The sun rises and sets all day long Astronauts aboard the International Space Station witness way more sunrises and sunsets than those of us on Earth: 16 of each per day. That’s because the station travels at about 17,500 miles per hour, completing a full orbit of Earth every 90 minutes. Signs of life on Earth are most visible at nightThe most prominent signs of human life during the day are airplane contrails, wakes created by boats, and the textured grey of big cities, says NASA astronaut Terr

Stay between the third and sixth floorsHotel thefts are most common on the first and second floor, so staying on a floor above those will reduce your chance of having belongings stolen. Another consideration: Most fire engine ladders can’t reach the seventh floor. Rest easier by requesting the third, fourth, fifth, or sixth floor. Hotel managers shared 10 secret tips to help you get a free hotel upgrade. Skip the historic staysA Victorian B&B might be charming, personal, and romantic—but it

VancouverLocated in the southwest corner of British Columbia, and surrounded by water on three sides, Vancouver is an irresistibly vibrant, diverse, and verdant coastal city, which makes it one of the more exciting Canada destinations. Its mild climate and natural beauty lure visitors year round. This picturesque seaport also has thriving art, music, and culinary scenes. On the itinerary: Explore Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre urban oasis featuring lush forests, beaches, and trails; stroll through V

AntarcticaThis is one of those trips people save for after they’re retired. After all, you may spot King or Emperor penguins, Leopard or Crabeater seals, and even Minke whales. So why doesn’t everyone hop on a ship this year to go? The sailings are about two weeks long, embark from Argentina, and can be expensive.One to consider: Abercrombie & Kent’s luxury expedition trips start at 12 days, carry a mere 199 guests at the most, and include plenty of educational opportunitie

Your carry-on bag…Is leave it on the plane. Flight crews ask you to keep your luggage clear of the aisles for a reason; in the event of an evacuation, you don’t want it blocking an escape route. With as little as 90 seconds to evacuate a burning place, the precious time spent reaching for luggage could be a life and death decision for someone. Learn about the 22 things flight attendants won’t tell you.ⓘ Your seat…Is behind the wings. A Popular Mechanics study of 20 commercial jet cra

A long-term investmentThis large leather duffel-style bag by Moral Code is an investment piece you won’t regret, and it’s one of our favorite low-maintenance weekender bags. Its sturdy leather construction will stand up to dings, bangs, messy overhead bins, and just about anything else, and the hide will soften and age beautifully with time. Plus, it’s a major style statement. Learn how to spot a quality piece of luggage.Buy now A weather-resistant choiceIf you’re the typ

1 / 14Stay smart at a Disney propertyStaying on property at a Walt Disney World resort comes with a slew of included amenities that make it a must if you’re visiting the Orlando theme park, including the free Magical Express shuttle service to and from the airport (they collect your suitcases, so you don’t waste time at the luggage carousel, and even check your bags straight through to your home destination from your hotel). The immersive theming is an extra perk, and so are the earl

Mountain Peaks (Maggie Valley, North Carolina)There’s no bad time for an escape to the Great Smoky Mountains—and this quaint cabin is the place to stay. Fill your days with tennis, golf, and fishing. In the evening, pour yourself a glass of wine and marvel at the majestic peaks. While you’re there, be sure to carve out a few hours for the Wheels Through Time Museum and Elevated Mountain Distilling Company.Book now Whispering Pine Lodge (Blue Ridge, Georgia)A weekend at Whispering Pin

Make a plan before you leaveWhile travel blogger Nate Hake used to make day-by-day itineraries before he left for vacation, he now recommends a more spontaneous approach to jet setting. This might be a tad more nerve-wracking, but Hake says having every-little-detail mapped out can stand in the way of more memorable experiences. “After enough time, you start to learn that the best experiences are unplanned. From making a group of Russian friends in the self-proclaimed nation of Abkhazia to

Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera CancúnWinner of a 2018 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award, Secrets Maroma Beach Riviera Cancún is located 12 miles north of Playa del Carmen (one of the most popular vacation destinations in Mexico). This lauded all-inclusive caters to a discerning crowd, so it’s safe to call it one of the best Secrets resorts. Five-star luxury permeates every facet of the resort, from the impeccably appointed accommodations to the gourmet dining. Reviewers say they̵

Be clear about your arrival and departure datesMake sure you go over the dates of your visit with the host in advance, and be sure to respect their schedule. Clear it with your host first if you want to bring anyone else (a date, children, your dog, etc.).ⓘ Bring a giftBringing a gift for your host is proper guest etiquette, but you don’t have to spend a ton of money. Try something that you and your host can enjoy together, like a bottle of wine or a box of cookies from your favorite homet

Taj Mahal, IndiaWhy It’s Overrated: While Natalia from My Trip Hack says the architecture of the Taj Mahal—with its ancient white marble is awe-worthy—the long queues are not. No matter what time of year you visit, she says you’ll find a swarm of tourists crowding the area. She also notes how difficult it is to ignore the wealth disparity, too: “It’s hard not to notice a drying and polluted river, people living on the streets, scammers capitalizing on the tourists just a

Zip it shut, then add moreClosing your suitcase will compress everything inside, giving you more room to squeeze in last-minute items. Open it up and search for spots between other belongings or in corners.ⓘ Pick the right orderStart by packing your heavier clothing items such as jeans, then layer thinner shirts on top of them to make it easier to force your suitcase closed. Plus, leaving more delicate items near the top will keep the weight of bulkier clothes from squashing them and formi

Stay off the beaten path“Booking a hotel just a few blocks away from the beach can help you save big,” says Scott Steinberg, founder and CEO of SELECT: Your City’s Secrets Unlocked. Likewise, destinations looking to boost tourism, such as Ecuador or Iceland, may offer better deals than more traditional getaways, like England or France. Psst… It pays to know the super-secret language of travel deals. Compare flight prices on several travel websitesSure, you know the basic

Austin, TexasIf you visit Austin, there’s a chance you may never leave: The Texas capital was recently named the #1 place to live in America by U.S. News. With fantastic nightlife and food, great live music, and plenty of beautiful outdoor spots, this city has got a little bit of everything. You’ll want to grab a bite to eat at East Side King for some inspired Japanese street food, preferably before you catch a show at Hole in the Wall, right next door. Definitely don’t forget

She doesn’t need a passportBe jealous: When the queen heads out on any one of her numerous tours, she needn’t fret over misplacing her passport. In Britain, each passport is issued in the queen’s name. Consequently, she herself doesn’t need to carry one. Here’s exactly why international travel is way easier for Queen Elizabeth than it is for you.ⓘ She doesn’t need to pay taxes (but she does anyway)While some of Britain’s tax money does go toward ma

Don’t get ticketed in the first placeHere are a few ground rules to always follow:After you park, carefully read all signs you can see to determine if parking is legal on the day/time and for as long as you planned to be parked.If it’s metered parking, make sure to pay as directed, and don’t stay beyond the time you’ve purchased.When available, use apps: Plenty of municipalities have their own parking apps One example is Park White Plains, which truly simplifies parking i

Chargers and power adaptersThis may seem like a duh, but it bears repeating. Don’t forget to pack your chargers and load up on extra adapters, advises Tim Minerd, Oasis Collection, a home rental consortium. “You can never have too many,” he says, especially if you are traveling to a country with a different voltage. And don’t forget portable chargers for when you’re out seeing the sights. These are the most popular travel tips that are no longer true. Child safety g

Earthquake triggers tsunami in HawaiiIn 1946, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake was recorded off the coast of Alaska’s Unimak Island. A 50-foot tsunami crashed into Unimak shortly after the quake, killing five people who lived in a lighthouse. The wave continued toward the southern Pacific; it would travel all the way to Hawaii. “As the first wave came in and receded, the water in Hawaii’s Hilo Bay seemed to disappear,” writes history.com. “Boats were left on the sea floor next

Good odds: BlackjackGambling can be fun, but it’s designed to part you from your hard-earned cash. If you’re going to hit the tables, stick with blackjack, aka twenty-one. The exact origins of this game are as mysterious as the hand you get dealt at a table. The game’s popularity has grown to include various versions and live online games, which isn’t surprising when you consider that according to blackjackapprenticeship.com, it’s the only beatable casino game—if yo