Travel

Travel

Solo travel is one of those things that people are either intimidated by or wholeheartedly embrace. Even though I fall into the latter category-I do it multiple times every month-I still find traveling alone as a woman requires research, thorough preparation, and a constant sense of awareness. Some pretrip nonnegotiables for me include downloading maps to use offline, carrying a fully charged portable power bank, and sharing my location with my friends and family.

Spain has been a top expat magnet- sunny climate, laid-back lifestyle, relatively low costs (compared to Western Europe). But by 2026, rising rents in major Spanish cities, tightened visa rules, and a surge in English-speaking enclaves have nudged some expats to lesser-known nations. If you crave a European adventure without Barcelona's inflated housing or Madrid's spiked living costs, these 7 countries might be your ticket to a comfy life on a smaller budget.

Relaxation isn't my strong suit. I'm wired to go nonstop and make the most out of each trip, vacation or not. So when I stepped onto my suite's private balcony at Blue Haven Resort, overlooking picture-perfect turquoise waters, and took a deep breath of the warm sea air, I felt that relaxing in peace and tranquility might be possible. I had just arrived in the Turks and Caicos,

Set in the heart of the Baa Atoll, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, the island offers a more intimate vision of Maldivian luxury; one that favors calm over excess and personalization over scale. Home to just 50 private villas, each with its own pool, Milaidhoo is deliberately small, creating an intimate island setting that feels both personal and unhurried. The experience is shaped around thoughtful service, generous space and a rhythm that encourages guests to slow down and settle into island life.

Ditchling the start and end point of the walk has two pubs, the White Horse and the Bull, alongside 36 buildings dating from the 1500s to 1800s. Most notable is Wings Place, gifted to Anne of Cleves in her divorce settlement from Henry VIII in 1540. Within a couple of minutes' walk from the heart of the village, you're in open fields.

The crossroads of the Mediterranean, it was founded by the Phoenicians and ruled by the Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, French, and Spanish before becoming part of Italy during the country's unification in 1861. All of these different cultures left their mark on the city's architecture, art, culture, and cuisine, which can still be felt today, making it not only the Mediterranean's melting pot but also one of the best cities to visit in Italy.

Starting today, Nobl Luggage is hosting a sitewide after-Christmas sale, and absolutely everything (yes, everything) is 67 percent off. We rounded up the best Nobl Luggage travel bags and accessories to snag today, including three carry-on styles tested by Travel + Leisure writers, and an editor-loved pick that can fit a week's worth of clothes. Keep reading to see all the can't-miss deals to scoop up before the sale ends on Tuesday, December 31-including one suitcase bundle that totals $1,421 in savings.

Since coming to England from Ethiopia eight years ago, I've lost parts of my cultural identity. I was stuck in a monotonous, isolated routine studying for a biochemistry degree at Imperial College London, without the family-centred lifestyle I was used to. Back in Ethiopia, I'd be surrounded by my aunt, grandparents, friends. So this year, I took 12 months out and moved to my uncle's house in Leeds. The change helped me try new things, like cycling:

Winter can sometimes be a challenging time to visit national parks due to weather and logistical considerations. Although some parks are definitely beautiful in the snow and cold, many are subject to road and trail closures with limited access during the winter months (or are even outright inaccessible). However, after visiting all 63 US national parks solo - many of them several times in different seasons - I have a few favorites that I enjoy visiting in the winter months.

Dr. Scholl's Women's Time Off Sneakers Flight attendants spend much of their time working on their feet, so it stands to reason that they'll keep a comfy pair of sneakers at the ready for when they're exploring a destination off the clock. These Dr. Scholl's white sneakers are specifically designed to provide impressive support thanks to the addition of cushy insoles and their travel-friendly slip-on design.

Papakōlea Beach isn't your typical beach. Commonly referred to as "Green Sand Beach," the stretch of shoreline on the Island of Hawaii (the Big Island) is said to be one of only four green-sand beaches in the world. It's also the only one located in the 50 U.S. states. To reach the others, you'll need to book flights to Norway, Guam (a U.S. island territory in Micronesia), and the Galapagos Islands.

Some in the latter camp are imposing taxes on the former to grow their revenue, fund local services, or even to manage overcrowding. New Zealand collects a tourism tax to protect its natural environment. Some of these taxes are charged as entry fees, while others are added to the cost of accommodation. Whatever the form, they're increasingly being introduced as a way to manage overtourism and offset the pressure visitors put on popular destinations.

There's no shortage of flight horror stories, but a bed bug infestation sounds particularly unsettling. The Albuquerque's, a family of four from Virginia, filed a lawsuit against Delta and KLM on December 18 after they said they experienced a "bed bug infestation" on a flight from March 21. "While aboard a Delta and KLM flight across the Atlantic, the entire Albuquerque Family was bitten and injured by bed bugs that had infested the cabin of the plane," the lawsuit said.

There's nothing like the post-Christmas slump to spur on some future travel plans.

My friend Kim, a Premier 1K United member, included me as a companion on her booking for our vacation to Washington last summer. We enjoyed an upgrade to first during one of the flights, and over an extremely generous pour of Champagne, she schooled me on what I was missing by not picking a team. Of course, I was familiar with benefits like an earlier boarding group, the potential for complimentary seat upgrades, and lounge access if you reach a certain level.

Prince Harry scored four goals. Fans, which included Colman Domingo, Goldie Hawn, and Mariah Carey, cheered him from a heated V.I.P. tents, while nibbling on king crab and jumbo shrimp. Between periods, some got IV infusions from a wellness tent, while others danced to a DJ who spun pop hits, accompanied by a trumpet player.

We all have our little tricks and tips for getting through the day-but what about when that day requires tackling a whole lot of logistics in a short amount of time? Getting from Point A to Point B by train, plane, car, or public transportation is always prone to mishaps and moments requiring quick-thinking pivots. And the truth is, you can never have enough tools in your box to help make the act of traveling a little bit easier on the body and brain.

At its heart is the Funnel Suite, a four-level floating residence housed inside the yacht's funnel. Spanning more than 9,600 square feet, it features panoramic wraparound windows, a private plunge pool, a high-ceiling living room, and an internal elevator that make it feel more like a penthouse than stateroom. There are 11 dining options on board, each as refined as Four Seasons' land-based properties. Wellness options are equally robust, with a full spa, open-air treatment rooms, and private in-suite services.

Very doable, it turns out. It felt surprisingly similar to a normal couple of days of work - I answered emails, filed stories, and chatted with my editor - but with the added novelty of daily life on the train. I made it to Chicago without any flight delays or airport traffic, and without using up any PTO on travel time. And the views from my "desk" could not be beat.

A luxury retreat is taking the guest experience to new heights. Famed Utah resort Amangiri will launch private flights to neighboring national parks for guests, making it easier to take in some of the region's most amazing natural sites, a spokesperson for Amangiri shared with Travel + Leisure. Guests of the resort will have the option to book a visit to Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, or Capitol Reef National Park. With these private jet flights, travelers will have the opportunity to visit each of the " Mighty 5" national parks in Utah as well as plan a trip to Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona during their stay.

Housed in a bespoke armoire at least six feet tall, it is filled with curated delights of every kind. Mine, for instance, was stocked with an expansive tea selection requisite of a non-coffee-drinker, as well as a host of healthy-ish snack options, like pea chips and protein bars (though I couldn't resist the gourmet Turkish delight or gummy bears either).

As the sun descends behind the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, I join the end-of-day procession to Loreto Bay National Park, a protected marine area in the Sea of Cortez. Fisherfolk, families, and out-of-towners stroll the Malecón, a mile-long esplanade that traces the water, watching as the sea turns the same sherbet hues as the evening sky. Seabirds dive-bomb for their dinner, and when a gray whale spouts remarkably close to shore, I hear myself gasp.

"Romantic" is certainly a subjective term. A long-distance hike through the mountains, with chilly nights spent in a two-person tent, might be a recipe for romance for some but a nightmare trip for others. You may swoon at the idea of a romantic theater weekend amid the glittering lights of a metropolis, while your boo just envisions taxi exhaust, surly crowds, show tunes, and overpriced cocktails.

I invited a small group of close friends, ordered a round and let the night unfold without expectations. No theme, no outfit planning and definitely no after-party. This was not my usual approach. I typically mark birthdays with intention and spectacle, but this year I wanted quiet. I wanted something that didn't require logistics, spreadsheets or a credit card statement I'd be afraid to open.

The suitcase measures 22 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 9 inches deep, which meets the carry-on size requirements for Delta, United, and American. This means you can avoid overpriced baggage fees and worrying about fitting it in overhead compartments. Made of ABS and polycarbonate, it's no wonder a happy buyer said it's "very durable." One reviewer who's owned the suitcase for a year said it's "been with me on over 30 trips," adding that it's "holding up very well," with another shopper echoing that it still "looks brand new" after several trips. A third person gave it their stamp of approval after taking it on a "28-day trip" with "lots of train rides and cobbled streets."