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Articles by Tim Chester
This Little City Is Known As the ‘Capri of California’—and It Has Turquoise Waters, White-sand Beaches, and Scenic Views Original
An aerial view of the harbor in town of Avalon on Catalina Island. Credit: Pharrel Wiliams/Getty Images Avalon, on California’s Catalina Island, is known for its Mediterranean-inspired scenery, turquoise waters, colorful hillside homes, and relaxed coastal atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, beach clubs, ziplining, historic casino tours, and excursions into the island’s rugged interior to spot wild bison.
This Little City Is Known As the ‘Capri of California’—and It Has Turquoise Waters, White-sand Beaches, and Scenic Views
Avalon, on California’s Catalina Island, is known for its Mediterranean-inspired scenery, turquoise waters, colorful hillside homes, and relaxed coastal atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, beach clubs, ziplining, historic casino tours, and excursions into the island’s rugged interior to spot wild bison. Just an hour by ferry from Long Beach, Avalon offers waterfront restaurants, historic hotels, and a walkable downtown ideal for a weekend getaway.
300 lagos, senderos y paisajes increíbles: descubre este paraíso natural de Colorado
Vista aérea de los lagos que salpican el paisaje del Bosque Nacional Grand Mesa de Colorado. Crédito:iStockphoto/Getty Images Los bosques nacionales de Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre y Gunnison, en Colorado, son un territorio de cifras impresionantes. Cerca de 300 lagos se distribuyen por un paisaje de aproximadamente 1,300 kilómetros cuadrados, donde también se encuentra la montaña de cima plana más grande del mundo, que se eleva a unos 3,000 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
300 lagos, senderos y paisajes increíbles: descubre este paraíso natural de Colorado
Vista aérea de los lagos que salpican el paisaje del Bosque Nacional Grand Mesa de Colorado. Crédito:iStockphoto/Getty Images Los bosques nacionales de Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre y Gunnison, en Colorado, son un territorio de cifras impresionantes. Cerca de 300 lagos se distribuyen por un paisaje de aproximadamente 1,300 kilómetros cuadrados, donde también se encuentra la montaña de cima plana más grande del mundo, que se eleva a unos 3,000 metros sobre el nivel del mar.
This Lesser-known Park Is an Easy Alternative to Rocky Mountain—With Scenic Drives, 3,000 Miles of Trails, and 300 Lakes Original
Grand Mesa rises about 10,000 feet above sea level and features 300 lakes across roughly 500 square miles. The 63-mile Grand Mesa Scenic and Historic Byway passes through desert canyons, valleys, evergreen forests, and mountain landscapes. Visitors can hike, fish, camp, ski, bike, and see wildlife, with fall bringing golden aspens and mild daytime temperatures. Colorado’s Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests are a place of superlatives and big numbers.
One of Colorado’s Best Parks Is 30 Minutes From Grand Junction—With Spires, Red Rock Canyons, and a ‘Tour of the Moon’ Original
Early morning golden hour over the Colorado National Monument. Credit: Gerald DeBoer/Getty Images Colorado National Monument pairs towering rock formations, deep canyons, and dramatic overlooks with roughly 500,000 annual visitors. Rim Rock Drive, hiking, cycling, rock climbing, and stargazing offer several ways to experience the monument and its surrounding landscape. Grand Junction provides the closest base, while spring and fall bring comfortable temperatures, wildflowers, and colorful foliage.
6 Places to Travel Abroad with Your Kids This Year, Including for Northern Lights, Safari, and Snorkeling
This article was originally published in 2024 and most recently updated on August 7, 2026. With long flights and the effects of jet lag, already tired parents may be wondering if it’s really worth traveling abroad with young kids. After all, there are so many great family destinations in the U.S. But for me and Afar contributors with children, the answer is still a resounding yes.
You Can Have the ‘Best Day Ever’ With Bluey at Disneyland—and There’s Dancing, Bubbles, and 'Bluey'-themed Treats Original
Bluey and Bingo on stage for a musical performance. Credit: Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort Bluey’s Best Day Ever is a new live show at Disneyland featuring music, dancing, games, and appearances from beloved characters like Bluey and friends. The interactive experience includes themed snacks, merchandise, and photo spots like Gnome Village and the Heeler family car. With multiple daily showtimes and a shaded venue, it’s a family-friendly break from rides, especially during busy park hours.
15 Family Vacation Ideas, Including Falconry, Survival Lessons, and a Cave Castle
Planning a family vacation, like many aspects of parenting, is a fine art. With so many people to please, the stakes are high when plotting the perfect break. How to ensure your holiday hits the high notes? Start by choosing the destination carefully and then look for hotels that not only welcome but also encourage and entertain younger travelers. You don’t need to sacrifice comfort and style for family-friendly programming, either.
The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Los Angeles
Sprawling under a constant sun and cooled by ocean breezes rippling through those signature palm trees, Los Angeles is a singular city with hotel options to match. Some have been serving prominent guests since the days of the Rat Pack. Others are favored by the Insta-famous jet set. One only opened last year. But each encapsulates the spirit of L.A. in its own way. It’s all here: afternoon teas, sound baths, beachside brunches, and a healthy serving of celeb-spotting. So let’s dive right in.
One of Utah’s Best Parks Is Just 40 Minutes from Zion—and It Has Red Cliffs, Black Lava Tubes, and Stunning Desert Views Original
Aerial view of cyclists on a road going through Snow Canyon State Park. Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images for IRONMAN Snow Canyon State Park in Utah offers dramatic red sandstone cliffs, black lava flows, and quiet trails just 40 minutes from Zion National Park. Visitors can hike to lava tubes, bike scenic paths, climb sandstone walls, and stargaze in the newly designated Urban Night Sky Place.
10 Unexpected Family Travel Destinations Across the U.S. to Visit This Year
Travel changes when you have kids, but it doesn’t have to end; you just need to factor in a few more needs and opinions than before. While there are plenty of international destinations that are great for kids, a long-haul flight and dealing with jet lag can be rough. And with the United States celebrating its 250th birthday in 2026, this is the year to travel domestically.
How First Nations groups are putting their stamp on hotels in Canada
Many hotels offer Indigenous cultural programs on the side, but in Canada, some First Nations groups are taking things into their own hands: They’re buying existing eco resorts and directly shaping the storytelling, cuisine and cultural events on offer. On the windswept archipelago of Haida Gstprwaii, some 50 miles (80 kilometers) off the coast of British Columbia, a series of cedar cabins and a lodge sit ensconced in pine trees by a driftwood-strewn beach without a soul in site.
How hotels could help solve your summer childcare crunch Original
4 February 2026 Tim Chester Getty Images As summer school breaks stretch longer and childcare becomes harder to secure, some families are turning to an unexpected solution: hotels offering full-day, structured kids' camps that allow parents to travel, work and keep routines intact. Life is never quiet when you're a parent of young children but plotting how to cover the long spring and summer breaks when schools shut down and work carries on can be particularly challenging.
I’m a New Orleans Local—Here’s How to Plan the Perfect Mardi Gras Trip in 2026
To the curious outsider, Mardi Gras in New Orleans might seem all about drinking and bead throwing. But as a New Orleans local, I can tell you that the festivities are just one part of the equation. Mardi Gras, the culmination of the Carnival season, is a time to celebrate the city’s rich art, history and creative spirit, as well as being a chance to renew values and family connections. Mardi Gras means many things to many people.
6 Places for a Budget-Friendly Off-Peak Trip
Checking in: Date Enter a valid checking in date Checking out: Date Enter a valid checking out date No. of Rooms 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 No. of Rooms Adults(18+) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Adults (18+) Children 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Children Child 1 Age Under 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Child 1 Age Child 2 Age Under 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Child 2 Age Child 3 Age Under 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Child 3 Age Child 4 Age Under 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17...
Mexico’s Caribbean Coast Is Ideal for Kids. Here’s Where to Go and What to Do.
Tired parents want to relax while younger kids, gleefully free from school, want to do anything but. A family vacation where everyone will be happy, including teens, can be a tall order. We have the answer: among our handful of tried-and-true ideal family vacation ideas is Mexico’s Caribbean coast, in the state of Quintana Roo. It includes Cancún and the Riviera Maya, running south from Puerto Morelos down to Punta Allen in Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, just south of Tulum.
Charleston’s Hottest New Hotel Is Now Accepting Reservations
Charleston’s waterfront is set for a glow-up in early 2026, when the city’s newest hotel debuts on the banks of the Cooper River in the French Quarter. The Cooper, occupying prime real estate on the peninsula’s lower eastern side, is now taking reservations for stays beginning March 1, 2026. Steps from the fountains and promenades of Waterfront Park and just a short walk from Charleston City Market, the hotel puts guests in the heart of the city.
Yellowknife's Skies Light Up at Night, but the Daytime Is When the City Really Comes Alive
This article is part of a series celebrating communities, culture, traditions, and adventure throughout Canada. We’re spotlighting exciting people and places across the country’s provinces, from British Columbia in the west to Newfoundland and Labrador in the east. Read more stories atafar.com/canada. Old Town Glassworks is not your standard glassworks. Rather, this 31-year-old institution in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is a patchwork monument to creativity.
Top 15 Cheap and Casual Seafood Restaurants in the U.S.
Cantler’s Riverside Inn serves steamed hard-shell crabs by the water in Annapolis, Maryland. Patrick Semansky/AP Photo Steve Millburg and Tim Chester Updated October 06, 2025 Published February 09, 2024 / Updated October 06, 2025 There’s a recipe for a great seafood dive. To start, the location. It should be on the water or close enough to see/smell/hear the waves. Two, the decor (or lack thereof) embraces coastal kitsch and gives the right amount of pause.
A wildfire destroyed most of her art - but at 85 she's painting like never before
After a long fallow period, Alice Matzkin now spends so much time painting in her Ojai studio that she sometimes forgets to eat. (Colin McCarthy / For The Times) When the Thomas fire tore through Ventura County in late 2017, it incinerated most of Alice Matzkin’s life’s work.
11 Easy Weekend Getaways in California—From Wine Country to Coastal Escapes
The state of California is, shall we say, massive: 800 miles north to south, 400 miles wide, from craggy coast to redwood forest. It alone could have inspired the lyrics to “America the Beautiful,” while the Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is among the most iconic drives in the country. Locals are spoiled for easy weekend getaways, so this editor-approved list is a mix of classic and quirky, depending on your mood. Read on for 11 of the best weekend getaways in California. 1.
This Renovated Historic Hotel Offers Beachfront Peace in an Underrated California City
~ The vibe: A heritage hotel where period details meet polished design Location: 210 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA | View on Google Maps Loyalty program: Accor Live Limitless From $349 | Book now ~ ~ The Afar take The Breakers Hotel has been a Long Beach landmark since 1926, once offering a glamorous coastal escape for the likes of Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. Nearly a century later, the building has been given a multimillion-dollar second life by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Poolside Cabanas, Beachfront Dining, and Gilded-Age Glam—What It’s Like to Stay at This Reborn California Icon
~ The vibe: A reimagined Southern California resort where Gilded-Age glamour meets 21st-century style Location: 1500 Orange Ave., Coronado, CA | View on Google Maps Loyalty program: Hilton Honors From $435 | Book now ~ ~ The Afar take It’s not every day you see a hotel live up to its own mythology. But after a $550 million overhaul, the Hotel del Coronado—the Southern California beachfront grande dame where movie stars mingled with presidents—has pulled that off.
Fewer Travelers Visit This Part of the Great Barrier Reef. They're Missing Out.
Every responsible traveler knows you should keep a decent distance from marine life. But some marine life hasn’t gotten the memo. I realized this while snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef recently, when I turned my head and came face-to-face with a hefty, majestic loggerhead sea turtle. I squirmed gracelessly out of the turtle’s way; the turtle glided nonchalantly off into the depths. Around us, hundreds of fish rode the gentle currents above the contours of coral.
This Midwestern City is an Underrated Destination for Active Travelers
Curling is harder than it looks. And while most of us admire the sweepers manically brushing ice every Winter Olympics, the job of getting the stone moving is way more difficult. I learned that the hard, wobbly, cold way on a recent visit to Wauwatosa Curling Club in the namesake suburb of Milwaukee. It’s not that the ice is slippery; it’s textured, and less hazardous than it looks.
Tips for Planning Travel This Year
By February, you’ve either totally crushed—or totally given up on—those New Year’s resolutions. But whatever happened, now’s a great time to set some serious travel goals. Our new collection of planning stories is full of intel and inspiration to guide you through an amazing year of adventure. We reveal how to make the most of your airline points and which hotel loyalty schemes are best.
How to (Actually, Really, Truly!) Unplug on Your Travels
Disconnecting resets your nervous system. Photo by Max/Unsplash Is it even possible to travel unplugged in 2025? Since Afar ran a campaign to encourage travelers to explore device-free in 2018, smartphones have gotten smarter and even more present in our lives. Americans spend an average of 4.5 hours per day on them, up from just under three hours in 2022.
19 Essential Wineries & Tasting Rooms to Visit in Sonoma County, California
Gundlach Bundschu Winery is a historic yet laid-back place to drink a glass (or two) of wine in Sonoma. Courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu Winery As a San Franciscan, I’m lucky enough to live within driving distance of several incredible wine-growing regions. But when I want to spend a day (or even weekend) tasting wine among the vines, more often than not I head to Sonoma County’s wine country.
How to Plan Family Trips That Both Kids and Parents Love
Here’s how to make family trips fun for both kids and parents. Illustration by Uran Duo Traveling with kids is not always easy. On a recent trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, with my three boys (age 8 and twins age 3), one tried to board a flight to Seattle, another dusted our seats with pretzel crumbs, and the third nicked his finger in the luggage carousel. But it was all worth it once we arrived; I will never forget the looks of wonder on their faces as they released baby turtles into the sea.
How to Plan Family Trips That Both Kids and Parents Love
How to Plan Family Trips That Both Kids and Parents Love Travel can be the best form of education for children—and their parents. Here’s how to make it fun. Traveling with kids is not always easy. On a …
This New Hotel Just Raised the Bar for Santa Monica Stays. We Got an Early Look.
That pier. Those mountains. The daily sunset. The Regent Santa Monica’s oceanfront suites with patios are the clutch choice. Photo by Tanveer Badal Photography ~ The vibe: Coastal comfort at the epicenter of the action.
How to Experience Peru—and Even Machu Picchu—Without the Crowds
Some 5,000 people visit Machu Picchu every day, but only 5 percent of the people living in the nearby highlands have visited the Incan site, according to Intrepid. Photo by Ryan Bolton World-class food. Surfable beaches and biodiverse rainforests. Stupendous mountains and some of the most famous ruins in the world. Incan history, Indigenous traditions, sand dunes you can sled down, and enormous geoglyphic drawings.
How to Experience Peru—and Even Machu Picchu—Without the Crowds | Flipboard
Sacred Objects & Places in the Inca World: Interview With Dr. Cummins For the Incas, certain objects and places in nature (or crafted by humans) are huacas – sacred stuff. What does this concept mean? Is everything …
17 Must-Visit Independent Bookstores Around the World
Porto’s Livraria Lello bookstore is so popular that entry is now ticketed. Photo by Shutterstock Recognizing the transporting power of great stories, we decided to celebrate our love for many of their keepers—independent bookstores around the world. Some, like Livraria Lello in Portugal, are fantastically historic; others, like Montreal’s Librairie Drawn & Quarterly, skew more modern and have a unique focus (graphic novels and comic books).
18 Fantastic Family Vacation Destinations—and Where to Stay There
Planning a family vacation, like many aspects of parenting, is a fine art. With so many people to please, the stakes are high when plotting the perfect break. How to ensure your holiday hits the high notes? Start by choosing the destination carefully and then look for hotels that not only welcome but also encourage and entertain younger travelers. You don’t need to sacrifice comfort and style for family-friendly programming, either.
What Is a Midlife Retreat? A Former Airbnb Exec Wants Travelers to Try Them
Chip Conley’s Modern Elder Academy holds retreats in Baja, where guests take in workshops as well as poolside cocktails. Photo courtesy of MEA Chip Conley achieved quite a lot in the first portion of his adult life. By his mid-twenties he was building a boutique hotel chain, Joie de Vivre, which he would eventually sell (it’s now part of the Hyatt group). Following that, and with several books under his belt, he became a consultant to the founders of a small startup known as Airbnb.
What a Travel Advisor Really Does and Why You Need One
The best advisors have connections that an open doors for travelers: to exclusive hotels, to popular restaurants, and to special VIP experiences. Illustration by Rose Wong Planning trips these days can feel like a full-time job: flights to book, an itinerary to perfect, the best restaurants and hotel suites to reserve. Luckily, it literally is a full-time job for many knowledgeable people—and they’ll do all the planning and booking for you.
How to Take a Stress-Free EV Road Trip in the U.S.
The U.S. boasts thousands of miles of roads that can be reached within a single EV charge. Photo by sladkozaponi/Shutterstock EV road-tripping probably conjures one of two images for you: an eco-friendly, quiet, emissions-free ride from the future—or a fraught nightmare of battery-range anxiety and roadside assistance. The truth is, it can be fully the former if you keep a few things in mind.
Why You Should Plan a Vacation Around This Beach Resort in Cabo, Mexico
A series of infinity pools lead to a semi-private beach in the heart of the Chileno Bay resort. Courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection ~ The vibe: A laid-back luxury beach retreat that encapsulates—and makes the most of—its location Location: Carretera Transpeninsular Km. 15, Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico | View on Google Maps Book now ~ ~ The AFAR take The word “Cabo” conjures many meanings to many people.
In A Lesser-Known Part of Patagonia, Tourism is Helping Keep the Coastline Wild
There are parts of the world whose beauty needs no introduction. They grab you instantly with their heart-stopping visuals: aquamarine waters, seemingly infinite canyons, or mountains that were always destined to end up as screensavers. Then there are places whose beauty sneaks up on you, where the contours and color palettes of the land and sky work a more subtle magic. Patagonia Azul is one of the latter. You don’t notice it at first, driving on a featureless road surrounded by enormous estancias.
5 Great Music Festivals for Travelers
What makes a good music festival? The music, of course. Some interesting food and drink. Decent infrastructure. Enough toilets. But beyond all that, the weekends that really stick with you have their own very specific vibe. They create memories that reverberate far beyond the final notes of the closing night headliner. And for travelers, the most exceptional festivals, I think, are those that offer a real sense of the place they’re in.
Behind the Scenes: How We Chose the AFAR 2024 Where to Go List
Early summer isone of my favorite times of the year at AFAR—and not just because half-day Fridays kick off. It’s when we start soliciting ideas for our annual Where to Go list. We reach out to our network of writers across the globe to find out where they are, where they’ve been, and where they think our readers should go in the coming year. As the story ideas roll in, I get to vicariously travel the world.
The 17 Favorite Places AFAR Traveled To in 2023
As you might expect, AFAR staffers get about. What I didn’t realize, until compiling this piece, is quite how far our travels collectively extend. My own trips took me to Cabo San Lucas, San Antonio, San Diego, Argentina, and Belize this year, but our team explored everywhere from Estonia to Tasmania—via Mozambique, Svalbard, and beyond—between them. These were some of our most memorable trips of the year—in no particular order. 1. Estonia In August, I got to spend a week in Estonia.
In Fiji, a Vivid Underwater World Awaits
Fiji‘s marine life is famously beautiful: a colorful show of turtles, rays, and sharks swirling amid sun-dappled shades of green and blue. The main stage for this dazzling performance is its array of coral reefs—fragile ecosystems in which the symbiotic relationship between plants and fish plays out daily, their delicate dance a microcosm of our ever more stressed planet.
Carbon Neutral, Net Zero, B-Corp—How to Make Sense of Sustainability Buzzwords
Carbon neutral. Carbon offsets. Carbon onsets. As a sign of the tourism industry’s progress, these terms are now everywhere when you’re booking travel. More and more tour companies, hotels, and airlines are striving for meaningful change when it comes to the climate crisis. But how can travelers navigate their way through the badges and buzzwords, without getting caught up in greenwashing? Here are some pointers.
Carbon Neutral, Net Zero, B-Corp—How to Make Sense of Sustainability Buzzwords | Flipboard
1 day ago Watch moment Just Stop Oil protesters smash National Portrait Gallery painting with hammers The Independent - Lucy Leeson • 1d This is the moment two Just Stop Oil protestors smash the glass of a 17th century painring at London’s National Portrait Gallery. The protest organisation released a video of the incident as the two protestors are then seen addressing visitors.“Women did not get the vote by voting; it is time for deeds not words.
This Little Island Offers a Slice of the Mediterranean in California
Many of Catalina’s reopened beachfront restaurants are serving diners on the sand. Courtesy of Love Catalina Catalina Island is often referred to as a “Mediterranean getaway in California,” and while much of SoCal can claim Med meteorology, there is something to the name. Warm and sunny, with a small town built into the hills around a palm tree–lined seafront that overlooks a sleepy harbor, it evokes any number of spots on the Italian—or French—Riviera.
What Are UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists—and What’s on Them?
Singapore hawker centers. The French baguette. Congolese rumba. All of these and more have made headlines in recent years for being added to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage lists. But have you ever wondered what exactly the lists are, who curates them, and what benefit there is to being on them? Read on… What is UNESCO and how does it protect heritage?
What’s the Best Way to Engage With and Honor Local Cultures When I Travel?
When I think back on my favorite trips, it’s the cultural moments that stand out: the shake of feathers on a Black Masking Indian’s Mardi Gras outfit in New Orleans; the laughter I shared with Fijians around a kava bowl. To me, the most rewarding parts of travel are learning about—and being invited to experience—a community’s traditions. But how can we ensure that we’re doing right by the people who share those moments with us? Here are some tips.
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