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Japan has the most powerful passport in the world — a feat the Asian nation continues to hold on to — according to the Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports worldwide. Travelers with a Japanese passport have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 191 different destinations, per the list, which is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Japan came in first place last year as well. The report, released on Tuesday, showed that passport holders from Asian countries consistently had the most access....

New Balance’s FuelCore Nergize V1 Sneakers are made for performance and comfort in any situation. Whether you spend your day running around at work or training at the gym, the sneakers offer a soft cushioning that keeps soreness at bay from morning ’til night. They’re also supportive, lightweight, and sleek, so you can rest assured knowing you’ll always be comfy in style when you’re wearing these shoes. 20 Pairs of Travel Shoes Travel + Leisure Editors Always Pack...

Sarah Flint has long been known as a shoe designer who makes chic yet comfortable heels, flats, and more that have garnered a bevy of famous fans, including Meghan Markle and Margot Robbie. And while Flint’s brand is known for its shoes and accessories, it has now partnered with shopper-loved intimates and loungewear brand ThirdLove on a stylish yet comfortable collection of pajamas. You’ll want to wear these PJs every night, and take them on all your upcoming trips....

One of the most picturesque ways to explore the Canadian Rockies is by zipping through the iconic mountain range aboard the Rocky Mountaineer sightseeing train. For travelers looking to hop on board this luxury railway in 2022, the company will host a promotion to upgrade seats for anyone who books this month. When travelers book any Canadian itinerary, they’ll receive a complimentary upgrade from SilverLeaf Service to GoldLeaf Service — an offer valued at $620 per ticket....

Passing through the lush grounds of Tambo del Inka in the Sacred Valley of Peru, my eyes flit as I look for the first glimpse of my ride to Machu Picchu: a 1920s-style luxury train by PeruRail. As someone who’s inexperienced with train travel – and someone who never received their Hogwarts letter – I’m ecstatic to be traveling to a bucket-list destination in such a posh and Potter way. After walking for about five minutes, I come upon the train tracks, and a sleek blue-and-gold train awaits....

While Charleston is a beloved South Carolina destination, nearby Kiawah Island tends to fly under the radar — and that’s exactly what makes it the perfect place to unwind for a day. As soon as you arrive on the magnolia-lined avenues of Kiawah, serenity sets in… Perhaps that’s why it’s consistently voted by T+L readers as one of their favorite islands in the U.S. The only commercial development you’ll find on the island is Freshfields Village, a small town center with an assortment of shops and restaurants, and the crowds of other coastal retreats are blissfully absent....

Many of us have been burning more candles lately than we ever have before. Candles are a tradition in many cultures, a mainstay in many homes, and even a luxury to treat yourself and others with, but are there real benefits to burning them? Especially at a time like now, when many of us have been quarantined for over a month, can candles truly affect how we feel about our space?...

A British Airways plane flew from New York to London in less than five hours, becoming the fastest-ever subsonic flight between the two cities, as it raced to beat a storm heading toward the United Kingdom, according to reports. The flight, which flew from Saturday to Sunday, reached a top speed of over 800 mph, according to CNN, making the journey in only four hours and 56 minutes. Flying time is typically about six hours and 13 minutes, the network noted, citing flight tracker Flightradar24....

When we check into hotels, we rarely think of the owners whose entrepreneurial spirit has created the luxurious accommodations we immerse ourselves in. And for Asian American hoteliers, bringing their visions to life often comes with a unique set of challenges. “Being Chinese and an immigrant, I have to work harder to communicate my vision to contractors and vendors, and also ensure that clients ultimately appreciate the efforts I’ve made to create a welcoming and friction-free experience,” Shannon Wu, who recently opened her first hotel, The Amelia in the Hudson Valley, tells Travel + Leisure....

The hottest new ski destination is a volcano in Hawaii — yes, you read that right. A blizzard hitting the Big Island is expected to leave behind more than 12 inches of snow on higher elevations, The New York Times reported. And the peaks of the Big Island’s Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes each rise to about 14,000 feet. While blizzard conditions are forecast on elevations of 11,000 feet and higher, The Weather Channel noted that doesn’t mean travelers should expect to see snow on the beaches anytime soon....

The Glamorous Oscar Wilde, a new bar inspired by the iconic playwright and author, opened to the public on August 16. The Victorian-style whiskey bar boasts New York City’s longest bar top, stretching to a staggering 118.5 feet. Courtesy of Oscar Wilde Oscar Wilde’s touts a selection of more than 300 spirits, 32 beers on tap, antique design artifacts, a private event space, and fabulous signature cocktails such as the “50 Shades of Dorian Gray” crafted with Plymouth gin, cherry liqueur, Chinese five spice, and citrus....

The American Dream shopping and entertainment complex reopened on Thursday, welcoming back thrill-seekers and avid shoppers to the over-the-top indoor experience with several health measures in place due to COVID-19. As part of its reopening plan, the massive amusement park-like complex implemented several protocols — known as the #DreamSafe initiative — including mandating face masks, reducing capacity inside various attractions, and installing hand sanitizers throughout. Guests will also see plexiglass barriers to reduce contact with employees....

As New Zealand reopens its borders to international travelers — including Americans on May 2 — Australia-based small group tour operator Intrepid Travel has ramped up its offerings to its neighboring nation. Among their new trips is the five-day Forgotten World Adventure tour through King Country in the Whanganui region of the North Island. The highlight of the adventure-filled itinerary is a day at Forgotten World Adventures experiencing a ride through 10 hand-built brick tunnels — one nearly a mile in length — and more than 25 bridges along an old railway line running between Stratford and Taumarunui, passing through both bushlands and hilly outcrops....

When Nicolette Kay and her family were dreaming of their next vacation, her husband made what he thought was a joke: why not spend two weeks in Hawaii? Kay and her husband thought there was no way they could afford a Hawaiian vacation with their two daughters for anywhere near an affordable price. “Since we’re not zillionaires, though, it seemed way out of reach,” she wrote on her blog semibudgettravel.com. “I mean, just one week in Hawaii costs plenty....

If you’ve ever dreamed of standing atop one of Colorado’s famed 14,000-foot peaks, the time has come. After being closed for three years for a top-to-bottom renovation and reconstruction, The Broadmoor Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway is open again for business. Topping out at 14,115 feet above sea level, this cog-railway is the highest altitude railway in the U.S. After renovation it now runs on a single steel cog rail, which controls the speed and safety of the steep, one-hour, nine-mile journey to the top....

For more than a century, Hurtigruten has made a name for itself with its adventurous Polar expedition cruises, but now its horizons are expanding to include a popular bucket-list destination: the Galapagos Islands. Starting Jan. 5, 2022, travelers looking to explore the natural wonders of the Galapagos can embark on a 9-day itinerary with Hurtigruten Expeditions. The journey begins with two days in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, with a full-day visit to Cotopaxi National Park, home of the highest active volcano in South America....

For many travelers, a trip to the Maldives is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation, but for those lucky enough to visit often, the country is launching a loyalty program complete with extra perks. The new “Maldives Border Miles” program was announced in a special virtual ceremony on Sept. 27 — World Tourism Day — and is aimed at drawing more visitors to the South Asian destination. Developed by Maldives Immigration and the Ministry of Tourism, the program will reward tourists for frequent visits and is set to launch on Dec....

Within hours of arriving on the island of Ischia, I’d been propositioned by a man on a Vespa, survived a minor vehicular accident, and eaten a meal so delicious I wanted to kiss my fingertips and say, “Perfetto!” Here in the Campania region of southern Italy, life is all about contrasts. There’s the famously hectic metropolis of Naples, where I’d begun my trip; there are the ruined ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which sit under Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed them; there are the upscale destinations of Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast....

Putting a note in Jerusalem’s Western Wall is going digital thanks to The Israel Ministry of Tourism. To help travelers stuck at home due to COVID-19, the tourism ministry wants people to submit their notes online. They will then print them and place them in the nooks and cracks of the historic wall, the ministry shared with Travel + Leisure. “While Israel is still closed to international travel, we wanted to create a meaningful way that people can be inspired and connect with the spiritual sites that are abundant in our country,” Eyal Carlin, the tourism ministry’s tourism commissioner for North America, told T+L....

Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, turns 38 on Thursday. However, as a busy member of the royal family, she apparently has no time to celebrate on her actual birthday. But, fear not royal fans as she at least celebrated the big day early with a luxurious little gathering fit for a future Queen. According to reports, her husband, Prince William, put together a little birthday bash at their country home at Anmer Hall in Norfolk over the weekend....