Bánh mì — VietnamBánh comes from the Vietnamese word for bread, and the super-soft rolls used help set these sandwiches apart from a typical sub. Filled with delicious grilled pork and loaded with pickled veggies, cilantro, mayo and jalapenos, the bánh mì is anything but boring. Jambon-beurre — FrancePerfect in its simplicity, the jambon-beurre brings together ham and butter on a crunchy baguette. You can add salty cornichons to this sandwich for extra crunch, or top it with melted Swiss cheese

Don’t assume beach photos mean beach swimsIf you made your all-inclusive vacation booking based on gorgeous beach photos from the resort’s website, you’ll probably want to call ahead to ask if you can actually swim there. “Don’t just assume that you’re going to an all-inclusive resort and you’ll able to swim in the ocean,” shares Travelzoo producer Gabe Saglie. “Some resorts have pristine beaches, but the water’s too choppy to be safe.

SinkholesKids love to dig in the sand, but the sinkholes they make aren’t as innocent as they first seem. David Greuner, MD, head surgeon and co-founder of NYC Surgical Associates, explains that when holes are dug at the shore, but not filled in completely, a sunset stroll can lead to a potentially painful twisted ankle…or worse. “Sinkholes are extremely unexpected, and, to make matters worse, the sand can fill the hole immediately after somebody collapses,” he tells ReaderR

Pardon us for staring at the computer—we’re really busyFrom opening the door of an incoming flight to coordinating assistance for wheelchair passengers and children traveling alone to preparing the same plane to depart again, gate agents have their hands full. They also deal with last-minute seat assignments, upgrades, customer questions, and crew or maintenance issues. When they seem like they’re tapping endlessly on archaic computers for no reason, they’re actually accomplish

Numerous lost citiesAtlantis isn’t the only forgotten civilization buried many leagues under the sea. The remains of at least a dozen lost cities rest eerily at the bottom of the ocean near places like Greece, Japan, and India. The sunken palace of Cleopatra is one of the most fabled underwater remnants of the ancient world. It was cast into the sea of when an earthquake and a tsunami hit Alexandria, Egypt, more than 1,400 years ago. And one of the most spectacular—and shockingly intact—su

“Do you speak English?”Chances are someone at the customs desk knows basic English, unless you’re traveling to a remote country. Still, “certain phrases are helpful especially for immigration and customs officials where clarity is crucial,” says Sharon Schweitzer, international protocol expert and founder of Protocol & Etiqutte Worldwide. Ones to know: “Do you speak English?” and “I have nothing to declare in my baggage, no fruit or vegetables.

Yellowstone National Park, WyomingArguably the most impressive of all U.S. National Parks, Yellowstone sits squarely over an active supervolcano. Created by a massive volcanic eruption some 640,000 years ago, the Yellowstone caldera now covers an area measuring a whopping 30×45 miles. The heat beneath this area is responsible for the park’s many interesting hydrothermal features—geysers, including Old Faithful, fumaroles, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots—that are all huge tourist dr

IndiaThe radical disparity in wealth and class may explain some of the risk of scams and theft in this country. But according to John Gobbels, vice president and chief operating officer for Medjet (an international emergency service), it’s medical safety that actually makes India so dangerous. He explains that the U.S. State Department gives the country Level 2 travel advisory status. (Level 1 means you should exercise normal precautions; Level 4 is “do not go.”) India gets the

Packing the wrong shoesWe wish every trip had the same ease and glamour as an episode of the Real Housewives—but, that’s not reality for most of us. One RD.com reader told us she loves high heels and packed several pairs of them for a trip to Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, these were not the ideal shoes for a hike through the rain forest, an excursion she had very much been looking forward to. Her hiking came to a halt when the straps on her heels broke, leaving her in desperate need of some

Arches National Park, UtahCamping around Moab, Utah offers incredible scenery, ranging from mountains and canyons to rivers. Among the best campgrounds is Arches, where photo opportunities await, challenging trails are calling hikers’ names, and red stones create striking backdrops. Though there are a limited number of campsites, there’s plenty of opportunities to backpack your way through this park if the challenge entices you. Devils Garden Campground is located deep in the heart o

The Ballyfin in County LaoisAs the largest room in this transformed home, you’ll feel like royalty when you stay in the Sir Christopher Coote Suite at the Ballyfin in County Laois, Ireland. The room, named after the 15th Baronet and the senior member of the Coote Family, includes a sitting room and curved windows overlooking Instagram-worthy views of the fountain and the stunning grounds. As a perk, breakfast is always included in your rate! Don’t miss out on these undiscovered gems

The best way to beat linesGet there an hour early, walk in the minute it opens, and hit the coasters and other popular rides first. At Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, every minute you arrive after the park opens is two extra minutes of waiting in line. Check out some more insider tips to help you make the most of your Disney vacation.ⓘ Grab an umbrellaCome when the forecast is iffy. Many people skip a visit on those days, so we have some of our shortest lines. Here’s a trick to signific

Best historic beach vacation: Cape May, New JerseyThe lovely Cape May, New Jersey, is a quaint, Victorian town that boasts year-round activities, such as a food and wine festival, a winery that hosts tastings, and a bird observatory, making it one of the best vacation spots for summer travel. In addition to a beautiful beach, visitors can view the town from atop a restored lighthouse, built in 1865. There are over 600 preserved historical buildings in Cape May, and visitors may find themselves b

Gold Energy Pool: The St. Regis Lhasa ResortAll that glitters is gold! And the St. Regis Lhasa Resort in Tibet has the opulent pool to prove it. Thousands of gilded tiles line the bottom, turning the water that rich color. Craving a little R&R? You’ve come to the right place. Unwind with a pampering foot massage or simply float in the salt water, which is kept at a consistent temperature of 82 to 89°F to guarantee optimal comfort and tranquility. Check out some more of the most luxurio

AlohaIt’s easy to feel Zen in Hawaii, with soothing ukulele music and tropical Mai Tais on white sand beaches. But on a recent trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa on Oahu, it was the Hawaiian phrases themselves, and the journey into their deeper meanings, that melted my tension away. “When you get really into Hawaiian, it changes your whole worldview,” says Manako Tanaka, Aulani Resort’s Ambassador 2017, who is getting a master’s degree in Hawaiian language. A perfect example is aloha, the f

Beach Blanket Bingo (1965)The most famous of the “beach party” films of the 1960s stars Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello as be-boppers on the sand. These beach movies are all about how fun it is to be a teenager, especially if you’re wearing a bikini and involved in a flash mob dance-off on the beach. Sunny, silly, and sappy! You might find yourself laughing at the plot of Beach Blanket Bingo, filled with romantic hijinks, but this nostalgic trifle is sure to boost your moo

Deceptive hotel descriptionsA little Photoshop magic can make even the most dicey of hotels or motels seem spectacular—and there are plenty of scammers out there who will mislead you about what you’re getting, according to a new report on travel fraud from Experian. Make sure you’re getting a solid second opinion—search the internet for reviews (TripAdvisor and Yelp are good places to start), and ask for as many details as possible to make sure you’re making the right decision.

MalaysiaA fantastic alternative to its more touristy neighbor Thailand, Malaysia has some of the best street food and night markets in the world. It also happens to be one of the top cheap vacation spots. “Spend some time in Kuala Lumpur, where three-star accommodations start at just $15 per night and $10 will cover three meals in one day,” says Jessica Bisesto, senior editor at the travel deals finder TravelPirates. “Looking for a cheap island destination? Head to beautiful La

Inside Passage, AlaskaYes, you can see the ruggedly beautiful coastline of Alaska’s Inside Passage—complete with whale (and eagle and bear) sightings, and glacier calvings, and kayak tours—without giving up creature comforts. After a day in a National Park, what about a “Caviar on Ice” deck party, anyone? Now, that’s how to see the Last Frontier. Not only is this one of the best cruises in this part of the world, this is also a new experience, as the ship has just moved t

Find an amazing international phone planHow many times have you landed at your destination and texted your loved one to let them know you arrived safe and sound? Before you know it, you’re texting photos of your cocktails or selfies by the beach. Well, if you do this when abroad, you may come home to a massive phone bill that could have been avoided if you had pre-planned via an international phone plan. Many service providers have them, and they are more affordable than you might imagine.