Author: Lauren Mulvey

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is coming early this year, so it’s time to start making plans for spring travel. One of the best ways to celebrate the reemergence of flowers and greenery across the U.S. is taking a trip to embrace nature. This year marvel at some of the beautiful cherry blossom trees housed in parks, gardens, and public spaces across the country. Here are some the best spots to see cherry blossoms this spring. Washington , D.C. – The National Mall We couldn’t get more obvious with this one. D.C. is home to one of the most famous…

Hostels can be the perfect way to save money on your next trip abroad. These accommodations are in nearly every major city, the countryside, or beach locales. So wherever you want to go on your next adventure, you’re sure to find a hostel to meet your needs. That said, hostels aren’t always the most luxurious or comfortable way of traveling. You can discover if hostels are for you as we break down the pros and cons of staying in these affordable accommodations. Booking a Hostel When looking for hostels for your next trip, you can find a comprehensive database of…

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…

Travel can come in many shapes and sizes, and for some it’s easier to get out into the world by means of a graduate program, volunteer assignment, or job placement. If you’re seeking a job and lifestyle with more excitement, cultural exposure, and travel experiences tied in, teaching English as a foreign language may be a good option to consider.  Everyone has a friend or a friend of a friend who has spent time abroad teaching English, living in a foreign country and living it up. And you can do it too. You don’t need a masters in education, and you…

Beginning January 8, 2025 U.S. and other world travelers will need to obtain Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) ahead of traveling to the U.K. The U.K. is moving to fully digitize its borders by the end of 2025, according to Conde Nast Traveler. This means any visitors who are visiting or passing through airports in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, who aren’t citizens must obtain an ETA or eVisa. The news of this shift follows various delays of the implementation of the U.K.’s new ETA application portal. Now, travelers can apply for the U.K. ETA via mobile app or web…

Las Vegas is famous for giving visitors a good time, whether that’s with food and drink, enticing entertainment, amazing hotels, or thrilling attractions. When it comes to unique cocktails, there are many hands that keep the drinks flowing behind the bars and restaurants in town. Experience the real Las Vegas through the eyes of veteran bartenders and get a glimpse into the city’s past, its famous personalities, and some of the best cocktails in town. Mariena Mercer Boarini – Master Mixologist Wynn Resorts, North America (wynnresorts.com) During her time as Chef Mixologist at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Mercer Boarini…

London is one of the best cities in the world to find global cuisines of all types. With a vast bar and restaurant scene, it could take you a lifetime to try all the recommended eateries in this city. But on a day out in London, you may by chance stumble upon one the city’s food halls or markets where cultures from all over the world present their finest street food and signature dishes for you to choose from.  Located throughout the city, these food halls and markets are the perfect spots to grab a bite to eat while seeing…

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…

When it comes to luggage there are endless options for every type of traveler, whether you’re a nomad, a luxury traveler, or a weekend tripper, picking the right luggage will take some of the stress off your trip. We did a search to discover what luggage is getting the best reviews on social media. Here are some of the best rated luggage for different types of travelers. BACKPACKING & HIKING If you’re backpacking around various countries for a month or longer, your pack has got to be foolproof. It’s probably the most important essential when it comes to planning your…

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,…

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…

As one of Italy’s most touristic regions, Tuscany and its beautiful cities have a reputation to uphold. Made famous by sunny villas sitting amongst rolling green hills covered in healthy grapevines, a dusting of delicate flowers along old narrow roads, and a crown of medieval cities with stone buildings nestled into one another, no one who has visited can argue that the region’s beauty is overrated. There are many famous cities in Tuscany which often compete with one another, each offering its own vast history and cultural specialties. After many visits to the region, and conversations with real Tuscan residents,…

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…

With 120 islands, 177 canals, and 391 bridges, Venice, Italy is one of the most unique sights to behold in the world, and it absolutely makes the list of must-see cities for travelers. However, those who want to enter the city for a day will now have to pay an entrance fee.  On April 25, Italy celebrated its Liberation day, and in Venice the feast day of St. Mark ensued. On top of that, Venice also began charging day-trippers entry fees on the same day starting at 8 A.M. In Venice, this city entry fee is called the “contributo di…

Whether you want to surprise your partner with vacation tickets under the Christmas tree, or you’re getting a jump on a Valentine’s getaway, now’s the time to start planning; the winter months are among Palm Springs’ most popular. Book a stay at one of the Palm Springs Preferred Small Hotels: Over 75 boutique properties, each with a focus on guest service in an intimate setting with no more than 50 rooms. From clothing-optional men’s resorts to luxury accommodations stylishly designed to reflect the city’s Mid-Century Modern and Spanish architectural traditions, you’ll find an option that perfectly suits your tastes. Discover…

With health and wellness becoming an increasingly dominant culture in the U.S. and around the world, you may find that your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and relatives are challenging themselves to run marathons. And maybe you’ve been strapping on your running shoes and clocking in mile after mile as you train. Qualifying for any marathon is a rush, but deciding where you want to complete this feat can make all the difference. Here are some of the most scenic places in the world to run a marathon. Schneider Electric Marathon – Paris, France If you’re feeling inspired after watching all the…

Sunny afternoons visiting little cities along the French Riviera, coastal paradises along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or Ireland’s gorgeous country backroads can be best accessed by car. Renting a car in another country can offer you some of the best adventures in your desired destination, but it can also be a big headache for those who aren’t prepared.  Rental car companies offer travelers vehicles all over the world, but before you swipe your credit card and head into unknown territory, it’s important to consider whether or not renting a car during your travels is the best call. Pros of Renting…

Travelers from the United States looking to continue their worldly adventures can now renew their passports online. Last week the State Department announced they would begin testing an online passport renewal program. However, there is a catch, according to Travel and Leisure, only travelers who live in the United States at present and have passports that were issued between 2009 and 2015 will be able to renew online. Those who hope to change identification details such as name or date of birth will also not be able to use the online renewal system.  So what do you need to do…

One of the most attractive aspects of moving abroad is the potential to save money on daily living costs. All around the world, expats are enjoying affordable rent, groceries, goods and services, but there are a few places where you’ll have to pay more if you want to live there. According to Mercer’s 2024 cost-of-living data, the most expensive places for expats to live are Hong Kong, Singapore, and Zurich, with Hong Kong topping the list. To render these results, Mercer evaluated key factors affecting the world’s economy in recent years, including inflation and exchange-rate fluctuations, heightened economic and geopolitical…

Record-breaking temperatures in top summer travel destinations, including Italy, Spain and Greece, have raised concerns for the vast numbers of travelers in the region this year. The New York Times reports that in some parts of Italy including Sardinia and Sicily, temperatures are close to 118 degrees Fahrenheit, but forecasts predict that the heat wave will pass by the end of July.  Though the heat wave is temporary, sources across the web report that this may be the coolest summer for the rest of your life.  The fourth of July became the hottest day on Earth in recorded history with…