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In pre-pandemic times, Germany’s famed Christmas markets would be springing to life this time of year. However, with daily COVID-19 cases hitting record highs again, as NBC News reports, many of the country’s holiday markets are being canceled. Even Germany’s oldest market in Nuremberg announced it will not open for the first time since World War II. But thanks to the innovative mind of Patrick Schmidt, owner and chef of Zollhaus Brauereigaststätte in Landshut, about an hour northeast of Munich in Bavaria, the Christmas market spirit is still going strong in a safe drive-thru format....

Local authorities in Knoxville, Tennessee are on the prowl for an escaped tiger. The wild animal was spotted in a park by an off-duty Knox County Sheriff’s Office Deputy on Wednesday night — and no one seems to know where it came from. Deputy Andy Wilson was working a side job at Knoxville’s Industrial River Park when he reported a large cat coming out of the French Broad River, crossing the street and disappearing into the woods....

The island of Bermuda is ready to welcome tourists back next month, the Bermuda Tourism Authority shared with Travel + Leisure, with its pink sand beaches, colorful coral reefs, and excellent Dark ’n Stormys on hand. Bermuda Tourism Authority The island, a British territory, will reopen to international commercial air travel on July 1. Travelers who want to take advantage of Bermuda’s pristine turquoise waters and lush jungles will have to have a negative COVID-19 test from within 72 hours of their departure, have health insurance, and wear a mask while in airports and on the plane, according to the tourism authority....

Although the Napa and Sonoma Valleys are the most celebrated regions of California wine country, a hidden gem wine region is tucked away in the heart of Southern California — every bit as worthy of recognition. A seemingly endless expanse of coastline, soaring mountain ranges, and a mostly temperate climate account for Southern California’s ideal growing conditions for some wines of equal caliber to those of Napa and Sonoma. Still, if you haven’t heard much about it, you’re not alone — but winemakers in Southern California are trying to change that....

International travelers can now use an at-home test as proof they tested negative for the coronavirus before flying to the United States, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new directive allows travelers to use any qualifying at-home nucleic acid amplification or antigen test that has been issued an Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration. In order to qualify, the test must have a telehealth service affiliated with the manufacturer and be supervised virtually by a telehealth provider, according to the CDC....

Forget platinum, American Express is now all about that Rose Gold. On Feb. 4, American Express is reintroducing its popular metal rose gold card as a permanent color option for its U.S. users. And that’s not all. It’s also launching a new $120 Uber Cash Benefit for gold card members, too. That’s why American Express, Uber Eats, and the fried chicken experts at Fuku are all coming together to offer The Rose Gold Meal for Valentine’s Day....

When visitors look at the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, they may dream of staying there — but for most, this is impossible. However, a lucky few — very few — will be able to spend a few nights at the much-coveted Cinderella Castle Suite. It’s not even a question of money, as the suite is only available to book by invitation. But that invitation could be extended your way with a bit of luck: A charity contest to benefit the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) will give away a night in the Cinderella Suite....

London’s famous Tower Bridge was “stuck in a raised position” for nearly 12 hours on Monday, disrupting traffic in the center of the city. One of London’s most famous landmarks, it’s capable of raising its bridge when ships sail down the River Thames. But on Monday, the bascules (the part of the bridge that separates and lifts) rose and didn’t come back down again for hours. The bridge became stuck at around 2:30 p....

New York is looking to digital health passports to restart normal life, allowing people to upload their negative test results or vaccine cards to access things like large-scale entertainment venues and sports games. The free Excelsior Pass, which is available to download on iOS and Android, makes New York the latest destination to utilize a digital passport to enter venues requiring proof of a negative test or inoculation a more seamless experience....

Bocas Bali, a luxury private island resort in Panama, wants to elevate your beach experience — and they mean that literally. In April, the resort, which opened its doors in September 2021, announced the completion of its overwater beach. According to the hotel, it’s the first elevated beach in the world. Joshua Laabs/Courtesy of Bocas Bali “We have the most picturesque private island retreat at Bocas Bali and the only thing missing was the beach,” Dan Behm, the owner and founder of Bocas Bali, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure....

Luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises will re-launch its entire fleet starting this fall, the company shared with Travel + Leisure this week, as the travel industy slowly starts to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. “We thought carefully about how, when, and where reuniting the entire Regent family would enable us to consistently deliver an unrivaled experience with every luxury included, as well as provide exceptional destination explorations,” Jason Montague, the president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, told T+L in a statement....

Switzerland has implemented new cleanliness and safety precautions ahead of reopening its borders to European tourists next week. The Swiss Tourism Council launched its new “Clean & Safe” campaign, which offers travelers peace of mind about cleanliness standards at hotels, restaurants, and businesses around the country. The safety standards, which can be indicated by a physical label in the tourism industry, include implementing social distancing, regular disinfecting and cleaning of high-touch surfaces and objects, and using contactless payment where possible....

Beautyrest wants you to sleep with the fish. Don’t worry, it’s all in the name of some seriously cool innovation and a good night’s rest. In June, the mattress company announced its new Harmony Lux Hybrid mattress, the third iteration in its sustainable Harmony collection utilizing “luxury fabric made with recovered ocean plastics.” In 2020 alone, the company converted more than 3.8 million plastic bottles from the ocean into the luxury fabric....

If you travel a lot, you know how hard it can be to stay organized on the road, which is why we love travel essentials that keep all our belongings neat and tidy. Our latest find is the Maliton Waterproof Hanging Toiletry Bag, which has been described as “perfect for the frequent traveler” — and it’s a whopping 54 percent off in the black colorway right now. This Cozy Turtleneck Sweater Dress has Over 10,000 Five-star Ratings — and It’s on Sale...

Is your hotel everything it claims to be?We’ve all seen the discreet bathroom placards indicating that, in an effort to conserve water, our linens will not be washed unless requested. These ubiquitous sheet-and-towel programs are an easy way for hotels and guests alike to bask in the warm, green glow of environmentalism. But pay attention: often, housekeeping washes those towels even without your approval, according to Ronald Sanabria, who has spearheaded Rainforest Alliance’s efforts to standardize ecotourism certification in the Caribbean and Central and South America....

After a six-month closure, the Washington Monument in D.C. will reopen to the public on July 14. The monument will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. All visitors are required to wear a face mask, regardless of vaccination status. Tickets are required and must be purchased online in advance. Tickets become available at 10 a.m. the day before each visit. Each ticket is good for up to four visitors traveling in a group together and there is a non-refundable reservation fee of $1....

Countries all around the world have started to relax COVID-19-related protocols and ease border restrictions, and many times that includes mask rules. In Europe, countries like the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Ireland are increasingly ditching masks altogether, and several airlines have followed suit. But while several countries have ditched face coverings altogether, in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration has extended its federal transportation mask mandate through at least April 18, requiring face coverings to be worn on planes, in airports, buses, trains, and on other modes of transportation....

If you’ve ever even considered running a marathon but wanted to ensure you were handsomely rewarded for doing so, we have a race for you. In Scotland, runners will find the race to end all other races—the Dramathon. And, in case you didn’t guess from its name, it includes a whole lot of whisky. According to the race’s site, the third annual Dramathon race will take place this October in Speyside, Scotland....

Welcoming a baby into the world is one of the great joys of this life. It’s a happiness you’ll want to share with everyone. And that means taking lots — and lots — of photos. Luckily, Josh Haftel, director of product management at Adobe, happens to not only be a new dad but a new dad who knows a thing or two about taking photos. And he wants to share all that wisdom with you....

You’ve heard of hiking a volcano, now one lucky person can stay overnight at the crux of one thanks to this latest Airbnb listing in France. The listing, part of a partnership between the home rental company and Volvic water, is a modern tiny home located in the green Chaîne des Puys- Limagne fault tectonic area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the company shared with Travel + Leisure. The home features floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the volcano with a queen bed and en-suite bathroom....