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The pandemic has done more than disrupt the logistics of travel: it may have fundamentally altered the meaning of leaving home. As we head back out into the world, there’s a renewed thoughtfulness and intentionality about vacations, says Barkley Hickox, co-owner of luxury travel consultancy the Local Foreigner and a member of T+L’s A-List. “People are going through two phases,” she says. “In the first, they connect with loved ones and seek wide-open spaces with room to roam....

Christmas traditions may look different this year, but some stores are still determined to give people a dose of in-person holiday cheer — safely, of course. Sporting goods stores Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s are determined to fly Santa in from the North Pole to greet kids on his nice list, but will do so through a “Magic Santa Shield,” or a clear plastic barrier for a contactless experience. The shield will be cleaned between each visit by “Santa’s Sanitation Squad,” a team of elves focused on putting health and safety first....

You may not have to go far to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous Milky Way or majestic northern lights if you’re in the Midwest. Minnesota is emerging as one of the best places in the U.S. to lean into pitch-black skies and take in the stars — and, if you’re lucky, the northern lights, too. You might just need access to a boat. Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park, a 218,000-acre oasis mostly on water just south of the Canadian border, has been named an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA)....

A popular New York City tradition will head back to the rails this holiday season at the New York Botanical Garden. The Holiday Train Show will celebrate its 30th year at the Bronx attraction, alongside the return of NYBG Glow, an after-dark outdoor “color and light experience,” which will be expanded for its second season. Model trains will chug around recreations of 175 city landmarks — including Rockefeller Center, the Statue of Liberty, and Brooklyn Bridge — made out of natural materials like acorns, pine cones, birch bark, cinnamon sticks, and lotus pods....

When a trio of NICU nurses boarded a Delta Air Lines flight from Salt Lake City to Honolulu last week, they did not expect to facilitate a mid-air delivery. But when a woman went into preterm labor over the Pacific Ocean, they jumped into action. “If anyone would like to know how our trip to Hawaii is going… here’s how it started. We delivered a 26-27 weeker in the airplane bathroom, in the middle of the ocean, with three NICU nurses, a Physicians assistant, and a family medicine doctor we were able to make it THREE HOURS before we could finally land but the baby and mom did great,” one of the nurses wrote in a Facebook post....

The travel landscape may be changing, but our collective love of adventure will never waiver. Through the events of the last few years, we’ve remained committed to helping you make the most of your journeys. Be it staycations, a visit to a nearby city, or a trip around the globe, we’re here to serve you. We still believe in the power of experiencing new things and celebrating what makes us all unique....

There’s a big reward waiting for you in retirement: you can finally go on those trips you’ve always dreamed of, without having to worry about running out of vacation days or coming back to piles of work and an annoyed boss. Whether you want to explore never-inhabited corners of the world or visit the cradle of civilization, if you have the time, we’ve got some ideas. These are the trips we editors fantasize about taking when we retire—and that you could take today....

8 Exercise Skirts for the Gym, Hiking Trails, and More To buy: amazon.com, from $23 The skirt is made for all kinds of activities, including tennis, of course, as well as running, hiking, biking, and golf. It’s available in 18 colors, like basic black and white, as well as bold royal blue and fuschia. You can shop the skirt in sizes XXS to XXL. Another shopper emphasized how comfortable this skirt is, particularly for exercise....

The 8 Best Portable Fire Pits, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews Tangkula 3 Piece Patio Furniture Set This set of two chairs and a glass-top table is perfect for a patio or terrace. Each piece is made from weather-resistant synthetic rattan wicker with a rust-resistant steel frame, so there’s no questioning the set’s sturdiness and durability. And since the chairs come with cushy, washable cushions, they’ll be comfortable for outdoor lounging while remaining easy to keep clean....

JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, an award-winning resort in Arizona, is celebrating its 85th anniversary this December by offering travelers the chance to book a lavish package that includes guided hikes, spa treatments, private parties, and daily breakfasts. All it will cost them is a cool $85,000. Originally opened on Dec. 15, 1936 by entrepreneur Jack Stewart, the hotel was acquired by J. Willard Marriott and the Marriott Hotel Corporation in 1967, making Camelback Inn the first resort in the company’s portfolio....

When you think about the culture of your country, traditional food, special holidays, unique architecture, or spooky superstitions might come to mind. Countries often have a national symbol, or an official bird or flower, but a favorite dog breed? That designation doesn’t typically make it to cultural conversations. But now it can, thanks to the new dog-themed maps created by HouseholdQuotes.co.uk. This U.K.-based company, which typically helps renters and homeowners find the best tradesmen for repair jobs, recently conducted some research to determine the favorite dog breeds in countries around the world....

The Tiawudi Collapsible Sink is made from sturdy, BPA-free thermoplastic rubber. It’s easy to both pop up and collapse, which makes it ideal for travel since it’s easy to pack. A plastic rim, base, and handles add stability and make the sink painless to carry. And when you get home, you can throw the sinks right in the dishwasher. To buy: amazon.com, $21 for pack of two With an 8.5-liter capacity, the sink has plenty of room for all your camping dishes, making clean-up a breeze while you’re traveling....

Costa Rica is the ultimate nature-lover’s paradise, home to one of only five Blue Zones (a.k.a. destinations known for health and happiness). So it’s no wonder that the Central American country is one of the top year-round destinations for wellness. If you’ve ever wanted to make your Costa Rican vacation permanent, then investing in a property might be your best bet. Enter: Casa Chameleon Mal País. Courtesy of Christie’s International Real Estate...

Hundreds of reviewers have given the cute swimsuit cover-up a perfect five-star rating because it’s lightweight, comfortable, and provides UPF 50 protection, meaning it blocks 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays, which can cause sun damage and skin cancer. The long-sleeve dress features two spacious front pockets, and it even has a hood for added sun protection. This Oprah-approved Tote Is the Most Stylish Beach Bag We’ve Ever Laid Eyes On...

September is California Wine Month, and what better way to celebrate than with a leisurely bike ride through some of Sonoma’s best wineries. And if you’re a pinot noir drinker, The Lodge at Sonoma, an Autograph Collection hotel, has already mapped out the perfect route for your ride. The Sonoma hotel’s Pedal for Pinot map includes stops at more than a half-dozen wineries located within a mile of the property. Plus, you don’t have to worry about bringing your bike....

Alaska summer cruises are one step closer to reality after President Joe Biden signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law on Monday, allowing ships to bypass Canada as they travel to the state. “Today, I signed the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act into law,” Biden tweeted Monday evening. “Tourism is vital to the state of Alaska — and this law will help revitalize the industry and support Alaskans by allowing large cruise ships to return to the state this summer....

Airfare can often seem mystifying, especially when it can cost more to take a short, regional flight than to travel from one coast to the other, or more to fly into one airport than another. For example, a nonstop flight from Los Angeles, California, to Charlotte, North Carolina, could cost $553, while routes with a layover cost closer to $200. A flight from Los Angeles to Orlando, however, with a stopover in Charlotte on the same day, could only cost $121....

Find some much-needed relaxation and mindfulness all from the comfort of your own home. Meditation can be a difficult practice to get into without guidance. And, what better guidance can you get than from a real Buddhist monk? This Online Experience offered through Airbnb lets you do a special, one-hour meditation session from an actual Buddhist monk in Japan. The teacher, named Kuniatsu, has been a monk for over 20 years and has worked in Shitennoji Temple for 12 years, doing zen meditation, according to his host bio on Airbnb....

Get ready to bundle up this winter season. The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its official predictions for winter 2021 to 2022, dubbing the upcoming months “a season of shivers.” “This coming winter could well be one of the longest and coldest that we’ve seen in years,” the publication’s editor Janice Stillman said in statement. Much of the country will experience a winter “punctuated by positively bone-chilling, below-average temperatures,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac reads....

You won’t find too many U.S. destinations more beautiful than Hawaii, which is known for its lush mountains, active volcanoes, and relaxing beaches. But beyond just seeing the sights, one of the best ways to celebrate Hawaiian culture is to speak the language. By trying out a few of these phrases on your next trip, you can become a part of the growing movement to revitalize this endangered language. Yes, that’s right: At one point, Hawaiian was on the verge of vanishing....