ⓘMcBannedIn the United States, you can barely be 100 miles from a McDonald’s. Because of this, it might come as a surprise that some countries don’t have a single one. But it’s true; everything from economic collapse to political strife has resulted in these nations being free of the Golden Arches. Here is exactly how far you can be from a McDonalds in the U.S.  BermudaUntil 1995, there was only one McDonald’s restaurant on this island. Now, there are zero. The coun

Sitting down in Venice, Italy. Fine: $588You know how, when you are traveling and your legs ache, you just want to sit down already? That simple act, if you do it in an undesignated spot in Venice, could cost you $588—per a current proposal—if local polizia spot you. The reason? The city is overcrowded, and officials are desperately trying to figure out ways to curb tourism. Solution: Find a café and order a coffee, tea, or gelato. Not surprisingly, Venice and its gondolas make our list of most

The Bird’s NestThe Bird’s Nest is part of the Treehotel compound in Sweden and well-camouflaged with branches secluding the view. Inside the treehouse is pure luxury with its circular design. Copper NestThe Copper Nest connects to an existing deck at a home outside of Milwaukee and includes reclaimed wood in half of its construction. It also uses steel awnings that were given a rust patina that blends into the background of the wooded area. Check out the strangest and most unique hotels around t

Ice ice babyFor The Independent‘s acting head of travel Julia Buckley, a trip from London to Newark took nine hours because of strong winds the entire way. The delay itself, though, took place after the flight landed, when everyone’s luggage was stuck in the cargo bay because the doors had iced over. Buckley claims that she has not been back to Newark Airport.ⓘ Runaway pilotsHard to fly without pilots. Impossible, in fact. But that was the problem facing travel journalist Alyss

Exploring the AmazonWith floor-to-ceiling windows in your cabin, you won’t miss a thing as you cruise down the Amazon on a Delfin River Cruise. Its Delfin II is a river cruise that’s perfect for families thanks to its 14 large guest suites, four of which can be interconnected to accommodate multigenerational travel. (Children seven-years-old and up are welcome on the ship.) The three or four-night itineraries take you deep into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, one of the world

Tidy upWhile cleaning may not seem like a priority because you’re not going to be home anyway, leaving a clean house will pay dividends on your return (your nose will thank you!). Mary Cecchini, founder of Living Big, a company that creates inspired adventures for women says you should never leaves home without: Clearing the fridge and pantry of foods that will go bad while you’re away; do the laundry and make sure the washing machine is empty of wet clothes and the dryer is off when

Google Maps is older and wiserIn celebration of its 15thyear helping us get from A to Z without any hiccups, Google Maps unveiled a host of changes that will make this popular app smarter and sleeker than before. The update makes navigation even simpler with the addition of two new tabs at the bottom of the screen. Now you can explore, go, save, contribute, and update all from the home screen. It’s more than just exploring and choosing the best route. Check out these hidden Google Map tric

Barcelona, SpainThe best-known views of this Spanish architectural gem are of La Sagrada Família, a spired cathedral masterwork designed by celebrated Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. After you’ve soaked up the scenery from a cruise ship like Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas, ramble along La Rambla, Barcelona’s lively pedestrian thoroughfare, and to Güell Park to see the mosaics that line the walls. Be sure to add these incredible cruises to your travel bucket list too. Ma

Denali aka Mt. McKinley, AlaskaDenali, the name of the HIGHEST mountain in North America sits at the centerpiece of Denali National Park and Preserve in south-central Alaska.  The mountain sits 20,310 feet above sea level and is the third most prominent and third most isolated peak on Earth, following Mount Everest in Nepal and Aconcagua in Argentina.Denali National Park is home to nearly 12,000 lakes and glaciers that cover roughly one million acres of the park, about one sixth of the entire pa

The rankingsEach year, the American College of Sports Medicine releases a ranking of the 100 largest cities in the U.S. based on their health and fitness initiatives. The resulting ASCM American Fitness Index is calculated using 33 indicators, such as personal health behaviors of residents (exercise, healthy eating, smoking), recreational facilities (swimming pools, tennis courts), community/environment (farmers markets, parks), and more. In 2018, the health-minded state of California had four c

New York CityIt might seem overly obvious, but New York is the easiest place in the country to get around without a car. In fact, having a car is probably more of a liability than a benefit in the City That Never Sleeps. The density of the metropolis ensures that you’ll never be more than a couple blocks away from somewhere to get groceries or meet friends for a drink, and the city’s many parks make for excellent strolls. Walk along the 1.45-mile-long High Line, a beautifully curated

It’s cheaperOnce the kids are back at school prices drop, sometimes considerably. Natasha Rachel Smith, travel expert at TopCashback.com, explains that fall can be one of the cheapest times of the year to go on vacation, since in many locations it’s considered a shoulder season or off-season. Those off-season prices can equal big savings. For example, High Hampton Inn, a historic mountain resort in Cashiers North Carolina, is offering three nights for the price of two for now until N

Beirut, LebanonThis may come as a surprise, but it’s also plenty of people’s dream to see the “Paris of the Middle East,” as Beirut is nicknamed. “Cognizant of today’s geopolitical climate, Americans are shifting the conversation from apprehension to understanding and are openly exploring destinations in the Middle East,” says Jamee Lubkemann, vice president of American Express Travel. Beirut—one of the world’s oldest settlements—is a confluence of

1 / 50Burnt Corn, AlabamaFunny town names that have to do with food, like this Alabama town, are the coolest. There are a few legends about how Burnt Corn got its name. Some say settlers burned the Indians’ corn fields; others say Indians burned the settlers’ corn. Either way, conflict between the two groups climaxed at the Battle of Burnt Corn in 1813, which the Native Americans won. Don’t miss this other United States trivia you never learned in school. 2 / 50 Unalaska, AlaskaTher

The Paleo Lab at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, TexasHere’s an opportunity to be the first of your friends to meet Nanuqsaurus, a newly assembled relative of Tyrannosaurus Rex featured at the brand new Paleo Lab at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. The Lab opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held August 28, 2018, and features an augmented reality experience that puts you up close with dinosaurs such as Diplodocus, Velociraptor, and T. Rex, as well as hands-on fossi

Skopje, MacedoniaAccording to a study conducted by Wanderu, Macedonia is home to the cheapest capital in all of Europe. Skopje is historic at its core, featuring Ottoman- and Byzantine-era sights. Tourists will enjoy the many museums, shops in the old Turkish bazaar, and the quaint cafés. These 10 unforgettable European vacations will set you back less than $400 a day. Pristina, KosovoThe capital and the largest city of Kosovo, Pristina isn’t known as an overwhelming tourist destination. I

Ignorance of the law is no excuseIt sounds like something out of a movie, but traveling the world with some of your most used medications could land you with a massive fine or even jail time: “The medications most often restricted are controlled substances, such as opiates and stimulants, and psychotropic medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics,” says Claudia Zegans, MD, associate medical director at Global Rescue, a travel-risk and crisis-response firm providing medi

A printed itinerary“My itinerary lays out everything from flight times to transportation plans, hotel information and dinner reservations—I keep those types of things all on one sheet of paper (or two) as a reference document to guide me,” John Hahns, CEO of Imagine! Print Solutions and frequent business traveler, says. Hahns says his printed itinerary is a crucial part of his travel checklist each and every time he gets on a plane—which currently amounts to about 175 times per year.

The Red Lion Inn, The Berkshires, MassachusettsThe Berkshires of Western Massachusetts are a popular rural vacation spot, especially in the fall. Surrounded by the gorgeous Berkshire Mountains and bordered to the west by the Hoosic and Housatonic Rivers, the Berkshire region has plenty to offer for those seeking relaxation or a more active vacation. The Red Lion Inn, established in 1773 and in continuous operation since, is a fantastic place to spend your fall foliage vacation. The Inn consists

Safer: New York CityWith the bright lights, famous landmarks, and myriad choices of entertainment and culinary delights, the Big Apple is a must-see for travelers. Even though crime rates have fallen dramatically since the 1990s, New York City still raises fear in those unfamiliar with the city that never sleeps. Time to change that perception: According to a recent study conducted by Stratos Jets, it’s actually safer than most think. Travel agent, Greg Antonelle agrees, saying, “I g