A few dedicated humans in Kenya are moving fast to ensure the safety of one of the world’s rarest animals — a single white giraffe. The nameless reticulated giraffe living in the Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy in Kenya has snow-white fur due to a condition known as leucism. This causes a loss of skin pigmentation, making him a high target for poachers, which is exactly how he became the last of his kind....
Attention adrenaline junkies: There’s a new roller coaster in Canada that’s made just for you. This week, Canada’s Wonderland theme park, located in Vaughan, Ontario, unveiled its Yukon Striker roller coaster ride. Though, this isn’t any old up-and-down coaster. Rather, it’s the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the world. Seriously, if you have a weak stomach, this roller coaster is not for you. As HuffPost noted, it hits speeds of 80 mph, stretches for a staggering 3,625 feet, and soars to 245 feet high....
Anytime I’ve gone on a trip unaccompanied by a notebook in which to document what I discover, see, feel, etc., it ends up being something of a missed opportunity for me later on. When I think back on or share my adventures, I’m typically left with only a few photos (I try not to constantly have my phone out) and my memory. But the times I’ve had a notebook on hand tended to be much more fulfilling....
Texas-based jewelry designer Kendra Scott knows that there’s perhaps no one more deserving of some love, attention, and time off than mothers. Especially when you consider the fact that both work-from-home and stay-at-home moms contribute nearly $11 trillion of unpaid labor annually. And this Mother’s Day, Scott is looking to help by offering moms the chance to win $2,000 from its new “PTO Fund” to spend as they please. “After everything you’ve experienced this past year, you’ve earned personal time off just for you and your mental health,” the jewelry company shared on its website....
A dreamy art space is something that some people out there can only fantasize about. But you can live out your artsy dreams by staying in this truly unique rental in Portugal. Located in Portimão, Portugal, about two and a half hours south of Lisbon, the Ana Ana Artistic Habitat is the perfect place for indulging in your love of design while staying in a comfortable, luxurious space. The space was designed by artist, creative director, and interior designer Eric de Bruijn....
The U.S. Department of State has ceased issuing passports except for “life-or-death emergencies” while coronavirus continues to spread throughout the country. The new directive, which went into effect in March, was implemented “due to public health measures to limit the spread of COVID-19,” according to the notice. Going forward, the State Department will make an exception for “immediate international travel within 72 hours” in life-or-death situations, including serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in the immediate family....
It’s no secret that long-distance relationships can be tough, but what about long-distance friendships? They may not be as conventionally heart-wrenching as romantic relationships, but they can be every bit as agonizing. Take it from Lemar Scott and Tia Streaty: these two pals met while working together in Florida, but when they both took new jobs in 2017, they suddenly found themselves separated by 2,500 miles. And thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic, that’s the last time they saw each other in person....
Editor’s Note: Travel might be complicated right now, but use our inspirational trip ideas to plan ahead for your next bucket list adventure. On a recent group trip through Romania, I panicked when I couldn’t withdraw cash from two dozen different banks. Luckily, my credit card still worked, so I’d buy items for my fellow travelers and they’d give me the cash I needed. It was a huge hassle — but one travelers may soon be able to avoid, as cash is becoming less critical throughout Europe, particularly in countries like Norway and Sweden that are moving almost exclusively to digital payments....
You should always go to the bathroom before boarding an aircraft. It’s not just your mother’s advice, it’s also an issue of security and international aviation law. Last year, a man was removed from a Delta Air Lines flight when he tried to using the toilet before takeoff — even though the aircraft was not moving. In this particular case, most of the people on the flight sided with the passenger....
Welcome to Mountain Mondays, our eight-week series introducing you to some of the coolest mountains in America. Stay tuned each week for a new mountain for you to explore. Our trip to Sun Valley could have easily turned into a travel disaster. You see, our flight from Los Angeles to the famed ski town that appears on the radar as nothing more than a teensy blip smackdab in the middle of Idaho, was diverted just before landing....
As the lockdown in Wuhan is coming to an end, a sign of a new beginning has come from nature in the form of 1,000 blossoming cherry trees. Every spring, the cherry orchards of Wuhan University are filled with students, staff and people who come from far away to admire the blossoms, but this year, the campus is eerily silent due to lockdown restrictions due to the coronavirus outbreak. Li Hao, a teacher who has remained on campus during lockdown, captured the scene with a drone in footage, obtained by CNN....
Move over, Netflix: Californians can now subscribe to airline tickets. Alaska Airlines has just forayed into the world of subscription services with the launch of Flight Pass. This subscription-based ticketing program allows California travelers to jet around 13 of the state’s major airports — and over to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Reno — for as little as $49 per month plus one-cent fares and taxes. Here’s how it works: Travelers can sign up for either the standard Flight Pass, which starts at $49 per month for six flights a year, or shell out a bit more for the Flight Pass Pro, which starts at $199 per month....
Ready the cannons, set sail and brace yourself for some swashbucklin’ fun as you live out ye buccaneer fantasies on a real-life pirate ship sitting along the Mississippi River. Say “ahoy” to this 65-foot long ship with two berths that you can rent on Airbnb, just minutes from the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (voted one of the top 10 best domestic airports this year by Travel + Leisure readers). Board the ship by gangplank and take a load off in the upper deck hammock, explore the hidden nooks, or throw yourself a fully-fledged costume party....
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. If you’ve been dreaming of a secluded private island vacation, we’ve got some great news. You can rent private islands located around the world on Airbnb — and in many cases, these exclusive stays cost nearly the same as hotel accommodations....
Cape Cod is what warm-weather dream destinations are all about. It’s the place where the local uniform consists of salty hair and sunkissed skin all summer long and a spot where everyone will find the best in rest and relaxation during the vacation season. If you’re planning a trip to Cape Cod this summer and need a little help figuring out your itinerary, we’re here to assist. Here are 15 things to do on Cape Cod for your next getaway....
An 81-year-old South Korean widow is the only person living on a disputed island in the East Sea. The Dokdo Islands have been at the center of a battle between Japan and South Korea for more than 300 years. And, at the moment, Kim Sin-yeol is the only person who lives there. While people like policeman, lighthouse operators, and tourists come and go, Kim is the only human who remains on Dokdo as a permanent resident....
If you’re going to work from home, why not work from paradise? A luxury resort on a private island in the Maldives is debuting what may be the most luxurious work-from-hotel experience yet. The Nautilus Maldives “Workation Package” includes a desk with an ocean view, a personal assistant, and all the snacks you could ever want, according to CNN. Prefer to work under a canopy on a sandbar while feeling the sand between your toes?...
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. There’s no sugar coating it: the past year has been rough for car-rental companies....
I am not fifty yet, but I’m awfully close. So is my identical twin, Mike. There are numerous childhood photographs of us together on our birthdays — redheaded, nerdy, smiles glittering with braces. But as we have grown older, we have begun to hold these ceremonies separately, like a fractured religion. This is partially because bars are not excellent places for children, and my brother has two sons. And I like bars....
After takeoff, passengers aboard domestic Delta Air Lines flights will notice something different onboard domestic flights from this weekend. They may be able to sit back and relax — but only so far. Delta announced Friday it will cut down the amount of seat recline from four inches to two in economy class on its A320 aircraft, beginning Saturday. However, this isn’t because the airline is squeezing more seats into the cabin — and you might actually find it’s a good thing....
