Author: Lauren Mulvey

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…

Though it’s easy to assume you won’t get sick on your big trip abroad, it can certainly happen. And with healthcare being a complex system worldwide, it can be daunting to seek medical care in a foreign country.  In cities with major tourism, there are often doctors who specialize in providing care for expats, international students and tourists alike. However, finding these doctors can be tricky. Each country has different policies for what times of day medical services are provided and varying practices that may differ from the medical system you’ve come to know at home. So what are your…

It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, and what better way to beat the heat than to enjoy a refreshing swim. Sure, you could vacation at nearly any beach on any continent, but there’s something magical about discovering a new watering hole, hot spring, or swimming spot to cool down in. Here are some great places around the world to swim and enjoy the wonders of H₂O. Copenhagen City Canals – Denmark  What’s unique about Copenhagen is you don’t even have to leave the city to find a place to swim. Swimming spots are built seamlessly into the city with so…

We know you have a ton of destinations you would like to visit, but finding the money to jet all over the world can slow down the process. Luckily, there is a great way to travel more and spend less money. Those who want to get the biggest bang for their buck when traveling utilize airline stopover programs. This is not a new concept, travelers have been taking stopover trips for a quite some time, some airlines even offer incentive programs that allow you to stay in a destination for multiple days without any additional cost to your flight. Here…

One of the most wonderful ways to ring in the holiday season is at a Christmas market, where you can find unique gifts, holiday treats, and dive into a winter wonderland. Around the world Christmas is celebrated with unique traditions and events, and some of the most enchanting holiday markets might be in your own neighborhood. These are 7 markets that are sure to put you in a holiday mood according to research from StressFreeCarRental.com. 1. Union Square – New York, New York  New York is home to some of the most beautiful holiday displays, and many people come from…

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,…

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…

These new regulations follow a long-standing feud between home-sharing companies whose rental properties the city claims are taking away housing from New York City residents.  A previously implemented law that prevents properties from being rented out for less than 30 days without the host present has actually been in place for years. According to the New York Times, more than half of Airbnb’s 2022 city revenue, which amounted to $85 million, came from short-term rentals being used illegally.  For this reason, the new regulations will now require Airbnb hosts to register with the city of New York before renting out…

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,…

In recent years, destination weddings have seen a surge in popularity. And it makes sense…it’s romantic to escape to a beautiful and scenic city or countryside villa and tie the knot with only your closest friends and family. According to Forbes, the 2023 Destination Wedding Global Market Report found that the destination wedding industry brought in $7 billion more in 2023 than it did in 2022, making it a $28 billion industry. Furthermore, the same reports project that in 2027 the industry will be worth upwards of $78 billion.  We asked our writers and editors to find destinations around the…

During the spring of this year, I spent some time in the enchanting city of Taormina on the east coast of Sicily, which you may have spotted in the new hit HBO series The White Lotus, where drama unfolds between families and friends staying at a luxurious resort. Tucked away just beneath an active volcano, Taormina gave me one of the best days of my three month long stint traveling around Italy. On a sunny Sunday, we hopped on a bus and traveled through Sicily’s rolling, green hills green up and up into Taormina. When we arrived, we parked our bus…

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…

Many people who love to travel dream of spending their summers in Europe, but what’s not so dreamy are the summer crowds, intense heat, and sky high prices that plague even the most experienced travelers. Many would rather travel off-season to popular destinations like Italy, France, or Portugal, but there are a few places in Europe that haven’t yet gone viral. In these places, sure you’ll see other tourists, but not like the troves you’d find in Rome, Paris, Barcelona, or other major European cities this summer. Come with us as we explore some under the radar destinations in Europe. …

While the hamburger may seemingly need little introduction, this American culinary icon has complex global ancestry. In his encyclopedic 2017 book The World Is Your Burger: A Cultural History, British entrepreneur and burger obsessive David Michaels identifies ‘Isicia Omentata,’ an ancient Roman patty of minced meat, pepper, wine, pine nuts, and fish-based garum sauce as the genesis burger. With other burgers vying for the original burger title, including the celebrated Middle Eastern kibbeh ball of bulgur, ground meat, and spices, and Mongolian horse meat and mutton tartare in the 13th century, Germany emerged as the cradle of the modern hamburger.…

Experienced travelers know the advantages of planning curated experiences, and they always utilize the help of a concierge at their accommodation. A concierge is typically a professional who works in a hotel, inn, or other lodging who acts as a point of contact between guests and organizations. They are available to call restaurants or transport companies to make arrangements or reservations for your trip, and a concierge’s personal knowledge of the town or city you are visiting will also make your visit unique and inspiring. Personalized Hospitality When staying in an accommodation with a professional concierge, you will experience unique…

Lufthansa takes the undercover boss challenge to the next level with CEO, Jens Ritter, spending a day working as a flight attendant. On a journey between the Middle East and Germany, Ritter attended to guests in business class during the day and took the overnight shift on the way to Frankfurt helping with guests in economy. Ritter wrote about his experience on LinkedIn: “I was amazed by how much there is to organize, especially, if something doesn’t go as planned—for example the meals offered on the menu cards were not exactly the meals loaded on board. It was so interesting…

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…

A new law in Amsterdam is banning the establishment of new hotels, following crackdowns on short term rentals in some of the world’s most overcrowded cities for tourism. The new law imposed by the city’s government prevents the construction of any new hotels, unless a currently operating accommodation closes its doors. Any new hotels built in place of a closed one must now also meet certain modern standards of sustainability. And developers have also been encouraged to choose locations outside of the city.  The new law will also restrict the number of tourists who can stay overnight in a year…

Visiting New York City can be one of the best experiences in someone’s life, but there are also some great places to visit close to NYC. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, you might want to consider these small towns, all under a three hour drive from NYC. Stroudsburg, Poconos, Pennsylvania Just around two hours from NYC are the beautiful Poconos. For those seeking a mountainous outdoor escape, the Poconos boast some wonderful wildlife, nature preserves, and plenty of trails, including an arm of the Appalachian trail. Here, towns like Stroudsburg are home to decades old small businesses, great…

Now more than ever, LGBTQ+ travelers want to feel safe. Whether these travelers are seeking a bit of escapism, a home away from home, or a relaxing place to spend their time with family and friends, feeling secure in these spaces makes a world of difference. LGBTQ+ travelers already have a lot on their mind when choosing a place to visit. Recent anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, local sentiments toward queer couples, and general physical safety are common themes. So looking over hotlists for safe travel is key in planning. There are many lists from different organizations around the world, boasting the world’s…