The perfect trip for twoAll couples need a romantic getaway every once in a while, and that has perhaps never been more true than it is right now. Life has been filled with more stress than we ever thought possible, and it’s been all too easy to deprioritize our relationships. But a couples getaway in a city that’s tailor-made for romance—and a romantic hotel to stay in—can change all that. It’ll give you the perfect setting to unwind, reconnect, delight in each other’s company, and remember why

Vacationing from homeVacations are one of life’s best pleasures, but sometimes your mini-vacation is not an option. Maybe it’s not in the budget this year, you don’t have enough time off, or you’re trying to limit travel with the coronavirus raging and the Delta variant on the rise. Whatever situation you find yourself in, don’t give up on your vacation. You have all the fun with way less hassle by trying one of these staycation ideas.Willing to leave home for a lit

What is duty-free?If you’ve ever flown internationally (or passed through an international terminal), you’ve likely seen the brightly-lit consumer paradise of a duty-free shop.But what is a duty-free shop? These are stores that sell all kinds of products for which a “duty” (a local import tax or fee placed on goods by government entities) is not included. Normally, buying products in a duty-free shop allows travelers to save money on liquor, tobacco, fragrances, cosmetics

1 / 6Protect your privacy while travelingWhen you’re traveling, the last thing you want to think about is someone spying on you. But in a 2019 survey by real estate company IPX1031, 11 percent of respondents reported finding a hidden camera in their Airbnb.“One of the reasons this is happening is because of the ready availability of low-cost camera technology,” says Jack Plaxe, security consultant at Guidepost Solutions. Cameras with pinhole lenses that can be easily concealed

1 / 19Proceed with caution!There are scenic national park road trips, iconic Route 66 drives, and the best road trips across the United States, but these stretches of asphalt, gravel, and/or ice are something else entirely. Not even the ultimate road trip guide will properly prepare you for driving on the most dangerous roads in the world. Attempting to tackle one of the most dangerous roads in the world is not for the faint of heart and not for the kind of driver who struggles to find reverse o

Benefits of a singles’ cruiseThere are a variety of reasons why you might want to take a cruise as a single person or solo traveler. Maybe you’re coming out of a relationship and want to meet new and interesting people in an all-inclusive environment. Maybe you thrive on self-discovery and individual experiences. Or maybe you just want to go on lots of cruises, with or without the people you love. No matter your specific situation, there’s a cruise ship, sailing itinerary, slew

Wine timeRolling hills, majestic chateaus, gorgeous vistas, verdant vineyards. It’s hard to beat the best wineries in Napa and Sonoma Valley when it comes to awe-inspiring scenery in California. And the vineyards listed below don’t just rest on their looks. Each offers delectable wines that you can sample on the premises, along with spots to kick back and enjoy the view, making these destinations an ideal spot for a mini vacation or a weekend getaway, whether it’s a girls’

The tastiest place on EarthThere’s more to a Disney vacation than just rides and attractions. In fact, Disney World’s food is almost as popular as the 50-year-old theme park itself! And to celebrate Disney’s golden anniversary, the parks have rolled out 150 new tastes—with 71 at Magic Kingdom alone for the big celebrations, which started in October 2021 to commemorate its opening in 1971. (Disneyland, by the way, opened a decade and a half earlier in 1955.)In addition to the fan favo

Family vacation inspirationWe’ve all been there before. We get bitten by the travel bug but hit a wall when it comes to thinking of family vacation ideas. There’s so much to see in the United States, after all; how are you supposed to choose one place to take the kids?We’ve got you covered. Here are the top places around the U.S. to tour with kids of all ages, from tots to teens. You could stay in a nice hotel during your mini vacation, or opt for an all-inclusive family resort

1 / 14Start your day earlyBozeman, Montana resident Melissa Moran doesn’t let temperatures in the teens or dark skies deter her early morning workout. She goes to spin class at 5:30 a.m. three days per week in the winter, no matter how cold it is outside. “My mental clarity is simply better after an early morning workout. I don’t care how cold it is (outside),” she says. “I went to an afternoon class last week and it just wasn’t the same. When I work out in th

Fairbanks, AlaskaAlaska is a shoo-in for a great winter getaway, even though many people only think of visiting the 49th state in the summer. For winter fun, head to Fairbanks, where you can stay at a new lodge with glass-ceiling domes for aurora viewing in comfort and then head out ice fishing and snowmobiling. Want even more adventure? Consider a guided adventure that combines northern lights, cross-country skiing, and dog mushing. Speaking of dogs, Fairbanks also provides a front-row seat to

1 / 52The Christmas towns you have to seeThe soft glow of lights, the window displays, the snow crunching underfoot, the warm scent of cinnamon and spice in the air…these Christmas towns are chock full of all the things we’ve come to associate with the holiday season. But what makes these villages the absolute best? Whether they’ve got the best Christmas light shows, old-fashioned Victorian decorations, fun Christmas activities, things for kids to do, or have your best chance for a w

Kaanapali, MauiLocated on marvelous Maui’s west coast, Kaanapali has it all: Fabulous beaches, exceptional snorkeling, gorgeous scenery, and plenty of kid-friendly places to eat and play (plus flights to Hawaii are cheaper than ever). It’s also where you’ll find a number of full-service vacation rental condominiums, right on the beach that allows you to spread out with the family and make some meals in your own kitchen—a money-and-time saver. For full-service accommodations wit

Don’t ignore these TSA food rulesSometimes the most stressful part of flying is getting through security. Do you keep your shoes on or off? How about a belt? And then there’s the issue of snacks and drinks. You probably already know (we hope) that it would be a travel mistake to bring a bottle of water through a TSA security checkpoint. But what about if you’re not flying on an airline with the best food and want to bring a bagged lunch or a healthy snack so you don’t hav

It’s beginning to look a lot like ChristmasHere’s a fun bit of Christmas trivia you probably don’t know: Christmas light shows began in 1880, in Menlo Park, New Jersey. That’s when and where Thomas Edison first made festive use of his new invention, the light bulb. He strung up the lights outside his laboratory, and commuters heading to and from New York City witnessed the birth of outdoor Christmas light displays.Today, it’s impossible to imagine Christmas without holida

1 / 26Enjoy the holidays without the snowfallWhite Christmases are gorgeous, but they’re cold! The icy roads, the shoveling, and the reality of being trapped inside with your kids over winter break can make the holidays less than happy. Luckily, this year, traveling is an option again, and Christmas getaways can provide the perfect escape. If you’re wondering what is Christmas without snow, think about waves lapping on the beach, palm trees swaying in the sand, and a warm breeze care

Standing on the exact spot where the world’s most documented UFO sighting took place is one for the books. But for the thrill-seekers on Atlas Obscura’s trip to Manitoba, it was just another day of adventure into the mysteries of the unexplained. Atlas Obscura trip leader and Canadian architectural historian Frank Albo shares a moment from Mysterious Manitoba.

After a long career in communications, Amedeo Colella decided to dedicate himself to a new job: the Neapolitan way of living. The dream gig involves researching the cuisine, music, literature, and local dialect of Naples. He puts his findings to good use as the Naples bureau chief of Culinary Backstreets, as well as the Atlas Obscura trip leader of Culinary Naples: Producers, Purveyors, and Pizzaioli.To walk the backstreets with Amedeo is to experience his passion for Naples, where he knows ever

Beijing native Xiaokun Song has always been fascinated with the cultural exchange between China and the West. In her twenties, after completing a degree in German Language and Literature, Xiaokun spent a decade studying in Germany. When she returned to China, it was with a PhD in Art History and a desire to share her country’s vast heritage with travelers. Xiaokun is the founder Sourcians, a company dedicated to helping visitors explore her country from the inside out. With Atlas Obscura, Xiaoku

Mike Parker, General Manager of Atlas Obscura Trips, shares his thoughts about a return to travel in 2021.In the background of our socially distant days, a sense of community and solidarity hums through our quiet streets and shuttered gathering places. In New York, it reaches a daily crescendo at 7 p.m., when neighbors step onto their stoops and fire escapes cheering for the health workers caring for patients amid the pandemic. This daily gesture of gratitude is powerful, but we know that g