TRAVEL AWARDS

The best trips strike the perfect balance between effortless and extraordinary. These winners-evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Institute and hundreds of travel testers- showcase the destinations and gear that will make your next vacation both seamless and unforgettable.

- LEXIE SACHS, KAREN CICERO, EMMA SEYMOUR, and OLIVIA LIPSKI

Reliable Luggage

1. Wear-Everywhere Pack

Perfect as a personal item when flying, this Portland Gear backpack has a wide opening that testers said made it easy to pack and access everything inside. It comes in more than 15 colors.

PORTLAND GEAR CASCADE BACKPACK, $109

2. Stylish Spinner

This hardside checked luggage from Vera Bradley has a faux-quilted design that held up to scratch-resistance tests in the GH Textiles Lab. Travelers were wowed by its spaciousness.

VERA BRADLEY 29" ADAIR SPINNER, $305

3. Kid-Friendly Case

This Away spinner is made of the same durable material as its fan-favorite luggage but comes in fun shades and is sized for kids. Parents loved how lightweight and easy to pack it was, and children loved rolling it.

AWAY THE KIDS CARRY-ON, $225

4. Do-It-All Duffel

A weekender that is both spacious and lightweight, Victorinox's bag has a wide opening for easy packing. One tester called it "almost bottomless" based on how much they fit in it, and another praised its unisex style.

VICTORINOX ARCHITECTURE URBAN2 WEEKENDER, $375

5. Adjustable Carry-On

Briggs & Riley's softside model expands for extra packing space. It aced both packing and durability drop tests in the Lab and was a hit with travel testers for its organizational features and maneuverability.

BRIGGS & RILEY ZDX ESSENTIAL 22" CARRY-ON EXPANDABLE SPINNER. $569

Heart of Hawaii

In a prime spot of Hawaiian beachfront, the Sheraton Waikiki Beach Resort offers some areas with gentle waters and others with more extreme waves for surfers. You'll also find cultural activities at the resort, like hula dancing and lei making.