I drive a LOTThe New York City Taxicab Fact Book reports that one cab travels roughly 70,000 miles every year. In fact, the average life span of a taxi in New York City is a little more than three years. At that point, it may have travelled as much as 300,000 miles. Hailing a taxi is an artDon’t be surprised if cabbies zoom past you when you have your arm half-raised and are standing on the sidewalk. These tips from The Art of Manliness sum it up perfectly: Head to the nearest street corner on t

Step into a virtual reality world of Star WarsFulfill your destiny at this first-of-its-kind total immersion into the Star Wars universe. The new Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire uses virtual reality to transport you deep into the galaxy, where you can walk freely and untethered through a multi-sensory, inter-planetary experience. As part of the 30-minute adventure, you’ll get to go undercover as a Stormtrooper to capture Imperial intelligence vital to the budding rebellion’s surviva

Book directly through the hotelAvoid using a third-party deal finder like Expedia if you’re already afraid you might need a last-minute cancellation when booking your room, says 12-year hotel concierge Sarah Dandashy, founder of Ask A Concierge. “They usually have taken your money for the first night or the whole stay,” she says. “It will be much harder to get your money back if that is the case.” Bonus: If you remember the employee’s name when you call to cancel, that established relationship w

1 / 9When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing most of us want more than to be, well, anywhere else. But even these places with a reputation for having warm weather have seen snow, too. We reached out to Jonathan Belles and Linda Lam, digital meteorologists at The Weather Channel, to find out when the last time that twinkling snowflakes have graced these surprising places with their presence. 2 / 9The Sonoran DesertYes, believe it or not, it has snowed in the desert. Since th

 Ireland is one of the most beautiful places in the world to hike and walkIreland is not only astonishingly beautiful, but it is a wonderful place to enjoy an active holiday. These two Western Ireland islands, Inishbofin and Clare Island are particularly exciting to explore. Although small they have big offerings for people of every age and activity level, not to mention they are home to some of the friendliest people around. (Speaking of Ireland, we bet you never knew these facts about their fa

The Pope’s Studio del MosaicoIn Vatican City, all tour guides point out the Pope’s residence Casa Santa Marta, while just steps away sits an unassuming building circa 1578 called Studio del Mosaico. The few guides permitted inside introduce visitors to the handful of glass mosaic artisans who hold the job of a lifetime. These craftspeople chisel, polish, and burn—techniques developed by their 16th century predecessors—to maintain the breathtaking mosaics created for the Basilica̵

Key paperworkWithout exception, you should store your proof of car insurance, the car’s owner’s manual, and your AAA (or roadside assistance card) permanently in the glove box. It’s also wise to have your local mechanic’s name and phone number handy too.ⓘ Tissues, napkins, and wipesYou don’t have to have kids to make a mess, so stash napkins, paper towels, or moist wipes for times when you spill your coffee or accidentally spray SPF all over the window instead

Eat a good meal before flyingIt’s extremely important to eat a good meal before you fly. Getting on a plane with an empty stomach is guaranteed to make you feel nauseous. However, it’s important to watch what you eat. Stay away from greasy, spicy, and salty foods as well as alcohol. Eat a smaller, yet filling, meal that includes things like eggs and whole-wheat toast. Make sure that you aren’t making these other mistakes when traveling on an airplane.ⓘ Imagine yourself travelingAirsi

Death Valley National Park, CaliforniaDeath Valley is an International Dark Sky Park, which means it restricts light pollution and can claim an exceptional number of starry nights. Death Valley also benefits from being the driest place in the country. “That means the chances of a cloud-free night are very good,” notes Abby Wines, park management assistant. “This is a great place to see the Milky Way, which most Americans have never seen.”Wines also suggests taking in the full moon from the salt

Petaluma Pumpkin Patch, CaliforniaThis four-acre corn maze is located just north of San Francisco. Navigating your way through the twists and turns of the maze to find its one exit is quite the feat! The two tiny grayish-pink specks deep in the maze are viewing platforms, allowing the adventurers to peek out amid the sea of corn. The exact design of the maze is changed slightly every year, so puzzle-lovers can keep coming back for more. Petaluma Pumpkin Patch also offers a spooky nighttime maze

Travel in the off-seasonThough you might want to head to the Riviera Maya for spring break or visit the nation’s capital when the kiddos are out of school in the summer, if you want to cut cost, choosing off-season timing is a more strategic choice. Explains Michelle Weller, vice president of sales and customer service at Travel Leaders, the peak times to visit are among the most expensive and congested, making for a pricey and often stressful getaway. But go on the off-season, and you can

Gangneung, South Korea If this were a race, Gangneung would be the runaway winner. No surprise given that many of the events—including ice hockey, figure skating, and curling—for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games will be held there. But there’s plenty to explore beyond the sporting arena year-round—namely beautiful beaches and specialty museums, from Ojukheon to Haslla Art World. Love having your finger on the pulse of what’s trending in travel? You won’t want to miss the hottest i

New Orleans through Austin to Santa FeTake a few days to explore New Orleans—there’s plenty to see beyond party-heavy Bourbon Street including the evening Art Market and jazz cafes along Frenchmen Street, the French Market, and Café Du Monde, with its famous beignets. Next, drive 500 miles west to Austin for shopping on South Congress Avenue and bar-hopping on Rainey Street. Then prepare for colder temperatures, desert vistas, and an all-day drive 700 miles west to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Schedule a checkupYou drive a lot on road trips, which means your car needs servicing before you hit the road. A mechanic can service your car’s basic maintenance, including changing its oil and tuning-up its engine, while also checking the windshield wipers, brake pads, air filters, and headlights, and replace them, if necessary. “Investigate anything out of the ordinary in how your car normally runs before you leave on a long road trip,” says David Goldsmith, owner of Urban C

Inn at Dos BrisasThe culinary program at the nine-room Inn at Dos Brisas—situated on 313 verdant acres in Washington, Texas—redefines the farm-to-table concept. The experience begins with a tour of the 42-acre USDA-certified organic farm, followed by a chance to prepare a produce-focused menu alongside Executive Chef Zachary Ladwig, and closes with a seasonally inspired cocktail lesson. Chewton GlenNestled in the heart of New Forest in Hampshire, England, Chewton Glen boasts a brand-new culinary

For workout addicts: Intensive Body RecoveryIf no day is complete without a little—or a lot—of sweating, flying can be more uncomfortable for you. Not only is squeezing into a tight space a tall order when you’re crafting major muscles, but your body may be tired from all the pumping, jumping, and running. Consider squeezing a bit of Weleda Arnica Intensive Body Recovery into a 3-ounce travel bottle that helps to soothe tired muscles from aches and stress. Just massage into your problem, p

1 / 11Santa Fe, New MexicoTucked into the Sangre de Cristo foothills just minutes from Santa Fe is an immersive resort that offers a wide array of energy-rushing activity and a climate that is beautiful year-round. At the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado, you can fulfill all of your outdoor-adventure desires, including whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, horseback riding, and even snowshoeing (the Santa Fe Ski Basin is just 35 miles from the resort). The resort’s Adventure Architec

Escape for a nightHeat things up this winter by planning an overnight getaway—you can take advantage of low rates and fewer people—especially with a resort destination. For an East Coast example, Atlantic City boasts celebrity restaurants, luxury hotels, and upscale retail shopping. Adjacent to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the Water Club is the city’s first boutique-lifestyle hotel, offering a personalized guest experience within a distinctively cosmopolitan setting that’s a progr

Palestinian territories—up 58 percent An unlikely front-runner, the Palestinian territories consisting of the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip saw a strong surge in tourism over the past year.. The spike was (at least partly) driven by the opening of the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, which flaunts rooms customized by the likes of Banksy, Sami Musa, and Dominique Petrin. Other attractions include numerous historically significant archaeological, historical, and religious sites. Egyp

1 / 11Try snow tubing at Montage Deer ValleySure, you know Park City, Utah has some of the best skiing in the country, but the popular Montage Deer Valley resort also has its own snow tubing park. The tubing hill has a magic carpet feature to scoot you back up the hill as well, and the park is open from 2 p.m. until dusk. Nearby, you’ll also find sleigh rides, a toboggan-style alpine coaster, and a winter zip line across the snow. Don’t miss these destinations that are even better in