Travel

Travel

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.

Spanning more than 26,000 square meters, PokéPark KANTO is set to be the first permanent outdoor Pokémon attraction. It will be located in Yomiuriland, Tokyo's largest amusement park. Advance ticket sales are expected to begin in late 2025. Travel account @backpacking shared the news on Instagram, saying: 'Japan just announced one of its most exciting openings yet - PokéPark KANTO, the world's first permanent outdoor Pokémon theme park, officially opening in February 2026 in Tokyo!'

While REI is conspicuously not having a Black Friday sale, there are sales at Backcountry and Public Lands, along with some great deals at our favorite cottage industry brands like Six Moon Designs, Zenbivy, Gossamer Gear, and more. Below are the best deals on all our favorite tents, backpacks, sleeping bags, pads, cookware, outdoor apparel, and more. Not sure what you need? Check out our many outdoor gear guides.

Book an international flight from Europe to Japan, in economy class, before Saturday 31 January with ANA, and benefit from a stopover of 24 hours or more in Tokyo before heading onto lesser-visited territory on a domestic flight at no extra cost. The offer applies to economy class only and, while the airfare is free, taxes and other fees may apply.

I am lucky to have taken some incredible trips, including a recent one to "the end of the earth": the island of Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost point of South America. In a week, we traveled by boat and drove over 20 hours, seeing glaciers, beavers, a spotted seal, and passed two vehicles and two fishing boats. We saw more penguins than people.

Looking back, 2025 delivered some heavy hitters: Waldorf Astoria New York finally reopened after an eight-year closure (only a couple of months shy of its suggested spring date), and One&Only Moonlight Basin swung open its doors in November. But now, we're looking forward and it's all eyes on what's going to make headlines in 2026. London is stealing the spotlight with not one but four major openings - including Six Senses' first UK property.

From the balcony of my room in Hotel & Spa Saint-Alban in La Clusaz, positioned on a slight hill overlooking the pretty village centre and snow-covered slopes, I could tell the conditions were perfect for skiers. The problem was, I can't ski, and I'm not keen to learn! But a snowy holiday in the Annecy Mountains offers much more than ski slopes.

Entering some National Parks is about to get more expensive for foreign visitors. The Federal Government announced on Tuesday a new $100 per person fee. "For some people, they just want to come here to see the beautiful view over here. So, it's going to be really hard for them to come here from now," tourist Get said. Get, originally from Thailand, was taking in the iconic views of the Yosemite Valley on Wednesday.

I never mind doing the same walk over and over again, said our guide, Joana Almeida, crouching beside a cluster of flowers. Each time, there are new things these weren't here yesterday. Standing on stems at least two centimetres tall and starring the dirt with white petals, the fact these star of Bethlehem flowers sprung up overnight was a beautiful testament to how quickly things can grow and regenerate in this hilly, inland section of the Algarve, the national forest of Barao de Sao Joao.

For many, the city of Hanoi is a gateway to northern Vietnam 's great adventures-the emerald islets of Ha Long Bay, the terraced hills of Sapa, the karst valleys of Ninh Bình-but it's well worth pausing here before venturing on. Over more than a thousand years, the country's capital has seen imperial dynasties raising Confucian temples, French colonists carving out tamarind-shaded boulevards and yellow-walled villas, and revolutionaries leaving behind slogans, statues, and scars of self-determination-resulting in a gritty yet graceful second city.

The Metropolitan line from Wembley Park to Aldgate faced disruption due to the same incident just before 1.30pm today. Services were still being impacted more than five hours later. TfL said at 6pm on Thursday: Jubilee Line: Severe delays due to an earlier animal on the track. London buses, C2C, DLR, Thameslink, Mildmay line and Elizabeth line are accepting tickets via any reasonable routes.

The crunch of frost underfoot, lungfuls of crisp fresh air, landscapes sparkling in shafts of sunlight; a good winter walk is one of life's simple pleasures. We want to hear about where you love to walk at this time of year in the UK. Perhaps it's a bracing coastal path, a meandering woodland hike or a riverside trail. If there's a lovely pub or cafe on the route so much the better!

Good news for travelers looking to spend an extended time in Vietnam soaking up the energy of Ho Chi Minh City's frenetic streets, reveling in Hanoi's astounding cafés and food stalls, and sailing amid Ha Long Bay's green-tinged islets: the nation has launched the first phase of its new "golden visa program." The three-part visa initiative was first announced in spring 2025 as part of a larger directive from Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Looking for a place where you can comfortably live on $1,000? Read on, we have got you covered. These Caribbean destinations are not just beautiful but also super affordable. They offer stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant cultures, all without breaking the bank. With $1,000 in many North American and European destinations, you would be living hand to mouth. Thankfully, there still exist destinations that let you enjoy some of nature's best and the world's richest cultures without costing you an arm or a leg.

Looking for a place where you can comfortably live on $1,000? Read on, we have got you covered. These Caribbean destinations are not just beautiful but also super affordable. They offer stunning beaches, turquoise waters, and vibrant cultures, all without breaking the bank. With $1,000 in many North American and European destinations, you would be living hand to mouth. Thankfully, there still exist destinations that let you enjoy some of nature's best and the world's richest cultures without costing you an arm or a leg.

Arthur's Seat, an ancient, extinct volcano, is a defining landmark of Edinburgh's skyline and often tops lists of must-see attractions. Although I love its ridge walk and summit hikes, I think it tends to overshadow its equally striking and lesser-known neighbors: the Pentland Hills and Blackford Hill. I gravitate toward the Pentlands, which offer about a 62-mile network of trails for a range of abilities, less than an hour from the city center.

Arizona is often defined by its icons-including the Grand Canyon and the Phoenix sprawl - but the essence of the state is just as alive in its smaller towns. Tucked into Arizona's canyons, deserts, and high plateaus are small communities that carry the stories of the miners, artists, ranchers, and Indigenous groups who shaped the region. These small towns, which range from just a few hundred people to almost 10,000, each offer something different.