Smarter, cheaper, happier travel
This week on 'Try This,' host Cristina Quinn sits down with Washington Post travel reporter Natalie Compton, who shares her best tips for navigating it all without losing your patience (or your luggage).
Natalie breaks down exactly when and how to book flights for the best deals and why compression bags and eye masks might be your secret weapons.
Plus, smart advice about visas, passport renewals, travel safety and how to get through customs quickly — no Global Entry required.
Whether you're planning an international getaway or a local beach vacation, this episode will help you travel better, spend smarter and stay cool (literally and figuratively) this summer.
Subscribe to The Washington Post or connect your subscription in Apple Podcasts.
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Forbes
21 minutes ago
- Forbes
These Are The Most Peaceful Beach Destinations, According To New Analysis
Burleigh Heads beach on a perfect Gold Coast day, Queensland, Australia getty Beach destinations are a great option for travelers looking to unwind and rest while traveling — but the definition of unwinding and resting can differ greatly from person to person. If you're looking for beach clubs and a party scene, for example, you likely won't care as much about noise pollution or well-maintained green spaces. However, if you're looking for a peaceful beach destination where you can truly unwind and relax in a serene space, a new analysis from long-haul travel specialists at Travelbag has just uncovered some of the most peaceful beach destinations worldwide. The analysis looked at things like noise and light pollution, overall cleanliness, and the number of green spaces and parks in order to rank the best options. Here are some of the most peaceful beach destinations for travelers really looking to relax and unwind in serenity: View on the Anse Lazio beach in the island Praslin, Seychelles, Indian Ocean, Africa. getty The Seychelles earned top spot as the most peaceful beach destination. It's famous for its white sand beaches and turquoise waters — but it also has the lowest noise and light pollution, low water pollution levels, and a high overall cleanliness score. Nudey Beach on Fitzroy Island, Cairns area, Queensland, Australia, part of Great Barrier Reef. getty The first of three Australian destinations on the list, Cairns earned second place thanks to its low noise and light pollution, high cleanliness score, and its easy access to green spaces, well-maintained public spaces, and a serene yet vibrant atmosphere. Gold Coast, Australia An aerial view of the Surfers Paradise skyline on a clear day in Queensland, Australia getty The third most peaceful beach — and second Australian destination on the list — is the infamous Gold Coast. Despite its slightly higher noise and pollution score, it boasts some of the highest-rated beaches in the world and a high cleanliness score when it comes to water cleanliness and pollution specifically. Sydney, Australia Bondi beach, Sydney, NSW, Australia: People swimming in the fresh water swimming pools built in to the sea with waves rolling in to Bondi and breaking against the edge of the pool getty You might not expect a big city like Sydney to hit the top of the list but the quality of green spaces and parks, as well as the overall cleanliness, positions Sydney as a very good option for a peaceful beach vacation with a side of bustling city life. Auckland, New Zealand Elevated wide angle view of bay and beach with moored yachts on Rakino Island getty Auckland, New Zealand earned fifth spot on the list thanks largely to its cleanliness score and the quality of its green spaces and parks. It earned a slightly higher than average level of noise and light pollution but makes up for it with its clean and well-maintained nature-focused spaces. Barbados Bathsheba, East coast of Barbados, Lesser Antilles. getty With a low noise and light pollution score, low water pollution, and very high average beach reviews, Barbados is another standout spot for a peaceful beach destination. Its crystal clear waters and white sand beaches are some of the top-rated in the world. The next most peaceful beach destination was Dubai, UAE, followed by Honolulu, Hawaii, Havana, Cuba, and Cancun, Mexico.
CBS News
21 minutes ago
- CBS News
Celebrate Christmas in July at Peddler's Village, one of USA Today's best-ranked shopping centers in U.S.
It certainly feels like summer, as the Delaware Valley endures another round of extreme heat and humidity Friday. But for shops at Peddler's Village, the hot weather is also providing the perfect backdrop to celebrate Christmas in July. "You will find me, often dressed more or less like this," Tim Doherty said of his holiday-patterned outfit. "I have a few of these jackets." It's the perfect attire for Doherty, who owns Pine Wreath and Candle. His shop is one of the oldest at Peddler's Village. It's known for decking the halls not only during the holidays, but every day of the year. "We're part of their Christmas tradition," he said. That's easy to do when your store is full of unique pieces, from bedazzled nutcrackers to nostalgic ceramic trees and sparkling snow globes. But it's the Old World Christmas ornaments that are perhaps the shop favorites. There's a story to tell behind each one. "A plunger and a slice of pizza, and you're like, what's the story there?" Doherty said with a laugh as he recalled the ornaments one customer purchased. "It's always fun because people do share their stories." The Lucky Cupcake Company is expected to be packed on July 25 for their Christmas in July treats. "You can always add a little bit of naughty by adding some espresso to your frozen hot chocolate," owner Joanne Kolling said. It's just one of the many summer-themed holiday goodies visitors will find inside the cool shop. Other favorites include the Santa hat, strawberry shortcake cupcakes and the famous gingerbread cookies dressed in bathing suits. "Something that's going to be delicious and light, but still Christmasy," Kolling said. "They're going to love that they can come in and get them with a summer flair or a summer touch." Those with a sweet tooth can sign up for the shop's popular holiday cookie-decorating classes months in advance, before they sell out. Just steps away, shoppers are taken trans-Atlantic without leaving Bucks County. The Celtic Rose features authentic clothes, jewelry, treats and decor. "That you could get in Ireland or Scotland, but it saves you the trip," owner Karen Nocella said. Hands down, the holiday favorite here is a very Irish nativity scene. "Wise men, Mary and Joseph, Jesus, they're all sporting an Irish Aran sweater," Nocella said with a smile. "And we can't keep them in the store." It might take you until Christmas in December to get your hands on that one. USA Today 10Best has named Peddler's Village the No. 2 shopping center in the U.S. Locations were nominated based on the variety of stores, dining and entertainment options, and overall guest experience. Readers then voted to determine the winners. Peddler's Village is celebrating Christmas in July with events planned through the weekend. They're calling it "Santa's Summer Holiday," and we hear Santa himself will be stopping by for some of the fun.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
An Art Hub Surrounded by Fjords and Forests
T's monthly travel series, Flocking To, highlights places you might already have on your wish list, sharing tips from frequent visitors and locals alike. Sign up here to find us in your inbox once a month, along with our weekly roundup of cultural recommendations, monthly beauty guides and the latest stories from our print issues. Have a question? You can always reach us at tmagazine@ Founded by a Viking king in 997, Trondheim, in central Norway, was the Norwegian kingdom's capital for nearly 200 years. For centuries, the city was perhaps best known for its royal pedigree, thanks to its most prominent landmark, the opulent Nidaros cathedral. Begun in 1070, the edifice has since served as the site where many of the country's royals have been officially or ceremonially crowned, and as the end point of medieval pilgrimage routes. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Trondheim morphed into a college town: It's home to the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, as well as several other universities. In the past decade or so, it's become a culinary destination as well — surrounded by fjords and farms, restaurants have easy access to fresh ingredients — and even more recently, it's established itself as a fledgling center of contemporary art. Earlier this year, the art museum PoMo (the name is short for Posten Moderne, or Modern Post Office) opened in a 1911 post office in the town center, a few blocks from where the celebrated Norwegian artist Kjell Erik Killi-Olsen debuted his avant-garde art space, K.U.K., in 2021. PoMo, a collaboration between the Paris-based architect and designer India Mahdavi and the Norwegian architect Erik Langdalen, is a dramatic and joyful transformation of a 43,000-square-foot Art Nouveau building, now filled with the collection of the museum's founders, Trondheim natives Monica and Ole Robert Reitan, including works by Isa Genzken and Catherine Opie. A month later, in February, the Reitans also opened the lavishly designed Nye Hjorten theater next door. 'When I was growing up here, the city didn't even have a fine arts museum,' says the conceptual artist Ingar Dragset. 'It's very exciting what's happening in Trondheim at the moment.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
