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If the pandemic has left you desperate for a change of scenery, you’re not alone. There are only so many virtual tours of far-flung places you can watch before all you can think about is how and when you can go there in person. But travel is no longer as simple as adding a destination to your bucket list and waiting until you find an affordable plane ticket — with COVID-19 there are health risks and ethical factors to consider, like putting other people (either at your destination or when you return home) at risk....

The U.S. Virgin Islands are already a rather luxurious destination, but the new Lovango private island resort is coming to up the ante once again. Lovango Resort Beach Club is officially open and ready to welcome guests to its new high-end seaside experience, which begins with a ferry from Cruz Bay, St. John or Redhook, St. Thomas, or by private charter. It marks the first new-build resort for the islands in more than 30 years and is the third property in the Little Gem Resorts collection of boutique island hotels....

An immersive Frida Kahlo exhibit is set to appear in multiple cities across the country in 2022. Like the immersive Van Gogh and Monet experiences that made waves earlier this year, “Frida: Immersive Dream” will feature lights, sound, and video to delve deeper into the iconic Mexican artist’s life and work. Visitors to the exhibit will see some of Kahlo’s most well-known works projected across walls. The works are animated by Massimiliano Siccardi, an Italian digital artist who also brought Van Gogh’s works to digital life....

As coronavirus continues to spread, many are working on how to combat and mitigate the disease. However, fear still abounds, leading to myths and rumors surrounding the virus. And while many experts say cases of the virus will increase as testing becomes more widely available, the best way to prevent the spread is to know the facts. “New myths keep popping up every couple of days. All of that makes it much harder to deal with this,” Dr....

Checking in on your loved ones during the pandemic is always a nice thing to do, and now the suggestion is coming from the Pope himself. According to the Catholic News Agency, Pope Francis is now encouraging younger people to find different (read: safe) ways to send hugs to elderly people who may feel isolated due to coronavirus lockdown measures. The campaign is being launched by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, according to the Catholic News Agency, in response to Pope Francis’ words during the Angelus prayer on Sunday, July 26....

If you’re craving sun, sand, and surf but haven’t even begun the booking process, don’t despair — you can still squeeze in a spring trip to the beach without spending a fortune. The public relations team at Expedia Group told Travel + Leisure by email that even though summer vacation homes on Vrbo, a vacation rental company owned by Expedia, are being snatched up earlier than ever — outpacing last summer by nearly 15 percent — there are still a handful of destinations where you can find a good deal....

The Most Affordable Winter Vacations in the U.S. With more than 5,600 five-star ratings, the Oflamn Weekender Bag is designed for destinations you can reach by train or car, but it also makes a great carry-on bag for plane rides. Measuring 21 inches by 12.9 inches, the duffel’s exterior is made with heavy canvas that’s super durable. Available in six color options, it has two carrying handles with faux leather detailing, plus an adjustable shoulder strap that you can also choose to remove....

One of the most exciting parts of visiting a new country (at least for me) is exploring its cult-favorite retailers, local brands, and the overall shopping scene. What’s better than coming back from a trip abroad, receiving a compliment on your top, and answering, “thanks, I got it in London.” River Island is well-known British fashion retailer that’s beloved by shoppers for its on-trend pieces and reasonable prices. And while it might be some time before we can travel out of the country for a shopping spree again, luckily, you can now shop select River Island pieces online at Nordstrom....

American Queen Voyages is adding a new itinerary along the Lower Mississippi River to its roster this summer, sailing between Memphis and New Orleans, the company shared with Travel + Leisure. The new itinerary will include nine days traversing the river on the American Queen, including stops in Vicksburg and Natchez in Mississippi, and St. Francisville and Baton Rouge in Louisiana. The trips will depart on June 5, 12, 19, and 26, according to the cruise line....

Just when you thought kids’ parties couldn’t get any more over-the-top, aviation company VistaJet is taking things up a notch — well, 45,000 feet up to be exact. The subscription-based plane-charter group announced last week “Adventures in the Sky,” a new family travel program where parents can book the children’s party planners from Sharky & George to throw an elaborate fete aboard a private aircraft. The London-based entertainers build each experience around a theme....

It used to be a well-established maxim that the early bird got the worm. But today, apps and reviews and guidebooks have informed all the other birds about the early trick and there’s no guarantee being early will get you anything. The worm in this metaphor is a sunrise in Maui. The Haleakala Sunrise is sometimes also known as the “top of the world” sunrise and is one of the most spectacular events to see in Hawaii....

Picture this: gently rolling slopes of silky white sand that’s cool to the touch even on blistering summer days. People on freshly waxed sleds careening down the sandy hills as if they are ski slopes. Visitors opening their hatchbacks and sitting on car roofs to take in a blazing sunset, followed by clear skies that show off the patterns of the Milky Way. Head to southern New Mexico and that surreal scene is just what you’ll find....

What better way to have a socially distanced vacation than by spending it on a private island? But if you’d rather avoid the sun and the sand, you can still enjoy the perks of a private island vacation by visiting this Airbnb off the west coast of Ireland. The Collanmore Island Lodge is located in Clew Bay, just 10 minutes by ferry from the town of Westport. Naturally, since it’s a private island area, there are lots of amazing outdoor and water activities to do, including hanging out on your own private beach or outdoor garden, kayaking, and much more....

While the plight of airline carriers’ and cruise companies’ economic losses during the pandemic have made headlines, local businesses — especially those that depend on travelers passing through their shops — have felt the challenges even greater and with less of a platform to reach their consumers. But a new collaboration between global small-group travel operator Intrepid Travel and Swedish live video shopping startup Local Purse hopes to bridge the gap by bringing virtual real-time souvenir shopping to travelers from the comfort and safety of their homes....

Virgin Voyages revealed on Thursday plans for Beach Club at Bimini, the private island oasis that will only be available to the cruise line’s guests (or “sailors,” as Virgin calls them). “A cornerstone of every voyage will be The Beach Club at Bimini, where sailors can feel the sand in their toes in a stylish setting with white-sand and crystal clear waters and programming that will rival the best beach clubs in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez,” Virgin Voyages said in a statement....

They say that even a short, 20-minute walk in nature can be great for boosting your mental health, but these forests are so beautiful that you will definitely want to stay way longer than that. From the gigantic redwoods of California to the towering bamboo groves of Japan, the globe is dotted with plenty of breathtakingly beautiful forests that everyone should put on their bucket list. There’s something about spending time in nature that makes you feel whole....

Using the right travel apps can help you save both time and money, while making the journey much less stressful. Many of these apps also provide local recommendations and hidden gems tourists don’t often get to see — and some are completely free. Whether you’re looking for an app that will give you discounts for popular local events, offer a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport, these are the 22 best travel apps to download before your next trip....

These Are the Best Travel-friendly Beauty and Wellness Essentials on Sale for Prime Day If you’re short on space, the Flybird Adjustable Dumbbell is the way to go, though even if you’ve got room to spare, this five-in-one weight is still convenient. You can choose between five, 10, 15, 20, and 25 pounds, and adjust the weight by simply turning the handle to the desired number and locking it into place....

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. One is fast-paced, the other sweet and slow. One is packed with glass and steel skyscrapers, the other with charming, low-slung inns and mansions....

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. The top resorts across the American South have one important thing in common, and it’s a factor that keeps guests returning again and again: it’s unparalleled hospitality, which draws rave reviews from T+L readers year in and year out....