Many glamping places are right off the highway. With Backland, we wanted an immersive nature experience-total comfort, with unobstructed views. The camp sits on an immense and grassy meadow ringed by an unnamed forest. Ten nature suites looked more like futuristic Quonset huts than white tents.
Dozing off in a dry, noisy, light-filled plane cabin is no easy feat, which is why it's necessary to set yourself up with a few items to help block out light and noise and to upgrade your overall comfort. From the holy grail of travel neck pillows to the one esthetician-recommended skincare product I won't fly without, these 10 products help me get some shut-eye on every flight.
It is with heavy hearts we would like to share with you personally that this season at Coney Beach will be our last. It's the end of an era. For over 100 years we and other showmen and their families have lived and worked in Porthcawl helping to make it a busy seaside destination bringing fun, laughter, and fond memories to so many.
Las Vegas is by very definition and mission statement an immersive experience. It wants all of you—your eyes, your ears, your stomach, your imagination and, of course, your wallet. It offers up giant resorts with so many amenities and attractions that, really once immersed inside one of these complexes, you never really need to leave for the entire length of your stay.
Longer days, blooming flowers, and increasing temperatures make spring the perfect time for an escape to one of the 63 major US national parks. After traveling solo to all of them, there are a few I think are especially worth seeing between the months of March and June.
Graceland is located in south Memphis, about a 15-minute drive from Beale Street downtown and just 10 minutes from Memphis International Airport. Arriving by train? Memphis Central Station, served by Amtrak's City of New Orleans, is around 15 minutes away. Visitors can park in Graceland's secured lot (for a fee), or hop on the free hourly shuttle linking the estate with Sun Studio, where Elvis first recorded "That's All Right."
Running on regular dates through the summer months, Trekking Hellas's three-day, two-night odysseys in the Ionian Sea start in Nidri, on Lefkada, and paddle on past Skorpios to Meganisi, camping out at Lakka before continuing the next day to Mikros Gialos for a second night under the stars before turning for home. There are stops for swimming, resting and barbecues along the way, and some thrilling cave detours, but with about six hours of paddling a day, the minimum age is 14.
Throughout my life, I've visited a total of 18 European countries. That number climbed quickly when I moved from Chicago to London for college and spent four years living in my favorite city, thrilled by my newfound proximity to so many bucket-list destinations.
A main reason why Google Flights is so accessible is because of its user experience, which is simple, clean, and mirrors their general search product. You aren't bombarded by too many filtering options from the get-go, making getting started with the travel search relatively seamless.
As Puerto Rico is a United States territory, it does not receive a specific travel advisory from the State Department. Consulting the Government of Canada's travel advisory, the territory is at its lowest tier of risk, which simply encourages travelers to "take normal security precautions." The Canadian agency does not have any urgent security warning or flag for travelers to the region.
And then I was sitting by the water's edge at a cafe, watching the houseboats bob by, when I realised: I was literally totally fine. No one stared, no one cared, and I had the whole afternoon ahead of me to be used entirely at my leisure. It wasn't lonely, I realised, but peaceful.
After spending 75 hours on sleeper trains around the US, I decided to spend 53 more on the California Zephyr - the longest ride in the country (and in my life, so far). I took the entire route from Chicago to Emeryville, California.
Sri Lanka is renowned for its sandy beaches and impressive wildlife, including elephants and leopards in its national parks. In Lonely Planet's words, the country offers 'endless beaches, timeless ruins, welcoming people, oodles of elephants, rolling surf, cheap prices, fun trains, famous tea and flavorful food.' In addition, there is great diving, temples, and safaris.
Running daily between the two cities, the train traverses 381 miles in about 11 hours. It departs from Moynihan Train Hall in the heart of Manhattan each morning, it follows the Hudson River north before skirting the Adirondack Mountains and tracing the western shore of Lake Champlain en route to Montreal.
For years, Americans had a handful of "soft" ways to stay in Spain longer than a normal vacation, or to turn a property purchase into a residency plan. Spain did not slam the door shut. But it did remove shortcuts, tighten the math, and make border time much easier to track.
When deplaning, seniors often forget things. For that reason, they should consider investing in trackers to help them locate lost items, whether they're left in the lavatory or at the gate. One shopper wrote that Apple AirTags have really helped in cutting back on my parents' anxiety over misplaced items. You can also share the item's AirTag location with other family members so they can assist in finding the lost item.
This golden strip of sand, fringed by turquoise waters, is part of the popular Abel Tasman National Park on Tasman Bay (also known as Te Tai-o-Aorere) at the top of the South Island. Awaroa Beach is nothing if not beloved. So much so that in 2016, almost 40,000 Kiwis banded together to buy the beach from a private entity for more than $2 million and donated it to New Zealand's Department of Conservation.
The biggest cause for slowdowns at checkpoints is when passengers simply forget the TSA's key rules. Those who try to bring prohibited items like liquids over 3.4 ounces and firearms through the checkpoint will ultimately slow down the process. Small oversights can add up quickly, and even the most well-traveled passenger can recall a time when they forgot they had a half-filled water bottle or a small pocket knife, leading to extra time in line.
While vacation prices have increased nationwide since 2019, the sharpest spikes have not occurred in the country's most expensive cities. Instead, the steepest growth in costs has taken place across the Mountain West, where demand has surged in midsize cities that once offered affordable alternatives to pricier coastal destinations.
Albania is a hidden gem in Europe, known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and warm hospitality. From the pristine beaches of the Albanian Riviera to the rugged peaks of the Accursed Mountains, there's something for every traveler.
In April 2022, I packed my favorite backpack and carry-on luggage and took them from my home in New York City to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for my first cruise. The seven-night voyage aboard Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas took me to Honduras, Mexico, and the cruise line's private island in the Bahamas.
Abingdon is easy to access just off Interstate 81. This little town has many charms-from its 20-block historic district to the 34-mile Virginia Creeper Trail. Add to that a thriving creative community, exceptional dining at The Tavern (the state's oldest bar), and homey accommodations, and you have a pretty darn close to perfect Blue Ridge Mountain getaway destination.
I left London for Australia at 22, not long after my mom died. I'd spent the final year of her life as her full-time caregiver as she battled with cancer. When she was gone, I needed to escape my hometown. I'll never forget my friend seeing me off, excitedly saying, 'You're so lucky to move to Australia!' I forced a smile because I felt the complete opposite. I was literally running away from my grief.
Vermont actually resembles California - not because of its beaches but due to its distinct regions. For example, Burlington correlates to the Bay Area. And in the Northeast Kingdom, where I grew up, we classified everything below White River Junction as 'Southern Vermont.' Down there, half the towns seem to channel Boston or New York City, kind of like Santa Barbara to L.A., which makes the Kingdom something like Humboldt County - rural and spectacular, with a recalcitrant outlaw streak.
Not only do we have an amazing trail with 10 waterfalls (four of which you can walk behind), but it's a great place to see and learn about plants and wildlife. We also have several historic buildings that are open to the public-all built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and 1940s.
Africa is home to 39 countries that claim a coastline, giving travelers plenty of beaches to choose from. You'll find everything from palm-studded postcard perfection in Mozambique to rugged cliffs that sank many a ship attempting to cross South African seas during early colonization expeditions.
When traveling by air, take a look at the type of aircraft you're expected to fly with, as it can make a difference in terms of overall flight experience. This can also help you get to know the different cabin classes so you can make the right seat selection for your comfort level and your wallet.
South Carolina islands have palmetto trees growing alongside ferns and pines. Georgia's barrier islands, including St. Simons and Jekyll Island, boast diverse landscapes made up of beaches, marshes, dunes, and maritime forests. And Texas islands, with their shallow bays and seagrass meadows, are home to extensive wildlife.