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Editor’s Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. National parks get all the attention, but some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes are found in lesser-known (and noticeably less busy) state parks. From the caves of Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio to the hoodoos in Utah’s Mars-like Goblin Valley State Park, there are endless places waiting to be explored right here in the U....

Sixty years ago on Aug. 7, 1959, the Explorer 6 satellite sent back crude TV images of Earth from space. Since then there have been landmark moments in Earth photography, from the famous “Earthrise,” “Eagle’s Return” (above) and “Blue Marble” shot by NASA’s Apollo astronauts to the more recent “Pale Blue Dot”. Courtesy of NASA Explorer 6 satellite Courtesy of NASA It may have been the first to transmit pictures of Earth via satellite, but Explorer 6’s images of Earth from space are definitely not the best....

The 12 Warmest Winter Socks You Can Buy The Akaso Merino Wool Ski Socks are designed to trap heat and wick away moisture, making them a great option for skiing, hiking, or exercising outdoors in exceptionally cold temperatures. And if you just live somewhere cold (or somewhere that’s cold right now), shoppers say the socks are comfortable for everyday wear. The seamless socks have a soft terry lining and are available in sizes small through extra-large; a size chart from the brand will help you find the right option based on your shoe size....

A pair of U.S. airlines will start vaccinating employees against COVID-19 with the recently-approved Johnson & Johnson vaccine, kicking off with their staff in Chicago. Both American Airlines and United Airlines will begin inoculating Windy City employees with the single-dose shot as early as Thursday, according to the airlines. For American Airlines, the vaccine is being provided by the Chicago Department of Public Health to distribute at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, the carrier told Travel + Leisure....

Epcot is undergoing an overhaul prior to Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary in 2021, which includes a full reinvention of most of the park, including the Future World and World Showcase areas. There’s so much coming to the park over the next few years, and 2020 will kick off these improvements with exciting openings. With the Disney Skyliner gondola system now operating, it’s easier than ever to visit Epcot’s attractions, rides, and superb dining....

When you walk into Curious, a whimsical gift and home store amid the surf and swimwear shops on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach, California, you never know what you’ll find. Maybe you’ll leave with a new West Coast-inspired cookbook, a colorful pair of earrings, or a hilarious birthday card — or maybe a hot dog pillow, a children’s book about tattoos, or a serving plate with profanities written across it....

If you think you’ve got an idea for the next billion-dollar business now may be the time to execute on it. Not only do we all have a bit more time to think and grow something special, but for right now, the Global Mentor Network is offering up meetings with its massive network of experts for free. Getty Images The Global Mentor Network, founded by Silicon Valley Entrepreneur, Keith Krach, is an “exciting pay-it-forward enterprise with a noble mission to solve one of the world’s great challenges: building the next generation of principled, transformational leaders....

Whether you’re planning a trip to your alma mater, discovering a smaller city on a summer road trip, or moving your kids into college in the fall, a stay with Graduate Hotels promises a unique experience unto itself. Each of its twenty-seven locations is intrinsically tied to the history of the local culture, city, and university. Graduate Hotels, hence, the name, are located in major college towns across the U.S. The brand brings a boutique hotel experience to cities where there are rarely any unique options....

If you’ve ever dreamt of going to Hogwarts, here’s your chance to catch your train. A “real-life” Hogwarts Express is running between April and October to take all Potterheads on a journey through the Scottish countryside, Travel Pirates reported. Sadly, the train doesn’t depart from the “real” Platform 9 and ¾ at Kings Cross Station. Instead, the train, operated by West Coast Railways, leaves from Fort William, about a two-hour drive from Glasgow, and runs to Mallaig in the Highlands of Scotland....

Ikea and Pinterest are joining forces to help you take a “Renocation.” In May, the two brands announced the launch of Renocations, an online tool that helps Ikea customers find inspiration for their next home renovation via a custom Pinterest board. The board, the two brands explain, is based on a customer’s unique interests and tastes. “At a time when many of us are looking to turn our home projects into a reality, Ikea wants to help consumers refresh their space with products and solutions inspired by places outside of the home, like the beach or a favorite bistro,” Paul Anderson, Ikea U....

Large ocean cruise ships have returned to Maine for the first time in more than two years, bringing vacationers a taste of the state’s gorgeous coastal cliffs and fresh seafood. First up was the Norwegian Pearl, which docked in Bar Harbor on Thursday morning, the first of many cruise ships that are expected to call on the New England state, tourism company CruiseMaine shared with Travel + Leisure. In fact, 360 ship visits are scheduled to take place this year, rivaling pre-pandemic levels when ships made 408 port calls in Maine....

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is extending its passenger vaccine mandate “indefinitely,” the company’s CEO said on Wednesday. “We’re going to announce very soon that we have indefinitely extended our 100% vaccination requirement,” CEO Frank Del Rio told investors on Wednesday, according to Cruise Critic. “I think that continues to benefit our three brands. It’s something we want to build on.” Danny Lehman/Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line The vaccine mandate, which applies to every guest without exception, will pertain to all three of the company’s cruise lines: Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises....

An Airbnb host in the Scottish Highlands recently faced her worst nightmare. After booking a group of seven for her holiday cottage, she was shocked to find that over 23 additional guests showed up as well. Sheri Murphy and her husband, Martin, were notified by a neighbor that there were 12 cars parked in the driveway of their cottage. Knowing that this was more than what was listed on the booking, the Murphys made their way to the home to check things out....

There’s a reason celebrities and seasoned travelers escape the hustle and bustle of their busy lives to the remote wilderness of Wyoming, starting with the fact that it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Then there’s The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch, a luxury dude ranch that offers 30,000 acres of adventure, scenic landscapes, and wide-open space to breathe fresh air while living out your authentic western fantasy. And Travel + Leisure readers decided it’s the best resort in the United States for the second year in a row....

Editor’s Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. As concerns around spring breakers flocking to sunny locales and potentially spreading COVID-19 continue, one beach destination is offering a more physically distanced alternative: a luxurious package specifically curated for a travel pod. Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas has introduced The Cove Ultra-luxe Bahamian Getaway, a five-night trip for up to eight guests, including airfare on a private jet from select cities to Nassau’s Lynden Pindling International Airport....

Love true crime podcasts? Now’s your chance to get paid for all those dedicated hours of listening, too. Vio Security, a home security company, is on the hunt for a true crime aficionado who is willing to dedicate some serious hours to a few more podcasts. And the company will offer the right person a nice sum for all that heart-pumping listening time. “Upstanding detective or criminal mastermind, true crime lover or adept podcatcher, scaredy-cat or ‘final girl’ — if you have a taste for the macabre, Vio Security is looking for a who that knows whodunit,” the company explained on its new job listing....

If your deepest desire is to make your family disappear this holiday season, one Chicago-area hotel will make your wish come true. The Deer Path Inn, a boutique hotel located in the Chicago suburb of Lake Forest, Illinois, is offering a holiday package inspired by Kevin McAllister’s escapades in “Home Alone.” (Minus the whole home intruders part.) Courtesy of Deer Path Inn The hotel’s “Lost in Lake Forest Suite Experience” opens up its Cornwall Suite for the ultimate kid fantasy holiday experience — complete with candy, pizza, and a movie screening....

Several airlines in the United States have stepped up to support relief efforts in Ukraine, donating money and allowing customers to donate their frequent flier miles. United Airlines is encouraging passengers to donate either money or their MileagePlus miles, which the company would then match up to $100,000 and 5 million miles, the carrier shared with Travel + Leisure this week. The funds will then be distributed to several nonprofits, including Airlink, which transports relief workers and emergency supplies, as well as World Central Kitchen, which was founded by celebrity chef José Andrés and provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises....

Tucked into the South Japanese Alps lies Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, the world’s oldest hotel, according to Guinness World Records. Founded in 705 AD by statesman Fujiwara Mahito, the ryokan prides itself on its tradition and rich history. From serving shoguns and samurai to its rushing natural spring, here’s what makes the property so unique. Getty Images Family pride Currently in its 1,310th year of management, Keiunkan has been run by the same family for many generations—52 to be exact....

Money, sunlight, and warm weather don’t equate happiness, and for proof, look no further than the newly released World Happiness Report. For some, happiness may conjure images of a hot, sun-drenched beach, but it turns out that the happiest people in the world actually live in frigid temperatures, swim in icy waters, and pay high taxes. That’s right, the Nordic countries are once again occupying the top spots in the United Nations-sponsored report that celebrates its 10th anniversary....