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A summer road trip feels as American as apple pie, and in the time of COVID-19, it seems as though everyone wants to cut off a slice. Including me. According to AAA data, some 34 million Americans took to the road over Memorial Day weekend for a domestic road trip vacation, up 52% from 2020. I followed the trend a few weeks later with my own cross-country adventure. However, rather than just get from point A to point B, I figured I’d throw in another travel trend twist — glamping....

The world’s best safari spots aren’t located just outside of city centers or major airports. They take some effort — and usually a bush plane — to get to. Unfortunately, your beautiful Away carry-on and large roll aboard suitcases won’t be welcome onboard. The small chartered flights that typically ferry guests to safari hotspots across Africa have strict weight requirements and space limitations. CroisiEurope, an international river cruise company, warns African safari customers in all-caps and red exclamation points that operators may refuse to transport noncompliant luggage....

If you’re hearing the call of the great outdoors, the National Park Service (NPS) has volunteer programs that are calling your name. Requirements for each program vary based on the park, ranging from one-time events to longer-term programs that can go for months or even years, with perks like free housing in scenic locations. This Couple Went to Every National Park in America and Says These Are the Best The busy season typically starts in the spring and continues through the fall, according to the NPS....

You’ve probably already mastered banana bread in quarantine, so why not level up by learning a recipe right from the professionals? Goldbelly wants you to begin 2021 with a sugary sweet bang by taking a live “cook-along” with New York City’s famous Magnolia Bakery. And they don’t want to teach you to make any old dessert. Instead, they’ll show you how to make its number one bestseller: banana pudding. “There are few treats more decadent or delicious than Magnolia Bakery’s legendary banana pudding,” Goldbelly explains of the live event....

Meghan Markle may have traded in her blogger title for a more regal one, but the tips she shared on her now defunct website, The Tig, will apparently live on forever. That’s because her blog was filled with truly evergreen life advice, like how to host a holiday gathering on a serious budget. In 2015, the then-actress cThat advice included everything from how to decorate and what to serve to what to drink to stay merry, bright, and still have a few dollars left over for the new year....

You may not think of legendary heavy metal band Metallica as the soothing anesthetic you need right now in this chaotic world, but pair it with a glass of whiskey and you’ve got a good night ahead of you. And if you can get your hands on it, make sure it is Blackened Whiskey, the band’s own brand. As quarantine restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic have us staying home, the Grammy winning band launched “Metallica Mondays” in March kicking off things with their 2019 concert in Ireland, Metallica: Live at Slane Castle stream....

Ojai Valley Inn, a historic Southern California luxury resort set among picturesque hills about 90 minutes north of Los Angeles, has announced a once-in-a-lifetime culinary collaboration. Chef Christopher Kostow of the three-Michelin-starred The Restaurant at Meadowood will be at The Farmhouse at Ojai Valley Inn for a culinary residency from Jan. 6 to Feb. 28, 2021. Courtesy of Ojai Valley Inn There’s a bit of magic in this collaboration that brings the special connection between Meadowood Napa Valley and Ojai Valley Inn full circle in a unique way....

With millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses already distributed worldwide, several countries are amending their entry requirements to reflect this growing population of vaccinated travelers. The latest nation to make a change to its restrictions is Poland, which recently announced that fully vaccinated travelers will be exempt from the mandatory quarantine. But there’s a catch to the new rule. First and foremost, travelers must come from a place that Poland is already allowing into the country....

There’s no better place to see the majestic beauty of fall than the Great Smoky Mountains. The Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society is sponsoring a train excursion on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad in North Carolina, on November 3, 2019. Tickets for this special ride go on sale on June 3 on the Watauga Valley Railroad Historical Society and Museum website. The tickets typically sell out quickly, so mark your calendars....

Whether you’re catching long-haul flights, spending day after day sightseeing, or getting used to a different time zone, traveling can take its toll on your sleep routine. And with that, your eyes might reveal just how tired you are more than you’d care to admit. Luckily, a brightening eye treatment (paired with your favorite concealer for an extra-awake look) has the power to save the day, offering a quick fix for dark circles or puffy under eyes....

With warmer weather approaching across much of the country, many are pulling out hiking boots and collapsible tents to prepare for a season of summer camping. As you collect your gear and see what you have — and what you’re missing — you might consider investing in a few new camping chairs, which are excellent for gathering around the fire or spending the day at the beach. The 13 Best Folding Chairs to Bring on Your Next Camping Trip...

It’s every economy passenger’s dream to be whisked out of the main cabin and into the glamorous world on the other side of the curtain. If your frequent flier status leaves much to be desired, you may believe that this dream will never come to fruition — but you’d be wrong. Although each flight is different, there are a few common traits that make flight attendants or gate agents pull strings for some lucky passengers....

The Megnya Women’s Walking and Hiking Sandals look just like the trusted pairs you’ll spot all over hiking trails this summer. Made from rubber and hand-woven nylon cord, the braided sandals have adjustable straps that can be easily loosened or tightened. The cushioned soles provide arch support and comfort for long walks and hikes, preventing feet from growing sore or tired. To buy: amazon.com, $30 with coupon (originally $50) Wear the water-resistant sandals to sandy beaches or during any activity involving water, like kayaking, canoeing, and sailing....

One of the greatest treasures of childhood is getting to attend summer camp. It’s a time when you’re free from school, from parents, and free to just have fun with your friends. This year, the coronavirus pandemic may have stolen the in-person camp experience but the Metropolitan Opera is here to ensure creative kids everywhere still get the camp experience online. On June 15, the Metropolitan Opera will launch its Met Opera Global Summer Camp, an educational initiative to “engage and support students worldwide....

For those who don’t have 80 days to travel around the world, it’s now possible to do so in less than two minutes. Using more than 4,000 images from Google Earth, Adnaan Jiwa created a whirlwind tour of the planet, focusing on both “environmental innovation and degradation” around the world. The ultimate cheap airline guide In Jiwa’s short video, viewers leap from New York to Namibia to Denmark to Saudi Arabia, just to name a few stops....

Like most things in 2020 summer camps mostly aren’t happening. This means many children around the nation will have to forgo the in-person magic of playing, camping, and roasting marshmallows together in person. However, thanks to companies like The North Face, kids are at least getting to experience camp in a virtual environment. This summer, The North Face is bringing together an unbelievable group of global athletes to offer two free weeks of online and offline programming that will “safely bring the spirit of the outdoors to kids wherever they are,” the company explained in a statement....

There is something particularly special about Earth’s natural hot springs. The naturally warm waters often bubble up in mountainous areas where access can be difficult — but travelers who make the journey are often well rewarded. That’s surely the case for the terraced hot spring pools in China’s Huanglong Valley. Getty Images Located in the center of China, north of Chengdu, the pools were naturally created by mineral deposits and snake their way between rugged mountains, earning the nickname “Yellow Dragon....

Sycamore Brewing, a family-owned brewery in Charlotte, North Carolina, wants to help you get back on the road again. And it’s here to help you do just that with its new contest giving away one seriously outfitted Airstream. The award-winning craft brewery, owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Justin and Sarah Brigham, is celebrating its Mountain Candy IPA. To do that, the duo is giving away an incredible Airstream to one lucky fan, follower, or newcomer to their business....

Casey Neistat lived out a personal fantasy when he was given a free upgrade from business to first class on a recent Emirates flight from Dubai to New York City. Documenting every luxurious moment in a video he uploaded to his YouTube account, Neistat gives viewers a look at what it’s like to have one of the most glamorous flight experiences imaginable, which would have cost $21,635.30, if it weren’t for the upgrade....

Going on a cruise as a solo traveler typically means paying a supplemental fee to make up for occupying a cabin meant for at least two people. But in recent years, several major cruise lines have done away with that practice by adding cabins specifically designed for a party of one. The latest company to join the trend is Oceania Cruises, a luxury line offering sailings around the world. Courtesy of Oceania Cruises...