June 1, 2020
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with travel dates on or after
Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after
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Jamaica
Jamaica;
Everyone hates a long layover, but it’s bearable and dare we say, fun, when the airport has attractions, food and amenities to keep you rested and entertained. Here are the best airports around the world for a layover during your next summer trip.
This airport has numerous comfortable resting areas and couches, which means you don’t need access to a premium lounge to relax. There are many spaces devoted to recreation and stress release.
If you would benefit from the calm of nature, the airport has an indoor ‘park’ with trees and ample natural light. Collapse into a bean bag or lounger and listen to a recording of peaceful birds chirping. If you want to work your legs after being stuck on a plane for hours, there are exercise bikes that will charge your phone while you pedal.
If your kids need to let out some steam, be sure to visit an indoor playground that features a real plane. You can sit in the adjacent food court and refuel with a cup of coffee while the kids play. There’s a sculpture and portrait gallery featuring works by Dutch artists and duty-free shops stocked with cheese, stroopwafels and other Dutch goods.
Changi is arguably a destination in and of itself. Making Changi a fun place for visitors and locals alike was the goal of major additions in 2019 devoted to retail and entertainment.
Enjoy attractions that merge sculpture, play, and nature during a photo-worthy layover. Stop by the impressively designed HSBC Rain Vortex; the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, which cascades down from a height of seven stories.
Both work of art and playground, Changi Airport’s gargantuan Discover Slide will be a favorite of the littles. Make your way through a hedge maze where you are rewarded at the end with birds' eye views of the winding paths from a watch tower.
Experience whimsy and nature in the Petal Garden and on the Topiary Walk, or catch a free movie at Changi Airport’s movie theater. For a relatively low fee, swim in a rooftop pool complete with a poolside bar.
A definite winner for the most unexpected experience is this Canadian airport, where the Vancouver Aquarium houses two major exhibits. Head to the airport’s international terminal to take a look at the 5,000 marine creatures – including wolf eels, anemones and sea stars – that make their home in a 114,000-liter aquarium. Watch jellyfish peacefully glide in a dedicated 1,800-liter aquarium.
Visit the airport’s Lattimer Gallery to purchase and learn about artistic works produced by British Columbia’s First Nations communities. Taste delicious French macarons, teas, jams and biscuits from Ladurée Carriage.
This international hub is one of the busiest airports across the globe, and is unbelievably opulent, according to a Time magazine article on the best airports for layovers worldwide:
“...It boasts an expensive and grandiose setup – from luxe shopping (think gold jewelry everywhere) to a fancy in-airport hotel health club, where travelers with some money to spare can stop in for a sweat or shower.”
The airport also has a myriad of services devoted to relaxation. If you have an overnight stopover or need a few hours to refresh, check into the airport’s luxury accommodations at the five-star Dubai International Hotel. Get a workout in at the G-Force Health Club, where you can also relax in a jacuzzi, sauna, or steam room. Take a swim in the pool or play a few games of billiards. Visit one of the hotel's many spas for a massage, facial, manicure, or pedicure.
The high-tech features at this hub amaze and entertain. Visit the airport’s multimedia waterfall gardens, where art, moving images and sound take you to a relaxing place. The installations take visitors through an ecosystem where they can “take in the garden’s lush plant life, listen closely to the pond’s rippling water, observe birds as they fly overhead, and immerse themselves in the energy of an ever-flowing waterfall,” Time magazine reports.
Other high-tech experiences include ‘magic’ mirrors that allow you to see what different shades of makeup look like on you. The airport’s Wonder Zone immerses passengers in virtual reality experiences and games. The Buzz Zone entertains kids with digital, interactive games and tactile playground equipment.
Hong Kong International Airport also wins for its access to nearby Disneyland, great for extra-long layovers. Public transportation is readily accessible and can get passengers to the park in about 30 minutes.
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