All over the world, the holiday season is celebrated in many different ways and an overarching feeling of warmth and joy permeates this time of year. If you’re looking for an exciting place to ring in the New Year or experience the Christmas/holiday season, you might want to check out these iconic holiday destinations in Europe, each with its own unique architecture, cozy charm, and wonderful winter activities. Prague, Czech Republic Prague is a beautiful city to visit any time of year, but during the holiday season the stunning Medieval buildings seem to have a special warm glow. It’s…
Author: Lauren Mulvey
Lauren Mulvey
Lauren Mulvey is a freelance writer based in upstate New York who specializes in regional travel, culture, and sustainability across the Hudson Valley and beyond.
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…
Travel can provide memories that will last a lifetime, but it can be difficult to navigate for those with disabilities. According to EuroNews.Travel, an estimated 1 billion people worldwide are living with a disability. So for the travel industry, it’s important to ensure that travelers with disabilities can move throughout foreign cities, airports, train stations and public transport with ease. A September 2022 survey from business collective seeking to end disability exclusion, Valuable 500, has revealed a list of most accessible cities according to responses from participants from the United Kingdom, United States, Japan, China and Australia. Reports from EuroNews…
Over-Tourism has many famous destinations around the world in a chokehold, and it comes as no surprise that Greece’s famous Santorini is subject to some of the worst crowds of the summer season. Tourists know and love the idea of Santorini’s white-washed and blue-domed structures, sunny days and striking seas, so much so that the island attracts around 3.4 million visitors a year. Santorini’s population stands at around 20,000, and according to CNN around 17,000 cruise ship passengers peruse the island each day during seasonal peaks. Santorini is a visual paradise with stunning views, incredible sunsets, and quaint cobblestoned streets,…
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…
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.…
The city of Stockholm is a sprawling landscape of interwoven islands at the inlet of a larger archipelago. This makes the city somewhat fragmented, but allows each island to play a larger role in the layout of the city. A favorite island of many tourists and locals alike is Djurgården. Sitting southeast of the city’s shopping and historical center, it acts as an oasis, an escape from the city’s crowded streets. Hills shrouded in dark green trees, speckled with castles, beautiful museums, bright riverside homes, and even an amusement park, Djurgården has something for visitors seeking tranquility, history, thrills, or…
If you live in the Northeast, the arrival of cooler weather is either great news or a reason to pack your bags and head to warmer places. If you’re already missing the summer sun of July and August, check out these LGBTQ+ friendly destinations around the country where you can enjoy the warmth into the fall season. Key West One of our go-to sunny destinations for a fall or winter visit is Key West, Florida. Year-round, Key West hosts LGBTQ+ events and festivals including drag brunches, bar hopping and more. Here you can truly chase the heat as temperatures stay…
If you’re a digital nomad who has set their sights on the Mediterranean you’re in luck because Italy and Turkey now offer digital nomad visas. In Turkey, the new digital nomad visa is available to citizens between the ages of 21 and 55 in 36 countries including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and France. Applicants for visas must earn a minimum of $3,000 a month or $36,000 a year. All required documents for this visa can be filed online. To prove you can make it in Turkey on your own, you must have a college degree, be employed with…
When booking accommodations around the world, you’ll likely use star ratings and reviews to make your choice. Though reviews can indicate how past visitors experienced the location, stars indicate what the hotel offers, rather than the quality of an individual stay. A hotel can be rated between one and five stars, and where a hotel falls in the hierarchy is dependent on a few central factors. The comfortability and luxury of the accommodation, the services offered, and what the property provides to elevate a guest’s stay. You may find that star ratings are not consistent across rental platforms or around…
Dublin sees millions of travelers touring the city each year, but surely one of the most attractive features in Dublin is its rich pub scene and live music culture. From 5 p.m. on visitors can pop into any bar in the Temple Bar area and experience traditional Irish tunes and covers of pop hits, dine on classic pub grub, and decide if Guinness is your favorite beer or the worst thing you’ve ever tasted. Though you can have a good night at nearly any bar, here are some favorites that can guarantee you a quintessential night out in Dublin. The…
The 46th annual Provincetown Carnival Week is rolling into the famous LGBTQ+ friendly Cape Cod town this August. One of P-town’s largest queer celebrations is back with a record number of carnival events and an amazing theme: Renaissance x Revolution. Running August 17-24, attendees can expect a jam-packed week of festivities including, a Carnival Parade down Commercial Street on Aug. 22 and a performance from RuPaul’s Drag Race season 16 runner-up and classically trained opera singer Sapphira Cristál, at Renaissance Ball. The 46th annual Provincetown Carnival Week, August 17-24, is presented by the Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) and is one of…
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…
Before you depart on a trip, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the currency in your destination. If you’re a traveler hoping to budget and save money while globetrotting, consider traveling to a location where the U.S. dollar is strong, and your money will go further. The locations featured here are great vacation spots where the U.S dollar will buy you more.. Even if you’re traveling on budget, you can still visit these destinations and enjoy incredible food, sleep comfortably every night, and afford special experiences. Thailand & Southeast Asia The U.S. dollar is typically strong in Thailand and other…
You’ve traveled to beaches and mountains, but have you checked deserts off your travel bucket list? These arid landscapes provide some of the most beautiful and strange scenery in the world, and also have a lot to reveal about the history of the world. Some of the world’s most beautiful deserts used to be oceans or seas, or homes to prehistoric cultures, creatures, and peoples. Gobi, Mongolia Mongolia has received more attention in recent years for its beautiful landscapes that look other-worldly. Whether they be vast green fields merging into perfect skies, or the desert lands, Mongolia has much to…
The Northern Lights viewing season has arrived and this year might be one of the best times to marvel at the splendor of the aurora borealis. According to Travel and Leisure, the northern lights have seen “more buzz” this year, as they’ve been more active than usual. Earlier this year, a series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun made this sensational display viewable as far south as Alabama and Northern California in the U.S., according to CNN. Here are five destinations that are perfect for viewing the Northern Lights. Tromsø, Norway If you must choose just…
Each year, in small and big ways we see the effects of climate change on our lives. Whether that be the record breaking heat, wildfires, or glacial melting. Some countries are taking action to work against the effects of climate change with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions around the world. In over 90 countries, these targets are a commitment to prevent climate change’s most harmful impacts. “Net-zero” essentially means a country is working to offset its carbon emissions by using alternative energy sources or finding methods to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Reaching net-zero means the greenhouse gases…
Strap on your hiking shoes and get moving on one of these challenging yet beautiful hiking trails around the world. Whether you’re hoping for snowy terrain, a tropical route, or a path through the mountains, there are some amazing long distance hiking trails that take varying lengths of time to complete. However, most of these treks aren’t for the casual walker and take a lot of preparation and endurance to complete. Get ready for an adventure! Grand Italian Trail (Sentiero Italia) While tourists swelter under the Italian sun in cramped and overcrowded cities, you could be heaving a backpack through…
As major neighborhoods in L.A. continue to lose homes, businesses, and community resources to raging fires, Airbnb and other short-term and vacation rental platforms are offering free accommodations for those who have lost their homes. Airbnb and competitor vacation home company Pacaso are using their vast database of rental properties to match available rentals with displaced families and individuals. Airbnb is executing the assistance through a partnership with 211 LA, a 24-hour hotline for individuals and families in need of aid in health, human, and social services, including housing crises. They are offering services to residents who have lost their…
The U.S. Census Bureau is looking to collect additional information on the sexual and gender identity of Americans by including new questions in future American Community Surveys. The U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for collecting data about the United States’ population and economy. On an annual basis, the organization conducts the American Community Survey, which collects data on social, economic, housing, and demographic characteristics to measure the growth and change year to year. The bureau plans to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget to move forward with testing new questions on gender identity and sexuality. The new…