Travel

We zipped along on our green scooters, passing the impossibly white sand dunes of the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Santa Rosa Sound on the other, enjoying the unspoiled beauty of Gulf Islands National Seashore in Navarre Beach.

Traveling over the river and through the woods to visit loved ones this holiday season? Well, you’re not alone. But before heading out, help ensure a safe (and enjoyable) journey with these pre-road-trip tips.

After the year I got a cheese grater for Christmas, I’ve come up with my own list of gifts. My list includes a SodaStream to make my own carbonated water, unbreakable sunglasses, handwoven bag from Kenya and a line of gorgeous leather goods.

Those looking for a quiet and relaxed escape within close proximity to Houston need to look no further than Bee Cave. Sonesta Bee Cave Hotel is a Hill Country favorite offering a contemporary chic vibe with laid-back and friendly charm.

Leave everyday stress at home and escape to Mustang Island for a Labor Day getaway. No matter the age or interests of beach travelers, Cinnamon Shore offers something for everyone, whether it’s enjoying s’mores on the lawn after the shrimp boil at C Bar and Café or karoaking poolside after a day full of sandcastle lessons.

San Miguel de Allende is my favorite place. The colonial-era city in central Mexico is known for its baroque Spanish architecture, thriving arts scene and cultural festivals.

St. Barth, long a vacation haunt for lovers of its beauty and beaches is ready for guests. Small in size, the 10-mile-long tropical paradise has shaken off the effects of Hurricane Irma. Its world-class restaurants and boutiques are bustling again.

Jetting off to the south of France this summer? Wanting to look fresh as a daisy when you show up for your reservation at Club 55 in St. Tropez? Then be sure to pack a box of JetZone.

You have a bit of time to save the $9.5 million needed to stay at Aurora Station, the world’s first luxury space hotel, and to choose the other five people for your 12-day journey. Bookings are available for 2022.

Airbnb has more than 4 million listings worldwide. The #1 wished-for in the world? A charming treehouse nestled in the woods of northwest Atlanta.

I went to check in for a flight recently and located my confirmation number on my calendar. Then I hit a snag: I didn’t remember which airline I was on. But my days of searching for flight confirmations are over.

If you or someone you know is suffering from visions of the Amalfi Coast in the middle of 5:00 traffic on Loop 610, you are not alone. Dog Days of Summer Syndrome — or DDDS — affects millions of Houstonians every year, but a new alfresco dining venue — Il Giardino — is helping thousands of landlocked locals overcome their Italian vacation hallucinations in three easy steps:

“The most expensive part of traveling is getting there,” said no Houstonian in 2017.

In 2004, the International Air Transport Association began pushing airlines to issue electronic tickets. Prior to that, most passengers received their tickets through the mail from a travel agent or from an airline ticket office.

If you’re looking for an aquatic adventure for your next day or weekend trip, look no further than SeaWorld San Antonio’s latest attraction, Wave Breaker: The Rescue Coaster.

If you asked 100 Houstonians what comes to mind when they think of Huntsville, 93 would most likely say recent parolees fueling up at the Greyhound station adjacent McDonald’s in Midtown, Old Sparky or the freakishly tall David Adickes statue of Sam Houston pointing the way to Dallas on I-45.

San Antonio is coming closer to Houston this summer. No, neither city is moving on the map, but on June 24, San Antonio and SeaWorld are taking over The Woodlands Mall for a full day of family fun and interactive programming.

Another set of dazzling Houston siblings, Sarah Starry de Mendoza and Caroline Starry LeBlanc, have put their stamp on a charming cottage, but in this case, a couple of hundred miles west in the heart of the Hill Country.

With recent projects ranging from two Four Seasons hotels in Bogotá and the flagship of Montage Hotels’ new Pendry brand to Viking Cruises’ new ocean and river fleets, Rottet Studio continues to forge an international reputation for its hospitality design endeavors.

As the travel season is just around the corner and the travellers and the tourists are mapping out their routes and holidays, it is important to know how to leave behind a positive impact.

While a Million Air charter to Miami sure could hit the spot this weekend, there’s something to be said for staying closer to home over a holiday. In addition to that bucket list of new bars and restaurants suddenly getting way easier to get into, it’s a perfect time to dip your toe into some local adventure.

Say goodbye to roaming fees and SIMs. Getting a portable hotspot that will work in 100 countries is as easy as swiping your credit card in IAH.

Once in a while, it’s nice to check out without having to check in. For that next group getaway, skip the formality of a hotel and pool your funds for a private house. You may miss out on a chocolate turndown and maid service, but the race for the best bedroom and chance to play chef add to the adventure.

On par with Houston’s downtown revitalization movement, Four Seasons Hotel Houston just hit a hole-in-one with its own multi-million dollar renovation that includes the world’s first ever Topgolf-branded Swing Suite. You read that right: you can play golf downtown.

Cancun is a popular vacation destination, but a lesser-known retreat lies two hours south along the Caribbean coast. Tulum is a quiet Mexican town with quaint hotels, restaurants and shops where you can live like a local.