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Portland, Maine: an often-buzzed-about, lobster-lover’s paradise where waterfront industry, a dynamic local art scene, and the smell of the sea make for one of the East Coast’s finest north Atlantic escapes. The city has gained much recognition in recent years—and for good reason. Portland has come into its own exciting cosmopolitan moment, developing an impressive collection of restaurants, bars, and breweries while remaining a historic icon of the Northeast. If you’re looking to scout out some of the best seafood and local breweries while catching a salty breeze, head north for a classic New England three-day weekend—itinerary on us....

In just a few days, the United States will reopen its border to vaccinated foreign tourists, welcoming people back to the country for the first time in nearly two years. And experts say international travelers are getting ready. Hotel bookings, flight searches, and vacation home rentals throughout the U.S. have all seen a bump in traffic in the days since the Nov. 8 reopening date was announced, signaling a beacon of hope to travel pros for the industry’s return to normal or at least a new version of normal....

Uber Eats has proven the great lengths it will go to complete a delivery to an unusual address — the International Space Station (ISS). On Saturday, the company successfully accomplished its first food delivery from Earth to space, bringing a meal to the astronauts on board. Japanese entrepreneur Yusaku Maezawa, who is also described as a “delivery superfan,” served as the delivery person eight hours and 34 minutes into his 12-day orbit in space, according to the Associated Press....

Even though Disney parks around the world are currently closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can still explore these immersive spots from the comfort and safety of your couch. Experience unique attractions at faraway theme parks like Tokyo DisneySea, Disneyland Paris, or Shanghai Disneyland from home with these virtual rides. Thomas Yau/South China Morning Post via Getty Images From iconic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean to new, innovative rides like Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, there’s an option for everyone....

According to a 2018 study published in Scientific Reports, spending just two hours in nature every week could provide a boost to your health. Sounds great if you live in a woodland forest, not so great if you live in a concrete jungle like New York City. But, luckily for those stuck between skyscrapers, Samsung is here to deliver something rather refreshing. In late July, the technology company unveiled “Waterfall-NYC (2021),” an art installation in partnership with d’strict in the heart of Times Square....

Traditional camping is great and all, but having an extra barrier between you and the great outdoors can add some safety and peace of mind. So if you’re over the hassle of staking tents into frozen ground or worrying about the animals in your surroundings, you may want to try car camping — it’s one of the best ways to sleep under the stars. You’ll be pleased to know that there’s an air mattress specifically designed to turn the backseat of an SUV into a camping oasis....

If you have a need for speed, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi is ready to fuel that desire. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the United Arab Emirates’ theme park will be debuting a zip line — as well as a roof walk on its iconic red logo rooftop — starting Nov. 5. Located on the leisure destination of Yas Island just across from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, the two new attractions will add to the park’s adrenaline-pumping experiences....

Q: I travel only occasionally on business. Are hotel loyalty programs still worth it? —Elizabeth Frank, Kansas City, Kans. A: As with frequent-flier programs, hotel loyalty clubs can offer even infrequent travelers benefits. At the very least, you can simply join a program and gradually accrue points. (They don’t expire; you may have to show some annual account activity, but that could be as simple as cashing in for a Starbucks gift card....

Hawaii Gov. David Ige announced that the state would delay its pre-testing COVID-19 program for visitors through Sept. 1. Hawaii had originally intended to introduce a pre-testing program on Aug. 1. Through the program, travelers who could produce results of a negative COVID-19 test would not have to quarantine after arrival. However, due to an increase in coronavirus cases in the continental U.S., which is affecting Hawaii’s COVID-19 testing supply, the state decided to push back the launch of its program....

Located along the California Pacific coast midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the ornate Hearst Castle will reopen to the public on May 11. The 127-acre estate of media magnate William Randolph Hearst was originally designed by architect Julia Morgan over 100 years ago and has been shut down since March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The attraction then remained closed after a storm caused damage to its access road in January of 2021....

Walt Disney World may still be closed, but employees will be ready with masks and other precautions when the Happiest Place on Earth finally welcomes visitors once again. The safety measures are part of an agreement reached between the Walt Disney Co. and the Service Trades Council Union (STCU), which represents about 43,000 workers at the parks in Orlando, Fla., Reuters reported. In addition to requiring both workers and guests to wear masks, Disney will implement temperature checks for guests, put up plastic barriers and utilize touchless transactions at cash registers, and hold monthly worker safety meetings, the wire service noted....

The last year and a half has been an undeniably weird time to be single. For the lucky people who managed to find love in the time of COVID-19, they’re finally getting to know their partner in more normal settings. Since travel is the ultimate challenge to fortify bonds or help remove those rose-colored glasses, Hotwire is sending three new couples on a free mini-getaway, and they’re doing it with the help of someone who’s no stranger to love and fast connections: The Bachelor franchise heartthrob Joe Amabile....

Although savvy business travelers are used to hopping on a plane any day of the week, the constant change of schedule and lack of nutritious options can deter even the most well-intentioned professional from keeping their health in check along the way. Thankfully, easily accessible workouts through on-demand streaming services and group fitness classes that can be found on scheduling platforms like ClassPass make it easier to find a sweat session wherever work takes you....

Talk about the sort of place we’d all like to go right now. The stunning Cassa Zenda is a new four-bungalow retreat on the banks of Lake Izabal in Guatemala. It’s also the latest property from Family Coppola Hideaways, the hospitality company spearheaded by iconic director Francis Ford Coppola. The company now has seven escapes around the world, including Turtle Inn and La Lancha. Some, including Cassa Zenda, are available only to one group at a time — like private vacation villas — but come with the staff and service you’d typically find at a full-service hotel or resort....

Few names are as synonymous with glamorous travel as Louis Vuitton. No matter how decidedly unglamorous travel can sometimes be today, a hint of its signature monogram or a sleek Horizon suitcase can brighten up today’s voyages by reminding us of travel’s golden era. Courtesy of Jenna Brillhart; Image: Apic/Getty Images Today, Louis Vuitton is one of the most well-known and influential luxury brands in the world. It’s difficult to imagine that it all began with a young boy, Louis Vuitton himself, who left his hometown in Jura, France at just 13 years old, to walk to Paris....

There has never been a better time to visit Atlanta. The National Park Foundation, National Park Service, and the family of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. announced on Jan. 24 that the Atlanta home of Dr. King and his family will be made accessible to the public for the very first time, according to a statement by the National Park Foundation. Katie Bricker/Courtesy of National Parks Foundation The National Park Foundation purchased the home from the estate of Coretta Scott King on Jan....

On Friday morning, squads in protective suits wound through the canals of Mexico City’s Xochimilco neighborhood. Armed with disinfectant, the borough workers sprayed down the docks, as well as the colorful boats decorated with flowers, just before the popular “floating gardens” attraction reopened to visitors following a five-month shutdown because of coronavirus concerns. Despite Mexico currently being the world’s seventh-highest in COVID-19, with 560,164 cases and 60,480 deaths, including 92,096 cases and 8,138 deaths in Mexico City, according to the New York Times, tourism has been crucial to Xochimilco....

Go on a bike tour and take in the art deco architecture of Miami Beach, hit the luxury stores at the Bal Harbour Shops (Prada, Fendi, Balmain, oh my), or flaunt your best bikini and unwind on one of the many beaches. If you’re headed to Miami, you’re not alone: the city saw 16.5 million overnight visitors in 2018, according to the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. (And pretty soon you could tack on Disney World to your trip too, getting there from Miami in only a couple of hours on Richard Branson’s planned high-speed train)....

It’s not every day that a cool luggage brand branches out and designs chic, unisex clothing, but that’s exactly what Monos did with its recent launch of the Everywear Collection. Designed with comfort and versatility in mind, the Everywear Collection features size-inclusive loungewear (sizes range from XS to 3X) in neutral colors that exude the same understated, minimalistic aesthetic as their coveted travel accessories and roller bag suitcases. I jumped at the chance to road test a matching set from the new line, easily tempted by its buttery soft fabric and laidback styling....

2020 may have been a wild year here on earth, but in space, things looked serene as ever. NASA is sharing that calm feeling by releasing its 20 favorite images taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station throughout the year. “The men and women who live and work on the International Space Station take thousands of photographs of their home planet every year, and we asked the folks at the Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit at NASA’s Johnson Space Center for a few of their favorites from 2020,” NASA explained in a YouTube video caption....