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Alaska Airlines is hoping to fly toward a brighter future. Last week, the carrier debuted its newest aircraft, showcasing quotes from Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela, along with images of 14 students, as a sign of its commitment to a more equitable future through education. The Boeing 737-900 ER, which was designed in partnership with the nation’s largest minority educational organization, UNCF, is called “Our Commitment.”...

American Ballet Theatre is hitting the road this summer, taking their performances outdoors with shows for audiences from Nebraska to Virginia. On July 1, the “ABT Across America” tour will kick off in Lincoln, Nebraska and will head to Iowa City, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Charleston, and Middleburg, Virginia in a caravan of six sleeper buses and three production trucks. “As necessity is the mother of invention, I am delighted to announce ABT Across America,” Kevin McKenzie, the company’s artistic director, said in a press release statement....

As the world contemplates how to reopen and social distance at the same time, one restaurant in Amsterdam is ahead of the game. The waterfront Mediamatic ETEN restaurant has set up individual greenhouses where diners are totally separated from each other while still able to enjoy a meal and the beautiful views of one of the city’s famous canals. The restaurant, which recently tried out the setup, will eventually serve a plant-based dinner with dishes presented on top of large wooden planks so waiters don’t have direct contact with diners....

Amtrak is nixing its signature Acela Express trains as it significantly cuts down on service amid the coronavirus pandemic, a company spokeswoman confirmed to Travel + Leisure on Monday. The change comes after Amtrak announced they’d be waiving change and cancellation fees for reservations made before April 30, and implementing new protocol to clean their cars. “While Amtrak continues to operate across the nation, we have adjusted some services due to significantly reduced demand in key markets,” she told T+L....

Former President Barack Obama revealed that his Secret Service team was never more scared than when he “vanished” for about 15 seconds during a visit to the Carlsbad Caverns. In 2016, towards the end of his presidency, the Obama family visited the New Mexico National Park to celebrate the National Park Service centennial. In a recent video to promote his new Netflix documentary “Our Great National Parks,” Obama sat down with Former White House photographer Pete Souza to spill some behind-the-scenes stories about that trip and several others during his presidency....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning older travelers or those with underlying conditions against going on a cruise, even if they are fully vaccinated. The latest guidance, issued Friday, warns would-be passengers who would be “at increased risk for severe illness,” to avoid cruises at this time. The recommendation, meant for elderly people and those with certain medical conditions, applies to large ship cruises as well as smaller river cruises....

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. In the early months of the coronavirus pandemic spreading through the United States, JetBlue quickly required face masks and started limiting seats. But as it has slowly been phasing up capacity, the airline will also start to fill its cabins once again on Jan....

If you want to find out if you’ve been “naughty or nice” this year, some stomping devils may be able to tell you. Getty Images The common Christmas expression is thought to be derived from a Western European folklore known as Krampus. The mythological figure — who is half goat, half demon — is the evil twin of Saint Nicholas and was supposedly invented in the middle ages to discipline kids according to National Geographic....

Every neighborhood is distinct, special, and pure art. And this new map is ready to prove just how unique your own little corner of the world — or beloved city — really is. The team of designers and developers at Satellite Studio created and launched OpenStreetMap Haiku, a system that generates a personalized haiku for every neighborhood on earth using all the data gathered by OpenStreetMap. “Here’s what’s happening: we automated making haikus about places,” the team explained in a blog post....

Mango African Safaris wants to help Americans go on a great adventure again. And this time, they want to help them do it in their own backyards. In June, the company announced it’s launching a new set of “domestic safaris” for Americans to “quench their travelers’ thirst for travel, while also serving as a fundraiser for African camps and conservation efforts.” Starting in late July, those interested in taking a safari can join one happening across America....

The Cruise Lines International Association, whose members include major cruise lines around the world, said Monday that 100 percent of passengers and crew will be tested for COVID-19 before getting on a ship and masks will be mandatory whenever cruising does eventually resume. In addition to testing requirements and a mask mandate, physical distancing must be maintained in terminals, on ships, during excursions, and on private islands as part of the group’s “mandatory core elements....

After seven months of strict quarantine protocols that kept most tourists away, Hawaii eased certain restrictions last week and welcomed a whopping 8,000 visitors on the first day of reopening. Now, the state’s flagship airline will soon begin operating regular flights throughout the mainland. That includes the nonstop Boston to Honolulu route, which is the longest domestic flight in the U.S. Hawaiian Airlines announced Wednesday that it will resume its nonstop Boston and New York services in December, as well as the rest of its 13-city U....

As far as icons are concerned, The Beverly Hills Hotel is at the very top of the list. So, when we hear the word “renovation” in the same sentence as the hotel, it gets us a little worried. But fear not my fellow Pink Palace fans, this restoration only makes the space shine even brighter. Courtesy of Dorchester Collection In July, the hotel announced the renovation of its poolside cabanas to “preserve the hotel’s storied heritage and legendary mystique Steeped in Hollywood history....

Every once in a while, questions about what items are cleared to fly pop up on Quora and leave us scratching our heads. Some recent examples include: slime, citric acid, an accordion, pepper spray, black petrol, a coyote skull, weed, hair wax, and cornbread. We don’t know why some people would need to fly with some of these items, but we’re not here to judge. Violating TSA rules on prohibited items can result in a fine of up to $13,066 per violation, so it’s well worth checking ahead to avoid trouble....

Capping off a year of disappointing pivots, the European holiday season is set to be significantly less festive this year. Following the lead of other highly anticipated events, including the 2020 Olympics, many traditional Christmas markets across Europe have been canceled for 2020. Biltmore’s Legendary Christmas Tree-Raising Goes Virtual This Year A christmas tree stands at the Christmas market at the Old Town Square in Prague, Czech Republic. Matej Divizna/Getty...

The Keds Champion Canvas Sneakers, the famous ones worn by Grey, have a low-profile, lace-up design with a durable canvas upper and a cushioned footbed for comfort. A breathable lining will keep your feet cool and comfortable, which makes the sneakers a great option for warm weather, especially summer days where you’ll be doing a lot of walking. They also have a shock-absorbing rubber sole with added traction, making sure you’ll remain stable on different terrain....

Whether you’re a fan of minimalism when it comes to style or you simply have a goal of finding pieces that can work for school, work, and travel, uncovering a backpack that meets every need can feel like a far-fetched dream. But Target shoppers are up to the challenge of sourcing a one-size-fits-most solution — and many have landed on this $50 bag that packs a stylish and functional punch....

Stop what you’re doing and count to 10. That’s how long Scott Keyes, founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights, says it takes to find a better flight deal. In a new blog post, Keyes explains why it’s a good idea to take a few moments to search for two one-way flights rather than one round-trip ticket to help save a little cash. “Let’s say you live in Seattle and you need to get to Chicago June 21-28 for your sister’s wedding,” Keyes writes in the post....

The 45 Best Luggage Deals to Shop on Black Friday The Prodigy backpack is made from durable nylon that’s both water-resistant and antimicrobial. It features a 13-inch padded laptop compartment, interior and exterior zippered pouches, and two side pockets that can hold a water bottle or a compact umbrella. There’s padding in the straps and on the back panel, and a sternum strap with a buckle for extra support. The backpack is available in three colors: midnight blue, army green, and light pink....

Tokyo is set to get another unique addition to its skyline — this one resembling an Olympic torch. Tokyo’s Torch Tower will soar 1,279 feet into the air, making it Japan’s tallest skyscraper when it opens in 2027. The tower will include a boutique hotel and an observation deck with views of the city and Mount Fuji, Kyodo News reports. When completed, the Torch Tower will be nearly 300 feet taller than Japan’s current tallest building, Abeno Harukas in Osaka....