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Travel

Everything you need to know to be prepared for solo female travel in Austria - including safety tips and travel advice. Austria was one of the first countries I visited solo, years ago at the start of my career as a travel blogger. I was dead nervous before that trip, but it took almost no time at all for me to fall in love with this beautiful country, with its fairytale cities, too-good-to-be-true mountain landscapes, and amazing food!

For some travelers, their seat assignment is out of their control, so Figgins suggests stowing your carry-on bag in the bin in the aisle across from your seat when you can for improved visibility. And, you should always stay alert and aware when flying. Of course, because that can be easier said than done (especially on long-haul flights when you're hoping to catch a little shut-eye), adding some safety essentials to your packing list might ward off would-be thieves.

Southwest Colorado, where the Rocky Mountains give way to canyons and mesas, is home to one of the most intimate places you can connect with ancient history in the United States. In Mesa Verde National Park, you'll find elaborate villages tucked beneath sandstone overhangs. These cliff dwellings were built by the Ancestral Pueblo people and date back more than 700 years. The historic structures provide a rare glimpse into a civilization that built complex homes, ceremonial kivas, and irrigation systems.

As someone who's on a plane at least once a month (and in an airport security line far more often than I'd like to admit), I've learned that not all travel gear is created equal. Over the years, I've tested just about every trendy gadget, carry-on luggage, and "miracle" accessory Instagram has tried to sell me, only to realize that most travel essentials are the ones that make life easier and more comfortable on the road.

I love to travel and usually prefer to spend less on flights so that I can stretch my budget and take as many trips as possible. That usually means looking longingly at more comfortable seats in the front of the plane while I make do with standard economy in the back. However, my family and I recently tried United's Premium Plus, an offering between economy and business class, on a long flight.

Whether it's extending your trip to capture the lavender fields in full bloom under the blue sky, or fully enjoying the powder snow at Furano Ski Resort, a stay in an entire rental cottage is perfect for experiencing a lifestyle-like trip that hotels alone cannot provide. In a private space, you can cook your own meals and spend your time freely, creating a special travel experience.

Bangkok's Chinatown has long had a vibrant pulse, but for years the cool crowd clustered around Soi Nana, a lantern-strung side street packed with galleries and cocktail bars. Now the action has spilled onto its main drag, Yaowarat, and the waterfront lanes of Song Wat, where neon signs flicker above timeworn shophouses remade as boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Go soon to experience the neighborhood at its most authentic:

Portlanders tend to hibernate when the rainy season begins. Things get colder, and a book near the fireplace beckons. But consider hopping in the car for a chilly seasonal excursion -perhaps to catch an illuminated Elsa in Southern Oregon, or to sample sausages in a Bavarian-style village, or to watch a bald eagle dive into the Columbia. Below, an illustrated sampler platter of options. Nov 23-Jan 1 Roll through Roseburg's River Forks Park for a drive-in holiday light extravaganza-think glimmering scenes of Santa stomping wine grapes or Frozen 's Elsa kiki-ing with Olaf.

A week before speculation mounted over which glamorous French retreat would star in the much-anticipated season 4 of The White Lotus, my family and I pulled up to the palatial gates of the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel. It's a tradition we've upheld since I was pregnant with my eldest daughter, and every summer thereafter, visiting as a party of three, four, and, eventually, five.

Flanked by the Welsh border and sprinkled with quaint villages and ancient forts, Shropshire's hills are a wonderful place for a serendipitous stroll. So the story goes, the Victorians referred to this quiet corner of England as "Little Switzerland." While that's being a tad generous to its blustery ridges-there are no snowcapped mountains here-Shropshire is an underrated delight. And it's not just spectacular walking you'll find here either.

But Vietnam isn't just a cheap country where one U.S. dollar is equivalent to 26,500 Vietnamese dong. It's a nation with great scenery, 33 national parks, fantastic food, friendly people, low crime, and great street food that can fill you for less than $1 U.S. dollar, per International Living. It's also got a booming economy, which is part of the reason why 100,000 expats from the U.S. and elsewhere now call Vietnam home, according to international insurance brokerage William Russell.

I got married, had kids, started a career as an expat career coach, and spent many years working and traveling around the world. My ex-husband and I always dreamed of moving to Europe once our children were older. When we divorced, I looked ahead at the rest of my life and thought, "I'll be damned if I spend the next 30 years in New Jersey."

As travelers prepare to fly home on what is anticipated to be one of the busiest travel days in 15 years, a powerful winter storm in the Midwest and Great Lakes region has prompted the cancellation of hundreds of flights nationwide. As of noon Sunday, 6,211 flights have been delayed into and out of the United States, and 1,006 flights have been canceled, according to flight tracker FlightAware, which provides live flight delay and cancellation updates.

Visiting Vermont in the winter is like stepping into a classic children's book. Chimneys puff delicate swirls of smoke over cozy villages, covered bridges cross icy creeks, and kids in brightly colored snowsuits careen down sledding hills. The temperature is brisk, snow is falling, and everyone's a little more jolly. And why shouldn't they be? Winter in the Green Mountain State is as fun as it is beautiful.

Elaborately decorated pine trees, carols and festive music, scents of spices like cinnamon and cloves, gently drifting snowflakes, and, of course, eggnog, all make for a magical Christmas ambiance, but it's those twinkling, colorful lights that add the finishing touch. This tradition began in medieval Germany with the Yule log. Later, candles were used in England to ceremonially mark the arrival of the season.

Flannel shirts, Christmas tree farms, and town squares filled with twinkling lights are par for the course in Hallmark holiday films. While there's certainly a good dose of movie magic that goes into creating these heartwarming (and, yes, a bit cheesy) scenes, many of the productions are shot in destinations-from Vancouver to Vail-that have their own brand of holiday enchantment in the winter months.

Peeking above aquamarine waves that hide the world's second-largest barrier reef, Belize's Ambergris Caye first emerged as a destination for the daring. Drawing collectors of great experiences, like diving the depths of the Great Blue Hole or chasing after 100-pound tarpon on deep-sea fishing charters, it was first and foremost a Caribbean island synonymous with adventure. Bigger and buzzier hotels and resorts are popping up along its white sands as Ambergris Caye steps into a new spotlight.

On a moonless night, radiant stars blink in startling proximity to Chile's Elqui Valley. Cradled high up in the Andes Mountains and known for its clear skies, Elqui was named the world's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. There are many myths that try to explain Elqui's mysticism, including energy vortexes. Whatever the reason, the valley has also become a holistic wellness hotspot that rivals Sedona or Ojai-but without the crowds.

If you're searching for accommodations that combine the luxuries of a five-star hotel with the comfort of home, look no further than Onefinestay. This high-end rental service offers an array of exceptional properties around the world-from ski chalets in Colorado to houseboats in London to beachfront villas in Thailand. In Paris alone, there are more than 50 properties, including the company's newest addition: the Élysée Collection.

When it comes to winter travel in the southwestern United States, a ski trip to Lake Tahoe or a glam Las Vegas getaway may come to mind. But a few hours' drive northeast of Sin City is a region with twisting canyons, cathedral-like spires, and delicate sandstone arches that only look more stunning with a dusting of snow. Southern Utah is home to five national parks, four national monuments, and countless hiking and biking trails.

"The top three things that travelers can do to assist with a seamless screening experience are to be prepared, be attentive, and follow the direction of the officer providing assistance," she told me. While Barker says she doesn't get easily annoyed, she admitted that passengers' lack of preparation-when it comes to what they're wearing and packing in their carry-on bag -plays a major role in slowing down the screening process.

For travelers seeking flexibility and rewards, IHG Hotels & Resorts is offering 25% off stays for members and 20% for non-members, along with the chance to earn up to 5,000 IHG Rewards points per stay. This Black Friday offer is valid for bookings made by December 4, for travel through March 2026. Guests will also enjoy early check-in and late check-out on select bookings, as well as free Wi-Fi and breakfast at participating locations. IHG's wide range of hotel locations means you can book in popular international destinations like London, Paris, Dubai, and Sydney, as well as in major US cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

I get it: traveling with teens can be overwhelming. For parents, family trips can feel high-stakes. All parents want to create lasting memories, but it can be tricky to chase those golden moments of connection amidst mood swings and screen time battles. As a professional travel advisor for over 20 years and a mom to a 15-year-old, I've witnessed every side of the struggle, but I also know just how magical a well-planned trip can be.

Kanagawa Prefecture stretches from Tokyo Bay's coastline to the forested peaks of Hakone and beyond. Most travelers know it for Kamakura, but venture slightly off the main routes and you'll find a different side of the region entirely. Within a short train ride, you can zip-line through a forest canopy, explore a fortress-laden island in the middle of the bay, or bike down mountain trails through cedar groves. Here's why Kanagawa is the perfect nature escape from the busy city.