Heathrow Airport Is Asking Airlines to Stop Selling Tickets This Summer

The airport is temporarily limiting the number of passengers to 100,000 a day.

Prime Day Is Over, but You Still Have Time to Grab These Great Deals

It's not too late to save big on big-ticket items like luggage and outdoor gear.

Why Checking a Bag This Summer Is a Terrible Idea

The only way to guarantee seeing your bag again? Learn to pack light.

Destination of the Day

The Cook Islands

A short flight from New Zealand, the 15 main islands of the Cook Islands are spread over 850,000 square miles in the South Pacific Ocean. The majority of travelers stay on Rarotonga (affectionately nicknamed Raro), the largest of the Cook Islands, which itself is still really small: it takes less than an hour to drive around the island's perimeter road! Several other islands are worth exploring, too, if you want to get away from the relatively more developed Rarotonga. With a warm tropical climate, pristine beaches protected by lagoons, and high-quality yet laid-back accommodation, the Cook Islands are a very appealing vacation destination.

Vacation Like a Pro

Scooters are a common sight on the roads of Rarotonga, and lots of travelers hire them, but it's important to know that you must get a local license to ride a scooter legally. You can pick one up at the police station in Avarua town, where you'll need to sit for a practical and theoretical test. Get there early in the day if you can, as there's often a long line of tourists waiting. Helmets are also compulsory, and you could be fined for not wearing one.

Elen Turner
Contributing Writer

Your Packing List

You're in for a long flight, so you'll want a good pair of compression socks to boost circulation in your legs and minimize swelling while you're 30,000 feet in the air. These compression socks from Physix Gear Sport have something many others don't have: a stylish design. With a choice of nine different color combinations, a stacked ombre pattern on the heel adds a bit of personality without going overboard. The best part: They're also insanely comfortable.

In a country with thousands of beautiful beaches, a good swimsuit, reef-safe sunscreen, and a comfy pair of flip-flops are absolute must-haves. Be sure to pack a rash guard if you plan to pick up a water sport like kayaking, paddleboarding, or windsurfing.

If you plan to hike the Needle, Rarotonga's highest point, don't forget a sturdy pair of hiking shoes.

Trending in Travel

These Are the Top Places to Live and Work Remotely

You Have Less Than a Year to Get Your Real ID

11 Family Hotels That Have Amenities Just for Kids

Get Inspired

Home to the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave National Park spreads out over nearly 53,000 acres in west-central Kentucky. Over 420 miles of a five-layered cave system have been mapped so far, with more yet to be discovered. Tours take you down inside the earth, where you can see stunning limestone formations located 200 to 300 feet below the surface.

Got Any Tips?

Have a travel tip or feedback on how we can improve?
Send us a note at feedback@tripsavvy.com and you may just see it in a future newsletter!