Clara Hogan

Tourists previously overlooked Bologna on their trips across Northern Italy, but no longer. The secret is out: Bologna is an utterly perfect weekend away, and you skip the crowds of Rome and Florence. Of course, it’s the food that entices most visitors. Here in the Emilia-Romagna region you’ll find the best of the best in Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar, mortadella, bolognese and a whole lot more.  For this reason, it’s a city best explored one bite at a time. Spend your mornings savoring cornettos and cafes, take leisurely lunches, and don’t miss aperitivo time. Finally, take the chance each night to settle into a cozy trattoria for a hearty portion of tagliatelle al ragù or a slice of classic lasagna (both originated here). And no day is complete without a scoop (or two) of some of the best gelato in the world. When you’re not eating, the best way to enjoy Bologna is to fare una passeggiata – the Italian term for taking a leisurely walk stroll without a destination in mind. Steeped in history and tradition, extremely walkable and full of secrets to discover, there’s no better way. Here are the best things to do in Bologna right now.  RECOMMENDED:🇮🇹 The best places to visit in Italy🏨 The best hotels in Italy Clara Hogan was previously Time Out’s USA correspondent. She is now based in Bologna, Italy. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guideline

Whether you're looking to rekindle the spark, celebrate a milestone, or simply enjoy some uninterrupted time together, a couples vacation serves as the perfect reset. The U.S. is home to an impressive range of romantic getaways that cater to every kind of duo—whether you're the food-obsessed pair in search of the hottest new restaurants, the outdoorsy type craving scenic hikes or the spa lovers looking to unplug completely.  From cozy mountain lodges and wine country retreats to stylish city stays and sun-drenched beach resorts, there's no shortage of dreamy destinations best experienced with a plus one. Ahead, we’ve rounded up top couples vacation spots across the U.S., each offering a distinct blend of setting, ambiance and activities to entice all types of couples.  RECOMMENDED: Most romantic getaways in the U.S.A.Book these romantic hotels in America

Modern life rarely gives you a chance to pause. Between endless emails, nonstop news and the daily grind, it’s easy to feel stretched thin—mentally, physically, emotionally. When stress piles up and scrolling through wellness tips isn’t cutting it, a deeper reset might be in order. That’s where the best yoga retreats in America come in. You don’t have to know your vinyasa from your ashtanga to benefit. Yoga retreats across the U.S. cater to everyone, from hardcore yogis to total beginners just looking to breathe deeper and sleep better. These retreats are designed for anyone looking to slow down, reconnect and breathe a little easier. Set in some of the most beautiful corners of the U.S.—from the stunning coast of California to the peaceful mountain air of Colorado or the big skies of Montana—they offer space to step away from noise and re-center. The best part? There’s very little decision fatigue. Most retreats are all-inclusive, meaning your meals, movement and meditation are all taken care of. You just show up, unplug and let the calm in. Whether you’re carving out a weekend or committing to a longer reset, there’s a retreat that fits. Here are some of the best yoga retreats in the country. RECOMMENDED: The best wellness retreats in the USA

There’s something truly magical about watching colorful hot air balloons lift into the sky, floating high above the horizon. Across the U.S., hot air balloon festivals turn that special experience into an all-out celebration—complete with sunrise ascensions, evening balloon glows, live music, food trucks, and plenty of family-friendly fun. These gatherings draw ballooning enthusiasts, first-time riders and curious spectators alike, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the spectacle—or even get up in a balloon themselves. Some festivals are set against dramatic backdrops, from desert mesas to mountain peaks, while others unfold over fairgrounds and small-town parks, creating a vibrant, communal energy on the ground. Whether you’re chasing the perfect photo op, checking off a bucket-list ride or simply soaking up the view, these hot air balloon festivals offer a front-row seat to the wonder. Ahead, 10 spectacular hot air balloon festivals in the U.S. that are worth planning a trip around. RECOMMENDED: The most romantic places in the USA—and they're all in the great outdoors

Few water features strike the perfect balance between thrill and chill like a lazy river. What's more, cruising down one is among the most satisfying ways to unwind—no agenda, no hurry, just a slow drift through calm waters, often paired with spectacular scenery like waterfalls or lush landscaping.  From rooftop rivers in bustling cities to winding streams tucked into mountain resorts, lazy rivers have become beloved centerpieces at hotels, resorts and water parks across the U.S. Some are designed for pure chill; others throw in fun twists like wave sections or swim-up bars. Ahead, our favorite lazy rivers in the USA that are worth the ride. RECOMMENDED: The best indoor water parks in the U.S. to slide all year long

This vibrant neighborhood is full of busy shopkeepers, produce markets, bustling restaurants and plenty of visitors aiming cameras at beautifully Instagrammable architectural features—the most iconic being the green-roofed Dragon’s Gate. You’ll also find red lanterns and flags draped across streets, and dramatic paint colors used for signs and structures. San Franciso’s Chinatown is the nation’s oldest and largest Chinatown, settled by immigrants lured by the Gold Rush’s siren call. Although much of it burned during the 1906 earthquake and fire, the neighborhood was rebuilt. Today its 30 blocks draw locals and visitors alike to enjoy this spirited Chinese culture. RECOMMENDED:🥟 The best dim sum in San Francisco🍽️ The best restaurants in San Francisco👗 The best thrift stores in San Francisco📍 The best things to do in San Francisco🍳 The best brunch in San Francisco

Rainy day or not, a visit to one of San Francisco’s museums yields happy results because the places where you find art and artifacts can be zany or serious, depending on your mood. San Francisco has several world-class art museums as well as some smaller collections that do a deep dive on fascinating and specific topics. For instance, we have one of only two museums devoted to Walt Disney the man (the other is in his hometown of Marceline, Missouri). Our Cable Car Museum lets you actually see the huge circulating mechanisms that drive the cable cars. Right by the waterfront, the Musée Mécanique has a warehouse full of turn of the century dioramas, which you can animate by feeding them a quarter, while the Beat Museum provides an insider’s look at a literary movement. Want to get hands-on and feel your way through some science? There are several places to do that, including the Academy of Sciences at Golden Gate Park and the Exploratorium along the Embarcadero. Now that most kids are out of school, some of these museums offer summer camps for kids—we especially have our eye on the Cartoon Art Museum’s selections. Here’s our list of the finest museums in San Francisco. Prices given below are for general admission; special exhibitions usually involve a separate charge. Many are free or discounted for San Francisco residents, and many have monthly free days or pay-what-you-can days. We totally recommend looking into NARM membership; some of these sites belong. RECOMMENDED:📍 The

A city unlike any other and immediately recognizable in photographs, San Francisco reigns supreme as a fun metropolis with offbeat choices of how to spend your time. If you’re an outdoor person, you have scads of hiking trails and water activities to pick from—and just walking our famously steep streets is an adventure in itself. If you trend towards quieter times indoors, you’ll love a contemplative afternoon exploring the many museums we offer. If a tipsy ramble through the city appeals, we have tons of great bars, including ones perched on rooftops for those exquisite city views. When you get hungry, there are a ridiculous amount of incredible restaurants (we picked out our 11 favorites last month, and there are 28 Michelin starred ones as well). There’s a fantastic zoo, some wild architecture, a park far larger than New York’s Central Park packed with tons of great things to do, iconic hotels and neighborhoods like Nob Hill, Chinatown and the Haight that each convey their own personality. Wherever your explorations take you, you're bound to have a memorable time with these things to do in San Francisco. June 2025: This month we’ve added a symphonic production of David Bowie’s album Blackstar, two hilarious dating shows and an immersive yoga experience. Plus: We hardly have to say it, but this month is Pride in our beautiful city with all the epic celebrations you expect and a magnificent, gigantic parade! And don’t miss the free drag shows every Friday this month with the

There are two types of trips: proper vacations, where lounging by a beach with a cocktail in hand is the only to-do list item to check, or wild, rowdy adventures. An adventure vacation is for those with an “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mindset, involving anything from heli-skiing in Idaho to flying a plane over the Finger Lakes in New York. If diving with sharks sounds like it’s up your alley, like it is mine, you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need to fly to South Africa to do so–you can do so in Florida, like I did. And though I dropped a pretty penny on a flight to New Zealand strictly to bungee jump in Queenstown, if I had only looked a little closer to home, I would’ve known Vegas is home to the world’s highest sky jump. Take it from the pro of signing life waivers simply for a thrilling adventure, and get your heart racing with one of these on-the-edge extreme adventure vacations you can take right here in the USA. RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor adventure in every state

Living alone can be liberating—freedom to decorate however you want, eat cereal for dinner (without judgment) and truly live life on your own terms. But without someone to share the cost of rent, groceries or utilities, the solo lifestyle can get pricey. As rent continues to rise across much of the country, single renters are feeling the pinch more than ever. Fortunately, some cities rise to the top when it comes to affordability. RentHop, an AI-powered apartment search platform, has released its annual Singles Index, breaking down the housing burden in major U.S. cities—that is, the percentage of a single renter’s income that goes toward renting a studio apartment. The report blends rent prices with median incomes to spotlight where solo dwellers can stretch their dollars without sacrificing quality of life. While you might expect a few Midwestern staples on the list, there are some surprises too—tech hubs like Seattle and Austin are proving to be more accessible than coastal heavyweights. And these cities aren’t just affordable—they’re packed with culture, cuisine and community, offering the ideal backdrop for an independent lifestyle. So if you're flying solo and want to make the most of your paycheck, these are the top 10 cheapest cities in the U.S. for singles to call home.

When the sun is blazing, what could be more refreshing—or, frankly, fun—than a day well spent at a water park? Whether it's exhilarating water slides with thrilling drops, relaxing lazy rivers, or exciting wave pools, the best water parks in the USA offer something for everyone. Water parks aren't exclusively for kids: Our top picks also offer plenty of fun for adults. Moreover, there is no age limit when it comes to enjoying a high-speed slide or screaming all the way down before plunging into the cool water below. Some even offer dedicated adult-only pools and private spaces for those seeking kid-free serenity. While some water parks are great extensions to trips like Disney, Universal or Legoland, others are destinations in and of themselves. Many also offer year-round fun with indoor areas, ensuring you can enjoy the water regardless of the weather. Finally, as you scroll through this list, you'll notice top-notch amenities like private cabana rentals, ample food and drink options and, in some cases, freebies like unlimited soft drinks and parking: always a bonus in our book. RECOMMENDED:🏖️ The best beaches in the U.S.😎 The best family vacations in the U.S.🎢 The best amusement parks in the U.S.🏨 The best all-inclusive resorts in the U.S.🏞️ The best national parks in the U.S.🛝 The best Airbnbs in the U.S. with the craziest amenities

Few travel experiences capture the spirit of adventure quite like a road trip—and in America, it's practically a rite of passage. With thousands of miles of scenic byways, historic highways and wide-open roads, the United States, in our opinion, is best explored via four-wheel drive. While there are many reasons to love road trips, it's the freedom to roam that makes them truly special. Without the rush, distractions, or rigid schedules that come with pre-booked flights or train tickets, travelers can explore at their own pace—lingering where they want, skipping what doesn't interest them and embracing spontaneity. So, instead of racing to an airport or train station, travelers have ample time to explore, be it strolling through small towns, pulling over for a scenic hike or making a beeline for quirky roadside attractions. Whether you're weaving through coastal cliffs along the Pacific Coast Highway, winding through the Smoky Mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway or cruising through red rock arches on Utah's Route 12, there's a scenic and spectacular route for every kind of traveler. Here are 20 of our favorites across the country, each offering picturesque landscapes and postcard-worthy views. We've also included Airbnbs to stay in at the end of each route!

What is the Golden Gate Bridge? Built in 1937 to connect San Francisco with the Marin headlands, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most universally recognized landmarks and most photographed bridge in the world. Visitors stand in awe of its 746-foot tall towers and bold International Orange color, which is repainted year-round. Is the Golden Gate Bridge worth visiting? The Golden Gate Bridge is the number one landmark in San Francisco—don't miss a chance to witness its stunning architecture, be it heading across the bridge or taking in views from San Francisco or Marin. Whichever way you choose, just don't forget a jacket—Karl the Fog is often looming nearby.  What's the best way to see the Golden Gate Bridge? Visitors often choose to experience crossing the bridge by foot, bike or car. Bikes and cars are permitted access 24 hours a day, while walkers can cross using the east sidewalk between 5am-6:30pm (5am-9pm during Daylight Savings Time).  Looking for a good viewing spot instead? You'll have plenty of options, including Crissy Field, Fort Point, Baker Beach or our favorite, the brand-new Presidio Tunnel Tops. What's good to eat near the Golden Gate Bridge? There aren't a lot of options directly near the base of the bridge on either side. On the San Francisco side, your best bet is in the Presidio—try Il Parco for a casual option in the Presidio Tunnel Tops park or Dalida, a buzzy new Mediterranean restaurant. On the Marin side, we continue taking in the views from Farl

You can hear the Napa Valley Wine Train before you see it. Starting in Downtown Napa at the McKinstry Street Station, the train rumbles through towns like Yountville and iconic vineyards like V. Sattui on a 36-mile round trip journey to St. Helena and back. The cavalcade of railroad cars were built in 1951 by the Pullman Standard Company and  refurbished for the modern era with details nodding to the original time period such as plush booths and mahogany paneling. Passengers can choose from a variety of dining journeys, including the Gourmet Express (a multi-course meal), Romance on the Rails (dinner and wine in a private booth on the train's Vista Dome) and Murder Mystery (a murder-mystery– themed dinner). One of the most intimate option is the Champagne Vista Dome experience, which guarantees you a private table. This car features curved glass windows in the observation-style dining car that give even more expansive views of Napa's lush countryside.  The three-hour lunch and two-hour dinner rides generally stick to the rails, but if getting off and exploring the vineyards is more of your thing, opt for one of the winery tours; most go to a few wineries and include lunch or dinner on the train.

Since 1994, the old stone cottage in the heart of wine country that houses the French Laundry has stood among the holiest of holy grails not only for destination diners, but aspiring industry pros around the world. Chef Thomas Keller’s influence on the culinary world is inestimable; without him, there’d be no Noma, Alinea, Benu or Frasca Food and Wine, to name just a few iconic restaurants his mentees have gone on to open. The pilgrimage to this intimate, 17-table Napa Valley institution remains at the very top of foodies’ bucket lists. Reservations open a month in advance, with seatings occurring daily from 4pm to 8:15pm. Every meal begins with a crisp salmon tartare cornet paired with a glass of champagne. From there, diners select one of the two prix fixe menus (one for meat eaters and one for vegetarians) and are then promptly taken on a three-to-four hour culinary journey. Dishes consist of classic and refined, yet unstuffy, French cuisine that showcase California-fresh produce sourced from the culinary garden across the street. The French Laundry has served as the pinnacle of fine dining for 25 years, with hospitality as unwaveringly pristine as the food. The restaurant has been awarded three Michelin stars every year since the first Michelin guide to the San Francisco Bay Area was issued in 2007, making Keller the only American chef to have two three-star restaurants at the same time (the other being Per Se in New York.)  The restaurant recently underwent a stunning $1

Think of San Francisco’s largest Halloween pub crawl as trick-or-treating for adults. Thousands of costumed revelers take over Polk Street for drinks, music and dancing, and costume contests. This year, whether you show up on foot or via the San Francisco Party Bus, you’re sure to be in spooktacular company at 20 haunted watering holes including Mayes, Nick's Crispy Tacos, Del Mar, and Wonder SF. It’s free to join the festivities.     

Napa Valley’s BottleRock festival is back this year for its first “normal” event since 2019. The festival was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and, in 2021, it was delayed until the fall and had pandemic precautions in place. This year, BottleRock is back in all its glory in its usual slot, Memorial Day weekend, with big-name headlining artists from Pink to Metallica and Luke Combs. Other performers include Twenty One Pilots, Kygo, Pitbull, Alessia Cara, Vance Joy, and Amos Lee. The event will also host a slew of other activities from famous chefs and celebrities on the culinary stage to an impressive food and drink line-up and a series of more intimate performances outside of the main event.  We’ve rounded up answers to all of your questions to give you everything you need to know about BottleRock 2022. We also have you covered on where to go, eat, and sleep in Napa Valley should you want to explore more.  What is BottleRock?BottleRock Napa Valley, presented by JaM Cellars, is a three-day music, wine, craft brew and culinary festival that started in 2013.  When is BottleRock? BottleRock 2022 will run Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29, in downtown Napa at the Napa Valley Expo fairgrounds. How do I buy BottleRock tickets? Three-day tickets are sold out, but one-day general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday are still available through the BottleRock website. You can also still buy sold-out passes through the official ticket exchange Lyte. How much are BottleRock tickets?

What is Alcatraz? Alcatraz was once host to the first lighthouse on the West Coast, but it is most famous for serving as a former maximum security federal prison from 1934 to 1963. A small island situated in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the formidable fortress was home to some of the 20th century's most notorious criminals. Today, the site is run by the National Park Service, and you can visit “The Rock” on a reserved tour. After taking a ferry departing from Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing, you'll receive a headset that allows you to take a self-guided audio tour of the prison.  Is Alcatraz worth visiting? A trip to Alcatraz is worth it both for the scenic ride out and back—where you can take in sweeping views of the bay and cityscape—and for the enthralling tour of the abandoned prison. Narrated by former inmates and guards, the audio tour will tell you stories of harrowing escape attempts, prison riots and the 19-month long occupation of the site by Native Americans demanding reparation for broken treaties in 1969. What's the best way to see Alcatraz? There is only one way to visit Alcatraz: book a tour (which often book up in advance, so look early.) The site is operated by the National Parks Service and only one ferry company — Alcatraz City Cruises — has a contract to transport people to and from the island. Tours are offered year-round, and ferries depart every half an hour throughout the day. To get a more creepy bang for your buck, opt for a night tour. Plan to spe

The local coffee scene across American cities has exploded in recent years — but which city loves its coffee the most? That would be the City by the Bay, at least according to one recent report. San Francisco is the number one coffee city in America, ranked by a survey from the personal-finance website WalletHub. The calculation compared the 100 most populous cities across the US using 12 key metrics, including the average spending on coffee per household, the share of homes with coffee makers, the number of coffee shops and manufacturers per capita, and the number of coffee-centric events.  After San Francisco, Seattle, Orlando, Honolulu, and Portland rounded out the top five coffee cities.  Source: WalletHub Coffee has played an important role in San Francisco's history: the first cup of restaurant coffee in the West was served there, large coffee brands such as Hills Brothers and Folgers started in the city, and the Italian espresso houses of North Beach were popular meeting spots for famous Beat poets. Today, the "third wave" of coffee shops has meant a coffee boom.  San Francisco's top coffee shops are independent, full of local personality, and spread throughout the city. Favorites include Ritual Coffee, Andytown Coffee Roasters, and Farley's. A few of the factors for SF's number one rating — it had both the highest number of affordable coffee shops and cafes rated 4.5 stars or above per capita, as well as the highest number of manufacturers. It also ranked number on

Add another must-do to your San Francisco bucket list: the Presidio Tunnel Tops, a project 30 years in the making. The new federal parkland is now officially open, offering 14 acres of space to play along the bay and take in stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge.  Tunnel Tops, located within the Presidio, a national park formed out of a former military outpost, debuted on July 17 to an outpouring of crowds eager to see the city's newest national park destination. It is a creative solution to creating usable green space in a densely packed city, located on top of the busy Presidio Parkway highway tunnels and connecting the center of the Presidio to the park’s Crissy Field waterfront. The unique design feat was a perfect fit for James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind New York City's High Line, which also found ways to connect urban streets to more peaceful, nature-focused settings.  The park is already a hit with locals and visitors alike, featuring picnic sites, a campfire circle, trails, native plant gardens as well as the Outpost, a sprawling two-acre, nature-inspired play area for children.    Photograph Courtesy of the Trust for the PresidioTunnel Tops   Getting to the Tunnel Tops is easy from most places in the city. Several of the city’s MUNI lines stop at the nearby transit center and there's a free PresidiGo shuttle from downtown.  If you get hungry, you can count on a variety of food trucks and carts nearby, in addition to a slew of eateries offered with

イギリスの金融商品比較サイト、Money.co.ukは新しい分析調査を実施し、LGBTQ+コミュニティーに最も友好的な世界の都市ランキング『The most LGBTQ+ accepting cities』を発表した。 分析に使われたのは、さまざまなデータ。例えばSocial Progressから入手した各国の受容度に関する世界的な指標、人口10万人当たりのLGBTQ+施設の数を示すTripadvisorのデータといったもの。出生証明書や運転免許証の性別表示変更が州相当レベルでどれだけ容易か、成人におけるLGBTQ+自認の割合、子育てをしている25歳以上のLGBTQ+成人数なども含まれている。 その結果、世界で最もLGBTQ+の人々を受け入れていのは、アイスランドのレイキャビクとなった。同地のLGBTQ+受容度スコアは満点の10ポイント。LGBTQ+専用のバーやクラブが最も多くあり、それらの質も高いことが結果に反映されたようだ。 2位、3位はオランダのアムステルダム、ロッテルダムが続いた。アムステルダムは、惜しくもレイキャビックにトップの座を譲ったが、スコアの差はほとんどない。受容度も9.8ポイントと非常に高く、ナイトライフについても数、質ともに大差がなかった。ロッテルダムは、LGBTQ+向けの施設の数が上位2都市に比べると少ないため、この順位になったようだ。 4位に入ったのが、アメリカのサンフランシスコ（アメリカの都市として1位）。同地は、人口10万人当たりのLGBTQ+施設の数が全都市中2番目に多く、それらのTripadvisorの平均評価も星4.2つと高い。サンフランシスコが高順位になったことは、この都市がLGBTQ+コミュニティーにとってリベラルで進歩的な避難所であるという長年の評判や、LGBTQ+運動の歴史を考えると大きな驚きではないだろう。 このランキングのトップ20を見てみると、、アメリカからはボストン（11位）、シアトル（12位）、ロサンゼルス（16位）、シカゴ（17位）の5都市がランクインしている。 ただ、同時発表されたアメリカの州別ランキングで1位になったのは、カリフォルニア州ではなく、ハワイ州だった。同州では人口の4.6％がLGBTQ+を自認。労働安全や出生証明書の性別表記を変更する手続きなどでも高い評価を受け、LGBTQ+コミュニティーで子育てをしている割合が30％と、上位5州の中で最も多い。ハワイに続く2位にはメイン州、3位にはバーモント州がランクイン。カリフォルニア州は4位となった。 ランキングと分析内容は、Money.co.ukの公式サイトで確認できる。 原文はこちら 関連記事 『ブライダル大手が同性婚のためのウエディングプランを紹介』 『東京、学びのクィアスポット6選』 『日本のジェンダー観や婚姻制度のあれこれ、もう一度社会の前提を疑おう』 『ニューヨーク歴史協会がLGBTQ+博物館の設立を発表』 『6年で日本は「ジェンダー平等」に近づいたのか、公平な制度の実現へ』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら

A new study shows which cities around the world are the most friendly toward the LGBTQ+ community, and we're not that surprised at the winners.  The study, conducted by Money.co.uk, analyzed cities based on a variety of criteria, including a worldwide indicator sourced from Social Progress on the level of acceptance in each country, Tripadvisor data showing the number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people, as well as how easy it is at the state level to change the gender marker on your birth certificate and driver's license, the percentage of adults who identify as LGBTQ+, and how many LGBTQ+ adults over 25 are raising children, among other factors.  In the United States, San Francisco came out on top as the number one most accepting city in America, and fourth in the world. The city has the second-highest number of LGBTQ+ establishments per 100,000 people and has an average rating of 4.2 stars.  San Francisco coming in the first place isn't a huge surprise, given the city's long reputation as a liberal and progressive haven for the LGBTQ+ community and its history of LGBTQ+ activism. Out of the top 20 most accepting cities, five are based in the US: Boston ranked 11th; Seattle ranked 12th, Los Angeles placed 16th and Chicago came in at 17th. At the worldwide level, Reykjavik, Iceland was number one. That was followed by Amsterdam and Rotterdam in the Netherlands.  In terms of states in the US though, California wasn't number one. It came in fourth. Hawaii actually cam

Napa Valley is a bucket-list destination for every wine lover – the rolling vineyard hills, award-winning wineries, and gourmet California cuisine make it a foodie mecca that people around the world flock to. And one of the most magical ways to take in all that wine country has to offer is aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train.  The wine train is an iconic piece of Napa that’s been operating for more than 30 years, running directly through the valley on a rail line originally built in 1864. It was on a long hiatus during Covid, but officially re-opened in May. And now it's bringing back its popular Murder Mystery rides starting this month through October. The themed rides include 'Crime and Punishment,' 'Death of a Gangster' and a 'Wizards and Witches' tour that sounds perfect for Harry Potter fans (wizarding robes and hats are highly encouraged).  Photograph: Courtesy Napa Valley Wine Train While aboard the refurbished 1951 Pullman coaches, guests will have two hours to solve a murder (all while being served a multi-course fine-dining experience). On the Wizards and Witches tour – which takes place October 2, 9, and 16 – feel free to dress up as your favorite Hogwarts character and imagine you're aboard the Hogwarts Express!  Not into dress-up? The train offers a variety of other tours. Choose from various experiences and times, including daytime and evening rides, an intimate meal in the Champagne Dome, as well as those that includes stops at wineries and special ones like j