Two Coasts, One Tall-Ship Operation: A Q&A with Schooner Appledore’s GM
We sat down with Rod Veal to talk tall ships, tide charts, and why his classic wooden schooner operation calls two very different Eastern Seaboard waterfronts home.
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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
Your Ultimate Guide to Key West for Kids
While Key West might be better known for its buzzing bar scene and “devil-may-care” attitude, this southernmost paradise actually offers a surprising array of things to do in Key West for kids. You just need to know where to look.
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The Top Annual Key West Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss
Here's a look at the conch-blowing contests, Hemingway lookalikes, and mind-blowing masquerades to frame a Key West vacation around.
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Top Festivals & Events to Travel for in January & February
After the hecticness of the holidays, you deserve a much-needed getaway. So why not orient it around a notable festival or event for an added air of excitement? Here’s your curated list, from a month-long wine celebration in New England to a four-day side-splitting comedy fest on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
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A Delicious Debate: The Best Key Lime Pie in Key West
There’s no arguing that savoring this silky, sweet, and tart treat is a must-do when in Key West. What is up for debate, however, is the truly proper way to prepare the iconic pie. Luckily, there are a multitude of variations to dig into across the island – including two twists from our Opal resort restaurants – so grab your fork and find out which side of the fence your tastebuds stand.
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A Weekend Family Getaway at The Laureate to Inspire Your Next Trip
A quick trip with your family to this luxury, family-friendly Key West destination may just be the escape you need to reconnect with one other, relax the mind and body, and try a new adventure or two.
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Top Things To Do in Key West
A few swimsuits, a bottle of SPF, a new pair of flip-flops, and Opal’s comprehensive travel guide are all you need for your trip to the Florida Keys.
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Four Opal Key West Experiences When You Launch from The Laureate
We’ve taken care of the heavy lifting and put together the perfect itinerary, so you can hit all of Opal's Key West destinations in one easy (gulf breezy) day.
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5 Ways to Reclaim Your Postponed Vacations
Postponed doesn’t have to mean canceled. Whether it was an annual holiday celebration the whole family was excited for or a big anniversary you had hoped to spend on white-sand beaches, it’s due time to cash in your rain-checks and cancelations for check-in confirmations. Here are five fabulous…
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Under the Surface: Fishing Key West with Captain Mark Schmidt
Ready to hook a big one? Key West fishing guide Mark Schmidt gives us the skinny on fishing Key West’s diverse waters. Perfectly situated at the southernmost tip of the United States with access to the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Key West is one of the…
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