Posts

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. Travel + Leisure readers have a soft spot for Southern cities. Sure, they enjoy high-octane New York and amiable Chicago, but when it comes to naming the U....

Restaurant owners and workers have been among the hardest hit by the pandemic over the past six months. Many venues have closed down completely. Others have maintained at least some business through take-out — adjusting menus, buying packaging, and revising procedures to meet the demand. Still others have invested in new furnishings and moved tables outdoors, carefully separated, if the property and local laws allowed. Outside areas, rooftops, sidewalks, poolside spaces, gardens, and parking lots have become dining spaces — a welcome idea for restaurants and diners....

Love it or hate it, fall is nearly upon us. And if you’re planning on doing any non-tropical traveling this season, you’ll need a quality rain jacket that’ll both keep you warm and fit nicely into your suitcase. We think we’ve found all that and more in Cole Haan’s top-rated Back Bow Hooded Raincoat. Courtesy of Nordstrom To buy: nordstrom.com, $130 (originally $200) The polyester-nylon blend jacket comes with so many useful features, it’s hard to believe you can get it for under $150 (especially with all those five-star reviews!...

Vaccinated cruise passengers will be able to ditch their masks in certain outdoor settings, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings,” according to the CDC’s updated rules for cruise ships....

The Caribbean island of Curaçao is lifting all on-island coronavirus-era restrictions just in time for summer travel - and is celebrating with free hotel nights for tourists. Curaçao, a Dutch territory and part of the ABC islands featuring white and black sand beaches, diverse dive sites, and hiking trails, is welcoming back tourists by offering them every fourth night free at participating hotels for travel from June 19 through Oct. 30, the Curaçao Tourist Board shared with Travel + Leisure....

The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived: Dollywood is officially open for 2021. Dollywood reopened on Friday for its 36th season, and the family-friendly destination in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, is excited to welcome guests again this year. “Our people are doing a great job to care for our guests, and I’m just glad that everyone is seeing what the good folks at Dollywood have been doing to make it one of the best family destinations in the entire country,” said Dolly Parton, the namesake and founder of the park, in a statement....

As vaccines have begun to roll out and dreams of traveling again are increasingly becoming more of a reality, Dr. Anthony Fauci said it is “quite possible” that having the COVID-19 vaccine or presenting a vaccine passport will be necessary for future getaways. In an interview with Newsweek published Friday, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said that although he doesn’t foresee a national vaccine mandate, he can imagine it being required traveling or attending school....

Americans eager to travel this summer are continuing to plan into the fall, otherwise known as “shoulder season,” home rental company Vrbo shared with Travel + Leisure. It’s no secret summer travel has been off to a booming start with record numbers of people flying, travelers expected to spend big bucks, and many countries reopening their borders, but Vrbo says off-season months in the fall are seeing a surge in popularity at more than 30%....

Quitting your job is worrisome. But quitting your job to travel the world? Now that’s really worrisome. I would know: In a matter of weeks, my husband and I will leave our home to travel through Southeast Asia for three months. To make that epic adventure happen, he’ll do the quitting, and I’ll do the worrying. So much worrying that I worry — pun intended — it’ll ruin our trip. But I have a feeling I’m not the only traveler with work-related anxiety....

Good news: Elves are real, and they live in Iceland. Apparently, these mysterious supernatural beings bear no resemblance to Santa’s helpers or Legolas from Lord of the Rings, but there are several types of elves, according to Icelandic lore. According to Metro, Iceland’s Elf School, started by headmaster (and elf expert) Magnus Skarphedinsson, is dedicated to documenting elf encounters in the country, with a total of 1,400 stories and counting....

The holidays mean a lot of things, but for many people, they’re synonymous with one word: travel. And that includes everything from weekend trips celebrating with the relatives to multi-week excursions to make the most of your paid time off. If you’re going to travel, you need a solid bag (or bags) to accompany you; after all, there’s nothing worse than not having the right bags for the trip. If you’re decidedly uninterested in spending another holiday season traveling out of that duffel you’ve had for 13 years, look no further: Iconic bag brand Kipling has a very solid outlet section, with deals up to 60 percent off....

JetBlue wants to help you hop across the pond for a quick vacation for less. The airline’s London for Less Sale, launched Tuesday, features some seriously stellar deals including roundtrip flights between JFK in New York City and Gatwick Airport just outside of London starting from $349 for economy or $1,939 in a Mint suite. The deal also includes roundtrip flights between JFK and Heathrow starting from$399 in economy or $1,999 for Mint....

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful castle in Texas. Yes, Texas — and you can actually stay there. VRBO, an online platform for vacation rentals, has a number of luxurious stays all over the world. But in the U.S., none are quite as fancy as this European-style castle that’s right in the middle of Texas. Courtesy of Vrbo Befittingly located in Kingsland, a little over one hour northwest of Austin, this beautiful, 14,000-square-foot palace sleeps 12 people in six bedrooms for an average of $2,199 per night (about $184 per night if you bring 11 friends)....

A new tourist attraction in London that was mocked from the second it opened is now closing to visitors. The Marble Arch Mound is closing just six months after it first opened, CNN reported, ending a saga of ridicule and confusion that has followed it since it started welcoming visitors. The attraction, which reportedly cost £6 million (about $8.1 million) to build, was billed by the city of Westminster as a temporary and “unique opportunity to look out over the area from a new perspective as the Council and its partners start to transform the District....

There are a lot of gifts you might like to receive on your birthday if you’re staying at a hotel. A glass of champagne or a slice of cake might be nice. But some Marriott members are getting the change to upgrade their loyalty status for their birthday instead. Select Marriott Rewards members are receiving “elite night credits” on their birthdays, according to Miles Talk. These credits are not vouchers that are good for a free future night, they simply count as a one night stay for those who are trying to accrue nights and earn loyalty status....

Rick Steves wants you to know that travel will make a comeback, it just might look a little different than you remember. In April, Steves sat down for a wide-ranging interview about the future of travel with Fund for Education Abroad, an organization that provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. And, as you may suspect, Steves is just as ready as the rest of us to get back out there and explore the world again....

So you’ve packed your bags for your upcoming travels and even brought along some valuables like your electronics and a few jewels. Not to worry: You have your trusty luggage lock, which should keep your stuff safe, right? According to experts, you may want to think twice about your travel safety precautions. In 2014, several blogs, including Techlicious, noticed the Washington Post made the fatal error of publishing a photo of the TSA’s master keys (the photos were since removed)....

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, lots of major events and festivals have gone online to help people stay safe and stop the spread of the virus. And this year, a major event that celebrates the food and culture of Hong Kong will do the same. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) announced that its annual Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival will take place online for the first time, which means that many more people can take part in the festivities without even leaving home....

Now, the charter yacht company The Moorings is making it even easier to get on the water, with vessels for rent in the colonial city of Paraty, located about 120 miles northeast of Sao Paulo. The Moorings is well known for its charters in the Caribbean, in particular the British Virgin Islands and other popular cruising grounds. But their new offer in Brazil’s Baia Carioca is the company’s first-ever foray into South America....

Planning an extended stay in New York later this year? Then you’re in luck. AKA, the company behind some of the chicest hotel residences geared toward longer stays, is expanding with a new property in the Big Apple. And one thing is certain: It will be a true design masterpiece nestled at the heart of the trendy NoMad neighborhood. Jeffrey Totaro/Courtesy of Hotel AKA NoMad The company took over the former Roger New York hotel on Madison Avenue and is currently transforming it into a modern, ultra-luxe property that will offer its guests sophisticated interiors with bespoke accents....