Travel

Travel

Airline miles and points can feel unnecessarily difficult to navigate, and I say that as a seasoned traveler with airline status - one who's spent more time than I'd like to admit squinting at award charts and fine print. I'm constantly inundated with social media posts from people claiming they've booked flights to Europe for something like 3,000 miles, while I'm left wondering what algorithm they've managed to crack that I haven't.

Warm lights shine from the houses that dot the wintry slopes of Mount Flyen and a cold wind blows as I stand in a swimming costume trying to talk myself into joining my friends in Bergen harbour. Stars are already appearing in the inky mid-afternoon sky. Life-changing moments are easy to spot in retrospect, but at the time they can feel so ordinary. I didn't know then that my wintry swim would lead to a year of adventures.

The Transportation Security Administration is expanding another program to keep the agency's promise of TSA PreCheck airport security lines that are 10 minutes or less. But some California airports didn't make the cut. The agency plans to expand its Touchless ID program by this spring, allowing travelers to keep their boarding passes and Real IDs in their bags. Instead, the officer will direct the traveler to take a photo and, using biometric data, waive them through.

There are few things Arabella Carey Adolfsson enjoys more than going fishing near her lakeside home in Sweden during the summertime, or getting her camera out and taking photographs of the natural beauty surrounding her. She and her husband Stefan, a Swede, often take their boat out from Torpon, the island where they live, onto the waters of Lake Sommen, savoring the picturesque views of the surrounding fields, forests and cliffs.

"Ronda is considered one of Spain's most beautiful cities due to its spectacular location, the deep ravine (Tajo), and the surrounding mountains, called Serranía de Ronda," says Maike Ange, a tour guide specializing in Andalusia. Puente Nuevo, or the "New Bridge," is one of the town's three bridges traversing the 400-foot gorge, which splits Ronda into El Mercadillo ("New Town") and La Ciudad ("Old Town"). The dramatic views, however, are still just a sliver of the destination's appeal.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- If you're looking for more than just a boat ride, the Jungle Queen River Cruise in Fort Lauderdale delivers a full-blown tropical escape. This four-hour dinner cruise glides down the New River through Fort Lauderdale to the a "tropical isle." Floridas longest-running tourist attraction has been entertaining visitors since 1935, and its easy to see why.

After a short drive through dry hills, a stone-walled patio came into view. White tablecloth covered tables were set among olive trees and exotic shrubbery. A building stood a discreet distance away. The sweet morning air had yet to succumb to the heat of the day, and a slight breeze ruffled the trees. Moments after we were seated, steaming glass cups of black tea were poured, and a brigade of small plates began to arrive.

The idea of living out of a single carry-on bag for an entire year sounds impossible to most people. We're taught from childhood to accumulate more clothes, more products, more backups "just in case." Yet, for thousands of digital nomads and minimalist travelers, fitting their entire life into one small suitcase is not only doable but liberating. It's a lifestyle shift that forces you to prioritize what truly matters and let go of the clutter that weighs you down.

To help spur travel to Bratislava, for example, Ryanair said it will increase flight capacity there by about 70 percent in 2026. Known for its charming old town and historic castles, the city is one of the most affordable places to visit in Europe. Another trending destination for 2026 was Tirana, recognized as an under-the-radar food destination with both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. Ryanair said it will soon operate 450 weekly flights from its new three-aircraft base there.

Part of Hot Springs National Park, downtown Hot Springs' Bathhouse Row is a collection of historic neoclassical and Spanish-style buildings that now serve as attractions, visitor centers, and historic sites. But one bathhouse has operated continuously since 1912, making it the town's longest-running facility. Equipped with steam cabinets, whirlpool tubs, and massage therapists, Buckstaff Bathhouse offers separate floors for men and women, and its no-reservation policy for baths and massages works in favor of travelers who want to take a spontaneous trip

Fare evasion is set to get harder on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) as the operator steps up ticket inspections on trains. As most of the DLR stations don't have ticket barriers, there's a certain level of trust that people tend to do the right thing and pay for transport, and the vast majority do pay to take a ride on the DLR.

My mother and I are at our best when unwinding on the beach with a piña colada in hand. It's not that we don't love adventurous travel; it's just that our travel styles are different. She's all about going with the flow, and I prefer to have a plan and a well-balanced itinerary. But one thing we both appreciate is a good tropical resort.

Casa de Sierra Nevada beautifully strikes that same balance across its six historic manors dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The first luxury hotel to open in San Miguel de Allende, the jigsaw puzzle estate is teeming with centuries-old Easter eggstiled fountains and romantic balconies, family crests and staircases carved in stone. Though it's a Belmond Hotel, the Casa de Sierra Nevadalike all of the brand's properties around the worldis unique.

Sometimes it's about sinking into sunlight and letting a chic villa or vacation rental set the pace. It's always about time to start planning your next spring break vacation, and you'll find it hits differently when you've learned that the real luxury isn't just in the itinerary, but the address itself. Maybe it's a beachfront vacation home in Turks and Caicos or the Caribbean, a sun-soaked estate in Palm Springs or Florida.

I spent 30 hours on an overnight Amtrak train traveling from Miami to New York City in 2021. For $1,000, I booked a bedroom, which is about the size of a king-size bed with a full bathroom. At around 45 square feet, my cabin made impressive use of a tiny space without feeling cramped. In October 2021, I tucked myself into a train bunk during a 30-hour trip from Miami to New York City.

The terrain is choked with rhododendron and dog hobble, ground cover that makes it easy to get lost and hard to be found. There are eight hundred and forty-eight miles of trail, and countless manways, which masquerade as trails. The many waterfalls are fed by rain on par with that of the Pacific Northwest. The rivers rise and boil with astonishing speed. There's little to no cell service.

Passengers can be removed from a flight for disruptive, violent, or aggressive behavior, making threats, or interfering with a crew member's ability to perform their duties. Once a passenger refuses instructions, escalates a confrontation, or distracts the crew during boarding or taxi, airlines have little flexibility because it becomes a safety issue. That stance is backed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which maintains a zero-tolerance policy for unruly or dangerous behavior, meaning passengers who interfere with crew duties can face removal, fines, or further action.

The U.S. Department of State recently increased its travel advisory to a Level 2 for the country of Grenada, recommending Americans "exercise increased caution" when heading there. The advisory was updated on Jan. 5 to include the crime indicator, mentioning instances of armed robbery, assault, and burglary. "Violent crime can occur anywhere in Grenada," the State Department wrote in its message, adding "In some cases, American citizens have been killed. Police response times are not as fast as one may expect in the United States."

Paris has long been considered the ultimate symbol of European beauty, romance, and culture. However, younger retirees, digital nomads, and lifestyle seekers are increasingly discovering that many smaller European towns offer equal or greater charm without the high costs and crowds. These destinations provide historic architecture, walkable streets, vibrant local culture, and stunning natural surroundings, often at a fraction of the price associated with major capitals. From coastal villages to medieval hill towns, Europe offers countless alternatives that feel authentic, relaxed, and deeply rewarding.

Tumi's Alpha line is business chic, looks good but is really all about function. If you have enough money to have a money manager, this is what you want that guy carrying onto his reasonably priced business class flight. The Dual Access carry-on puts an emphasis on performance, with a second zipper entry for quick access to your main compartment. It also comes with a removable garment bag so your suit or jacket can stay spiffy for that wedding you're heading to.

When my first flight was delayed to the point of no return, I accepted that missing my second flight meant I'd be unwillingly spending the night in Detroit. Instead of scrambling for a late-night shuttle to one of the off-airport properties Delta Air Lines offered for free-some of which were 18 miles away!-I quickly pulled up my Marriott app and snagged a room at The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, located directly inside the McNamara Terminal of Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).

I've traveled to all 63 major US national parks, but Grand Teton stands out as my favorite.

As global air travel settled into a new rhythm in 2025, OAG's latest Busiest Flight Routes in the World report offers a clear picture of where travelers have been flying the most across the year. Based on scheduled seat capacity, the rankings highlight the air corridors that carried the highest volumes of passengers worldwide, and they are overwhelmingly concentrated in one region.

When Mandarin Oriental Qianmen opened its doors in late 2024, the property shone the spotlight on a different side of Beijing. Rather than a sleek, multistory modern building, guests can now immerse themselves in the historic side of the Chinese capital by staying in a hutong, or one of the ancient alleyway networks that have been a hub of local life for centuries-all with Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City (The Palace Museum), and the National Museum of China within walking distance.

"They say that the Azores is made up of eight islands and an amusement park," my guide, Fernando Brazil, joked as he drove his Land Rover past one of the island's many colorful chapels, known as impérios. Brazil explained that Terceira holds more festivals than all the other Azorean isles combined. Most revolve around the impérios, which are dedicated to the Holy Spirit and can last up to 10 days, with concerts, parades, and bullfights.

"What passengers often interpret as cabin hosts 'sitting on their hands' is actually a deliberate brace-ready position. Cabin hosts sit upright in the jump seat with feet flat on the floor and hands secured on their thighs or beneath the legs," Drossos says. "This posture stabilizes the body, minimizes the risk of injury during sudden movement or turbulence, and ensures hands are immediately available to respond if an evacuation or safety action is required."

There are several reasons Hallstatt, a hamlet in Austria's Salzkammergut region, is one of the most-visited destinations in the country. For many travelers, its storybook appearance is the primary draw. "This postcard-worthy destination...delights with its colorful houses, a historic market square, the country's largest bone house, and a 7,000-year-old salt mine that is still active today and fun to tour," says Michaela Muhr, an Austrian guide with ToursByLocals.

After visiting more than 70 countries and learning to live out of a carry-on for weeks at a time, I've made every packing mistake in the book-literally. From cramming too many "just in case" outfits to forgetting something as simple as a charger adapter, I've found myself spending way over budget just to account for all the things I've forgotten.