9 British Virgin Islands Resorts Open This Fall, From Budget to Lux

The Caribbean relies heavily on tourism, but there is an annual down season.

We’re in it right now. From late summer through late autumn, the tourist hustle on the islands dies down. The down season is driven by the back-to-school rush, along with hurricane season. From Barbados to Aruba to the Bahamas, many hotels, restaurants, and tour operators work at a minimal capacity from September through October.

Some resorts even shut down for a few months rather than keep on a bare-bones crew.

That’s not the case across the board, however. In places like the British Virgin Islands, some establishments, from large-scale resorts to mom-and-pop inns, keep their doors open. Best of all, many offer slashed room rates in order to appeal to more visitors.

If you’re looking for highly rated British Virgin Islands resorts that are open this shoulder season, start with the options listed below. They’ve been hand-selected by the British Virgin Islands tourism authority.

Best British Virgin Islands resorts open this shoulder season

Best British Virgin Islands resorts and hotels that are open this autumn

Anegada Beach Club

Located on one of Anegada’s most scenic stretches, this small beach club and hotel has just about everything you could want from a Caribbean vacation. The hotel has sixteen rooms, along with unique palapa retreats. Plus, there’s also a large pool, a kitesurfing school, and a beach bar.

Anegada Reef Hotel

Also located on Anegada, the Anegada Reef Hotel offers a simple beachside setup that includes dining options right on the beach. Plus, you’re right on the popular horseshoe reef, in case you want to snorkel or dive. Though not a luxury pick, you’ll feel spoiled by the natural wonders.

Virgin Gorda Village Hotel

If you’re traveling in a large group, you’ll have space to relax at Virgin Gorda Village. You can choose from two, three, and four-bedroom villas. The hotel also has a large outdoor pool and a full-service day spa with hairdressing offers. As an added perk, you get a free Jeep rental if you stay more than three nights.

Mango Bay Resort

This small-scale resort is designed to spoil you. The private villas are luxurious, while management is available 24/7 to serve your needs. Expect a quiet, tranquil beachside escape.

Cane Garden Bay Beach Resort

This modern and flashy new beach resort lets you unwind in style. Most rooms come with beachfront views, while the hotel’s communal spaces are decked out in a fresh but authentic Caribbean décor. Recent guests have also lauded the staff for being accessible and helpful. (When I covered this property last year, it was known as Quito’s Luxury Inn.)

Sebastian’s On the Beach

Whether you’re traveling solo or in a large group, Sebastian’s on the Beach offers a fantastic property where you can unwind for days, weeks, or even months. The grounds are tropical and well-maintained, also giving you beach access. The on-site restaurant is also popular amongst guests.

Myett’s Garden Inn

If you’re looking for a guest favorite, head to Myett’s Garden Inn. This cozy hotel is located right on the beach, offering tropical, lush views in every direction. There’s also a fantastic on-site restaurant, along with a day spa with a full suite of treatments. Come see why many families visit more than once.

The Heritage Inn

Not far from Myett’s Garden Inn is The Heritage Inn. The Heritage Inn is located on a hilltop, meaning you’ll swap out beach access for stunning island views. All suites showcase a different side of the island, letting you get a lay of the land—either from your private balcony or the large outdoor pool.

Scrub Island Resort, Spa, and Marina

Welcome to the lap of luxury. This five-star escape lets you drop off the map at the edge of a tropical paradise and is one of the most opulent British Virgin Islands resorts.

The on-site spa is acclaimed, along with the spread of private beaches at your fingertips. Whether you want to snorkel above colorful reefs or loaf around at the beachside grill or take on a catamaran adventure, there’s always something to do.

5 Lessons I Learned Renting a Car Abroad on My Recent Trip to Sicily

Planning on renting a car abroad during your next vacation? I’ve got tips based on my recent triumphs and failures.

After all, international car rentals can be a nightmare to navigate. First, you need to make sure you have the right credentials—do you need an international driver’s permit, for example? Second, you need to avoid getting hit with secret add-on fees. Third, you need to figure out which insurance coverage to go for—and avoid being overcharged, especially in Europe.

In short, renting a car abroad can quickly become expensive, and contracts often come with murky fine print.

I’ve got a few insights that will set you up for success. They’re based on my recent experience in Palermo, which was a rollercoaster of car rental trials.

After arriving at the airport, my partner and I faced a three-hour wait at the car rental desk. It didn’t look like a bad day, either; three different rental companies were splitting a single kiosk, creating an hours-long line and confusion.

Rather than lose hours of our vacation, we skipped out and went to one of the empty car rental kiosks. There, we booked a new vehicle with a company we knew and trusted.

It turned out to be a fantastic decision. One that came with a great car and a better insurance policy for a lower price. One that had us protected when a tire went flat and stranded us at our gorgeous villa rental.

Here’s what you can learn from my experience renting a car abroad. In this case, in Sicily.

5 lessons from renting a car abroad in Sicily

Catania, Sicily, Italy – September 29, 2024: The stands of car rental companies inside the Catania-Fontanarossa international airport (Getty)

Lesson #1: Know your rights when it comes to insurance, add-on fees, and more

Every country (or region, in the case of the EU) has different consumer rights when it comes to car rentals and insurance policies. The vast majority of countries require the car rental company to provide a basic insurance policy, meaning you don’t need to pay extra for a more expanded policy. (Unless you want to, of course.)

I suggest taking a fine-tooth comb to insurance policies to figure out what they cover and whether you want to pay for the coverage. Usually, that decision is based on how comfortable you feel behind the wheel and what the local driving culture is like. In Sicily, it’s not for the faint of heart.

In addition to insurance, look closely at policies for drivers under the age of 26 and fuel coverage. You might be charged an arm and a leg if you don’t refuel before returning the car. The same if you’re covering a driver who’s 25 or under.

Lesson #2: Plan your insurance around your journey

I highly suggest making that final insurance decision based on your trip’s overall vibe. Will you be covering large distances? The farther you drive, the more likely something is to go wrong. What about off-roading? If you think you might encounter backroads that aren’t paved, consider going for that boosted coverage. If local drivers are a little too crazy for your comfort, plan for that, too.

When my partner and I realized we didn’t want to wait three hours at the car rental counter, we headed to a rental kiosk without a line: Sicily by Car. We paid around $400 for a six-day rental with full insurance coverage—which would have cost us around $800 at our original rental company.

In the end, we went for full coverage because it was so cheap. It must’ve been some kind of good karma because, for the first time in my travels, I actually needed the insurance. Our rental was at a gorgeous villa in Lascaria, accessible only by winding, pot-hole-ridden roads.

We woke up one morning to realize our car had a flat tire. Thanks to our fantastic coverage, someone came to the villa and popped on our spare tire. We could have done it ourselves, but we figured we’d rely on a professional who could have it sorted in minutes. (Which they did.)

Lesson #3: Consider your options—don’t just book a familiar company

You’ll notice many American companies, from Budget to Hertz to Avis, operate internationally. You might be wooed by the familiar name, which makes sense. However, I’ve usually had better rental experiences with local companies. In this case, Sicily by Car.

Don’t book with the first familiar name you see. Do some research and look for reviews from other Americans—they’ll point out any unfair fees or issues.

Lesson #4: Research your rental center

Just like I encourage you to research the company that you’ll rent from (in the context of that specific place), I also encourage you to figure out where to rent. Some companies charge more for picking up and dropping off at airports, while a rental office in town might be much cheaper.

In the case of my trip to the Palermo Airport, a little research would have clued me and my partner into the fact that the rental kiosk where we were supposed to pick up our keys is regularly packed on weekends. For hours on end.

Lesson #5: Go with Sicily By Car if you’re in Italy—and know that Booking.com has your back

If you’re going to rent a car in Italy, I highly suggest looking into rentals from Sicily by Car. It’s the second time that I’ve rented a car from the company; both experiences have been great.

But I also want to shout out Booking.com, where we booked the original rental. We called to let them know that we needed to cancel our original rental right around the time we were supposed to pick up the keys. We explained the insanely long wait, then agreed to receive a refund that we could use for another car rental on Booking.com.

In total, we were on the phone for around 20 minutes before the entire situation was resolved, meaning we left the airport without any more fuss. That’s very impressive for a third-party booking platform, in my opinion.

Buses, Trains & Metros to Be Affected by Strikes in France Starting 9/18

Heading to France? Hopefully, you have a functional rideshare app downloaded onto your phone.

Across Europe, ongoing strikes have thrown a wrench into travel plans. London recently ended a week-long strike that affected all above-ground Tube stations. Meanwhile, Italy just ended a widespread train strike.

Then there’s France.

The French are renowned for taking their right to protest seriously. While strikes are common throughout Europe and are usually scheduled during the work week with clear goals, the French aren’t afraid to expand and broaden the reach of their strikes.

Workers’ rights, in particular, are a big deal—and the nation has been reeling since a ruling in 2023 changed the retirement age from 62 years old to 64 years old.

In fact, that’s one key reason the current strikes are amplifying: many in the country want President Emanuel Macron (the man behind the retirement age change) out of office, citing controversial pension reform. In addition to raising the retirement age, a new 2026 budget proposal also slashes social welfare spending and nixes multiple public services.

Inside the strikes in France—what do travelers need to know?

The nationwide strikes in France begin tomorrow, Thursday, September 18, and will affect rail lines, metro lines, buses, and some air networks. France’s air traffic control unions have agreed to different strike terms, meaning air travel won’t be affected.

However, Air France employees are planning to join the strike, meaning your flights with the company will likely be affected. Additionally, it’s unclear whether ground staff at the airports will join the strike—and ground crew are responsible for things like transporting luggage.

The strike isn’t only specific to transit unions, either. It’s part of a mass strike campaign that’s been launched by grassroots groups and political parties alike, and could amass around 400,000 protesters throughout major hubs. Along with transit workers, unions from other sectors (from medicine to education) will also join.

That means one thing: protesters could block roads that take you to and from your destination, including the airport, assuming your flight leaves on time.

If you’re traveling in France during the nationwide protests, the French Civil Aviation Authority recommends checking your flight status before going to the airport. Additionally, try to plan your day’s itinerary with as much walking in mind. Rideshares and taxis might also be unavailable due to rises in demand and roadblocks.

If you’re staying at a hotel, I highly suggest speaking with the concierge daily to learn about the latest updates and recommendations.

What is Oktoberfest in Munich Like? 10 Things to Know About Oktoberfest

Most Americans could probably list a few facts about Oktoberfest.

First, it comes from Germany. Second, it involves a lot of beer and large drinking halls. Third, there’s lederhosen involved. Fourth, the event takes place in October.

But what is Oktober in Munich like in real life? And what else does the average traveler need to know about Oktoberfest—especially if their vacation coincides with the famous drinking festival?

Consider this your crash course on Oktoberfest in Munich, which runs this year from September 20^th through October 5^th.

Oktoberfest: origins

September, 25 – Munich, Germany: a group of typical bavarian dancers with tradtional clothings at the oktoberfest in munich on September 25, 2024 (Getty)

This year’s Oktoberfest will be the 190^th Oktoberfest held in Munich. Though Oktoberfest events take place around the country (and the world), Munich in Germany’s southern state of Bavaria is where it all began. It’s also where the most intense and lively celebrations are held.

Oktoberfest is a ‘volkfest’, which is German for a folk festival. In Germany, these involve amusement rides, games, and large halls made for drinking beer (or wine) and eating. I like to think we’re familiar with this setup in the United States, on par with harvest festivals and even parish celebrations.

The original Oktoberfest dates back to a marriage between Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria and his bride in 1810. Ludwig invited the whole town of Munich to celebrate outside the city walls. For the first two years, the main event was a horse race, which drew tens of thousands of spectators in the coming years.

In fact, locals in Munich still call Oktoberfest by ‘d’Wiesn’, which is a callback to the fields where this original celebration was held. It was named after Ludwig’s wife, Therese, and called Theresenwiese. That got shortened to d’Wiesn.

Slowly but surely, the gathering evolved. By 1880, electricity illuminated the booths and tents, letting revelers stay longer and drink more. By 1887, there was a brewery parade involved, which quickly became a theme. In 1900, large beer halls replaced the small booths. By 1910, revelers consumed around 120,000 liters of beer; in 2024, that number reached seven million liters.

Somewhere around the turn of the century, the name Oktoberfest took over. But don’t forget: anyone born in Munich probably calls it d’Wiesn or the Wiesn. Now, onto the fun stuff—what is Oktoberfest in Munich like today?

What is Oktoberfest in Munich like? 10 things to know

Oktoberfest is held on the same grounds as the original 1810 celebration

Like I just outlined, locals call Oktoberfest the Wiesn thanks to its location. Oktoberfest is located on the same grounds as the very first festival thrown in 1810—and that area of Munich, though no longer a meadow-like field, is still known as Theresienwiese. And, though not quite as idyllic as the early 19^th century, it is still an open field.

Oktoberfest has been held on the same grounds for the last 190 years. Two other large-scale events take place at Theresienwiese, including the winter festival called Tollwood and an annual flea market.

Only beer brewed inside Munich is sold—and only two types

Back in 1516, a series of regulations related to beer and how its brewed were officially adopted in Bavaria, known as the Reinheitsgebot. To this day, beers served at Oktoberfest must meet the traditional, historic standards adopted during the Middle Ages.

Additionally, beers must be brewed inside Munich city limits and must come in one of two styles: Marzen lager (the historical standard) or Festbier (paler and seasonal). As of 2025, only six breweries in Munich have the trademark for Oktoberfest Beer and can serve their beers at the festival.

These are: Augustiner Brau, Hacker-Pschorr, Lowenbrau, Paulaner, Spaten, and Hofbrau Munchen.

There’s an opening parade that’s led by the Mayor of Munich—and there are floats

Oktoberfest kicks off each year with a grand opening parade, which was first launched in 1887 before evolving over the next decades. The current program has been in place since 1950 and is led by the Mayor of Munich. There are elaborate horse-drawn carriages (think: Budweiser style), along with grand floats from folk groups that will perform at the festival, along with restaurateurs and brewers.

There’s also a costume parade

Munich, Germany – September 22: participants with tradtional clothes at the opening parade for the annual oktoberfest in munich on September 22, 2024 (Getty)

Similar to the opening parade, the costume parade has slowly evolved since its original inception in 1835. Starting in the late 1800s, it became more popular for costume groups to join in the thousands. Costume groups are similar to today’s Ren Fair participants, who enjoy dressing up in historically accurate folk clothes.

Today, the costume parade is a great place to see traditional lederhosen, along with other styles you might recognize from Germany and the Alps, such as dirndl. You can watch the costume parade on the first Sunday that Oktoberfest starts; participants march over four miles from the Munich palace building to the festival grounds.

Steinholding is Oktoberfest’s unofficial sport

Steinholding is a type of sport in which competitors strive to be the last one holding up a one-liter dimpled glass full of beer. They can’t bend their arms, either. At Oktoberfest, this is called Masskrugstemmen.

There are 14 large tents, and each can sit thousands

Because Oktoberfest takes place at Theresienwiese, which has limited space, it’s a finely worked puzzle involving large and small tents. There are 20 small tents that hold up to 500 revelers. There are 14 large tents, and some hold almost 8,000 drinkers.

Each tent has its own legacy and history. Some are popular for their food stalls, while others are popular for their performances and wild décor. Unsurprisingly, you need to land a lottery if you want to book a table in one of the large tents.

There was a zoo on the grounds

Though not a traditional zoo, Oktoberfest had an animal tent and a racecourse. It was managed by the Bavarian Farmers’ Association, along with the local Hellabrun Zoo. However, in 2010, animal welfare groups stepped in to help ban animals on the grounds. In the past, there were races, trained dog shows, and similar spectacles.

Grilled fish is one of the traditional fares

Steckerlfisch: “Steckerl” means small stick in the Bavarian dialect (Getty)

If you make it to Oktoberfest in Munich, you’ll notice plenty of roasted meats. But there’s another specialty called Steckerlfisch, which is grilled fish on a stick. Usually, its trout, char, or mackerel, but it has traditionally been made from Coregonus or common bream.

There’s a Gay Oktoberfest that runs concurrently

Throughout the sixteen-day festival, attendees can also enjoy Rosa Wiesn, or Gay Oktoberfest. These are LGBT-focused events that are scheduled throughout the main festival, including the main event of Gay Sunday on the first Sunday of the festival. It takes place in the Braursol tent and draws around 8,000 visitors each year.

You can livestream the event from home

So, what is Oktoberfest in Munich like? Despite giving you a rundown of the event’s history and modern makeup, there’s only one way to truly answer that question: visit Munich during Oktoberfest or livestream the antics from home. That’s right—Oktoberfest has an official live stream on its website, and it’s already streaming as the festival slowly takes shape.

West Virginia Paranormal Trail Guide: How to Sign Up & Participate

When someone asks me which US state is worth visiting, West Virginia is one of the first that comes to mind.

A fantastic excursion in the New River Gorge left a strong impression on me, as did the state’s winding country roads. As a travel writer, I also love the state’s new tourism projects. Last year, I covered a series of pre-planned road trips, called Mountain Rides, released by the state tourism board.

That same year, they also released a Halloween-themed road trip itinerary that covers the state’s 21 spookiest locations, called the Paranormal Trail. It’s back again in 2025—and it’s easier than ever to join thanks to their unique 2025 West Virginia Paranormal Trail Passport. Those who complete the challenge will even receive a prize that consists of a personalized lantern. (Other prizes include holographic stickers and keychains.)

Here’s how to take part in the 2025 West Virginia Paranormal Trail.

How does the West Virginia Paranormal Trail work?

Starting on October 1, 2025, you can visit 21 locations around the state. Using geolocation tools, you can confirm your presence with a ‘check-in’ feature. In short, you show up, learn about the haunted location in question, and then mark down that you visited. You can do a check-in within .25 miles of the location, in case you have trouble with service.

Some locations unlock certain rewards, like the stickers and keychains listed above. The grand prize for those who visit all 21 locations is a personalized lantern. All prizes are exclusive to the 2025 Paranormal Trail.

You’ll receive an email from the West Virginia Department of Tourism to confirm your receipt of exclusive gifts and to get a delivery address. You can earn up to four rewards. Here’s how the prizes work:

Earn a sticker when you check in to three locations
Earn a keychain when you check in to eight locations
Earn a hat when you check in to 15 locations
Earn a limited-edition lantern when you visit all 21 locations

The interactive map on the Paranormal Trail page (screenshot 9/15)

Head to the Paranormal Trail page and scroll down to the button that says ‘get your pass’. You’ll be prompted to enter your information, including an email and phone number. Both will help the state’s tourism department track you down and deliver your gifts. You’ll receive an email with instructions on how to get started.

I also suggest checking out the interactive map on the Paranormal Trail page. It includes funky icons that showcase West Virginia’s 21 haunted locations on the trail. You can click on each to get a quick rundown of the legends and locations in question.

As a traveler with a love for ghost tours, I went through the whole list just for fun—but the map will also help you put together a short road trip. Many locations are only a short drive away, meaning you can still take part in the Paranormal Trail and earn a few prizes even if you don’t spend a whole weekend crisscrossing the state to visit each site.

These are the spookiest locations on the West Virginia Paranormal Trail, based on years of watching shows like Ghost Adventures and listening to podcasts like The Last Podcast on the Left:

West Virginia State Penitentiary
Hotel Morgan
Old Hospital on College Hill
Mothman Museum

How Mexico Quietly Became 2025’s Breakout Destination

Mexico has made headlines multiple times this year in the tourism sector alone. I’ve been following protests in Mexico City, which have seen thousands take to the streets to demand tighter regulations when it comes to hospitality and better behavior from visitors.

News of protests in Mexico City might paint the wrong picture.

Similar to protests in Southern Europe, locals in Mexico City don’t seem to lament the nature of travel or the presence of tourists. Instead, they’re seeking better tourism infrastructure and operations that allow everyone to benefit from visitor spend—while also protecting spaces and services geared toward residents.

In other words, the push for more responsible travel isn’t unique to Mexico City. And it might distract from the fact that the country has become one of the world’s most lucrative and popular tourist destinations. According to Travel and Tour World, the country has shown huge growth in terms of air traffic, travel searches, and even destination management organizations, or DMOs.

For Americans, this might come as a surprise given how many travelers head to Mexico each year for vacation outside the US. In reality, the boost comes from non-American tourists who have started to flock to Mexico City, Oaxaca, the Riviera Maya, and beyond.

What’s behind the sharp rise in Mexican tourism? And how did it quickly become a global standout?

Inside Mexico’s rise as a tourist hub

The primary reason that Mexico has generated 22% more interest in travel searches is thanks to its increased international connections. Airlines in Japan and China have increased connections through Mexico City, while American Airlines and Avelo Airlines are increasing traffic between the US and Mexico.

Second, Mexico’s National Strategy for Tourism coalition has been working overtime for close to a decade to revolutionize how the country attracts visitors. In fact, some of those Mexico City protests from the summer can be traced back to these tourism initiatives, including the coalition’s partnership with UNESCO.

Though the strategic partnership was created to boost community-based tourism (and has succeeded, by many metrics), it also put some communities and their economies at risk. In other words, some campaigns work a little too well— which can be disastrous if pre-launch risk assessment was subpar.

Lastly, Mexico has changed its non-immigrant visa requirements. While some Americans are now required to fill out an FMM form, that’s just the start of Mexico’s new rollout of easy-to-access visa requirements. On September 2, the country launched new visa categories, some of which require in-person interviews that streamline the process.

In other words, visitors now have access to straightforward visa and residency information. Whether you’re visiting with a non-immigrant visa or looking to set up temporary residence, it’s easier than ever to find the information you need from official Mexican sources, along with digital resources that let you apply for visa or residency.