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Italy will gradually phase out its COVID-19 restrictions, the government announced on Thursday, becoming the latest European destination to ditch pandemic-related measures. Starting May 1, its digital ‘green pass’ will no longer be required to access places like restaurants and public transportation, Reuters reported. The pass is currently issued to people who are fully vaccinated or who have contracted COVID-19 and recovered. “The Green Pass was a great success, allowing our economy to start up again and recover,” Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi said during a news conference....

Italy has declared the waterways around Venice a “national monument,” finally banning large cruise ships from the canal city, according to reports. The ban, which will go into effect on Aug. 1, includes any ship that weighs more than 25,000 tons or is longer than 530 feet, and will apply to the lagoon basin near St. Mark’s Square and the Giudecca Canal, The Associated Press reported. It marks the culmination of a years-long effort to oust mega cruise ships from the city, including a request from UNESCO....

The Colosseum may be closed, but Italian officials are already envisioning a post-pandemic world where visitors can experience concerts, theater, and even stand in the center of a space that once hosted Rome’s iconic gladiator shows. The Italian government is seeking proposals from engineers to build a $22.5 million retractable floor for the Colosseum, the BBC reports. Proposals are due Feb. 1, and Italian officials hope to complete the ambitious project by 2023....

The 9 Best Portable Ice Makers for Camping Trips, Kitchen Countertops, and More To buy: amazon.com, $119 with coupon (originally $200) “This ice maker is very easy to use,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “Great for dinner parties and small get-togethers. We also take it along in our RV. It makes ice very quickly which is nice in the Florida heat. I’d recommend this product to anyone!” Another standout feature of the ice maker is its lack of sound — the cooling system within the machine works quickly to keep loud noises at bay....

Living in L.A., I’ve always thought of my car as a four-door box that sits in headache-inducing traffic, slowly shuttling me from point A to point B. Arguably jaded by Southern California traffic, it hardly occurred to me to reframe the way I think of a long drive as akin to a long-haul first-class flight. For me, cars were always a means of transportation, rather than an integral part of a vacation — or so I thought....

Lo & Sons is known for its expertly crafted travel bags, from weekenders with conveniently placed pockets to convertible handbags that can you can wear as both a crossbody and fanny pack. And right now, you can shop the brand’s best-selling pieces for up to 50% off during its Summer Sale. Whether you’re looking for a new bag for weekend trips or a sleek leather wallet, you’ll be sure to find something at this sale....

Cross-country road trips typically bring to mind coast-to-coast travels, beginning your journey in California or Washington and ending somewhere in New Hampshire, or even Maine. But there’s more than just one way to travel the country. If you’re not going east to west, you can just as easily go north to south and have an equally enjoyable experience, while touching upon major cities like Chicago, St. Louis, and Memphis, ultimately arriving in Chicago by route of Interstate 55....

During the time of coronavirus, the terms social distancing and isolation have become a norm, but that doesn’t mean you need to hole up in your home for the duration. The outdoors are still yours for the taking — with some precaution of course — as getting some fresh air may be the key to a happy quarantine. If you’re thinking about heading to a nearby national park, there are a few things you should know....

If your new year’s resolution is to travel more, a Southwest sale could help you achieve your goals just hours into 2020. Southwest is running a nationwide sale through midnight pacific time on January 2. The sale is specifically for travel in the continental U.S. from January 14 through May 20. It also includes flights to San Juan and interisland Hawaii travel, starting January 21. Getty Images The deal includes plenty of options for snow birds looking to escape the cold including flights from Chicago to Houston for only $121 or to Los Angeles for only $153....

Being comfortable in bed often requires a wealth of items, from a set of silky soft sheets to a cozy blanket that’s sure to keep you warm all night long. And while nothing compares to the comforts resorts and hotels can offer, there are small changes we can all affordably make that can at least start to make the bedroom feel like a five-star hotel. Thanks to the special down material, the pillows keep their form — no waking up in the middle of the night to punch them back into shape necessary....

With all that’s going on in the world, it can be tough to find a moment of levity. Luckily for all of us, Netflix is still here to make us laugh. This week, the streaming service announced its newest venture, a week-long comedy festival in Los Angeles called Netflix Is A Joke Fest. Produced in association with Live Nation, the laugh-filled celebration will take place from April 27 - May 3 at more than 20 venues across the city and feature live stand-up shows from several comedy legends....

Even though Prohibition is long over, people’s love for vintage-themed bars is at an all-time high. Speakeasies are no longer a thing of the past — they’re now an exciting way to have a fun night out in many cities around the U.S., or even around the world. Speakeasies weren’t always just a gimmick for mixologists and bar owners. According to The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, these hidden establishments, also known as “gin joints” and “blind pigs,” came about as a response to the restrictive alcohol ban during Prohibition....

It’s no secret that leggings have become a way of life in recent years. From workouts and yoga classes to running errands and lounging around the house, leggings can do it all — as long as you’re wearing the right pair. Avid legging-wearers will tell you the best pairs on the market are comfy yet compressive and made of a stretchy, durable fabric — and most agree there is no room for see-through material in the equation....

Whether you’re planning a trip or getting ready to return to the office, backpacks are always a solid option. The right bag will have room for all your essentials, including a laptop, books, wallet, cellphone, water bottle, and umbrella, without putting too much strain on your back or shoulders while carrying it. Herschel Supply Co. is well known for its stylish yet functional bags, and this mid-size backpack that’s available at Nordstrom is no exception....

Common airplane etiquette dictates that the passenger stuck in the middle seat gets both armrests — but what about when you’re traveling four across? Or you’re sitting in the aisle seat but you’ve had a really long day and just want to put your arms up? Soarigami is a portable armrest divider that marks a clearly-defined border for each passenger’s arm, while giving each passenger a little more space. There’s a Secret Button on Your Airplane Seat That Will Instantly Give You More Room...

Brenda Nguyen didn’t initially intend to take a train across the country. When she accepted a job in California earlier this year, her plan was to take a road trip from Boston to her new home in San Francisco. However, due to the many complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, her cross-country move didn’t exactly go as she anticipated. Nguyen will be the first to admit that it certainly wasn’t the quickest or most cost-effective way to get to her final destination, but she told Travel + Leisure that the trip changed the way she views herself as a traveler for the better....

Last year at Travel + Leisure, we released our very first podcast, Let’s Go Together, a show that highlights how travel changes the way we see ourselves and the world. Hosted by Kellee Edwards, a pilot and adventurer who has traveled to more than 50 countries, the series introduced us to diverse travelers who are reshaping what it means to be a traveler in the first place. From a surfer who made the incredible trek to Machu Picchu in a wheelchair to Jessica Nabongo, the first black woman to travel to every country on Earth, season one of Let’s Go Together was a celebration of our shared love of travel and a celebration of each other....

The holiday season is here, and it’s time to reevaluate your skincare routine. Both because of the way the seasonal change affects your skin, but also because you may find yourself boarding a plane more often than usual — and all the liquids of your skincare routine are not going to make it past TSA. Therefore ’tis the season for finding skincare travel kits, of which beloved, affordable brand Tula is a top contender, with its Level 2 Firming & Smoothing Discovery Kit that’s 30 percent off until midnight....

Walt Disney World has paused sales of select annual passes until at least 2022. Announced in a message posted to the park’s website this week, the move is aimed at managing park capacity as the holiday travel season gets underway. Existing pass holders will be able to renew their passes, but anyone who doesn’t already have a pass will have to wait unless they live in Florida and have ample free time on weekdays....

Some airports stand out when it comes to making the beginning and end of a trip a better experience, and passengers have continued to rank Indianapolis International Airport as a favorite year after year. Travelers have once again selected the airport, located seven miles from downtown Indianapolis, as the Best Airport in North America as part of Airport Council International’s 2018 Airport Service Quality Awards. This is the eighth year, and the seventh consecutive year, that Indianapolis International Airport has taken the top spot among airports serving between five and 15 million passengers per year, based on rankings by passengers considering 34 factors that include ease of access, check-in facilities, security screening, and store, restaurant, and restroom offerings....