#st-barts

#st-barts

Jost Van Dyke brims with a bravado that would make even a pirate proud, home to the renowned Soggy Dollar Bar, birthplace of the famous Caribbean cocktail known as the painkiller.

Buffett's brand, operating under Margaritaville Holdings LLC, is a multibillion-dollar empire. Under the brand's umbrella is an impressive array of Buffet-related ventures: There are Margaritaville casinos, retirement homes, beach resorts, a radio station, and even a home décor line. However, the real bread and butter of the brand has always been food and drink.

When retirement approaches, many start to wonder where they want to spend their golden years. Some might be most comfortable in the familiar surroundings of their hometowns, but others envision themselves in an idyllic location-one that offers beaches, sunshine, palm trees, and a laid-back vibe. Whether the goal is to reduce expenses and live comfortably on a fixed income or to spend retirement in luxury among beautiful scenery, some tropical spots are perfect for seniors.

I was playing against the world No. 1 men's player, Carlos Alcaraz, at a tennis clinic designed for amateurs like me to get a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against a champion. Three "once mores" later, I couldn't take advantage anymore and offered to call the game.

Split into Dutch Sint Maarten in the south and French Saint-Martin in the north, this Caribbean island offers a unique mix of cultural and historical influences in one effusively hospitable destination. St. Martin is one of the region's most accessible islands for travelers from the U.S., and numerous daily inter-island flights and ferries make it a popular stopover for people headed to Anguilla or to hidden gem islands like Saba and Sint Eustatius. Visitors will find stunning stretches of sandy coast, international flavors, and thrilling adventures from zip lining to shark diving as well as more relaxing things to do.

Barbados's vibrant mix of breathtaking beaches, Colonial-style architecture, botanical gardens, and characteristic Caribbean hospitality makes it a natural beacon for those seeking sun, sand, rum punch, and a warm island breeze. Despite a slim 21-mile radius, there's a surprising number of excellent hotels here bringing historical charm, plush beds, and unrivalled sea views to restore peace to weary travelers. But for a proper pulse-slowing immersion into island time, a private villa is best.

Close enough to island-hop to nearby St. Lucia and Dominica but worlds away in terms of language and customs, Martinique offers a distinctive Caribbean experience. The French overseas territory is greatly influenced by its European counterpart; residents speak French, the euro is the official currency, and outdoor bistros in the capital city of Fort-de-France mimic those of Paris. Many residents speak Creole, too-a nod to the island's rich West African heritage, which is on full display during the annual Carnival season.

So when my family and I touched down in an 18-seater plane on Mustique's airstrip, I was expecting to find a place with the high-touch sheen of private island resorts elsewhere in the region: a celebrity chef-driven restaurant, perhaps; a ritzy beach club; or a boutique selling designer swimwear. But Mustique isn't about five-star bells and whistles-not on the surface, at least.

Rocher de la Vierge is a rocky promontory connected by a footbridge to the beach, that offers one of the most photographed panoramas in Biarritz. Access to the site is free, and it is best visited during daylight hours to fully enjoy the views.

In reality, most French people do not spend their summers chasing iconic landmarks or ticking destinations off a bucket list. Their idea of a successful vacation is quieter, slower, and often much closer to home. Rather than Paris or Saint-Tropez, they favor rural regions, discreet coastlines, forested hills, and mid-sized towns where life moves at a gentler pace, often staying in family homes, rented gîtes, camping sites, or small guesthouses.

Back in chilly February, when you were bored at work, you didn't think twice about booking a wine tasting and zipline excursion back to back. By the time reality hits in July, you're desperately chugging water to try and stave off heat stroke. Just like that, your 'relaxing' getaway is not so relaxing at all.

Many of the great wonders of the world, from iconic buildings to national parks, are preserved and open to the public, but some are tucked away on private land where only a few can enjoy them. One such wonder-a natural spring-fed lake just an hour north of New Orleans-opened to the public for the first time last summer, giving Louisianans and visitors access to a surreal, bright-blue lake lined with white sand beaches.