Author: Lauren Mulvey

The new driverless option in Austin, Texas is part of Uber’s partnership with autonomous driving company Waymo. Through their collaboration, Uber riders can get matched up with a driverless vehicle in the city according to reports from Travel and Leisure. Uber said in a statement obtained by T&L “we’re reimagining how the world moves and building a future where autonomous vehicles and drivers work side by side to help make transportation more affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all.” Austin is just the first city to implement the Uber/Waymo collaboration. Soon driverless vehicles will be available in Atlanta via Uber. Currently,…

The European Union is delaying the implementation of the new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) until late 2026. The new system was meant to be introduced in May 2025 and would be applicable to countries in the Schengen Area. Travelers from around the world hoping to enter the EU would be required to complete an online form registering for their trip and pay a fee of just under eight euros.  The new registration has often been referred to as a “visa” though it offers a simplified process and more affordable fees compared to traditional tourist visas.  The EU…

Why in the world would the Trump administration want to cut the budget, and the number of park rangers, in our national parks? In 2024, the US National Park Service (NPS) received a discretionary budget request of $3.8 billion, with an additional $1.2 billion from recreation fees, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and other mandatory funding sources, for a total of $5.0 billion. The parks generated an estimated $55.6 billion in economic activity. Last year broke records for people visiting our beautiful national parks and monuments with the National Park Service recording nearly 350 million visits at one of the…

Thailand has been rated a top destination this year, particularly for LGBTQ+ travelers, and for those keeping up with HBO hit series “The White Lotus,” the Southeast Asian country’s siren call may seem even louder as the show airs. “The White Lotus” season three was filmed in Thailand, namely on the island of Koh Samui.  Koh Samui’s population is around 100,000 with an additional 10,000 expats living on the 88.3 square mile island. Here’s what to do on Koh Samui and if it’s worth it to book your next vacation there. Samui’s main neighborhoods where accommodations are more plentiful are…

Stories of U.S. residents hoping to flee the country are on the rise since Trump’s inauguration. According to NBC News, the day after Trump won the election last fall, Google Trends reflected a spike in searches for digital nomad visas and the best countries to move to. The outlet says that many reported the election win being a breaking point, the last push to finally start a life elsewhere.  How-to videos detailing how to move abroad have gone viral across social media platforms, pushing those who may have already been considering expat life to finally take the leap. Jen Barnett,…

With each passing year, as climate change adversely affects global communities, travelers who appreciate the world in all its wonder are becoming more eco-conscious. There are many ways that frequent travelers can adopt more green practices. Avoiding short-haul plane travel, purchasing carbon offsets, being respectful of over-visited destinations, and practicing eco-friendly tasks are good for you and good for the Earth. Here are six popular destinations around the world that are committed to sustainability. Germany According to Forbes, Germany has long been committed to sustainability, adopting a plan to develop diverse attractions to promote sustainable tourism back in 2017. In…

We have often suggested that travel is very good for people, and that couples who enjoy traveling together have a better chance of staying together. Experts have been studying the effects of travel on couples for years, and the news is good. Research highlights four main points about the impact of travel on long-term relationships.  Number one: one to two extended leisure vacations a year help maintain romantic relationships.  Duh! When you and your partner are keeping your noses to the grindstone all year long, the stressors of daily life can push unwanted wear and tear on your relationship. Vacations…

While the hamburger may seemingly need little introduction, this American culinary icon has complex global ancestry. In his encyclopedic 2017 book The World Is Your Burger: A Cultural History, British entrepreneur and burger obsessive David Michaels identifies ‘Isicia Omentata,’ an ancient Roman patty of minced meat, pepper, wine, pine nuts, and fish-based garum sauce as the genesis burger. With other burgers vying for the original burger title, including the celebrated Middle Eastern kibbeh ball of bulgur, ground meat, and spices, and Mongolian horse meat and mutton tartare in the 13th century, Germany emerged as the cradle of the modern hamburger.…

With 120 islands, 177 canals, and 391 bridges, Venice is a truly entrancing and must-see global destination. However, last year the floating city introduced a tourist entry fee to combat the negative effects of mass tourism. Now Venice is doubling entry fees for 2025, just one of the latest self preservationist acts by a city heavily affected by tourism year-round. Last April, Venice began charging day-trippers an entry fee of just over €5 to enter Venice from Italy’s mainland. Now, day visitors to Venice on certain specified dates must pay €10 for entry. For the 2025 tourist high season around…

For digital nomads and remote workers, it’s great news that more and more countries offer digital nomad visas these days. According to Conde Nast Traveler, there are around 66 countries which offer digital nomad visas. Digital nomad visas are temporary permits that allow visitors to stay in countries around the world while they work remotely. These are mutually beneficial for nomads and the countries hosting them, as the digital nomad population boosts local economies. It’s great for digital nomads too, who have the opportunity to settle in at different destinations, get to know a place, and not feel like they…

Travel expenses can quickly become a burden if you don’t know where to look for deals. For foodies who like to travel, much of their daily spending goes toward dining out. Whether you’re into Michelin star restaurants or intimate bistros, you’ll likely spend a pretty penny while traveling, but you don’t need to drain your wallet at every meal. Here are five destinations where you will discover street food and affordable restaurants where your money goes a bit further.  Marrakech, Morocco  Marrakech is not only famous for its vibrant colorful buildings and ornate palaces, but also for its culinary scene.…

Encompassing distinct styles from the southern, central, northern, and northeastern regions of the country, Thai cuisine denotes a complex, layered, juggle of ingredients and cross-cultural influences brought to order by balancing salty, sweet, sour, and spicy tastes. Discover our favorite Thai restaurants in the USA from New York City to Los Angeles and points in between! CHAO KRUNG THAI (Los Angeles) The Los Angeles region is home to the world’s largest Thai population outside of Thailand. Communities include Thai Town, just east of Hollywood, where this 1969 pioneer, one of the first Thai restaurants in town, set the stage for…

Offering famous Modernism Architecture Tours and featuring the esteemed Palm Springs Art Museum, the Palm Springs area is a hub for west-coast art. Now, it’s time to mark your calendars because between March 8 and May 11, you can join the biennial art celebration of Desert X in Coachella Valley.  Each year, Desert X brings site-specific art installations to Coachella Valley, and for their fifth year The Desert Biennial’s exhibition reflects on the desert’s “deep time evolutions reframing ideas and wilderness.” it will also explore themes of “Indigenous futurism, design activism, colonial power asymmetries, the impress of humanity on the…

The city council of Worcester Massachusetts has voted overwhelmingly to become a sanctuary city for transgender and gender-diverse people. The resolution to become an official sanctuary city passed by a 9-2 vote. The decision follows the departure of nonbinary city council member Thu Nguyen who cited the “discriminatory and toxic” environment and the “transphobia” of the city council’s culture as reasons for leaving. Upon their leave, Nguyen said “I wish to have felt safe on this council floor, but I don’t.”  Nguyen also claims that Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty had misgendered them on the council floor, while another council…

If you’ve been saving your money to embark on an adventure, you’re in luck. Here are some unconventional and affordable ways to travel that will help you appreciate the journey and savor the experiences along the way. Volunteer Travel  Volunteer travel is arguably one of the most ethical forms of tourism. Wwoofing, Workaway exchanges or Worldpackers opportunities allow travelers to connect more with the communities they visit rather than just passing through. Volunteer travel involves an exchange of work for accommodation, food and cultural experiences in your desired destination. This could mean you stay in an Italian villa in Tuscany and…

Taiwan has launched a 6-month remote work visa for travelers who want to play as much as they work this year. With Taiwan’s new 6-month visa, digital nomads hoping to explore a new country need only apply by submitting necessary info including a valid passport, travel itinerary, and any supporting documents related to your purpose of visitation.  U.S. travelers could only enter Taiwan as a tourist or short-term visitor without a visa for up to 90 days prior to the introduction of the new visa. The visa takes effect this month, inviting working travelers to come and set up shop and…

A new route between Berlin and Paris now offers travelers high speed transport between the two famous cities, getting passengers there in just 8 hours. The route connects the European Union’s two most populous countries. According to The Independent, the move is also believed to be a sign of the EU’s hopes to attract more people to rail travel. Before the bullet train offering, rides from Berlin to Paris typically took just over 11 hours. The new service, operated by  Deutsche Bahn on an ICE train, will run once a day. The daytime service offers an alternative to a slower…

One of our favorite must-visit destinations is Key West, Florida. Year-round, Key West hosts LGBTQ+ events and festivals including Pride, Womenfest, Bear Weekend, and much more. In Key West, you can create and enjoy a choose your own adventure vacation. Relax on the beach, enjoy amazing food and wine with friends, or discover one-of-a-kind experiences day and night. Here are some of Key West’s annual events to put on your calendar.  Key West Pride – June 2025  Though you can celebrate pride with thousands of friends in nearly any major city these days, Key West Pride is truly something special.…

Hit the slopes in the beautiful Catskills Feb. 7-9 with Hudson Valley’s LGBTQ+ organizers including Big Gay Hudson Valley, Pride Center of the Capital Region and Hudson Valley LGBTQ+ Community Center, for NYS Pride Ski Weekend 2025 at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount.  Skiers and snowboarders are welcome to cruise down all of Belleayre Mountains’ 62 trails and enjoy entertainment and special festivities throughout the weekend. Events on the docket take visitors on a tour of an increasingly vibrant nightlife, culinary, and cultural scene in Kingston where the mountains meet the Hudson River. On Friday, Feb. 7 enjoy a cozy DJ…

Travel trends come and go, but the whirling wormhole of social media is stirring with content on an increasingly popular trend: wellness tourism. Users on apps like Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube have grown increasingly obsessed with “self-care.” And nowadays you can find thousands of videos across the web telling you exactly what supplements to take, how to workout, what to eat, what skincare to use, and how to live your most “healthy” life. Realistically it can be overwhelming to try and balance all the unsolicited influencer advice and noise with what your body and mind really need. Some wellness trends…