In an unprecedented move, thousands of Cubans took to the streets in over 40 different cities last Sunday to protest their government. Cuba is a socialist dictatorship that has been ruling the island nation for over 62 years. Ever since Fidel Castro took over in 1959, Cuba has been subjected to a one party rule (the Communist Party of Cuba), which controls all forms of mediums and does not protect the right to free speech or assembly for its citizens....
It’s not easy to travel to Papua New Guinea. The exact qualities that make the country so attractive to adventurers—its rugged natural beauty, thriving traditional cultures, an anachronistic lack of infrastructure—is precisely what makes it such a challenging destination. The Australian government’s travel guidelines for the country is one long warning about a terrifying compendium of biblical and modern-day plagues: Landslides! Car-jackings! Gang violence! Venomous snakes! Civil unrest! The eastern half of the second largest island on earth, Papua New Guinea first gained notoriety in the Western world after Errol Flynn visited in 1927 and declared the land one of his greatest loves....
Jamaica will eliminate all pre-arrival testing for international visitors this weekend, becoming the latest destination to roll back pandemic-era rules. Starting April 16, the island will no longer require travelers to show proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test taken within 72 hours of their trip, the Jamaica Tourist Board shared with Travel Leisure. Instead, travelers will be able to enter the Caribbean country as freely as before the coronavirus pandemic....
Le Meurice says that it’s “the hotel of artists and thinkers” — an ambitious title to bestow upon oneself. However, after my stay, it was clear the title was never aspirational; it was simply factual. On a rainy Friday morning, our group headed out on one of the hotel’s exclusive walking tours, “Picasso’s Montmartre,” part of a series following in the footsteps of legendary artists in Paris. The neighborhood of Montmartre sits atop a considerable hill, making for spectacular views of the city....
We already knew Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is an excellent dresser, but it turns out she’s the world’s most influential fashionista as well. According to the global fashion search platform Lyst, Meghan’s outfits sparked a 216 percent increase in consumer searches. That means, after each public outing, millions of people took to the internet to find out which designer she was wearing and to try to find similar styles as well....
Before becoming the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle was a mere commoner just like the rest of us. So, before marrying Prince Harry it’s no surprise she had to take a crash course in being a royal. However, according to a new report, that training may have been much more extensive than we thought. Prior to meeting with Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, Meghan reportedly underwent a two-hour-long training session on how to handle her tea....
It’s safe to say that no one is in the holiday spirit more than Melissa Joan Hart — because it’s literally her job. Having three Christmas movies which she either produced, directed, or starred in all make their Lifetime debut in November — in addition to her numerous holiday flicks throughout the years — the actress joked to Travel + Leisure in a recent interview that due to her filming schedule, “it’s Christmas all year round for me....
New Zealand laid out a phased reopening plan on Wednesday announcing the country will fully reopen its borders to international travelers in April of next year. Starting on Jan. 16, 2022, the country will allow fully vaccinated New Zealanders to return from Australia without a hotel quarantine. Travelers will still have to self-isolate for seven days. Then on Feb. 13, the country will welcome fully vaccinated Kiwis from most other countries....
Looking to revamp your luggage collection? Then we suggest heading over to Nordstrom Rack. The retailer discounted over 400 travel items, including designer suitcases, weekender bags, toiletry cases, crossbody bags, and tote bags for up to 73 percent off. Checked luggage tends to be pricey, so if you’re planning an extended vacation it’s a good idea to use this sale as an opportunity to get a durable suitcase for less. Many of the bags that are marked down are made by editor-approved brands like Delsey and Bric’s....
It looks like little Princess Charlotte may be taking after her dear old uncle Harry. On Thursday, Prince William, Kate Middleton, and two of their children attended the King’s Cup Regatta in Cowes, Isle of Wight. Both mom and dad took part in the race as Prince George and Princess Charlotte watched from the shoreline. Though Middleton came in last place, the entire crowd came in first as they all got to witness a hilarious moment thanks to little Charlotte....
Most good restaurants in the United States—especially popular new places—expect to turn over a table two to three times each night—that means they anticipate a party of two will stay for about an hour and 45 minutes (four-tops are usually allotted two hours). So once you’ve paid your bill, try not to spend the next hour nursing your final sip of wine. Internationally, diners enjoy a more leisurely pace. In Italy, for instance, experts say it’s virtually impossible to overstay your welcome....
Several popular tourist destinations in Mexico have started requiring or recommending vaccines for indoor activities, including bars. Starting Friday, the state of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located, will require people to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours to enter places like bars and clubs, as well as concerts and stadiums, according to the state government. The new mandate applies to people 18 and older....
If you’re ok giving a little love and getting a little messy at the same time, this animal sanctuary in South Carolina needs you. The Cotton Branch Farm Animal Sanctuary has long been in the business of rescuing animals in need. According to CNN, in 2018, the sanctuary rescued 225 neglected pigs from a property in Kentucky. The sanctuary has been hard at work finding new homes for the pigs over the last two years and has successfully placed 75 of them in loving environments....
There’s a new way to make a splash in Dubai. The Address Beach Resort is home to the highest outdoor infinity pool in a building, at 964.2 feet high, Guinness World Records announced last month. Sitting on the hotel’s 77th floor, the massive pool is about 311 feet long and 54 feet wide — almost double the amount of an Olympic-sized pool. Alex Jeffries/Courtesy of Address Beach Resort From the vantage point, which CNN points out is about nine-tenths the height of the Eiffel Tower, there are sprawling city views, including that of the city’s iconic Burj Al Arab, Palm Jumeirah, and the World Islands, as well as another record-breaker, the Ain Dubai Ferris wheel, which is the world’s tallest....
Everyone knows the key to a cozy and warm winter is a quality blanket. Whether you keep it in your bedroom or you display it proudly over the back of the living room couch, the right blanket can turn a house into a home, and a frigid winter night into a toasty one. And we get it — your home is probably filled with blankets already. Crocheted ones, quilted ones, even thick wool ones....
Without question, these are difficult times we are living through. The spread of the coronavirus means the world has come to a halt, and life as we know it has changed for the foreseeable future. However, throughout the crisis companies, people, and now even pets, have come together to bring a little calm in the chaos. While many people have taken to virtual travel, some may need something a bit more soothing....
There’s no way to avoid germs entirely while traveling — but scientists say getting some shut-eye might be the way to ensure your body is better prepared to take them on. A study published in February 2019 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine asserts that T cells, a type of white blood cell, are “critical to the body’s immune response,” and that they are better equipped to do so in individuals who get enough sleep....
United Airlines passengers will soon be able to pay for in-flight purchases with a QR code thanks to a new partnership the carrier has with PayPal, the company shared with Travel + Leisure this week. Starting next month, passengers will be able to pay for drinks and snacks on board — even if they don’t have Wi-Fi — by opening up the PayPal app and showing a flight attendant a QR Code, according to the airline....
Going for a hike sounds like a fun and relaxing way to spend a fall day — as long as you don’t run into a cougar. Kyle Burgess, a man who lives in Provo, Utah, had a scary run-in with a cougar while on a mountain trail on Oct. 10. Thankfully, Burgess managed to deter the big cat after a little over six minutes of it stalking him on the path....
With the holiday season approaching, more than half of surveyed travelers who will take a Thanksgiving or Christmas trip say it will be their first vacation since COVID-19 halted life as we know it, according to a new study from travel booking app Hopper. Fifty-five percent said it would be their first trip in the COVID-19 era, according to the report, shared with Travel + Leisure, that surveyed 892 people in September....
