Summer vacations are in full swing and it’s time to hop on a refreshing adventure. From lavish staycations to tropical excursions, here are some multigenerational holiday ideas for a cool summer vacation.

Krabi, Thailand

Thailand’s famed resort town, Krabi is known for its stunning beaches, tropical islands, limestone cliffs, national parks, coral reefs, sea caves, and exotic marine life, making it an impeccable summer paradise. Located on its secluded coast is Phulay Bay, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – an ultra-luxurious five-star retreat that blurs the boundaries between indoor and outdoor environs. The resort’s reserve villas have private pools, gardens and a personalised butler service, ensuring an effortless stay. Its restaurants cater to adults and kids with a versatile menu of Thai, Indian, Mediterranean, European, and other cuisines crafted by a Michelin-star chef. Elemental spa therapies holistically soothe adults while kids are absorbed with creative activities such as umbrella painting and coconut leaf crafting. The Phulay Bay team can also organise excursions to Krabi’s finest attractions; like the Bamboo Island where one of Thailand’s largest coral reefs is found and the Hang Nak Mountain summit where a serious trek culminates into panoramic views of the town and even the Koh Phi Phi islands on a clear day.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

St. Moritz emerges as the quintessential Alpine destination, beckoning families with its blend of majestic scenery and exhilarating summer offerings. Here, amidst the Swiss Alps, they can revel in a myriad of activities tailored to all ages and interests. Whether embarking on scenic hikes along mountain trails, venturing onto the pristine waters of Lake St. Moritz for water sports, or embarking on a memorable journey aboard the Bernina Express, the possibilities for adventure are endless. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Engadin Summer Park offers thrilling activities such as rope courses and summer tobogganing. Amidst exploring the local culture and cuisine, families can savour traditional Alpine dishes at Michelin Star restaurants and immerse themselves in the charm of St. Moritz’s streets. Legendary hotels like Badrutt Palace, Grand Hotel Des Bains Kempinski, Suvretta House and the historic Hotel Grace LaMargna offer a lavish summer retreat where the requirements of every guest are precisely met.

Praslin, Seychelles

Nestled in the tropical paradise of Seychelles, Praslin stands out as one of the best islands for families seeking an unforgettable summer getaway. Its pristine beaches, including the renowned Anse Lazio, provide endless opportunities for sun-soaked adventures, from sandcastle building to snorkelling in turquoise waters. Families can embark on nature hikes through the Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, home to the iconic Coco de Mer palms and fascinating wildlife. A day trip to Curieuse Island offers the chance to encounter giant Aldabra tortoises and explore secluded beaches. Beneath the waves, vibrant coral reefs await discovery, perfect for snorkelling and diving excursions suitable for all ages, including kids. Families can explore Seychellois culture by sampling local cuisine at bustling markets and delving into the island’s rich history at museums and heritage sites. Whether staying in a luxury resort with kids’ clubs or a cosy guesthouse surrounded by lush gardens, Praslin offers family-friendly accommodations to ensure a comfortable and memorable stay.

Muscat, Oman

With a distinct blend of culture, nature, and history, Muscat is a city that reflects Oman’s diversity. Its souqs, museums, and legendary architecture remind tourists of its enduring legacy, spanning centuries. For families looking for a lavish short-haul summer escapade, there are plenty of summer adventures to enjoy in Muscat. The city’s most regal resort, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah, Muscat embodies Oman’s rich heritage and palatial hospitality. Its architecture hints at Oman’s legendary history with each accommodation guaranteeing unparalleled luxury. Facing a panoramic beach, the resort gives guests access to dynamic activities ranging from observing turtle hatching, dolphin watching and snorkelling to motorised sports. A perfect way to relax in summer is to float slowly across the resort’s 500m falaj-inspired lazy river while sipping exotic mocktails infused with frankincense from the resort’s garden. Frankincense and local spices are also infused in the resort’s spa treatments, allowing guests to heal mentally and physically as they absorb the essence of Oman. The resort’s Cool Zone Kids Club offers a creative play zone for children. Ensuring a memorable culinary experience, it has numerous restaurants and bars that serve a wide range of cuisine, including Indian.

Mui Ne, Vietnam

Mui Ne is a tranquil beach resort town two-hours away from Ho Chi Minh City. Situated on the Southeast coast of Vietnam, it enjoys cool coastal weather and steady wind conditions favouring water sports and summertime adventures. As a family-friendly luxury retreat, The Anam Vietnam’s five-star resorts meet the needs of every guest. From opulent private pool villas to large suites with ocean views, it offers an excellent choice of accommodation. Water sports like kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, flyboarding, and jet skiing, are all arranged in-house, enabling guests to beat the summer heat in style. For young adventurers aged four to 12, The Anam’s vibrant Kids’ Club hosts colourful play areas, games, and creative activities under expert supervision. The resort also comprises an excellent selection of restaurants serving Asian, Vietnamese and Western dishes. Upon request, the chefs can arrange a special menu for kids according to their nutritional needs, using ingredients from The Anam’s organic farm. The resort’s team can arrange full-day excursions to attractions like the White and Red Dunes, Bau Trang Lake, Fairy Stream, the fishing village, and the majestic Ta Cu Mountain, allowing families to witness the beauty of Mui Ne.

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE

From historic sites like Dhayah Fort and the National Museum to desert safaris and mountain hikes, Ras Al Khaimah is one of the best tourist destinations in the UAE. For a multigenerational summer vacation head to the sea-facing The Mövenpick Resort Al Marjan Island. The five-star resort invites guests to the island’s largest floating water park where kids splash and play amidst serene waters and adults engage in thrilling water sports like paddleboarding and jet skiing. The magnificent house reef can be explored through snorkelling and scuba diving. Likewise, both kids and adults can indulge in Swiss delights at Mövenpick’s MöCa Lobby Lounge and daily Chocolate Hour, while ‘Boons and Brunch’ calls for a culinary journey with live food stations and vibrant entertainment for the whole family. For an adult’s only time, ascend to Neo Sky Bar and enjoy lively nightlife experiences with 360-degree views or relish and relax at the resort’s award-winning beachfront restaurant Ula Beach, a boho-inspired Mediterranean oasis. For a unique family bonding experience head to The Citrine Spa and experience special therapies like the Father and Son Chill Out Massage, and a Mother and Daughter Paradise Massage.

Lake Ontario – one of the excellent and top-end lakes in Ontario, it has been considered to be one of the perfect options you would want to explore. Referred to as Lake of Shining Waters, Lake Ontario is a must-visit destination if you are in Canada.

While Lake Ontario in itself is one of the best tourist destinations ever in Canada, you would find that it offers you access to a wonderful collection of tourist spots that surround it. One of the prime options you would find around would be the wetlands, cliffs, and of course, dunes.

Well, Canada is, in itself, a tourist destination par excellence. We would consider Lake Ontario as the gem of the best options ever when it comes to the high quality and high-end tourist-centric experience.

Lake Ontario is indeed one of the excellent and largest lakes from around the world. Spanning around 7500 square miles, Lake Ontario lies between Canada and the USA.

A few of the best destinations around Lake Ontario can best be picked would include

Be one with Nature

Well, the area around Lake Ontario may not be the perfect one if you are looking for some overwhelming traveling experience. However, if you are someone who loves nature and adventurous in your attitude, the regions around Lake Ontario should be one of the prime options you would want to explore.

The wetlands, cliffs and sand dunes are a few great options you would find quite impressive in its own right. The excellent and extensive biodiversity offered by the region would definitely make it a great choice ever. The natural biodiversity at the location should ideally be something you would really find genuinely extraordinary.

Tommy Thompson Park

One of the excellent tourist destinations across Lake Ontario would include the Tommy Thompson Park. In essence, you would find that it provides you access to incredible sightseeing options. In essence, the park is one of the great choices for bird watching.

In fact, Tommy Thompson Park has always been something that does not go amiss from the people visiting Toronto. Spread over a land area of around 500 hectares. It does provide you access to a whole lot of natural beauty in the form of flowers, plants, wildflowers, cobble beaches, and sand dunes. It has also been estimated that the park is home to more than 315 different species of birds. That should ideally explain why the park was adjudged Globally Significant Important Bird Area by BirdLife International in 2000.

Casa Loma

The Casa Loma is both a landmark and a museum in Toronto. To begin with, you would definitely fall in love with the style and structure of the design. It is a wonderful option for grandeur. You would ideally find it an excellent option for a charming tourist place.

The museum (or rather the structure) was built between 1911 and 1914. The ninety-eight toom structure provides you access to a wide range of guided tours. The location is also home to a huge number of television and movie shoots. It has also been a good option for special occasions such as weddings and other rites. In fact, it can also be rented for an evening for any special events. In fact, there is no limit to the kind of fun and enjoyment you can opt for. Casa Loma provides you access to a truly wonderful experience in every aspect.

Royal Ontario Museum

The Royal Ontario Museum is one of the largest museums in Canada, and that is precisely what would make it one of the prime options you would find rather impressive. Unveiled in 1914, the museum provides you access to more than 6 million different varieties of artwork. The museum is segregated between two different galleries viz the Natural History and the World Culture Galleries.

A few of the interesting elements you can find at the museum would include the Chinese Place of worship monuments, Gallery of Korean Art and costumes and textile collections. The museum also hosts special sections for the kids as well. These kids’ sections would include Egyptian mummies, dinosaur rooms, and Jamaican bat-cave imitations. You would also find a huge list of options in the form of fossils that range to 150,000 samples.

Allan Gardens

The Allen Gardens Conservatory has been one of the prime destinations and offers you access to an area of more than 16,000 square feet and six interconnected greenhouses. You can witness a huge number of species of flora and fauna from around the globe.

The prominent among the huge number of options in the region are cacti, orchids, succulents, pines to tropical plants. There are a few special educational programs held for the kids during some specific seasons. You would also find ponds full of turtles, and colorful fish. Best suited to be visited solo, or in groups, this is one of the great options ever around Lake Ontario.

Travelling disrupts our routine, time zone differences can disrupt sleep patterns, and simply being in a new location can push us out of our comfort zone. Anxiety begins to creep in at this point. Here’s how you can manage it.

We all enjoy travelling, and now that the world has opened up as a result of the pandemic, everyone has a reason to travel even more, almost with a vengeance! However, travel can be very stressful on both the body and the mind. Travelling disrupts our routine, time zone differences can disrupt sleep patterns, and simply being in a new location can push us out of our comfort zone. Anxiety begins to creep in at this point, causing imbalances and disturbances in our physical, emotional, and mental bodies. Jenil Dholakia, Holistic Yoga and Well-being Coach shares five ways in which yoga can help you manage travel anxiety:

Take deep breaths

Allow the breath to be your best friend before and during your journey. Simply remember to take deep belly breaths whenever you feel overwhelmed by any situation. Deeply inhale through the nose and slowly exhale through the mouth. After 5-10 breaths, you will be in a much better position to deal with the situation.

Yoga on the go

Long flights and car/bus rides can cause stiffness and soreness. Stretches and poses for stress relief include neck rolls to the left and right, shoulder rotations clockwise and anticlockwise, spinal stretches – lateral and twisting, seated marjariasana/cat pose, Uttanasana/standing forward fold, and Adho mukha svanasana/downward facing dog pose. It is critical to restore joint mobility after prolonged sitting.

Mindful mornings

Set aside at least ten minutes each morning to sit in silence. Simply close your eyes and bring your attention to the present moment. Beginning the day in this manner will assist you in calming your thoughts, controlling your anxiety, and preparing you to go through the day in a balanced state of mind. You can conclude the meditation by saying aloud, “I am ready to face the day and I choose to go with the flow.” This will train your subconscious mind to be mindful all day.

Viparaita Karni / Legs up the wall pose

After a long day, this is a great pose to jump into when you’re exhausted, especially if your legs are tired from all the walking. Simply lie on your back on the floor and raise your legs to form a capital L shape against the wall. If you hold this pose for 5 minutes before going to bed, you will fall asleep like a baby.

Nature connection

Spending time in nature is the most healing thing you can do. Spend some time outside of your daily routine in a park or near a natural body. Turn off your phone and surrender with all of your senses. See the various colours and patterns around you, listen to the sounds of birds, waterfalls, and rivers, smell the various fragrances of flowers and trees, touch the soft grass and leaves, and fully immerse yourself in nature’s beauty. Allow nature to heal, recharge, and uplift you.

From stunning beaches to breathtaking hikes, explore the beauty of the Golden State.

The supreme sunsets, landscapes, and weather of California inspire getaways year-round to the point that it can feel like the Golden State has no true off-season. For some of us, though, experiencing a destination without the crowds is a must; standing in a grove of redwood trees is inarguably more astounding when you’re not surrounded by busloads of tourists or obsessive selfie takers.

Sometimes, seeing a sight solo means getting off the beaten path. And lucky for anyone who can get to California, the massive state has hidden gems in spades, serene in their quietude most of the time. So, if you’re after solitude in one of the world’s most beautiful places, here are 10 spots to get you started.

1. Lost Coast

An experienced hiker’s paradise, California’s Lost Coast stretches from Shelter Cove to Mattole Beach (about 75 miles), and it’s remote at roughly five hours by car from San Francisco. Unlike, say, Big Sur, there’s no long and meandering coastal highway on the Lost Coast — the terrain is too wild for anyone to bother trying to tame it with asphalt — so adventurers tackle the coastline by trail, often taking three to four days to hike and camp its length. If that’s too ambitious, drive the Mattole Loop instead, stopping to explore Humboldt Redwoods State Park (home to Avenue of the Giants) and the town of Ferndale, recognized by its Victorian architecture.

2. Mono Lake

Otherworldly in a number of ways, Mono Lake is an ancient saline lake on California’s eastern edge. No fish swim here, but brine shrimp do, and those draw myriad bird species that migrate along the Pacific Flyway. Distinct limestone formations called tufa stand out — literally and figuratively — at Mono Lake. See them via a guided canoe tour, or visit the Mono Lake South Tufa area to walk among tufa towers now out of water due to lake recession. This hidden gem may be best reached via Reno, Nevada; it’s about a three-hour drive from there.

3. Santa Lucia Range

This mountain range, just inland from the not-so-hidden gem that is Big Sur, runs from below Monterey and Carmel down to about San Luis Obispo. Big Falls Trail near the south end of the range is a five-mile trek, but paths in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park and Limekiln State Park — temporarily closed due heavy rains — are where you really want to go to enjoy these mountains, so be on the lookout for their reopening.

4. Salton Sea

Not for the faint of heart, California’s Salton Sea conjures a sense of apocalypse. The state’s largest lake, once a playground for Hollywood names like Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, is mostly abandoned today and too toxic to swim in; there’s even a beach covered in the remains of dead fish. Migratory birds rely on the lake, so part of it was officially made a wildlife refuge in 1930 (November is ideal for bird-watching here). Other nearby points of interest include gurgling mud pots, or geothermal mud volcanoes, on the eastern shoreline. This hidden gem can easily be added to itineraries that include Palm Springs and/or Joshua Tree National Park, each about an hour’s drive from here.

5. Point Reyes

Despite its proximity to San Francisco (about one hour north by car), Point Reyes is pleasantly quiet, especially along its coastal trails. Look for wildflowers and endemic fauna on Tomales Point Trail — which rambles for nearly 10 miles on this special, skinny peninsula, delivering gorgeous, foggy views of the Pacific Ocean — and try local cheese at Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company. And if you’re willing to brave a crowd just once, delight in fresh oysters at the Marshall location of Hog Island Oyster Company, which sits right on Tomales Bay.

6. Hopland

Located in the southeastern corner of Mendocino County, the lovely town of Hopland makes for an excellent jumping-off point for wildly good wine tasting. Check in at the distinctly charming Thatcher Hotel, which offers a bar, coffee shop, and stylish rooms in a Victorian structure dating back to 1890. Then, make an itinerary that includes tastings at Saracina or Alta Orsa wineries, a day in the hot springs at Vichy Springs Resort, or time among redwoods in Montgomery Woods State Natural Reserve.

7. Shasta Lake

This sprawling reservoir might best be experienced via houseboat — and we’re betting you haven’t booked one recently, if ever. Once on board your floating accommodations — consider these on Vrbo — try your hand at all the water sports: swimming, waterskiing, fishing, jet skiing, and more, all with regal Mount Shasta in the background. If you need some time off the water, book a tour of Lake Shasta Caverns or hit the trail. Excellent nearby hikes include the shorter Bailey Cove Loop Trail (2.6 miles) or Chamise Peak for lake views from above.

8. Trinity Alps

Another stunning preserve in Northern California, Trinity Alps Wilderness awes visitors with its alpine lakes and granite peaks. It’s an excellent option for day hiking (try Hidden Lake Trail or Tangle Blue Lake Trail), but also for multiday backpacking trips such as the 18.6-mile Canyon Creek Lakes Trail. This destination is about 50 miles from Redding (which has a regional airport) or 200 miles from Sacramento.

9. Boonville

This Mendocino County town once had its own language — Boontling — and while it’s nearly extinct, the breweries, cheese, art, and antique galleries of Boonville today make it a worthy destination. Hang out at Anderson Valley Brewing Company, a family-friendly and sustainable operation on 30 acres, sampling beers as you play 18 holes of disc golf or just relax on lawn chairs.

Save time (and belly room) for a tasting at Pennyroyal Farm, which serves estate wines, plus sheep and goat cheese made on the farmstead. And spend time walking among redwoods in Hendy Woods State Park.

10. Aptos

You could traverse California’s coastline for months, stopping at state parks and scenic coastal towns, but Aptos, just a 15-minute drive from Santa Cruz, is oft-overlooked. The enclave is surrounded by sea, coastal woodlands, and vineyards. Walk the six-mile Rio Del Mar Trail for ocean views, then wine taste along the Corralitos Wine Trail. The Tasting Barn at Lester Estate Wines is the place to sip and chill — you can even book an estate tour in a cheeky teal 1981 Range Rover Defender. Finally, check out Forest of Nisene Marks State Park. Trails here were impacted by recent winter storms, but if they’re open again, don’t miss a chance to hike among redwoods and waterfalls.