Author: Lauren Mulvey

Summer cocktails and aperitifs come and go, but wine is a year-round beverage, with perfect variations for all occasions. Wine lovers can make an easy holiday all over the world as wine regions span continents and cultures. Here are six of the most popular wine regions in the world to consider for you next vacation. Italy  If there’s one place that comes to mind for wine-loving travelers when planning a trip, it’s Italy, famous for wine-stocked grocery stores, quality grapes, and wineries galore in regions like Tuscany, Piedmont, Sicily, and Veneto. Wines from Italy are often characterized by these regions,…

Google has introduced a new platform to its Google Flights airfare search engine called Flight Deals, an AI-powered tool allowing users to enter conversational text to find flights. Instead of entering dates, destinations and filters to find the best flight, users can now just describe where, when, and how they want to fly.  “Flight Deals is designed for flexible travelers whose number one goal is saving money on their next trip,” said Jade Kessler, Product Manager at Google Flights. The new tool is now available for travelers in the U.S., Canada and India. Despite the change, travelers can still utilize Google…

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has added new destinations to its list of World Heritage Sites, continuing it’s legacy of preserving unique and historically relevant places around the world. Recently added to the list is Minoan Palatial Centre in Crete, an island off the coast of Greece. This historical ruins site dates back to 1900 BC, according to Travel + Leisure. This destination includes six archaeological sites on the island that are representative of the Minoan civilization, a prehistoric Mediterranean culture. The sites now a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage list were the Minoan’s economic, religious,…

Thailand is enjoying some major buzz this year, and for good reason. Not only is this southeast Asian nation the setting for the third season of HBO’s White Lotus, but more importantly it celebrated a historic milestone in January 2025 by becoming the first nation in Southeast Asia to legalize same-sex marriage. As the nation’s capital and largest city, Bangkok naturally benefits from the positive vibes of this significant moment in history. Locals and visitors alike are reveling in this latest proof of Thailand’s queer friendliness, as well as annual LGBTQ+ celebrations, including Bangkok Pride. Bangkok is indeed more appealing than…

The days of looking back at your global travels via passport stamps are coming to a close as countries move to digitize immigration processes at their borders. Travel + Leisure reports 29 countries in the European Union will swap their passport stamps for the region’s new Entry/Exist System (EES), which will keep track of travelers’ goings to and from these countries via a digital footprint. Though the new system’s landing date has been pushed back various times in recent years, it is now slated to go into effect on Oct. 12, less than two months away. From there, the system will…

It’s no secret the U.S. is becoming a less and less attractive destination for international travelers, with new hiked up visa fees, threatening policies on deportation and border security, and a general distaste for the countries policies and policy makers. Many states are facing the consequences of decreased interest in U.S. tourism, as international traveler numbers in New York, California, and beyond drop, threatening what is typically a bustling economy.  According to reports from CNN, foreign travelers are increasingly nervous about the U.S.’s foreign policies. One Italian man studying in the U.S. told the outlet that Donald Trump’s immigration policies…

The E.U. has announced yet another launch date for the long-delayed Entry/Exit System (EES) that will now act as the region’s digital border system monitoring non-EU Nationals. The new launch date is Oct. 12, 2025.  According to Euronews, the EES is a registration system for U.K., U.S., and other non-EU travelers. It will require these travelers to scan their passports and/or other travel documentation at self-service kiosks each time they cross EU borders. EU citizens and those with long-stay visas will not need to register.  Once travelers register with the system, it will record their name, biometric data, date of entry…

Five new Acela high-speed trains will service Amtrak’s Northeast corridor, taking passengers to major cities including New York City, Boston, Washington, DC and other common Northeast routes, according to CT Insider According to Amtrak, the new trains are marked with a ‘NextGen’ tag on Amtrak.com and in the Amtrak app, making the models easier to identify while booking. The New Acela models will travel at a maximum speed of 160 miles per hour and will feature a tilt system, allowing for smoother and quieter rides.  On board, 5G WiFi and at-seat chargers are perfect for busy commuters, digital nomads, and…

Delta Airlines is now using AI for airfare pricing, spearheading a new technology that could become the norm for the future of travel technology. For 30 years Delta has used dynamic pricing alongside most other major airlines. This method pushes airfares up and down based on holidays and consumer demand.  The use of AI pricing could mean prices are not subject to as much regulation, and your own identity could influence the price you see for a flight. Delta claims the switch to AI will eliminate manual processes, while improving analysis and ensuring all customers see the same airfares, according to…

This year, Copenhagen has been named the world’s most livable city on The Economist annual most livable cities list. Each year, The Economist’s sister organization Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) ranks 173 global cities on healthcare, education, stability, infrastructure and environment.  The EIU awarded Copenhagen “perfect” scores in stability, education and infrastructure, according to CNN, with Vienna, Austria and Zurich, Switzerland tied for second place. It’s no surprise that Copenhagen was also named the happiest city in the world by the Institute for Quality of Life. Each year the organization releases a Happy City Index, which ranks cities based on education,…

Just over fifty years after its first historic flight, the famous Concorde is being prepared to return to commercial skies by next year. According to Aviation A2Z, Fly-Concorde Limited hopes to relaunch supersonic passenger services from the U.S. following a big shift in aviation policy.  Last month, Donald Trump signed the “Concorde Bill” at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) which lifted a ban on supersonic flights over land due to sonic boom and environmental concerns. With the ban lifted, the U.S. poises itself to become a leader in the next generation of aerospace innovation.  The first of its kind, the Concorde…

The new visa integrity fee was included as a provision of Trump’s recent “One Big Beautiful Bill” and it requires a fee of $250 to be paid by “any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of issuance.” The fee cannot be waived or reduced. Nonimmigrant travelers include tourists, business travelers, temporary workers, students and more. Already this year, approximately one million nonimmigrant visas have been issued per month despite the Trump Administration’s border crackdowns, according to TIME. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda will not need visas to enter the U.S. and some countries participating in a Visa Waiver…

Travelers will be pleased to hear that the TSA is making changes to airport security procedures that can save travelers time and hassle.  You know the stress that floods your body when you step up to the conveyor belt at an airport security line rushing to take off your shoes, remove your electronics from your carry-on bags, and separate your liquids. Well some of that stress could dissipate with new security policy changes from TSA. The Transportation Security Administration has recently decided to allow travelers to keep their shoes on while passing through airport security. “Ending the ‘Shoes-Off’ policy is the…

Walk amongst gentle wildlife, leap across clearwater streams, relax in green pastures, and enjoy stellar views straight out of a storybook. You can do all these things and more this summer in the Dolomites in Northern Italy.  What makes this famed skiing destination such a great summer spot? Wide open space, proximity to Switzerland, Germany, and Italy, and endless breathtaking sights are all part of the draw of this lower Alps region. The best time to visit for hiking the green blooming hills and mountains is late June to early September. This guarantees colorful landscapes, bustling towns and open businesses.…

Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes all travelers with open arms to ensure everyone has memorable vacation experiences in their 31 vibrant communities.  The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, which launched in 2021, begins as soon as a visitor disembarks at Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport. This program offers visitors with hidden disabilities, including hearing or visual impairments, learning difficulties, mobility, speech, and other challenges a subtle way to obtain extra assistance or time when navigating throughout the airport. All travelers have to do is let the airport know their travel dates in advance of arrival and request a lanyard or pin displaying…

LGBTQ+ families can dive into summer fun at a number of queer-friendly amusement parks around the world. Here are LGBTQ+ friendly parks that you can visit with friends and family this summer and ensure you’re in a safe space.  Six Flags  With more than 25 locations across New York, New Jersey, California, Texas, Georgia, Montreal, Canada and Mexico, Six Flags is a LGBTQ+ friendly theme park accessible to many queer families living in North America. The park offers thrilling rides and maintains its commitment to “creating an inclusive environment that fully embraces the diversity of [their] team members and guests,…

Activist group Palestine Action has been labeled a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom, and being a member of the group, or showing support for them, is now considered a criminal offense. The group has attempted to protest Israel’s genocidal actions against Palestine by targeting the supply chains of weapon factories throughout the U.K. But now the group has been banned altogether. According to the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Palestine Action is a national activist network promoting civil disobedience and direct action against companies and institutions colluding with Israel to enforce apartheid, occupation, colonization, and…

Big changes are coming for airline passengers in the European Union, and it’s good news for international travelers. Airlines in the E.U. will no longer be permitted to charge additional fees for hand luggage on flights thanks to a proposal voted on by lawmakers in late June. The new rules allows passengers to bring a small carry-on bag weighing up to 7kg (15.4 pounds) on their flight free of charge…even on budget airlines, according to BBC. The new rule allows for one cabin bag and one personal item stowable under your seat with no additional fee. However, the law still…

If you’re living in the U.S. right now, you might be thinking get me out of here! Traveling the world is an enriching past time, but some of us might think it’s time to pick up our roots and plant them elsewhere. Luckily, travel and relocation experts get it, and they’ve got great advice on how to move to another country. Even before Trump’s second term, Americans were itching to move abroad. A 2024 survey from Monmouth University found that one in three Americans would leave the U.S. if they could.  Cepee Tabiban, founder of She Hit Refresh, spoke to…

For LGBTQ+ travelers, Malta is a place of genuine welcome, vibrant culture, and unshakable pride. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring UNESCO World Heritage cities or soaking up sunsets by the sea, Malta invites you to do it all and be fully yourself while doing it. Small in size but mighty in spirit, Malta has ranked #1 on the ILGA-Europe Rainbow Index for the last ten consecutive years, making it one of the world’s most LGBTQ+ inclusive destinations. This reputation is built on real protections, progressive laws, and a lived sense of community. Malta legalized same-sex marriage in 2017, offers full…