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    Get Your Passport Ready

    Grand Cayman getaway: Beautiful beaches, spectacular diving in the Caribbean

    Jayme Lamm
    Jayme lamm
    Jun 8, 2017 | 9:24 am

    There’s something about Seven Mile Beach that makes you want to book a flight, stat. Maybe because it is regularly ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Caribbean.

    The water has a kind of blue that most beaches could only dream of after about 25 photo-editing filters, but this beach, situated on Grand Cayman Island is the stuff dreams (and glorious Instagram accounts) were made of. (Also, did we mention that the average winter water temperate is 80 degrees?)

    Another thing that makes Grand Cayman such a unique travel destination is the genuine authenticity and culture that can be seen and felt in every crevice of the island. The island has a population of about 55,000 and more than half are from Caymanian descent, which helps create the authentic culture adding to the overall experience.

    What to do in Grand Cayman

    Grand Cayman is one of the most sought-after diving destinations, no matter what skill level you are.

    The nightlife in Grand Cayman is a tad tamer than your typical Cancun Spring Break, so plan to go all out during the day, taking advantage of the beautiful water and white sandy beaches, and opt for a more low-key night. The accessible and shallow reefs make this a great spot to take in an afternoon of snorkeling at Stingray City, so be sure to check out the Waverunner Snorkel Safari so you can get fast adventures and a snorkeler’s paradise in the translucent waters all in one day.

    Camana Bay is also a great option for entertainment while on the island complete with shopping, dining, adventures, a movie theater and even a wine bar with state-of-the-art Napa Technology WineStations. Pretty much all of the hotels in the area offer a free shuttle to Camana Bay, so it's easy to get to.

    You should also make a point to stop by Calico Jacks Bar and Grill for happy hour and hang out with a sun-kissed mix of tourists and locals.

    Travel pro tip for carry-on items: The TSA folks at Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) are painfully tough. They are major sticklers on one small Ziploc bag and you will be stopped, so pack cautiously. Even if you got into the country with it in your carry-on, odds are you won’t be able to leave with it.

    A $50 million panoramic view

    The newly renovated Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa is the biggest and most expansive beachfront hotel, with a $50 million panoramic view from the new lobby and the largest fresh water pool in Grand Cayman, with an energized swim up bar to keep the vacation vibes going. Check out the resort’s fresh new look and indulge yourself in the island’s culture in a beach side cabana, a waverunner adventure, snorkeling expedition, a diving tour or something more.

    Crystal clear waters aside, it also offers great dining at The Beach House, a AAA Four Diamond restaurant, as well as classic and unique cocktails at the resort’s Catboat lobby bar, perfectly setup with a beachfront view. While you’re at the resort, don't miss the Beach Side BBQ on Friday nights. It’s an intimate yet casual dining experience – you guessed it – on the beach. No need for shoes, but you will need reservations.

    The bartenders are about as friendly and inventive as one could hope for, and make the perfect resource for all things related to the island, whether you are on the hunt for nightlife entertainment (like at Camana Bay), diving tips or other beach activities.

    Seven Mile Beach is regularly ranked as one of the most beautiful in all of the Caribbean.

    Grand Cayman Island beach
    Photo courtesy of Marc Babin
    Seven Mile Beach is regularly ranked as one of the most beautiful in all of the Caribbean.
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    Free Austin music festival + 6 more Texas travel ideas in January

    Amber Heckler
    Jan 7, 2026 | 10:30 am
    J’cuuzi Empire Garage Free Week
    Photo by Renee Dominguez
    Austin's Free Week music festival is a great way to support local artists during the slow season.

    If your New Year's resolution is to travel more in 2026, CultureMap has you covered with seven newly opened hotels, deals, and fun events happening around Texas in January.

    Houston wanderers can enjoy a free music festival in Austin, visit the iconic Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, explore the vast collections at the San Antonio Museum of Art, or stay local by checking in at a newly opened hotel in the Heights.

    Here are our top picks for January Texas travel events, hotel news, and more.

    In Austin

    Donation-based festival Free Week is returning to Austin's famed Red River Cultural District (RRCD) from January 9-10. This year's festivities will include performances from over 80 musicians and bands at 13 different venues across both days. CultureMap has also compiled a list of our must-see artist picks. Local restaurants are also pitching in with food and beverage deals during the festival. Donations and a percentage of food and beverage sales will benefit the cultural district, which will dole out payments to artists who play, grants to the venues, and other assistance and preservation projects throughout the year.

    The Ruby Hotel & Bar in Round Rock is kicking off the new year with a special relaxing deal for January and February stays, via its "Getaway & Decompress" package. Guests who book a two-night stay using the code "GETAWAY" will receive a 15 percent discount, and a "serenity-inducing" Sweet Dreams sleep kit that includes an eye mask, pillow mist, and relaxation balm. Room rates begin at $129 per night, and reservations can be booked online or via phone.

    Room reservations are now available at the Inn at Green Pastures, a recently opened hotel in Austin's Bouldin Creek neighborhood on the same historic property as Southern restaurant Mattie's. The three-story inn features 63 guest rooms (including nine suites), a private pool, lounge, bar, and a brand new restaurant called Henry's Nite & Day. Nightly rates at the Inn at Green Pastures start at $395.

    At home in Houston

    Houston is starting the new year with a brand new hotel: Hotel Daphne recently opened in the Heights, boasting 49 guest rooms across a five-story building. It also features an all-day, Italian-inspired restaurant called Hypsi, a vine-wrapped courtyard and patio, jewel-box library, lobby retail shop, and an impressive art collection. But the most magnificent features of the property are the numerous mature Live Oak trees that have remained undisturbed during the hotel's construction. Rates at Hotel Daphne begin at $359 per night.

    Hotel Daphne lobby Hotel Daphne introduces sophisticated vintage flair to The Heights. Photo by Julie Soefer

    In San Antonio

    Nine historic artifacts housed at the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) have recently been promised for a return to their rightful homes in Italy. One has departed already, but there's still plenty of time to admire the remaining eight pieces before they, too, are returned to the Italian government in 2030. The museum also features art from all over the world, including pieces from pre-1500s America. Admission is free for SAMA members and for children aged 12 and under, and tickets are $24 for adults with additional discounts for seniors (65-plus), military, and students.

    In Dallas-Fort Worth

    The Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is gearing up for its 2026 extravaganza on January 16, with 23 days full of action-packed livestock and horse shows, live music, a carnival, shopping opportunities, and so much more. The main events are the daily rodeos at Dickies Arena, including the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo, Best of Mexico Celebración, Cowboys of Color Rodeo, and Bulls Night Out Extreme Bull Riding. Rodeo ticket prices vary by event and date, but there are many ways to get discounts for the Stock Show.

    Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo It's nearly time to don your best cowboy hat and boots and ride up to Fort Worth. Photo courtesy of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

    The Arlington Museum of Art is celebrating beloved author Jane Austen's 250th birthday with a special exhibition featuring costumes and jewelry from film adaptations of two of Austen's most iconic works: Pride and Prejudice (2005) and Emma (2020). The exhibit, Dressed for the Drawing Room: Fashion in Jane Austen’s World, will run from January 9 to March 22. Unlike the ticketed Game of Thrones exhibit, which is also on view at the museum, Dressed for the Drawing Room is free to visit. Attendees only need to pay for parking ($10 per car).

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