Posts

United Airlines and Cathay Pacific are testing an app to make global travel a little smoother as the pandemic persists. The app, called CommonPass, verifies that passengers have tested negative for COVID-19 and are in compliance with entry requirements at their destination. Once a passenger uploads negative test results from an approved lab to their phone, they’ll receive a QR code that can be scanned during travel to ensure compliance with evolving local regulations....

When you’re looking for the perfect carry-on bag, there are seemingly endless options to consider, based on how much luggage you’re bringing and whether or not you’ll be checking a bag. You could choose a simple tote bag or backpack, as well as a piece of rolling luggage. However, if you want the convenience of a rolling suitcase with the compact size and maneuverability of a smaller bag, a rolling underseat suitcase might be exactly what you’re looking for....

To me, a native Texan, New England was always a far-off dream, a distant fairy tale where sailboats, lobster, and the Kennedys lived harmoniously in seaside mansions. In my part of the world — the Texas panhandle, tucked away between Oklahoma and New Mexico hours from the ocean — New England might as well have been old England — both a far cry from my dusty, Dairy Queen-filled upbringing. On a recent road trip from New York City to Maine, I finally got to experience firsthand the New England fantasy I dwelled on growing up....

Southwest Airlines is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style by partnering with watch company Fossil. The limited-edition watch is Fossil’s Retro Pilot Chronograph style but comes decked out with exclusive Southwest designs. Everything from the watchband to the clock face is completed with “pilot-inspired details.” The watch’s oversized dial is inspired by the airline’s iconic yellow, red and blue color scheme. And there’s an even deeper connection to the airline than what’s visible at first glance: the blue leather of every watch strap is actually repurposed airline seats....

Villa vacations are having a big moment, thanks in part to the mantra of social distancing that’s stemmed from the pandemic. Luckily for the loyal fans of Hawai’i Island’s Four Seasons Resort Hualālai, on the famed Kohala Coast, the property has just finished a total renovation. And its top villas are the final piece of the puzzle in the hotel’s multimillion-dollar reimagining. Courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Hualalai “The resort saw an opportunity to deliver an incredible residential product that caters to multiple generations of families traveling together,” says Michael Booth, principal at San Francisco-based BAMO, the firm in charge of the interior renovations....

Germany declared the United States a ‘high-risk’ country on Sunday, requiring American tourists to either be fully vaccinated or show proof they contracted COVID-19 and recovered to enter the country. Travelers arriving from the U.S. can skip quarantine if they show proof they have received their final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before their trip or recovered from the virus, according to the German Missions in the United States....

As my plane began its descent into Istanbul, the Bosporus coming into view, I started fantasizing about all the architectural and cultural landmarks I’d photograph during my trip. One of the most exciting parts of my job as a professional photographer is discovering new places through my lens. And in Istanbul, I couldn’t wait to capture the visual dichotomy between tradition and modernity — the Byzantine domes and spiraling minarets juxtaposed against trendy cocktail bars and cutting-edge art galleries....

As restaurants, shops, and even certain countries reopen after months of coronavirus lockdown, it may feel like a sense of normalcy is returning to some parts of the globe. But for those who don’t feel like heading outside just yet, there are still plenty of reasons to stay indoors. This year, the Aspen Ideas Festival has moved completely online. The annual festival — presented by the Aspen Institute, a think tank — is a gathering of leaders from the worlds of technology, science, art, health, education, conservation, economics, and just general innovation....

“This was not the plan. Thirty years ago, I would have never thought that I would end up as an innkeeper,” Meryanne Loum-Martin, Morocco’s sole Black female hotelier, told me. “My friend used to say, ‘So, you left being a Parisian lawyer to be an innkeeper,’” Loum-Martin said, as her laughter filled the cozy parlor of her “inn,” Jnane Tamsna. Located in the Palmeraie district of Marrakesh, Jnane Tamsna is anything but an inn, and while Loum-Martin is technically its “keeper,” she is also the visionary who has kept the boutique hotel a must-see destination for more than two decades....

Spongebob and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are headed to Mexico. Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts plans to open an all-suite property in the Riviera Maya this summer. Each of the hotel’s 280 oceanfront suites will come equipped with its own private infinity pool, two bathrooms, and enough space for a family of five to spread out and relax. Karisma Hotels & Resorts Rooms will feature art and decor inspired by some of Nickelodeon’s most popular characters and shows including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Blue’s Clues, and PAW Patrol....

Sir Richard Branson is officially ready to hit the high seas with the debut of Virgin Voyages’ first ship, the Scarlet Lady. Unveiled in Dover, England on Friday, ahead of its inaugural trip in April, the ship is even more glamorous than expected and the vibe is decidedly cosmopolitan cool. The adult’s only cruise includes a record shop, tattoo parlor, karaoke rooms and night clubs. But for those who need a “detox,” there are plenty of healthy options as well, including sunrise and sunset yoga classes, a spa, pool, outdoor running track and gym....

Dubai is a place of superlatives: the world’s tallest building, biggest shopping mall, largest tin of caviar. It’s easy to see why Dubai Creek, a waterway running through the oldest part of town, gets lost amid all the shinier attractions. The historic neighborhoods along the saltwater channel, especially on the southern side, are so linked to the roots of Dubai that the city has frequently considered submitting them for inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage list....

Stargazing in any dark-sky park is exhilarating, but admiring the cosmos from a hot tub atop one of Voyageurs National Park’s luxe houseboats is entirely next level. Voyageurs National Park, a 218,000-acre maze of labyrinthine lakes, thick forests, and 500 islands, is one of northern Minnesota’s most attractive gems. It’s situated along the U.S. and Canadian border, a transition zone where deciduous forests from the south blend with boreal forests of the north....

Charleston has been voted the top city in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure readers a whopping seven years in a row. To celebrate, T+L’s globe-trotting editor in chief, Jacqui Gifford, journeyed down to the Southern town to embark on a tour of her favorite haunts. Charleston has its share of stylish, world-class hotels, from the 1920s-themed Spectator hotel to the historic Wentworth Mansion. One of Jacqui’s new favorites is Hotel Bennett, a private home turned boutique hotel whose Instagrammable amenities include a rooftop pool and blush-hued champagne bar....

Last December, the Florida Keys welcomed its first-ever all-inclusive resort, Bungalows Key Largo. The adults-only spot came with plenty of fanfare and excitement. Sadly, just a few short months after its opening, Bungalows Key Largo suffered a massive fire that nearly burned the entire property to the ground. But now, the resort is rising from the ashes and will soon be ready to entertain guests once again. Following the fire, the hotel promised to rebuild and reopen quickly....

When Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Lower Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm, the damage from 130 mph winds and subsequent storm surge was staggering. Baker’s Cay Resort, formerly the Hilton Key Largo, took a devastating hit. “The resort was working through a full renovation at the time Irma swept through the Keys,” said Audrey Gonzalez, director of sales and marketing at Baker’s Cay. “Damages incurred caused a full closure of the property....

The Ritz-Carlton just made its Maldives debut with a new collection of private overwater and beachfront villas. A short, 10-minute seaplane ride from Velana International Airport, or 45 minutes by boat, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands opened its doors this week — and the views are nothing short of stunning. Guests can choose from overwater accommodations or a villa nestled into a beach cove. The latter comes with direct access to the island’s pristine white-sand beaches, and the overwater villas, which are arranged in an oval shape to represent the flow of island life, surround an epic spa set above the turquoise lagoon....

Divers who are captivated by Belize’s Great Blue Hole no longer have to travel to Central America – or even the ocean – to experience the plunge. The world’s deepest pool just opened in Poland, and it’s the perfect training spot for beginner and professional scuba divers. At its deepest point, the Deepspot pool is 148 feet deep and holds 27 times the amount of water of an average pool. Divers can explore overhangs, a small shipwreck, Mayan ruins, and underwater caves, while non-divers can watch from an underwater tunnel....

It’s the exact opposite of a McMansion. The McHive is the world’s smallest McDonald’s, and it’s not even fit for humans. The McHive is a miniature McDonald’s replica but instead of a cash register, fryer and seating inside, it’s just rows and rows of honeycombs meant for bees. Christian Björnerhag The project grew out of an unusual feature of Swedish McDonald’s. To lessen their environmental impact, some McDonald’s locations began installing beehives on their roofs....

The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card wants you to get your mornings off on the right foot. In fact, it wants to do you one better. It wants you to get your day started on two dancing feet. Marriott Bonvoy Boundless just unveiled its new partnership with Daybreaker Live, a morning dance community with more than 500,000 global members. Each week, Daybreaker hosts themed virtual dance parties. And, because Chase & Marriott Bonvoy Boundless recognize that for at least the next few months traveling may be more difficult than usual, it’s partnering with Daybreaker to bring free, travel-themed dance parties....