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New Orleans’s Mardi Gras celebration will definitely look a bit different in 2021, but thankfully the festivities aren’t completely off. Next year, the holiday — also known as “Fat Tuesday” — will take place on Feb 16. Due to the fact that it’s a religious holiday, it won’t be canceled entirely, but parades and mass gatherings that New Orleans is famous for won’t be happening. “We will not be able to celebrate the Holiday this year as we have in the past,” the mayor’s website read, but depending on what COVID-19 restrictions look like in February, there may still be some small parties allowed in New Orleans....

From flights to nowhere to companies selling airplane food, airlines have found creative ways to bring the travel experience to their customers at home throughout the pandemic. For those specifically craving a bit of luxury in the skies, Australian airline Qantas is now auctioning off two of its lie-flat business-class seats. The coveted chairs once sat inside of a Qantas A380 aircraft, but in a few days, the highest bidder will be able to take them home and replicate the in-flight experience....

The San Diego Zoo announced the birth of a successful pygmy hippo last week. It is the first time the endangered species has been born at the zoo in more than 30 years. Mabel, a four-year-old pygmy hippo, gave birth on April 9. The calf has not yet been named but has been reported healthy. He “stood, walked and followed Mabel around within just a few hours of being born,” the zoo announced in a press release....

The Skechers sneakers feature a breathable mesh upper that will keep your feet cool on hot days (and dry quickly should they get wet), as well as a lightweight, flexible outsole with plenty of traction. What really makes the walking shoes stand out is their Ortholite foam insole with responsive cushioning, which supports your feet with every step. And since they’re a slip-on style with pull tabs on the ankle, the shoes are easy to take on and off, making them a great option for travel, especially when you’re headed through airport security....

New York City — home of the iconic Stonewall rebellion that sparked a global movement toward gay liberation and equality — is opening a new national museum dedicated to telling LGBTQ stories, documenting key moments in the movement toward equality, and inspiring pride. The American LGBTQ museum envisions “a world in which all people work toward and experience the joy of liberation,” its website reads. The museum is expected to open in 2024, but virtual programming has already begun....

Going out is great, but sometimes, there’s nothing better than staying home and curling up on the couch with a movie or a good book. But some cities are better for homebodies than others. That’s why furniture company Joybird ranked the 50 most populous cities in the United States to find out which is best for those who prefer to Netflix and chill over partying all night. It turns out Raleigh, North Carolina, is the best city for homebodies, according to the study Joybird shared with Travel + Leisure....

If there’s one thing we can all agree on right now it’s that we all deserve a drink. A stiff one. But, as Google recently revealed, which cocktail each person chooses to imbibe in depends on where they are from. Last week Google revealed the most “uniquely searched cocktails” in the last three weeks, which means it shared which cocktail each state searched for more than anywhere else in the U....

Queen Elizabeth has hired for many an odd job in her day. In fact, we here at Travel + Leisure love to document her latest job ads from traveling chefs to social media editors, Buckingham Palace redecorators, and even a personal Twitter writer. But I have a confession, T+L readers. I severely let you down, because I never knew, until this week, that the Queen also has an employee whose job it is to wear her shoes before she does to break them in....

Each spring, thousands of tourists flock to Washington, D.C. to get a glimpse of one of America’s greatest treasures: the annual cherry blossom bloom. The annual show put on by Mother Nature has become such a hit that the city can turn into quite a chaotic scene during the bloom. However, The St. Gregory Hotel in Dupont Circle is hoping to change all that for its guests with its new Cherry Blossom Relaxation Picnic Experience....

Montana’s Glacier National Park and Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park just became a “transboundary” International Dark Sky Park — making stargazing even more major. Both parks, now known as Waterton-Glacier International Dark Sky Park, recently completed overhauls in installing dark sky-friendly lighting, which reduces the impact of artificial lighting on wildlife, protects human health, and helps preserve the darkness of the skies to make it easier to see stars. “Dark night skies are an important wilderness characteristic at Glacier National Park,” Pete Webster, acting superintendent of Glacier National Park, said in a statement....

Portugal’s highly-anticipated, record-breaking suspension bridge opened to the public last week, with steel-nerved adventurers making the first wobbly treks across. The new 516 Arouca Bridge (in the town of Arouca, about an hour’s drive away from Porto) opened to adventurous locals last week. The bridge is staking its claim as the world’s longest pedestrian suspension bridge — and it also happens to be one of the most terrifying. CARLOS COSTA/AFP via Getty Images...

This coming weekend marks some of the most major sales of the year held by brands big and small. For us and our travel-loving readers, there may be no better time to shop for everything needed to prepare for upcoming summer adventures, fall and winter travel, or even personal style and home improvement. After a year of somewhat involuntary self-discovery for many of us, it’s time to treat ourselves and those we love to what we find truly important and life-giving, be it spending time with friends and family, seeing the world and appreciating cultural diversity, or tending to our home gardens....

Courtesy of Respective Brands When there’s a chill in the air and the leaves start turning colors, it’s time change your cocktail choices along with your wardrobe. Luckily, creative beverage producers are here to help with delicious spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails. We’ve tried them (yes, hard work, but someone has to do it) and come up with a list of new spirits and cocktails to try this fall. Courtesy of Wheyward Spirit...

A pair of boots that can take you seamlessly through rainy and snowy days while still offering an elevated look can be hard to find. Luckily, Blondo is known for its comfortable waterproof footwear that never compromises on style. And right now, a Nordstrom shopper-loved pair of boots is on sale for $100, just in time to give your winter wardrobe an upgrade. The Best Waterproof Hiking Boots for Men and Women...

Cariuma is well-known for its comfortable, stylish, and environmentally-friendly sneakers made from both vegan and recycled materials. They’re available in a wide variety of colors, several materials, and both high- and low-top versions. In addition to using eco-friendly materials, the brand plants two trees in the Brazilian rainforest for every pair of shoes purchased as part of its commitment to reforestation. Celebrities like Helen Mirren and supermodel Nina Agdal are among the fans of these comfy sneakers (as well as thousands of shoppers), and it’s no surprise why....

Although 2021 is shaping up to be another year full of virtual events, Sweden’s Göteborg Film Festival is offering a unique in-person experience with a weeklong stay on a remote island. The Göteborg Film Festival will be virtual for everyone else in attendance, but the organizers created what they call The Isolated Cinema experience for one lucky movie lover. During the festival, the chosen film fanatic will be transported by boat to the Swedish island of Pater Noster....

Fifteen of the biggest airports around the country will be even busier on Valentine’s Day. But it will have nothing to do with couples flying for love. The union representing airline catering workers, UNITE HERE, has planned demonstrations at 15 airports around the country on Feb. 14 to to draw attention to the fact that a large portion of employees are uninsured, without benefits and making less than $10 an hour, according to a press release....

A United Airlines plane touched down in Cape Town on Monday becoming the only airline to offer nonstop service from the U.S. to the South African city. The new flight from Newark Liberty International Airport — that covers more than 7,800 miles — will take 14 hours and 30 minutes on the way there and 15 hours and 55 minutes on the return. The route, on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, represents the sixth longest flight for United....

Dining is one of the best parts of visiting a new place. A one-of-a-kind meal can be the most memorable experience when traveling. Our A-List, Travel + Leisure’s group of the world’s top travel advisors, exclusively shared their favorite dining moments around the globe. Get out your notepad to mark down the these not-to-miss restaurants for when we can all travel freely again. Sapi Concession — Zimbabwe “One of the best meals I have had on safari was a delectable chicken dish with dried peaches, mango, and pineapple....

Travel may be changing, but that doesn’t mean you need to forgo taking an adventure forever. Want to be prepared for your next vacation? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are three hotels worth exploring on your next trip to Los Angeles, California. The Santa Monica Proper In 2019, Santa Monica Proper opened its doors bringing a new kind of luxury to the Westside of Los Angeles. Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel’s 271 rooms and indoor spaces all come in earthy and organic tones meant to mimic the Pacific ocean, which sits right down the block....