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Since March, we’ve brought you some truly inspiring animal stories including the flamingos that took over Mumbai and glow-in-the-dark dolphins swimming along California’s coast. But now, Australia is getting in on the action with this gorgeous drone footage showing off its incredible turtle population. A team of researchers from Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science (DES) captured the drone footage above Raine island, which happens to also be the world’s largest green turtle breeding colony....

For more than a century, people tried their best to avoid spending a night in Boston’s Charles Street Jail. These days, however, people willingly check themselves in — and pay for the privilege to do so. When the 19th-century jail became the Liberty Hotel more than 150 years after the penitentiary first opened, much of the building’s storied history and structure had been preserved. Inside you’ll find the signature jaillike open center and stories of former cells, some even adorned with their original features....

When a yellow warehouse in New York City’s Queens opened as 5 Pointz in 2001, it quickly drew graffiti artists from around the globe to its 200,000 square feet of painting surfaces. But then in 2013, it was suddenly whitewashed by the building’s owners, erasing what had become a global mecca for aerosol artists. To honor the lost art, interactive art and technology firm Patten Studio created a permanent art installation, commissioned by Marshall Retail Group, at New York’s LaGuardia Airport that paints users’ portraits in the style of various 5 Pointz artists using machine learning....

Groceries and alcohol have become some of the most popular delivery requests in 2021, two trends that were adopted during the pandemic and are likely here to stay, according to an Uber Eats report shared with Travel + Leisure. Americans ordered everything from bananas (the #1 selling grocery item in the United States) to large margaritas and White Claw variety packs, according to the delivery service’s Uber Eats Cravings Report. And Americans turned to pharmacies and convenience stores like 7-Eleven to order practical things like Tylenol, COVID-19 antigen self-test kits, and — perhaps less practical — blue raspberry Slurpees right to their doors....

It’s a huge glowing sphere of plasma in the sky that’s far too bright to look at, but half a billion people are expected to stare at the sun on Monday, August 21, 2017. Why? For the solar eclipse, of course, which will send a shadow of the moon across the entire U.S. and beyond. Those standing within a narrow path of totality –– which stretches from Oregon to South Carolina –– will see the sun completely blocked by the moon for a few precious minutes....

When traveling abroad, history and culture is such an important part of our experience. You wouldn’t go to Florence, Italy without learning about the Medici family and visiting the Uffizi Gallery, after all. And yet, sometimes, when exploring our own country, we forget to investigate the ever-present American history. Some of the best destinations in the U.S., beyond offering incredible hiking trails, beaches, or restaurants, offer insight into the past. And on Hilton Head Island, the past is remarkably well-preserved....

In early 2019, WOW Air, the airline made famous for its ultra-low-cost flights to Iceland, declared bankruptcy and ceased operations. The news was sad for tourists looking into travel to the nation, as well as for the nation of Iceland itself. That’s because, as Lonely Planet reported, the airline shuttled more than one-fourth of all international visitors to Iceland. But now it’s time to rejoice, as it appears WOW Air is about to make a comeback....

To buy: amazon.com, $14 (originally $18) The bottles even come with a lifetime warranty, so if a cap breaks or a bottle rips for any reason, the company will replace it for you. “I really like these. I’ve purchased [at least] eight of them over time because our family was fighting over who got them. We use them whenever we travel. The bottles are flexible and strong, so they can expand with altitude changes with little likelihood of blowing up....

Spring has officially sprung, and that means families are planning their great escapes from the stale, mundane realities of their living rooms and into the fresh air of the wilderness where kids can roam, discover, and breathe in a new start. While planning a far-flung international trip to a national park or the mountains may not be on the travel agenda for many this year, great hikes for children can be found in every corner of the country....

Immersive exhibits dedicated to the art and life of Vincent Van Gogh have become a worldwide phenomenon. There are currently dozens of large-scale digital shows that celebrate the Dutch artist, with more slated to launch in the next few months. And while they are certainly worth a visit, if you’re looking for a truly immersive experience, a trip to Santa Barbara, California in March might be the way to go....

In 2020, the global workforce finally realized that remote work is entirely possible for most of the population. This product of the pandemic inspired many people to explore new places, move to new cities, and gave rise to the “workcation” model of traveling to work somewhere new just because you can. Entire nations even adopted new visa models to allow travelers to come and experience extended stays. And now, Airbnb is getting in on it, too, with new flexible dates option....

When it comes to calming pre-travel anxiety a giant rabbit may not always be first in mind, but at the San Francisco International Airport, Alex is helping to relax the nerves of uneasy passengers. A 28-pound Flemish Giant rabbit named Alex the Great is the newest addition to the airport’s Wag Brigade, a program that brings therapy-trained animals into the airport’s terminals. Identifiable by their “Wag Brigade” vests, the animals patrol the airport for stressed-out passengers and help calm them down with some quality one-on-one time....

American Airlines is leaning into preflight coronavirus testing in an effort to get passengers to return to the skies. The airline is collaborating with local governments Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Hawaii on its preflight testing program, which is scheduled to begin in Miami and Dallas-Fort Worth in October, according to a press release. American Airlines will begin preflight testing for Hawaii-bound passengers from its Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) hub starting on Oct....

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey closed on March 2, just before widespread stay-at-home orders were implemented as a result of COVID-19. The results reflect our readers’ experiences before the pandemic, but we hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your trips to come — whenever they may be. With more than 30,000 to explore, Canada’s islands offer myriad options for travelers who want to get off the grid. From the ruddy shores of Prince Edward Island off the Eastern seaboard to the forested hills of Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest, the isles of our northern neighbor are ideal escapes where travelers can enjoy the rhythms of island life and spectacular vistas — usually sans crowds....

Just over a year after Delta Airlines announced that “pit bull type dogs” were not welcome on flights, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a statement that forbids airlines from banning dogs based on their breed. The decision, which is seen as a win for pit bull owners and lovers, was announced on Thursday alongside a statement that permits airlines to determine if a service animal — regardless of breed — is a threat based on their training, behavior, and vaccination history....

A second wave of coronavirus outbreaks has struck Beijing, prompting the city to raise security alerts to their second-highest level. At least 27 of Beijing’s neighborhoods have been placed on lockdown and residents cannot leave the city, The BBC reported on Wednesday. More than 1,200 flights to and from the city have been canceled and rail services have been suspended until at least July 9. After more than 50 consecutive days of no new coronavirus cases, Beijing officials reported a cluster of 87 new cases over the weekend, 46 of which were asymptomatic....

Looking for a thrill? It’s time to head to Maui. The Hawaiian island more than delivers on adrenaline-filled moments, from surfing off its coast to hiking Haleakala volcano all the way to the summit, it’s home to something that will excite almost everyone. But, for those who need something just a little bit more to get their mind and body over the adrenaline edge, there’s the Kapalua Bridge, Hawaii’s longest suspension bridge that towers 1,600 feet above the Maui coastline....

Want to make some money while on summer vacation? In order to jumpstart its tourism economy, Malta announced a scheme on Friday to encourage independent travelers to stay in its hotels starting in June. According to the official release, the Malta Tourism Authority will pay each visitor who books a three-night stay directly with select three- to five-star hotels on a scaled basis. Those who stay at a five-star property will get €100 (about $119) per person on every booking, while guests at four-star hotels will earn €75 (about $89) and visitors at three-star hotels will score €50 (about $60)....

New York City is getting ready to kick off its first-ever Hotel Week, offering discounts on hotel stays throughout the Big Apple for the new year. Travelers looking to start 2022 off right can book a stay in the city that never sleeps for up to 22% off from Jan. 4 through Feb. 13. The Hotel Week deal is good on more than 100 hotels throughout the five boroughs, NYC & Company shared with Travel + Leisure....

Researchers are one step closer to understanding more about Machu Picchu, as a new study revealed the true age of these ancient Inca ruins. It turns out that they’re actually several decades older than experts originally thought. Using radiocarbon dating technology, a team of researchers determined that the emperor Pachacuti, who built Machu Picchu, came into power earlier than initial records indicated. This means that his earliest conquests, and eventually the construction of Machu Picchu, also happened earlier, CNN Travel reports....