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Alaska has long captured the imagination of adventurers — and for good reason. With over 650,000 square miles of land and roughly 700,000 residents, there are great swaths of the state that have likely never been explored by humans. One of the best ways to really experience the Alaska of your dreams is to stay at a backcountry lodge. These far-flung locales offer a deeper connection to nature, are tailor-made for social distancing, and give travelers a glimpse into an increasingly rarefied Alaska....

The famous sushi restaurant from the documentary “Jiro Dreams of Sushi” just lost one of its status symbols — three Michelin stars. According to the National Post, Sukiyabashi Jiro, the Tokyo restaurant owned by one of the world’s best and oldest chefs (Jiro Ono, who is over 90 years old), officially lost its Michelin three-star rating because the restaurant is no longer open to the general public. Corner Stone/Preferred Content/Sundial/Kobal/Shutterstock...

Scientists have unveiled a new map of the lost continent of Zealandia to show people what the world looked like some 85 million years ago. On Monday, GNS Science, a New Zealand research institute, launched an interactive website with two new maps showing Zealandia’s tectonic profile, along with its shape against the ocean floor. This development is rather astonishing when you consider the lost continent of Zealandia was only discovered in 2017....

The residents of Deschutes County, Oregon are about to get the ‘90s nostalgia gift of a lifetime. You see, Deschutes County happens to be home to the very last Blockbuster store in the world. Walking into it is like walking back in time — a time when you’d peruse the video store’s aisles for hours picking out the best VHS tape for a movie night, grab a bagged popcorn, and maybe a few candy bars on the way out before being reminded to “be kind and rewind....

In a matter of months, COVID-19 has changed the meaning of shopping. Shopping small at local stores (online or via social media) or independent sellers (shoutout to Etsy for making it almost too easy) is more important now that it could ever have been in the past. That said, our favorite larger brands and retailers are doing some great things for COVID-19 relief by donating funds or products, some without even the contingency of purchases upfront....

One of the best parts of traveling is meeting the locals that make a place so special. So, while the Bahamas is open to international tourists, including Americans, for those who can’t make it there or still prefer to stay close to home, the country has launched a virtual People-to-People program. Courtesy of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation Under normal circumstances, the program matches Bahamian volunteers with visitors who are interested in learning more about the country’s local food, culture, and hidden gems....

Here’s a hot vacation deal for you. Literally. If you feel like you’ve been playing it too cool and comfortable all your life with your stable ground conditions and not living anywhere near any volatile natural phenomena that could erupt at any moment, perhaps you would enjoy vacationing near an active volcano. Getty Images You’re in luck. Phoenix House, a cozy, little home nestled at the base of Kilauea, in Kalapana, Hawaii, is offering stays for only £90 ($114 USD) per night on Airbnb....

United Airlines employees who currently aren’t flying due to coronavirus restrictions, are using their extra time on the ground to chat with senior citizens as part of a new California initiative. In an effort to help homebound and isolated seniors, about 300 United Airlines employees from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose will be making weekly wellness calls to check on seniors. The calls are being done in partnership with Listos California, a campaign focused on disaster preparedness for vulnerable residents, and the California Department of Aging....

If you’ve ever watched The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, you know the pool that comes with Villa de la Vina, aka “The Mansion.” That pool and the epic southern California pad it sits outside can now be yours for $7,500 a night. Since the pandemic forced filming of the shows to move, Villa de la Vina is up for rent on Airbnb. Courtesy of Airbnb The 10-acre property nestled into the Santa Monica Mountains near Malibu boasts seven unique bedrooms — several with balconies — eight-and-a-half bathrooms, two jacuzzis, a pool table, an in-home bar, and that dreamy infinity pool with those arches and mountain views you know so well....

Travelers are always looking for the next best thing, the coolest new spot, and an undiscovered gem. That once included sleeping in a wine barrel, spending a few nights in a treehouse, and even tucking into a bed inside a potato. But now, the newest and greatest thing appears to be sleeping inside a converted grain silo in the tiny town of Round Top, Texas. Courtesy of Vrbo If you’ve never heard of the town of Round Top you’re truly missing out....

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. From the great lodges of the Adirondack Mountains to the breezy resorts that line the Hamptons coast, New York has no shortage of classic properties whose repeat visitors often develop an almost cult-like devotion to them....

If you want to see the Colosseum in Rome, you better get in line, as the Italian landmark was just named the most popular tourist attraction on TripAdvisor. The travel booking website compiled its annual list of most booked attractions, and it turns out, the majority of travelers in 2019 wanted a scoop of gelato with a side of Roman history. “Iconic and historic sites from around the world will always be popular destinations for travelers, but they’re popular for a reason,” Laurel Greatrix, a TripAdvisor spokesperson, said in a statement....

Allbirds is know for its comfortable, breathable sneakers that you can wear just about anywhere, and since the brand launched its first apparel collection last year, we’ve been nothing but impressed. Allbirds’ summer capsule includes must-have items you’ll want to wear all season long, including breathable hemp shirts and shorts for men and women, as well as ultra-soft hemp and merino wool tanks and dresses for women. And to go with this summer-ready apparel, you’ll also want to get your hands on a pair of Tree Pipers, the brand’s newest shoe launch, which are a pair of breathable low-top sneakers....

Amtrak wants travelers to whisk their sweethearts away this Valentine’s Day with a buy-one-get-one sale that will make anyone swoon. From now until Tuesday, Feb. 16, anyone who buys a ticket on several trips throughout the country will get a second ticket for free to give to anyone their heart desires. Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald via Getty Images The “Amtrak Loves You Sale” is valid for travel on select lines nationwide from Feb....

Call it every archaeologist’s wildest dream. During a recent search for a water table under the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza in Mexico, archaeologists uncovered a cave filled with artifacts that have laid undisturbed for at least 1,000 years. The more than 150 ancient relics were found in a group of underground cave chambers called Balamkú, located a little over a mile from the famed El Castillo, or Temple of Kukulcan....

As Aspen Snowmass celebrates its 75th ski season, its premier members-only club, Aspen Mountain Club, is reopening following an extensive renovation. The debut of this new look also ushers in a modernized era for the club; it’s now rebranded as AspenX Mountain Club. Led by artist and entrepreneur Paula Crown, with interiors by Spanish sculptor and designer Luis Bustamante, the renovation of AspenX Mountain Club draws inspiration from the natural beauty of Aspen....

The federal government has extended the transportation mask mandate another two weeks due to rising COVID-19 case numbers across the country. The mask mandate, which requires face coverings on public transportation including planes and trains and in airports, was initially put in place in January 2021 and set to expire on April 18. The mandate will be extended to May 3 as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to assess “the potential impact of the rise of cases on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and healthcare system capacity,” according to the agency....

Behold: the stunning 87-acre rebuild and renovation of the historic Jiaxing train station. Jiaxing’s new train station is set to be completed by July 1, 2021, though the project’s sleek design and thinking reaches much further into the future. Borrowing elements of biophilic design, MAD Architects’ vision aims to bring nature to the forefront, alongside some seriously sophisticated style. Located in southeastern China and interconnected to Shanghai and Hangzhou, Jiaxing is a key city for several industries....

Walt Disney World will no longer digitally add masks to park-goers who are caught without their faces covered, a move that initially intended to accommodate fellow riders who were following the rules. The change comes after Walt Disney World News Today reported the theme park started adding “masks” onto the faces of riders who were not wearing them in an effort to allow them to view their ride photos. In July, Disney World said guests who did not properly wear masks on rides would not receive a photo — in line with their policy of denying photos when guests do something unsafe....

With the pandemic forcing the tourism industry to get a little creative, staycations, workcations, and even schoolcations have all been introduced to our lexicon. Now, say hello to another new vocabulary word: daycations. Embark Beyond, a bespoke luxury travel agency, has teamed up with Tradewind Aviation to create a series of day trips that feel like full-blown vacations, private flight and all. Taking off from the greater New York City area, the daycations currently offered mostly focus on admiring fall foliage in the northeastern U....