“An artist friend of mine got me an AI-generated painting as a gift. I can see she tried to personalize the concept, and it’s nicely framed, but part of me still feels a little cheated. Is that fair?” —No Returns Dear No Returns, There’s something implicitly paradoxical about feeling “cheated” by a present. A gift … Read more
Lucy Alexandra Spencer spent 16 weeks abroad last year in Oman, France, Switzerland and Portugal. Unlike with most people, traveling is how she earns â rather than spends â money. The trips are paid for by Spencer’s employers â they’re wealthy Europeans and Americans who hire her to travel with their families for weeks and, … Read more
After nearly four years, the Eastern & Oriental Express is back on the rails. Â Â Â The train, which is operated by the luxury travel company Belmond, this week welcomed its first set of passengers since it stopped running as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Â Â The luxury train has been operating in Southeast Asia … Read more
The best Presidents’ Day sales are our favorite part of the much-needed, mid-winter three-day weekend we’ve been waiting for since the new year. If you’re still recovering from holiday spending but need a few new things at the top of 2024, now is the time to shop. Tons of brands and multi-retailer stores like Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, … Read more
For many Chinese, Harbin conjures images of ice and steel, a city both cold and tough. But this winter, the heavily industrialized city morphed into a warmly welcoming host, drawing in a record-breaking number of visitors, mainly from China’s south. During the three-day New Year period from Dec. 30 to Jan. 1, Harbin received more … Read more
One in five people on NHS waiting lists plan to holiday abroad this year without travel insurance – risking falling ill overseas, and incurring hefty healthcare fees. There are currently more than 6.4 million adults waiting for consultant-led treatment, and a further 1.6 million waiting for a diagnosis – with many unable to take out … Read more
Nearly one in five Americans said they plan to travel less in 2024, with most citing costs as the reason , according to Intrepid Travel’s 2024 Outlook Survey. But many travelers are pressing forward, seeking ways to save without compromising their trips. And for some 70% of respondents of Intrepid’s survey, that means avoiding peak … Read more
Hidden cameras are being found in hotel rooms, house rentals, cruise ships, and even airplane bathrooms, leaving many travelers to wonder: “Could a hidden camera be watching me?” Spycams, as they’re called, are getting smaller, harder to find and easier to buy. From alarm clocks to air fresheners, water bottles and toothbrush holders, cameras come … Read more
Pandemic-era lockdowns ushered in the rise of “travel experiences” — or meaningful, purpose-driven activities that take a deeper, and often slower, dive into a destination. It’s not enough to simply go to a place anymore; many want to learn about it and be mentally transformed along the way. If that sounds like a tall order … Read more
The Israel-Hamas war is affecting travel across the Middle East and beyond. International arrivals to the region grew in the fourth quarter of 2023 — mainly owing to an increase in visitors to Saudi Arabia — to a level that matched 2019 numbers, according to the travel data company ForwardKeys. But it’s a far cry … Read more
