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The New York City Ballet may not be back for in-person performances just yet, but it is ready and raring to go with a few digital performances you simply cannot miss. In February, the company announced that ahead of its return to live performances at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in September 2021, it will serve up several new works and special programs for online release from February through May 2021....

If you’re craving some sunshine, beach time, and a margarita fit for royalty, we’ve got good news for you: Karisma Hotels & Resorts is opening Margaritaville Island Reserve Cap Cana in the Dominican Republic later this year. “After launching the Island Reserve concept in Riviera Maya, we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Margaritaville to bring this lifestyle to the Dominican Republic in a way that really captures Cap Cana as a destination,” Mario Mathieu, senior vice president of business development, design, and construction at Karisma Hotels & Resorts, shared in a statement about the new opening....

Montreal’s famously “ugly” Christmas tree, which gained popularity in 2016 both in the city and on the internet, has returned to spread hideous holiday cheer in 2017. People Who Decorate for Christmas Earlier Are Happier, According to a Psychologist Last year, Montreal hoped to erect North America’s largest holiday tree. When the tree actually arrived, the city was disappointed to find it was not, in fact, the biggest. However, it was ranked the ugliest, at least in Canada....

Do you ever love a wine so much, you wish you could just live inside the bottle? Well, good news: There’s a place for wine lovers where they can experience their favorite wine from the wine’s perspective. At the Quinta da Pacheca estate in Douro, Portugal, guests at the vineyard can stay in giant, luxuriously appointed wine barrels Metro reported. Courtesy of Quinta da Pacheca Courtesy of Quinta da Pacheca...

Thailand will lift all pre-arrival testing requirements for vaccinated travelers next month, the latest country to ease pandemic-era restrictions. The country will eliminate the pre-travel PCR test requirement for vaccinated visitors on April 1, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, but will still require post-arrival testing and keep other measures in place. Currently, travelers must be vaccinated and show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel....

For those who’ve always wanted to walk the halls of Hogwarts or explore the shops of Diagon Alley (but who weren’t lucky enough to receive their Hogwarts acceptance letter at the age of 11), Universal Orlando offers the next best thing. The theme park opened every Harry Potter fan’s dream destination back in 2010. For Potterheads everywhere, however, deciding when to make the trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter — and how to pay for it — is no small feat....

Against all odds, London’s hospitality scene has emerged from the other side of several lockdowns and near-openings with a crop of buzzy new luxury hotels. From Covent Garden’s bold U.S. import NoMad to Marylebone’s Nobu, LXR’s new Biltmore Mayfair, and Leicester Square’s The Londoner. Quietly joining that line-up is The Guardsman, an intimate and sophisticated stay that feels more like a private member’s club than a central London hotel. Like The Londoner, The Guardsman is one of several new openings from Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand....

The Tokyo Olympics may be played to near-empty stands with fans from abroad banned from attending, according to a report. “In the current situation it is impossible to bring in foreign spectators,” a government official said, The Associated Press reported Wednesday, citing a Japanese newspaper. The decision to exclude foreign fans from the previously-postponed games — which remain set to kick off July 23 in Tokyo — could cost upwards of $800 million in lost ticket sales, according to The AP....

Whether you’re packing a duffel for a weekend trip or heading out on a weeks-long journey, there are always ways to pack smarter. A good set of packing cubes, for example, will help you stay organized and pack lighter, especially when they have compression technology, like this set from Eagle Creek. The packing cubes are currently on sale for 34 percent off, bringing their price down to just $27 for two....

Whether in the Maldives or the Caribbean, overwater accommodations are incredibly romantic. Just imagine stepping out of bed to dip your toes in a turquoise sea, or watching the stars at night to the soundtrack of lapping waves. ©BrandiGard/Courtesy of Sandals South Coast Now, imagine all that plus waking up among bungalows that have been arranged to form a heart over the Caribbean Sea. The overwater bungalows at Jamaica’s Sandals South Coast are the grand finale to an overwater trifecta at the sprawling resort: the bar, Latitudes, is encircled by hammocks hanging mere feet above the sea, and the pristine, white and glass Over the Water Chapel is an unforgettable wedding venue....

The Weerti Thermal Underwear set for women comes with a long sleeve top and full-length leggings, both made from a soft blend of polyester and spandex. The material is lightweight, moisture-wicking, and odor-resistant, which will keep you warm while remaining comfortably breathable, especially if you’re layering these pieces under heavier clothing. The top features a crew neck cut, and both the wrists and ankles have a stretchy yet secure fit that locks in warmth....

A new digital passport could help you pass through borders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that it’s in the final development phase of its IATA travel pass, a digital “passport” in the form of an app that could be the key to reopening international borders safely. The travel pass will provide information about a user’s individual test results, proof of inoculation (when vaccines become available), and a link to an electronic copy of their passport....

You can zip-line practically anywhere if you’re a real adventure-seeker. You can zip-line over the Grand Canyon, over Niagara Falls, and now, across the picturesque mountains and fjords of Scandinavia. According to Culture Trip, the Flåm Zip Line in Norway is officially Scandinavia’s longest zip line. The line descends over 4,530 feet at a speed of 62 mph. For context, the longest zip line in the world, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, is in the United Arab Emirates....

According to Venetian officials, Carnival — the elaborate two-week celebration before the start of Lent — was always going ahead this year, after last year’s cancellation. However, on the street, it was another story. In the weeks leading up to the annual Carnival season, running from Feb. 12 to March 1 this year in accordance with the Christian calendar, travel rules and restrictions for both visitors and locals were changing nearly by the week, if not the day, and it seemed like no one — hotels, party organizers, tourists (including this one) — was sure that it was actually going to happen....

NASA is ready to entertain and educate you all weekend long. The aerospace experts are pulling out all the stops to help everyone pass the time home socially distancing. That includes releasing some seriously cool virtual tours and highlighting a few of its coolest places. Check out a selection of seven tours available from NASA below. Go for Flight In 2018, NASA launched its Go for Flight simulator, which allows anyone to tour its Armstrong Flight Research Center....

As the Founder and CEO of ROAR AFRICA, I have curated thousands of journeys to Africa over the past 15 years, working closely with my incomparable team to create life-changing moments for our clients. I just returned from our inaugural Emirates Executive Private Jet Safari, with ten travelers. I believe this monumental journey has reaffirmed the importance of responsible travel to Africa, and most importantly, sending a message that travel is safe and trustworthy....

One hundred years ago, America’s national park lodges were some of the country’s finest architectural treasures — grand records of the moment when luxury and nature first met. They brought their lucky guests experiences they’d likely never had — and they still do just that. These historic spots, host to a century of presidents and visionaries, still remain some of the national parks’ best lodges, but now they share space with remote resorts and modern retreats, each vying to rest among the country’s most scenic destinations....

When you imagine a desert, visions of Morocco or Egypt probably come to mind. Or maybe the regions surrounding Dubai and the great American West. About one-fifth of the world’s land area is composed of these arid regions. Some are barren and uninhabited by humans (hey there, Antarctica!) but many are accessible to those who want to witness these dry, impressive stretches of landscape. From Australia to China to Canada, you will be amazed by how far and wide these little-known deserts reach....

Hello, Rome. Air Canada just announced that it will operate COVID-tested flights to Rome from Toronto and Montreal, giving cooped up Canadians the chance to escape to Europe and experience a little la dolce vita this summer. The move also gives U.S. travelers access to a broader selection of COVID-tested routes to Italy. Air Canada’s COVID-tested flights to Italy are scheduled to take off starting July 2. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images...

Travelers will now have an easier time getting to Alaska, as the state no longer requires proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. The change in travel restrictions came on Sunday, Feb. 14, when the state’s emergency declaration expired. Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy now wants to transition the state into a recovery phase, outlining several plans to do so, including the removal of the COVID-19 testing requirement. According to the Associatded Press, Dunleavy ordered his commissioners and state employees to continue following the policies implemented under the emergency declaration until officials determine which ones are still needed....