#pre-trip-planning

#pre-trip-planning

Choosing a honeymoon destination felt far harder than any assignment. This wasn't just another trip. As a queer woman, the list of potential destinations narrowed quickly.

One of the most indispensable items for spring tent camping is a rain fly. Your tent probably comes with one, but when that thing gets absolutely drenched, the water will soak through and drip from the ceiling. So, install this tarp above your tent and at an angle, so the rain rolls right off it.

In 2027, Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend, providing two substitute bank holidays on December 27 and 28, leading to an extended holiday opportunity.

In 2025, travel didn't just return to pre-pandemic levels, it surpassed them, highlighting the growing strain on the world's most visited destinations.

Protect yourself from the sun with headgear and lots of sunscreen. The sun can be very strong in some destinations, especially on Caribbean trips.

As a frequent traveler who's been to all 50 states, I've curated the perfect packing list. Noise-canceling headphones and a cashmere scarf make flights more enjoyable. As a solo traveler, I always bring a safety whistle, an additional door lock, and a phone tripod. I've been to all 50 states and have explored everywhere from tiny towns in New England to the mountains of Alaska.

I can still remember my first flight, in 2002. It was magical. I was working as a tour guide in Myanmar. I met a British balloon pilot called Phil, who had a spare place on a flight. He offered to take me, too.

Your dollar can stretch three to four times further in Asia than in the U.S. In India, you can live comfortably on about $270 a month, excluding rent. In Thailand, about $600 a month gets you beach access, excellent street food, and world-class health care. And in Vietnam, $350 covers your monthly expenses in a country where a full meal costs less than a Starbucks latte.

The off-season practically vanished in many parts of the world. Remote work, social media frenzy, and ruthless dynamic pricing have turned fall and spring into peak-season clones. Even winter is no refuge anymore. The idea of an off-season is 100% disappearing.

From walking gently through Kotor's ancient streets to building a soulful, high-end life abroad, this guide blends mindful travel with smart expat strategy.

Last year, my husband and I traveled across the US, spending time in 29 states along the way. I fell in love with Michigan, Vermont, and South Dakota, and found plenty to do. Although I had a great time in places like West Virginia and Idaho, I think I saw the highlights.

We had spreadsheets, backup plans, a carefully managed budget, and, as two adults in our 50s, decades of experience behind us. What could go wrong? Turns out, plenty. Over the past two and a half years, we've lived in more than a dozen countries and traveled thousands of miles. We've hiked to waterfalls in Bali, wandered the streets of Barcelona, and eaten our way through Thailand.

We're spoiled for choice when it comes to reasons to travel in 2026. Whether you plan to take a trip inspired by a favored period drama; want the best views of the solar eclipse on August 12; or hope to be the first to embark on a luxury train journey across Saudi Arabia, here are 26 things to be excited about as you plan this year's travels.

Both cruises and all-inclusive resorts promise stress-free vacations, thanks to upfront pricing and built-in entertainment. But despite similar perks, the travel experiences couldn't be more different. Choosing between a floating resort that whisks you between several ports and a property that promises everything in one place depends on personal travel style. Do you crave variety and a busy schedule, or prefer settling into a single destination? Do you thrive with structure, or prefer flexible days at your own pace?

February is when travel group chats start lighting up again. The holiday chaos has faded, the days are stretching a little longer, and suddenly everyone's itching for a change of scenery. Here's the thing: it's not too early to lock in spring break plansor even to get strategic about summer. In fact, this is when some of the best deals of the year drop. For example, cruise lines are deep into wave season, with serious savings on everything from sailings throughout the Caribbean.