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After years of conflicting opinions, China and Nepal have finally agreed on the height of Mt. Everest — and it’s even bigger than originally thought. In a joint virtual press conference Tuesday, the two countries announced that Mt. Everest is officially 29,032 feet tall, three feet taller than previously considered. Everest sits on the border of Tibet and Nepal and climbers take the summit from both sides. But over the years, the two governments — and many others — have disagreed about its height....

Nantucket is getting a brand-new boutique hotel just in time for summer. Blue Iris, a 12-key hotel located in the heart of Nantucket, will open its doors to guests in the coming months, bringing with it plenty of luxury offerings. “We are excited to open our doors to guests this summer in this beautifully restored property in the heart of Nantucket’s historical district. This quiet and upscale hotel will be a tranquil getaway from the hustle and bustle of town steps away,” Jason Brown, a managing partner at Blue Flag, the property’s owner, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure....

Every year on June 23, “Noche de San Juan” — the eve of the feast day for Saint John the Baptist — turns into a day-long celebration in Puerto Rico. Although the summer solstice occurs two days prior, it marks the true kick-off to summer for everyone on the island. Saint John the Baptist feast day is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Denmark, Ireland, and Spain, but no one does it quite like Puerto Rico....

Portugal reopened to U.S. tourists on Tuesday, welcoming them with pre-arrival testing, according to the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in Portugal. Americans who test negative for COVID-19 before their trip will now be allowed to visit the cobblestone streets and elaborate tile-lined buildings that paint Lisbon, and sip local wines amid the rolling hills of the Algarve region. Horacio Villalobos/Corbis via Getty All travelers will need to show proof of a negative nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT), like a PCR test, taken within 72 hours of their trip or a negative rapid antigen test taken within 24 hours of their trip, according to the embassy....

Italy is renowned for its homegrown hotels. While other countries can sometimes feel dominated by the same international brands, the classic, family-run properties of, say, Tuscany, Puglia, and the Amalfi Coast can hold their own against the finest in the world. And though industry heavyweights may slowly be gaining a foothold on Italy’s scenic shores, locally owned and operated properties once again dominated the Top 10 Italy Resort Hotels category in the 2019 World’s Best Awards....

Ever since I discovered Sperry shoes in middle school, I’ve had a pair in my closet ever since. Over the years, I’ve collected everything from the brand’s cute sneakers to protective rain boots to the classic boat shoes and always found them to be equal parts comfortable and stylish. So when Sperry reached out to me asking if I wanted to head to Miami to test out their latest footwear launch, I jumped at the chance....

Summer and sandals may go hand-in-hand, but finding a supportive new pair isn’t as easy as it may seem. If you’re on the hunt for comfortable and stylish footwear, Target shoppers are calling the A New Day Esme Elastic Ankle Strap Sandals the most comfortable sandals. Priced at $25, these affordable sandals offer support and cushioning to prevent strain and discomfort, all while tying your favorite summer outfits together with their trend-inspired design....

Layovers can be a great way to explore a destination before hopping on a connecting flight, but squeezing in the time to get to and from the airport and explore a city in just a few hours can be tricky. Some cities offer airports that are closer to their downtown and attractions, giving travelers the chance to take the time that would be spent waiting for a flight at the gate and use it to grab a local bite or tick an activity off their list....

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is asking the public for input in its decision on when to recommend cruise ships sail again. Last week, the agency put out a request through the Federal Register “to inform future public health guidance and preventative measures relating to travel on cruise ships.” “The questions were developed by CDC subject matter experts to inform future public health guidance and preventative measures relating to travel on cruise ships,” a spokeswoman for the CDC, told USA Today....

It’s undeniable: Nashville is booming. And each day, it seems a new glittery, glass high-rise pops up to tower over the city. These buildings, which look over popular neighborhoods like the Gulch and Downtown, are also home to beautiful and grand hotels. In fact, Nashville is currently poised to get a five-star Four Seasons Hotel, really putting the city on the map as a luxury hotel destination. But once you look past the glitz of the “new” Nashville, you’ll find a humble city with time-tested restaurants, rootsy music blaring in smokey honky-tonks, and a new motel — yes, motel — that seems to transport you back to the very best of where Music City came from....

Since 1998, NASA has reported 213 spacewalks from the International Space Station (ISS). In each mission, two astronauts suit up and leave the station, with support from crew members. Most of the ISS’s 213 missions have been conducted by male astronauts with the help of some female crew members, though never in the ISS’s 21 years and 213 spacewalks has there been an all-female spacewalk. But everything is set to change on March 29 as NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Christina Koch execute the first all-female spacewalk with all-female support....

Australia is already known for its beauty and adventurous spirit, but now, a new natural phenomenon is trending and it’s sending flocks of people just two hours north of Sydney. Earning the nickname “cotton candy caves” thanks to its bright pink hue, these grottos — also known as the pink caves — are nestled in the Munmorah State Conservation Area, about 81 miles north of New South Wales’ capital city, according to DailyMail....

If your summer plans include going to the beach, hitting a water park, or just lounging at your local swimming pool, one thing is for certain: Being in and around water is one of the most fun ways to deal with the heat. In fact, reviewers say Simari’s Water Shoes — the pair in question — are so good that once you wear them, you’ll “never want another water shoe.” The breathable style has been gaining so much traction that it’s now a best-seller among the retailer’s overall category of women’s shoes and has more than 2,400 five-star reviews and counting....

In recent years, it feels like the ski world has been all about explosive growth — just consider the addition of high-speed lifts and heated gondolas; of posh hotels with bougie spas; of ultra-exclusive (and ultra-expensive) heli-skiing experiences; and of villages with heated sidewalks and Louis Vuitton boutiques. Dig a little deeper and you’ll see that a lot of this growth is driven by what can best be described as an arms race of acquisitions between the ski industry’s two largest rivals: Vail Resorts and Alterra Mountain Company, each of which owns dozens of resorts both big and small from Washington to New Hampshire....

Each pack comes with a hydration bladder that holds up to two liters of water at a time. It also features two padded straps that shoppers say are super comfortable on your shoulders and an anti-shock chest strap that helps evenly distribute the weight of the bag. What’s more, the right shoulder strap has a pocket where you can loop the straw of the hydration pack, so you can drink from it without having to take the backpack off your shoulders....

Vermont is the latest state to officially dissuade residents from hosting or attending large Thanksgiving gatherings this year as cases of the COVID-19 pandemic rise around the U.S. “The data and the trends of the past few weeks are sending a clear message that we need to up our game in order to protect ourselves and our communities and prevent large-spread infections,” Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said during a government briefing on Friday, The Associated Press reported....

On a secluded island in the Indian Ocean, there’s a tribe of indigenous people that attacks anybody who attempts to visit. The island has been named both the hardest to visit and the most dangerous on the planet. India has banned its citizens from visiting North Sentinel Island or attempting to make contact with the people who live there. Going within three miles of the island is illegal. The Sentinelese people are known for their violence and unwillingness to communicate with any outsiders....

As a travel editor, I’ve learned plenty of tips and tricks for packing better, staying organized while traveling, and fitting over a week’s worth of clothing into a carry-on suitcase. But there’s one hack I’ve recently incorporated into my packing routine, and it’s changed the way I travel. Packing cubes are a must-have when you’re filling up a suitcase, but I’ve found that these accessories also work surprisingly well in duffels, weekender bags, and totes....

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. Looking for an affordable winter escape? Whether you’re dreaming of heading south to sunnier shores or hoping to hit the slopes this ski season, winter getaways can be expensive. Choosing the perfect destination can be key to saving on your next vacation, so Hotels....

Clover, also known as Clovie, is a three-year-old, 13 pound Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and a seasoned traveler. She has accompanied her owner, Gillian Small, on planes, trains, buses and boats since she was about six months old. Small never checks Clovie, but carries her on planes in an approved carrier that fits under the seat in front of her. The pair prefer to fly JetBlue. “They have a special program for dogs, and their JFK terminal even includes an area for dogs to go to the bathroom inside the terminal,” Small said....