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Winter may be here, but that doesn’t mean outdoor activities have to take a backseat until spring. If you’re all about hiking, camping, and backpacking, you can still do it all through the snow and ice — as long as you have the right gear, that is. Now is the time to trade in lightweight clothing and accessories for more durable options to better withstand the elements. The 18 Best Snow Boots to Shop This Winter, According to Thousands of Customers...

President Joe Biden this week reversed a controversial travel ban on certain countries with majority Muslim populations in one of his first efforts to overturn actions taken by his predecessor, Donald Trump. “The United States was built on a foundation of religious freedom and tolerance, a principle enshrined in the United States Constitution. Nevertheless, the previous administration enacted a number of Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations that prevented certain individuals from entering the United States — first from primarily Muslim countries, and later, from largely African countries,” Biden wrote in his presidential action reversing the ban on Wednesday....

Beer glasses won’t be raised at the world’s largest folk festival again this fall. German officials announced the cancellation of Oktoberfest, marking the second year in a row that the tradition has been called off because of coronavirus concerns. “It wasn’t an easy decision, but I have to make it now and I have done so,” Munich’s Lord Mayor Dieter Reiter said on Monday, citing health and safety as the priorities....

If you’ve ever wanted to adopt the cool, laid-back style of Bella Hadid, today is your lucky day. The model was spotted passing through the halls of Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris, further proving her complete mastery of athleisure style. Here’s how to get a similar look: Courtesy of Vans; Courtesy of Macy’s Earrings: Heart-shaped Hoops This simple take on the classic hooped-shaped earrings is enough to elevate any outfit—even a sweatsuit, as Hadid is seen rocking in Paris....

Sure, your hotel might be nice, but does it rock? The Hard Rock chain of hotels and casinos are pretty much dedicated to making guests feel like rock stars, and the latest addition to the Hard Rock brand is taking the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle to a whole new level. The brand is opening the world’s first guitar-shaped hotel in Hollywood, Florida. The new, $1.5-billion hotel is part of a $2....

Italy imposed stricter entry requirements on American travelers this week, the first European country to do so following the European Union’s removal of the United States from its list of safe countries. Going forward, fully vaccinated U.S. tourists arriving in Italy will have to show proof of their vaccination and show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test taken within 72 hours of their arrival, according to an ordinance from the country’s Ministry of Health....

In her masterful 2002 book, Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere, Jan Morris writes of how the northern Italian city always evoked in her a vague but powerful yearning. “My acquaintance with the city spans the whole of my adult life, but like my life it still gives me a waiting feeling, as if something big but unspecified is always about to happen,” she writes. A twilight book, published the year Morris turned 75, it is about the port city of the former Habsburg Empire and how the city’s essence lies in its long and layered history as a generally felicitous meeting of cultures and peoples, languages and empires....

A previously closed terminal at London’s Heathrow Airport has been reopened in order to accommodate travelers arriving from high-risk countries. Last month, the U.K. implemented a traffic light system for international travel, categorizing countries in three tiers based on their COVID-19 risk levels. So far, travelers from 43 “red-list” countries, including India, Brazil, and Turkey, are barred from entering the U.K. British and Irish nationals and residents, however, may return from these destinations deemed as COVID-19 hot spots and will now pass through a specified terminal....

People who begin seriously exercising in their late 20s aren’t typically known for summiting the world’s tallest mountains or setting world records, but Viridiana Álvarez Chávez is proof that epic accomplishments can come from a humble beginning. Álvarez spent 2017 to 2019 climbing three of the world’s tallest mountains. She completed all three climbs in just under one year and 364 days, earning herself a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records....

Mustique is one of 32 islands that make up St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Mysterious by its somewhat out-of-reach nature, Mustique is privately owned and operated, and there are no direct flights from the U.S. or Europe — it has a reputation for being an if you know, you know destination, often visited by the fashion, music, and other celebrity elite. Aside from its beautiful beaches, cerulean water, and largely untouched, lush landscape, it may be hard to identify what makes this three-mile-long stretch of paradise stand out among its more familiar peers in the region....

Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue lit up in doctor garb on Sunday to honor to the healthcare workers on the frontline of the fight against coronavirus. Images of a doctor’s lab coat and stethoscope were projected onto the iconic 98-foot tall statue. The statue also displayed videos of doctors donning their medical gear, including their protective masks. Beneath the videos, the statue read out “Obrigado,” and the word “thank you” in several other languages....

The Amtrak Cascades route travels 467 miles through the Pacific Northwest from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Eugene, Oregon, and showcases some of the most majestic scenery in North America. Paralleling the Cascades (hence the name) for incomparable views of awe-inspiring lakes and the striking snow-capped Olympic Mountains, Amtrak Cascades is currently offering a deal where tickets are 25 percent off when booked two weeks in advance. It’s the perfect time to take a trip to experience this magically beautiful, snow-covered winter wonderland at its finest....

This year, we’ve already experienced the “wolf moon,” the “snow moon” and even the “pink moon,” but the next moon may be the tastiest one yet. Taco Bell recently announced its plans to take over the night sky on May 4 during the crescent moon phase with its very own “taco moon.” “On May 4, the world’s largest and brightest object in the night sky will resemble a favorite indulgence, the taco — a new lunar phase* we are affectionately calling the ‘Taco Moon,’” the company shared in a statement....

For many New Yorkers, it’s not a true summer if you don’t get the chance to hit up the beautiful beaches of Montauk and the Hamptons at least once. And it’s definitely not a trip to Montauk if you don’t experience a concert at The Surf Lodge. One of the trendiest spots in town, The Surf Lodge is a hip, coastal-themed hotel that feels like it just popped out of your favorite influencer’s Instagram account (chances are they’ve probably been)....

Just a few miles off the southern coast of Western Australia lives a flock of Little Penguins the impossibly adorable penguin species are a mainstay on the island — but they are also in danger of disappearing. So locals have called in the dogs. Middle Island used to be home to a thriving population of Little Penguins, until foxes moved in. Although they are not the penguins’ natural predators, the foxes quickly became a fearsome force....

If you’re into fitness, you know a good pair of leggings can be the difference between a lackluster workout and an effective one. But what exactly makes leggings “good?” Well, for starters, leggings made from a thick, durable, and squat-proof (aka non-see-through) fabric are ideal, and ample compression is a must. Many leggings look stylish, but once put to the test, quickly tear, sag, or stretch, proving they may belong in your loungewear drawer rather than with your activewear....

Recently uncovered works by artist Pablo Picasso have made their way to the United States for the first time. Housed in The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Fla., in collaboration with Paris’s Musée Picasso, a collection of 79 masterpieces — about half of which have never been shown in America — are on display. Instead of focusing on an era in Picasso’s life, as many exhibits do, this one centers on the inspiration he drew from one particular region: the Spanish-French border....

IHG Hotels & Resorts wants to help one lucky person make up for lost travel time. In June, the hotel brand announced a contest that will provide one traveler the chance to win back adventures with a year’s worth of stays at various IHG locations. It’s all part of the brand’s new “Department of Epic” program, which aims to “help guests bring their travel dreams to life.” Courtesy of IHG Hotels & Resorts...

Whether you’re heading out on a road trip or boarding an airplane, a good duffel bag will take you far. Luckily, one of our favorite bags is currently on sale for 50 percent off for Cyber Week — along with many more stylish, functional travel accessories. Right now, duffels, totes, backpacks, and wallets are on sale for up to 60 percent off at Lo & Sons, including one weekender bag that shoppers and travel editors love....

Twitter is launching an interactive weather service that’ll keep users in the know of any trending storms or precipitation nearby. Launched on Tuesday in partnership with climate journalist and meteorologist Eric Holthaus, the platform, named “Tomorrow,” connects users to hyper-local experts in more than a dozen cities around the country. “It’s the largest collective of writers and experts we’ve launched with,“Twitter’s VP of product Mike Park told Axios this week....