gay-friendly resorts — Mom Tri’s Villa Royale is a favorite — and occasionally hosts dance parties like TropOut. The Patong area, aka “Paradise Plaza” area has a small, but robust party, go-go bar and massage parlor scene.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is often considered the most gay-friendly island in all of the Caribbean. The nightlife in San Juan is bar none, with most of the LGBTQ scene centering around the popular Condado oceanfront district. Be sure to stop by Circo, a small but hip venue that packs in crowds for dancing, go-go boys and elaborate Drag shows. Same-sex marriage is also legal here, making it a hot spot for destination weddings.

Saba

Although this Dutch Antilles island may be tiny and isolated (5 square miles!), it’s one of the Caribbean’s most gay-friendly destinations. Its population of 1,500 welcome LGBTQ travelers, who come primarily for the island’s scuba adventures. Book through gay tour operators Alyson Adventures and Undersea Expeditions. Saba is perfect for gay travelers looking for a low-key alternative to the usual island party atmosphere.

St. Barth

There isn’t a super huge gay scene in St. Barth, but this glam spot of paradise is still a favorite destination for gays who are welcomed everywhere. Gay men strip down at Saline Beach and get down at Le Ti St-Barth. Since most visitors opt to stay in villas, swank house party invites abound. There’s a reason this Caribbean island is a celebrity hot spot — no matter your sexuality.

St. Maarten

The hilly bifurcated Dutch/French Caribbean island is a hotspot for LGBTQ travelers. Say goodbye to tan lines at clothing-optional Cupecoy Beach on the Dutch side (straight sun worshippers are welcome too). For a festive night on the town, check out the French fare drag shows at L’Escargot. Then, tuck yourself into an oceanfront room at Belmond La Samanna, set to reopen December 10, 2018.

Tahiti

Famous for its black-sand beaches, the largest island in French Polynesia is welcoming to gay visitors. There are a handful of locations in Papeete that attract gay visitors, including the risqué Mahu District, where strip clubs and drag shows abound. Be sure to stop by The Piano Bar, which combines the best of both worlds into unforgettable performances.

For more travel inspiration, check out GayCities, the largest LGBTQ travel guide. (Think Trip Advisor, but for a gay market.)

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Considering a cruise to Cuba? If it seems like every cruise line is now sailing to Cuba, it’s because most of them are. The Caribbean island nation has been making headlines lately as control of its government shifts from the Castro regime (Fidel, and since 2008, his brother Raul) to its new president Miguel Diaz-Canel). What’s more, travel restrictions put into effect by the U.S. government in November 2017 (after they were eased in 2015 by former President Obama) mean there are many can’t-do’s for Americans visiting Cuba — namely staying at government-affiliated hotels, purchasing from prohibited stores or paying with credit cards — which has made cruising more logistically sensible than ever before. But because there are so many options, here are seven things to consider before you book a cruise to Cuba. Which cruise lines are offering Cuba Itineraries? There’s a Cuba cruise for every style and budget, from a long-weekend sailing to Havana priced from $399 per person, to a more immersive seven-to-10-night itinerary to several Cuba ports offering insights on history and culture and costing more than $3,000 per person. If you’re looking to book a Cuba cruise, check out the following sailings.

For a quick getaway: Norwegian offers four-night sailings to Havana from Miami on Norwegian Sky and from Port Canaveral on Norwegian Sun that include a free open bar onboard. Royal Caribbean has four- and five-night cruises from Miami on Empress of the Seas that also visit Nassau or Key West as well as four-night itineraries from Tampa on Majesty of the Seas that also call on Key West or Cozumel. Carnival Paradise is cruising four-night Cuba-only itineraries and five-night Cuba and Key West or Cozumel itineraries from Tampa, while Carnival Sensation is sailing five-night cruises from Miami that also call on Nassau or Grand Turk. Azamara Journey will also sail several four-night Cuba cruises from Miami in 2019.

For a more immersive visit: Viking Ocean Cruises has seven-night “Cultural Cuba” cruises in November 2018 and January and February 2019 from Miami that call on Cienfuegos (with an an overnight hotel stay in Havana) and Santiago de Cuba, while Azamara Journey is sailing 9- and 10-night itineraries from Miami in late 2018 and early 2019 that call on Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. Oceania Sirena and Oceania Insignia cruise a half dozen 7- to 10-night itineraries from Miami that visit all three Cuban cities. And Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas calls on multiple Cuba ports on its seven-night sailings from Miami.

For a longer Caribbean cruise that includes Cuba: Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Holland America and MSC offer seven-night cruises from Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa that call on Havana in addition to two or three other Caribbean ports, such as Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, Cozumel and Nassau. Havana has also been added as a port of call on some of these cruise lines’ 14-night Caribbean sailings.

What do you need to do to get a visa before your cruise?

All Americans will need a passport (valid for at least six months beyond your cruise date). They must also secure a tourist visa by filling out a Travel Certification document before boarding any ship; the cruise lines facilitate this during the booking process and you’ll be given your visa when you board.

Where will your ship dock?

Havana? Maybe and maybe not. Most cruise lines have received permission to dock at the capital’s small cruise terminal. But some (such as Viking) call solely on the island’s other cities, namely Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. You’ll still get to see Havana, but it will be a bus ride away.

How much time will you actually get to spend in port?

This varies greatly, so look over the cruise itinerary — which port or ports the ship visits and how long it will be there — before you book.

Can you explore on your own?

Technically your visa covers you as part of a “people-to-people” educational visit, which means you’ll need to be on a guided tour with a shore excursion ticket or a reservation with a third-party tour by a U.S. sponsoring organization to clear Cuban customs for the first time. You will, however, be given free time to wander during excursions and might have time to explore a bit more before re-boarding your ship.

Will you get to experience Havana at night?

To truly appreciate this historic city, you’ll want to experience it at night — including, perhaps an evening at the legendary Tropicana nightclub. Some cruise lines are just in Havana for eight to 10 hours, but many Oceania, Azamara and Norwegian ships (as well as select Royal Caribbean and Carnival vessels) spend the night, while Viking includes an overnight hotel excursion to Havana (from Cienfuegos) on all of its itineraries.

What can you bring back to the U.S.?

Cuban cigars and rum, of course. You’ll be able to bring up to 100 cigars and a liter of rum home (within the $800 customs limit or you’ll pay duty tax). Just purchase them at an authorized retailer and bring enough cash (U.S. dollars can be exchanged in port for CUCs, or Cuban Convertible Pesos, although dollars are often accepted). Artwork and handicrafts are other popular souvenirs.

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Explore previously off-limits Cuba, where you can taste once-forbidden rum, puff on a hand-rolled cigar and travel 60s-style in a classic car through Havana’s modern neighborhoods. Here are the best new cruises to Cuba.

Carnival Cruise Line

Ship name: Carnival Paradise

Itinerary: Sail from Tampa to Havana through October 2017 on select Carnival Paradise voyages. Choose from four- or five-day cruises offering day trips or overnight visits to Havana, along with stops in either Cozumel or Key West.

Onboard activities: Dive into the world of Dr. Seuss with your little ones with the Seuss at Sea program. Book a Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast ($5 per person) with a menu of Seussian delights: Horton’s Cereal-Crusted French Toast, Truffula Tree Pancakes and the namesake green eggs and ham. Your kids will also get the chance to conga line through the cruise (oh, the places you’ll go!) with characters at the Seuss-a-palooza Parade. When you’re ready to take a break from all the onboard excitement and commotion, slip away to the Serenity Adult-Only Retreat where you can decompress on a hammock and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Recommended excursion: If you’re a bookworm, take a tour of Ernest Hemingway’s former home, Finca Vigia (Lookout House), the birthplace of his renown novels For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. After you visit the museum, hop on over to Hemingway’s favorite haunt, El Floridita and sip his signature daiquiri drink, the “Hemingway Special” infused with agricole rum, Maraschino liqueur, limes and grapefruit juice.

Oceania Cruises

Ship names: Insignia and Sirena

Itinerary: Sail this fall from Miami to Cuba aboard the 684-passenger Insignia for a range of six to 13 days, with stops in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. Or choose to sail the same route even longer aboard the 684-passenger Sirena with seven- to 10-day voyages running from May 2018 through October.

Onboard activities: Sample a Cuban tapas menu during special themed evenings in the open-seating Grand Dining Room and the Terrace Cafe (located on both ships). Try delicious Cuban fare such as ropa vieja, a slowly stewed dish of shredded beef, mild spices, white wine and tomatoes, arroz con pollo, a Cuban staple of chicken or Arborio rice made with saffron.

Recommended excursion: Tour a Cuban cigar factory to learn the traditional process of how these premium stogies are made. Watch the craftsmanship as cigar-makers (called torcedores) hand-roll cigars through the process of a two-leaf binding. We recommend touring Partagas, which was built in 1845 and produces more than 5 million cigars each year.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Ship name: Norwegian Sky

Itinerary: Sail from Miami to Cuba aboard the 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sky through 2018 with a four-day round-trip cruise, including an overnight stay in Havana, as well as a stop in Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas.

Onboard activities: Soak up ocean views from the ship’s five outdoor hot tubs or treat yourself to a full day of pampering at Mandara Spa. We recommend the Detox Ocean Bath infused with lemon, juniper, and sea buckthorn and sea fennel essential oils to detoxify and cleanse your system.

Recommended excursion: Take a cruise in a vintage American car (locals call these almendrones) through the cobblestone streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana. Here, you can explore the classic Baroque and neoclassical architecture of this historic site known for its old Spanish-built fortresses and take a stroll through the the Plaza de Armas, the site where the city was founded. End your day with a romantic walk along the seaside promenade of the Malecon, where the locals hang out.

Royal Caribbean

Ship name: Empress of the Seas

Itinerary: The 1,602-passenger Empress of the Seas will homeport in Tampa this summer offering a series of 4- and 5-night trips to Cuba through November 2017, with day and overnight trips to Havana, along with stops in Key West, Florida, and Cozumel, Mexico.

Onboard activities: Dance the night away at Boleros, an upbeat salsa music lounge inspired by Havana’s famous 1940s club of the same name. Or catch a comedy show at the two-story, 740-seat Royal Theatre.

Recommended excursion: Love rum? Take a trip to the Havana Club Museum, a renowned rum producer housed in an 18th-century mansion in Old Havana. You’ll be guided on a step-by-step tour of the manufacturing process of Cuban rum, ending with a taste test of the youngest to oldest.

Know Before You Go

You’ll need a visa. All guests will be able to enter Cuba utilizing a Tarjeta Turistica (tourist card) visa. You can purchase this visa from your cruise line at a cost of $75 per person.

Plan to participate in “people-to-people” programs. Since travel to Cuba for tourism is still prohibited, you must participate in a people-to-people program through a self-guided tour or a shore excursion program offered by your cruise line. Once completed, you can engage in free time on the island.

Bring plenty of cash. When going ashore, cash is highly recommended. Most U.S. banks have not yet finalized arrangements for credit card transactions in Cuba, so most places do not accept credit cards. Also, if you exchange USD in Cuba for their tourist currency CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso), there will be a 10 percent penalty charged, along with a three percent currency exchange fee. A better option is to exchange USD for Euros first in the State,s then exchange for CUC with no financial penalty. As for purchases, feel free to stash your suitcase with rum and cigars: the bring-back allowance is 100 cigars and $800 worth of alcohol per person.

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Each Fast and Furious movie seems to get more global in scale and more over-the-top in terms of action, and The Fate of the Furious delivers. With filming locations including Cuba, Iceland and New York City, the film spins the globe and lands on some of our favorite islands.

The Fate of the Furious Filming Locations – Havana, Cuba

The Fate of the Furious is the first Hollywood studio film to shoot in Cuba since the 1960s embargo. And it makes sense: The island’s classic-car culture makes it a an ideal fit for this auto-obsessed franchise. With the series going back to its roots and including more racing scenes, we’re hoping to see awesome vintage cars racing through Havana’s streets.

The Fate of the Furious Filming Locations – Iceland

If you’ve seen the trailer, you know that Fast 8 takes its action sequences to a whole new level in Iceland. Cars racing around on a glacier? Check. A submarine crashing through the ice? Check. The Rock diverting a torpedo with his bare hands? Check. The scenes filmed in Iceland promise to be the sort of epic moments fans that love, as the Torettos wreak havoc and leave destruction in their wake.

The Fate of the Furious Filming Locations – New York City

What happens when a digital terrorist takes control of all the on-board computers of Manhattan’s cars? Thousands of cars racing through Times Square and crashing through the city in yet another chase scene of epic proportions.

2 Fast 2 Furious Filming Locations – Florida Keys

2 Fast 2 Furious saw the crew head from California to Florida and scenes were shot in Miami and around the Florida Keys. The Seven Mile Bridge was the perfect spot for racing, while Rickenbacker Marina at Key Biscayne’s Virginia Key served as the car and boat impound for a pivotal scene in the film.

The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift Filming Locations – Japan

With Tokyo Drift in the name, it’s a no-brainer that this installment of the franchise filmed in Japan. The world famous Shibuya Crossing made an appearance and scenes were also filmed in Harujuku, but about half of the scenes were actually shot in California’s Little Tokyo.

Fast Five Filming Locations – Rio de Janeiro and Puerto Rico

Fast Five took place in Rio de Janeiro and while scenes were filmed in Rio and the Christ the Redeemer statue was featured prominently in a number of shots, Puerto Rico stood in for the city in a number of key scenes.

Fast & Furious 6 Filming Locations – Tenerife, Canary Islands

A portion of the sixth installment of the franchise was filmed in England, but the main action was filmed in the Canary Islands, with the climactic bridge chase scene being shot on Tenerife.

Furious 7 Filming Locations – Abu Dhabi

Fast fans aren’t likely to forget Toretto jumping a $3 million dollar Lykan HyperSport across the gap between two Etihad Towers buildings in Abu Dhabi. Apparently there’s math that proves it can be done, but we don’t recommend trying it at home. Other notable scenes in were shot at Emirates Palace.

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With the World Baseball Classic recently wrapping up (go team USA!) and opening day upon us, we’re ready for some baseball. And for the super fans out there, we’ve rounded up five island destinations that prove the sport isn’t just America’s pastime, but an international hit as well. Pack your bags — soon you’ll be going, going, gone.

Cuba

Baseball has a long and storied history in Cuba, with professional leagues dating back to the late 1800s. Today, the leagues’ schedules run over the winter (offering a much-needed escape from the cold weather) with the season generally concluding in April. While finding exact schedules can be tricky (ask the front desk at your hotel for tips), a great place to catch a game is Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano, a 55,000-seat stadium that is the largest in Cuba. Want to talk shop with Cubans? Swing by La Esquina Caliente (the hot corner) in Havana’s Parque Central and have a spirited discussion with the locals — it’s the dedicated spot for people to gather and talk (or shout) about baseball.

Puerto Rico

The island’s winter baseball league bears the name of Puerto Rican legend Roberto Clemente — the Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. Located in Carolina, the beautiful Roberto Clemente Walker Stadium offers a modern experience, complete with a video scoreboard and a statue of the stadium’s namesake. Games have a similar atmosphere to minor league games: family-friendly vibe, inexpensive tickets and plenty of food choices. Take an extra day to visit Carolina Beach and sample some of the nearby restaurants or just grab some frituras, a Puerto Rican specialty similar to fritters, from a street vendor.

Dominican Republic

Fans are familiar with the Dominican Republic as a baseball powerhouse — one look at the Dominican lineup in the World Baseball Classic showed that the country produces all-star-level talent for every position. Similar to Cuba, the Dominican League plays games over the winter, from October to January. Because it doesn’t overlap with Major League Baseball’s season, the Dominican Winter League is a good opportunity to see players from your favorite MLB teams play in their home country. Two teams, Tigres del Licey and Leones del Escogido, share Quisqueya Stadium in Santo Domingo. Bring the entire family for less than the cost of a beer at a U.S. stadium, and enjoy the festive and passionate atmosphere that the Dominican fans bring to the game.

Brisbane, Australia

While not as popular as cricket or football, baseball is beginning to grow in popularity Down Under. The Australian Baseball League often serves as a place for American minor league players to get extra practice during the offseason, so it’s a good way to see the stars of tomorrow before they graduate to the big leagues. Back-to-back league champions, the Brisbane Bandits, play at Holloway Field, a cozy park located in the Brisbane suburb Newmarket. While a baseball game is a great way to spend a warm summer night, the famed beaches of Queensland’s Gold Coast are just a short drive away.

Sapporo, Japan

Are you such a big fan that you’ve traveled to Washington D.C. to see Bryce Harper hit home runs? Or perhaps you’ve gone to Los Angeles to watch Clayton Kershaw carve up an opposing lineup? If you visit Sapporo, Japan, you can see a player who does both — Shohei Otani of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. Otani is a rare talent who is one of the best pitchers and hitters in the league, and rumors persist that he wants to play in America. After a game at the Sapporo Dome, seek out a bowl of ramen (Japan’s fourth largest city is known as the birthplace of miso ramen) and wash it down with a flight of beer at the Sapporo Beer Museum.

The post 5 Islands Every Baseball Fan Should Visit appeared first on Islands.

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Cuba is back on the map for island travelers. The U.S. Department of Transportation just announced the newest flights that will be flying into Havana, Cuba’s capital city, with services beginning as early as November. Regular airline service has been banned for nearly a decade, but with an effort to normalize relations between the U.S. and Cuba, travel is becoming more and more accessible. Check out the list of the tentative airport hubs that have been awarded service to Cuba and get there first.

• Alaska Airlines: Los Angeles: 1 daily round-trip flight
• American Airlines: Miami: 4 daily round-trip flights, Charlotte: 1 daily round-trip flight
• Delta Air Lines: Atlanta: 1 daily round-trip flight, New York JFK: 1 daily round-trip flight, Miami: 1 daily round-trip flight
• Frontier Airlines: Miami: 1 daily round-trip flight
• JetBlue: Fort Lauderdale: 2 daily round-trip flights (except once on Saturdays), New York JFK: 1 daily round-trip flight, Orlando: 1 daily round-trip flight
• Southwest Airlines: Fort Lauderdale: 2 daily round-trip flights, Tampa: 1 daily round-trip flight
• Spirit Airlines: Fort Lauderdale: 2 daily round-trip flights
• United Airlines: Houston Bush Intercontinental: 1 weekly round-trip flight (Saturday only), Newark Liberty: 1 daily round-trip flight

See more on travel requirements and tips here: How to Travel to Cuba

The post Here are All of the New Nonstop Flights to Cuba appeared first on Islands.

When: September

Where: Kauai, Hawaii Distances: Half Marathon, Marathon Highlights: Run past hula dancers and Taiko drum troupes and through Kauai’s Tunnel of Trees. Register at The Kauai Marathon

When: January

Where: Bermuda Distances: 1 mile, 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon, The Bermuda Triangle Challenge (3 races in 3 days) Highlights: The Bermuda Triangle Challenge lets participants run three races in three days and receive a bonus challenge medal. Register at The Bermuda Marathon

When: September

Where: Marco Island, Florida Distances: Half Marathon Highlights: Enjoy a small local race without huge crowds. Register at Marco Island Half Marathon

When: December

Where: Kiawah Island, South Carolina Distances: Marathon Highlights: Run through beautiful natural marshes and maritime forests. Register at Kiawah Island Golf Resort Marathon

When: November

Where: Cuba Distances: 10k, Half Marathon, Marathon Highlights: Book a marathon tour package and see all the sites that Cuba has to offer before you enjoy your race. Register at Havana Marathon

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Thanks to the April 2016 changes implemented by the Obama administration, as well as the launching of flights to Cuba from the U.S., travel to Havana and beyond is now easier than ever. That said, even a weekend getaway requires more planning than you may realize. Here’s what it takes to make this Caribbean island your next getaway.

You need to explain why you’re traveling — and rest and relaxation is not a legit reason.

With the 2016 changes in Cuba policy, Americans can now travel legally on their own to Cuba — but to remain legally compliant, their stated reason for travel must fit within 12 provisions, including education, humanitarian projects, religious activities or people-to-people — the last of which is the most popular. (Not sure if your plans qualify? Check here.)

This process is more formal than typical customs forms. For starters, air carriers retain this paperwork for five years. Plus, you’ll need to sign an affidavit, typically electronically when checking in with your airline, confirming that your travel plans fall within the allowances of that category.

However, you no longer need a visa. You will need to hold onto your tourism card until departing Cuba. Most airlines, including JetBlue, wrap that cost into the overall fare price, which also includes the departure tax.

Because Cuba is a place that requires planning, allow more time to consider travel objectives.

Before 2016, six months was the necessary lead-time to plan a Cuba trip. “Otherwise everything from hotels to tours would be sold out,” says Tom Popper, president of tour company Insight Cuba, leading getaways to the island since 2000. “Now, however, we have people booking just 30 days out,” Popper says.

Of course, if you are hoping to jet off for a last-minute weekend, you can — just be forewarned that your first choice hotel may be booked, so be ready with alternative picks. However, if you’re planning on arranging cultural tours, the last minute won’t suffice.

“When travelling to such a bucket-list destination like Cuba, it’s so important to get it just right,” says Tom Marchant, whose company Black Tomato organizes custom tours primarily falling within the educational allowance. “Whether it’s arts, food, music or history that’s of greatest interest, we arrange immersive experiences such as art tours with local collectors and curators, behind-the-scenes tours with the Cuban National Ballet, or literary tours with local writers and historians.”

In other words, the greater your goals, the more time you need to allow.

Cuba is not the place for spontaneous solo travel.

“Cuba prohibits what they call self-fulfilled travel,” says Popper. That is, you can’t wander Cuba as you might Las Vegas, following every whim and booking hotel, dinner plans and activities upon arrival.

Nor can you rely on your smart phone in Cuba as you would elsewhere, in large part because this country isn’t as connected as other destinations.

Says Popper, “Even businesses in Cuba don’t have widespread access to the Internet yet. In places like Paris or Aruba, the people working in tourism make everything accessible. There are maps and all kinds of info online. But in Cuba, a lot of that doesn’t exist on a widespread basis.”

If you have to, you can wait until you’re on the ground to make bookings. Hotel concierge can make dinner and tour reservations for you, provided you are staying in a high-end hotel offering the service. This service is also an excellent way for non-Spanish speakers to bypass the language barrier, should it be an issue.

But you don’t have to travel with a group if you don’t want to.

Travel companies such as Black Tomato arrange itineraries for solo travelers, families and honeymooners. And you can go it entirely alone if you meet the previously mentioned requirements.

But there is benefit to group travel, especially if you’re looking for more intimate connections with locals. “On your own, you may struggle to find those special things, like meeting with artists, musicians, chefs and economists. Often, they won’t meet with one or two people because it’s not worth their time. For them to take time away from work, it has to make sense,” says Popper.

Yes, you can easily book your own airline ticket.

Thanks to U.S. airlines getting in the game, buying a ticket to Cuba is almost no different from buying one to any other Caribbean destination. One obvious caveat: Your flight cost will include health insurance to cover you during your trip.

Booking a hotel won’t be as easy.

Since the regulations changed, not only are more Americans traveling to Cuba, so are more Canadians. The island’s 61,000 hotel rooms are filling faster — and you won’t find up-to-date room availability information online. “A lot of times the third-party sites don’t sync up with hotel capacity,” says Popper. “People will book a reservation that turns out not to be real.”

Also, you will need to consider how you will pay your hotel bill. Keep in mind that American credit cards — or any plastic issued in the U.S. will not work in Cuba. Book online, and although you will be able to reserve a room with a credit card, you won’t be able to use that card to pay your balance. Instead, you’ll need to tote along enough cash to foot your stay. However, if a travel agent or company books your hotel for you, your room will be prepaid, and you won’t have to worry about that detail.

You will need to be smart about cash.

The only way Americans can purchase anything in Cuba is with cash. That’s it. Credit cards and ATMs are presently not an option for us; however, that could change soon. For now, plan wisely.

Says Popper, “Bring more money than you think you will need. We suggest that people carry at least an extra $200 in USD, which they can easily spend when they return home. I have heard stories of people running out of money. Cuba may not be a consumerist society — that is, there’s not a lot to spend your money on, but we somehow always find a way.”

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