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Birds and other wildlife are notorious for causing problems at airports, often known to fly over runways and strike aircraft. But one Michigan airport has discovered the most adorable of solutions: a border collie named Piper who patrols runways in a ski mask and boots. In late 2014, Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport brought Piper aboard as its new K-9 unit, designated to seek out and chase away the birds that sometimes congregate at the airport....

There are some standout pieces available to shop at the Luxury Store now, including the Altuzarra Constance Dress, which has a rich plaid print, pleated neckline, and flounce sleeves — at 40 percent off, it might be difficult for Altuzarra fanatics to pass up. Additionally, the Aquazzura Iconic Mule 75s would be a stellar find for any size 5 looking to save on a splurge: They’re 50 percent off right now, and the elegant coco lux leather in emerald would be surprisingly versatile in any wardrobe....

“Four-hundred thousand oyster seeds can fit in the palm of your hand,” Mark Casey told me as we sat on the patio of his home on Delaware’s Indian River Bay. “But they’ll cover two acres when they’re fully grown.” That transition, he explained, happens quickly. In 2018, soon after Delaware gave out its first permits for commercial oyster farming, Casey bought the 400,000 seeds that would become the family business. Every four days, those seeds — the term for nascent oysters, each as small as a grain of sand — would double in size....

The first Hilton I came to know — really know — was the chain’s Modernist monolith in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where I stayed in 2001 while on a magazine assignment. The hotel, which had grown charmingly shopworn since opening in 1969, had sprawling public areas, a set of beautiful red-clay tennis courts, a pool made to resemble the cross-shaped, rock-hewn Ethiopian Coptic churches at Lalibela, shops selling artisanal Ethiopian tchotchkes and safari suits, airline offices — even a branch of the treasury (which smelled strongly of dank paper)....

There’s much to love about Bangkok. The Thai capital offers an extraordinary sensory experience that includes a vibrant street-food scene, a dense mix of fascinating architecture — from 16th-century Buddhist temples to modern glass high-rises — and arguably the finest collection of hotels in Southeast Asia. Every year for our World’s Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more....

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world. During a year that upended the entire world — and, with it, the entire hospitality industry — hotel groups large and small have demonstrated incredible perseverance....

A meal at the Alchemist in Denmark will run you more than $400. But since closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2-Michelin star restaurant had started cooking for a slightly different crowd: those who are homeless and socially vulnerable. For now, the renowned restaurant, which is fully booked through mid-July after it plans on reopening next month, has devoted its four kitchens to chef Rasmus Munk’s JunkFood project, aimed at giving people who don’t have a home nutritious meals....

Tequila fans looking to truly get to know the spirit can spend their nights sleeping in giant tequila barrels at the Matices Hotel de Barricas, which is located in the town of Tequila, Mexico. The hotel claims to be the world’s first to be located within a tequila factory, inviting those who stay to explore the production of tequila (with plenty of samples) at the La Cofradia distillery. ULISES RUIZ/Getty Images...

You know who’s ready for summer 2021? Absolutely everyone. After a year from hell, it seems everyone is ready for a bit of sunshine and fun, and that includes the folks at Funboy and Mattel. The Instagram-ready pool float company announced in April that it’s teaming up with the toy giant to create an “elevated float collection” inspired by none other than Malibu Barbie Courtesy of Funboy “Inspired by the retro and playful aesthetic of the ’70s and Barbie’s vintage Malibu style, Funboy created a custom print and collection that celebrates the classic nostalgia of Malibu Barbie, 50 years young,” the brand shared in a statement....

At NASA, every detail must be perfect before take-off, even down every smell. Cue chief sniffer, George Aldrich whose job it is to take a whiff of every object about to be sent to space including books, gear, fabric, toothpaste, pens. Aldrich, whose formal title is Chemical Specialist and has been on the job for over 30 years, works at the White Sands Test Facility’s Molecular Desorption and Analysis Laboratory in New Mexico....

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world. It may be cliché, but it was a year like no other for cruise lines....

Only in Namibia can watching a single elephant be far more powerful than witnessing an entire herd, and can staring out at a sea of sand feel like a religious experience. That’s partially thanks to the otherworldly landscapes, which elevate every wildlife sighting and outing to supernatural status. On my recent trip to the sparsely populated African nation, I was awed by the simple act of a sole bull elephant strolling on an arrow-straight path across the sandy, dried Huab River in Damaraland, jagged mountains rising purple and blue behind his approaching and growing silhouette, slow footsteps eventually audible....

Visitors to Paris will notice that one of the city’s most famous monuments is, quite literally, under wraps for the next few weeks. In the last creation from late artist Christo, the Arc de Triomphe has been covered in reams of silvery-blue fabric in an installation appropriately titled, “Wrapped.” The project was supposed to go ahead in fall of 2020, but was delayed due to the pandemic. Announced earlier this summer, the artwork entails involves 270,000 square feet of fabric and 23,000 feet of red rope and took nearly 12 weeks to complete....

“Unique” doesn’t quite capture it. Still, neither do any of the other adjectives often associated with Silverton Mountain, including the repeatedly shouted words like “isolated,” “rugged,” “hardcore,” “daunting,” and the two-for-one special of “steep and deep.” It’s hard to define this Colorado mountain because it’s unlike any other ski destination on earth, and it’s a far cry from the likes of mega-mountains nearby in the best possible way. At Silverton Mountain, a lone double chair transports you to 12,300 feet....

Spain will be flying German tourists to their dream-worthy beaches starting June 15 in a pilot program to bring tourism back to its Balearic Islands. “What we are planning in the Balearics is to let a few thousands in,” an official at the Spanish foreign ministry told Reuters. “This is limited and to test the system.” The Balearic Islands which include Majorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera will open two weeks before Spain’s July 1 opening date to help inform the country’s tourism policies when borders reopen....

Sydney is Australia’s largest city and the capital of New South Wales, the country’s most visited state. Located along the South Pacific Ocean on Australia’s southeast coast, Sydney is home to more than a hundred beaches. Once a penal colony where convicts from the United Kingdom were left to fend for themselves, Sydney grew during the 19th century to become a thriving port city. Today, nearly half of Sydney’s residents, who refer to themselves as “Sydneysiders,” were born overseas....

Thailand is one of the most accessible and well-loved travel destinations in Southeast Asia. But just because this tropical paradise hovers near the equator doesn’t mean it offers year-round balmy bliss. Weather varies dramatically throughout the year, and crowds and prices fluctuate accordingly. Thailand’s seasons fall in three main buckets: High Season: November to March Shoulder Seasons: April to June and the month of October Low Season: July to September...

If you’re not yet convinced the boots belong in your closet, take a closer look at their construction. A waterproof leather upper with a seam-sealed membrane and Omni-grip traction on a rubber outsole allow the boots to easily and expertly navigate snow, slush, and ice. An insulated quilted fabric, added ankle support, and a soft, faux-fur collar only up the comfort factor, while reinforced heels, toes, and aglets keep things sturdy....

A little bit of Italian spa culture is coming to New York City. Governor’s Island will soon have a new place to relax and focus on your wellness. QC NY Spa, from the QC Terme Spas & Resorts in Italy, is set to open sometime this summer. The new spa will be the perfect place to unwind without having to leave the city. The manicured grounds of the spa, relaxation rooms, outdoor thermal pools, and spa amenities are perfectly complemented by the beautiful views of Manhattan....

If 2020 has you daydreaming of ways to escape planet Earth, Hotels.com has the ultimate intergalactic travel inspiration for you. In honor of National Aerospace Week, Hotels.com announced its goal of becoming the first online travel site to offer future hotel bookings in space, and you can visit the new booking page for some imaginative renderings of what interstellar travel might be like. Courtesy of Hotels.com More space travel and astronomy news...