Travel

Travel

Switzerland is a country where natural beauty and efficient, comfortable train travel go hand in hand. Nowhere is this more apparent than on the Glacier Express, a traveler-favorite train that chugs along over 180 miles between Zermatt and St. Moritz. It may be deemed the "slowest express train in the world," but don't let that deter you-the route gives way to some of the most jaw-dropping scenery in Europe, especially in the winter.

Europe does not reward vague plans. In December 2025, most Americans still smash into the same wall: the Schengen short-stay limit, which is usually 90 days in any 180-day period. You can be charming, solvent, and well-intentioned, and the math still wins. So this is the grown-up version of the conversation. Not "visa hacks." Not "border runs." Not a romantic fantasy where you just keep moving until the rules get tired.

Hugging Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast, Limón province is rich with natural wonders, from its white-sand beaches to its multiple wildlife refuges and volcanic landscapes. The region's invigorating multiculturalism also lures visitors with calypso music, island cuisine, and its history as a port of entry to the Caribbean.

The team here at Condé Nast Traveler has the privilege of traveling to some of the most faraway, unusual, and esoteric destinations around the world for work-all while checking into beautiful hotels that become so beloved they immediately feel like old friends. (See: CNT's Gold List 2026, hot off the digital press.) For example, have you ever seen the prehistoric rock islets of Palau? Or gazed upon the dark skies hanging above Aotea? (That's in New Zealand.)

"We want OAK to become a meaningful experience for all of our visitors, not just a curbside drive-by experience," Kristi McKenney, Port of Oakland executive director, said in a statement. "The OAK Guest Pass allows families to spend more precious time with their loved ones as they see them off on their next adventure or welcome them home from one." Guest passes must be reviewed and approved by the Transportation Security Administration to receive a visitor security clearance.

Lloret has a reputation as a loud, chaotic summer party town. So not exactly the peaceful, inspirational place most digital nomads dream about. But visiting outside high season, which is when the retreats are organized, is an entirely different story. The beaches empty out, the town slows down, and the mix of locals, long-term residents, and off-season explorers creates a surprisingly warm atmosphere.

"That is something that is talked about a lot, because I will often just carry on, and some of the women will say, 'How did you do that?' I remember once years ago, [former castmate] Lisa Vanderpump was like, 'You don't get any brownie points for that.' Well, that's true, but I don't know. I'm always worried if my bag gets lost that I won't have my things, so whenever I can, I try," she told Travel + Leisure earlier this month.

We are thrilled to launch this program now to [complement] the many new concessions available to guests that have recently launched under our refreshed Food and Beverage Program and Retail Program,

When legendary mountain men, trappers, and explorers scrambled over Bend's forests, peaks, and rivers in the early 1800s, there were moments, amid the plying of beaver pelts, the mapping, surveying, and general Manifest Destiny-type tromping, when they were simply knocked out by the snow-dusted volcanic peaks, endless stretches of ponderosa pine, and the sagebrush-scented serenity of the high desert. After camping along Tumalo Creek in what is now Bend's beloved Shevlin Park in December 1843, famed US expedition leader John C. Frémont journaled,

I didn't expect a three-day trip to northeastern Italy to result in a full-blown infatuation with sauna culture, pine trees, and one of the oldest towns in the South Tyrol region. For that, I credit Forestis, a mountainside spa hotel that sits nearly 6,000 feet above sea level-directly facing the craggy peaks of the Dolomites-just a short, albeit winding, drive from Brixen.

I fly home for the holidays every single year, which means I've become painfully familiar with all the classic carry-on mistakes travelers tend to make - mostly because I've made every one of them myself. From overstuffing my bag until the zipper begs for mercy to forgetting essential travel accessories that would've saved me from airport mishaps, I've learned exactly what works and what absolutely doesn't.

I recently spent two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Naples, Tiburón in Florida. It was my first time staying in a Ritz-Carlton hotel, and a few things surprised me about the chain. I wasn't expecting to have access to two locations. I was also surprised by some of the amenities. I didn't anticipate developing an appreciation for golf. I didn't think I'd find myself in a lazy river. And I definitely didn't expect to have access to two resorts.

From the glitzy slopes of St. Moritz to Chamonix's dramatic views of Mont Blanc, Europe has no shortage of experiences on the top of every self-respecting skiers' to-ski list. But while these legendary resorts command the spotlight, there are plenty of off-the-radar options offering uncrowded slopes, cross-border lift tickets, and charming après scenes to those willing to take the less-trodden path.

Its tiny size may indicate a destination which can be rapidly explored in just one day, but slowing down to the local pace will reveal far more to see and do than one quick glance: diving the many shipwrecks scattered across the reefs, hiking through the forests of Walsingham Nature Park on your way to discover the Crystal Caves, or exploring local art galleries will all fill a day nicely.

Destination Kohler-tucked in the charming village of Kohler, Wisconsin-may be synonymous with championship golf, but each winter, the resort proves it has just as much draw long after the greens are covered in snow. From Dec. 4 through March 1, Blackwolf Run, one of the resort's championship golf courses, undergoes a complete seasonal makeover for Frozen Fairways, transforming the landscape into one of the Midwest's most ambitious cold-weather playgrounds.

The ornate fireplace is just the icing on the cake for this historic studio apartment that comes flush with vintage accents and an overhead fan to help you beat the swampy humidity in NOLA. The small size is ideal for a couples' getaway or solo trip. And with such a central location on St. Charles Avenue, all of its restaurants, cafes, bars, and shops will be right at your fingertips.

One of the funny paradoxes of trip taking is that it can be an escape from all the headaches back home and also serve as a means of growing as a person so that you are better able to meet your challenges in the place where you actually live-often at the same time. And I think this beautiful contradiction is especially inherent in wellness travel, which had already taken off like a rocket ship before the pandemic

As an American, one of the most striking things about visiting London is that everywhere you look, you're surrounded by history. It doesn't matter if it's Buckingham Palace or a random coffee shop - chances are, wherever you find yourself in England's capital will be older than the United States itself. That's certainly the case with Great Scotland Yard Hotel, part of Hyatt's Unbound Collection, which blends London's historic past with contemporary five-star luxury.

When my husband and I told people we were selling everything we owned to travel full time, most assumed we were either having a midlife crisis or chasing an early retirement fantasy. The truth is, it was neither. It was something we couldn't quite explain at the time, only that we felt called to do it. We were 50-something empty nesters with 35 years of marriage under our belt.

Eurostar Snow journeys require catching a train from London to the charming French city of Lille for a connection that continues towards the peaks of the French Alps. On its way to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which acts as the gateway to resorts including Tignes and Val-d'Isère, the train stops at Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne and Landry. Each stop acts as a gateway to resorts via a drive that's considerably shorter than airport transfers tend to be.

At first glance, it may seem like Perfect Day at CocoCay has something for everyone. Royal Caribbean's 125-acre private island in the Bahamas is filled with thrilling adventures and relaxing beaches for vacationers. You'll find overwater cabanas, quiet places to chill, and shorelines bumping party music. Adrenaline seekers can also experience gigantic waterslides, zip lines, and hot air balloon rides.

London Gatwick, the city's second-biggest aviation hub, has confirmed that it is increasing charges in its drop-off zones by £3 in 2026. From January the fee, which allows drivers to stop outside the terminal for 10 minutes, will be £10. This means that Gatwick will have the highest drop-off charge in the UK. The fee has doubled since LGW initially introduced a drop-off charge in 2021; it increased to £6 in 2024 and £7 in May 2025.

And while most travelers center their trips on classic destinations such as Big Sky or Yellowstone National Park, very few venture eastward into the Great Plains. Tucked in this wide-open sprawl is Medicine Rocks State Park, a 330-acre parcel of land that usually slips right under most travelers' radars. Here, the landscape is dominated by the Great Plains Badlands, and the atmosphere is quiet, peaceful, and remote.