Author: Lauren Mulvey

From the East Coast to the West Coast, famous gay neighborhoods in the USA have become the stomping grounds and safe spaces necessary for a thriving LGBTQ+ community, but not all queer neighborhoods are created equal. Some require a heavier wallet, and others offer a good time to anyone no matter their income. We’re highlighting some of the most and least expensive gayborhoods in the country, according to recent data from Advocate, and if you’re lucky, you can visit them all. Most Expensive Gayborhoods It’s easy to predict that the gay neighborhoods of New York and California are some of…

The U.S. Department of State has issued a worldwide security alert advising Americans to “exercise increased caution” around the world, particularly in the Middle East. The warnings indicated that U.S. diplomatic facilities and American interests abroad could be potential targets by groups supportive of Iran, according to USA Today.  “Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the advisory reads. “Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.” Travel warnings have also been issued for some Middle East…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to officially ban trans people from female categories in future Olympic games. The new rule “Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport” is slated to go into effect for the next Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles in 2028.  Eligibility for future games will require invasive one-time gene-screening sex tests for participating athletes. These are meant to “ensure fairness and protect safety, particularly in contact sports,” the IOC writes. The Committee reports they appointed a working group to examine scientific, medical and legal developments concerning the issues…

Canada has made obtaining citizenship via family history easier than ever. As of December, Canada quietly expanded citizenship by descent eligibility beyond the first generation. According to Travel + Leisure, the change is timely as many Americans are looking to obtain second passports and citizenship in other countries as the Trump Administration continues promulgating an alt-right agenda. “There’s no limit on how many generations you can go back, as long as you can prove it,” Canadian immigration consultant Cassandra Fultz told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).  In order to prove citizenship by descent, applicants must submit birth or baptismal certificates and…

Traveling HBO series “The White Lotus” lands in France for season four as an all new cast checks into the Chateau de la Messardiere in St. Tropez. Variety reports that Mike White’s hit series will shoot at a historic 19th-century castle along the French Riviera, as well as additional properties in the region and a location in Paris.  St. Tropez has garnered a reputation among the rich and famous as a hotspot for luxe vacations, yachting and partying. Plus, Vogue named the Chateau de la Messardiere one of the best hotels in the South of France. The five-star property at the…

California’s Death Valley’s famous flower blooms are back after ten years. CN Traveler reports that Death Valley in Southeastern California is now fostering the blooms of desert gold, violet sand verbena, brown-eyes primrose, grape soda lupine and more.  According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), this is the “best blooming event the site has seen since 2016.” The area experienced more rain than usual in 2025, leading the blooms to reemerge. In the fall, Death Valley saw 2.41 inches of rainfall, which soaked dormant seeds, washing away their protective coatings, CN reports. With many of Death Valley’s blooms being annual…

U.S. airports are not the only ones expecting hours-long security queues this year. in Europe, wait times are projected to rise as the continent continues to implement its new Entry/Exit System (EES). Though EES technically launched in October of 2025, the biometric security system has only been gradually rolling out throughout the Schengen Area. According to the BBC, it is not predicted to be fully enacted by April 10, but that date is subject to change. Biometrics collected include face and fingerprint scans, which will help border agents keep tabs on those moving into and out of the Schengen Area.…

While airports across the country continue to see long TSA lines during the partial government shutdown, America’s top travel organizations have launched a campaign to support them. Federal aviation workers faced their first empty paychecks this month, but the U.S. Travel Association has partnered with Airlines for America, the American Association of Airport Executives, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association to launch the “Pay Federal Aviation Workers” campaign. The new campaign hopes to motivate Americans to urge Congress to pass legislation ensuring essential federal aviation employees continue to be paid during government shutdowns. The campaign official site reads: “Far too…

As the Northern Hemisphere emerges from its long winter isolation, the world is opening up again, and the season of international tulip festivals invites you to celebrate nature around the world. Amsterdam Tulip Festival One of the most famous tulip festivals in the world returns this year, March 19 through May 10, inviting travelers from all over the world to see fields of multi-colored tulips. Just outside of Amsterdam, this festival offers reprieve from the bustle of the city center. Festival officials suggest that visitors make sure to see the Keukenhof Gardens, visit a real tulip farm, see a flower…

The best seasons to get outside and enjoy nature are swiftly approaching, and this year travelers have many wonderful options for hiking, outdoor adventures, nature retreats, and green-minded trips around the world.  Peru  Famous for its trek to Machu Picchu, Peru is brimming with incredible places for hiking lovers. If you’re not up for the famous 4-day trek on the Inca Trail, there are plenty of easier alternatives that still offer great views of Peru’s natural landscapes. A much shorter and almost equally famous trek is the 4.35 miles roundtrip to Rainbow Mountain, a geological wonder near the southern city…

Traveling with friends and family can be fun, but solo travel can also create lasting memories and a unique sense of self trust and achievement. According to Expedia, bookings for solo trips are increasing around the globe. Expedia compared booking data from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025 with the same period from 2024 to determine what destinations are on the rise for solo travel. The platform notes increased interest in searches for solo trips in walkable cities, culture-rich capitals, and sunny escapes. According to Travel + Leisure (T+L) and Expedia, solo travelers in the U.S. are flocking to California,…

Experts are indicating travelers should get ahead of summer travel by booking now to find the best price as AI’s dynamic pricing affects deals. Travel expert Barry Choi told Global News that there are rarely last minute deals for travel anymore as AI factors in dynamic pricing. Dynamic pricing uses AI to predict consumer demand based on supply changes, and consumer activity. Nowadays airlines are using AI to track fliers’ activity and personal history when searching for flights, meaning prices can be tailored to individual fliers. Choi says this means even if you’re searching for a flight for spring break…

While cruising on Ponant’s Le Jacques Cartier, named after the French explorer who lived during the first half of the 16th century, it may come as no surprise that this is a very French ship. From dockside she looks sleek and distinguished, appearing more like a private yacht. Le Jacques Cartier has a length of 430 feet and carries just 184 passengers, which gives it the ability to cruise into tight ports and passages that larger vessels cannot. Upon boarding the ship, passengers are greeted with smiles, hellos, and flutes of champagne. The beginning of very gracious white glove service.…

Members of Unite Here, a hospitality workers union, have released a report detailing the ways in which the Trump Administration’s immigration policies have inflicted economic damage on industry workers. In the report entitled “Inhospitable,” workers claim Trump’s policies have incited fear regardless of their immigration status. Unite Here represents 300,000 hospitality workers in U.S. and Canada hotels, casinos, airports, and restaurants. Union president Gwen Mills brought attention to the report’s findings during a roundtable in D.C. this month. Mills claimed “scenes of violence on the streets in our major cities and anti-immigrant rhetoric” are discouraging domestic and foreign travel, putting financial…

A new survey from the U.S. Travel Association indicates that Americans are dissatisfied with the country’s slow moving progression on offering efficient travel experiences in airports. The association proposes Congress make “immediate progress” on this issue by returning billions of dollars from the 9/11 Passenger Security Fee. This fee, which was implemented after 9/11, adds a charge to all passenger airfares to be allocated for security in airports.  “Americans want the United States to lead the world in travel efficiency, not lag behind it, and they’re telling Congress exactly how to get there: put the 9/11 Security Fee back where it…

A new bill from the GOP proposes to eliminate dual citizenship amongst American passport holders, forcing U.S. citizens to renounce their citizenship statuses in other countries. The legislation entitled Exclusive Citizenship Act of 2025 was introduced by Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno in December. If passed, the bill would demand that citizens of the U.S. claim “sole and exclusive allegiance to the United States.” Making those will dual citizenship choose between the U.S. and their other country of residency. The bill would also require that dual citizens who choose to maintain their U.S. citizenship submit a written renunciation of their other nationality.…

The U.S. plans to implement invasive social media and personal account vetting for foreign travelers entering the country in 2026. Visitors from 42 countries may soon be required to provide their social media history from up to five years prior upon entry to the country via a Trump Administration proposal that Trump claims is meant to keep the U.S. “safe.” The proposal was posted by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection the Federal Register,  Once implemented, these changes would require additional information to be provided on ESTA applications. This will entail mandatory inclusion of social media history, phone numbers, and email…

Floating in a crystal-blue swimming pool under the palm trees, ensconced in all things Trixie. This was the start of my Palm Springs getaway. The city that’s famous for mid-century modern style, martinis, and celebrity hobnobbing is also home to the Trixie Motel, the first real drag-built lodging. It’s a testament to the all-around rosy-pink vibes of California’s ultimate desert destination. Though Palm Springs grew roots as an early-1900s tourist oasis, by the 1920s and 30s, Hollywood’s LGBTQ+ luminaries found a sanctuary here. It has attracted the likes of queer icons Greta Garbo, Rock Hudson, George Cukor, and Liberace. A…

Norway is an idyllic destination for Northern Lights viewing, and now travelers can hop aboard the world’s first panoramic night train, designed to give travelers unforgettable views of the Aurora Borealis. The new train, the Midnight Aurora Route, will combine luxury sustainability, and breathtaking scenery to create a seamless viewing experience for passengers. Onboard features include heated cabins and reclining seats facing the night sky. The route operates during peak aurora season between late-August and mid-April.  According to NDTV, travelers can also enjoy English-speaking guides, photography tips, and a short documentary on the wild wonder of nature. Plus, get real-time…

This year, Amsterdam celebrates 25 years of marriage equality for citizens of the Netherlands in a “unique atmosphere of freedom, creativity and tolerance,” by hosting WorldPride between July 25th and August 8th. For WorldPride Amsterdam 2026, the festivities will focus on unity, tolerance, connectedness and love. To symbolize this year’s festival, the city has chosen a kaleidoscope, meant to pay homage to the Netherlands’ rich tapestry of diverse identities and cultures. In 2026, Amsterdam celebrates not just WorldPride, but 15 years of the Declaration of Amsterdam (WorkPlace Pride), 30 years of Pride celebrations in the city, 55 years of abolition…