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The Prime Minister of Ireland has a Gaelic title that may require some pronunciation practice, especially since he’s in the U.S. for a traditional White House St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Leo Varadkar is the Taoiseach of Ireland, a Gaelic term that means Prime Minister. The word is among several Gaelic terms and phrases that stump non-Irish newscasters and Americans, who can sometimes struggle to pronounce Irish names. The proper pronunciation of Taoiseach sounds something like “TEE-shock” in English, according to a BBC report on pronouncing Irish political terms....

After less than a month of reintroducing flights, Indonesian airline Lion Air is canceling them again, with no new restart date in sight. The airline announced that these flights will, once again, be unavailable due to passengers not following new guidelines to combat the spread of coronavirus. “Many prospective passengers were unable to carry out air travel because they did not complete the required documents and conditions during the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic alert period,” it said in the statement by Lion Air....

A small Chihuahua recently became the world’s cutest stowaway after it snuck into its owners’ suitcase only to be discovered thanks to an overweight bag. The dog, named Icky, was found when the couple tried to check their bag for a Southwest Airlines flight from Lubbock, Texas, to Las Vegas on Sept. 26, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to Travel + Leisure. Courtesy of Kristi Owens Bags on Southwest fly free under 50 pounds, but this one weighed just about 5 pounds over....

Just because something’s never happened to you doesn’t mean it never will. Travel host extraordinaire Rick Steves revealed in a blog post this week that — despite an estimated 4,000 days of travel under his belt and despite never having been pickpocketed before — he was the victim of a pickpocketing scam in Paris this summer. Rick Kern/WireImage “It was my own fault,” Steves wrote. “I wasn’t wearing my money belt — a small pouch worn at the waist under your clothes....

From doctors and grocery store employees to pharmacists and police officers, people on the frontlines fighting coronavirus are risking their lives every day to help during these uncertain times. Sarah Flint, a designer shoe brand loved by celebrities like Meghan Markle and Margot Robbie, is doing its part to give thanks to these women all over the U.S. Courtesy of Sarah Flint As part of its #StandInSupport campaign, Sarah Flint invites shoppers to nominate friends and loved ones who are helping combat the pandemic to receive a complimentary pair of shoes from the brand’s archive of casual styles....

Imagine waking up, opening your curtains, and looking out at the Eiffel Tower. What about the gleaming white tiles of the Sydney Opera House or the sun-drenched Giza Pyramids? For many, visiting the world’s most iconic landmarks is a catalyst for travel and the chance to mark off some bucket list items. Do yourself one better and book a room at any of these hotels with incredible views of the most beloved landmarks on Earth....

If you have a New Year’s resolution to eat more green, this might be the best excuse to break it. Shake Shack announced two new menu items that have officially hit stores nationwide: a tasty Korean-style fried chicken sandwich and chicken bites. “Inspired by our teams’ work and travels in South Korea and the incredible food scene there, this limited-time chicken sandwich features a spicy-sweet gochujang-glazed crispy chicken breast over our white kimchi slaw and toasted sesame seeds,” it says in a statement....

The U.S. Department of State is encouraging Americans traveling abroad to make “contingency plans” amid the spread of the highly contagious omicron variant, advising anyone leaving the country to prepare for potential quarantine and testing requirements. “U.S. citizens who choose to travel internationally should be aware that they may face unexpected challenges related to COVID-19 as they attempt to return to the United States or attempt to travel from one overseas location to another,” the department wrote in an advisory last week....

There are few experiences as luxurious and awe-inspiring as a yacht charter. You can explore the world at your leisure, spend quality time with friends and family in an intimate setting, and the service is second to none. We’ve rounded up the most exceptional new yacht charters to book around the world. They’re sure to inspire your next voyage, whether you want to relax along the Amalfi Coast or explore remote corners of the globe....

Whether you’re looking up directions on your phone or taking photos of your surroundings, a bag that keeps your essentials secure yet within reach at all times is a travel essential. That’s why backpacks are one of the most sought-after travel bags. The sporty carryall is made with a durable, tear-resistant nylon material and features breathable, shock-absorbing straps that are “thin but comfortable,” according to reviewers. Along with a spacious main compartment, the hiking backpack also has a front zippered pocket and two stretchy side pockets that are perfect for holding an umbrella or water bottle....

Why go back to an office when your next job can be a non-stop thrill ride? According to Metro, UK-based company Ocean Florida is looking for an exceptionally adventurous person to test theme parks in Orlando, Florida for market research. If you love roller coasters and lots of theme park food, this is basically your dream job. The work will be carried out over a total of three weeks in either April or May....

Luxury real estate usually conjures up images of modern penthouses in sleek high-rise buildings or sprawling oceanfront mansions on remote tropical islands. And while these types of properties certainly fit in the category, if we’ve learned anything from the past two years, it’s that being close to nature is just as luxurious as a Manhattan penthouse. So, what could be better than living in a remote tree house equipped with all the luxuries of modern real estate offerings?...

The U.S. recorded more than 50,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, according to reports, the most in any single day since the virus began. The country as a whole reported 50,203 new cases, CNN reported, citing data from Johns Hopkins University. In total, the country has recorded more than 2.6 million cases and more than 128,000 deaths, Johns Hopkins University noted. The increase comes as several states have paused or reversed their reopening strategies....

Sometimes, packing for a trip can get hectic — even when you think you’re done, there are almost always a few items you manage to remember at the very last minute before leaving for the airport (or not). Sunglasses, for one, can be easy to forget since they’re not something that immediately comes to mind when gathering important travel essentials. Plus, you probably keep your nicest pair of shades tucked away in a drawer for safekeeping, which makes it even more likely that you won’t remember them....

This Year’s Winning Hotel: The Mansion on Turtle Creek, in Dallas. When we asked Travel + Leisure readers, in our annual World’s Best survey, to rate the service at Hotels around the world, we had certain expectations about what their top picks would be. Asian properties, the traditional winners in previous years, would lead the pack, together with a few of the most famously pampering Hotels in the United States and Europe....

The coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has taken a toll on many businesses out there — especially local restaurants. While many places are switching to delivery or pick-up only, or just shutting their doors temporarily, it’s easy to assume that these businesses will struggle financially. To help these businesses, Yelp and GoFundMe have teamed up to allow restaurants and businesses to start fundraisers and users to leave donations directly on the Yelp website....

“I absolutely have the sense that I’ve done a lot of things, but nothing tremendously well — until now. And now, my passion is my husband and his legacy and the archives,” Her Serene Highness Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi, Principessa di Piombino XI, told me over a flute of prosecco at her villa in Rome, an exclusive experience offered by the Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese just across the street as one of their new Roman Cultural Experience offerings....

All aboard the friendliest train in the world. According to Time Out, a real-life replica of the beloved train from the children’s TV show Thomas The Tank Engine is up and running to take visitors on a trip around Shizuoka prefecture in Japan. The Day Out With Thomas event officially started on June 26, after having to delay its opening due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Time Out. The event is planned to continue until Oct....

When Travel +Leisure A-List travel advisor Melissa Lee realized her clients needed a pick-me-up, she started thinking outside the box. The Scandinavia expert knew that her clients were still eager to plan trips, but that those trips would be — for now — a distant light at the end of the tunnel. What could offer a dose of the Arctic landscapes and Nordic aesthetics in the short term? Ever since “Smilla’s Sense of Snow” and “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo” made it to bookshelves across the world, so-called Nordic noir has been this region’s best-known genre....

It’s Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, and the place to enjoy the true flavor of Carnival is the city’s historic French Quarter, where festivities begin annually on January 6 and continue through Fat Tuesday, which falls on March 1 this year. Yes, Mardi Gras is more than just one day. Parades and celebrations are already under way, so if you want to get a taste of the season, it’s time to plan your trip to the French Quarter of New Orleans....