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Travel

The Department of Foreign Affairs has four security ratings - this one is the highest

That's where the Nickel Plate Express comes in, which offers themed rides on its 1950s-era Santa Fe Railway passenger cars from its home outside Indianapolis, Indiana. On board, enjoy a cozy ride with complimentary hot chocolate, curl up with a cocktail and a good book, or meet up with friends for trivia night on the rails. In February, the company hosts several themed rides, including a romantic 2-hour Valentine's Day jaunt complete with shareable charcuterie boards and curated cocktails,

I had never seen a cruise ship in real life before April 2022. I'd traveled by car, bus, train, and plane, but the only boat I'd ever been on was a ferry. That changed about four years ago, when I boarded one of the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. During my seven-night Caribbean voyage, the ship sailed round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Roatán, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas.

I've lived just outside Greenville, South Carolina, for the past 11 years and can't imagine calling anywhere else home. Named one of "The South's Best Cities in 2025" by Southern Living and one of "Readers' 15 Favorite Cities in the US of 2025" by Travel + Leisure, it's easy to see why the city has seemingly exploded in popularity. Here are six of my favorite things to do in and around Greenville.

Over the years, I've discovered several tricks to strategically pack for cold temperatures while still feeling like you have enough to wear. One of the most straightforward tips is to find pieces that do double-duty. A reversible winter coat, for example, is the type of item that provides two distinct looks throughout your travels-plus, you can wear it while in transit, and it won't take up any precious suitcase real estate.

"Hey, a rainbow!" I, the lone passenger on a Mount Adams Transportation Service (MATS) bus that just crossed the Columbia into Hood River, exclaim. "Oh, yeah, I get to see those all the time," the driver responds. "Last week I saw two double rainbows." My inner 5-year-old is envious. A few hours later I see my second rainbow of the day-it's not a double arch, but the tally is still pretty cool.

"Today, another kind of treasure typically lures travelers to Franklin, though, one found among the trails, waterfalls, and scenic byways of the community. Surrounded by the Nantahala National Forest, and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains, Franklin is closely tied to the Appalachian Trail, and became the first designated Appalachian Trail Community in 2010, welcoming travelers with open arms."

Over eight years of writing for travel publications, Kim Magaraci developed a passion for domestic travel. She learned that travel tips online couldn't compete with those destinations you could only discover by word-of-mouth. So, when she founded her travel business, KGM Travel Design, in 2024, she hoped to emphasize personal relationships with vendors and customers and avoid using AI, despite her experience with it.

Air travel is showing more signs of recovery after Winter Storm Fern pummelled the country over the weekend. There were around 1,300 canceled flights within, into, or out of the US as of 6:20 a.m. ET on Tuesday, according to data from FlightAware. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport led the charge with 276, followed by Charlotte Douglas with 138. While more flights are likely to be canceled throughout the day, there were about 4,000 such cancellations early on Monday. The day ended with 6,250 canceled flights, per FlightAware. That compares to Sunday's 11,618 canceled flights.

Tucked away in the Wat Ket area, a quiet pocket of Chiang Mai well clear of the chaos of the Old Town, at 137 Pillars House you're close enough to dip in when you want to, but far enough out that the noise never follows you back. It's the kind of neighbourhood where mornings start slowly, perhaps with a quick trip to the nearby Lung Khajohn Wat Ket, one of the city's best rice roll spots, or a plate of Neng's Clay Pot Roast Pork (insanely delish!), before retreating back to the calm of the hotel gardens.

The Luce, the newest addition to Marriott's Tribute Portfolio, is officially accepting reservations for stays beginning March 15, 2026, and trust us when we say this property is about to become your new favorite Gulf Coast escape. Nestled at 6300 Gulf Blvd in the heart of St. Pete Beach, The Luce transforms a beloved local boutique hotel into a 200-room retro-chic sanctuary that perfectly captures Florida's endless sunshine, eclectic culture, and laid-back sophistication.

One of my two checked bags went missing. But here's where it gets weird the Air France representative at the airport asked me about a third bag that I never checked. I have Flying Blue Silver status, which allows three bags, but I only checked two. My bag drop receipt clearly shows two bags. The missing bag contained three duffel bags two smaller ones folded inside a larger Jaguar duffel from JCPenney. My Apple AirTag showed the bag never left Bangalore.

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 and a leg.

19,450 flights within, into, or out of US airports were canceled between Saturday and 7 a.m. ET on Monday, according to data from FlightAware. The majority of those, more than 11,000, occurred on Sunday. That made it the worst day for flight cancellations since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruption continued on Monday, with 3,700 flights canceled as of 7 a.m. ET, per FlightAware. At that time, Boston Logan Airport appeared to be the worst affected, with 60% of its departing flights canceled.

Playfulness is at the heart of the Art and Play holiday, based on a farm outside the Bay of Kotor. A family-friendly retreat designed to reignite joy and reconnect with the inner child, it's one for solo travellers and couples as well as parents with kids. There are creative sessions on everything from dance to painting, as well as time to enjoy the farm feeding the animals, collecting eggs or helping harvest vegetables for farm-fresh meals.

In reality, most French people do not spend their summers chasing iconic landmarks or ticking destinations off a bucket list. Their idea of a successful vacation is quieter, slower, and often much closer to home. Rather than Paris or Saint-Tropez, they favor rural regions, discreet coastlines, forested hills, and mid-sized towns where life moves at a gentler pace, often staying in family homes, rented gîtes, camping sites, or small guesthouses.

"One time is enough." That's what I'd heard countless times about visiting Las Vegas before making the trip myself. I'd always wanted to go, if only to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience. Turns out, one time wasn't enough. I've been five times now, and I have no doubt there will be a sixth. The nightlife and gambling aren't what keep me coming back, though. These days, I skip the casinos and explore nature instead - and one of my favorite places is about 45 minutes outside the city: Valley of Fire State Park. There was no turning back once I found a side of Vegas I didn't know I was missing

Winter is a season for romantic gestures. Not only does Valentine's Day arrive in the middle of February, but the colder temperatures also bring a cozy atmosphere that's conducive to spending quality time with your loved one. Think nights in front of the fire, holding hands, and cuddling up to stay warm. But after the holiday rush, winter at home can also become a bit monotonous-by late January, the shorter days lose their charm-so you may want to consider booking a trip to keep romance alive and spark a sense of adventure.

Maui's dreamy landscape turned into a nightmare on Aug. 8, 2023. What began as a brush fire, fueled by dangerous winds, quickly engulfed the historic town of Lahaina and damaged other parts of the island. The deadliest wildfire in the U.S. in more than a century claimed 102 lives, destroyed more than 2,200 structures, and caused an estimated $5.5 billion in damage.

I've never had a sense of direction. In a family where everyone knows where they're going, I'm the one who gets lost. When my son Charlie was small, he would listen as I outlined the day's itinerary-grocery store, library, post office-then interrupt. "Mama," he'd say, "I have a better way." And he did. He was five, and already knew where he was going.