Sarah Medina

Ahhh, nature. It's all about those lush green vistas and breathtaking wildlife. It's big, gorgeous, a bit untidy, but it's our ticket to disconnecting from the chaos of modern life. Granted, it does come with its fair share of bugs, mud, and, let's face it, some squishy stuff. But here’s the deal: ever heard of a glasshouse Airbnb? These architectural wonders are like a secret passage to the outdoors minus the actual roughing it. So, ditch the bug spray and think of these glassy havens as an upgrade to your camping game while road-tripping across America. To make your vacation dreams come true, we've rounded up the best glasshouse Airbnbs in the States. So, pack your bags, hit the road, and get ready for some jaw-dropping views. Oh, and let’s keep those rocks in the pockets, yeah? RECOMMENDED:  🌳 The most impressive Airbnb treehouses in the U.S. 🏊‍♀️ Check out the best Airbnbs with indoor pools in the U.S.🏙 See our top recommended penthouse Airbnbs in the U.S.🛝 Take a look at the USA Airbnbs with the craziest amenities Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts, and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines. 

Sometimes all you need is a good cozy-up by a roaring fire with nothing but serene, chill vibes – preferably with a huge mug of cocoa in hand, piled high with whipped cream and marshmallows. And the best place to experience all of that? In a rustic Airbnb cabin located in the middle of a forest, or by the lake with stunning views. How does that sound? If that sounds right up your street (and we're totally judging you if you hate the idea), consider booking a few nights away for some relaxation in one of these cozy Airbnb cabins in the U.S. From a cottage high about the New Hampshire forests to a log cabin nestled in a snowy meadow, these are the most picturesque and secluded Airbnbs you can rent in the U.S. Plus, they're really close to the best ski resorts and places to go snowboarding in the USA. RECOMMENDED: 🛏 Stay in the best Airbnbs in the USA Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

No coast? No problem. Chicago can sometimes feel like a Midwest oasis, but there's plenty to see just a scenic road trip away. With summer quickly approaching, you can spend a few weekends sipping bourbon in Louisville, hiking in Eau Claire or sunbathing in Door County. So if you're not sure where to start, check out our list of unique nearby destinations, load up the car, turn up "Life is a Highway" and hit the road—one of these routes from Chicago could quickly become your preferred weekend getaway.  RECOMMENDED: The best day trips from Chicago

Ahh, the United States of America. What a place to explore. With so many different cities, landscapes, and vibes, there's something for everyone on their travels to the country. Whether you take the summer to try out the best attractions in the USA, the most bizarre landmarks in the USA, or the best national parks in the U.S., there’s bound to be an interesting Airbnb nearby. And for a place as diverse as America, you need to stay somewhere that truly captures the country's essence. And no doubt, there's an Airbnb to match the vibe. We've got the strangest, most quirky Airbnbs across the U.S. From a Hobbit hole to a spaceship, you're going to question everything you know and have to book one to see it for yourself. Updated April 2024: We constantly scour Airbnb to find you some of the most exceptional (and whackiest) stays money can get you and on this occasion, we've found two new rentals we think are worth your while, like this stunning farm stay in the affectionately called, big ol' soup can (no joke) and this UFO just across the pond in Baja California. Enjoy. RECOMMENDED: 🌲The most jaw-dropping secluded Airbnbs in the U.S.👻The most haunted Airbnbs in the U.S. Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in and review every Airbnb featured, we've based our list on our expert knowledge of the destination covered, editorial reviews, user reviews, hotel amenities and in-depth research to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no infl

Get your iPhone cameras ready because we're embarking on a journey through the greenest botanical gardens on the planet. Plants are great. You know it, we know it, everybody knows it. And this is the best place to see them. So, for all the plant-moms and dads out there wondering what place would be the best to enjoy the wonder of flora, we got you! From cherry blossoms in Brooklyn to cacti in Colombia, these gardens are a feast for the senses and a haven for plant lovers everywhere. Make your Pinterest board a reality by visiting the most beautiful Botanical Gardens in the world.   RECOMMENDED: 🌲 The best national parks in the world ⛰️ The best destinations for solo female travellers🛣️ The coolest streets in the world🏝️ The best beaches in the world🚂 The best train journeys around the world

What if we told you that you could enjoy all the lovely aspects of camping (stargazing, s’mores and time in the great outdoors) without all the, well, less lovely parts (sleeping on the ground, setting up a tent, nowhere to charge your phone)?  If that sounds ideal to you, let us introduce to glamping. Glamping, by definition, is camping with a touch of glamour. It may not bring the comforts of a five-star hotel or your own home, but it's a definite upgrade in luxury from the traditional pop-a-tent-and-call-it-a-gocamping. If you love to be outside but also like sleeping on a real bed and having a toilet to yourself, glamping may be your perfect middle ground.  And thanks to its rise in popularity in recent years, glamping has taken off across the country. The best glamping in the USA ranges from California's redwoods to Maine's beachfront forests. From glass domes to covered wagons to Airstreams, there are a wide range of accommodations to choose from, plus many more amenities including on-site restaurants, yoga lessons and even spa treatments. Sound pretty nice? Read on. RECOMMENDED: 🥾 The best places to hike in the U.S.🏡 The most jaw-dropping secluded Airbnbs in the USA

To some people, vacation is all about rest and relaxation. But others would rather experience pulse-pounding thrills than chill out on a beach. This crop of extreme adventure travelers will go out of their way to feel a rush of adrenaline. If this sounds like you, we have a perfect list of adventure vacation ideas you won’t want to miss.  You have countless chances to get your heart racing across the country, from ziplining across the Catskills to heli-sking in Alaska to skydiving in Idaho. We have rounded up the absolute best extreme adventures in the U.S. you can take. Want stunning scenery? Bike down a rugged mountain in Lake Tahoe or climb El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. Want to feel a rush? Paraglide in Maui or bungee jump off the Stratosphere in Vegas. There are many more ideas where those come from—read on to find your next adventure.   RECOMMENDED: The best outdoor adventure in every state

We've all been there – you step into your dream vacation spot only to find it swamped with tourists who seem to have copied your exact itinerary. And sure, city escapes to places like New York and LA do have an undeniable charm, but sometimes it’s nice to break free from the crowds and opt for a peaceful getaway. So why not opt for a remote Airbnb where you can soak up nature's beauty? From cozy cabins nestled near scenic hiking trails to floating tiki huts that gently sway in the ocean (yes, really), Airbnb's selection of unique, secluded properties promises the serenity and rejuvenation we all crave.  To make your isolated adventure dream a reality, we've pulled together a list of our absolute favorite secluded Airbnb rentals across the United States. Whether you’re a solo traveler on a backpacking adventure or a busy family craving some peace and quiet, we like to think there’s a little something for everyone on this extensive list. So, pack your essentials, start the car, and get ready for a vacation like no other.  Updated April 2024: Upon further investigation, we discovered two new properties that would fit perfectly in this list – and there's no way we were going to keep them a secret. Check out the forest cabin with an outdoor sauna and the China Mountain House that's been raved about in the press.  RECOMMENDED:🌲Check out the most unique Airbnbs in the US 💸Discover the best Airbnb penthouses in the US🏠Looking for a unique stay? These are the ‘guest favorite’ Airbn

Living in the city is great, but it's natural to crave time in a place that's a bit more relaxing every once in a while. Instead of pining for a far-flung trip, might we suggest a Midwestern weekend getaway from Chicago? We rounded up a list of the most incredible remote (and memorable) destinations throughout the region, perfect for holing up for a few days, exploring nature and breaking out of your normal routine. Go hiking along Lake Michigan or book an extra cozy Airbnb cabin near Chicago in Wisconsin or Michigan—whatever your mood, a host of peaceful options await you. Pack up a car and take a roadtrip to visit the most secluded getaways from Chicago.  RECOMMENDED: Discover more of the best day trips from Chicago RECOMMENDED: The most secluded Airbnbs near ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best Airbnb tiny houses near ChicagoRECOMMENDED: The best Airbnb cabins near Chicago RECOMMENDED: The best Airbnb treehouses near Chicago

America, the Beautiful. Or so the famous 1893 poem goes. There's nowhere that declaration rings more true than in America's national parks. These protected lands, from coast to coast, safeguard and showcase untamed wilderness with awe-inspiring beauty and diverse wildlife ecosystems. Today, there are more than 400 sites in the National Park Service, including 63 major parks—from America's first national park (Yellowstone) to dramatic landscapes carved by ancient forces. When adventure calls, turn to this list of some of the country's best national parks. (Pro tip: Grab an America the Beautiful pass, which gets you year-round access to all the parks. You'll be glad you did as you hike beneath towering redwoods, camp out under a blanket of stars, and witness the unspoiled natural beauty.  RECOMMENDED: The best national forests in the U.S.

California is stunning, period. People come from around the world to witness the Golden State's huge variety of natural landscapes, from towering coastal redwoods to cascading waterfalls to vast deserts. And the best way to experience the natural wonder in California is to ditch the hotels in favor of pitching a tent. Wake up to views of dramatic cliffs, shimmering lakes, or even an active volcano (you heard us right). Once your cowboy breakfast is cleaned up, set out to discover hidden islands and wide-open beaches before retreating to your campfire under the stars. To help you plan your adventure, we've rounded up the absolute best camping destinations in California.  RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in California🍽️ The best restaurants in California💧 The best hot springs in California🌲 The best places to see California redwoods🏖️ The best beaches in California This guide was updated by San Francisco-based writer Clara Hogan. 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 guidelines. 

We get it, one of the best TV shows ever created was filmed right here in Baltimore, and that’s what most people go to when they think of this fantastic city. But trust us, there’s plenty more to Charm City than its glamorous credentials.  The best things to do in Baltimore bridge the divide between fascinating American history and modern boutique shopping, as well as a great restaurant scene, bars, markets, and of course the picturesque Inner Harbor (and the steamed crabs). For classic attractions and local delights, here are the best things to do in Baltimore right now.  RECOMMENDED:🍽️ The best restaurants in Baltimore⛰️ The most beautiful cities in the US🧳 The best weekend trips in the US Sarah Medina is the North America travel editor at Time Out. 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 guidelines. 

Now this is what we call an amusement park for the whole family. J. Rieger & Co distillery’s grand expansion, which debuted in 2019, includes two bar experiences, a massive new distillery operation, a museum-worthy exhibit and … drumroll please … a corkscrew slide that runs from the second to the first floor.  For locals who are seeking a one-stop-shop for breakfast, lunch and happy hour in Kansas City, the distillery’s many sections—the Monogram Lounge upstairs and jazz club Hey! Hey! Club in the basement—serve breakfast and coffee, lunch and snacks and premium cocktails and bites every day.  But, of course, we know you’re here for the slide, a fun tribute to Electric Park (KC's original amusement park) and the only known distillery slide in the world. Maybe save it for the end of your visit. As far as we know, a 40-foot custom built side is the coolest way to exit a bar.

Affectionately known as “Ginny’s,” the Little Longhorn Saloon sits in a building that looks like a tiny chapel with a steeple and what happens inside is considered honky tonk gospel. Every night of the week (except for Mondays, when they’re closed) you can pull up a barstool, order a Lonestar 12oz draft beer for just $1.50, and listen to live music from Austin’s most bona fide country acts. But Sundays is when the real action happens—we're talking about chicken shit bingo, of course.  Every Sunday, hundreds gather for the Little Longhorn Saloon’s legendary chicken shit bingo. From 4 to 8pm, the bar will host anywhere between four and eight rounds of poop bingo. (Children 13 and younger go first and adults 91 and above go second.) Tickets are $2 a pop and once tickets are sold out, everyone gathers around the board to wait for the shit to hit the ground. Then, the chicken is placed on the board and "picks her number in her own chicken pickin' way." The Chicken Shit Official calls the square and notifies the band. The band announces the winning number and colors, and winners come up to the stage to collect their winnings and get their photo taken.  You have to see it to believe it. 

The biggest theatre hit of modern times bar none is Jack Thorne and J.K. Rowling's epic two-part eighth adventure for erstwhile boy wizard Harry Potter. And now the adventure is coming to San Francisco! The Tony & Olivier Award-winning play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two, will premiere on the West Coast at San Francisco’s Curran on October 23, 2019. With record-breaking productions in London and New York as well as an Australian production set to premiere in Melbourne in early 2019, the San Francisco production will mark the fourth engagement of the smash hit play, as well as its West Coast premiere in North America. The play takes place almost two decades after the Battle of Hogwarts; Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs and his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. Tickets for Harry Potter and The Cursed Child will be available to purchase beginning March 14 at 11am. You can register for priority access, which will begin March 11. Registration will be open until March 3.

Listen up, comedy geeks. The annual Clutsterfest, a three-day comedy fair going down in San Francisco, will feature some monumental talent and fun. Brought to you by the folks who bring you Outside Lands and Bonnaroo, Clusterfest is a humungous comedy smorgasbord featuring past top-shelf headliners like Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Bill Burr, Sarah Silverman, T.J. Miller and Hasan Minhaj, plus loads of themed food and oh yea, music too.  Ticket holders get to do more than chuckle and slap their knees in the Bill Graham Auditorium. Along with stand-up, Clusterfest provides immersive experiences that will turn Civic Center Plaza into a Comedy Central theme park. This year's lineup will be announced in March, followed by ticket pre-sale available exclusively at clusterfest.com.  

Explore the science of getting schnockered at this classy annual fête, hosted at and benefitting the wonderful Exploratorium museum. This is a formal affair with 20 open bars, where some of the Bay Area’s best bartenders and mixologists will create inventive science-inspired cocktails throughout the evening, and gourmet hors d'oeuvres and sweets. But don’t let your black tie deter you from getting your hands on all the exhibits, many of which will offer tantalizing insights into our favorite boozy beverages, from distillation and brewing to (hopefully) how to cure a hangover. And if you're seeking the ultimate hair of the dog, drink recipes will be made available on the museum’s website following the event.  The Exploratorium’s ninth annual Science of Cocktails returns Friday, February 8. This year's event will be part of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore 1969-themed spaces and photo booths honoring the Exploratorium’s founding and enjoy live music from Oakland-based band, Hot Einstein.  General admission tickets are $175 and VIP are $275. Tickets can be purchased at the Science of Cocktails page. Don't hesitate—this fun event sells out every year. 

Step back in time at this holiday adventure set in Victorian London and featuring costumed performers, the aroma of roasted chestnuts and quaint shops. A Bay Area tradition since 1970, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair takes over the Cow Palace for four weekends every holiday season. Guests can peruse corset stalls, engage in mead-chugging competitions and maybe even spot Scrooge himself.

Imagine stepping into a Pinterest board IRL teeming with stunningly curated handmade goods from San Francisco makers. Pop into an early gift fair curated by Pinterest and SFMade and peruse beautiful living wreaths, artisan home goods, jewelry, apparel, bags and accessories, body products, goodies for your pup, and more. While you’re shopping, nosh on savory bites from Pinterest’s PinChefs, indulge in sweet treats from the likes of Humphry Slocombe, Dandelion Chocolate, and more, and sip on cold-pressed juices, vino, or a brew. There will also be live printing from Social Prints.

Ryan Farr's spot near the Panhandle is so popular there are often lines for his Texas style brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken, and pork ribs, not to mention the aptly named "Best Damn Cheeseburger.” There are also classic and not so classic sides including posole, cole slaw, baked beans, French fries and Frankaroni— crispy fried macaroni with a hot dog inside. Seating is inside a repurposed shipping container, as well as communal picnic tables on the covered patio. Vegetarians will find several salads as well as a grits and eggs sandwich served with Oaxacan cheese on a bun.

Owned and operated by an all-women team, this small, cozy champagne bar has black-and-white seating and tabletops that read “Hello Beautiful” in gold writing. Head here for bumps of caviar served with champagne shots and free popcorn with seasonings. 

Celebrating ten years of holiday fun (and embarrassing falls), the holiday season officially kicks off on November 1 with an opening day ceremony featuring special performances from the cast of the Aladdin musical. Two days later, the rink is throwing an epic birthday-themed community party on November 3, including free skating, birthday cake and more special performances.  And for those lucky San Franciscans whose birthdays fall between November 3 and January 15, the rink will honor your special day with free admission and skate rentals!  The opening of the rink also brings back some of our favorite holiday traditions, including Drag Queens on Ice (December 7), Flashback Fridays (November 10, December 8, January 12) and Polar Bear Skate (January 1). This year, the ice rink will also showcase a San Francisco-based nonprofit each week.  Worried you'll embarrass yourself in skates? Kaiser Permanente is expanding the Learn to Skate program to every Saturday and Sunday this year. Professional skate instructors will teach beginner skaters of all ages from 8:30–9:30am every weekend for free.  The ice rink will be open daily from 10am–11:30pm; $13–$18 (includes skate rental). Advance tickets go on sale Monday,October 23 at 10am at unionsquareicerink.com. Starting November 1, tickets will also be available at the ice rink ticket window in Union Square Park (333 Post Street). See the rink's event schedule below:  Ice Breaker Opening Celebration | Wednesday, November 1 | 9:30—10amBreak

This is Anchor Brewing Company's first public taproom since before Prohibition.  True to the brand, Anchor Public Taps is covered in classic copper—a massive copper-plated anchor designed by local artist Katie Gong hang above the hammered copper bar in the industrial space. In the corner, hundreds of vintage beer cans owned by former Anchor Brewing owner Fritz Maytag are displayed.  In another corner resides Anchor's new small-batch brewing program, Potrero Project. The tiny, seven-barrel mini-brewery will produce experimental, small-batch beers that will only be available on tap at Public Taps.  The opening beer list includes 11 Anchor beers, two Potrero Project beers (a pale ale and a Berliner Weisse) and three collaboration brews with Local Brewing Co., ThirstyBear Brewery and New York’s Brewery Ommegang. Food trucks are also on hand to soak up all those hops. 

The Bay Area’s most famous haunted home, the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose, was once the largest private residence in the United States. The bizarro began when the lady of the house, Sarah Winchester, inherited a vast fortune from her father-in-law, Oliver Winchester, manufacturer of the famous rifle, and she moved from New Haven, Connecticut to San Jose. Winchester came to believe her family and fortune were haunted and started to build a house as a way to elude the ghosts of all the people who had fallen victim to the Winchester rifle. From 1886 until her death in 1922, construction never ceased on the strange new mansion, which at its peak included 200 rooms, 10,000 windows, 47 fireplaces and 2,000 doors, trap doors and spy holes. The house is designed to confuse—staircases lead nowhere and end at ceilings; cabinets and doors open on to walls; small rooms are built within big rooms; balconies and windows are inside rather than out; chimneys stop floors short of the ceiling; and floors have skylights. The best way to experience the haunted house? With a candlelight tour . There’s safety in numbers.

As much as I hate to say it, having kids has undoubtedly cramped my style. Before I had my eldest in 2019, I was frequently flying as part of my job, I am after all a travel editor. And while she’s been on her fair share of trips — she went on her first vacation, a tour of the Pacific Northwest, when she was just five months old — the pandemic and the addition of a second visit from the stork in 2021 meant that travel had definitely slowed for me and my family.  Earlier this year, my partner and I took our two bundles of joy to New Mexico, which proved to be no holiday (potty training problems — if you know, you know). However, with enough time passed to soften the memories of screaming in Santa Fe, we were ready to try again this fall. With one very important hitch: I was going to take the girls on my own, sans husband. I know. I deserve a medal. So, here are the lessons I learned taking my two kids, aged 3½ years and 14 months on their first international trip... all by myself. Pick the right destination With the onset of daylight savings and the seasonal depression that seems to follow soon after, we were looking for a last Sangria in the sun. Before this trip, the longest airplane ride my kids had been on was 2-3 hours and I was not looking to test out a longer one. The radar from our homebase in Los Angeles included tons of amazing options, but in the end we decided on Cabo. It had it all: sun, beach, pool, family-friendly activities, and a reasonable flight time. It als

Just because you're stuck at home, doesn't mean you have to miss out on some of the world's most beautiful natural wonders. Not only can you take virtual tours of national parks and spot cuddly pandas on camera, you can also live stream the Northern Lights from the comfort of your couch.  Set up by Explore.com, the live cam is located at the Churchill Northern Studies Center in Manitoba, Canada and is situated directly underneath the aurora oval—one of the best places on earth to watch the aurora borealis. Although the northern lights occur year-round, late winter and early spring (when the arctic is dark for most of the day and the sky is clear) are the best seasons to see them. So now’s the perfect time to watch the live stream. Tune in during the darkest hours of the night, which are generally from 10pm–4am EST.  View this post on Instagram In the #Denali area, nearly everywhere is free from human light pollution, so no matter where your lodging or campground is, you should have a good chance to see the aurora if the three factors all line up for you. 1. #aurora is happening 2. The #nightsky is dark enough. 3. The sky is clear. Thanks to @neverbyllama for sharing this great shot with us. #auroraboreal #aurora_borealis #findyourpark @denalinps A post shared by Alaska National Parks (@alaskanps) on Sep 15, 2018 at 7:11am PDT As for what you're actually watching, the website also explains that aurora borealis occurs when electrically charged particles emit

Planning an international trip? Here's one less thing you have to worry about. The US government announced Friday morning that air travelers will no longer need a negative Covid test to board flights to the United States.  The testing requirement, put in place in January 2021, required all passengers bound for the USA to have a negative Covid test in hand upon boarding, and applied to anyone attempting to enter the US by air, including US citizens.  That policy will now expire this Sunday, June 12 at 12:01am.  The move comes after airlines and other travel industry officials lobbied the White House early this month, citing rising vaccination rates and mild cases as data proof enough that the policy needed to go.  The CDC also noted, however, that they will re-evaluate the decision in 90 days, and may reinstate pre-departure testing should a new variant pop up.  While this is good news for anyone who will be traveling in or out of the US this summer, things aren't going so swimmingly at other popular airports, especially in the UK. Check out our recommendations for making sure to avoid holiday hell this summer. 

アメリカのパスポートが、いよいよインクルーシブなものになる。2022年4月11日（月）から、パスポートの申請時の性別欄で「X」を選択可能になることが発表された。 第3の性別表示は、2021年6月に連邦政府から発表されていた、よりインクルーシブな政策に基づく取り組みの一つ。 性別選択に関して、今後は医師の診断書の提出は不要で、自分に合った性別欄への記載方法を、自身で選ぶことができるようになる。この新しいルールの適用は、初めてパスポートを申請する人だけではない。アメリカ市民の誰もが異なる性別での新しいパスポート申請が可能だ。 パスポートに記載されている性別は、ほかの公的身分証明書に記載されている性別と一致する必要はないが、写真は類似していることが求められる。 さらに国務省では、これまで性転換の過程にある旅行者に発行していた、有効期間が限定されたパスポートを廃止するという。 アメリカには、何年も前から身分証明書に第3の性のオプションを提供しているいくつかの州がすでにある。連邦政府の対応は遅れをとっているが、トランスジェンダーおよびノンバイナリーの人々が世界を旅することを、より容易にするための前向きな一歩といえる。 原文はこちら 関連記事 『世界のトランスジェンダー女性が驚く「乙女塾」の女性化レッスン』 『東京、LGBTQ＋フレンドリースポット11選』 『東京、学びのクィアスポット6選』 『東京、セクマイのライフサポートスポット』 『ロンドンにイギリス初のLGBTQ+歴史博物館がオープン』 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

United States passports just got a little more inclusive. Starting on April 11, US citizens will be able to select an X as their gender marker on their passport application, and the option will become available for other forms of documentation next year. The change is just one of a number of more inclusive policies that were announced back in June. In addition to the third gender marker, travelers no longer have to provide medical certification in order to change their gender marker on their passport. Instead, all passport applicants have the chance to self-select for gender on the appropriate forms. The new rules don't just apply to first-time applicants – anyone can request a new passport with a different gender selection.  The State Department is also getting rid of limited-validity passports, which were previously issues to travelers who were in the process of transitioning.  The department also clarified that the gender on a person's passport does not have to match the gender on other identifying documents in order to travel, however passport photos should be similar to those on other official IDs.  While the federal government is behind some states who have offered a third gender option on IDs for years, it is a positive step in making it easier for trans and nonbinary people to travel the world.   

If last summer was the summer of immersive Van Gogh (which took over a whopping 29 cities across the USA and many more around the world), then 2022 is the year of Frida. This spring, the popular Mexican artist is getting her own immersive exhibit in eight cities across North America.  Expect the same premise as Van Gogh – an immersive experience achieved by projecting large-scale moving images onto the walls, ceilings and floors – but swap out the flowers and starry nights with the surrealist mind of Kahlo and experience famous artworks including The Two Fridas, The Wounded Deer and Diego and I. This time, the exhibit will also focus on the artist's life and location with additional archival photos of Kahlo and her family home in Mexico City as well as flashing images of hammers and sickles representing her involvement in the Mexican Communist Party.  We can probably guess what Frida herself would think of this new way to market her work, but that won't stop super fans from showing up in numbers. (Tickets are already selling out fast.) And if you really want to get down with Frida, then some locations will also offer immersive yoga experiences, including Boston, Dallas, and Denver.   Photograph: Michael Brosilow, courtesy Frida: Immersive Dream    All the cities hosting an immersive Frida experience: Boston When: Feb. 10 through May 8, 2022 Where: Lighthouse ArtSpace at the Castle, 130 Columbus Avenue, Boston, MA Buy Tickets: Prices Start at $39. Get tickets here.   Chica

We don't have to tell you about all the gorgeous natural wonders that exist in Yosemite National Park. From Yosemite Valley to Half Dome, the country's most-visited national park is a sight to behold. But every February, something truly magical happens in Yosemite. We're talking about the famous Yosemite firefall. Have no idea what we're talking about? Let us explain. Every year, at the end of February, the sun hits Horsetail Fall on the east side of El Capitan. At just the right angle, it glows a fiery orange at sunset, making the waterfall look like a glowing lava stream as it cascades down the mountain. It's incredible to behold, and the annual event, which lasts for just about two weeks, is known to attract more than 2,000 visitors and sightseers in a single day.  In years past, Yosemite has tried to curb the crowds and protect the surrounding flora and fauna—including instituting a reservation system in 2018. You don’t have to book in advance this year, but there are still rules in place if you want to see the phenomenon.  This year's firefall is expected to glow nightly from February 10—28, with restrictions in place every day. Starting February 10, visitors have to leave their car at Yosemite Falls parking, and walk one and a half miles (each way) to the viewing area near El Capitan Picnic Area. It's recommended that visitors bring warm clothing and a headlamp or a flashlight. Roads may be closed to vehicles around the area, and parking, stopping, and unloading passeng

Whether you love fall or despise it since it signals the end of summer (relax, you've got until September 21), one thing is certain: you can't deny the beauty that fall foliage season brings to much of the United States.  RECOMMENDED: The best places to see fall foliage in the United States For those of you who are eagerly awaiting leaf-crunching season, this interactive map, which is created annually by SmokyMountains.com, has the knowledge you want – it predicts when fall foliage will start making an appearance in each state in the United States. Photograph: Courtesy smokymountains.com As a general statement, fall colors start popping out at the end of September and beginning of October but, for a more specific timeline, play around with the map's moveable date range (shown above). Keep in mind, though, that nothing is certain. "While no tool can be 100% accurate, this tool is meant to help travelers better time their trips to have the best opportunity of catching peak color each year," reads the website. According to the visualization, those in the Pacific Northwest, for example, will be able to gaze at red, orange and yellow foliage by early October. In New England, on the other hand, residents should pay extra attention to nature starting the week of September 27.  And if the data in your state just doesn't cut it, you could always embarking on a nice cross-country fall-foliage road trip to do some more leaf peeping. Fall is a beautiful season to travel in, after all. 

Well, it was fun while it lasted. Following last year’s global shutdown, the majority of EU countries started to allow travellers to cross borders freely within Europe – as long as they brought along a negative test result or proof of vaccination – again this summer. Meanwhile, visitors from elsewhere have had to find themselves on the coveted 'white list' – a small list of nations currently deemed safe by the EU – in order to avoid restrictions like mandatory quarantines.  This week, the EU updated the 'white list,' but instead of getting larger, the list got much smaller. Six nations were removed from the list, including the United States, and no additional countries were added.  Also removed from the list this week were Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and the Republic of North Macedonia. The full list is now as follows: AlbaniaArmeniaAustraliaAzerbaijanBosnia and HerzegovinaBrunei DarussalamCanadaChinaJapanJordanNew ZealandQatarRepublic of MoldovaSaudi ArabiaSerbiaSingaporeSouth KoreaUkraine Visitors from these countries will now be able to enter the EU without having to quarantine and can move freely between member nations. To compile the list, diplomats had originally recommended including all countries with an incidence rate of below 75 cases per 100,000 over a 14-day period – a number that is currently not being met by most of the world.  But there’s still hope for Brits and Americans dreaming of a European holiday this year. EU countries are free to ignore the a

2021 is proving itself to be the year of the epic train ride. From these luxury new sleeper cars in Europe to an all-you-can-drink tequila train in Mexico, rail travel is looking more glamorous (and eco-friendly) as we all rediscover domestic travel opportunities in our home countries.  But no new rail line launch is as exciting as this anticipated recent opening in the Rocky Mountains. The first US offering from luxury Canadian company Rocky Mountaineer, the new 'Rockies to the Red Rocks' trip kicked off on August 15, taking passengers on a two-day ride from Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah – passing through stunning Rocky Mountains and southwest scenery along the way. Best of all? Passengers will witness all that gorgeous nature from the train's glass-dome top! That's right, we're talking unobstructed views of some of the most gorgeous scenery in the USA. Each train car also has a small outdoor viewing platform where you can get a blast of fresh mountain air. Rocky Mountaineer is renowned for its super luxurious service – in 2020, the company won a Globe Travel Award for 'Best Rail Company' – which includes personalized, at-your-seat meal service and cocktails. Meals are made using local ingredients (like Colorado bison and farm-fresh veggies) and feature collaborations with local companies (desserts are crafted by the Aspen Baking Company). And the route also includes a stop-off at a hotel for the overnight portion of the trip – both so that guests sleep well and so they do

If you're headed to the Mediterranean this summer, make sure to pack your snorkeling gear. The Museum of Underwater Sculpture Ayia Napa (MUSAN) is open for business - and the images are haunting.  Located 200 meters off the coast of Aiya Napa on the eastern part of Cyprus, MUSAN depicts a forest full of trees, children at play, and other whimsical characters. The catch? It's all underwater. The museum was created by British  sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor, who is well-known for his under-the-sea exhibits (like this recent one in off the coast of France). Like all of deCaires Taylor’s projects, MUSAN strived to create a habitat for life in the ocean while examining the impact of man on the natural world.  Photograph: Courtesy © MUSAN / @JasondeCairesTaylor In order to create the surreal experience of walking through a dense underwater forest, hybrid trees weighing 13 tonnes were lowered into the sea. In other sections, grey children are frozen mid-play in the forest, and some are seen pointing cameras at the human race as a critique of the way the world currently tends to treat nature. Photograph: courtesy © MUSAN / @JasondeCairesTaylor   Photograph: Courtesy © MUSAN / @JasondeCairesTaylor   Each of the sculptures is made from pH neutral materials so there's no negative impact on the surrounding environment, and in fact, the structures will act as a new home for marine life as they become covered in biomass over time – which means this is one museum that will only get be

Life on earth getting you down? Look up tonight and you might spot a pretty awesome celestial distraction: one of the brightest meteor showers of the year. The Perseids appear in the night’s sky at around the same time every year, peaking in mid-August. Created by debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle, the Perseids all seem to come from the constellation Perseus, hence their name, and are known for being particularly colorful. This year, the meteors have been making an appearance in the night sky since late July, but the shower will peak on August 11 through the morning of August 12, when you might see as many as 100 meteors per hour! (Assuming you're somewhere very dark.)  The Perseid meteors are visible all over the planet but are especially beloved in the Northern Hemisphere, where their appearance coincides with light, warm evenings and summer holidays. When’s the best time to see them? The hours before dawn are typically a good time to try, but a bright moon might limit your ability to catch them. If you can, try looking once the sun has set but before the moon has risen.  But if you can't get out of the city in time or you're in the Southern Hemisphere, you can still get in on the action. NASA will be hosting a live stream of the meteor shower tonight, August 11 from 11pm to 6am EST on its Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages. If it's too cloudy on Wednesday night, NASA has promised a make-up stream the following night, August 12.  So regardless of whether you're huddli