Leah Ginsberg

Lead Editor, Yahoo Travel
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Our Favorite Bucket List Hotels Around the World

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There are some hotels that are just special — whether it’s because the hotel is a castle, on a private island, or has an underwater hotel, these are some of the most memorable and bucket-list-worthy hotels Yahoo Travel editors have stayed at recently. Here’s why you should put them on your must-see list, too.

Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Follow Leah Ginsberg on Twitter and Instagram at @lginzy.

For more on Yahoo Travel’s travel policy, click here.

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Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland 

Every nook and cranny of this Irish castle has been lovingly restored to amazing splendor. The grounds and gardens are beautiful, and there’s even a a falconry school. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley, Wolgan Valley, Australia 

The resort sits on Australia’s Great Dividing Range, amid a 7,000-acre reserve nestled between two national parks, the Wollemi National Park and the Gardens of Stone National Park, within the scenic Blue Mountains area. The never-ending acreage inhabited by kangaroos, wallaroos, wombats, unusual plants, and more. The rooms are luxurious with just the right amount of rustic. (Photo: Emirates) 

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Fowl Cay Resort, The Exumas, Bahamas

Set on a pristine 50-acre private island in the Bahamas, Fowl Cay Resort is a classic favorite for boating, diving, fishing, and relaxing — the island is tucked away in the quiet center of the Exumas chain of islands in the Bahamas. Though life on the cay is laid-back and beachy, the staff is attentive to your every need and the villas feel contemporary. (Photo: Fowl Cay Resort/Facebook)

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Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek, South Africa

Le Quartier Français is a little piece of Provence in the winelands of South Africa. It’s a collection of small white-washed buildings accented in blues and pinks, and dotted with private gardens and whimsical nooks. Most of the staff has been working here for ages and they’ll make you feel like part of the family they’ve created, chatting over breakfast, shuttling you to Franschhoek’s world-class wine farms, or directing you to their favorite shops in the charming little village down the block. The onsite restaurant, The Tasting Room, is a destination dining experience.  (Photo: Le Quartier Francais)

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Ritz Carlton, Kyoto, Japan 

Open since February 2014, this luxury escape offers everything you would expect from a Ritz-Carlton property. But beyond the first-class accommodations, walking into this hotel transports you to a different world — mixing modern flare with centuries old tradition. (Photo: Ritz Carlton) 

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Qualia, Hamilton Island, Australia 

Walking into the open-air main reception area, you are hit with a view that will literally take your breath away. This is where guests sit upon arrival to have a complimentary drink and chat with a staff member about the layout of the property and what to expect. And the people who work at Qualia are just as amazing as the scenery. Qualia prides itself on providing “intuitive” service, and that’s how it feels. Your every need is effortlessly and pleasantly met. (Photo: Qualia) 

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Four Seasons Resort, Lanai, Hawaii

Lanai is a 90,000 acre island where visitors can experience Hawaii as it was intended to be — no stoplights, no chain stores, only 30 miles of paved roads for a completely secluded escape. The island’s diverse landscapes offer up a range of activities from horseback riding, hiking, and tours in the green upcountry lands, to ocean sports and cultural discovery in heritage sites and learning programs with Hawaiian elders. The new Four Seaons Resort Lanai offers luxury, comfort, and elegance, a Signature Jack Nicklaus golf course featuring ocean vistas on ever hole, and a newly built and landscaped pool area featuring an adults pool. (Photo: Four Seasons)

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Jade Mountain, Souferie, St. Lucia 

This uber-romantic hotel sits high atop the hills of Saint Lucia. Each suite has only three walls — the fourth is completely missing so rooms are open to spectacular sweeping views of the island’s famous Piton mountains — and a private infinity pool appearing to cascade off the edge. Plus, there is 24-hour service and no televisions, radios, or phones in the rooms (though free Wi-Fi can be provided upon request), and it’s adults-only. Guests have access to two soft sand beaches as well as adventure excursions and boutique shopping. (Photo: Jade Mountain)

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Castaway Island Resort, Qualito Island, Fiji

The ferry out to the resort on Castaway Island is only by boat, seaplane, or helicopter. As you glide through the crystal clear water, Castaway emerges with dense trees and a pristine beach. Stepping of the boat feels like stepping onto an oasis — a perfect piece of happiness somewhere in the south pacific. Castaway Island consists of 174 acres of land owned privately by the resort. The only lodgings on this island are the hut-looking bures, many of which are located directly on the beach. In fact if the tide is high enough, waves will actually splash against your door. (Photo: Castaway Island) 

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Hacienda Venecia, Manizales, Colombia

Hacienda Venecia has a postcard-perfect mountain setting. With its bamboo architecture, hammocks facing the countryside, and peacocks roaming the lawn, Hacienda Venecia has the look and feel of a place stuck in time. But it’s also part of a major trend in Colombia: a coffee farm in the country’s famous coffee-growing region for 100 years, only in the last seven years has it opened itself as a B&B to visitors. (Photo: Hacienda Venecia)

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Villa Caletas, Jaco, Costa Rica

Near the tiny surf town of Jaco, Villa Caletas sits atop a mountain. It has beautiful rooms, lush grounds, and a private beach, but thanks to its location, it’s all a bout the views of the ocean and verdant Costa Rica below. And don’t miss the wildlife — monkeys and iguanas galore! (Photo: Villa Caletas)

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These Photos of Morocco Will Make You Want to Book a Trip ASAP

Haven’t been to Morocco yet? Check out these scenes from the North African country and then put it on your bucket list immediately. 

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Sunrise in the Erg Chebbi

Somewhere near Merzouga, Morocco. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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The people of Rabat

A man from the medina. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Barbary ape

Many of these macaques live in the cedar forest atop Azrou, Morocco. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Dunes in Merzouga

In the desert just miles away from Algeria. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Mountainside hotel

This hotel and restaurant have expansive views of the awe-inspiring Merzouga desert. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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A hamsa

Holding a handmade hamsa at the Fabrication de Percussions et de Poterie riad in Fes, Morocco. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Vegetables at the medina in Fes

The market was filled with the scents of spices and fresh, aromatic vegetables. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Meat at the Fes medina

Not everything at the medina is for the faint of heart. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Scenes from Rabat

A medina in the nation’s capital city. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Portuguese Cistern

This space in El Jadida, Morocco, is believed to have originally been an armory, but was converted to a cistern int he 16th century. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Dades Valley

Through the canyons into the next valley. (Photo: Joel Dowling Photography)

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Going Away This Weekend? Take One of These Great Weekender Bags!

Taking advantage of the long President’s Day weekend and heading out of town? We’ve got the perfect weekender bags to take with you!

Let Yahoo Travel inspire you every day. Hang out with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Follow Leah Ginsberg on Twitter and Instagram at @lginzy.

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Cuyana Oversized Carryall Tote, $265 

We love the sable pebbled leather version — it will take you into spring. (Photo: Cuyana)

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Madewell Transport Weekender, $148

It comes in truffle canvas. (Photo: Madewell)

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Mossimo Supply Co. Women’s Weekender Handbag, $34.99

Looks like leather, but it’s totally affordable and comes in brown and black. (Photo: Target)

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Herschel Supply Co Novel Weekender, $85

We love the Limoges crosshatch version. (Photo: Shopbop)

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Everlane Twill Weekender, $98

So smart-looking. (Photo: Everlane)

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MZ Wallace Chelsea Weekender, $385

Just like the original fave, but bigger! (Photo: MZ Wallace)

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Shrine Duality Sneaker Overnight Duffle, $164

A separate compartment for your shoes keeps everything clean and easily accessible. (Photo: Shrine Co.)

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Vera Bradley Large Duffel 2.0 Travel Bag, $85

New designs from the old favorite. (Photo: Vera Bradley)

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Cabin Duffle, $79

Buy this bag for a discount, funding on Indiegogo. It comes in timberland green or delta black. (Photo: Cabin Duffle)

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Redland London Pantone Holdall, $80

Perfect for fashion and design lovers! We’re partial to the beeswax one. (Photo: Redland London)

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LeSportsac Large Weekender Peter Jensen Collection, $155

The fun, graphic designs of this collection are great for a girls’ weekend. (Photo: LeSportsac)

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Galapagos Made Easy: How to Do the Islands in 7 Days or Less — on a Budget

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Photo: Thinkstock 

The Galapagos Islands are known for their amazing and rare wildlife — definitely a bucket-list destination. But many people are intimidated by the trip: the Galapagos Islands seem so far, it’s expensive, you need a long time there to really enjoy it. While all of these things can be true, none of them have to be.

There are certainly a million things to see on the Galapagos’s 20 islands, and you could spend weeks exploring if you had the time and money, but since most of us don’t have either, here’s the trip made easy. Get a good taste of the archipelago and its wildlife in just a few days — and for not an extravagant amount of money — with these tips and trips.

Related: How to Do the Galapagos if You Hate Boats

1. Go in the off season.

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Blue-footed boobies often do their mating dances in September, which is considered the off-season. (Photo: Thinkstock)

Though the Galapagos can be great year-round, many in the tourism industry consider April and May and September and October the low season. Low season is a great time to see the Galapagos for at least two reasons: fewer tourists and lower prices. The downside to going during low season is that it overlap with the rough season at sea, which usually runs from April or May through October. Something to consider if you’re taking a cruise.

Related: 7 Ways You’re Booking Travel Wrong, and How to Fix Them

2. Book a shorter, more affordable group trip.

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Cruising can be an affordable and timely option. (Photo: Intrepid Travel)

One of the best options for saving time and money is to participate in a group trip. You can either do a cruise or a more land-based tour. (Cruises are great because a smaller boat is really the only way to reach some of the more remote islands.) While many of these trips are 10 days to three weeks or more, Intrepid Travel has cheaper, shorter trips to choose from, like its Galapagos on a Shoestring (a land-based, seven-day trip, starting at $920) and its Galapagos at a Glance/Southern Islands (a six-day catamaran cruise, starting at $1825). Prices do not include flights, but depending on what time of year you go (and which airline you choose), it could be less than $400 round trip to Quito (check out JetBlue, which has some of the more affordable prices) and $300 to continue on to Baltra in the Galapagos.

Related: Sneaky Ways to Score the Best Seat on the Plane

3. Create your own island-hopping tour with the best highlights.

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The beauty of day tripping. (Photo: Leah Ginsberg)

If you’re not up for a cruise or a group trip, you can also see a lot and get a really good feel for the islands by staying on one of the inhabited islands and making day trips to the most interesting islands. We suggest staying on Santa Cruz. Here’s a breakdown of how to do the trip:

Day 1: Fly to Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador. You’ll probably spend most of the day flying, but you may end up spending the night because most Galapagos flights are earlier in the day. So, if you have time, explore the city. Quito, the capital, sits more than 9,000 feet above sea level. There you can check out the Spanish colonial architecture and ride the gondola up the Pichincha volcano. If you need a nice, affordable place to stay, Hotel Café Cultura is quaint, and rates in the off-season start at less than $70 a night. To save some dough, eat like a local — typical snacks and street foods like cheese empanadas (sprinkled with sugar) and chifles (plantain chips) and tostados or choclos (Andean roasted corn similar to corn nuts) are delicious and totally affordable. In Guayaquil, go to Rio Guayas malecon and the barrio of Las Penas.

Day 2: If you’re leaving from Quito, it’s just a short flight to Guayaquil, and a short flight from Guayaquil to Baltra Island in the Galapagos (the flight will cost you about $300 to $400 depending on the time of year). From Baltra, it’s a quick ferry ride to Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz is a great place to stay: There are a variety of hostels and hotels, so you can do it on the cheaper side (as low as $25 a night) or pick an affordable but slight sweeter place (like Villa Laguna or Grand Hotel Lobo de Mar); at either of these locations, daily rates for rooms start at about $100).

Related: Swimming With Pigs and Other Bucket-List Trips for Animal Lovers

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One of Rancho El Manzanitto’s inhabitants. (Photo: Leah Ginsberg)

After you check in, it should still be early enough in the day to visit the famous giant land tortoises. The Galapagos Islands are one of two places on earth where you can see these creatures. Two popular places to see them are on Santa Cruz: One is the Charles Darwin Research Station, a sort of glorified zoo where you can learn about conservation and see hatchlings as well as adult tortoises. You can walk there, and entry is free. If you’re willing to spend more for a wilder experience, you can take a $50 round-trip (round-trip, including waiting time) to the highlands where you can visit a tortoise farm. There, the creatures roam freely, and sometimes outnumber the humans. There are many ranches, but locals say the farm with the most tortoises is Rancho El Manzanitto. There’s a $4 entrance fee, which includes borrowed rubber boots (it can be muddy, and there’s tortoise poop) and lemongrass tea.

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How cute is this guy? (Photo: PROLes Williams/Flickr)

Days 3, 4, and 5: Take day trips to the best islands for the greatest chance of spotting the bucket-list wildlife you’ve come to see. Because trips to the islands are highly regulated, there are a limited number of companies that run them, and you can go only to certain islands on certain days. A travel agent (try Intrepid) can help you with this, but some of the most popular boating companies are Altamar, Queen Karen, Española, and Santa Fe. Day trips generally run anywhere from $100 to $200 per person, but are full days and also include one to two meals and soft drinks (alcohol is extra). Depending on which island you’re visiting, the boat rides from Santa Cruz are anywhere from one and a half hours to three hours each way.

Day trips from Santa Cruz go to North Seymour (home of the blue-footed boobies, red-throated frigate birds, and land iguanas); Bartolome (where you’ll see Pinnacle Rock and with its mind-blowing views, and — if you’re lucky — swim with the cutest penguins you’ll ever see off nearby Isla Santiago), Santa Fe (sea lions galore) and South Plazas (catch sight of sea lion pups, iguanas, and colorful crabs). You can also get to San Cristobal (sea lions and frigate birds), as well as Floreana (home of the first “post office”).

A trip to Isabela is totally worth doing, but you’ll have to put up with a bumpy, two-hour public speedboat ride that costs $25 each way. There you’ll see Galapagos penguins, white-tipped sharks, flamingos, booby birds, seahorses, the Sierra Negra Volcano, and more.

Day 6: Use the early morning to see the marine iguanas or swim with (harmless) sharks. Squeeze in some shopping if you can, then head back to Quito the same way you came. You’ll want to spend another night there, so try to see whatever you missed on the way out.

Day 7: Head back home with amazing photos and memories!

4. Eat like a local.

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This restaurant is a favorite among locals in Santa Cruz. (Photo: Leah Ginsberg)

Meals can get expensive since the cost of importing food to the Galapagos — like produce for restaurants and even regular groceries — pushes up prices. So for some of the best and least expensive food around, eat where the locals eat. On Santa Cruz, there are some great options: The fisherman’s market in Puerto Ayora is one of the best. Head there at the end of the day to watch the local sea lions and pelicans forage for scraps. The fisherman cook up whatever they didn’t sell and serve whole fish with tons of authentic sides for about $12 a person. Another good bet is a street called Kioskos where vendors have what feel like makeshift restaurants set up every night. Try William Esmerelda’s Delights, which specializes in a typical dish of the coastal region — seafood cooked in coconut milk with rice and beans — for about $10 to $12. If it’s a treat you’re looking for, go to Il Giardino for lattes or cappuccino and a delicious pastry for less than $10.

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Follow Leah Ginsberg on Twitter and Instagram at @lginzy.

For more on Yahoo Travel’s travel policy, click here.

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Backpacks That Won’t Make You Look Like a Backpacker

Backpacks aren’t just daypacks anymore — now they’re totally trendy and fashionable. Here are 11 styles that are perfect for your weekend getaway, but also look great. 

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Follow Leah Ginsberg on Twitter and Instagram at @lginzy.

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Post Backpack in Chambray Blue Color Block, Herschel Supply Co, $87.00

Perfect for spring!

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Transport Rucksack in English Saddle Leather, Madewell, $198

Use it for travel and in real life.

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Refined Woman Flap Backpack, Hynes Victory, $35.99

Sleek and affordable.

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Crosby Quilt Backpack, Marc By Marc Jacobs, $198

Quilting give it a high-end feel.

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Backpack with Whipstitch, Dolce Girl, $16.31

The perfect boho carryall.

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Eyelet Backpack, TopShop, $68

Perfect for an island getaway. And grommets are big this season.

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Voyager Backpack in Magnetic Snake, LeSportsac, $87.99

Blingy!

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Modern Snap Backpack in Navy, Everlane, $68

From work to a weekend away.

Works 

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Nevins Backpack, State Bags, $85

For men or women.

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Backpack in Light Denim Blue, H&M, $29.99

Casual cool.

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Pocket Full Leather Backpack, GoJane, $46

Works with every outfit.

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11 Things You Need to Do in Guatemala

Costa Rica and, more recently, Nicaragua seem to get all tourist love in Central America, but next time you want to head south, put Guatemala on your destination bucket list. Not only is it pretty easy to get to (affordable and quick two-hour direct flights leave from places like Miami and Houston) but it has everything from beautiful colonial cities to active volcanoes. Here are 11 things you need to do in Guate (as the locals call it).  

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Follow Leah Ginsberg on Twitter and Instagram at @lginzy.

For more on Yahoo Travel’s travel policy, click here.

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See the street performers in Guatemala City 

Hit up the Central Historic area (Centro Historico) and the Paseo de la Sexta Avenida to watch artists painting or playing music. (Photo: Fernando Reyes Palencia/Flickr)

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Go shopping for local artisans’ wares

Guatemala is a gold mine of gorgeous handmade trinkets, so bring your quetzals. Almost every town has some kind of local bazaar, but Chichicastenango (a two- to three-hour drive from Guatemala City or about an hour and half from Panajachel at Lake Atatlan) boasts one of the largest and most well-known. Market days are Thursdays and Sundays, when stalls erupting with a rainbow of trinkets from handmade wooden instruments and clay pots to brightly hued textiles and blouses live between the town’s two churches. If it’s textiles that you’re after, head to San Juan Laguna, a town on the southern shore of Lake Atitlan, it’s all about the textiles. Small shops run by various textile-weaving collectives dot the steep main road that runs through the town, each selling a selection of traditionally hand-woven rugs, cloth toys, wallets, ponchos, and more. (Photo: robertharding / Alamy Stock Photo)

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Take a peek into ancient Mayan culture

Mayan history still permeates contemporary Guatemalan culture through language, dress, customs, and archeological sites. You can walk through ruins at places like Tikal. Even cooler, in the Archeological parks, there are always Mayan priests who can do ancient Mayan ceremonies, which visitors can observe if they allow it. If a visitor wants a private ceremony, it can be requested by a tour operator or travel agent. In Guatemala City, inside of the Archelogical site Kaminal Juyu, there is an association of priests who can also coordinate these services. It costs anywhere from $80 to $150. (Photo: iStock)

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Hike volcanos and trek through lava fields

There are more than 30 volcanoes in Guatemala, many of them active. If you hike Pacaya, you can also trek through some relatively new lava fields and shop at the Lava Store — a makeshift boutique that sells goods made by local artisans displaced during the last eruption in 2014. (Photo: iStock)

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Drink the coffee

It’s world renown and beans grown in Guatemala are used in some of the best blends around the world. If you like it with milk, say “con leche.” If you really like it, you can also visit a coffee plantation, like Finca Filadelfia. (Photo: iStock)

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Stroll around Antigua and visit the churches

There are 30 churches and dozens of shops and restaurants in beautiful brightly colored buildings lining town squares and cobblestone streets. (Photo: Getty) Images

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Take a boat ride on Lake Atitlan

Go for a speed boat ride and visit the various Mayan villages that dot the highlands surrounding the lake. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Marvel at the lagoons at Semuc Champey

Located in Lanquín jungle in Alta Verapaz, Natural Monument Semuc Champey offers jaw-dropping views throughout the expansive ecological site. It’s pretty remote and requires a five-and-a-half-hour off-road expedition through small villages and verdant areas. Once there, there’s a 1,000-foot natural limestone bridge soaring over the Cahabón River and waterfalls streaming beneath it and above, a series of beautiful stepped turquoise pools accessible for swimming, all in the middle of the jungle. The best spot to take it all in is the Mirador lookout point. (Photo: Getty Images)

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Check out the beaches

Hit the beach at Monterrico on the Pacific coast, known for its black volcanic sand and it’s also a sea turtle nesting beach, or at Playa Blanca in Izabel on the Caribbean coast. (Photo: Michele Falzone/JAI/Corbis)

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Buy some toasted fava beans

Vendors sell plastic bags full of the local snack, and they’re delicious. You can also get macadamia nuts, cashews, and peanuts, all for about $5 for a half pound. (Photo: Ildi.Food / Alamy Stock Photo)

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Learn about the traditional dress

In the smaller villages in Guatemala — particularly in the ones around Lake Atitlan, locals still wear traditional dress. Though it’s all made with elaborate fabrics, each village has it its color scheme. (Photo: Danny Lehman/Corbis)                 

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The Most Amazing Ireland Road Trip in Pictures

Ireland is a place that’s on many people’s bucket lists. Not only is it stunningly beautiful, but the Emerald Isle is steeped in history and lore. Famous for it’s amazing coastland and verdant scenery, there’s almost no better way to see the country than on a road trip. 

Recently, I was lucky enough to go on Insight Vacations’ Treasures of Ireland trip. They put together the perfect itinerary for an Irish road trip. Whether you’re brave enough to drive yourself (on the wrong side of the road!) or you decide to book a group bus tour, here’s a visual tour of some of the must-see spots along the way. 

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Follow Leah Ginsberg on Twitter and Instagram at @lginzy.

For more on Yahoo Travel’s travel policy, click here.

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Trinity College, Dublin, County Dublin

The Long Room in library here is famous, and the Book of Kells is part of the collection — lavishly decorated and containing the first four gospels in Latin, it’s one of the oldest books in the world, believed to have been created circa 800 AD. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Rock of Cashel, Cashel, County Tipperary

This famous Medieval site has buildings that date back to the 12th century and is steeped in history and lore.

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Killarney National Park, Killarney, County Kerry 

Killarney is the second most-visited county in Ireland, and it’s adorable. By day, take a “jaunty car” (horse-pulled carriage) ride through the park. By night, have dinner and hit the pubs in town, where you can expect good food and great, live traditional Irish music. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Ross Castle, Killarney National Park, Killarney

Sights you’ll see in the park include 15th century Ross Castle (which you can boat to). And if you’re lucky, you’ll also see some Irish red deer — the park has the country’s only remaining native wild herd. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Ring of Kerry, County Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is a famously scenic 111-mile drive around the county’s Iveragh Peninsula. 

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Dingle Peninsula, Country Kerry

Kerry has its share of peninsulas, and one of the most majestic is Dingle. Drive the twisty roads along verdant cliffs fall off into the bluest ocean. Along the way there are Christian monuments, Iron Age fortifications, and Dingle Bay — the setting for the movie Ryan’s Daughter(Photo: Insight Vacations)

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The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare

Five miles of looming cliffs crash more than 700 feet into the Atlantic Ocean. If you dare, walk along the edge of the cliffs, which formed more than 300 million years ago. Just don’t look down! (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Wild Atlantic Way, County Donegal to County Cork

Another famous Irish drive, the Wild Atlantic Way stretches along the Celtic Sea through nine counties, down the west coast of Ireland. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Irish coffee

The weather can be chilly and rainy in Ireland, so stop in any seaside town and find yourself an authentic Irish coffee, made with strong coffee, brown sugar, heavy whipping cream, and of course, Irish whiskey. It will warm you up, fast! (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Ashford castle, Cong, County Mayo

Ashford Castle was lovingly renovated to become one of the best hotels in the world. Practice falconry, walk the magnificent grounds, or cruise on Lough Corrib. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Guiness Storehouse, Dublin

Back in Dublin before heading home, don’t miss one of Ireland’s most popular sights. Find out the story behind Ireland’s favorite beer, plus, learn how to pour the perfect pint! It’s one of the most-visited tourist attractions in Dublin. (Photo: Insight Vacations)

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Can You Really Lose 15 Pounds in a Week at The Biggest Loser Resort?

One of my guilty pleasures is watching a little show called The Biggest Loser. For almost all of the 17 seasons, I’ve watched overweight contestants literally work their asses off, going from morbidly obese, broken people to basically athletes.

If you’ve ever seen the show, people drop dozens of pounds a week — they actually get upset if they only lose six or seven pounds. (Do they even realize that’s a pound a day?!?) Now I’m not obese, but I wouldn’t mind losing five or 10 pounds (15 if you ask my mother). By my reality-show-universe calculations, if I were on The Biggest Loser, it would only take me one week to reach my goal. Since I’m all about instant gratification, I daydream of being on the show.

Well recently, my dream came true — sort of. As it turns out, The Biggest Loser brand has four fitness resorts across the U.S. (in Florida, Illinois, New York, and California) for regular people like you and me. So when I was offered the chance to check out the newest location at the J.W. Marriott in Palm Desert, California, I jumped at the opportunity.

“I’m going be 15 pounds thinner by the time I get home,” I told my colleagues at Yahoo Travel. “You’re going to be so jealous,” I warned them. Funny, they didn’t seem too jealous that I was going to spend my Christmas vacation eating healthy and working out.

Whatever. I was excited. But just in case, I ate lots of pizza the night before I left.

It turned out to be quite an experience. If you, like me, dream of going to The Biggest Loser Resort, here’s what you need to know.

Related: 22 Things I Learned at The Biggest Loser Resort

The resort is nothing like the swanky TV ranch.

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The J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa. (Photo: Marriott)

After a direct flight from N.Y.C. to Palm Springs and a 20-minute drive to the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, I had visions of the swanky Biggest Loser Ranch we see on T.V. dancing in my head.

Not so much. In reality, though it’s called The Biggest Loser Resort (BLR) and the program is created by The Biggest Loser brand, each location is housed in and run by a different hotel or resort property. The J.W. Marriott Desert Springs is an enormous hotel in what sort of felt like the middle of nowhere. I knew why I was here, but I wondered why others came to stay at this behemoth of a hotel. (Turns out the clientele are largely convention-goers and time-share owners who like to golf.) The rooms were basic, had nice bathrooms, and mine had a pretty view of the pool. There’s a Starbucks (but you’re not allowed coffee on the BLR diet); there are several mediocre restaurants (but you’re not allowed to eat at them anyway). There’s also a pool, a golf course, a small gym, a basketball court, tennis courts, and a spa.

The food is decent, but you’re probably going to be a little hungry a lot of the time.

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The meals focus around a balance of green veggies, protein, carbs and fat. (Photo: Biggest Loser Resort)

The BLR diet is roughly 1500 calories a day from three meals and two snacks, all low dairy and low gluten with a careful balance of protein, fat, and carbs. You get to choose from six breakfasts (think Greek yogurt parfait, oatmeal, eggs, and more), but other than that, there’s no ordering here. Save for accommodations made for dietary restrictions, everyone eats the same thing. The BLR chefs do a great job of mixing it up (they have so many recipes, they never repeat for a full month), but the truth is, some recipes are better than others. I personally really liked the Greek Salad and the dishes that were just simple grilled meats with veggies or potatoes as sides. Everyone loved the pulled-pork sandwich and slaw and the chocolate peanut butter fudge (yes, you get dessert). Some light versions of bad-for-you meals, like the tofu enchiladas, were not good. Breakfast always felt pretty filling and the mid-morning snack helped (I’d usually have a banana or apple with a little natural peanut butter), but by lunch and until dinner I was pretty darn hungry. Dinner — if I liked it enough to eat the whole thing — filled me up.

You’re going to have workout four hours a day — or more.

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On the T.V. show, contestants workout even more than four hours a day. (Photo: Tyler Golden/NBC)

You may think that because you’re going to a pretty expensive program created by The Biggest Loser brand that there will be fancy workouts and a state of the art gym. Not the case — but that’s good news, because that means you can take your workout program home with you. The workouts mostly consist of interval training. A lot of them were combinations of moves that you could do almost anywhere — things like jumping jacks, running, sit ups, push-ups. Others involved cardio machines and weights. There were also options to work out in the pool, to take walks (around the time-share parking lots — so not glamorous), and to do spinning. There was even a “last chance” workout, like on the show. 

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One of the BLR “last chance” workouts. 

In my opinion, two of the daily workouts were fairly challenging, while the others were easier. But you can modify the moves to be as easy or as hard as you need, based on your fitness level.

Related: 25 Healthy-Eating Travel Hacks That Will Change Your Life

You won’t lose 15 pounds in a week, unless you’re a morbidly obese man.

Despite all the working out and the carefully measured healthy food, it’s not realistic for a person who is not morbidly obese to lose that amount of weight in seven days. (On the T.V. show, they reportedly feed contestants less than 1,000 calories a day for five to eight hours of workouts, as well as using unhealthy tricks, like dehydrating the contestants before weigh in to artificially boost weight loss numbers.) According to most experts, one to two pounds a week is a healthy amount of weight loss. However, given that these conditions are more extreme than your every-day life, you can do more than that. I only need to lose about 10 pounds (if that) and I was able to lose more than four pounds during the week. Some of the heavier male contestants who had 50 or more pounds to lose dropped 10 or 11 pounds their first week (some of which is water weight).

You’ll be exhausted.

I was up at 5:30 a.m. each morning to make the 6 a.m. stretch (which also included some isometrics — this was no easy stretch). I was dead tired and fast asleep by 8:30 p.m. every night. Why you ask? Well here’s a typical day, with four hours of workouts and three hours of classes:

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This is the schedule for a typical day at BLR. 

There’s so much you don’t know about nutrition.

As a lifestyle writer, I’ve written 1001 stories about nutrition. But even I learned some interesting things I didn’t know. They taught us everything from portion size to the right mix of carbs, fat, and protein to quick carb calculations you use anywhere. We even had a class trip to the local grocery store to learn how to make the best choices in the real world. They gave us suggestions for balanced meals and what to choose when eating out. You walk away with a ton of information.

A week may not be enough time.

It really depends on your situation. For me, I just needed a kick in the butt to work out more (I already worked out twice a week at home) and wanted to lose a couple of pounds to use as motivation. For that, a week was just perfect. But if you’re looking to solidify new habits, get in better shape, or lose a more substantial amount of weight, you probably want to stay longer. Some of the participants I met stayed for one week, many for two, and a couple for as long as eight weeks or more.

It’s mostly single women who do the program.

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Even with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, a week might not be enough to shed major pounds. (Photo: Biggest Loser Resort)

Perhaps this isn’t totally surprising. Lots of single women of all ages, shapes, and sizes; the odd single guy; and some married couples.

Related: Places Where You’ll Love Being Single on Valentine’s Day

I was happy with my results.

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Honestly, I kinda feel like I looked thinner before (left). But I definitely felt strong after (right). 

Let me set the scenes for my weigh ins: When I weighed in the first day, I had just eaten lunch, it was the afternoon, and I was wearing street clothes. When I weighed in the last day, I hadn’t eaten yet, I had just worked out, it was very early in the morning, and I was wearing a sports bra and workout clothes. So let’s just say I’m not sure the numbers were a hundred percent accurate, but that said, I lost: 4.6 pounds, 2.75 inches (from all measurements combined), 2. 1 percent body fat. It’s not 15 pounds in a week, but I was pretty happy. I also felt stronger and more flexible.

I’ve kept up my goals at home — and so can you.

I knew that the biggest thing that would lead to my success post-BLR was to create realistic goals. (The BLR life coach taught me that in class, thank you very much.) Thinking I could alter my diet and lifestyle drastically — counting every calorie like they did for me at the resort or even working out four hours a day — would not only be delusional, it would have set me up for failure. So instead, I decided on a few easy-to-achieve goals that I believed would help me do better than before I went. So far, since I have been home, I have kept them up (mostly), and as a result, I have lost about another two pounds and another half a percentage of body fat. Here are the four goals that, in my mind, have made the difference:

1. Work out and stretch more — specifically, four times a week.

Before BLR, I was working out twice a week, which is pretty much nothing for young, healthy person. But stretching and working out four hours a day, every day at the resort really gave me the push I needed to get to the gym more at home. Not only did I realize my body is capable of a lot more than I originally believed (which is very motivating), but I felt stronger and I didn’t want to lose that. Now I hit the gym at least two times a week (including stretching) and the other two days I either go for a long, brisk walk or I do one of the BLR workouts in my living room or at the gym and finish with stretching.

2. I gave up (almost all) artificial sweeteners.

At BLR, we weren’t allowed to ingest anything that was filled with chemicals. And artificial sweeteners in general, may make you gain weight. So for tea or anything I like sweetened, at BLR I would use the plant extract stevia. They served Stevia in the Raw, which I liked, so I stuck with that at home. I also swapped some of my Vitamin Water Zeros (which contain Truvia) for Bai, which the BLR nutritionist said has less chemicals.

3. I eat protein with everything.

According to the BLR plan, protein is key. That’s because protein takes longer to digest, so it helps slow the digestion of carbs (preventing a spike your blood sugar) and helps you feel fuller (so you don’t eat too many carbs or too much fat). So now, when I want carbs or fat, I just make sure I eat them with some healthy protein.

4. I tweaked a couple of my favorite treats.

I used to have a medium skim flat white (basically like a skim latte) every morning. Since I miraculously felt so much better on the low dairy diet, I’ve switched to regular coffee with a dash of skim. I’m still totally satisfied and I actually save like $2 a day, too. Then there’s dinner. Most nights I’m home, I order a chicken burrito with low-fat cheese. Now I have it with greens instead of rice, and make the balance of carbs, protein, and fat even healthier, I only eat half of it with the tortilla — if I’m still hungry (or just feel like eating more), I eat the insides of the other half, sans tortilla.

Eventually I will set new goals, but for now, these work for me.

Rates for a seven-day package at The Biggest Loser Resort at J.W. Marriott Desert Springs start at $2,995 for a single room and $2,445 per person for a double room (not including tax). That includes the weeklong accommodations, all food, and the program itinerary. You can find rates for longer stays and more information on The Bigger Loser Resort at the J.W. Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa (and information on the other locations, too) right here

WATCH: The Craziest McDonald’s Around the World

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Zika Virus Hits U.S.: Is This the New Mosquito-Borne Illness Travelers Have to Worry About?

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Mosquitos are among the deadliest insects on earth. (Photo: James Gathany/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)

As if travelers didn’t have enough to worry about with mosquitos spreading diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and West Nile, now there’s a new virus threatening our health: Zika virus.

Just days after the CDC issued a travel alert advising pregnant women to consider avoiding areas including Brazil, the Caribbean, and Puerto Rico where this once rare virus is now rapidly spreading, the first U.S. case of a baby born with Zika-related microcephaly was confirmed in Hawaii. Now, three more cases of Zika virus have popped up in Florida, and two pregnant women tested positive for the Virus in Illinois. In all these cases, it is believed Zika was contracted abroad.

Mounting evidence has linked Zika infections in pregnant women to the birth defect microcephaly, a potentially deadly underdevelopment of a baby’s brain, also resulting in abnormally small head size. Richard Kuhn, head of Biological Sciences at Purdue University, tells Yahoo Travel, “Once a pregnant woman is infected, the placenta can also become infected, causing an infection in the brain of the fetus. It is still unclear whether there is a particular trimester during which fetuses are the most vulnerable,” says Kuhn.

Related: Potentially Deadly Dengue Virus Hits Hawaii — Everything You Need to Know

Anyone who has not previously had Zika and is traveling in an area where Zika is an issue could be at risk. Since there is currently no vaccine or cure, the best way to stay healthy is to avoid getting mosquito bites in the first place. According to the CDC, mosquito repellants containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, and oil of lemon eucalyptus and para-methane-diol offer protection and are safe for pregnant women.

However, for pregnant women (or others) who are hesitant to use harsh chemicals like DEET, here are some tips: If you do use repellant, wash it off as soon as possible and don’t sleep with the chemicals on your skin. Wearing long sleeves and pants and then treating these clothes with DEET can also be effective (but obviously does not protect exposed skin on the hands, feet, face, and neck). Repellents that contain natural ingredients like citrus, citronella, and chrysanthemum are also safe, according to FitPregnancy.com; however, they are not as effective as the chemical alternatives.

The most common symptoms of Zika, a flavivirus related to dengue, yellow fever, and West Nile, according to Kuhn, include flu-like symptoms (fever, body aches, headache), as well as rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis. 

Related: What You Need to Know About the Mosquito-Borne Disease Ravaging the Caribbean

Zika virus was originally discovered in Uganda in 1947, and was named after a forest there. It remained an obscure disease found only in Africa and Asia until a small outbreak in 2007 in Micronesia.

But in May of last year (perhaps due to Africans traveling to Brazil for the World Cup some experts speculate) the virus appeared and soon exploded across the South American country. Now the Brazilian Ministry of Health estimates that up to 1.5 million people may be infected.

Amid the outbreak, Brazilian health officials noticed a spike in microcephaly, a potentially deadly form of abnormal brain development in newborns. Experts there say there is strong evidence of a connection to mothers infected with Zika. In fact, the Ministry has taken the unprecedented step of advising women in the northeast region of the country to avoid getting pregnant for the foreseeable future due to the risk.

In light of the explosive spread of the virus, the CDC has warned tourists about and discouraged pregnant women from traveling to countries of concern including: Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico.

Though the kind of mosquitos that transmit Zika (mosquitoes of the Aedes genus, which also carry dengue and chikungunya) are found in some places in the U.S. like southern states and Hawaii, according to Kuhn it is unlikely that Zika will become a native problem here. Still, “you might see some people bring some imported Zika back to the U.S.,” says Kuhn. One such case has been confirmed in Texas, and that is also what is believed to have happened to the baby in Hawaii — it is believed that the baby’s mother was infected while pregnant in Brazil last year.  

WATCH: Is the Caribbean More Dangerous Than You Realize?

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Fowl Cay, Bahamas: This Is What It’s Like to Stay on a Private Island in Paradise

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Photo by Getty Images. Design by Lauren DeLuca for Yahoo Travel.

Hotel: Fowl Cay Resort

Location: Fowl Cay, The Exumas, Bahamas

Background: Fowl Cay was once used by the local community in the Exumas to keep their chickens for food – hence the name. Then in the 50s, a French couple bought the cay and built a vacation villa. Over the years the private island was owned two other families as a vacation spot until Fowl Cay Resort was established as the first high-end luxury resort in the Exumas in March 2002. The current owners, The Stewarts (who also own Sandals Resorts), purchased Fowl Cay in 2007.

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Photo: Fowl Cay Resort/Facebook

The Vibe: Set on a pristine 50-acre private island in the Bahamas, Fowl Cay Resort is a classic favorite for boating, diving, fishing, and relaxing — the island is tucked away in the quiet center of the Exumas chain of islands in the Bahamas. Though life on the cay is laid-back and beachy, the staff is attentive to your every need and the villas feel contemporary.

When to go: High season is March 1 through Aug. 31; low season is Oct. 1 through Feb. 28.

Getting there: Though it’s the nearby Bahamas, because Fowl Cay is a tiny private island, so as with many of the best things in life, it’s not the easiest to get to. The best way to go is to fly one of the major airlines (like JetBlue) to Fort Lauderdale and then take a car over to Watermakers Air. From there, you’ll take a small plane to Staniel Cay. There’s a stopover on a cay called Congo for customs, and then it’s back on the 10-seater for the rest of the flight to Staniel. Total, the flying time from Ft. Lauderdale is a little under two hours. From Staniel Cay, it’s an easy boat ride to Fowl Cay.

Related: How to Do the Galapagos Islands if You Hate Boats

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Photo: Fowl Cay/Facebook

The rooms: The resort has six contemporary villas, all of which have been updated within the last three years. The villas include a personal butler (whom Fowl Cay refers to as a “host”), kitchens (fully stocked!), living spaces, central air, Molton Brown amenities, wireless internet (though it wasn’t stellar), a golf cart for exploring the island, a boat for exploring beyond the island, and amazing views. Prices are steep but worth every penny if you can afford it: Lindon Villa accommodates two guests and rates start at $10,600.00/week or $1,514.29/night; Birdcage Villa accommodates four guests and rates start at $15,250.00/week, $2,178.57/night; Starlight Villa accommodates four guests and rates start $13,400.00/week, $1,914.29/night; Seabreeze Villa accommodates four guests and rates start at $13,400.00/week, $1,914.29/night; Bluemoon Villa accommodates six guests and rates start at $19,900.00/week, $2,842.86/night; Sweetwater Villa accommodates six guests and rates start $19,900.00/weekly, $2,842.86/night. There is always a five-night minimum-stay requirement, as well as additional minimum-stay requirements for various holidays.

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Photo: Fowl Cay/Facebook

What I loved: Fowl Cay is beautiful and the resort is has a intimate tropical island feel. I really loved that it didn’t feel crowded, thanks to the small number of villas. Plus, the general managers, Grant and Nicki, were amazing. But one of the the best parts of the trip is having your own boat (included in the cost of the room) to go explore other nearby cays. Your first day you’ll get easy-to-follow classes on how to drive the boat. Then days are spent speeding through the most unbelievable blue waters to various places, whether it’s to snorkel Thunderball Grotto (where they filmed the James Bond flick, as well as Into the Blue) or lounge on Sandy Cay and watch the beautiful sandbar disappear as the tide comes in.

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An aerial view of Hill House and the rest of the resort. (Photo: Fowl Cay/Facebook)

Don’t miss: The pre-dinner happy hour at Hill House Restaurant, which starts at 6:30. It’s a nice chance to have a drink and mingle with the rest of the guests. Also, get a massage ($185 for an hour). They’ll set up the table in your villa or outside in front of the bluest ocean you’ve ever seen. What’s better than a waterfront massage with a lovely breeze? Pretty much nothing.

What I didn’t love: For the price, small details in the rooms seemed a little run down like rusty bits around the shower or plastic light switches (though Star Light and Sea Breeze villas are currently being updated). And, as with most resorts, I didn’t love the food. There’s one restaurant and the choices were limited, though the chef is extremely accommodating of dietary restrictions. And though having a villa “host” is super convenient, I’m not a huge fan of people I don’t know coming and going in my space without my knowledge (like when they come in and leave you breakfast treats in the morning). So if that’s not your cup of tea either, give them a heads up. If you don’t mind, you’ll love the attentive service.

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Photo: Staniel Cay Yacht Club/Facebook

What you can eat: There’s only one restaurant on the property, but even if you don’t love it, you won’t go hungry. Each villa’s kitchen comes stocked with food, snacks, drinks, and cocktails — just tell them what you want and it magically appears. And make sure you take your boat to Staniel Cay Yacht Club for lunch or dinner. Not only is it Jimmy Buffett’s favorite bar, but you’re bound to eat some of the best fresh seafood around. Tip: Make sure to get the conch fritters and grouper fingers — they fried but so good! — and the catch of the day. 

Related: Parrotheads’ Paradise: Jimmy Buffett’s New Margaritaville Hotel

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Swim with this guy on nearby Big Major Cay. (Photo: Thinkstock)

What’s nearby: With 365 cays that make up the Exumas, there’s a lot to see. I would definitely recommend snorkeling Thunderball Grotto — you’re essentially swimming into a magical cave with amazing fish, coral, and plant life. And you have to go to Big Major Cay to swim with the pigs — it’s a bucket list item. You can also swim with nurse sharks at Compass Cay Marina, though you’ll probably be the only one doing any swimming, since the nurse sharks tend to just hang out on the bottom of the ocean.

Related: Swimming With Pigs and Other Bucket List Trips for Animal Lovers

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