Author: Lauren Mulvey

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…

Switzerland is one of our favorite places and it is also one of the most beautiful winter destinations in the world. With its Swiss Alps, bucolic towns, charming, culture-filled cities, and delectable culinary offerings, Switzerland has something for everyone. Winter Sports In the winter season, this welcoming country invites sports entusiasts to ski the slopes of the Swiss Alps and take in some once in a lifetime views from one of the most famous mountain regions in Europe. Ski fanatics cannot miss the slopes, but sledding, snow tubing, and ice skating are also very popular. And for those who are looking…

Travel writers and remote workers alike can often work from anywhere, allowing them to pick up their lives and move across the country or even across the world.  This has long been a popular lifestyle amongst the digital nomad community, and as it becomes a more popular form of employment, many countries are developing so-called “digital nomad” visas for those wishing to be nomads in their territory. The phrase “digital nomad” was first popularized by Tsugio Makimoto and David Manners, who together authored the book Digital Nomad in 1997. This book foresaw the concept that computers could eventually take office…

The world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set sail recently on its maiden commercial voyage from Miami for a seven-day island-hopping trip, but the mere existence of such a vessel is causing waves for the environmentally-conscious.  According to reports from CNBC, the Royal Caribbean ship, Icon of the Seas, cost $2 billion to build, can host 7,600 passengers, weighs 250,800 metric tons, and measures nearly 1,200 feet from bow to stern (four football fields in length). In January, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty called the ship the “biggest, baddest ship on the planet.”  Those who travel on…

Upstate New York is the perfect destination for people who love to hike. With its quaint towns, bucolic charm, and beautiful vistas, those looking for a day trip or weekend stay can find a natural oasis to enjoy in one of New York’s mountain regions, forest preserves, or state parks. To help you choose your new favorite place to hike, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best locations in upstate New York, from the Hudson Valley to the Finger Lakes. Hudson Valley  Just a 1-2 hour drive from NYC, the Hudson Valley is a treasure trove when…

Though many of us love a good globetrot, it can be nice to break up our worldly adventures by exploring some of the unique destination in the USA. From the Florida Keys to the shores of Cape Cod, these beautiful places offer visitors one-of-a-kind experiences, art and culture, natural wonders, and delectable cuisine. Key West, Florida The perfect seaside getaway for LGBTQ+ travelers awaits in Key West. All year round this destination hosts festivals, special event weekends, and parties for LGBTQ+ tourists, including Key West Pride, Womenfest, Tropical Heat, and more. If you’re looking for a fun, relaxed destination…

Savvy travelers like to explore unique and inspiring destinations around the world, and on the top of their lists are the fjords of Norway. These majestic natural wonders are narrow, deep bodies of water that are typically surrounded by tall mountains. They are formed by the movement of glaciers, and in Norway’s case by the movement of glaciers during the Ice Age, over 2.5 million years ago. Norway’s unique geological features aren’t found in every part of the world, but you will also discover them in Canada, New Zealand, Greenland, Alaska and a few more lucky spots. However, a drive…

Mobile phones have made navigation, transportation, communication with loved ones back home, and sharing your experiences with social circles easier than ever. When traveling, however, you may need a plan to use your device.  Luckily, cellular and e-data companies are keeping up with travelers’ needs, providing travel plans that allow long- and short-term travelers to purchase a plan that works for them. On the newer end of the spectrum are e-sim cards, which can be installed via a downloadable app to your device. Plans are priced depending on period of time, and breadth of data. So if you want unlimited…

Halloween is celebrated in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and other places. However, many countries around the world have their own ways of celebrating, and not just on October 31. Here’s what “halloween” celebrations look like around the globe. The version of Halloween we celebrate today in the U.S. is largely derived from an amalgamation of various cultural traditions.  Dia de Los Muertos – Latin America In Latin America, kids do not go trick-or-treating on October 31. There, on November 1st, festivities and parties are held to celebrate the “Day of the dead” or “Dia de los muertos.”…

JetBlue and Spirit Airlines announced the termination of their $3.8 billion merger agreement after losing a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the deal. According to the New York Times, the decision to terminate the agreement is a “big win” for the Biden administration which has sought to limit corporate consolidation.  The merger was blocked by a federal judge in January for fear it would reduce competition in the airline industry and raise ticket prices for travelers who are in need of more affordable flight pricing. The proposal for JetBlue to acquire the low-cost airline came in October of 2022 at which…

Though there are many volcanoes around the world, did you know can visit some of the most beautiful peaks that remain active today? Whether you’re cruising through Italy, hiking through Bali, or visiting Iceland (The Land of Fire and Ice), you’ll find an active volcano that can provide beautiful, inspiring views. Mount Etna – Catania, Sicily One of the world’s most remarkable active stratovolcanoes looms over Sicily’s eastern coast, creating a gorgeous backdrop in cities like Catania, Taormina, and Messina. When we say Etna is active, we mean it erupted just last year (August 2023), forcing closures at the nearby…

Though national parks are an easy destination to visit during warm weather months, as summer turns to fall, changing colors and landscapes are a sight to be seen in many of the most beautiful national parks on Earth. And a special experience can be found in many parks during the winter months, when pure white snow lays a coating on the textured terrain of mountains, valleys, canyons, rivers, and meadows. At this time of year, activities in parks may be limited, but the scenery is unique enough to make the trip unforgettable. Here are some of the best national parks…

From the bustling streets of London to the rhythmic samba of Sao Paulo, Pride showcases the voices, experiences, and continuing struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. It is also a chance to explore new destinations, learn about different cultures, and connect with people from all walks of life who share the same vision of a world where love knows no boundaries. As we celebrate together, we will also acknowledge the triumphs that have brought us this far, and the challenges we continue to face.  In a world where love is often met with hate, the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community stands…

New facial recognition technology is being tested at airports and airline headquarters around the world, and could be used when you board your next flight.  The New York Times reports facial recognition technology is being used in busy terminals at popular airports like New York City’s La Guardia. Kiosks fitted with iPads are taking photos of travelers’ faces and matching them to a photo from a government database.  Travelers who undergo this security check are not required to show a physical ID or a boarding pass to move through the airport, just their face.  Frequent travelers know that navigating an…

It’s no surprise that a new study from Australia’s Edith Cowan University found that travel is a solid defense against premature aging. This interdisciplinary study has applied the theory of entropy to tourism, finding that while negative travel experiences may contribute to an increase in entropy and decrease in overall health, positive experiences may ease the progression of entropy, enhancing overall health. According to PhD candidate Ms. Fangli Hu “aging, as a process, is irreversible. While it can’t be stopped, it can be slowed down.” Hu notes that “exposure to novel environments, engagement in physical activities and social interaction, and…

These days, many people who work remotely can allow themselves a dream lifestyle: mobilizing their lives as digital nomads. Work from your laptop and travel anywhere in the world. Spend 2 months in Europe, hop over to Asia, or enjoy winter in South America. The world is truly your oyster. American expats have long been figuring out the best places in the world to live, whether for just a few months, or for a permanent overhaul and lifestyle change. Here are some of the most popular places for expats and digital nomads to live. Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon has been a…

Pack your bags for the Key West Film Festival, Nov. 13-17, 2024! The official 2024 lineup will include films from directors including Pedro Almodovar, Barry Jenkins, Billy Corben, Michael Gracey, Gia Coppola and others. As is tradition for the festival, the Opening and Closing Night films are curated by two of the top film critics in the country. Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter will host a discussion with Stepanie Zacharek of Time accompanying the Opening Night screening of THE FIRE INSIDE, the inspiring story of two time Olympic women’s boxing gold medalist Claressa “T-Rex” Shields and her fight for…