The first time my feet hit the pavement in Port of Spain, Trinidad, the sun was showing no mercy. But that scorching Caribbean heat was nothing compared to the electric energy of the moment: the sea of neon and pastel feathers bouncing to the music, the hands reaching toward the sky and feet stomping in unison, the strangers hugging as though they were old friends. The heat didn’t matter, because the only thing I felt was joy....
The European Union approved a proposal Wednesday that would ease travel restrictions for vaccinated tourists from outside the EU, bringing the bloc one step closer to welcoming international travelers this summer. Ambassadors from the EU’s 27 countries voted to welcome fully vaccinated visitors, Reuters reported, adopting a proposal from earlier this month aimed at boosting a beleaguered tourism industry. Additionally, they voted to relax the criteria determining which countries are “safe,” and are expected to release a list in the coming week....
For travelers who consider in-flight Wi-Fi nothing short of a necessity, there’s good news: nearly all domestic American Airlines flights have Wi-Fi, as do international American Airlines flights operated on Boeing 777-300ERs, 787 Dreamliners, and select 777-200 planes. Like several other major airlines (including Delta Air Lines), American Airlines connects travelers to the internet via Gogo Inflight Wi-Fi, and it’s a paid service. Customers can purchase Wi-Fi ahead of time for travel on domestic flights, as well as onboard for both domestic as well as international flights....
The ancient ruins of Jerash, Jordan, have long served as something of a little sister to the world-renowned city of Petra. Where Petra has figured largely on the bucket lists of travelers for decades — known for its rock-cut architecture and ancient temples — Jerash was more of an afterthought, a site to fill an itinerary gap. Jerash should not be overlooked for its size or relative obscurity. The city encompasses a sprawling site of Roman ruins, including two theaters, a temple to Artemis, and a forum surrounded by more than 100 columns....
A historic hotel in Baltimore has opened its doors as a community resource and anchor during the COVID-19 outbreak. The Hotel Revival, a 107-room hotel in Baltimore’s Mount Vernon neighborhood, has ramped up its community outreach, offering free rooms, rent-free spaces for local food suppliers and bagged lunches for medical staff. Police officers, firefighters and military personnel can check in for free stays at the hotels. Rooms are also being offered to doctors and nurses at a discounted rate....
Even though international travel is still complicated due to COVID-19, films filled with inspiration from around the world have provided the hope that any travel lover has been craving. The latest film that makes us feel like we’ve landed in a new destination? Disney’s 60th animated movie, “Encanto.” Taking place in the heart of Colombia, “Encanto,” released in late November, follows the life of Mirabel, a young girl who is the only one in her family without magical powers....
Cognac is three things: a city in France, the region that surrounds it, and the name of the liquor that is, by definition, produced there. Distilled from white grapes that line its hillsides, Cognac is a type of brandy — and it must be made within strict geographical and regulatory boundaries in order to be labeled as such. Cognac’s History Shaiith/Getty Images Cognac, an approximately four-hour train ride from Paris, is worth at least a weekend jaunt....
It’s no secret that weddings are expensive. The average cost of a wedding in 2018 was $33,931 (and that’s before the honeymoon). If you opt for a destination wedding, you could end up spending even more than that, depending on your venue and the city. Weddings at French châteaus or Napa vineyards don’t necessarily come cheap. On the flip side, you can find cheap destination wedding packages starting at less than $1,000....
You don’t need us to convince you that a bucket list trip to Bali, a safari across the Masai Mara, or a surprise summer getaway to Paris are great ideas. If you’re reading Travel + Leisure, you already know that seeing the world is one of the best ways of learning about other cultures, having new culinary experiences, and forging closer relationships with your loved ones. You surely know that taking even a single day away from the daily grind can do wonders for your productivity, stress levels, and even in-office performance....
Every spring, Japan lights up in bright pink hues as cherry blossom trees come into full bloom all across the country. While the usual tourist crowds may not be there to enjoy the spectacle this year, the rosy-colored flowers will still make their annual debut. However, this time, they’re arriving earlier than expected. The Japan Meteorological Corporation recently updated the cherry blossom forecast for 2021, predicting that spring will arrive early in Tokyo, Hiroshima, and several other cities and regions in Japan....
Summer isn’t over until it’s over. And you have one more chance to take full advantage of your summer vacation time thanks to JetBlue. The airline is having a special sale on fares to six destinations in Florida, including Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Orlando, and Fort Myers. Routes vary from different departure airports across the U.S., including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Boston Logan International Airport, Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Connecticut, among others....
Dreaming of pink sand beaches? Thanks to a JetBlue vacation package, travelers can now take a steeply discounted trip to Bermuda, with savings of 50 percent off the average price. Bermuda vacations start at $699 per person, and include flights and three nights at select hotels on the island. Flights depart from either New York City or Boston, and travel dates are available between August 22 and March 8. Your Bermuda vacation must be reserved by midnight on August 28....
In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, it can be easy to get consumed by meal planning and the intricacies of holiday travel, but Thanksgiving is about a lot more than fueling up with pumpkin pie for the Black Friday weekend ahead. It’s a day to gather with family and friends and take stock of all you have to be thankful for. And there’s no time like Thanksgiving to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead — and that includes your career....
February is the coldest month of the year for much of the U.S., and one hotel chain is helping its guests through the winter by providing a special type of lighting to create a semblance of sunshine. To help travelers combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), Kimpton Hotels is offering guests the chance to soak up some (simulated) rays with sunset lamps, the company shared with Travel + Leisure. The hotel brand’s new “Sunset Lamp Lending Program” allows travelers to rent a sunset lamp and keep it in their room during their stay....
Which of these statues is the true derrière extraordinaire? Museums around the world are finding new ways to engage people online as the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep these institutions closed for the foreseeable future. While virtual exhibits are great ways for people to “travel” without really traveling, museum curators on social media also have a wealth of premium content that you might not get on a typical museum visit....
Sure, there are a few souvenirs coming out of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s royal wedding that are worth picking up, like the royal tea cups, mugs, and plates. However, some so-called collectibles are taking things a bit further, like these bathing suits showcasing Meghan and Harry’s faces. The swimsuits, created by Bags of Love, feature the royals’ faces stretched from top to bottom across the suit. “This gorgeous one-piece is flattering on any figure," the site says....
For travelers dreaming of returning to Europe, there has been a slew of good news recently. With country after country reopening their borders to vaccinated visitors — including Americans who have been shut out of many nations over the past year — there seems to be hope that exploring Europe will be possible in the near future. Courtesy of Rick Steves’ Europe But until you can book that trip and pack your bags, Rick Steves — a popular television and radio host, best-selling guidebook author, and outspoken activist who encourages Americans to travel — is bringing Europe to your living room with a new TV special showcasing some of his favorite destinations across the continent....
Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line submitted a whole new host of health and safety recommendations to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday, which include testing, ventilation, and contingency planning. The recommendations, part of the cruise lines’ Healthy Sail Panel, were part of a 65-plus-page report, including 74 best practices. They come as cruising remains suspended in the U.S. even as it has started to resume in Europe and other destinations around the world....
Travelers heading to Spain will now be required to show proof of a COVID-19 booster dose, becoming the latest country to rely on the extra shot. Starting Feb. 1, most international travelers, including those from the United States, will be required to show proof they have received a booster if more than 270 days (about 9 months) have passed since the last dose of their initial vaccine series, according to Spain’s tourism site....
In the late ’90s, Barbara Jean Teller Ornelas, a fifth-generation master Navajo weaver, traveled with her kids to Los Angeles for a Vincent van Gogh exhibit that her daughter wanted to see at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Teller Ornelas noticed that each Van Gogh painting had a story with it explaining why he made the piece and what it represented. After viewing Van Gogh’s impressionist works, they wandered across the hallway to see a collection of old Navajo weavings....
