It’s easy right now to feel like the rest of the world is very far away. And at Travel + Leisure, we know that staying at home is difficult for travelers like us. But as we find ourselves sitting on the couch wondering what to do next, we’ve discovered that the rest of the world is actually a lot closer than it seems. In fact, this might be an opportunity for you to use technology to explore a place you’ve always dreamed of going....
U.S. travelers will soon have another option for European travel: Sweden. This week, Sweden announced plans to reopen its borders to travelers from several countries, including the U.S., beginning June 30. Travelers from the U.S. will still need to test negative for COVID-19 within 48 hours of their departure. The opening of the Swedish border to American travelers comes just as Swedes are easing into summer, a season where the days are long and the potential for outdoor adventures is endless....
Afternoon tea is a British tradition dating back to about 1840, when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford — one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting — grew impatient (and hungry) during the long stretch between lunch and dinner, and decided to ask for a midday snack of tea, bread, and cake. The idea of afternoon tea quickly took off, becoming a hit social event that eventually turned into a popular daily tradition in England....
While we’re all stuck at home, it’s safe to say that some guys might be a little lax when it comes to personal grooming habits. And who can blame them? After all, we’re taking Zoom calls in our sweats and binging Netflix for days on end, so does the status of our beards really matter right now? The Art of Shaving thinks yes, so it’s turned its social media channels into “virtual barber shops” to help men around the world look their best while in quarantine....
Summer is synonymous with outdoor activities like swimming, boating, hiking, biking, or just hanging outside in general. But the windswept activities come with a variety of beauty hurdles, and one of my biggest struggles in the summer is tangled hair. I have fine, straight hair that, despite my best efforts, has no texture or volume, and hair tools are often too rough on my weak hair — until I found this miracle tool....
Imagine hopping into this Escalade, and no, we don’t mean the SUV. According to CNN, a concept for a new, luxury superyacht called the “Escalade” will be the first first vessel of its kind to feature a Trimonoran hull, a combination of a monohull and a trimaran hull (which comprises of a main hull plus two “floats” on the outside). The Trimonoran hull, made up of three slimmer hulls, provide 30 percent more space than a vessel of similar size but only one hull (monohull), CNN reported....
Carnival Cruises announced late last year that it would build the world’s first roller coaster at sea. This week, the cruise line released images of the new attraction, along with more information about how exactly it’s going to work. When the Mardi Gras ship sets sail in 2020, passengers will be able to board BOLT, which Carnival is calling the “ultimate sea coaster.” Riders will board “motorcycles,” where they are able to control the speed....
There’s something so charming about a mountain escape during the winter, and now that it’s officially snuggle season, there’s never been a better time to update your space with inviting touches reminiscent of a cozy cabin. During a recent getaway to picturesque Big Bear Lake, California, Southern California’s premiere four-season mountain lake escape destination in the San Bernardino National Forest, I had the good fortune of staying at Midnight Moon Cabins, a posh-yet-rustic rental property that boasts modern designer decor elements that felt elevated instead of ordinary....
Q: Is there such a thing as an affordable European flight this summer? If so, how can I find one? —Catherine Mills, Westport, Conn. A: Remember when flying to Europe was, at most, a $600 commitment? These days, that’s often just the baseline cost of a transatlantic ticket. According to Rick Seaney, cofounder and CEO of Farecompare, the average airfare to Europe includes about $450 in surcharges (including fuel) and $160 in taxes and fees....
The romance of Venice, which comprises 118 islands, more than makes up for the occasional nuisance of the flooding that results from rising tides. (Residents and visitors get by just fine, gamely ambling along wooden planks lining the cobblestoned streets and crossing its 400 footbridges.) As for the nuisance of tourists who flood the streets by day, well, it becomes less overwhelming when you escape to one of these five hotels, all of which celebrate Venice’s enduring, opulent spirit....
We’ve all stepped off the jet bridge feeling tired, groggy, or ready to practically drop on the floor and take a nap in the middle of a terminal. At least, most of us have. Traveling can make anyone tired, though it affects some people more than others. This phenomenon is known as jet lag and it’s actually a real, temporary disorder rather than just a traveler’s myth. What is jet lag?...
I can still remember the way San Francisco smelled when I arrived late that June night. Not the salt and pine I was used to at home on the East Coast, but something softer — eucalyptus and tree bark. I’d been in Santa Clara the previous week for work, but had decided, when booking my flights, to tack on a quick trip to San Francisco at the end. I knew I’d be eager to get home to New York — while I love exploring a new place, I crave going home just as much — but I’d never been to the Bay, and I wanted to see the city for myself....
What if we told you there’s a job where you can do whatever you want to do. You can read, meditate, go for a walk, bake, write a novel, knit, garden, cuddle with dogs — anything at all, for about $2,320 a month. Lucky for you, that job will soon exist. As part of a conceptual art project, Swedish artists Simon Goldin and Jakob Senneby are hiring an “eternal employee” to essentially do — well, nothing — at Korsvägen, a train station currently undergoing construction in Gothenburg, Sweden....
After two long years of borders being closed to non-citizens, New Zealand will officially open to international tourists on May 1. New Zealand’s varied and dramatic landscapes make for a stunning road trip backdrop, and seeing the country by car is the perfect introduction (or reintroduction) to New Zealand. There are plenty of excellent lodges to choose from on your scenic road trip, but we’ve planned an itinerary that hits some of our favorites....
The best outdoor gear purchases are the ones that, once you try them, it’s hard to ever imagine a time when you went without them. That’s why having a reliable pair of water shoes can be a real game changer for activities ranging from kayaking and sailing to hitting the beach. To buy: amazon.com, from $20 “I absolutely love these shoes,” one reviewer said. “I wore them for my entire camping trip for walking on trails, relaxing, kayaking, and just as an everyday shoe....
Back by popular demand, world-renowned tenor Andrea Bocelli is celebrating the holiday season with a global livestream concert set in the beautiful Teatro Regio di Parma opera house in Italy. “Believe in Christmas — Encore” was originally produced and presented last year, with the record-breaking livestream becoming one of the most successful classical events of all time. Now, it’s back for an encore livestream that will premiere worldwide on Dec. 10....
Need a little inspiration for your next trip? Try a new book. From “On The Road” to “Harry Potter,” books have the power to spark our interest in certain places. Recently, author Kate Russo’s highly anticipated novel “Super Host” hit the shelves –– giving readers a chance to dive into a story of second chances, creativity, and the world of hosting a home share. The novel follows Bennet Driscoll, an artist whose financial success has started to take a downturn so he turns to hosting as a solution that not only helps his bank account but also find a little purpose thanks to some unique guests who come to stay....
California is tightening its pandemic restrictions and urging people to cancel all nonessential travel in the state, as its hospitals struggle to keep up with COVID-19. California’s latest stay-at-home order prohibits all private gatherings, tightens capacity limits at retail stores, and requires masking in regions where the availability of ICU beds dips below 15%. ICU capacity is as low as 18.6% in some areas, the latest state data shows. California Secretary of Health and Human Services described the order to the Los Angeles Times as the state telling, not asking, Californians to stay home for the holidays....
If your kitchen could use a stylish (and functional) upgrade this spring, look no further than Drew Barrymore’s new appliance collection, appropriately named Beautiful Kitchenware. Made in collaboration with Made by Gather founder and CEO Shae Hong, the line includes kitchen must-haves, from air fryers to blenders. The best part? Everything is available to shop right now at Walmart. 12 Kitchen Must-haves to Buy Before They Sell Out This Spring...
A safari in the Serengeti is better with a frosty drink. And one safari camp will be serving up beer and soft drinks in the most eco-friendly way. According to Lonely Planet, Asilia, a company that runs safari camps in Kenya and Tanzania, will be adding a unique feature to its Sayari Camp in the Serengeti. At Sayari, guests will not only be able to take in the beautiful natural environment, but they can also enjoy craft beers made directly at the camp....
