Posts

In the North Sea just beyond the tip of Scotland, the Orkney Islands often fail to register with tourists. Almost never are they included on any map of Europe’s highlights, but why? Because, despite the island title, they don’t offer white-sand, umbrella-clad beaches or a balmy Mediterranean climate à la Greece and Spain? Instead, this scattered archipelago of 70 islands — two thirds of which are uninhabited — has a time-worn, slightly mystical charm of its own....

Hot food is coming back to American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounges. After months of altered food service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passengers at the airline lounges will once again be able to choose options like hot sandwiches, mac and cheese and pizza, the airline recently announced. However, with its return, health precautions will be put into place including a staff member serving food behind a plastic divider as an alternative to buffet-style dining....

Juno Kim is taking quarantine in stride. In fact, she’s taking many of those strides right now as she quarantines in her home state of Alaska. The professional traveler returned to the 49th state in April, just as the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the world. But rather than sitting and wallowing in sadness over the fact that she could no longer travel the world, Kim decided it was high time to explore her own backyard....

A Canadian couple got married on the border between the U.S. and Canada earlier this month so, despite current travel restrictions, guests of both nationalities could attend. Lindsay Clowes and Alex Leckie got engaged in November 2019 and planned to marry in August 2020. But as the coronavirus pandemic continued, it became clear that they would not be able to follow their original plans. They canceled the date and pushed back their wedding until 2021....

Delta will continue blocking middle seats and capping capacity through September 30. In a press release this week, the airline announced a three-month extension to its coronavirus policies that blocked off select window and aisle seats from being booked, in addition to all middle seats, in an effort to maintain social distancing for passengers while flying. Seating will be blocked at 50 percent full in first class, 60 percent in the main cabin and Delta Comfort+ and 75 percent in Delta One to reduce the number of passengers on board each flight....

For this year’s Pride, take a tour of the place where it all began. The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march (which was in June 1970) by offering an online tour of the historic Greenwich Village in New York City. Besides being a historic neighborhood in general, with lots of fascinating details, Greenwich Village is also home to The Stonewall Inn, where the Stonewall Uprising took place in 1969....

Although the light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel may be upon us when it comes to traveling, we could always use some wanderlust inspiration in the form of an adventurous TV show. Cue Netflix’s new series, “The World’s Most Amazing Vacation Rentals” hosted by content creators Megan Batoon and Jo Franco and Bravo star Luis D. Ortiz. Through the eyes of the three hosts, viewers get to experience an array of amazing rental properties for every budget and every travel style....

The Smithsonian Magazine is bringing back its annual Museum Day in September, granting free access to museums and cultural centers across the country. The 17th annual celebration will allow people to request a free ticket to one of more than 1,000 museums in nearly all 50 states for Saturday, Sept. 18, Smithsonian Magazine shared with Travel + Leisure. This year’s event, which carries the theme “Experience America,” comes after 2020’s Museum Day — like many events around the world — was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic....

Thanks to its supposed calming and anti-inflammatory effects, cannabidiol, better known as CBD, seems to be appearing in everything these days, from body lotions to kombucha and coffee. Studies from universities and biopharmaceutical companies have cautiously indicated that the cannabis-derived compound — which is separate from THC, the primary psychoactive component of marijuana — could help alleviate a range of health issues, including acne and seizures. (The FDA approved a CBD-derived drug for the latter last year....

There’s nothing better than exploring a destination through the eyes of a local, and when it comes to Los Angeles, no one knows the city better than Issa Rae. The actor, writer, and producer is teaming up with Airbnb to offer travelers a weekend stay at a gorgeous home in South LA. The stay will include an itinerary curated by Rae, including the opportunity to meet her virtually. “I’m inviting guests to spend a weekend in my hometown to experience the culture, businesses, and communities that influence my storytelling on screen,” Rae said in the Airbnb listing....

While cruise lines in the U.S. are staying docked during the coronavirus pandemic until at least November, many travelers may be wary of hopping on a ship even after business resumes. However, there is a way to set sail while also staying conscious of your wellbeing. Luxury travel company Kontiki Expeditions is launching small-yacht voyages to Ecuador this fall and winter. These smaller “cruises” sound like the perfect way to socially distance while still enjoying a luxurious vacation....

Louis Vuitton wants to help make your music-listening experience a little more stylish. In July, the luxury goods company launched the Louis Vuitton Horizon Light Up portable speaker, adding to its existing range of connected products. “Through superior sound quality and cutting-edge technology, the Louis Vuitton Horizon Light Up speaker really comes into its own through Louis Vuitton’s unconventional approach to creating beauty in an everyday object,” the company shared in a statement....

After months of speculation, overseas spectators will not be allowed at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, organizers confirmed over the weekend. “In order to give clarity to ticket holders living overseas and to enable them to adjust their travel plans at this stage, the parties on the Japanese side have come to the conclusion that they will not be able to enter into Japan at the time of the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” organizers said in a statement on Saturday....

If you visit this new bridge, remember: Don’t look down. According to The Sun, a truly frightening 1,692 foot long suspension bridge called 516 Arouca is opening soon in Portugal, and it looks like an attraction sure to see thrill seekers in droves. At this length, the new bridge will be considered the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, beating out the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in Switzerland, which spans 1,621 feet and opened in 2017, according to The Sun....

Princess Cruises is making up for time lost during the coronavirus pandemic with a world cruise that will sail to dozens of countries across six continents in 2024, the company shared with Travel + Leisure this week. Bookings for the cruise, which will set sail on the Island Princess from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on Jan. 4, 2024, go on sale starting Thursday. After leaving Florida, travelers will embark on a 111-day cruise to 51 destinations across 27 countries, including visiting 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Acropolis in Athens and the port fortress of Cartagena....

Dreams are coming true for those seeking a whole new way to experience an evening under the stars. The first-ever Polar Igloos at sea have officially set sail aboard two new, state-of-the-art Lindblad vessels, providing a cozy, temperature-controlled setting to stargaze like never before. The National Geographic Endurance and National Geographic Resolution are both fully stabilized vessels of the highest ice class, allowing for unprecedented access to polar regions. Now, they’re offering first-of-their-kind igloos on deck with panoramic views of spectacular polar landscapes and starry nighttime skies....

One of the world’s best credit cards for travel just got a serious upgrade. The travel-oriented American Express Platinum Card has just gotten a major refresh, at a moment when Americans are hitting the road in near record numbers and vaccinations are driving a resurgence in domestic and even international travel. American Express has added a variety of new travel benefits, including a $200 hotel credit; a $179 credit to cover a year-long membership in Clear, which speeds users through security at select airports and sports venues; and free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including more than 40 Centurion Lounges, like the one that just opened at LaGuardia Airport in New York City....

The year is more than halfway over, so if you’re behind on some of your 2019 travel goals, it may be time to ditch your favorite travel partner and take matters into your own hands. And why not? Unlike the pre-Google days, you now have an interactive map and translation service right at your fingertips — no matter where in the world you end up. Between technology, affordable flights, and companies that cater to solo travelers, traveling alone is not only easier, it’s more popular than ever....

One of the best parts of staying in a hotel is a luxurious breakfast in bed in the morning. But — as anybody who has ever spilled their breakfast knows — there are few things more embarrassing than toppling the tray over onto pristine white bedsheets. Considering that people are not, on average, pristine beings, it may seem counterintuitive for hotels to use bedsheets in the color easiest to stain. But therein lies the genius of bright white bedding....

Los Angeles is where financial dreams are made, according to a new study from personal finance website GOBankingRates. But earning potential depends on where in the country you choose to settle. The site predicted that civil engineers and computer systems analysts will be hired at an above-average rate in 2018. And for those looking for jobs in these fields, Los Angeles has the most openings and the highest salaries ($80,500 and $85,000 for median salaries, respectively)....