Amtrak wants to transport travelers — and their cars — up and down the East Coast in style and at a deep discount thanks to a new flash sale that’s underway. Travelers who book a spot on the Auto Train by Dec. 17 can snag a seat for as low as $29 or a private room for as low as $129, plus the cost of their vehicle, the company shared with Travel + Leisure this week....
At Travel + Leisure, we love all things Italy — the culture and history, the food and drink, the people and hospitality, and of course, the gorgeous scenery. In fact, we love it so much, we named it our 2021 Destination of the Year. We’re constantly dreaming of the next time we return, so we’re sharing our favorite spots for those of you feeling the same. Here’s hoping it inspires your next trip....
As almost every industry transitioned from the office to conducting their every move from behind a computer screen this year, the fitness world was no different with its pivot to online classes and offerings. In fact, according to ClassPlass’s 2020 Fitness Trend Report, which compiled user data from its members around the world, the coronavirus outbreak led to 5,000 studios trading in-person classes for online sessions ranging from boxing to barre, to yoga, and more....
For the first time ever, Disneyland has opened up a back route into the Haunted Mansion, allowing theme park fans to grab a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the popular ride’s never-before-seen interiors. More Disney news It’s not just Disney magic either — this back-door walkway is actually key to allowing the park to operate efficiently while honoring its extensive COVID-19 safety protocols. Typically, riders would enter through the Haunted Mansion’s front door, walk into a “stretching room,” and proceed onto the actual attraction....
Groups of friends clinked pint glasses at midnight on Monday in England as pubs, restaurants, and shops reopened on Monday, months after the country went into lockdown due to a spike in COVID-19 cases. Customers lined up outside clothing shops as the sun rose, braving chilly temperatures to get their shopping fix, Reuters reported, while those hankering for a late-night drink came out at midnight to hit outdoor pubs across England....
Across the country, countless restaurants have been forced to close for dining in, relying on take-out and delivery orders to stay afloat. For Uber Eats, that has resulted in a more than a 30 percent increase in orders from independent restaurants since mid-March, the company told Travel + Leisure. And through the pandemic, people’s cravings have remained varied, but largely focused on comfort food with French fries and crab rangoon being popular choices....
Hyatt is partnering with small businesses around the world on a series of initiatives aimed at helping entrepreneurs survive the pandemic. Nearly 60 Hyatt properties in several countries are lending a hand to local small businesses through things like pop-up shops, complimentary kitchen space, and other one-of-a-kind partnerships. The Hyatt Regency in Austin is booking local musicians for socially distanced performances and donating a portion of sales to the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians....
I stood back from the steaming, manhole-sized crater and watched my lunch being lowered into the ground. Next to me stood Valter Vieira, the chef at Terra Nostra Garden Hotel in Furnas. Earlier that morning, we had gathered the makings of his specialty dish: cozido das Furnas, a version of the ubiquitous Iberian meat-and-vegetable stew that’s native to the vibrant, volcanic archipelago of the Azores, 1,000 miles off the coast of Portugal....
New York City may be a place filled with massive concrete buildings, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t filled with natural wonders too. Take, for example, the yearly event known as Manhattanhenge. Each year, New York experiences an astronomical event that draws thousands of tourists to one specific spot in the city to see the best sunset of the year. And, best of all, you’ve got two chances to see it for yourself....
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s new home in Canada is truly fit for a royal, even if they’ve given up traditional royal life. According to PureWow, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been living in a new home on Vancouver Island since late 2019, on the Saanich Inlet of North Saanich, British Columbia, Canada. But just because they’re technically not being called His and Her Royal Highness, according to Marie Claire, doesn’t mean they’re living like regular folks these days....
While much of Las Vegas remains open for business, Nevada’s Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered the re-closure of bars in several counties on Friday in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in the state. The new directive applies to seven counties in the state, including Clark County where Las Vegas is, and is made based on several criteria, including the average number of tests performed each day and the rate of positive tests....
Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly doing all they can to keep their children’s lives as normal as possible. However, for Princess Charlotte, it appears the line between playtime and royal time is getting a little blurry, and it’s all due to her love of her little toy tiara. Samir Hussein/WireImage “Charlotte knows she’s a princess and already has a toy tiara, which she loves wearing,” a source shared with Us Weekly....
Australian carrier Qantas has been named the safest airline in the world for 2020. In a ranking compiled by AirlineRatings.com, the airline which is currently testing ultra-long haul routes between Sydney and New York and London, nabbed the top spot after coming in first last year as well. To evaluate the safest airlines in the world, the site, which monitors a total of 405 different airlines, looked at audits from industry and governing bodies that regulate aviation, an airline’s crash and serious incident record, as well as its profitability, fleet age, and safety initiatives....
Like most county fairs, San Diego’s began as an event for local farmers to take a break from their hard work to enjoy friendly competition for the best fruits, vegetables, livestock, and recipes as well as to share ideas and learn from one another. The first fair in San Diego was held in 1880, and more than a century later, the month-long 2019 event saw 1,531,199 visitors, according to the Del Mar Times....
On Jan. 24, Singapore will begin testing everyone for COVID-19 at the airport. It also will require visitors to carry a minimum of $30,000 in travel insurance starting Jan. 31. Currently, Singapore requires a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure for anyone who isn’t a citizen or permanent resident and has recently traveled to a high-risk country. Travelers are also required to quarantine upon arrival and get tested again prior to exiting isolation....
Faster, higher, longer! A new roller coaster being built outside the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh will set world records in all of those areas when it opens at Six Flags Qiddiya in 2023. The Falcon’s Flight coaster will travel about two and a half miles at speeds of up to 155 miles per hour. One of the vertical cliff dives will fall about 525 feet into a valley by using magnetic motor acceleration, the company said in a release earlier this year....
What was thought to be an asteroid heading into Earth’s orbit next month might be complete garbage. A NASA expert says the object is likely an old rocket from a moon landing attempt back in 1966, according to the Associated Press. Last month, an object known as asteroid 2020 SO was spotted from a telescope in Maui. It was expected to enter the Earth’s orbit this autumn and continue orbiting until about May 2021, in what is known as a mini moon, according to Smithsonian Magazine....
The first time you visit a country, you likely spend time in its capital or most famous city. You want to see the well-known sites—whether it’s the Eiffel Tower, or the Acropolis, or Machu Picchu. But if you really want to go deeper into a country, consider adding a few days in a “second city” and slowing things down, taking your time to savor what makes that place unique. To round up some compelling places to add to your travel wish-list, T+L polled our A-List of veteran travel advisors about their favorite underrated, non-capital cities....
The world’s oldest fossilized trees have been discovered in upstate New York, according to a new study. Found in a quarry in the Catskill area of the state, near Cairo, N.Y., the fossils are part of the oldest forest that has ever been identified in the world, according to a study in the journal Current Biology. They were discovered after experts from the U.K. and New York started looking at the site more than 10 years ago, the BBC reported....
Whether you’re roaming through redwood forests or up rocky mountain terrain, you’ll need dependable hiking shoes that are up for the adventure. Without proper footwear, you run the risk of dealing with blisters and tired, aching feet by the end of the day — or even potentially injuring yourself. These customer-loved hiking shoes have a mid-top fit that reaches above the ankle, sturdy rubber soles, and a classic lace-up design. They’re made with artificial leather that can withstand wet, muddy trails and rainy weather, and some styles include an inner faux fur lining for added warmth....
