Author: Lauren Mulvey

In recent years, the Hudson Valley has become a bustling escape hatch for city dwellers and out-of-towners alike, and the area’s cultural offerings have swiftly multiplied to accommodate an influx of visitors. Luckily, this means a great number of LGBTQ owned restaurants, bars, and shops have popped up, pulling in day visitors or those looking to stay a week and bop around upstate, from the Catskills in the west to the Hudson Valley in the east. While many areas have downtowns just off the Metro North rail line, a car is the easiest way to navigate upstate’s cute hamlets and…

There are many factors that make for a great city, including culture and diversity, delectable cuisine, and welcoming people, but perhaps the one element that is most important is a city’s walkability. Experts in happiness around the world have underlined the importance of a city’s accessibility and convenience in getting around. Walking is good for the body and mind, and being able to walk to your favorite morning coffee spot, to work, to dinner and back home is likely one of the most underrated quality of life enhancers. Here are some of the best walkable cities around the world. Florence,…

Join the celebration at Queer Wine Fest featuring 20 LGBTQ+ winemakers and a diverse selection of wines with a devoted community on June 29th in the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Remy Wines will be showcasing its largest array of LGBTQ+ American wineries on June 29th at their fourth annual Queer Wine Fest. The event will bring together 20 LGBTQ+ winemakers, vineyard managers, and owners from Oregon, California, and Washington with a diverse selection of wines to sample and taste. Joining this year’s lineup will be wineries Capo Creek and Torix Noix from California, and Washington’s SuLei Cellars. There will also be…

If you’re planning to visit D.C. for WorldPride Washington DC 2025 (May 17 – June 8) we have discovered some of the best eateries, clubs, museums and activities for Pride attendees this year. Stay at the Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington DC, which is housed inside the former General Post Office, a stunning neo-classical building whose grandeur is reflected in the ornate and enormous hotel rooms with high ceilings and hallways as wide as the Palace of Versailles. Or try Hotel Zena, a 119-room boutique hotel that pays tribute to courageous and pioneering women. The LGBTQ-friendly Zena (parent company Viceroy boasts…

Some of the most popular hubs for LGBTQ+ culture in the USA are usually large cities like New York, Los Angeles, Denver, and Chicago, but smaller cities and towns in America also offer thriving LGBTQ+ scenes, queer-friendly businesses, and progressive thinking. Here are five of the best LGBTQ+ friendly small towns and cities to visit in the USA right now. Eureka Springs, Arkansas  If you want to know what makes Eureka Springs such a unique and exciting place to live and visit, ask a local. The LGBTQ+ population here has grown over the decades, creating a welcoming destination for visitors.…

Travelers to Thailand must now register for a Thailand Digital Arrival Card, or a (TDAC). The new requirement started May 1, 2025, and all non-Thai nationals entering the country by air, land, or sea, must complete the TDAC online prior to arrival. The new digital system intends to speed up the immigration process and eliminate the use of paper forms, while more effectively recording traveler movements in and out of the country. The Immigration Bureau of Thailand advises travelers to register for the card within three days of their arrival. According to TAT News, the arrival card is a part of…

The world’s best airports for 2025 have been ranked by air transport rating organization Skytrax, and for the 13th year, Singapore Changi has won the top spot. Experienced travelers have had their share of delightful and horrifying airport encounters, and though rushing through an airport to make it to your gate isn’t usually a pleasant experience, airports like Changi make it worth arriving a few hours early.  Skytrax has ranked the best airports in the world according to a global survey of customers at 565 airports around the world. According to CNN, Changi is a destination in itself. Here, time…

Early this month, MSC Cruises unveiled the new MSC World America, the largest ship in the company’s history.  MSC World America is a 22-deck cruise ship that will dock regularly at a brand new terminal in PortMiami. After a naming ceremony featuring actress Drew Barrymore, the ship set off for a three-night inaugural trip to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, the company’s Bahamas-based private island, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The ship will travel along the Eastern or Western Caribbean, taking guests to destinations including the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Honduras, and Ocean Cay. Trips will last one…

From the urban market stalls in the capital city, Papeete, to resorts that cater to visitors throughout the country’s 118 islands, it’s virtually impossible to pass an hour’s time in any public space without seeing Tahitians who present as genderfluid, nonchalantly going about their daily business. Same-sex couples, both foreign and local, abound as well. In recent decades, as queer and indigenous identities have become a focus of attention and activism elsewhere, Tahiti’s open-minded pre-colonial attitudes toward non-binary gender expression and sexuality have regained cultural prominence. Drawing on historic precedent, acceptance, and respect for queer people, today Tahiti feels far…

The famous Michelin restaurant guide made its Texas debut last November in a three-year, $900,000 deal, reviewing restaurants in Dallas, Austin, Houston, Fort Worth and San Antonio. Staged at Houston’s 713 Music Hall, the inaugural ceremony recognized 117 restaurants representing 26 cuisines.  Texas Monthly once heralded Franklin Barbecue (900 E 11th St. Tel. 512-653- 1187. franklinbbq.com) as “the best barbecue in the known universe.” In 2015, chef/owner Aaron Franklin became the first pitmaster to win a James Beard award, for Best Chef: Southwest. His peppery post oak-smoked Texas brisket and other fare are daily sellouts. Surprisingly, he was not one of…

Japan Airlines’ (JAL) free domestic flights program officially launched last fall in various countries, but what does “free” actually mean for travelers, and is there a catch?  JAL announced the new flight deal in September, offering tourists who arrive in Japan on international flights inter-country flights, free of charge. This initiative includes 64 domestic airports throughout the country.  In recent years, Japan has been bumped up on travel bucket lists, and has been internationally recognized for its cuisine, culture, history, and beautifully preserved natural landscapes. Places like Osaka and Kyoto, though well-known, still receive less tourists annually than popular Tokyo. However,…

Just six months after Asheville was devastated by hurricane Helene, signature attractions are ready to receive visitors, historic sites are on the mend, spring events are lined up, businesses are reopening and elevating customer experiences. You can help fuel the revitalization of this beloved city with a visit this spring or summer. More than 75 percent of hospitality businesses are now open and welcoming visitors. Plus more than 300 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway, including 11 miles through Asheville, have reopened. Visit iconic attractions like Biltmore or the North Carolina Arboretum, which are open for the season and offer…

A tour through Southeast Asia will surely take travelers through Thailand and Vietnam, perhaps on to Bali or the Philippines, but many might miss the budget-friendly gem of Laos. Laos, or more accurately, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, is tucked between Thailand and Vietnam, and in recent years it’s gained popularity with travelers. Whether you’re a backpacker or an adventure traveler looking for new ground to cover, Laos can offer some of the very best of authentic travel experiences.  Luang Prabang is perhaps the most well-known Laotian city. Temples, restaurants and shops are tucked between and around the Mekong and Nam…

I’ve been traveling in Southeast Asia for two months, and though I’d like to consider myself a well-researched traveler, there are some things you can’t prepare for. On my trips abroad I’ve fallen down a flight of stairs, contracted the flu, and lost my passport, but most importantly, I’ve learned how to navigate my destinations along the way. You can only do so much preparation. Though the economies of many countries in Southeast Asia are structured to accommodate tourism, there are still some things any visitor should know before heading to this part of the world. What To Eat Whatever…

If you are looking for a place to relax on your next vacation, Book Retreats’ Global Relaxation Index might have a destination that works for you. The report finds that although it’s easy to love destinations like France, Turkey, Spain, and Italy for their sunny beaches, mountain villages, epic cuisines, and stunning architecture, these locations are not where you’ll find peace this year. UN Tourism figures indicate that these destinations attract over 55 million visitors each year.  Even though it may be tempting to book your next trip to France or Italy, consider these more tranquil locations vetted by Book…

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,…