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One of the things — perhaps the only thing, honestly — that’s easy to miss about one’s younger, cheaper hostel-travel years? Having in-depth conversations with like-minded voyagers in all those communal hostel spaces, whether over breakfast or while waiting in line for the showers. But transitioning to a more elevated mode of lodging doesn’t have to be all impersonal chats about the weather (although those can be nice, too) — certainly not at a Kimpton, where hobnobbing with fellow travelers easily includes literary analysis of today’s most thrilling contemporary fiction, thanks to the hotel’s new book club....

If you’ve been dreaming of having Machu Picchu mostly to yourself, you may now have your chance. The iconic archaeological site is scheduled to reopen at 30% capacity on Nov. 1. A maximum of 675 people will be allowed in per day, in groups of eight (seven visitors plus a guide). Temperatures will be checked prior to entering, and anyone showing 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or more will not be permitted. Additionally, groups must stay 66 feet apart....

The Travel + Leisure Global Vision Awards aim to identify and honor companies, individuals, destinations, and organizations taking strides to develop more sustainable and responsible travel products, practices, and experiences. Not only are they demonstrating thought leadership and creative problem-solving, they are taking actionable, quantifiable steps to protect communities and environments around the world. What’s more, they are inspiring their industry colleagues and travelers to do their part. The majority of our Global Vision Awards list is made up of nonprofits, consortia, companies, and institutions — but what is any organization, really, without its people?...

Qantas is proceeding on its epic long-haul flights test. On Thursday, a 19-hour flight from London to Sydney took off from London Heathrow at 6 a.m. It is expected to land in Sydney at 11:45 a.m. local time on Friday. Flight-tracking app, Flightradar24, is posting updates about the journey in a real-time Twitter thread, while the airline is also sharing their own Twitter updates. There are about 50 people onboard the aircraft who are taking part in the 11,000-mile test flight....

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be. With cobalt-blue waters, colorful coral life, and white sandy beaches, the South Pacific feels like a picture-perfect postcard. You can do everything from snorkeling and kayaking to diving and surfing — or nothing at all....

Picture a mountaintop so dark you can just make out the outline of your partner’s body, but not his face. So dark you stumble, embarrassingly, on its rocky surface — a place illuminated only by keychain-sized flashlights with red light bulbs so small they’d fit on your pinky nail. That’s how dark it is at Mount John Observatory, an astronomical research observatory in New Zealand’s Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve — one of the premier spots on Earth to explore the stars....

As if soaking in natural hot springs surrounded by mineral-tinted rock walls were not enough to send you to a Zen-like state of bliss, Castle Hot Springs, a luxe all-inclusive resort voted the best Arizona resort in Travel + Leisure’s 2021 World’s Best Awards, offers an array of activities designed to enhance your experience. Among the newest to join the resort’s extensive list of opportunities for relaxation, wellness, learning, and physical activity are sound bath ceremonies, scenic desert e-bike tours, and gardening workshops....

While the pandemic kept many cautious travelers close to home, the year was filled with flight deals for those who met travel restrictions to fly safely. But the cheapest place to go by plane was dependent on where passengers were departing from. To find the best airfare prices from each U.S. state, flight deals site Scott’s Cheap Flights mapped it all out by region. Courtesy of Scott’s Cheap Flights Overall, the cheapest place to fly from many states was San Juan, Puerto Rico, topping the list for California, Washington, Arizona, Oklahoma, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and Vermont....

The duvet comforter is made with a down alternative fiber polyester fill that’s perfect for anyone who loves the warmth of down without allergy flare-ups. The hypoallergenic duvet insert also provides a good amount of weight, per shoppers, thanks to its 250 grams per square meter fill. To buy: amazon.com, $30 To ensure even distribution, this duvet has little square pockets that sections off the internal fluff. And because it won’t bunch up, you’ll never experience cold spots in the middle of the night....

The crossbody backpack has multiple compartments and pockets to keep all your stuff safe and organized, and it’s also impressively spacious. The roomy main compartment can fit large tablets, including iPad Pros, Samsung Galaxys, and Kindles, while the zippered front pocket is perfect for storing items you need easy access to like lip balm, keys, travel documents, and more. The 19 Best Carry-on Backpacks for Your Next Trip The travel pack is made from a waterproof polyester material, so your belongings will stay protected even if you get caught in the rain....

Need to absolutely surround yourself with luxury dining, shopping, and hotels on your next vacation? Then these are the destinations for you. Money.co.uk shared new research revealing the top 20 cities around the world that offer the most luxury per square mile. To come to this conclusion, the website analyzed the number of high-end venues in a city including restaurants, five-star hotels, and designer shops, and cross-referenced the total with the size of the city....

Malcolm Ebanks claims that he hates running long distances, yet he’s currently in the middle of a 340-mile race that started on Monday, Mar. 21 at Santa Monica Pier and will end on Sunday, Mar. 26 at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign as part of the legendary, invite-only ultramarathon called The Speed Project. While it originally started as a relay, Ebanks is one of a handful of runners doing it solo....

Do you love games? Do you also love punishing yourself while socially distancing at home? Then this absolutely bonkers puzzle is for you. Puzzles have never been more popular. The old-school game gained new life now that we’re all staying at home and doing our best to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Some people are out there doing adorable travel-themed puzzles. And that’s cute. But not you. No no. You need to challenge yourself and those around you just a little bit more....

Your next vacation deserves to be regal, which is exactly why you should book “The Castle,” a gorgeous estate located 40 minutes outside Porto, Portugal for your getaway. Known as the Santa Marta de Portuzelo Castle, the Manueline-style house includes design elements dating back to the 12th century and comes with a whopping 21,528 square feet of space for you and 15 guests, making it ideal for a family reunion or trip with friends....

There are travelers who carefully plan every detail of their trip, and there are travelers who are a bit more spontaneous. No matter which category you fall into, there are still plenty of things that remain outside of your control — like the weather. The best thing you can do is to prepare for any kind, starting by packing a highly rated travel umbrella. The Best Women’s Rain Jackets for Traveling, According to Thousands of Reviews...

In their latest effort to protect both drivers and riders, Uber is requiring riders to show they’re wearing a mask by sending a selfie to their driver before getting in a vehicle, the company shared with Travel + Leisure on Tuesday. While Uber said 99.5 percent of all trips taken have had no reported mask issues, the new policy, which features an in-app selfie capability, ensures compliance across the board. The move will apply to riders who have been reported as having not worn a mask during a past trip....

Rideshare company Uber will provide free rides to Americans heading to get a COVID-19 vaccine, the company shared with Travel + Leisure. Starting Monday, the company is giving all Uber customers four free rides, up to $25 each, to travel to and from their vaccine appointments. The rides, good through July 4, are so each person can get to both doses of a two shot vaccine. Courtesy of Uber “The sooner everyone is vaccinated, the sooner we can all get back to normal life,” Dara Khosrowshahi, the CEO of Uber, told T+L....

Tom Stuker, the world’s most frequent flier, expects to hit 22 million miles with United’s MileagePlus program later this year. While no one has been able to match Stuker’s mileage, if you’re a U.S.-based traveler, you should still consider United MileagePlus as one of your main loyalty programs. Not only can you earn and redeem MileagePlus miles across United’s own vast global network, but you can also do so on flights with the airline’s 30-plus partners....

There’s no time like now to start planning your next escape, especially when being an early bird is guaranteed to save you money. Book a cruise on any Virgin Voyages ship by Feb.16, and you can save up to 20% on the total price while giving yourself something to look forward to wherever you’re ready to travel. These deals are available for travel until October 2023. Virgin Voyages, which began sailing from Miami last year, is throwing in additional perks as well, including a $100 bar tab....

Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure. Even though travel across the world has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, jet-setters continue to dream of beautiful, far-off places for their next adventure. As lockdowns begin to lift, and experts share guidance on how to explore safely, it’s important for visitors to consider each individual location’s regulations....