Day: September 24, 2025

• I took a solo vacation without my family in tow.
• It’s not selfish to spend time away from them all. I’ve told other moms to take a break, too.
• The experience made me realize that solo travel sparks adventure and a connection with strangers

Less than one hour into my flight from New York City to Vancouver, I knew I’d done the right thing.

I was watching the 1987 film “Dirty Dancing “on the seat-back TV screen, and wow, did it make me feel good.

This was one of my first solo trips without my family since my kids were born in 2008 and 2010. The others were brief visits to my elderly parents in the UK.

It felt good to be independent

I wasn’t plagued by whining about how long the journey was taking or demands for blankets, for which some budget airlines have been known to charge.

I’d also been spared the stress I’d absorbed from my ultra-cautious husband, whom we nicknamed “Travel Dad” during our trips, about getting to the gate at least an hour before boarding.

My husband always took charge of trips. It was good to be more independent and not rely on him.

I recently saw a hilarious cartoon that showed a family arriving at an airport before it was even built. The prudent father had insisted they show up early for their flight. He could have been my husband.

Somehow, I’d come to rely on him to handle the passports and navigate the airport, which made me dependent and lazy.

I booked my vacation on Thursday and was on the plane by Sunday. The flights were expensive because they were last-minute, but I was between jobs. wanted to make good use of my time before I returned to an office.

The entire trip was freeing. Although I was only in Vancouver for four days, it felt great to make my own decisions without having to consult the family first.

My 30-year-old nephew lives in the city after immigrating from our native UK, but he was often tied up with his job at a five-star hotel and too busy to show me around.

I sometimes felt self-conscious as a lone traveler — but it didn’t last long

One of the highlights was my seal-watching tour on a zodiac. My son has had a phobia of open water for more than a decade, so I grabbed the rare opportunity to ride on a speed boat.

I was self-conscious as the only passenger on my own. But as soon as we boarded, I chatted to an older couple from Australia enjoying a round-the-world cruise. They told me about their experiences and how their next stop was Japan. The woman tapped me on the arm whenever she spotted something interesting, like a porpoise.

That night, I dined at my nephew’s hotel. Instead of scolding my husband and children for staring at their phones in the restaurant, I happily people-watched while sipping a cocktail.

The lone diner sitting next to me struck up a conversation. She was a law professor from Toronto who was visiting Vancouver for a conference.

It’s not selfish to leave your family behind to have a solo break

I was fascinated when she described her work. Then she asked me questions about my 30-year journalism career. I would never have engaged with a stranger if my family were there.

Unfortunately, I flew home the following day. This time, I didn’t watch a movie but spent ages looking at the photos — many were unflattering selfies — I’d taken in Vancouver.

Now I’m encouraging my mom friends to follow my lead. I’ve told them it’s not selfish. I hope they’ll take a well-earned solo break from the daily grind.

Do you have a story about solo travel as a parent? Please send details to this reporter at jridley@insider.com

• I’ve been to 20 Caribbean islands and have observed some common mistakes first-time visitors make.
• I’ve noticed many visitors tend to shy away from island hopping and traveling outside their resorts.
• Tourists should leave room in their itineraries for surprises and sample the local food.

The Caribbean is the perfect vacation destination for those looking for warm weather, endless beaches, and exciting activities on and off the water. From nightlife and water sports to great food and historical attractions, this region has something for everyone.

However, as someone who’s been traveling to there for the past two decades, I’ve observed some common mistakes first-time visitors make.

If you’re planning a trip to the Caribbean and want to maximize your experience, here are some mistakes to avoid making while visiting.

Not leaving the resort

The Caribbean is full of gorgeous resorts, but one of the biggest mistakes I see first-time visitors make is never leaving the property.

For example, one of my favorite recent travel experiences was a day trip in Jamaica, where I was able to float down the Martha Brae River and climb Dunn’s River Falls.

If you’re unsure of what activities are available, check out some reputable tours online or ask your hotel’s concierge for recommendations. If you do plan to leave the resort, be sure to do your research and take standard safety precautions.

Sticking to all-inclusive resorts

The Caribbean is known for its all-inclusive resorts, which are convenient for families with small children or large groups of friends.

But for solo travelers, couples, and families with older kids, I recommend checking out smaller boutique hotels. In fact, some of my best travel memories have come from staying at smaller properties.

When I visited Puerto Rico for the first time, I stayed in a charming one-bedroom apartment in Old San Juan, which was just a short taxi ride to the beach.

We spent our days exploring Old San Juan, and each night, we chose a new restaurant to visit, which we wouldn’t have done if we stayed at a large, all-inclusive resort.

Assuming all islands look the same

There’s a common misconception that all islands in the Caribbean look the same. However, the geography varies from island to island.

Volcanic islands like St. Lucia and Dominica boast black-sand beaches, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas have relatively flat terrains and deep cave systems, and Antigua and St. Croix have rolling hills ideal for long hikes.

In Aruba, visitors can relax on white-sand beaches or explore the towering cactus plants, sand dunes, and rocky pools in Arikok National Park.

Each island offers something a little different, and you can maximize your stay by knowing how you want to spend your vacation.

Not island hopping

Although island hopping sounds costly, several locations have convenient and affordable ferries. For example, visitors can take a ferry from St. Kitts to neighboring Nevis to dip in the hot springs or visit the botanical gardens.

I always recommend setting aside a day to check out a nearby island, especially if it’s accessible by ferry.

Expecting a fast-paced lifestyle

First-time visitors to the Caribbean may be surprised to find that, for the most part, life seems to move slower on the islands.

Be sure to leave time between activities or meals and embrace flexibility. If you have activities planned, I recommend doing one activity per day or setting aside at least half a day for each excursion.

In Barbados, for example, I hired a driver to check out Bathsheba, a stunning rocky beach on Barbados’ east coast. On our way back, my tour guide recommended stopping by a popular beachside restaurant, which wasn’t on the itinerary.

I ended up staying for a few hours, ordering food and drinks, and walking along the beach. I would have missed this delicious detour if I had been on a tight schedule, and I always advise embracing the slower island pace for the best experience.

Not eating local food

Part of the joy of traveling is experiencing new cuisine, and the Caribbean offers a variety of food that reflects each island’s history and culture.

In Puerto Rico, I made it a point to eat mofongo, an African-influenced dish made from fried plantain. In Grenada, I tried oil down, a delicious meat and vegetable stew.

On a girls’ trip to Curaçao, we stopped by a local restaurant that had come highly recommended for its goat burgers. I was apprehensive at first, but it was one of the most delicious and memorable meals on the trip.

Not researching the best time to visit

Though the Caribbean offers year-round warmth, some months are better than others for a trip.

For example, although most of the Caribbean experiences hurricane season from June to November, a few islands like Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao are outside the hurricane belt.

The summer low season also means lower hotel rates, but it comes with higher temperatures and afternoon rain showers.

Peak season in the Caribbean is in the winter months when hotel rates are premium and rooms can sell out quickly. However, if you book well in advance, you can look forward to spending your New Year’s Eve on the beach.

This story was originally published on May 30, 2024, and most recently updated on September 24, 2025.

• Nexstar Media Group said it will continue not to air “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on its stations.
• Nexstar said it is in “productive discussions” with the Walt Disney Company.
• Kimmel addressed his suspension and the controversy around it during his return on Tuesday night.

A major TV company says it will continue not to air Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show after the host’s return, though it said it is in “productive discussions” with Disney.

Nexstar Media Group, one of the nation’s largest owners of local TV stations, said it would continue to preempt “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on Wednesday after declining to air Kimmel’s return on Tuesday night.

“Nexstar is continuing to evaluate the status of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on our ABC-affiliated local television stations, and the show will be preempted while we do so,” Nexstar said in a statement. “We are engaged in productive discussions with executives at The Walt Disney Company, with a focus on ensuring the program reflects and respects the diverse interests of the communities we serve.”

Nexstar, which owns more than two dozen ABC affiliates, was the first major station group to say it would not air Kimmel’s show before ABC suspended the host and his program. Nexstar’s moves are being closely watched due to its pending $6.2 billion merger with rival Tegna. The FCC needs to sign off on that deal.

During his Tuesday night monologue, Kimmel addressed his suspension and the criticism of his comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk. It has quickly become Kimmel’s most-watched YouTube video of the year with more than 13.6 million views and counting.

“I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind, but I do want to make something clear, because it’s important to me as a human and that is, you understand that it was never my intention to make light of the murder of a young man,” Kimmel said. “I don’t think there’s anything funny about it.”

Sinclair Broadcasting Group, the largest owner of ABC stations, also refused to air Kimmel’s return on Tuesday. It is unclear what their plans are for Wednesday.

If Sinclair also continues to refuse to air Kimmel, roughly 25% of ABC stations in the country will broadcast other programming than the show. Viewers who want to watch Kimmel can still see his show via Disney’s streaming services.

During his return, Kimmel also criticized FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, a Trump appointee, for pressuring local stations not to air Kimmel’s show.

Disney’s decision to return Kimmel to the airwaves came after an intense pressure campaign that included pushes to cancel Disney+ subscriptions, an open letter signed by some of the biggest Hollywood actors, and criticism from congressional Democrats.

“This show is not important,” Kimmel said. “What is important is that we get to live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”