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Every year, hundreds of thousands of pirates descend upon Tampa, Fla. for the annual Gasparilla parade. But this year, they won’t invade the city, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Organized by Ye Mystic Krewe since 1904, the group announced this week that the parade will be postponed until 2022, saying that it was in the “best interest of the community,” Tampa Bay Times reported. “Now we have more time here at the City of Tampa to batten down the hatches and roll out the cannons, as there is little doubt those ne’er do well pirates will be after more than the key to the city next year!...

Five Islands Lobster Co., Georgetown Gawk at the Sunset: Five Islands has become a bit overrun these last few summers, but the crowds can’t detract from the setting: a windy promontory with 360-degree views of the five pine-shrouded islands. There’s no indoor seating (not that you’d want it), so bring a sweater, come at sunset, and watch the sailboats and gulls chase one another across the bay—one of the coldest and deepest in Maine, which locals say makes for the best lobsters....

The Big Bounce America announced some good news for kids – and kids at heart – who enjoy a good bounce house. The world’s largest bounce house will be visiting 40 cities across the U.S. between May and November on its first-ever tour. At each stop, The Big Bounce America will be offering action-packed days that include plenty of bounce time. Courtesy of The Big Bounce America The bounce house, which holds the official title of the “largest inflatable (bouncy) castle” from Guinness World Records has a 900-foot inflatable obstacle course, a giant maze, slides, ball pits, and climbing walls....

Get your credit cards ready, because Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is here. There are so many great deals for travelers — from luggage to comfy shoes to the perfect airplane sweater — but if you only get one thing, consider these best-selling leggings. With a stellar 4.5-star rating and almost 6,000 reviews, Zella’s ‘Live In High Waist’ leggings are nothing short of a cult favorite. And wait, it gets better: As part of the sale, you can snag the coveted leggings for $20 off....

A 900-year-old cathedral in England has installed a 50-foot fun slide in its nave, causing considerable controversy. Norwich Cathedral dates back to 1145 and is one of the largest cathedrals in the UK. It’s known for its impressive stained glass work and “medieval roof bosses,” believed to be the largest display in the world. But there’s just one problem when visiting: You can’t get close enough to tell how fantastic it is....

This paddleboard from Serenelife is 10.5 feet long and 32 inches wide, so standing up and balancing should be manageable, even for beginners. The board is made from durable yet lightweight PVC, coming in at just under 20 pounds, making it easy to maneuver and transport. And your purchase doesn’t just include the paddleboard; you’ll also receive a foldable paddle, three bottom panel fins, manual pump, safety leash, and storage bag....

If sipping wine in Malibu sounds like the perfect way to spend your California vacation, we have a dream experience for you. California Adventure, a tour company with lots of unique experiences in the Golden State, is offering a package that lets you tour the most beautiful coastlines in California in a 1972 Volkswagen camper van that has some very strong hippie vibes, wine tasting included. The trip picks up guests in either the Venice or Santa Monica areas and heads up to Malibu to learn a bit about the local wine culture and history and taste four wines at a local vineyard, as well as a cheese, salami, and a cracker plate....

Add this specactular waterfall to your bucket list: the Labassin Waterfall Restaurant, a place in the Philippines where you can eat dinner in the middle of an actual, literal, real-life waterfall. At the Villa Escudero Resort, this one-of-a-kind restaurant serves seafood to guests sitting at rows of bamboo tables at the bottom of the beautiful jungle waterfall. Guests are encouraged to go play in the waterfall and are often treated to local entertainment like dancing and live music....

Kiev leaves the mind reeling Perhaps no other city except Havana is as torn between its past and its future, with the present but an afterthought. If in Havana you drown your despair in sunlight and song, in Kiev you squeeze it down into a shot glass of vodka, or horilka, as it is known here, and then you talk about the Russian troops massing on the border, and about the flamboyant corruption of the local politicians, and then, despite it all, you find yourself laughing into the night....

You’ve got a museum in your pocket — all you’ve got to do is download it. Google Arts & Culture has a number of ways to let you experience art, history, and culture without leaving your home. And since many businesses have been closing and people have been staying home to combat coronavirus, a little culture and education is a wonderful thing. But taking a virtual tour of a museum, a national park, or an iconic landmark doesn’t have to stop at your desktop....

Universal Orlando Resort has changed its mask policy to make face coverings optional, and Walt Disney World Resort has adopted a similar policy. On Sunday, Universal made masks optional for fully vaccinated guests both indoors and outdoors, but will not require proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated parkgoers are “encouraged” to wear masks while indoors, including in restaurants, shops, and in public areas of hotels. “We are updating our policy for face coverings based on local trends and conditions,” the park wrote in its updated guidance....

Spending half the year sailing around the world sounds like the dream life, and one cruise company can make it happen in 2023. Oceania Cruises has just announced its 2023 Around the World in 180 Days voyage is officially open for booking. The voyage departs from San Francisco on Jan. 15, 2023 and takes travelers on a whirlwind, around-the-world tour of 96 destinations within 33 countries, spread across four continents. In addition to spending nearly six months on a luxury cruise ship and experiencing many fascinating places, guests will also be able to access over 60 UNESCO World Heritage sites....

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is decking its blooms with tons of lights for the holiday season — for the 18th year in a row. The waterfront attraction in Sarasota, Fl. has released tickets for its annual “Lights in Bloom” winter holiday spectacle, which will transform the beautiful gardens into a nighttime immersive lightshow. Starting Dec. 11, guests can enjoy the best of the botanical garden after sundown, at its Downtown Sarasota campus, where twinkling lights will adorn the gazebos, rainforest exhibits, and more....

Editor’s Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. There are safari experiences and then there is Founder’s Lodge. Tucked away on nearly 1,000 acres of a private land edged up against Shamwari, a leading South African game reserve, this one-of-a-kind lodge places guests in the former family vacation home of Adrian Gardiner, Shamwari founder and pioneer of ecotourism in the Eastern Cape....

Editor’s Note: Those who choose to travel are strongly encouraged to check local government restrictions, rules, and safety measures related to COVID-19 and take personal comfort levels and health conditions into consideration before departure. Planning the perfect Disney vacation is an art form that requires equal parts pixie dust and homework. With so many choices for where to stay, what to see, and where to eat at the theme parks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed....

Whether you are a fan of Disneyland, Disney World, Tokyo Disney Resort or one of his other attractions around the world, you know Walt Disney loved his castles. Gene Duncan/Disney Parks via Getty Images But while wedging your way through the crowd towards Cinderella and Prince Charming, autograph book in hand, did you ever stop and wonder where the animation pioneer found his inspiration? Disney may arguably have had one of the most magical minds of all time, but even he based his creations off the real world (well, some of them, at least)....

New Zealand reported its first case of COVID-19 in months after a traveler recently returned home from Australia, which in turn temporarily shut down its travel bubble with its neighbor. The traveler, 56, returned to New Zealand on Dec. 30 after leaving a two-week quarantine where she had twice tested negative for the virus, according to Reuters. On Sunday, it was confirmed that the woman had contracted the new strain of the virus that has recently been detected in South Africa....

This year’s World’s Best Awards survey was open for voting January 11 through May 10, 2021, as destinations around the world were lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Survey rules have always allowed readers to reflect on their travel experiences over a three-year period. We hope that this year’s honorees will inspire your own travels as you get back out into the world. With their centuries-old cobblestoned neighborhoods and cozy bistros, Canada’s Montreal and Quebec City often draw comparisons to European capitals....

Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure. At the Shelbourne hotel in Dublin, high tea is served every afternoon under the crystal chandeliers of the Lord Mayor’s Lounge, which overlooks the historic St. Stephen’s Green. Traditional as the meal may sound, the finger sandwiches these days come with smashed avocado, and the mango mousse is dairy-free....

Jessica Nabongo and Tayo Rockson have seen a lot of the world. And on this week’s episode of Travel + Leisure’s new podcast, Let’s Go Together, Nabongo and Rockson join host Kellee Edwards to discuss how Black travelers see the world and how the world sees them. For Nabongo, who grew up in Detroit and has been traveling since the age of four, it’s safe to say travel experiences have had a major impact on her sense of identity....