The Legoland Florida Resort is a theme park designed with kids in mind, with plenty of rides, shows, and activities to keep the youngsters entertained. It wouldn’t be Legoland without an opportunity to play with the classic figurines and construction toys, and you can do so in the lobby of the Legoland Hotel, atop inner tubes on Legoland Water Park’s lazy river, and at activity centers dispersed throughout Legoland Park....
One of the most extraordinary sites in China is officially open again for visitors after a six-month closure, and it’s definitely worthy of going on your bucket list. The famous Leshan Giant Buddha in China’s Sichuan Province has been closed for several months so that authorities could make repairs, Lonely Planet reported. The statue is generally accepted to be the world’s largest ancient Buddha statue, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996....
The German government plans to allow visitors who have been vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 to skip mandatory testing and quarantines. It also will permit travelers who test negative for COVID-19 to leave quarantine early. German lawmakers approved the changes on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, noting that the relaxed restrictions won’t apply to travelers from countries where variants of concern are clustered. The loosening of travel restrictions in Germany comes as Bavaria is reopening its outdoor beer gardens....
Hilton announced on Monday that the company would donate up to 1 million hotel rooms to doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals, in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. American Express would help foot the bill, both companies said, as Hilton offers the rooms “at or below cost” in partnership with individual property owners across the U.S. Hilton has partnered with 10 professional organizations for medical workers and first responders to help connect individuals in need with rooms around the country....
The rise of a full moon is one of the most underappreciated natural sights of all. Once each month while the sun is setting in the west, our fully illuminated satellite pokes above the eastern horizon as a delicately colored orange-yellow disc. For many stargazers, it’s the highlight of the month. However, a few times each year the full moon can look as much as 14% larger and can be 30% brighter than usual, and when that happens it’s called a supermoon....
No doubt you’ve heard about the sharing economy—the model by which people rent everything from city apartments and cars to bikes, boats, and sports equipment. Companies like Uber and Airbnb are some of the biggest players, though the peer-to-peer model has sired innumerable start-ups as well as reconfigured the business plans of established corporations. And, according to Fortune’s senior editor Christopher Tkaczyk, the peer-to-peer model has become a revolutionary force (and permanent fixture) for the travel industry in particular....
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. Like many people, after several months on lockdown, I was itching to get out of the house. But with very few destinations open to Americans, deciding where to go didn’t leave me with many options. I was scheduled to take a relaxing trip to the U....
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines is shutting down all long-haul flights to the Netherlands starting Friday due to new COVID-19 restrictions by the Dutch government, according to reports. The decision comes after the Netherlands on Wednesday announced all passengers traveling to the country by air or sea from “high-risk areas” would have to show proof of a negative COVID-19 rapid test within four hours of their departure. The rule also applies to those traveling to the Dutch Caribbean as well, including the islands of Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten....
As uncertainty surrounding how to spend the holidays amid COVID-19 wears on, researchers at Georgia Tech have built an application to help travelers predict the risk of coronavirus in every county. The COVID-19 Event Risk Assessment Planning Tool is the brainchild of Joshua Weitz, a quantitative biologist at Georgia Tech, who wanted a tool to quantify the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in different parts of the country and different sized groups....
Chester Zoo’s newest addition, an adorable aardvark, was named after a beloved “Harry Potter” character who’s known for being just as cute — Dobby the elf. “As soon as we spotted the new baby next to mum we noticed its uncanny resemblance to the Harry Potter character, Dobby, and so that’s the calf’s nickname for the time being,” Dave White, a team manager at the Chester zoo, said in a statement....
It’s time to dig out your Trapper Keepers, bust out your He-Man action figures and blow the dust off your floppy disks. The Illinois State Museum in Springfield is looking to hear from those born from 1965 to 1980 for a new exhibition opening this fall. Courtesy of Illinois State Museum “We think it’s time Gen X got some love,” Illinois State Museum Curator of History Erika Holst told The Associated Press of the generation that often gets lost in the mix of Baby Boomers and Millennials....
Patrick Dempsey has been racing cars for years, so it was a natural fit when it came time for Porsche Design Eyewear to find the right ambassador for eyewear. We had the chance to ask Dempsey a few questions on the exciting new partnership, but got some additional insights into his style, racing career, and love of road trips, too. While Demspey’s current partnership with Porsche Design Eyewear started through his contact at Motorsport, his relationship with Porsche goes back to the 70s....
Southwest is taking Valentine’s Day to the next level with a huge fare sale that will make gifting a romantic getaway easier than ever. The sale, which the airline has dubbed “Small fares. Big Heart,” offers travelers the chance to go beyond flowers and chocolates and book flights throughout the country for as low as $59 — and even lower for some shorter flights. To take advantage, travelers must book by 11:59 p....
As cherry blossom season fades from memory and the bloom-inspired fervor dies down, a new floral phenomenon is coming to the fore: a village stuffed to the brim with lavender. Though photos of the lavender fields look like a postcard from Provence, the fragrant village is actually located in Turkey’s Isparta Province. This hamlet is called Kuyucak, and it’s a hidden gem tucked away in the Turkish Lakes Region. Lavender souvenirs outside a shop in Kuyucak, Turkey....
Looking for an all-exclusive, socially distanced Caribbean retreat that allows you to see more than one destination? Chartering a yacht may be your best option. Forty five-foot catamaran Luna is essentially a “floating boutique hotel,” per the owners, with three luxurious rooms. Chartering Luna lets you explore the Caribbean at your own pace and create a bespoke itinerary, two things that a conventional all-inclusive vacation doesn’t offer. The 2019 Lagoon 450S catamaran is operated by husband-wife duo Nim and Fabiola Hirschhorn....
For those who’ve always fantasized about going into the wild — minus rough and toughness — this might be the ultimate dream getaway. Luxury vacation rental company Stay One Degree is offering up an Alaska chalet in a secluded mountain location surrounded by panoramic vistas, with upscale touches every step of the way. The location, near Denali National Park, is so remote that there’s no Wi-Fi or mobile signal, yet the experience is so elevated that you’ll be greeted upon arrival with Champagne and seafood made by a world-class chef....
As the new wave of the coronavirus continues to spread around the globe, with more than 51 million cases and 1.27 million deaths globally according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, many countries are requiring negative COVID-19 test results upon arrival. Meanwhile, travelers anxious to get back on the road have been turning to counterfeit test results, according to The Washington Post. After a passenger checked in to a flight from Paris to Addis Ababa in September using fake documents, French officials discovered the false certificates were being sold at Charles de Gaulle Airport for 150 to 300 euros ($180 to $360), the Associated Press reported....
How to Make Your Bed Feel Like It’s Straight Out of a Luxury Hotel Suite The Tuft & Needle Foam Pillow is made with adaptive foam that offers a soft, plush feel while remaining evenly supportive, even when you toss and turn throughout the night. Each pillow is infused with graphite and cooling gel beads, both of which draw heat away from the body, making it a great option for hot sleepers....
United Airlines passengers now have until the end of 2022 to use travel credits that may predate the pandemic. The carrier is extending the window for redeeming flight credits, which are typically valid for one year, through Dec. 31, 2022. The extension applies to all airline tickets purchased between May 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2021. United Airlines offers two types of credits — future flight credits and electronic travel certificates....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its face mask guidelines in mid-January to recommend more protective masks, including KN95 and N95s, which are more effective at blocking respiratory droplets than reusable cloth masks. If you’re looking for KN95s to buy, I suggest you check out Vida, which makes comfortable, protective, and recyclable masks. After trying its KN95s for myself, the brand’s become my new go-to for errands and travel....
