Boarding Planes First vs Last: Why You Should Try to Board First

The travel world has a few whipping boys. By whipping boys, I mean traveler tropes and habits that are viewed with disdain.

One of the most consistent whipping boys is the traveler who gets in line to board the plane rather than sitting and waiting until the line has shortened.

Those who line up first are viewed as impatient, anxious, and even silly.

After all, why board the plane just to sit on there longer? Especially when seats are already assigned and bag allowance is hammered out?

Well, they might be the nervous type, and standing in place ready to go lets them relax a little. (No harm there.)

They might be worried about whether their carry-on will fit and hope to hide their slightly oversized suitcase amid the masses. (It’s just good sense.)

Maybe they’re worried that space in the overhead cabins will fill up, meaning they need to check their carry-on. (It happens more often than we’d like.)

For the most part, boarding planes first vs last is a matter of personality and past experiences. But there are two serious reasons you might want to board the plane sooner rather than later.

The first covers domestic travel, while the second is geared toward international flights.

Why you should try to board the plane first for domestic flights

If you know anything about overbooked flights, then you might be ahead of me on this one: the last to board are the first to get the cut when a flight is overbooked.

Pretty much the only reason you need to get in line to board a domestic flight (aside from soothing anxiety and ensuring your carry-on has a place in the overhead bins), is to avoid getting the axe when push comes to shove.

The most common reason you’ll be cut from a flight is overbooking, but weight issues can also be a problem. If a plane has crossed the weight limit threshold, then passengers in the back rows are usually the first to be removed from the flight list.

However, if you’ve already boarded, you might be one of the few back-row passengers actually allowed to stay onboard.

Remember this golden rule for gate agents: they’d rather deny boarding to a passenger than pull someone off the plane who already took their seat. When you board first, you ensure your place on the flight in the event its overweight or overbooked.

The other reason you might want to board your plane first on international flights

The likelihood of you being denied boarding on a domestic flight due to overbooking or weight limits is pretty small—but if it’s happened to you before, you know that it’s a devastating delay.

On international flights, you need to board earlier rather than later for cultural reasons.

Things like seat assignments are taken as law in countries where rulebooks are long and rules are taken seriously. The United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan are four places where you can expect a seat assignment to hold weight.

That’s not the case in other places around the world.

I’ve personally experienced and know other travelers who have had their seats reassigned willy-nilly for groups and families. Instead of officially transferring seats, passengers who board first can sometimes claim the seats around them, especially if they have children.

If you show up to your seat late on an international flight in a place where rules are more lax, you might be shuffled off to a new seat with no recourse.

In fact, flight attendants might not see the problem with this, which means you making a scene on a plane suddenly makes you the problem.

Travel isn’t always fair, my friends, so if you’re worried about losing your assigned seat to another traveler, and you’re in a place where rules seem up for debate, board that plane and settle in!

Airport Tips & Tricks: Overbooked Flights, Lost Luggage, Missed Connections, & More

The airport is one of life’s most unforgiving spaces.

Though some airports are works of art, the vast majority are designed with utility in mind. And not just general utility—the type of no-frills efficiency that can manage the identification of thousands of passengers while coordinating flight paths, take-offs, and arrivals.

In other words, though airports are often cold and uncomfortable, it’s understandable. Aesthetics come second to safety, and rightfully so.

But there’s a time when the sterility of the airport feels like an offense. When things go wrong with your flight, your luggage, or your overall travel plans at an airport, the atmosphere can suddenly feel biting.

When we’re at our most vulnerable, and when we have questions that often involve pricey answers, it’s easy to lose our cool.

It’s even easier to feel baffled about what to do next when things at the airport go awry.

Need an airport disaster guide? Though I can’t help you sort through things like tornadoes or major security threats, I can help you navigate slightly less serious airport mishaps, from knowing what to do about an overbooked flight to managing long layovers and missed connections.

Here’s your game plan for the most common airport disasters out there.

Airport tips: What to do if you miss your connecting flight

With more flight delays and multi-leg travel journeys than ever before, missing connecting flights isn’t nearly as rare as it once was. When it comes to finding solutions to missed connections, you need to think about who caused the delay, along with where you missed the flight.

In the United States, airlines are not legally required to help you manage missed connections. Even when domestic airlines are the cause of a delay (as in, your original departing flight was delayed), they aren’t (usually) required to help.

That’s because the vast majority of delays are outside of their control, from inclement weather to Air Traffic Control issues to safety checks.

That being said, airlines want to protect their reputations, meaning they’ll likely offer you rebooking and vouchers if they are partly responsible for the delay. If not, you might be eating those costs, which is why some travelers insist on purchasing travel insurance.

Here’s how to rebook a missed connecting flight:

Speak with an agent at the counter to reschedule your flight
Use the airline’s app to reschedule the flight
Purchase a new flight from a different airline if your original airline can’t accommodate your new plans

There’s an important caveat here. In Europe, you have more rights if your flight is delayed.

In the European Union, domestic flight delays over three hours can earn you compensation. The same is true for domestic flights that are delayed longer than six hours. These airlines are legally bound to provide compensation, especially if the delay caused you to miss another flight.

However, you need to submit a claim to get reimbursed. The easiest way to do that is with the help of a third-party company like AirHelp. I highly recommend bookmarking AirHelp and keeping this company in your back pocket.

AirHelp has helped me submit successful claims that have earned me around half (or more, in some cases) of my original plane fare. If you’re going to fly with a budget airline in Europe, I highly suggest you keep an eye on that three-hour marker. Document it once it has lapsed, then submit your AirHelp claim over the next few weeks when you’re able to.

Airport advice: What to do if your luggage is lost

The first thing you need to know about lost luggage is that it’s actually the airport ground crew’s responsibility to get your suitcase into the cargo hold—not the airline.

Airlines are only responsible for transporting your luggage between destinations, but it’s the ground crew that ferries your suitcase from Point A to Point B at the airport.

If you’re using a geolocator tag on your luggage or if you’re able to track your luggage through an airline’s app, then you can usually triangulate the location of any lost items. If that’s the case, head to the baggage claim area and speak with the staff there.

Usually, airlines have separate booths at baggage claim where you can present your luggage tracking data. Staff will help you coordinate a solution from there. Just know that you may need to return at a later time to prove your identity and pick up the bag from another agent.

What happens if you don’t have any way of locating your lost luggage?

Unfortunately, your best bet is to file a claim with the airline. I recommend working overtime to call and follow up on your claim. The more pressure you apply, the more likely someone is to follow up on your claim. (Politely and firmly follow up without getting angry.)

If you can prove that your suitcase had valuables, you might be refunded—but if you can’t actually prove what was in your bag and how much those items were worth, you might never receive compensation.

Worse, your bag might be sold off to the highest bidder. Literally.

Airport tips: What to do if your flight is overbooked

In the United States, airlines are allowed to overbook flights in order to make up for the estimated number of no-shows.

In other words, airlines rely on algorithms that predict how many empty seats they’re likely to have for a flight. If the algorithm says there are likely to be five no-shows, the airline will sell an extra five seats.

So, what should you do if you’re waiting at the gate only to hear the agent announce that the flight has been overbooked? Because it’s not illegal, you don’t have many options.

But you do need to know that you have a choice.

You can accept an airline’s offer to skip out on the flight and receive some type of compensation. This is for voluntarily giving up your seat. If no one volunteers, the airline will bump you, meaning you miss the flight and get on the next one and otherwise receive no compensation.

Here are your choices if your flight is overbooked:

Try to board as soon as possible; gate agents will rarely pull people off the plane to get bumped. Instead, the last to board often get bumped.
Volunteer to take a later flight, and push hard for your compensation—especially if you’re the only volunteer. Agents recommend negotiating for higher compensation. Always push for cash, too. Airlines would rather pay you off than bump an unsuspecting passenger.

Airport advice: What to do if you get stranded

You might get stranded at the airport for a number of reasons, whether inclement weather, major air traffic control problems, or another beautiful surprise.

Unfortunately, getting stranded at the airport (especially overnight) is often a confusing and uncomfortable experience, especially if you can’t readily book a new flight.

So, what should you do if you’re stranded at the airport? My first piece of advice is to stay calm and buckle in for the long haul. Like you might already know, some airport disasters aren’t easily fixed, especially if multiple delays are wreaking havoc on an airport’s flight schedule.

The calmer you are, the more likely you are to stay in high spirits, and staying in high spirits can help you woo the exhausted, battered employees around you. (I’m not joking—a sunshine-y attitude can get you unexpected perks, from better seats to snacks to lounge access.)

Aside from keeping your cool, here’s what to do:

Get familiar with your rights by taking a closer look at your airline’s policy
Document exactly what’s happening with receipts, just in case you need to prove your case later on
Make allies at the airport with fellow passengers who are in the same boat; you can keep each other updated on news and share insights
If you need to calm down, look for a prayer or meditation room (many airports have them, and they’re designated quiet spots)
If you need to pass the time, FaceTime or video call a loved one—nothing will keep your spirits high like a little convo with your favorite person (or people) on earth
If you’re facing a really long layover, check out what to do in the next section

Airport tips: What to do if you have a really long layover

Whether you have a long layover because you’re stranded unexpectedly or you wanted to save big on your ticket, knowing how to manage over seven-hour layovers is an art. But you have more options than you might think—even if you aren’t a loyal airline member.

If you have a layover that’s over seven hours, here’s how I suggest you pass the time:

Look for an airport lounge. Once again, you don’t need to be a loyal airline member to gain access to many lounges. In fact, you might already be part of the Priority Pass network. If not, you can usually pay between $50-100 to gain day access to a lounge.
Look for a hotel near the airport with a day rate. Many airport hotels offer day rates for passengers who are facing long layovers. That means you can check into a room for a few hours (and even visit the hotel pool) before returning to the airport for your connecting flight.
Take a day trip. The truly intrepid traveler might actually want to turn their long layover into a day trip. While that might sound crazy, it’s becoming more common for budget travelers who take on those hefty layovers. Just check your luggage into a locker, then head out on the adventure of a lifetime.

9 Facts About Argentina’s Asado Barbecue Culture

Barbecue culture feels deeply American, but we aren’t the only nation that enjoys roasted meats. Far from it, in fact.

Around the world, almost every culture has a tried-and-true approach to fire-grilled cuts of steak, chicken, lamb, pork, and beyond. Other meats are often on the table, from rabbit to venison.

Though the main star is (usually) red meat, veggies and distinct side salads are also served up at barbecues. Sauces are regional, as are carbs like bread, rice, or roti.

Despite the focus on eating well, the art of grilling meat is only partly about food.

The humble barbecue, no matter where it’s found, is also about community. Think about the barbecues that we like to enjoy on the Fourth of July or Memorial Day—they’re also important social gatherings. We reconnect with family and friends over delicious food, usually for half a day, if not longer.

Just think about the phrase ‘getting invited to the barbecue’—it signals respect and acceptance, not just an invitation to stuff yourself with food.

And while every country (and even region) has its own beloved approach to communal dining, Argentina’s asado barbecue culture is bound to feel familiar to Americans who get an invitation.

The next time you’re heading down south, try your best to make it to an Argentinian asado. Here’s your crash course.

Crash course: Argentina’s asado barbecue culture

Argentinian style BBQ of lamb meat (Getty)

It’s formally known as asado Argentino

Barbecue is a big deal in Argentina, where it’s known as asado and sometimes parrillada, which I’ll discuss below. It’s not the only South American country with big love for grilled meats. In Brazil, barbecue is known as churrasco. In Uruguay, it’s known as asado uruguayo.

The difference between churrasco and asado is linguistic; Brazilians speak Portuguese, while Argentinians and Uruguayans speak Spanish. The culture between these barbecue traditions is similar, but distinct in a few ways, from grill methods to seasoning.

Think of it like the difference between barbecue traditions in Texas, Missouri, South Carolina, and so on.

Barbecue is grilled on parillas

The grill is known as the parilla, which is truly just a metal grill that’s held over open flame. Usually, asados Argentinos take a more rustic approach. Rather than use an actual grill, especially one that runs on propane, grill masters prefer to tame the open flame for added flavor and sealed-in juices.

You’ll also notice that some asados involve intact animals that are stretched out over a natural fire. It can be a little jarring for those who have never seen a whole animal roasted and/or don’t eat meat, so be prepared. Lamb is commonly roasted this way, known as cordero al palo, translated loosely to lamb on a stick.

Parillada is also an experience

Asado Argentino is sometimes called parillada, which is another way of talking about barbecues. Usually, the parillada touches on the overall social and cultural texture of the gathering. While the grill master focuses on churning out perfectly cooked meats and other dishes, guests are chatting, catching up, telling stories, and otherwise bonding. In other words, it’s about spending time together just as much as it is dining.

Traditional Argentine ribs grilled with charcoal and fire (Getty)

Chorizo is a star of the show

Americans are no stranger to slapping a pork chop or a sausage onto the grill—but asado Argentino usually focuses more heavily on chorizo, or spiced sausages. In fact, they’re often the first meat to be tossed onto the grill. Once cooked, chorizo is often served on an open sandwich and is the first treat to whet everyone’s appetite for the day.

Argentina has a big beef industry

Chorizo aside, there’s one reason that barbecue culture has taken off in Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil—and it’s the same as in the States. There’s a lot of world-class beef around, and plenty of space to make an open-flame grill. Argentina is up there when it comes to beef-producing nations, including the United States, China, and Australia.

Potato and egg salad are on the menu

Side dishes are a big deal for asados in South America, just like in the United States. Along with grilled vegetables and empanadas, Argentinians also eat a lot of potato and egg salad.

They’re often combined into a single light dish, but are sometimes split up. Usually, the combined dish is called ensalada rusa or Russian salad. Don’t miss out on locro, either. It’s a hearty bean stew that’s sort of like chili.

Short ribs, strips, and ribeye steaks are top cuts

The most popular cuts tossed onto the parilla in an asado are short ribs, strip steaks, and ribeye steaks. T-bones are also popular and usually slow-roasted, along with brisket. Usually, brisket is slow-cooked over embers, giving it a distinctly smoky flavor.

A delicious medium rare fire grilled argentina style steak with chimichurri verde sauce (Getty)

Chimichurri is the most popular seasoning

Don’t bring barbecue sauce to the asado Argentino—they prefer dry rubs, especially seasonings like chimichurri. Chimichurri is a blend of parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and red wine vinegar. It’s a more traditional herbal flavor that you might expect to find in European steakhouses.

All hail the Asador

The last thing you need to know about asados Argentinos is that the grill master is called the Asador—and this person shouldn’t be bothered, distracted, or otherwise harangued while they do their job. It’s a sacred work to tend to the flames, meats, and other dishes, and compromising the Asador’s work will undermine the entire operation.

The World Tour of Oopsies: Chapter 1 – The Scorpion

[The World Tour of Oopsies is an ongoing series of travel stories about my first decade of travel. During these adventures and misadventures, I unlearned many things I thought I knew about life. Welcome to my miseducation.]

Part I / Koh Pdao

On the small island of Koh Pdao in Cambodia, in the middle of the Mekong River, I achieved one of my very short life’s goals: to drift slightly out of reach from all I’d ever known.

To get to this tiny island, I’d convinced my parents to let me join a service-learning trip as a teenager. The company brought ten Western youths to Cambodia with the help of a local tourism company.

We’d landed on that small island in the middle of the Mekong River to build biodigesters. In exchange, we were hosted by local families in pairs. They lived in stilted, wooden homes; the Mekong is prone to flooding, feeding the rice fields on the island where the water buffalo roam.

We ate with our host families in the mornings and at night, hanging out and finding ways to exchange conversation despite the language barrier. Like the rest of my group, I didn’t speak any Khmer aside from the bare basics. We spend two weeks on the island, working on small projects during the day and otherwise living slowly.

I remember feeling safe and at home on the island, despite the cultural and linguistic barriers. Sure, there was a little bit of curious staring, and also I got called out for having a lot of arm hair, but otherwise, I was in heaven.

When the sun would set, I would head to my host family’s house with my intrepid colleague named Sushi. Our host parents and siblings taught us traditional dances and showed us photos, while we asked questions and pointed to things in books.

During this two-week period, I was (beautifully) out of reach from the world I knew. No phone calls home. No letters.

Part II / The Scorpion

Smash cut to me waking up in the middle of the night needing to use the bathroom.

I headed to the back of my host family’s home, down the stairs, and into the bathroom. On my way back up, I made the fatal mistake of trusting the railing.

When I felt something pinch my finger, I pulled my hand back and saw something hanging from my middle finger, near my joint. It stung, so I instinctively shook my hand—

And saw a scorpion slinging from side to side with its stinger sunken into my flesh.

The good news: I’m not a screamer.

The bad news: the scorpion was venomous.

The even worse news: I didn’t speak Khmer and couldn’t tell my host family what had happened.

Back to the good news again: I’m really good at drawing.

In no time, I had whipped out one of my notebooks and drawn a sufficient depiction of a scorpion. My host parents nodded; they could seemingly put together the feverish gestures I was making, and understood that the swollen notch on my finger was from the scorpion.

Nothing happened. My host parents shrugged it off, and everyone went back to bed.

Even if my host parents had shown signs of worry, the village didn’t have electricity, and I didn’t know which families my group leaders were staying with.

As the minutes ticked by, I started to feel a weird sensation in my hand, which was spreading to my wrist toward my elbow. It felt like my arm was asleep; uncomfortable, but not painful.

So, I went back to my bed mat and waited for dawn. The symptoms in my hand and arm continued to intensify, but they never became painful. Again, I felt that my host family understood, and I also felt safe with them.

When the sun rose, we ate breakfast as usual, then left the house to head to our worksite for the day. I found my group’s leaders and pointed out my boo-boo, and someone left the island later on to get me a few painkillers (or possibly antihistamines, I can’t remember).

I was able to work that day. Every time my venom-hand hit something, it felt like my whole arm was waking up after falling asleep. Sort of like what I imagine it would feel like to stand inside a massive church bell while it’s ringing at full force.

By sundown, I had the pills I needed. Within two days, my arm was fully back to normal. To this day, I still have the journal I kept with me during my homestay on the island—and it still has the drawing of the scorpion in it.

TL;DR: Don’t use handrails at night when you’re in a jungle. And always trust your host family.

Where is PDA Taboo? Your Travel Guide to Macking in Public

The United States is one of the most interesting places to grow up when it comes to PDA, aka public displays of affection.

In big cities, most Americans don’t bat a lash at a couple that’s holding hands, cuddling up, or even kissing in public. But the further you wander into rural towns or religious areas (like Mormon country in Utah or Amish country in Pennsylvania), the more likely you are to make someone uncomfortable with a little macking.

Though we’re overwhelmingly fine with PDA (and racier media content in general), the country is home to religious groups that sometimes have a more conservative approach to life and love.

In other words, PDA is usually on the table in the United States, but might be off the table in certain places when we travel. For Americans, it’s (usually) easy to sense which area we’re in.

That’s a pretty dynamic take on PDA—one that I think serves us Americans well when we head abroad. Like at home, we can usually pick up on the atmosphere and act accordingly.

Still, there’s nothing worse than realizing you might be making locals uncomfortable, especially if a stranger approaches to ask you to keep it PG.

Want a short list about where PDA is either illegal or immoral? Similar to naturism and nudity, it’s a cultural and, at times, legal topic. While I can’t list out every single country on earth, I’m starting off with the most popular destinations for traveling Americans.

Before we start: For the purposes of this article, I’m focusing on heterosexual couples.

Countries where PDA is illegal

In some countries, PDA isn’t just viewed as immoral—it’ll actually get you a fine or, worse, a court date.

PDA is most often illegal in countries and regions where religious authorities hold legal power. If you’re heading to a country that’s non-secular, it’s a good time to take a closer look at the laws on PDA.

Islamic countries are likely top of mind for Americans, but PDA is often equally unwelcome in countries with Christian and Buddhist influences. In Bhutan, a Buddhist nation, PDA isn’t outright illegal but could be seen as illegal if it’s obscene enough, for example. And what’s viewed as obscene is based on cultural values, not legal sums.

The same for India. Though not explicitly illegal, citizens might have the right to press charges based on PDA if you offend them. That being said, public perceptions of PDA are always evolving, and even countries like India that are tougher on public displays still have exceptions.

That’s the key here: even where PDA might not be outright illegal, authorities might be encouraged to act if they’re feeling the pressure from citizens. And even something as simple as holding hands can raise the alarm in very conservative areas.

In these countries, PDA could get you into legal trouble:

Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Egypt
India
Russia (for same-sex couples only)

Countries where PDA isn’t welcome

Do I think a few sneaky little kisses will land you in a Dubai jail cell? No—but it could, if you don’t handle the situation with humility and aplomb.

What’s more likely to happen is that your public displays of affection will simply make everyone around you uncomfortable. Keep in mind that touristy areas are usually cultural isolates; locals know that you’re visiting and that you don’t know the rules, so you might get a pass, so to speak.

That being said, any time you wander off the tourist track, that type of leniency might not apply—and that’s especially true if you’re being affectionate with a local. They might be expected to uphold customs, while you might not be.

In these countries, PDA is likely to make other people uncomfortable:

China
Japan
Korea
Thailand
Vietnam
Bhutan
Morocco
Turkey

Again, if you’re heading to a country where religion remains a strong influence, from Islam to Buddhism to Christianity, think twice about PDA.

Top 8 All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida to Consider this Summer & Autumn

Florida would seem like the prime location to nail a great all-inclusive resort stay, right?

In reality, all-inclusive resort stays are highly elusive. Many all-inclusive offers are startlingly bare-bones, including only basic room and meal accommodations, plus a few standard amenities.

It’s a bit misleading for many guests—after all, what’s the point of heading to a resort if you’re not going to take advantage of all those amenities and activities?

If you’re on the hunt for a truly all-inclusive package or, at least, a functional way to put together an all-inclusive package, then look no further. I’ve rounded up some of the best all-inclusive resorts in Florida, including options for couples, families, nature-lovers, and more.

Here’s where to go when the Sunshine State calls. (Just keep in mind that not all the resorts listed below are true ‘all-inclusive’ offers; you might need to put together a few packages for an almost-all-inclusive experience.)

Short list: all-inclusive resorts in Florida

Best adults-only: Bungalows Key Largo (Key Largo)
Great for families: Omni Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach)
Coolest luxury pick: The Boca Raton (Boca Raton)
Most affordable: Hawks Cay Resort (Florida Keys)
Pure natural beauty: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (Florida Keys)
Longest list of amenities: The Breakers (Palm Beach)
Wellness-focused: Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale)
Pure romance: Acqualina (Miami)

All-inclusive resorts in Florida to keep on your radar

Best adults-only: Bungalows Key Largo (Key Largo)

Consistently ranked as one of the top adults-only all-inclusive resorts in Florida by Forbes and Conde Nast, you can expect a truly relaxing experience at Bungalows Key Largo.

From soaking up the sunsets on the water to relishing the privacy of the bungalows, you won’t want to leave the resort. And with the promise of a kid-free day spent on the docks or by the poolside, it’s the perfect place to drift off.

Just make sure you’re ready to buck up for the luxury prices. This is one of Florida’s most quietly bougie escapes.

Great for families: Omni Amelia Island (Fernandina Beach)

Kids eat free this summer at Omni Amelia Island—so bring the whole family, especially if they’re a hungry bunch. While the fact that kids eat free should clue you into Omni’s lack of truly all-inclusive packages, you can cobble a streamlined package using their extensive special offers without a problem.

With the kids, you can take on adventures like nature tours, the mini golf course, paddle boarding, and more—or just kick poolside with a drink in hand.

Coolest luxury pick: The Boca Raton (Boca Raton)

This resort is a collection of five luxury hotels: the beach club, bungalows, tower, yacht club, and cloister. Each offers a distinct and truly opulent experience.

The grounds and rooms are truly stylish, while its list of activities includes golf, pickleball, boating, water sports, and more. There’s also a top-notch kids club, making The Boca Raton ideal for families who want to stay in the luxury space. (If you want an upscale experience without the kiddos, head to Bungalows Key Largo, listed above.)

Most affordable: Hawks Cay Resort (Duck Key)

A cay is a lagoon-like and shallow pool of seawater that forms near the coast. At Hawks Cay Resort, you’ve got a private cay to explore, whether you want to swim, paddleboard, or kayak. The grounds also offer SCUBA certification programs, along with tons of unique sea-faring trips, from deep-sea fishing to swimming with dolphins.

There’s also a marina, pool, spa, and more. Once again, there’s no pure all-inclusive offer here, but you can utilize Hawks Cay’s special offers for a streamlined and semi-inclusive trip.

Pure natural beauty: Little Palm Island Resort & Spa (Florida Keys)

As another perennial favorite from major travel publications, Little Palm Island Resort lets you bask in the lap of luxury. In this case, you have two added perks.

First, unspoiled natural wonders wait in every direction. Second, though it’s not a truly all-inclusive resort, you can easily put together seamless experiences that take the work out of visiting, such as the culinary indulgence package. As America’s only private island resort, Little Palm lets you show up, drop your bags, and start relaxing immediately.

Longest list of amenities: The Breakers (Palm Beach)

The Breakers is a well-known quantity in Palm Beach. This ultra-lux and romantic resort is housed in a historic building, which adds a classy dash of grandiose intrigue. It almost feels like a storied, centuries-old East Coast haunt.

In fact, the insanely long list of amenities and activities at The Breakers makes that comparison ring true. Though it’s not an all-inclusive resort, the sheer number of options that you can add to the docket without too much muss or fuss makes it an ideal pick for a DIY experience.

From its long list of shops and restaurants to its golf and fitness experiences to its range of special resort offers, The Breakers doesn’t disappoint.

Wellness-focused: Pelican Grand Beach Resort (Fort Lauderdale)

With a near five-star rating on TripAdvisor from a whopping 10,500 ratings, the people have spoken—and they love Pelican Grand Beach Resort. I’m particularly impressed with its range of wellness activities and amenities, which add something more to this beachside resort.

You can choose from a handful of spa programs, along with taking advantage of yoga classes. Plus, there are a range of inclusive offers to choose from, taking out the stress of trip planning.

Pure romance: Acqualina Resort (Miami)

The hunt for pure romance in Florida is usually a short one. Beaches, colorful sunsets, and bungalows abound, but Sunny Isles Beach in Miami has one of the best options out there.

With its tropical plants and bright red décor, Acqualina hands you the keys to a luscious poolside and beachside stay. There’s also a spa and plenty of space to roam. Just keep in mind it’s not adults-only.