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Los Angeles will drop its indoor mask mandate for people who are fully vaccinated, the county’s health department announced on Wednesday. The new policy, which aligns with the state, will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 25 and will allow businesses to implement mask-free policies if customers show proof they are vaccinated, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. People who are not fully vaccinated will have to show proof of a negative test to enter the business and continue wearing a mask indoors except when actively eating or drinking....

Officials at Paris’s Louvre shut down the world’s most popular museum on Sunday and delayed its opening into Monday to protect staff from the spread of coronavirus. “The Louvre cannot open this Sunday, March 1,” a statement from the museum said. “Museum staff met to discuss the health situation and the Covid-19 prevention measures taken by the museum following instructions from the competent authorities.” The museum is still closed as of 9 a....

The Mandarin Chinese name for Yosemite is a phonetic translation of its sounds, but it happens to mean “Excellent winning beautiful lands” — a fitting happenstance because of Chinese immigrants’ impact on the building of the national park in the 1800s. And the long overlooked history is finally finding its way into the spotlight, thanks to a new landmark that was unveiled on Friday, which happened to be the park’s 131st birthday....

After the tragic fire that severely damaged Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France in April 2019, many people have assumed that visiting the historic church was probably off the table for the next few years. This was especially apparent considering complications like the stifling heatwave and the difficulty of the repairs. However, it seems that Paris’ deputy mayor Emmanuel Grégoire is crossing his fingers that the plaza around the cathedral could be open to the public within the first half of this year, The New York Times reported....

If you take a visit to this Greek island, don’t even think about taking a free souvenir back home. Lalaria Beach on the Greek island of Skiathos is one of the most idyllic beaches in the world, mostly due to its clear waters and beautiful, smooth, white pebbles that make up the shore. Getty Images Naturally, tourists can’t seem to help themselves when it comes to picking up one or two of the tempting little rocks and taking them home as souvenirs....

Puerto Rico has officially become the most vaccinated place in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The island territory has fully vaccinated 73.3% of its population, according to the agency, ahead of states like Vermont and Connecticut, which have each seen some of the highest rates of COVID-19 vaccinations in the country. And in Puerto Rico, 81.8% of people have received at least one dose of a vaccine....

After a year of staying home, you’re likely ready to get back out in the world to see and do it all again. And Rosewood Hotels and Resorts wants to help you do just that with purpose-led journeys as part of its Summer by Design. In June, the luxury hotel company announced a collection of getaways that are “designed to encourage exploration, discovery, and connection amongst influential explorers across the globe....

This handy travel essential is designed to fit in the back seat of your car, so you can catch some z’s anytime you pull over. Not only is it made from a durable PVC material that is both puncture- and water-resistant, but it also comes with a detachable seat filler that fits perfectly into the cracks and crevices of the back of the car, so the mattress won’t sag down as you sleep....

Families and friends eager to relax, refresh, and reconnect with nature have a new opportunity to escape to a biodynamic ranch in Northern California’s wine country. Surrounded by redwood forest in Sonoma County, NewTree Ranch is a sustainable, plant-based community that provides luxury farm stays with staff who anticipate guests’ every need and pamper them with simplicity. Courtesy of NewTree Ranch Opening in July 2021, The Barn at NewTree Ranch provides an immersive farm-stay experience just 10 minutes from downtown Healdsburg....

Thailand will lift all quarantine requirements for vaccinated travelers from the United States in November, allowing American tourists to travel anywhere in the country unrestricted. Starting Nov. 1, fully-vaccinated U.S. tourists will be able to skip quarantine if they show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken before their trip and get tested again upon arrival, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The decision comes weeks after Thailand laid out a phased reopening plan, including allowing vaccinated travelers to head to Bangkok on Nov....

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is open at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and the in-demand land is a must for any future Walt Disney World vacation. It’s going to be an experience that’s out of this world. You can wander your way around Galaxy’s Edge letting the force guide you towards dining, entertainment, and shopping — or you can take it from us, your Jedi Masters of Disney travel, to ensure you see, taste, and experience every bit of planet Batuu....

Most roads have them—unless you’re venturing off into unpaved territory: the line markings running down the center. Now, anyone who drives knows what they’re for: keeping traffic even and safe, of course. But how did they get there? File this one under those questions that you find yourself pondering on hour nine of your summer road trip. The first white line road marking dates back to 1918 in the United Kingdom, according to Traffic Signs and Meanings....

A dream trip to the California desert can also be stylish. Hawk & Mesa is a gorgeous two-bedroom home in the Yucca Valley that has pretty much anything you could want in a glamorous Airbnb — and then some. The Pipes Canyon home was designed by Los Angeles-based Jeremy Levine Design, and has room for four people (two king-sized beds), plus a modern kitchen, a huge, airy living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, modern bathrooms, and plenty of beautiful views of the desert....

The biggest trend in vacations this winter will likely be finding ways to get as far away from other people as possible. And sure, there are a number of stellar hotels and vacation rentals that can help people have a socially distanced vacation, but perhaps none are as spectacular as this ski-in/ski-out chalet that comes with its own mountain. Yes, an entire mountain just for you and your crew. And you could even rent it for just $100 a night for a limited time....

We get it — even on vacation, it’s nice to have your own private quarters to retreat back to after a long day of exploring, beaching, and sight-seeing. One might even say the quieter and more secluded the hotel, the better. But you can enjoy your downtime without staying on a remote, uninhabited island away from the rest of the world — you’ll likely crave a little entertainment to complement all that peace and quiet, after all....

When we say Montenegro, what springs to mind? Perhaps it’s dramatic peaks, medieval towns, and the fjord-like Bay of Kotor. Well-versed wanderers might mention Our Lady of the Rocks, a magnificent church constructed on an artificial island. What if we told you that this lesser-frequented Balkan country is home to a ritzy resort area with a fortified village turned five-star hotel, beloved Japanese restaurant, and photogenic beaches? On the strength of its first impression, Sveti Stefan grabs hold and doesn’t let go....

Gatlinburg, Tennessee isn’t messing around when it comes to world records. The quaint little town bordering the Great Smoky Mountains is on a mission to break one. And not just any old record: It wants to break the record for the highest number of scarecrows in a single town. According to USA Today, the previous record for the number of scarecrows in a single town was 3,812. It was held by the National Forest Adventure Farm in the United Kingdom....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mask mandate is no longer in effect and will not be enforced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after a federal judge in Florida voided the requirement in effect for planes, trains, and airports. According to CNN, U.S. District Court Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Tampa ruled that the mask mandate, which has been prolonged several times, “violates the procedures required for agency rulemaking....

Today marks a shake-up in the rankings of the longest flights in the world as United commences service from its hub in Houston, Texas, to Sydney, Australia. The airline already flies from Los Angeles and San Francisco to Sydney. “Our Houston-Sydney service brings customers another new nonstop flight between the U.S. and Australia,” says United spokesman Jonathan Guerin, “and connects more than 70 cities across eastern North America that did not have one-stop service to Australia on United before....

Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket-list adventure. 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. We’re all anxious to get back to sea. The proof? When Royal Caribbean put out a Facebook call for volunteers to help test out the line’s stringent new COVID-19 protocols, more than 100,000 cooped-up explorers raised their digital hands....