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Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has been a family-friendly destination for generations, and many visitors who now have children remember visiting the island as children themselves, spending afternoons on the docks with their grandparents or unfettered playtime at the old tree house playground in Sea Pines. This year, as they return, they’ll realize that Hilton Head Island has completed a playground present of a project that welcomes the next generation to make memories of their own....

Like many people, Craig Beal has had a bad year. He and his wife, Kay, operate a travel agency that specializes in safaris, largely in East Africa, a place that just about nobody is going because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Kay and I have put our heart and soul into Travel Beyond for 15 years and we have had some of our darkest days since March,” he said in a recent note to clients....

I am what you’d call a “bargain shopper.” When I step foot into a store, you can generally find me beelining it to the clearance racks. That all changed, though, when I fell in love with a gorgeous cashmere sweater. It was the first thing I spotted when shopping at Nordstrom this fall. The sweater just pulled me in — there was no resisting it. The Brown Taupe hue beckoned me over and I couldn’t help but pick it up....

Southwest Airlines has always been a friend to budget travelers. However, according to a new report by The Points Guy, the airline may be doing away with one of its best discounts — senior fares. For several years those over the age of 65 could purchase tickets for “Anytime Travel" with a small discount. Those tickets were also fully refundable in the event of a cancellation. However, Southwest quietly announced on its website that it will phase out the senior fares this December....

Of all the essentials created for the purpose of getting outside more, hammocks are one of the most versatile. Whether it’s slung around sturdy trees in your own backyard or thrown in your car for an impromptu adventure, a dependable hammock provides the perfect place to kick back and relax. And as is the case with all camping items, a hammock should be as convenient to pack as it is comfortable to lounge in....

Winter is somehow still in full force, which means layers of hats and gloves and bulky sweaters are still very much a sartorial staple. And while tugging on ultra-warm wool socks and cozy hats and scarves are certainly an acceptable solution, there’s one piece of clothing that’s sure to change the way you dress: a heated vest. The vest is constructed with eight heating panels placed around the neck, torso, lower stomach, and upper and lower back....

In Midtown Manhattan, an epic race is underway as new luxury residential buildings strive to outdo each other with over-the-top amenities. This race isn’t limited to Billionaire’s Row — The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria recently announced that it will open not one, but four private, residents-only bars within its 50,000 square feet of amenities. Of course, living in a hotel has its perks, especially the exceptional service available 24 hours a day, but when you’re constantly staying in a luxe hotel, it can mean the common spaces are often crowded with travelers and locals keen on trying the latest hot spot....

It may no longer be possible to attend in-person events, but that isn’t stopping the Queens from gathering. On Wednesday, Producer Entertainment Group (PEG) announced the first-ever online drag performance series: Digital Drag Fest. As it explained, “Think of it like DragCon weekend but on your computer.” Digital Drag Fest will feature some of the biggest names from RuPaul’s Drag Race and the world of drag, the announcement explained. While the first shows sold out within 48 hours, PEG revealed they were expanding the massive online event by adding more shows with 40 more queens including fan favorites, Alaska, Jackie Beat, Kimora Blac, Manila Luzon,, Nicky, Peppermint, and many more....

It’s about to get much cheaper to jet off to Paris. A new low-cost carrier is hoping to begin flights from New York City to Paris starting summer 2020. Courtesy of Frenchbee Airlines French Bee already offers flights between San Francisco and Paris but the expansion will be the airline’s first option on the east coast. One-way flights will be available from $139 from June 2020. Tickets are now on sale....

Getting back on public transportation in a post-COVID-19 world can be a nerve-wracking thought, but new design concepts out of Hong Kong are looking to the future with safe and innovative solutions that look as cool as they are functional. A new tram concept, called the Island, from designers based in the city, would be completely driverless, featuring a touchless entry and exit as well as circular benches with seating designed to face outwards to minimize contact between passengers, the Ponti Design Studio shared with Travel + Leisure....

United Airlines said it will start notifying passengers if their flight is going to be full and offer alternative options following backlash from a photo of a totally full flight went viral. Starting next week customers will be notified if their flight is “expected to be closer to full capacity,” and will have the option to rebook a different flight or receive a travel credit. The airline said it will try to notify customers before they come to the airport, but offer the option at the gate as well if more than 70 percent of passengers have checked in for the flight....

It’s no mystery that summers in Texas — regardless of what end of the state you visit — are intense, with heat indexes well into the 100-degrees range. However, now that places have reopened in the Lone Star State, there are plenty of fresh spaces to stay cool as you dine and engage in much-needed R&R. The silver lining of enduring the state’s sweltering summer heat — which can last well into the later parts of the season — is just one luxe hotel, posh restaurant, or idyllic landscape away....

The iconic Jet Age airline Pan Am needs no introduction, but the front-line people who powered its success have been less known — until now. A new book by the journalist Julia Cooke, Come Fly the World: The Jet-Age Story of the Women of Pan Am (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt), explores the history of the famed airline through the stories of many women who made the airline a success during its 1960s heyday....

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 lakefront beaches, art installations at Millennium Park, and upscale shops of the Magnificent Mile draw travelers to the Windy City year after year....

J.Crew lovers get your credit cards at the ready! The beloved brand just dropped its epic Spring Sale, where prices have been slashed on thousands of items. While we can’t wait to scoop up cozy sweaters, flattering swimsuits, and summery dresses for a fraction of the original price, we’re equally excited to shop the large selection of discounted comfortable shoes. Right now, sneakers, boots, heels, flats, and more are marked down up to 64 percent — which means now is the perfect time to add a few new shoes to your rotation....

Your next vacation doesn’t need to be expensive. Travelers who want to escape this winter can opt for a vacation a bit off the beaten path. Quicken found five surprisingly affordable winter destinations where travelers can embrace warm weather — without having to dig to the bottom of their wallets. Belize City For example, round-trip flights to Belize City start at $445 from Los Angeles, or $635 from San Francisco....

A trip to San Diego is always a good decision. After all, the weather in San Diego hovers somewhere around 72 and sunny all year long, meaning no matter when you plan a visit the city by the Pacific Ocean will be there to welcome you with a warm hug. However, there are a few ways to punch up a trip to San Diego, including timing your visit for one of its fantastic festivals....

Working as a flight attendant comes with perks that include traveling around the world, but what does it take to land the role? While part of what flight attendants do is serve passengers on board, safety is a crucial aspect of the position, with the earliest “skygirls” of the 1930s, as they were called, even required to be registered nurses. While the position has seen its changes since the start of aviation, cabin crew are still brought on to ensure the safety of passengers, and because of this, undergo a hefty training regimen to ensure flights run smoothly....

A gigantic 2-lb. white truffle just sold at auction for nearly $118,000. Michelin-starred chef Umberto Bombana, of the Italian restaurant Otto e Mezzo in Hong Kong, was the winner of the two-pound white truffle. He paid €103,000 ($117,795.64 USD) at auction. The bidding was held at the Castle of Grinzane Cavour during the International Alba White Truffle Fair in northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Offers were accepted simultaneously in Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, and Moscow, Cyprus’ English language news outlet In-Cyprus reported....

Contrary to what their cuddlesome appearance might suggest, kangaroos are wild animals. Tourists visiting them in New South Wales, Australia are learning that the hard way. Morisset Hospital in Lake Macquarie, New South Wales draws thousands of tourists every week hoping to catch a glimpse of its resident wild kangaroo population. Several visitors have lured the animals into selfies with carrots, bread, chips — and even McDonald’s and KFC. As a result, some of the kangaroos have become aggressive and even violent toward visitors in their search for human food....