We’ve partnered with Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and St. Lucia Tourism Authority to give away a 4-day/3-night all-inclusive stay for two adults. The lucky winner will receive a free vacation that includes:

• Roundtrip airfare to/from the United States
• Three nights’ accommodation at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
• All daily meals and beverages
• Daily activities and entertainment
• Tips
• Airport transfers from Hewanorra International Airport

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa occupies a prime 85-acre stretch on St. Lucia’s south coast, backed by lush green forest and overlooking a pristine white sand beach. The all-inclusive resort features eight restaurants, seven bars, five pools, tennis and basketball courts, an oceanfront spa, and the island’s largest waterpark.

The premium all-inclusive experience covers unlimited meals, beverages (including alcohol), and snacks throughout the day. Plenty of activities are included with your stay, including fitness classes, hikes, beach parties, dance lessons, kayaking, and more. 

How to Enter

Visit our sweepstakes page here to enter before the giveaway ends on January 22, 2024. 

Entering is easy—all you have to do is sign up for SmarterTravel and Oyster’s newsletters. (If you’re already a subscriber, you just need to enter your email address to verify your account—you won’t be signed up twice.)

You can gain bonus entries by completing one or more of the following tasks to increase your chances of winning. You’ll receive one additional entry per task. 

1. Follow us on Twitter (X).
2. Retweet a Tweet from SmarterTravel
3. Share the sweepstakes with a friend.

For full sweepstakes rules, review the Terms and Conditions here.

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Snow Peak Kanpai Bottle 500

The Japanese-designed Kanpai Bottle 500 from Snow Peak is vacuum-sealed and made from double-wall stainless steel that’s lightweight and won’t retain tastes or odors. The Kanpai Bottle will keep drinks hot or cold for hours.

The Kanpai comes with three lids—one to lock in heat, one to freeze for chilled beverages, and one for sipping on the go.

Simple Modern Insulated Water Bottle With Straw

An insulated water bottle with a straw is a necessity if you’re worried about spills, smudging your lipstick or staining your teeth with cold brew. Simple Modern’s Insulated Water Bottle comes with a BPA-free straw lid that’s dishwasher safe, making it easy to clean between trips.

Even with the built-in straw, the lid is leakproof. 

Stanley Iceflow 64 Ounce Insulated Tumbler

Perfect for road trips or anywhere where you want a lot of water, the Stanley Iceflow holds up to 64 ounces of liquids. The double-wall design keeps drinks cold for up to 20 hours, and iced for up to four days. 

A built-in flip straw makes the big bottle easy to drink from, and it also has a handle to help you carry it around. The entire bottle is dishwasher safe, so you can wash it after every use. 

Zojirushi Insulated Water Bottle

If you want to be able to pack your water bottle inside your bag without worrying about leaks, invest in Zojirushi’s Insulated Water Bottle. The bottle’s lid has a spill-proof lock that makes accidentally opening it practically impossible.  

The lid breaks into two parts so you can give it a thorough cleaning in between uses. 

Contigo Aubrey Kids Insulated Water Bottle

Want your kids to hydrate more? Get them Contigo’s Aubrey Kids Insulated Water Bottle. The child-sized bottle holds 13 ounces of liquids, and will keep whatever’s inside cold for up to 14 hours. 

The water bottle comes in fun colors so you can pick your kid’s favorite, and a unique pop-up straw design features a spill-proof valve that helps prevent accidents even when the spout is open. 

Tervis Clear Insulated Water Bottle

Most insulated water bottles are made from steel, but Tervis’ is made from a BPA-free plastic that’s microwave, freezer, and dishwasher safe. Tervis’ water bottles are made in America out of an impact-resistant material that can withstand falls without cracking or shattering.

The bottle’s tapered design helps it to fit in bike cages and backpacks, and its lids feature a loop for easy carrying.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Generally located within iconic buildings in a city’s skyline, observation decks are stepping up to entice visitors, and most go beyond offering incredible views. From recreating the famous “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper” photo in New York City to diving off the tower at The Strat in Las Vegas, these unforgettable experiences will take your vacation to new heights. 

View Boston, Boston

Boston’s brand-new View Boston opened in 2023 atop the renowned Prudential Center building. Spanning the 50th through 52nd floors, the attraction features a 360-degree indoor observatory, an outdoor wraparound roof deck, a restaurant, and an indoor/outdoor cocktail bar. 

View Boston is designed to be an immersive experience, with interactive exhibits, like a projection-mapped 3D model of Boston, a theater with a 270-degree screen, and display screens that offer detailed explanations of what you can see from different angles of the observatory.

Top of the Rock, New York City

On the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Top of the Rock has long been a must-visit site in New York City. A new ride, The Beam, is another reason to check it out.

Recreate the famous 1932 photo of ironworkers lunching on a steel beam 69 feet above the city (which was taken during the construction of the building). The Beam lifts visitors 12 feet above the observation deck before turning 180 degrees for unobstructed views and a great photo opp. Unlike in the original photo, visitors wear seatbelts (and don’t actually go over the side of the building). 

360 Chicago Observation Deck

Get panoramic views of Chicago and Lake Michigan from the 360 Chicago Observation Deck, located 1,000 feet above the city. Want to see a unique angle of the skyline? Add on a ticket for Tilt, a set of eight windows on a moving platform that angles viewers 30 degrees down and out of the building for two to three minutes. 

After a ride on Tilt, head to the elegant CloudBar to continue drinking in the views.

Edge, New York City

Feel the breeze on your face from 100 stories up at the Edge, the highest outdoor sky deck in the Western Hemisphere. If that’s not enough of an adrenaline rush for you, a section of the outdoor viewing platform is made of clear plexiglass, allowing you to look straight down the street if you dare.

For extra bragging rights, get tickets for City Climb at the Edge, the highest open-air building ascent in the world. You’ll be securely tethered to the building before climbing an angled staircase to a platform where you can lean over the edge for an unforgettable view. 

The Space Needle, Seattle

Seattle’s iconic Space Needle observation deck features 360-degree views of the downtown Seattle skyline, the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, and the Puget Sound through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. 

The space’s highlight is the Loupe, an indoor observation deck with the world’s only revolving glass floor, where you can watch the city turn beneath you as you dine.

Stratosphere Tower, Las Vegas

At 1,149 feet above the Las Vegas Strip, the Stratosphere’s observation deck is the tallest freestanding observation tower in the United States. Each of the observation deck’s 10 floors offers a thrilling experience—from getting married at the Chaple in the Clouds on level 103 to dining at the revolving restaurant Top of the World on level 106. 

Thrillseekers should head up to levels 108 through 112, where you can leap off the building on the SkyJump, a decelerator descent that takes you on a controlled fall, reaching speeds of 40mph. Or, strap into the Big Shot rollercoaster and get hurled up 160 feet in the air at 45 mph. 

Reunion Tower, Dallas

Nicknamed “The Ball” for its unique shape, the Reunion Tower stands out on the Dallas skyline. The exterior is brightly lit with 259 colorful LED lights that capture the eye. The Ball’s circular-shaped observation deck offers 360-degree views of the city from 470 feet.

There are indoor and outdoor viewing areas so that you can enjoy the Reunion Tower in any weather.

Smith Tower, Seattle

Built in 1914, Seattle’s Smith Tower was once the tallest building on the West Coast. Today, visitors are still whisked to the observation deck in the original Otis elevator. Sign up for the Talking Towers tour to learn more about the building’s colorful past—including the legend of the wishing chair. Rumor has it that if you’re single and sit in the Smith Tower’s magical chair, you’ll be married within the year. 

The post The 8 Best Observation Decks in the US appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The animal officers are highly trained but also very cute, so get your free calendar now. The calendar can be downloaded and printed directly from the TSA’s website. The calendar features photos and fun facts about 15 working dogs. 

This year’s calendar cover model is the 2023 Cutest Canine Contest winner, Dina, a 3-year-old German Shorthaired who works at at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. According to the calendar, “Dina is an attention-seeking dog at her core. Her favorite places include anywhere in the sun.”

The calendar features reminders for federal holidays, non-traditional holidays (like “take your dog to work day”), and birthdays of each canine officer pictured.

Hints from the TSA are scattered throughout as well, such as “Traveling for spring break? Pack any sunscreen over 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage,” which is helpfully marked on March 9. 

The post TSA’s Holiday Gift to You: Free 2024 Canine Calendar appeared first on SmarterTravel.

While it might seem hard to believe that a person who makes travel her livelihood is a nervous flier, it’s true- I am a very nervous flier. Through the years, I’ve learned to manage my fear and am much better about it now than I was, however, I still am always looking for new ways to curb my anxiety. 

Recently, I flew to London and decided to give the Sensate a try. 

What is Sensate? 

First, let’s get into the basics of the Sensate. 

• Sensate is a ”sensory device that uses vibrations and sound to lower your stress.” 
• It fits in the palm of your hand and weighs next to nothing, so you don’t feel any added weight to your neck. 
• It uses infrasonic resonance to relax your vagus nerve.
• It has a “comforting hum” to “engage your ancient instincts of safety and relaxation.”
• Listen to relaxing soundscapes in the Sensate app while using it for the ultimate relaxation experience.

How Do You Use a Sensate? 

I set up my Sensate at home before heading to the airport so I wouldn’t have to worry about figuring out how to use it. I used it once at home to make sure I knew what settings I preferred. With Sensate Plus, you can choose from various programs with various lengths. 

I hate taking off, so I wanted to make sure I used it as soon as I could, which was when everyone was in their seats, and we were preparing for take off. I put the Sensate around my neck and tightened it to my desired length. I chose the H20hm 20-minute session to help me relax for my flight, with a lower intensity vibration. I turned on the device, pressed start session on the app, and let it do its magic. 

What does Sensate Feel Like? 

The Sensate vibrates, and, as I mentioned before, you can choose the intensity of the vibrations. While experimenting with it before my flight, I decided I preferred less intense vibrations. Honestly, it simply feels like a phone vibrating at different intervals and lengths of time. It isn’t distracting by any means, and after a while, you don’t even notice the vibrations. 

Does Sensate Help Calm You During Flying? 

Yes. I was probably the calmest I have ever been without the assistance of any sort of pill. 

I usually gripped the armrests at take-off, but while wearing Sensate, I continued to read my book without giving take-off a second thought. I can’t say I had a tremendous 3-hour nap once the food was served and the lights were dimmed on the red-eye flight, but I did snooze a bit, which is more than usual for me. 

Is Sensate Worth It? 

I have to admit I was skeptical but open to trying whatever I could to help ease my anxiety. However, I don’t think I will fly again without my Sensate. I use it during the day as well, just to help regulate stress. I haven’t tried it for sleeping yet, but as a mother of a toddler and a pre-schooler with a full-time job, falling asleep is not that hard these days. 

If you hate to fly, and don’t want to go the pill route, I highly recommend getting yourself a Sensate to help ease your fears the next time you travel. 

Pros and Cons of a Sensate

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Group tour company FTLO Travel invites travelers to do just that, offering Phone-Free Departures. These trips are designed to help participants completely disconnect and focus on the experience without distractions—plus encourage travelers to be open to spontaneity by leaving behind Google Maps. 

Founder and CEO Tara Cappel says they launched the phone-free trips to help travelers connect. “In today’s digital age, we have become increasingly dependent on our smartphones, and it is negatively impacting our mental well-being and our ability to be present.” Cappel hopes that by removing phones, “travelers can fully engage with the destination they’re visiting and build new relationships with like-minded trip mates.”

Participants on the trips will be provided with printable maps and itineraries to help them navigate the destination, and trip leaders will still have cell phones.

FTLO Travel won’t be searching participants’ suitcases for contraband phones—these trips will operate on an honor system, and travelers can still use their phones in emergencies or if they need to contact someone back home. FTLO Travel recommends bringing a digital or disposable camera instead of a phone camera to capture memories from the adventure. 

The phone-free trips start in 2024 and will be available to book in a variety of destinations, including: 

• Havana, Cuba
• Costa Rica
• Portugal
• Tuscany and Rome, Italy
• Iceland
• Oaxaca, Mexico

Prices for the trips start at $1,999 per person.

The post FTLO Travel Launches Phone-Free Group Trips appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Types of Water Filters

Before we delve into which filters are best for traveling, it’s essential to know the difference between types of filters, and decide which one is right for you. 

UV Purifiers 

These purifiers use UV light to kill harmful bacteria found in water. These are usually more expensive than other filter types. 

Pump Filters

Pump filters are precisely as they sound – you pump the water out of a filter. 

Gravity Fed Filters

Gravity filters use two tubes connected by gravity to move the water from one bag, through the filter, to the other, clean bag. 

Straw Filters

Straw filters allow you to drink the water directly from the source or from a bottle from which you have gathered the water- the filter connects to a straw, and your suction from sipping brings the water through the filter. 

Tablets

Tablets go into your water and kill any damaging bacteria. Unlike filters, the effect of tablets is not immediate, you usually have to wait 4 hours or so for it to make the water safe. 

Countertop Filters

Countertop filters aren’t going to come with you as you travel. However, they are a handy option for shorter excursions and when you want to filter your water at home. They typically have a well, and you filter the water as needed. These generally are the most expensive filters. 

Tap Filters

Tap filters either live under your sink and connect to your pipe or attach to your faucet, a cheaper alternative to the counter top filters.

Best UV Water Filter – Steripen Adventurer

Super compact and easy to use, the Steripen Adventurer uses UV technology to destroy dangerous bacteria found in water. It comes with a carry case for easy transport while traveling. 

Best UV Water Bottle – LARQ Bottle

This insulated water bottle has a UV light integrated into the cap that filters down into the water, killing anything harmful. It automatically turns on every two hours, making it an excellent stress-free option for anyone on the go. 

Best Built-In Water Bottle Water Filter – LifeStraw Go

This water bottle uses a 2-stage filtration with the built-in filter straw. The filter removes bad taste, odor, chlorine, and organic chemical matter from undrinkable water, making it safe, refreshing, and thirst-quenching. 

Best Press Filter – GeoPress Purifier – Nature Edition

Get clean drinking water in just seconds with the GeoPress Purifier. This purifier removes waterborne pathogens, filters particulates, and features a twist cap to vent the air during filtration to protect it from cross-contamination. It filters up to twenty-four ounces of water. 

Best Multi-use Filter – Sawyer Mini

Use this ultra-compact filter in two different ways: either as a straw filter or as a squeeze filter. Choose whichever way you want to use it: by filling up the squeeze pouch with water, attaching the filter, and squeezing it out into your water bottle, or by attaching it to the included straw and sipping it from a cup or other container. 

Best Gravity Purifier – Platypus Gravity Water Filter

The Platypus Gravity Water Filter comes in several sizes to meet all of your water filtering needs on the go. Perfect for hikes and camping, a filter connects two bags and tubes, and the water travels through the tubes by gravity.  Choose the 6L bags for large groups or smaller sizes for individuals. No matter what size you choose, they roll up into a smaller size for easier transport. 

Best Pump Filter – Survivor Filter PRO

The Survivor Filter PRO brings back the technology of the old water pumps you’d find in every town – put the tube connected to the reservoir into the water, and pump it out through the filter and out the top into your water bottle. 

Best Water Purifier Tablets – Katadyn Micropur Purification Tablets

If a filter seems too much of a hassle, you can try purification tablets like these. Simply drop them into your water and let the magic happen. However, these aren’t great if you are in a hurry for whatever, as it takes four hours for them to do the job. They filter up to 4 liters at a time. 

Best Countertop Water Filter – The Well by Lang 

This counter system is much too big to take with you anywhere; however, it is the perfect option for purifying water you will take with you anywhere. It will purify and mineralize your water, giving you refreshing, great-tasting water to fill your jugs or bottles. 

Best Tap Filter – PUR PLUS Water Filtration System

The PUR Plus Water Filtration System easily attaches to your tap, giving you crisp, good tasting water. It’s available in six colors, so you can match your kitchen or add a pop of color. 

Which Water Filter is Right for Me? 

Which filter is right for you depends on your preferences and what you need it for. If you are planning on a long camping/hiking trip, a bigger portable filter like the Platypus Gravity Water Filter is going to be the better option. If you want something to carry with you at all times when you need clean water in a pinch, a straw like the LifeStraw is all you need. (be aware, it may be alarming to sip dirty water without seeing it filtered, so if you are squeamish this option may not be for you). If you are just looking for a way to get clean, safe drinking water at home to take with you, the Well by Lang is your best bet. 

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A private tour company will consider your preferences, budget, and group size in order to custom-design the perfect trip for you.

Think private tours are only for ultra-wealthy travelers? You might be surprised by how affordable it can be. “People are often under the misconception that it costs a lot more to book your trip through a private tour company—it doesn’t,” says Laura Burdett-Munns, Managing Director, Journeysmiths. “We receive a commission from the various hotels and suppliers, which allow us to offer personalized advice, great levels of service, and consumer protection for around the same price as you would get booking each element yourself,” explains Burdett-Munns.

These are the five best private tour companies for custom trips. 

Journeysmiths

For over 30 years, family-owned and operated private tour company Journeysmiths has been arranging bespoke travel itineraries to destinations across the globe. If you want your trip to make a difference, Journeysmiths is the company for you. Working with partners who share Journeysmiths’ values of supporting conservation and community, travelers have the opportunity to participate in volunteer projects—or they can simply receive information about how their trip is making a difference in the destination (by patronizing local businesses or through the funding of charity projects).

Clients work with Journeysmiths’ team of travel designers (who have an average of 15 years of specialized experience in their destination) to create the perfect itinerary. Don’t know where to start? Journeysmiths’ website features a fun “inspire me” option, where you can see potential experiences and accommodations for categories such as “adventure,” “beaches,” or “family time.”

Sample Trip Experience: Camping on the ice in Antarctica. 

Ker & Downey Africa

Specializing in safaris in popular destinations across the continent, Ker & Downey Africa can help you plan all types of animal adventures, from bird-watching to gorilla tracking. The company has a network of local travel experts, known as LuxVenture Designers, who will work with you to create your dream trip.

Ker & Downey Africa partners with locally-owned lodges across Africa, hand-picking properties that are eco-friendly and community-focused (but still luxurious). 

Sample Trip Experience: Swimming with whale sharks in Mozambique. 

Abercrombie & Kent

“When was the last time you did something for the first time?” This is the response of Geoffrey Kent, founder and co-chairman of Abercrombie & Kent, when people ask him where to go next. With tours available on every continent, off-the-beaten-path trips that will impress even the most seasoned travelers can be arranged

Overwhelmed by creating your own custom itinerary? Abercrombie & Kent has a variety of ready-to-book private trips available to choose from in destinations including Croatia, Morocco, and Egypt. Don’t see anything you like? An Abercrombie & Kent consultant can create a tailor-made trip for your group to anywhere in the world.  

Sample Trip Experience: Learn how to make authentic Italian pizza from a professional pizzaiolo in Rome.

Black Tomato 

On a trip to Eastern Europe, Tom Marchant, one of the founders of Black Tomato, was offered the chance to try a black tomato, extolled by a local as a “rare and wonderful” tasting experience—and thus, the company’s name was born. 

Every trip is designed around creating these special “rare and wonderful” moments for travelers. Black Tomato’s tailor-made trips can be crafted to accommodate practically any activity anywhere in the world—”short of robbing the Louvre, we can—and will—organize anything,” boasts Black Tomato. 

Sample Trip Experience: Ski unnamed peaks in Lofoten, Norway.

Kensington Yacht

If your dream private trip takes place on the water, turn to Kensington Yacht, the sailing-specific sister company of Kensington Tours. Kensington will match you with the perfect private yacht or catamaran for your group size, and then stock it with water toys, a full-service crew, and a gourmet chef.

The company will also arrange a bespoke itinerary, including excursions and onboard surprises. At every port you wish to stop at, local guides will be ready to show you all the best secret spots. 

Sample Trip Experience: Dive at the archeological site of the sunken city of Baiae off the coast of Italy. 

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