Floral fantasy: Laguna Hills Lodge's enchanting garden.
By Alina Motin
As an Orange County resident, I can be assured of two things: 1. I will always have visitors and 2. Every day feels like a California vacation. With summer around the corner — and constant temperatures around the high 70s to low 80s — I’m happy to share my tips for where to stay, play, eat and drink — whether you’re on the beach or at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Bask in the sun on the ebonies and ivories at Disney's All-Star Music Resort.
By Deborah Bowen
As the weather warms up, the mind and the body start to yearn for the bliss of immersion in a body of water, preferably one with some amazing features — and maybe, if you’re lucky — one with proximity to cool drinks, crispy chips and awesome fireworks at the end of the day. While South Padre Island and Daytona Beach certainly have their beachy spring break charms, you’ll find the best family vacation as you relax poolside at the Walt Disney World parks and resorts. (more…)
Royal privacy: Capella Pedregal can only be accessed by a tunnel that was carved through a mountain.
By Valerie Moloney
With exactly a month to go before the royal wedding, here’s one question that should have the tabloids on fire: Where will William and Kate honeymoon? Gotcha. You thought I was going to say, “Who will Kate wear?,” in which case, I would have posited Sarah Burton, but I’m more off-the-rack than couture, and it’s not like Miss Middleton needs help in this department. How many women do you know who can easily go from a sheer dress to an oversized feather hat with such poise?
In the travel department, though, the royals might need a little advice, and I’m glad to give it to them. Behold three romantic getaways that are tailor made for pampering the couple of the century far away from the prying lenses of the paparazzi. (more…)
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
By Elina Fuhrman
Eating and beach-bumming – that’s all there is to do in Anguilla. When I first visited this Caribbean island, I couldn’t believe how perfectly in sync these two indulgencies co-existed in one place. The trick is not to fight it, and succumb to Anguilla’s way of life.
Food is very important here, so much so that the 16-mile island has more than 120 restaurants. My biggest issue with Caribbean vacations is that even in the best restaurants, all the fresh veggies have to be imported and are really expensive. And because I don’t eat meat or dairy, I always have a very limited choice. So when I discovered CuisinArt Resort & Spa, the only Caribbean resort that grows its own veggies hydroponically, my life was complete. (more…)
By Susan Johnston
Traveling with teens or tweens poses special challenges, especially if you’re dealing with a picky eater or someone who’s easily bored by the usual tourist attractions. Fortunately, Hawaii is the perfect destination for family vacations, because it offers something for everyone: museums for the art or history enthusiast, beaches for the sun worshiper or the adventure junkie, breathtaking sunsets and other views for the nature lover, delicious meals and unforgettable memories for all.
Depending on you and your family’s interests, you can plan an action-packed vacation with hiking and water sports, a leisurely getaway on the beach, or a combination of both. Consider these Hawaii hotels for your next beach vacation. (more…)
The kid-friendly Inner Harbor sparkles with boats, restaurants, shops and a National Aquarium.
By Nina Gass
Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, located in the downtown area, offers a wide range of fun things to do all within walking distance of dozens of Baltimore hotels. Our family always enjoys sneaking in some learning opportunities on vacation. Inner Harbor provides a number of places to do so, including Port Discovery: The Children’s Museum and the Maryland Science Center. (more…)
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
By Nina Kokotas Hahn
For a recent family vacation to California’s Monterey Bay, my husband and I decided to do something a little crazy: We planned our visit in the winter. Most folks gravitate to California during the warmer months, and I’d say we’re like most folks in this regard, but our trip had to happen in the winter this year and I had my heart set on taking the kids to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We focused on the positives and figured we’d beat the crowds, catch a whale watching excursion and a jaunt to Carmel, all the while not even noticing the cool air (it would take more than a brisk ocean breeze to make these tough Chicagoans shake in their boots).
What's better than candy? A water slide AND circus school. Pictured: Breezes Resort & Spa Trelawny
By Vince Font
Caribbean vacations aren’t just for couples in love or those seeking to rekindle the spark of romance — the Caribbean is also a great place to take your family. Needless to say, you’re going to want to pick your destination carefully if you’re bringing along the spouse and kids, because not all Caribbean hotels were made equal and some offer a broader variety of fun family activities than others. Here are a few tips on what to look for to help you narrow down your search of the best family Caribbean vacations. (more…)
Four Seasons Seattle teases with a rooftop pool overooking Elliott Bay and Puget Sound.
By Vince Font
Seattle is one of those great American cities that’s far too often trumped by places like New York, Chicago and Los Angeles on travel wish lists. But as anyone who’s ever been to the “Jet City” can tell you, Seattle’s nobody’s second-rate Big Apple. To help you find out for yourself, here are a few of the best Seattle hotels, ranked by cost for every budget.
Fiesta San Antonio -- the city's own Mardi Gras -- kicks off with a peppy water parade. Credit: Larry Johnson.
By Chris Hill
San Antonio may be known for its famous River Walk, but each year in April, the River Walk area comes alive for Fiesta San Antonio, celebrating the diverse history and culture of the Alamo city. This year Fiesta will take place from April 7 to 17, and if you have never visited San Antonio during this event, you are in for an incredible party. (more…)
We love to travel, and we love to talk about it. The Orbitz Blog is another way we can share our expertise, advice and the occasional random thought.
Check back often for fresh insight from Orbitz staff and contributors about cool places to visit, fun things to do and smart ways to save.