Travel

Travel

My first stop for the day took me just outside of Wheeling, West Virginia for a beautiful little hiking trail as part of the Oglebay Park. There I hiked the Driehorst Trail, as well as walked around the Falls Vista trail, the junction, and around the education center. Absolutely beautiful area and it looked like there was still so much more to see and do there especially for families with children.

Crash Baggage makes it so much simpler. Taking the cultural expectation out of pristine design and preempting inevitable wear and tear, the Italian brand's suitcase products are already dented. It's a novel proposition that makes one think: wouldn't it be better if my smart phone's screen was already cracked when I bought it? It can still get the job done.

There's a buzz when you land in a new European city, especially one further east where prices are cheaper. As a group of us walked out of Bratislava airport at Easter, we faced that timeless choice: do we hail or open the apps? Fixed price or metre? Needing a taxi for six, one big enough for us was just sitting there.

Despite its picturesque setting in the heart of Switzerland's Southern Alps, Corippo isn't a tourist hot spot. In 2019, it was on the brink of becoming a ghost town as its population dwindled to just nine residents, all of whom were elderly. This earned Corippo the title of smallest municipality in Switzerland, prompting news headlines as local officials scrambled to save the village from depopulation.

The lodge is in the private Sabi Sands Game Reserve, on the edge of South Africa's Kruger National Park, one of the best places on the continent to see iconic wildlife. (I saw the Big Five within 24 hours, which is relatively common.) A highlight of my stay was finding two fluffy leopard cubs clumsily clambering all over their mother. A female leopard even wandered right through camp one afternoon, such is these animals' level of unbotheredness.

Emirati chef Sahar Parham Al Awadhi isn't shy about sharing her love of Dubai. "I'm very biased," she says. "I was born and raised here, and I think it's the greatest city in the world." As owner and chef at Abra, a new restaurant opening in early 2026 in Dubai's Etihad Museum, she's championing New Emirati Cuisine while honoring its roots and the heritage that lies behind the modern city, a place known for its superlatives like bling and luxury lifestyle.

Other airlines hiked their prices on popular routes amid the chaos, prompting the government to cap the price surge to "ensure that citizens who urgently need to travel including senior citizens, students, and patients are not subjected to financial hardship." Videos surfaced of angry crowds assaulting ground staff, breaking counters, while hurling abuse, and objects, at exhausted airline workers. Social media plaforms have been flooded with photos of luggage piling up at airports.

There are places in France that can feel like a place that time forgot. Auvergne is a land of outstanding nature, the Chaîne des Puys (some 80 volcanoes) is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site, there are lakes, forests and castles; sheep and cows roam the soft rolling pastured meadows and charming medieval towns and villages with Romanesque churches dot the landscape.

The Caribbean truly comes alive during the holiday season, and for me, St Barts is unmatched this time of year. It's the perfect balance of festive spirit and laid-back luxury. The island has a celebratory energy that's elegant yet effortless-you'll see yachts lined up in Gustavia, beachside restaurants hosting joyous dinners, and a community that feels like family. It's where tradition meets tropical ease.

Soft breezes ripple through the sea grapes, and sunlight glints off the aquamarine shallows that surround Bahia Honda State Park. Here, at Mile Marker 37 in the Lower Keys, the pace of life slows to match the gentle rhythm of the waves. The 500-acre island, wrapped in three stunning beaches and framed by the historic Old Bahia Honda Bridge, feels worlds away from the bustle of nearby Key West.

It's been 20 years since Twilight first graced bookstores across the country-17 since the first film-but the vampire series's fame has yet to wane, and many curl up with the story annually in the fall and winter months. Famously set in Forks, Washington, a small town in the Olympic Peninsula with an average rainfall of 10-12 feet a year, the beauty of the Pacific Northwest is well depicted in the pages and on screen.

In tropical Key West, December temperatures tend to fluctuate between about 70 and 80 degrees, while the water is perfect at an average of 72 degrees. Visiting the beach and accessing the ocean is almost always free-and provides an alternative setting to the icy roads and snow-covered sidewalks that many people have to deal with at home. In fact, it could be argued that the Florida Keys is one of the most festive places to celebrate Christmas, even with the lack of snow.

The Instagram stories of Americans fleeing to Europe never show the returns - 40% are back in America within two years, broke, defeated, and pretending their "European adventure" was always meant to be temporary. They arrived with dreams of café life and affordable healthcare, then discovered European salaries, apartment hunting, and the reality that "everyone speaks English" is marketing fiction. My American expat group in Barcelona started with 47 members in 2022; 19 remain, and 3 more have flights booked home for January.

In international route news, United is set to launch the first nonstop service between the U.S. and Adelaide, Australia, on Dec. 11 when it introduces three weekly 787-9 seasonal flights from San Francisco International. That becomes United's third nonstop route from SFO to Australia, after Sydney and Brisbane. Adelaide, located on the southern coast, is the nation's fifth-largest city and capital of the state of South Australia.

Starting at $78 million, the Gulfstream G700 sits firmly in the realm of the top 0.01%. Delivery of the G700 began in mid-2024, so only a handful are in operation today, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after new jets. It's like a flying penthouse larger than some New York City apartments. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos own their G700s outright, a stark display of what unlimited money can buy.

If you're the type of traveler who struggles with only packing a carry-on suitcase, only to give up and lug a checked bag to the airport, you're most likely doing one of two things wrong. Overpacking typically stems from a lack of preparedness; you left your packing until the very last minute and didn't strategically consider each piece's function. There's also the possibility that you're not taking advantage of your allotted luggage allowance-namely, the personal item.

Even in the rain, London's rich history can be explored indoors. Many iconic landmarks offer indoor areas that are perfect for wandering without exposure to the elements. The Tower of London, for example, provides a fascinating journey through centuries of history with exhibits, armoury displays, and the Crown Jewels. Similarly, Westminster Abbey allows visitors to admire stunning architecture and historical artefacts in a sheltered environment. These sites combine education and sightseeing, making them ideal for a wet day.

Airlines use careful crew management to keep flight attendants alert throughout the journey, staffing these flights with extra crew members who rotate through scheduled rest breaks in hidden compartments, ensuring some attendants are always available in the cabin while others recharge. This rotation system allows the crew to maintain the high level of attentiveness needed for passenger service and emergency response on ultra-long flights.

When it comes to travel accessories, everyone has their favorites, but one often-overlooked essential that deserves a spot in every carry-on is this tech organizer. No one wants to deal with tangled cords or missing adapters mid-vacation, and this best-selling Amazon case keeps everything from chargers to memory cards neatly in place. One flight attendant called it the "perfect system" to keep their chargers in one secure place.

The cave, which was found by Hekla Tang, the snowmobile operations manager for tour company Arctic Adventures, was likely formed by meltwater and shifting ice and features a spacious chamber made of high-clarity ice streaked with layers of volcanic ash from past volcanic eruptions. Once it was discovered, the company told Travel + Leisure it worked to build out the entrance and add lighting.

Locals head to temples for late-night bell ringing ceremonies or leave town altogether to visit relatives, making for a mellow season. That doesn't mean the city grows dull. (If you've done your research, you'll know that Tokyo can be anything but.) The city hums with activity, just with a quieter charm. Neighborhoods can feel more local, and it becomes a rare chance to slip into seasonal traditions and see a different side of the city that so many people have come to love.

Translating to "green mountain" in Spanish, Monteverde is a haven for ecotourism on Costa Rica's central Pacific coast. Home to thousands of plants and more than 400 bird species, like the elusive quetzal and scarlet macaw, the region inspires immersion in its varied topography and wildlife. The biggest attraction, Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, draws thousands of annual travelers to its mist-tinged mountains.

"Would you like a glass of bubbly?" the captain asked while helping me settle into a floating blush pink Fiat 500, named Sorbetto. The four-seat 15-foot replica of the legendary Italian car is one of just 500 produced in the world (a small plaque under the steering wheel confirms Sorbetto is number 33). It now whisks Beach Club guests across the lake as part of the renovated hotel's recent enhancements. So, for 30 minutes, I soaked up the Florida sun, sipped my chilled sparkling wine, and waved at curious onlookers pointing at our small but mighty floating Fiat 500.

It feels nearly impossible to pick where to visit in Mexico. There are more amazing beaches, mountains, deserts, and vineyards (yes, vineyards) spread across the country than one can count, each with its own set of historical ruins, cultural cuisines, and spectacular vacation home rentals to explore. Once you've decided where in this gorgeous country to settle down, picking an Airbnb from the many great options can feel like a Herculean task.

The safest island in the Caribbean was Saint Barthélemy, according to a study from travel platform Going. The company said the island is known for its "exceptional security" and for having the lowest crime rates. Popular among luxury travelers, the small island is renowned for its high-end resorts, exceptional nightlife, and top-notch shopping. The U.S. State Department also classifies the French West Indies, of which St. Barts is included, under its lowest Level 1 travel warning, telling Americans to "exercise normal precautions" when going there.

A day trip to a country estate, think grand house, landscaped gardens, woodland paths, maybe a small café and a gift shop, can feel like a mini-holiday without the hassle of packing a suitcase. Whether you're going solo for some peace and quiet, planning a romantic stroll, or bringing friends or family, a little preparation can turn a "nice" outing into a truly memorable one. Below are practical, easy-to-use tips to help you plan a smooth, fun, and satisfying day out, using an estate visit as the perfect example.

After landing, I found my "hotel" in a corner of a busy walkway. There were eight capsules stacked two high, somewhat like bunk beds. Expecting limited service, I was surprised to find an employee present to check me in. They quickly showed me how to set codes for my capsule door and luggage locker, then gestured for me to climb inside.

Part of the Cayuga Collection of sustainable luxury hotels in Central America, Jicaro Island Lodge is a luxe, private island hideaway surrounded by the serene waters of Lake Nicaragua. Among volcano-studded landscapes coated in forests, the island's nine casitas just as easily welcome adrenaline seekers eyeing water sports and hiking trails as they do those looking to spend long, lazy days floating in the infinity pool or balancing in a hammock, book in hand.