The Hottest ‘Coolcation' Destinations, Jurassic Journeys And Other Travel News
The 'coolcation' travel trend that started last year shows no signs of cooling down—particularly in summer, when cold-weather destinations often look very appealing. From the Austrian Alps to the lakes of Finland, here are some of the hottest coolcation destinations for summer—and beyond.
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Putting its money where its mantra is, the Six Senses resort group recently launched a new women's wellness program at five of its properties. The new initiative—rolled out in Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Vietnam and the Maldives—was developed with holistic wellness expert Dr. Mindy Pelz. The three-, five- and seven-day programs are built around each guest's hormonal stage and focus on nutrition, sleep, stress, movement and recovery. Other Six Senses locations are expected to be added the female wellness initiative later this year.
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As summer travel continues to heat up, a new report reveals the cleanest swimming water in Europe. The testing is done by the EU Bathing Water Directive and ratings are based on four years' worth of data. An excellent rating indicates that the water meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety, making it ideal for swimming and other recreational activities. From the shores of Slovenia to the lakes of Bulgaria, here are the European countries with the cleanest water for swimming.
'Only when the tide goes out do you discover who has been swimming naked.'This is the published version of Forbes' Passport newsletter, which offers a first-class guide to luxury travel. Click here to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday.
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First-time cruise passengers often find some of the onboard rituals confusing. From sailaway parties to formal nights to hiding rubber ducks, here are five cruise traditions to help you find your sea legs.
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It only feels like Hollywood has been making Jurassic Park movies for around 200 million years. With the seventh film in the series now in theaters, Tyrranosaurus-loving travelers are sure to get the urge to go digging for fossils of their own. That's where Dinosaur Trips comes in. Founded in 2022, Dinosaur Trips creates paleontology expeditions at some of the most famous fossil sites around the world. From Alberta, Canada to Patagonia, dig these fossil-hunting itineraries.
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Travel + Leisure
33 minutes ago
- Travel + Leisure
I'm a Professional Organizer, and This Is The Only Way to Pack a Carry-on Suitcase
No matter how many trips I take a month, I never look forward to packing my suitcase. Yes, even as a travel writer. And yes, even as someone who writes a packing list newsletter on Substack. Packing is a process that, if done correctly, requires forethought and careful decision-making, especially if you want to go carry-on-only. When the game plan is to pack lightly, every item should have a purpose, every inch of luggage real estate should be maximized, and you should always start with at least a rough packing list. In fact, as I'm writing this, I'm simultaneously going over what I'm going to need for an upcoming trip to Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Resort in Hawaii (so far, I'm thinking mostly packing comfortable loungewear and a few bathing suits). While every trip requires a slightly different packing formula—and every traveler will pack according to their own personal style—there are a few best practices I use that have removed most of my own packing apprehension (and ensure I never overpack or underpack). Below, I've outlined the ultimate way to pack a carry-on suitcase, including tips on traveling with bulkier clothing, shoes, and toiletries. The first rule of packing footwear is to narrow down your selection. Shoes take up a significant amount of suitcase real estate, so packing as few pairs as possible is the best way to start the process. I typically travel with two to three pairs of shoes, including a pair of cute, comfortable sneakers or boots (basically, whatever my bulkiest shoe is) that I wear in transit. The other two, usually some sort of dressier shoes, whether sandals, heels, or flats, will be placed in a travel shoe bag (or an extra packing cube). This ensures the shoes stay separate from everything else in my suitcase and don't transfer any dirt to my clean clothes. I don't care if you roll or fold your clothes—I do a bit of both, to be honest—but I do care that you use a set of packing cubes to keep everything organized. The length of my trip determines how I pack each cube. If it's a longer trip, anywhere between four to seven days, I'll have one packing cube for tops, one for bottoms, and one for dresses. For shorter trips, my pre-planned outfits will be packed in the packing cubes together (this makes it incredibly simple to find each piece and get dressed when you aren't doing a full unpack at your destination). There's one exception to the packing cube rule, though: jeans. I've found that neither rolling nor folding my jeans in a packing cube is space-efficient. Instead, I'll place them on top of everything else in my suitcase before zipping or buckling the side shut. Denim is also a hardy material that doesn't easily stain or wrinkle, so I'm never too worried about my jeans not being safely tucked away in their own packing cube. Speaking of wrinkles, it should come as no surprise that they're inevitable while traveling. I'll occasionally bring a small portable steamer to freshen up any pieces that tend to get creased. While it ultimately comes down to personal preference, I always recommend packing your socks and underwear together. When I travel, I pack them in a separate packing cube, even adding in my pajamas if there's room. You can certainly use a regular packing cube—it gets the job done—but there are also versions specifically designed for this type of packing role. These styles are longer and thinner, and they work perfectly for taking advantage of those awkward spaces in your suitcase that don't quite fit a standard-sized packing cube. I'd recommend looking for one with either a mesh top (so you can see what's inside) or one with compression features (to reduce bulk). Toiletries are one of my least favorite things to pack—but they are also the most satisfying to organize. I travel with a full skincare and beauty routine that includes more than a handful of products, so my packing process is always thoughtful and intentional. (Otherwise, I can easily end up with two or three filled-to-the-brim toiletry bags.) I start with taking inventory of any travel-sized products I have on hand (this is where those Sephora samples come in handy), and then noting which products I'll have to size down into toiletry bottles. I keep travel toiletries of certain products that are hard to downsize, like small toothpastes and bottles of contact solution, in my bathroom, which definitely makes things easier. Usually, the only products to consolidate into smaller containers—I like these silicone bottles or these handy Cadence Capsules—are my shampoo, conditioners, and any leave-in hair products. I then gently place everything into my Dopp kit. Currently, I've been alternating between an insulated bag like this one and a clear version that slides into my tote bag. If you can, I'd recommend packing lightly when it comes to jewelry and other accessories. I've trimmed my own selection down to include just a few versatile earrings, bracelets, and necklaces, and, because I travel so often, I keep them in a small jewelry travel case, even when I'm home. That way, when I'm packing for a trip, I can just stash the case in my personal item bag and be on my way. I also tend to keep my more valuable pieces at home, bringing more affordable options that I wouldn't be devastated to lose while in transit or at my destination. If you are someone who travels with more accessories, go up a level from a jewelry case and get a hanging jewelry organizer—this one has 14 various-sized zippered pockets for convenience. Packing for winter or any destination that requires multiple layers is a challenge. Still, there are a few solutions to this travel conundrum. For starters, I'd suggest putting time and effort into finding versatile outerwear and heavier clothing. For example, try to bring only one heavier coat that you'll wear while traveling, so you don't have to stuff it in your suitcase. Or, you could also find a packable lightweight jacket that doesn't take up a ton of room in your suitcase. The same rule applies to sweaters, sweatshirts, and sweatpants. Look for versatile options that you can mix and match throughout your trip, and that will stand up to multiple wears. The fewer items you need, the less bulk you'll have to wrestle into your suitcase. Compression packing cubes and vacuum bags will also be your friends when traveling somewhere cold. Both help cut down on the aforementioned bulk from extra fabric and layers, allowing you to fit a few more items into your luggage. Just keep in mind that this could make your bag heavy if you stuff too much inside—so make sure to keep a luggage scale on hand while packing. Organization is one of the most crucial aspects of packing in general, but it's particularly important when compiling all of your electronics—your devices, cords, chargers, etc. These are usually items you'll want to keep close by at all times, as they're often valuable and used frequently throughout your travels. I keep the number of electronics I pack minimal—a phone charger, laptop, laptop charger, and large Bose headphones—so I put the smaller items in a pouch, like this one. I also know travelers who swear by zippable organizers featuring several smaller pockets and pouches to keep cords from tangling and make it easier to find what you need. Before you can decide which type of electronics organizer works best for you, jot down which items you travel with regularly and think about how and where they'll be packed. For instance, I like to have my laptop in its own case, whereas I prefer my various chargers to be kept together. If there's one piece of advice I'll leave you with, it's this: always bring an extra packing cube or travel-sized laundry bag in your suitcase. Even better if it's a waterproof cube or bag. As you discard worn clothing (or wet swimsuits), you can place them in this dedicated cube or bag to keep them separate from your clean, dry items. Plus, it makes the unpacking process simple: when you get home, just toss the collection of dirty clothes in your laundry basket. From there, you only have to put away any remaining clean items and store your suitcase. Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.
Wall Street Journal
an hour ago
- Wall Street Journal
Inside Kim Jong Un's New Beach Resort, Where the Only Foreigners Are Russian
At North Korea's new beach resort, the white sand glistened against the crystal-clear waters. Ten minutes of Wi-Fi cost $1.70. Food arrived in abundance, albeit with the same three beverage choices: water, tea or beer. The weeklong trip cost roughly $2,000. The catch? All travelers had to be Russian.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Toronto approaching pre-pandemic tourism levels, thanks to bump in visitors from U.K., Germany
Toronto is getting closer to pre-pandemic levels of tourists in the city, which Destination Toronto says is thanks in part to an increase in European travellers. "The city is doing well," said Kathy Motton, senior manager of corporate communications at Destination Toronto. "There's a lot of interest from Canadians wanting to travel in Canada and stay in their country," she said. "We are seeing that the U.S. is down, not surprisingly, but in turn the international market is up." Toronto welcomed nine million visitors in 2024, according to Destination Toronto figures, just 600,000 shy of the number of visitors it welcomed in 2019 pre-pandemic. Canadians led the way, with American visitors coming second at 1.6 million. However, Motton says visits dropped four per cent year over year in the first quarter of 2025, owing to "ongoing geopolitical and economic uncertainty." While she says "it's too early for a full 2025 projection," Motton also says the summer is helping Toronto make up for lower numbers earlier in the visitors from U.K., Germany Visitors from the United Kingdom and Germany were both up in June by six per cent each, year over year, Motton says, noting it may be a result of Europeans looking for new places to travel. Toronto is an attractive destination for Europeans due to cost, says Wayne Smith, a tourism professor at Toronto Metropolitan University. "The euro versus Canadian dollar is doing very well, so Toronto actually looks like a value destination," said Smith. "They're paying close to $200 a night. And when you compare to European prices, it actually becomes a value type destination for them." Smith says what's happening in the U.S. is also probably playing a role in bringing European travellers to Toronto. "Canada has been in the news a lot so it becomes more top of mind," he said. "Because of the U.S. situation and with visas and fears about ICE – you add in some of the economic component to it, all of a sudden Canada looks like a much more attractive destination versus the U.S." Toronto is also attractive to Europeans because it's a closer destination than places like Calgary or Vancouver, Smith says. Destination Toronto opened new offices in the U.K. and Germany in June in an effort to attract more European tourists to the city. Motton says she expects numbers will grow from those countries, especially as we get close to the FIFA 2026 World Cup, which Toronto is co-hosting. "Once we hear which countries are going to be playing here, I think we're going to see a lot of interest from the various different countries that are playing here in the city," she said. Meanwhile, Henry Greisman, a manager at Toonie Tours, one of Toronto's walking tour operators, says he's seeing an increase in visitors from South America. The company, which offers Spanish tours, has had to add additional tours to meet demand, he says. "We would take on average say 15, maybe 18 passengers on a tour and they go on a three hour tour in downtown Toronto. This year we are seeing upwards of 25 and our maximum is 30 guests on a tour," Greisman said. Americans remain key to tourism recovery: experts Still, Greisman says he's noticed a decline in U.S. visitors so far this year — a decline both Smith and Motton say is important to turn around. "We're going to continue to market to the Americans," Motton said, noting U.S. visitors to Toronto are down nine per cent since 2024. Their return is crucial to a true tourism recovery, Smith says. "When you're looking at a three-to-one ratio, three U.S. tourists to every international tourist, which is sort of our traditional realm, what you're finding is that would be an awfully large market to give up entirely," he said.
