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Nothing says vacation more than a pristine pool of aquamarine water sparkling like diamonds in sunshine, perhaps rippling ever so gently in a light breeze, with an infinity edge that melts into the surrounding seascape, mountain range or pastoral sprawl. Whether taking a dip to feel refreshed on a blisteringly hot day or submerging to warm up in chilly environs, the effect is the same: sublime bliss. Knowing just how much a perfect pool experience can add to a holiday, we scoured the globe to find the most spectacular examples at both urban boltholes and ultraremote retreats, from a stunner set amid powdery white-sand dunes to one set inside a 14th-century fort and another on the roof of a former grain silo. Below, find our favorite dreamy hotel pools around the world. Related: The best hotel pools in the US The Riviera Maya Edition at Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico CAMERON SPERANCE/THE POINTS GUY Truly vast, the lagoon-style swimming pool at this Playa del Carmen resort within a 640-acre nature reserve isn’t just an amenity but the focal point of its design, the starting point of which is the ancient Mayans’ concept of the universe. There’s an infinite feel to

Have you experienced a flight delay, cancellation or downgrade that you’re sure qualifies for EU261 compensation but the airline won’t pay? If so, you’re not alone. Many airlines frequently reject EU261 compensation requests under the guise that unspecified “extraordinary circumstances” caused the problem. Those magic words relieve airlines of their responsibility to pay monetary compensation under the regulations established by the European Commission. Even worse, other carriers put EU261 claims in an endless holding pattern, seemingly hoping passengers will eventually give up. Jonathan Hay faced this situation last summer after Azores Airlines suddenly canceled his family’s flight home from vacation. Reading TPG’s guide to EU261 convinced Hay that the airline owed each member of his family 600 euros ($700). However, after months of unsuccessful attempts at navigating the EU261 compensation process, Hay asked TPG for help. Here’s his frustrating story and the steps you can take if an airline is refusing to pay your valid EU261 compensation request. A canceled flight home from Europe TAMBOLY/GETTY IMAGES Last July, Hay, his wife, their three children and his parents went on an adventure to mainland Portugal and the Azores. “I’m happy to tell you that the many tricks I’ve learned over the

Quick take: Condor Airlines provides a great way to fly between North America and Europe, with decent award availability. Pros Sharp cabin design and competitive seats Service is friendly and efficient Typically good award availability using Alaska Airlines miles Cons Entertainment system’s remote control is tricky Seats could offer a little more privacy Some long-haul routes are seasonal or do not operate daily, which can make timing difficult ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY Condor Airlines is not really a household name in the U.S., despite its relatively robust route network that includes flights from several U.S. gateways to its main hub in Frankfurt. If you’ve seen a Condor Airlines jet, however, it’s unmistakable, thanks to the airline’s bold, striped livery that was introduced back in 2022 as a rebranding for what was once a low-cost leisure airline. Part of that rebrand included the advent of new business-class cabins and seats that went into service in 2023. Since then, I’ve been hankering to fly the German carrier to experience it for myself. ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY I finally had the chance this past June when I found an award ticket from Los Angeles to Johannesburg via Frankfurt, all in Condor Airlines’ new