Our Picks: Top Spots for a “5 O’Clock Somewhere” Toast
We’ve rounded up the best bars for a spectacular toast, no matter the time of day.
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Top Holiday Cocktails To Ring in 2026
These holiday cocktails – part of Opal’s specialty holiday cocktail program – aren’t just complex symphonies of flavor, they’re liquid works of art. And we’ve got the recipes for you to recreate during your own holiday festivities.
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5 Game-Changing Benefits of Taking Your Holidays on Vacation
If the stress of your holiday hustle has been weighing you down (especially if you’re the one hosting the festivities), this may be an article you want to read. Because a holiday week getaway may just be the best gift you can give yourself.
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Why Mount Desert Island Was Voted America’s Favorite Island
It wasn’t a tropical escape that scored number one in the “Top 15 Islands in the Continental U.S.” list in Travel + Leisure’s 2025 World’s Best Awards. It was a lobster-claw-shaped piece of land off the craggy coast of Downeast Maine.
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A Coveted Coastal New England Road Trip
The beauty of a multi-day, 220-mile road trip up the craggy coast from Portsmouth, New Hampshire to Bar Harbor, Maine isn’t just the plethora of enticing pit stops along the route – from high culture to scenic coves. It’s also the way that Opal properties serve as your easy and convenient overnight waypoints for piecing together one epic coastal cruise.
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Best Family Beach Resorts in Florida
Planning a family beach vacation to Florida? From morning splash time to sunset s’mores, Opal Collection offers a variety of beach resorts up and down the coast that take the hassle out of family vacations.
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Must-See Clearwater Florida Attractions You Never Knew About
Think you’ve experienced all of Clearwater Beach? This list of hidden gems might make you think again.
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6 Best Crystal-Clear Water Beaches in Florida that Rival the Caribbean
You don’t need a passport to frolic in the blue waves identical to what you’d find in everyone’s favorite tropical sea. You just need these favorite Florida beaches.
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10 Experiences to Level Up Your Next Opal Escape
Opal Collection resorts and hotels are more than just luxurious places to lay your head. From private chef-led culinary events to hands-on outdoor adventures you’ll be raving about for years to come, here’s how our collection can craft and connect you to indelible experiences that discerning travelers covet.
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Whether you're planning where to go next or what to do on an already‑booked vacation, discover the travel destinations with Opal
The Best Lobster Roll in Maine
The Samoset’s Executive Chef Tim Pierce gives his take on the iconic best lobster roll.
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Unexpected Midcoast Maine
There’s much more to the craggy coast of Camden, Rockland, and Rockport than lobster rolls and lighthouse tours.
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The Family Weekend Guide to Midcoast Maine
Using the Samoset Resort as a basecamp, the coastal towns of Camden, Rockport, and Rockland offer everything from hiking right above the Atlantic to lighthouse excursions and some epic family competitions.
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A Primer: Northeast Summer Vacation Destinations
Our guide matches you with your ideal Maine or New York Northeast vacation among Opal’s top destinations.
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Our Picks: Over-the-Top Adventures
We have the guide for the thrilling and extravagant adventures you can only find in Opal destinations.
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Save The Date: Top 2016 Events on the East Coast
Our curated list of some of the best 2016 events you’ll find on the East Coast.
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Top Wines to Bring to Holiday Parties
Three of Opal Collection’s brightest wine minds share their picks for the most unusual, interesting, and complementary vintages to bring this season. Crowd Pleasers 2013 Naples Cabernet Sauvignon, Boyanci, Italy ($60) Exceptionally smooth with a complex mouthfeel that changes with every sip, this balanced cabernet “glows in the glass,”…
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Where to Stay: Samoset Resort
The Samoset is perched on 230 waterfront acres that overlook Penobscot Bay in Maine.
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10 Holiday Gift Ideas for Travelers
With several priced $100 or below, our holiday gift ideas for every Opal traveler range from stylish weekend getaway accompaniments to high-tech gadgets great for experiencing our favorite destinations. A Beach Towel Statement Price: Starting at $99 Most beach towels are so…rectangular. The Beach People’s hand-woven round designs let…
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