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  • Travel Tips

How to Explore Small Town Travel for Big Adventures & a Positive Impact

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  • Posted by by Wanderful Team
  • September 22, 2020
  • 6 minute read

Have you considered more small town travel this year? You’re not alone! There’s a wave of seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations to visit these days.

Maybe you’re staying local and exploring more places in your own region. Or maybe you’re traveling internationally but shirking the big cities.

However you’re traveling (or dreaming of traveling) right now, we LOVE the idea of small town adventures. That’s why we dedicated a whole session to it at the Wanderful Woman Summit.

You should especially review the session “Small Town, Big Adventure: How to Find, Visit, and Support Small Towns and Small Business.”

These travel experts offered ample insight into exploring small towns wherever you travel in the world!

Wanderful Woman Summit screenshot for Small Town, Big Adventure

Get all their tips — plus expert advice for outdoor adventures, budget travel, road trips, and more! It’s all free and available on-demand for your convenience.

Learn how to support small business and when to know if a small town can handle your tourism with these great tips from Nikki Vargas of Unearth Women , Nada Raphael of Tourleb, and Geetika Agrawal of Vacation with An Artist (VAWAA)

Check out the full recording (for free!) to hear  all  of their tips for finding, visiting, and supporting small towns and small business around the world.

With access to the Wanderful Woman Summit recordings, you also get a virtual swag bag! Enjoy discounts and perks from our sponsors in travel.

Related reading: Unearth Women featured Geetika Agrawal and VAWAA

Why We Love Small Town Travel

Small communities and small towns are the heart and soul of a place. There’s something more intimate and personal about visiting a small town.

It feels like cities have become so globalized that you could be anywhere in the world and see the same things. There’s a Starbucks and a Hard Rock Cafe no matter where you are in the world.

But small towns show off a different side of a place. It’s perhaps a more realistic view of this place, or at least a variation of it.

There’s an interdependency in small towns, too. The local creators will work with local cafes and bars; the local artisans will sell their work through local stores and accommodations.

So there’s a beauty in being able to tap into this local space even as a tourist.

empty railways in a small town

Don’t forget: small town travel can be done locally, too!

The passport stamp and the far-flung destination doesn’t have to be the only dreamy travel you could plan. In fact, those bucket list types of places you’re dreaming about might just have similar locales near home.

In the discussion, Geetika and Nikki offered tips for day trips from NYC…including a town known for making butter and a lavender field a la Provence! Listen in here.

Whether you’re considering small town travel to stay local or to get a glimpse into a different lifestyle from your own, the options are plentiful.

You could drive just a few hours and see something and somewhere utterly different. Or you could book your next international trip and include those small towns in your adventure.

Remember, just because the airport is located in a large city doesn’t mean you need to stay there.

Find out how Nada’s company, Tour l eb , features small towns and local artisans in Lebanon. She shares her insights here.

How to Plan an International Trip to Small Towns

It can be a bit more challenging to plan travel to smaller towns. By their nature, they are less famous and written about less often than the big cities and popular destinations!

But you could start in the simplest of ways: just by looking at maps!

If you want to have some outdoor adventure , then seek out those parks or places where you can get outside. Nearby, you’re likely to find a small town that can offer a unique perspective on this place.

Another idea is to search for local events and festivals. Small towns might be locally known for very specific annual events, like a butter festival or a cider festival!

Look those up and try to plan your trip to that place to experience this local activity.

Follow local bloggers and see what they’ve written about under the “off-the-beaten-path” topic. Local bloggers love highlighting the lesser-known destinations in their areas. They have the time and interest to explore this place in-depth.

If they haven’t written about something specific that you’re seeking, it’s okay to reach out and ask for suggestions to meet your needs. Just be sure to thank the blogger for their other work!

Are you a travel content creator? Get more insights to help you thrive

Local travel planners are another fantastic resource.

Whether it’s a tour company like Tourleb or a local blogger offering itinerary planning services, there are plenty of options!

Seek out those local experts and pay for their help to find the best small towns to visit and the locals to support.

Finally, check out Airbnb. There is a section they offer for “nearby getaways” that might spark your interest to research even more.

Instead of just going straight to the major city you’ve heard of, start there and search a little deeper to learn even more about this place and people.

Keep in mind that your favorite travel agents or international travel businesses will likely have local contacts!

Big companies like Intrepid Travel or G Adventures love to support local endeavors. They can make recommendations to inspire your small-town adventures.

How to Find Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses

Finding and supporting minority- and women-owned businesses when we travel is an ideal way to make sure our tourism investment is staying in the community.

Finding those businesses can be a challenge.

Local tour companies, experts, and bloggers could all personally advise you. There’s a tendency for this type of local information in small towns to only travel by word of mouth.

While this is a bit more difficult, the extra research certainly pays off!

Geetika made such valid points about shifting our way of thinking in seeking out these experiences when we travel. Listen in!

Wanderful women's travel group photo

Tapping your own personal network — including the global Wanderful community ! — can also help you find and support those businesses locally.

Try asking questions of the people who have been there before. Folks in travel communities love sharing their tips and tricks!

Finally, there are some places that have formal guides and listings of women- or minority-owned businesses in that location. There are many places in the US where you can access this insight, though that’s not always the case internationally.

Be sure to ask in the Wanderful community whenever you’re going somewhere new to you!

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How to Appreciate Without Appropriating

There is certainly a challenge to traveling in places with smaller tourism industries. We don’t want to commodify a place or a people when we visit, which means doing research and being respectful throughout our tourism journey.

The goal in traveling is to appreciate learning about this other place with its unique history and culture, without appropriating that culture.

So how can we appreciate this small town travel without overstepping our boundaries? Big cities and popular tourist destinations are more accustomed to having tourists around gawking at places and even people. In small towns, that type of behavior is as completely foreign as it is rude.

If there’s one positive thing to come from the chaos of 2020, it has been a pause in the mass tourism industry.

Places that were struggling with overtourism are now empty. Destinations dealing with pollution and congestion are easing into a better balance.

But that is not a forever change.

To be a responsible traveler, it’s important to ask yourself what you’re getting from this travel you’re doing.

What is your impact? Are you giving back more than you’re taking? And are you learning about this place and people and allowing it to challenge your preconceptions?

The exchange of ideas and space and time is the beauty of travel. Keeping that in mind can make such a difference in how we all travel over time!

Understanding that this place might have different values or traditions than you do and respecting that fact can open you up to unique experiences.

smiling woman holding black smartphone

And remember that we all have influence!

You don’t need 100,000 followers on Instagram to influence other people’s travel choices. Your friends and family who listen to your travel stories will potentially be influenced in their future travel decisions.

Providing context to your photos and stories is the best way to ensure you’re appreciating a place and passing that appreciation on to others.

There were some beautiful thoughts shared during this panel. Listen in to catch them all.

How to Travel to Small Towns Responsibly

Whether during current concerns or due to any local events or issues, being a responsible traveler is so vital to the health and safety of everyone involved.

Consider your transportation, your accommodations, your activities, and everywhere you dine or drink. Try to take care with the decisions you make for all of these interactions with locals.

We all want to make sure that we’re being respectful of local concerns as well as the impact we have on those communities.

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Stay updated on local news in the lead-up to your trip so you are aware of current events and concerns.

It’s a great idea to follow bloggers, tour companies, and travel experts on social media who are local to that area. They will likely post updated information that can help you ensure you’re keeping up with local requirements or regulations.

Making a positive impact — especially in small-town travel — can leave a better impression for future travelers and their interactions with locals.

We love small town travel and hope everyone will consider heading out to meet people from other places and backgrounds in these smaller communities.

Whether it’s in your backyard or around the world, get out there and see the small towns that are the heart and soul of a place!

Do you love small town travel? Tell us in the comments!

Wanderful Woman Summit: Get all the tools you need to travel safely and confidently.

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Wanderful Team

We are the Wanderful Team, helping connect women travelers everywhere. Join our international membership community of globally-minded women to connect, learn, share, and celebrate! Visit sheswanderful.com/join

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Like all the articles I found here, this one serves good too. Lots of new ideas and different thoughts to face our own dreams of traveling the world. I think due to the pandemic situation, many of us had given a chance to explore the local small places but a real travel pleasure ones around us.

I’m working in Dubai in a domestic workers visa serving agency and as a result I’m getting the chance to connect with women from different parts of the world. It’s often great to be friends with people from different culture, taste and preferences.

I have read your blog post about Dubai as well, and I can relate to many of the ideas you shared as I’m quite experienced the safety and freedom of being here in this wonderful place.

Regards, Zahra Hakimi Maids Skill Developer at https://www.tadbeer.ae

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Best small towns to visit in the usa.

Filled with charm and plenty of friendly locals, small towns are synonymous with American life. To help you decide which destinations are the best small towns to visit in the USA, U.S. News evaluated places with a population of less than 50,000 people that offer plenty of restaurants and attractions, plus boast picture-perfect natural beauty and a unique character all their own. So, ditch the city crowds and start planning your small-town getaway – and don't forget to vote for your favorite destination to help us determine next year's list.

Jackson Hole

Steamboat springs, breckenridge, st. augustine, cannon beach, williamsburg, hilton head, martha's vineyard, kennebunkport.

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Bar Harbor is small-town Maine at its finest. This relaxing East Coast retreat is filled with charming bed-and-breakfast accommodations and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Boat tours, history tours and culinary tours are just a few ways travelers can get better acquainted with Bar Harbor. What's more, the town is a gateway to Maine's top attraction , Acadia National Park, where visitors can hike, bike, kayak and explore tide pools. Travelers should come hungry: Lobstering is still an important contributor to Bar Harbor's economy, which means local restaurants have plenty of fresh lobster and other seafood on their menus.

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This Colorado town woos visitors with its captivating scenery and delightful Mountain Village, a European-style resort town filled with restaurants, shops, accommodations and more. Skiers flock to Telluride's slopes for more than 2,000 acres of terrain, plus ample après-ski spots, more than 300 inches of snow and 300 days of sun annually. Year-round, the town hosts numerous festivals and cultural events, and travelers can hike, go zip lining and golf when the weather warms. Plan to set aside a day to hop in the car for a road trip along the San Juan Skyway, too.

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A popular California vacation destination, Monterey is known for its stunning coastal setting. The best ways to enjoy the region's geography are to ride along the 17-Mile Drive (keep your eyes peeled for Monterey's famous Lone Cypress) and hike through the beautiful Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. If you're a golfer, don't miss the chance to hit the links at Pebble Beach, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful courses in the country. You'll also want to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium (one of the best aquariums in the country ) and explore Old Fisherman's Wharf's candy shops if you're traveling with kids.

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If your ideal getaway includes tranquil beach days in an exclusive locale, look no further than Nantucket. This tiny island off the coast of Massachusetts is beloved by travelers for its quaint small-town atmosphere and three photogenic lighthouses. Although you'll likely want to spend most of your time with your toes in the sand (Surfside and Jetties Beach are two popular shorelines), if you do tire of the sun, head to Nantucket's Whaling Museum to delve into the island's unique whaling history. Other activities include strolling along the Sconset Bluff Walk and birdwatching at the Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge.

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Jackson Hole has made a name for itself thanks to its roughly 400 inches of annual snowfall and 2,500 acres of skiable terrain. But this must-visit mountain town is more than a top ski spot: Visitors return to this Wyoming valley year after year for its picturesque scenery, cozy lodging and proximity to Grand Teton National Park . As such, expect outdoor activities galore, including mountain biking, paragliding and whitewater rafting in the warmer months. What's more, you can even view wild elk at the nearby National Elk Refuge.

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Straddling the California-Nevada state line, Lake Tahoe lets visitors choose their own adventure. Winter travelers can ski at Palisades Tahoe, the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, while summertime visitors can soak up some sun at Kings Beach State Recreation Area. If you want to get out on the water, try kayaking, scuba diving or stand-up paddleboarding at Sand Harbor State Park. Or, keep dry while exploring the various trails at Emerald Bay State Park. Meanwhile, those with extra money to spend can tempt Lady Luck at the casinos located on the Nevada side of the lake.

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Situated along the banks of the Yampa River, this northern Colorado town offers excellent cross-country and downhill skiing conditions, a community of friendly locals and geothermal hot springs that are perfect after a long day spent on the slopes. Travel to Steamboat in the fall for brilliant foliage in Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, or visit in the spring to get an eyeful of the cascades at Fish Creek Falls. Meanwhile, the whole family will enjoy rafting down the Yampa River and hiking the Yampa River Core Trail.

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You'll find the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation in this one-of-a-kind Arizona town. The 200-plus hiking trails are great for nature lovers, while the vortexes draw holistic enthusiasts and the luxe spas cater to visitors looking to unwind. For a bit of retail therapy, head to Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village. Or, enjoy a drive along the Red Rock Scenic Byway for stunning views of Sedona's breathtaking natural features. After visiting one of the local wineries for a tasting, conclude your day with a romantic dinner for two at one of Sedona's top restaurants .

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You'll find stunning Colorado mountain vistas year-round in this former gold rush town. Winter is when powder hounds flock to Breckenridge's ski resorts to shred powder on their slopes. Once the weather warms up, other outdoor pursuits like hiking and biking the Vail Pass Path and Boreas Pass Road become the top priorities for active travelers. And you won't want to skip a stroll down historic Main Street, which is lined with boutiques, restaurants and cafes. Regardless of when you visit, you'll discover plenty of breweries and a distillery to unwind at after a busy day on the trails or slopes.

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This eastern Utah town serves as a gateway to the otherworldly rock formations of Arches National Park and the numerous canyons and buttes in Canyonlands National Park. Daredevils will appreciate Moab's long list of adventure activities, which include zip lining, whitewater rafting and rock climbing. The town itself hosts countless festivals, including the Moab Folk Festival, the Moab ArtWalk and the Moab Music Festival. Plus, families will love learning about the town's history at fascinating attractions like Moab Giants, a dinosaur museum and park.

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Full of history and unspoiled beaches, St. Augustine is one of the best places to visit in Florida . After strolling along St. George Street and through the Colonial Quarter, head to the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum for photo-worthy views of the town's many Spanish colonial landmarks and Salt Run lagoon. Alternatively, you can attempt to reclaim your adolescence at Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park or head to the shore to relax and wade in the calm ocean waters. And if you're a fan of the paranormal, save time for a ghost tour .

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This scenic Oregon town's main draw is its nearly 4-mile-long stretch of sand and towering rock formations. A vacation here should include relaxing on the beach, viewing the tide pools and exploring the area's parks, which include showstoppers like Ecola State Park, Hug Point State Recreation Site and Oswald West State Park. Before you head home, be sure to catch a glimpse of this coastal town's tufted puffins, which can usually be seen nesting at Haystack Rock between April and July. What's more, Cannon Beach is home to several restaurants along Oregon's North Coast Food Trail and hosts a variety of festivals celebrating literature, art and cuisine.  

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A scenic seaside retreat in New Jersey and a top U.S. tourist attraction , Cape May invites travelers to take it easy. You'll want to spend time meandering through the historic district to admire the Victorian homes and enjoying fresh seafood at the oceanfront restaurants. You will also need a few days to fully enjoy the local beaches, which offer opportunities for volleyball, fishing, surfing and swimming (beach tags are required Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day for beachgoers 12 and older). What's more, several beaches welcome dogs during the offseason, so no family member has to miss out on the fun.

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Head to this quaint Virginia town to explore its Colonial district, where visitors can transport themselves back to the olden days as they interact with actors in period clothing and learn more about life during the Revolutionary War. To continue the history lesson, travelers should also plan to stop by the Colonial National Historic Park, home to Historic Jamestowne and the Yorktown Battlefield. Those who need a break from the area's rich history can head to Busch Gardens Williamsburg or Water Country USA, one of the best water parks in the U.S. , for all kinds of fun thrills.

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Located in the heart of one of America's best winemaking regions, this Northern California town boasts all the personality of a rustic yet refined locale, without the crowds and high price tags of its larger neighbor, Napa Valley . Before checking out one of the county's 400-plus wineries, spend the afternoon exploring the shops, fine-dining restaurants and tasting rooms within the 8-acre Sonoma Plaza. Conclude your trip with a visit to Sonoma Coast State Park for beautiful beach views and numerous hiking opportunities.

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This New Mexico town draws in visitors with its adobe architecture and diverse mix of things to do. Here, you'll find Taos Pueblo, the only living Native American community with UNESCO World Heritage Site status and a National Historic Landmark designation, as well as the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, which is the second-highest bridge on America's highway system. Plus, Taos' historic adobe district hosts seasonal outdoor concerts and is home to various shops and art galleries. If you decide to visit in winter, you can enjoy proximity to excellent ski slopes.

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Hilton Head offers 12 miles of wide, sandy beaches for kids to play and parents to relax. Golf and tennis are popular pursuits in this South Carolina vacation spot, but so are biking around town and taking boat tours. Once you've gotten your fill of outdoor adventures, meet some of the creatures who call South Carolina home at Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge (think: deer, otters, foxes, snakes and more than 250 bird species) before ending your day visiting the quaint galleries, shops and restaurants in Harbour Town.

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Though long believed to be a vacation spot for the wealthy, Martha's Vineyard is home to numerous bed-and-breakfast accommodations, vacation rentals, boutique hotels and campgrounds that can accommodate any budget. Pristine shores outline this Massachusetts hot spot, which makes it tough to pick just one beach to bask on for the day. Martha's Vineyard also offers a variety of water sports, from kayaking to stand-up paddleboarding. When you've had enough fun in the sun, visit the colorful cottages in Oak Bluffs or check out the Island Alpaca Company.

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Stowe makes for a great winter getaway (thanks to its ski slopes), a fun fall trip (thanks to its famously vibrant foliage) and an enjoyable spring or summer vacation (thanks to its various outdoor offerings and events). This enchanting Vermont town is set in a valley and backed by mountains, which means exploring Mother Nature by foot, bike, ski or zip line is a top priority for most travelers. When it's time to wind down, vacationers can visit one of the area's breweries or enjoy a scoop of ice cream and a factory tour at the Ben & Jerry's Waterbury Factory.

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Located in the heart of the Smokies, this Tennessee mountain town offers both wild adventures and down-home charm. Gatlinburg is home to one of the main entrances to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where you'll find 150 hiking trails that will surely please adventurers of all skill levels. Arrive in fall to admire stunning foliage while riding the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway or venturing to the top of the Gatlinburg Space Needle. After taking in the scenery, learn about craftsmanship at the Great Smoky Arts & Crafts Community or take the kids to Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies.

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This famous Bush family hideaway is more than just a retreat for the rich and famous. Kennebunkport, Maine, is an ideal getaway for all kinds of travelers thanks to its laid-back atmosphere, beautiful coastal landscape and family-friendly beaches. Plus, accommodations range from refined bed and breakfasts to fun family resorts. Kennebunkport must-do's include soaking up some sun at Gooch's Beach and signing up for a boat tour to enjoy everything from sunset views to lessons in how to catch lobsters. No visit would be complete without browsing the shops and art galleries in Dock Square.

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Maryland's capital exudes small-town charm. Best known for its historic downtown area (which features an array of restaurants, art galleries and boutiques) and rich sailing ties (the town is home to the United States Naval Academy, after all), Annapolis is the perfect destination for a laid-back weekend getaway. On sunny days, travelers can take advantage of outdoor attractions like Quiet Waters Park, Ego Alley and Sandy Point State Park, which boasts a small beach along the Chesapeake Bay. On rainy days, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy, from exploring the Banneker-Douglass Museum to touring the Maryland State House.

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Hood River, Oregon, is the gateway to both the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and the Cascade Range, giving you seemingly endless opportunities to spend time outdoors. It's also home to the Hood River Fruit Loop, where you'll find farm stands, wineries, and berry and lavender farms producing a delicious bounty (huckleberry ice cream is a must). While here, don't forget to save time for checking out nearby natural wonders like Multnomah Falls and Mount Hood, the latter of which is always covered with snow on its peak.

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Southern charm is available everywhere you turn in this South Carolina town. While visiting beautiful Beaufort, you'll discover moss-laden trees, superb waterfront views and gorgeous architecture. After admiring the stately homes in the town's Historic District, take a leisurely stroll by the water in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, or rent a bike and admire the flora along the Spanish Moss Trail. Also set aside some time for a daytrip to stunning Hunting Island State Park, which is located 18 miles southeast of Beaufort and features 5 miles of beaches.

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Famous for its bevy of Civil War sites, Gettysburg certainly won't disappoint those with a penchant for history. However, the Pennsylvania town's slower pace of life and overall charm will certainly satisfy those looking to recharge and unwind. In addition to its main attraction, Gettysburg National Military Park, the town features a variety of inns, local shops and farm-to-table restaurants, many of which line Gettysburg's central Main Street.

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My Town Travels

Connecting people with small town experiences, culture & values through travel, welcome to my town travels.

We are so happy you stopped by to check out the Only Platform Dedicated to Small Town Travel. How Small Towns are defined can vary. But, If you love historic stories & buildings, friendly culture, mom and pops shops, and small crowds when you travel, then you’re in the right place!

*Travelers Plan Your Trip *Towns Promote Your Experiences *With My Town Travels

Check out all the ways you can get involved with My Town Travels Below.

We Believe in Exploration so we encourage you to Plan a Trip by Reading our Small Town Destination Articles- Listening to our Podcast- & Checking Out Our Features to get Great Insider Tips!

My Town Marketplace and Travel Must Haves

Check out these Great Travel Must Haves, Small Town Guides, & Specialty Items Hand-Picked for You! 

Small Town Travel Directory

Are you in charge of Promoting your Small Town Experiences or Businesses? Sign Up for Our Small Town Directory on travelsmalltowns.com Now & Get Six Months Free!

Resources, Development, & Promotion

There are always great promotions going on at My Town! Here you can find Current Promotions on Small Town Lodging, Activities & Events. Plus, Giveaways, Free Travel Tools, Courses & More!

My Town Travels Podcast

The Only Podcast Dedicated to Small Town Travel Destinations, Adventures, & Lifestyle; With Expert interviews including Travel Professionals, Writers, Bloggers, Influencers, & More! Listen Now for Great Travels Stories and Insights you’re going to love!

Work With My Town!

Request a visit, article, or post, request a small town travel itinerary, list & promote your small town.

Join the Small Town Directory on travelsmalltowns.com & be Listed Nationally Among Small Towns to Visit, Post your Experiences, Events, and More!

What Towns Say About My Town

The article warmed my heart! You hit the nail on the head when it comes to our community and residents overall. It was a pleasure to host you. I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed their time here, and we look forward to your return. Please stop in to say hi anytime when you’re in the area.

Mayor Teri L. Brenkus

It was a pleasure to host you, Kristy! You captured the beautiful, exciting, historical, and natural wonders that make Florence, South Carolina a wonderful place to visit, and I thank you so much for your exploration and reporting. Your article and social media posts highlighting our area were well thought out and written, and your content and photos so engaging. Thank you for all that you do, and please let me know if you’re ever in the area!

Ashley Hopwood, TMP

Latest articles, vanceburg, ky small town charm on the big ohio river, discover martin county, fl southern florida's best kept secret, the dolphin bar and shrimp house: the local favorite - dock & dine - can't-miss experience in small town jensen beach, fl., join our newsletter.

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WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU

We love travel because of the well-being, creativity, patience, gratitude, inspiration and perspective that movement provides. Life consistently throws us challenges, let us handle the planning and logistics of your travel, the two main pain points for our clients – you don’t need more challenges to get in your way, take that amazing trip, with our professional travel services !

We are a reliable, resourceful, and authentic team who want to understand your travel woes and turn them into travel Wows !

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A small, location-independent travel company with a big vision – to be the most trusted and sustainable brand which represents the future of travel – getting off the beaten path to destinations that offer a space to breath, time to disconnect and reconnect, a chance to tread lightly on our environment and respectfully interact with local neighbors as global citizens, the opportunity to incorporate travel experiences and their lifetime memories and lessons into your lifestyle.

We must earn our keep as a for-profit enterprise, but we work to benefit all stakeholders, and actively participate in the greening of the world economy by accounting for all environmental and social costs.

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Founded in Boston in 2016 by online entrepreneur, Cay, she is able to combine her degrees in history and economics, with her broad interests of environment, genealogy, homesteading, organizing & planning into a travel website which offers travel tips, resources, destination guides, and stories from the road.  The company re-launched from a computer in South Africa in 2020, as Cay recently became a CTA (see below), and now offers responsible tour options from handpicked suppliers, off-the-beaten path itineraries , and custom travel plans anywhere in the world.  Our speciality is Africa and region

As a Certified Travel Associate (CTA) from The Travel Institute, which requires that I have at least 18 months of travel industry work experience, completed rigorous certification and testing, and continue to fulfill stringent education credit requirements each year. My CTA designation means that I am committed to upholding the highest standards of my profession while providing expert advice to my customers. 

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The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2022

From far-flung destinations to hometown favorites, 2022 is the year to get back out there and turn your dream trips into reality.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Planning new adventures as a new year approaches is always a thrill, but finding the best places to visit in 2022 is unique. After two years of border closures, cruise cancellations, and travel restrictions galore , 2022 is the year we hope to get back out there, uninhibited (albeit vaccinated and COVID tested ), return to our favorite destinations, and cross new ones off our lists.

Though the hospitality industry was hit hard by the pandemic, many properties used the forced downtime to renovate rooms, add new amenities, and expand outdoor spaces to offer even more once guests return. 2022 is when many travelers will venture further from home, and even overseas, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, finally reaping the benefits of these valiant efforts.

Although COVID variants remain, regulations are still evolving, and precautions must still be taken, many of the destinations we chose for 2022 offer what we believe travelers are looking for in a post-pandemic world, from hotels with private accommodations to destinations teeming with fresh-air activities . Others, like Las Vegas, are for those who are ready and raring to make up for all the social time they missed — with a few splashy headliners, including Adele and the Raiders, thrown in for good measure.

As cruising makes its comeback , we included unforgettable places to see by water, from Antarctica to the Nile, and as hard-hit destinations like Italy and Asia recover, we found the buzziest reasons to return. Of course we didn't forget about all the stateside gems we got to know while domestic travel was surging, from Alaska and California to Florida and Michigan.

Our 2022 list, organized alphabetically, doesn't hold back, with aspirational trips as far away as India, Mozambique, Qatar, and even space — but we're also including hometown favorites, like Walt Disney World and its new Star Wars hotel ; the wellness retreats of beautiful Sedona; and the simple pleasures of small-town , farm-to-table living in Franklin, Tennessee. Because no matter what type of trip you've been dreaming of, we want to help you turn 2022 into the year you get back out there and make it a reality.

— Edited by Nina Ruggiero and Scott Bay

1. Abruzzo, Italy

Stretching from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea on the peninsula's southeastern side, Abruzzo, Italy has long been one of the country's most overlooked destinations despite its unspoiled villages, picturesque Trabocchi Coast, and stunning natural escapes. Over the past few years, however, it has gone from a sleepy underdog to an ambitious harbinger of slow travel, sustainable gastronomy, and conscious hospitality. Villa Corallo , a 19th-century mansion near Civitella del Tronto was transformed into a five-star hotel in 2019. Dimore Montane , an eco-lodge opened in 2020 in Majella National Park, marries glamping with environmentally-friendly facilities with a zero waste policy. Meanwhile, restaurants like Bottega Culinaria in San Vito Chietino and Materia Prima in Castel di Sangro are redefining the region as one of Italy's most exciting food hotspots for their innovative and sustainable takes on local produce and traditional dishes (in case Niko Romito's three-Michelin-starred Reale wasn't enough). And completing construction this Spring is Via Verde dei Trabocchi: a cycling and pedestrian path along the Adriatic sea that's being built on a disused railway route. — Marianna Cerini

With many international borders closed over the last two years, many eager U.S. travelers' eyes turned to Alaska. The vast state, famous for its towering, snow-capped peaks, pristine wilderness, massive national parks, and colorful locals, made for a dynamic destination with no passport required. But as borders reopen, interest in the 49th state is showing no signs of slowing down. Alaska's tourism board said early forecasts are projecting that more than 1.57 million cruise ship passengers could visit southeast Alaska in summer 2022. That's an 18% jump from 2019, the previous record year. Many perennial favorite cruise lines , like Holland America, will be returning to full strength after a non-existent 2020 and abbreviated 2021. Others, like Windstar Cruises, UnCruise, and Hurtigruten are rolling out fresh itineraries or are launching new ships. On dry land, Alaska is set to see myriad new offerings and events. In Juneau, the Sealaska Heritage Institute will open their Arts Campus (where visitors will be able to learn about Alaska Native art and culture) and will host Celebration , one of the largest gatherings of Indigenous peoples. In Anchorage, Fur Rendezvous , Alaska's oldest and largest winter festival, will be back from Feb. 25 to March 6 (which also happens to be peak aurora season ). The event hosts activities like the Running of the Reindeer and the Outhouse Races, before culminating with the 50th running of the iconic Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race . — Bailey Berg

3. Anguilla

This easy-going Caribbean gem is simpler than ever to get to with American Airlines launching the first-ever nonstop, direct flight from Miami on Dec. 11. Private charter flights by Tradewind Aviation have also resumed service to the island. And the just-opened Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club has a fleet of jets to ferry guests from key U.S. cities. The sprawling luxury resort will include a few restaurants overseen by chef Abram Bissell, formerly of Eleven Madison Park, The NoMad, and The Modern. Quintessence , a boutique luxury resort with perks like butler service and a 4:1 staff-to-guest ratio, is opening a more affordable annex of suites called Quinn that will debut in 2022 (along with a Champagne cellar tasting room and Art Bar). New Restaurant Uchu at Belmond Cap Juluca is taking inspiration from Belmond's collection of properties in Peru. Named after the Quechuan word for spice, the menu will feature contemporary Peruvian cuisine inspired by three of the country's regions: the coast, the jungle, and the highlands. — Scott Bay

4. Antarctica

The pandemic shutdown created a compelling reason to visit Antarctica in 2022: See how the whales, seals, and penguins react after nearly two years without seeing humans. New polar-class expedition ships and new ways to get to the White Continent are reasons to pack your boots too. Viking Expeditions will be in Antarctica for the first time in 2022 with new, twin 378-passenger expedition ships. Ponant's new 270-passenger Le Commandant Charcot introduces eco-friendlier sailing, as the first hybrid-electric ship fueled by liquified natural gas (rather than heavy fuel). Quark Expeditions' long-awaited 199-passenger Ultramarine delivers exciting heli-hiking adventures via two eight-seat twin-engine helicopters. Hit a craps table in between icy exploration on the luxurious new all-suite 200-passenger Crystal Endeavor . Silversea Cruises' posh, 144-passenger, all-suite Silver Explorer returns with a debut travel option: Skip the notorious (for rough water) Drake Passage and catch a private flight directly from Chile to Antarctica to board the ship. — Fran Golden

American travelers have long loved the Bahamas for its crystal-clear waters, sandy beaches, and sunshine just about 50 miles off the coast of Florida, but there are even more reasons to visit the island nation in 2022. Baha Mar on the Island of New Providence has a brand new water park equipped with everything from a lazy river to a surf simulator, and day passes are available for purchase to those who aren't resort guests. For more rest and relaxation, journey to the outer islands of the Bahamas. While charter flights will get you exactly where you need to go, Crystal Cruises is offering a Bahamas-centric cruise that brings guests to some of the quieter and more remote islands. On its mid-July cruise, guests will embark and disembark from Nassau and then be whisked away via "6-star" service to the islands of Bimini, Great Exuma, San Salvador, and Long Island. Beyond the beach, don't forget to indulge in some local food and culture. The Island archipelago is famous for its conch, stew fish, and rock lobster. From late April through early May, Carnival is celebrated in Nassau and back after a pandemic hiatus. Keep an eye out for the famous sound and dance of the junkanoo. — Jamie Aranoff

6. Barbados

Whether you want a relaxing all-inclusive stay or a vibrant vacation filled with dining and nightlife, Barbados has you covered. Nowhere is that more evident than the pedestrian-friendly South Coast, which is teeming with new resorts and restaurants. The O2 Beach Club & Spa is an all-inclusive resort set on the white sands of Dover Beach, with three pools, six dining options, seven bars, and the Acqua spa, featuring the only hammam treatment room on the island. It joins other luxurious South Coast hotels, including Sandals and Sea Breeze Beach House . If you can pull yourself away from the resort pools, head along the coast to Worthing Square Food Garden, an outdoor food hall with 20 vendors serving dishes from around the Caribbean. Or stroll down the mile-long boardwalk for easy access to ocean-front food and drinks at local favorites like Champers, Salt Café, Tiki Bar, and Chill Café & Bar. — Kevin Gray

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure

A favorite of adventure travelers for its rainforests and divers who explore the Great Blue Hole and expansive barrier reef, Belize offers an abundance of casual spots and a handful of luxe resorts. The latest arrival is Alaia Belize, an Autograph Collection Hotel , in San Pedro on Ambergris Caye, opened mid-2021 with plans to add to its already extensive guest room, suite, and oceanfront villa accommodations. Major airlines are also recognizing the destination's potential with nonstop flights and convenient connections from most U.S. cities. In addition to United and Delta's nonstop flights from Houston and Atlanta, respectively, Alaska Airlines added nonstop service from Los Angeles and Seattle to Belize City in November, and Frontier will start weekly nonstop flights from Denver and Orlando. — Patricia Doherty

8. Budapest, Hungary

Very few places in the world capture both old-world charm and elegant modernity like Hungary's capital city, and Budapest's latest 130-room luxury hotel, Matild Palace , is a shining example. The neo-baroque palace-turned-hotel, which opened last summer in the city's District V, is a UNESCO-protected site that once housed the city's royalty. The hotel is now home to Wolfgang Punk's famed restaurant, Spago , the first of its kind in central Europe. It also hosts the Duchess bar — a rooftop "liquor library" that mixes craft cocktails using local wines and pálinka, Hungarian fruit brandy, which can be enjoyed alongside panoramic views of the Danube river. Surrounded by 22 wine regions, Budapest is a city for oenophiles. Enjoy a glass of Kékfrankos or Kadarka in the Castle District's newly opened wine bar, Takler Borbár Buda , founded by one of the country's renowned winemaking families. Don't leave the city without visiting Marlou , a biodynamic wine bar near the Hungarian State Opera, and Portobello , an unassuming coffee and natural wine bar around the corner from Matild Palace. — Stephanie Andrews

9. Burgundy, France

The region of Burgundy is known for — you guessed it — its Burgundy wine, but French wine isn't the only reason Burgundy is a must-visit in 2022. In the spring, the region's capital city of Dijon will welcome the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin (International City of Gastronomy and Wine), an expansive complex with a cooking school, a new hotel, a handful of restaurants, and a wine cellar with over 250 by-the-glass offerings. The new project is perfectly situated at the starting point of Burgundy's famed wine route — Route des Grands Crus — which runs from Dijon to Santenay and produces some of the country's most well-regarded wines, including pinot noir, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc. — Evie Carrick

10. British Virgin Islands

Within the Caribbean, the 60 islands that comprise the British Virgin Islands have long held the reputation of luxury draped in relaxation. And now it's doubling down on that brand of island spirit with Richard Branson's second private island, the 125-acre Moskito Island that opened in October and sits right across from his first BVI paradise, Necker Island (which received a serious upgrade when it reopened last year after a two-year closure). The new destination will eventually have 10 private estates that can be rented through Virgin Limited Edition , but among the ones already available are Point Estate, starting at $17,500 a night, and Oasis Estate for $19,000. But Moskito isn't the only shiny new reason to visit BVI. Proving the area's resilience following the devastation after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Saba Rock , the private island long known for its diving, went through a complete reconstruction before reopening in October; the Bitter End Yacht Club reopened in December with BVI's first over-the-water bungalows; and Oil Nut Bay will expand in early 2022 with new villas, a watersports center, and spa. Also on tap for 2022, the solar-powered White Bay Villas and new hilltop suites at Long Bay Beach Resort . And with the Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival returning in the spring of 2022 after being canceled for two years, BVI is proving it's truly back and stronger than ever. — Rachel Chang

11. Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

You're likely to glimpse Europe's pro athlete and yachting crowds at Marriott's four hotels on the Costa Smeralda, the glitzy Italian destination known for its Caribbean-like beaches and luxury resorts. Its glamorous Hotel Cala di Volpe has gradually been unveiling room renovations alongside new dining options, including its Harrods Suite, with a roof terrace and sea-facing plunge pool, and BeefBar 's first Italian outpost. The entire area is one big " Billionaire Experience ," but Formula One and entertainment mogul Flavio Briatore snagged the term for his new dining and nightlife venue in designer shopping destination Porto Cervo. For more of a low-key, family-friendly escape, the Baglioni Resort Sardinia opened an hour south in San Teodoro in June, overlooking the stunning Tavolara Marine Reserve . — Nina Ruggiero

12. Crete, Greece

The Greek Islands have long been a perennial favorite vacation destination for discerning travelers, and Crete, the largest of the 227 islands in the archipelago, deserves a spot atop your must-see list. Yes, it's a place where you can find the white-washed buildings and blue roofs you've lusted after on Instagram for years, and a spot where you can dive into the cerulean blue waters of the Mediterranean at every turn. And of course you can dig deep into both history and mythology as humans have lived on the island since the 7th millennium B.C ., not to mention the fact that Crete is the birthplace of Zeus . It's little surprise then, with all this beauty and history, that Crete continues to harbor a rich creative community, mostly centered in the neighborhood of Chania. There, visitors can peruse works in museums like the Mediterranean Architecture Center , or seek out unique pieces in galleries like the Municipal Art Gallery or the Redd Gallery . To visit Crete, hop aboard a sailing with Silversea , which takes guests to Crete and several other stellar islands, or book a stay at the Blue Palace Elounda, a Luxury Collection Resort , named one of the Top 10 Greece Resort Hotels in Travel + Leisure 's World's Best Awards, 2021. — Stacey Leasca

13. Walt Disney World

The " World's Most Magical Celebration " — Walt Disney World's 18-month-long 50th anniversary event that kicked off on Oct. 1 — continues through 2022 with enchanting touches and highly anticipated ride and hotel openings. Star Wars : Galactic Starcruiser will begin offering its immersive, two-night adventures in a galaxy far, far away on March 1. The interactive, choose-your-own-adventure experience will have guests wielding lightsabers, sleeping on the ship, brushing shoulders with Star Wars characters, eating intergalactic cuisine, and maybe even going on a secret mission, making this a truly unique experience that you can't find anywhere else in the world. Other 2022 openings include the Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind indoor coaster at Epcot, slated for summer. — Elizabeth Rhodes

14. Doha, Qatar

As we ask ourselves what cities of the future should look like, we naturally look around for examples. Places like Shanghai, Tokyo, and New York City seem to fit the description on paper, but I'd argue that no city better encapsulates that definition than Doha, the capital of Qatar. There is so much to discover — from East-West/West-East , a series of four steel monoliths created by sculptor Richard Serra to the Museum of Islamic Art , the massive 560,000-square-foot gallery. Eat at Syrian comfort food spot Damasca One, Em Sherif a rooftop spot that serves up authentic regional dishes, and the lively corner restaurant Nourlaya Contemporary for Sri Lankan cuisine. Stay at the Mandarin Oriental Doha or Banyan Tree Doha . (Read Robinson's full dispatch on Doha in the July 2021 edition of Travel + Leisure) — Whitney Robinson

15. Edinburgh, Scotland

The Auld Reekie is buzzing with new energy. The highly anticipated Hotel W , designed by Jestico and Whiles in conjunction with Allan Murray Architects, is opening next winter. And several other hotels have recently opened in and around the city — Marine North Berwick , the Market Street hotel , Rusacks St. Andrews , and ship-turned-luxury-hotel Fingal . Gleneagles Townhouse , a first-ever city outpost from the famed Gleneagles estate, is opening in the spring. St James Quarter, a developing area of the city, and where Hotel W is being built, is opening next year with 85 shops, 30 restaurants, and a cinema. New in whisky is the September christening of Johnnie Walker Princes Street . And promising to shake up the scotch scene in the capital city is Leith Distillery , opening in the summer. — Scott Bay

16. Finger Lakes, New York

The Finger Lakes have bolstered their wellness and culinary offerings in recent years, carving out a name for themselves in the luxury travel realm. Inns of Aurora , comprising five historic mansions, debuted a holistic wellness facility in 2021 — set on 350 acres overlooking Cayuga Lake, complete with hydrotherapy pools, meditation areas, and a farm fresh cafe. Forty miles west of Cayuga, The Lakehouse on Canandaigua — situated on, yes, Canandaigua Lake — recently unveiled the Willowbrook Spa, which boasts lakeside barrel sauna sessions among other innovative treatments. Sandwiched between Cayuga and Canandaigua lakes is Seneca Lake, home to the largest of the Finger Lakes wine trails (this might be riesling country, but don't knock the lighter-bodied reds till you try 'em) and foodie draws like the 14-seat F.L.X. Table . Travelers visiting in the coming year will also see the Finger Lakes festival roster return in full force, including Rochester's Lilac Festival in May and International Jazz Festival in July, as well as attractions for the historically inclined road tripper, like Cayuga County's celebration of Harriet Tubman's birth through a number of walking tours and activations rolled out through 2022. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

17. Franklin, Tennessee

Despite its count of more than 80,000 year-round residents, the very walkable Franklin firmly grasps onto its small-town charms, starting with a quintessentially quaint downtown chock-full of shops and restaurants finding shelter in brick storefronts lining the sidewalks. The uninitiated might know this place for its past — Civil War museums, battleground sites, and historic markers telling the stories of a slave market, race riots, and Black soldiers in the U.S. Colored Troop division of the army all offer points of education and reflection. But the southern city has many modern-day draws as well — for starters, an exciting food and drink scene that includes the Tennessee Whiskey Trail and Arrington Vineyards , the largest winery in the region. Musical events and venues abound, too: The Pilgrimage Music Festival is one of the biggest in the state, and the 7,500-seat FirstBank Amphitheater , newly opened inside a former rock quarry, has welcomed the likes of the Jonas Brothers and Santana to its stage. There's also Leiper's Fork , a quirky-cool enclave filled with antique shops and art galleries. Even more brand-new to the scene is Southall , a 325-acre farm and inn with 62 rooms and suites and 16 cottages opening this June. The lush setting amid rolling hills makes active adventures (hiking, biking, kayaking), wellness pursuits (a spa, meditation, yoga, and two outdoor pools), and nourishing food (the restaurant uses ingredients grown, raised, and foraged on the property) easy to find. All of this and more lie just a short, 30-minute drive from bustling Nashville, making it tempting to tack onto a visit to the capital city. — Alisha Prakash

18. Galápagos Islands

The world's largest marine biosphere reserve will expand more than 20,000 square miles next year thanks to a recent presidential decree . The conservation measure seeks to combat illegal fishing by offering increased protection to the thousands of species that populate the archipelago's waters as well as a migration corridor stretching up to Costa Rica used by sharks, whales and other sea life. Come January, travelers can cruise this UNESCO-protected region on new nine-day adventures from Hurtigruten Expeditions and outfitter Metropolitan Touring aboard the 90-guest carbon-neutral MS Santa Cruz II. For a more intimate experience, passengers can book Aqua Expeditions ' seven-suite 164-foot superyacht, Aqua Mare, when it debuts in May. At the end of the year, eco-enthusiasts can sail to lesser-explored islands to spot giant tortoises, sea lions, flightless cormorants, Galápagos penguins, and marine iguanas on Quasar Expeditions ' new sustainable yacht — the 18-passenger M/Y Conservation featuring biodegradable amenities, renewable energy and a carbon-neutral footprint. Those with timid sea legs should check into the locally owned and run Montemar in the highlands of Santa Cruz Island. — Nora Walsh

19. Greater Palm Springs, California

Greater Palm Springs is kicking its signature self-care into high gear in the coming year. Taking a cue from its sister property, Sensei Lanai , the new Sensei Porcupine Creek is converting a 230-acre private estate into a luxury wellness experience in Rancho Mirage in 2022. In Palm Springs proper, Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza will celebrate Indigenous art and history alongside the new Spa at Séc-he , where visitors will soak in approximately 12,000-year-old hot springs. Nearby, Fleur Noire Hotel just opened its adults-only casitas and bungalows, with a speakeasy Champagne bar to follow. Unexpectedly, the desert has a budding surf scene — the former Wet 'n Wild waterpark is becoming Palm Springs Surf Club , with a state-of-the-art wave pool, spa, restaurant, and bar; DSRT Surf is set to open a 5.5-acre wave lagoon in Palm Desert; and Kelly Slater himself is bringing a green energy–powered wave basin to Coral Mountain , a proposed new wellness resort with a hotel and residences, set to open in La Quinta by 2023 pending city approvals. And for entertainment outside the splash zone, the $250-million Coachella Valley Arena will host hockey, concerts, and more live events by the end of the year. — Nina Ruggiero

20. Greenville, South Carolina

Once in the shadow of Charleston and Asheville, Greenville has emerged in recent years as a go-to destination in its own right — and it keeps giving travelers more reasons to visit. In 2022, the city of just over 70,000 people will welcome a luxury boutique hotel, unveil a new public gathering place, and build on its well-earned reputation as a culinary and craft beer hotspot. The long-awaited, 187-room Grand Bohemian hotel is expected to open its doors this spring, complete with a two-story restaurant and bar, art gallery, and spa. The 60-acre Unity Park will feature plenty of greenspace, an observation tower, baseball fields, playgrounds, and walking and biking trails. And recently opened restaurants, including French Laundry alum Drew Erickson's Camp , Urban Wren, Coral, and an outpost of Nashville's famous Prince's Hot Chicken located inside Yee-Haw Brewing will ensure you're well-fed while in town. — Kevin Gray

21. Ilha Caldeira, Mozambique

While South Africa and Uganda grab headlines for African wildlife, Mozambique has been quietly making strides protecting 17 percent of its land — including beaches, coral reefs, and islands — showcasing its dedication to its natural beauty both on land and underwater. Ever since the country's 16-year civil war ended in 1992, the southeastern African nation has been aiming to build back in the right ways. Case in point: the private island of Ilha Caldeira, less than seven miles off the coast as part of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, located within the marine-protected area with 20 percent of the country's intact living coral. It's here that the eco-luxury Banyan Tree resort chain has developed one of its most ambitious projects yet, a five-star property — accessible by jetty or helicopter — with 40 private pool villas that will be completely solar powered. Add to that a fish market restaurant with a 270-degree ocean view, the brand's trademark Banyan Tree Spa, and world-class diving, all in a too-pristine-to-believe beach setting, and this island escape is sure to draw attention away from its Indian Ocean neighbors when it opens at the end of 2022. — Rachel Chang

22. Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Those wary of traveling internationally in 2022 will find solace in Jackson Hole, a mountain town with endless open space (Wyoming is the least populated state in the U.S.) and plenty to do. In the winter, life revolves around Jackson Hole Mountain Resort , home to some of the nation's best skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, plan your trip around the Jackson Hole Food & Wine Summer Festival (June 23-25) or head to the nearby Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. For easy access to the mountain town, travelers can hop on one of Aero's high-end, seasonal flights and stay at The Cloudveil off the Town Square or the Caldera House at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. — Evie Carrick

23. Kafue National Park, Zambia

Straddling three regions of Zambia, Kafue National Park is the largest (and oldest) in the country, measuring 8,648 miles. In the wildlife-rich Busanga plains — located in the secluded northern side of the park — spend the night at newly opened Chisa Busanga Camp in their bird's nest shaped rooms. Enjoy a silent safari, thanks to e-cruisers or an e-bike safari provided by the property. See wildlife from above with a hot air balloon safari from Shumba Camp or Busanga Bush Camp . Other accommodation offerings in the park include riverfront Ila Safari Lodge and Mukambi Safari Lodge . Both properties offer fishing, walking safaris, boat cruises, and have Instagram worthy pools (perfect for a soak and the traditional safari sundowner: a gin and tonic). — Mazuba Kapambwe

24. Kaunas, Lithuania

Kaunas, Lithuania has a lofty New Year's resolution. After a century of wars, Soviet rule, and, since the 1990s, independence, this UNESCO Creative City of Design is ready to cultivate a new identity — and it's doing so as one of two European Capitals of Culture for 2022 (alongside Novi Sad, Serbia). The festivities commence in January, with thousands of concerts, festivals, exhibitions, and events throughout the year to celebrate Kaunas' history while cementing its path forward . Also this year, Kaunas will welcome the highly anticipated $30 million Science Island, Lithuania's first national science and innovation center designed by UK firm Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC). By May, the city's former Magnus Hotel will reopen with sparkly new digs and a posh rooftop under the ibis Styles umbrella . This lively city is also a main stop on the recently unveiled 1,330-mile Forest Trail across the Baltics. And, a host of just-announced Ryanair flight routes, including Madrid to Kaunas, will make visiting this capital of culture a breeze. — Stephanie Vermillion

25. Kyushu, Japan

Kyushu may be less than two hours from Tokyo by plane, but it feels far from Honshū's well-beaten tourist circuit. The southwesternmost Japanese main island is still largely unexplored, providing those willing to venture off the beaten path with a much different Japan than the one they'll find in its cities. As a warm, subtropical island, Kyushu is home to long, golden beaches and some of Japan's best snorkeling and scuba diving. Inland, the country's most active volcano, Mt. Aso, feeds the island's myriad natural hot springs — many of which offer sea views. And while the island has accommodations that include both hot spring resorts and luxury beachfront villas , nothing tops a stay at Hirado Castle , which was recently restored and renovated to welcome visitors overnight . — Evie Carrick

26. Lanai, Hawaii

Wellness opportunities and cultural awareness are showcased along with luxury at Lanai's two Four Seasons resorts. At Sensei Lāna'i, A Four Seasons Resort , guests can now choose the Discover Sensei Experience , offering the ability to enjoy the retreat's amenities without joining the more comprehensive programs. New "Optimal Wellbeing" programs focus on improving performance in tennis and golf along with overall wellness. Four Seasons Resort Lanai is adding an observatory as part of "Love Lanai," featuring cultural experiences designed to share the island's rich heritage. The observatory program will center around the history of Pacific voyaging, native traditions, and astronomy. — Patricia Doherty

27. Las Vegas, Nevada

Never bet against the house: The pandemic may have put a damper on Las Vegas, but the ever-on-the-move city is back in a big way for 2022. A massive new development on the Strip, Resorts World Las Vegas, opened in June, has three distinct Hilton properties under one enormous roof, not to mention more than 40 restaurants and bars, plus pools (plural), and a handful of $15,000-a-night villas . Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, the Cromwell , and downtown's Circa Resort & Casino are also giving visitors fresh options on where to stay. The city's pro sports teams — also now plural — are drawing in fans. And off-Strip "immersive experiences," like the Omega Mart by Meow Wolf and the Illuminarium, both at Area15 , are lending an additional layer of things to do beyond the expected. Not that there's anything wrong with splashing out on dinner and a show after the past two years. Live acts — like Adele's just-announced residency at The Colosseum — are once again hot tickets, as is a table at chic new supper club Delilah , at the Wynn Las Vegas. Some things, thankfully, never change. — Paul Brady

28. Louisville, Kentucky

Your cowboy boots were made for walking the streets of Louisville. Nicknamed "The Bourbon City," an official gateway to Kentucky's bourbon trail, the city is expanding its bourbon footprint in 2022. In October, the Urban Bourbon Trail welcomed the first and only African American–owned distillery in the state, Brough Brothers . Meanwhile, its trailmate, Angel's Envy , will wrap its $8.2-million expansion project complete with a new event space and five tasting rooms in the spring. The city is most well known for hosting the annual Kentucky Derby every spring at the historic Churchill Downs racetrack, and the Downs will open the first installment of its multi-year expansion plan, the Homestretch Club , just in time for the 2022 Derby. There, attendees will be able to enjoy the race with an all-new trackside lounge experience. — Hannah Streck

29. Malaysia

Malaysia is home to a beautiful medley of cultures (Chinese, Indian, and Malay) and a diverse smattering of terrain: bustling cities with towering buildings, verdant rain forests with incredible wildlife, and idyllic islands with dreamy beaches. But all of this and more has been closed to the world for much of the pandemic. Now that the island of Langkawi is open via a travel bubble, with the rest of the country expected to follow suit in 2022, travelers can once again experience Malaysia's many gifts. Langkawi, a beach lover's paradise, blends unspoiled nature (UNESCO-listed Kilim Karst Geoforest Park ) and unparalleled luxury ( Four Seasons Resort , Datai Langkawi ), while cosmopolitan capital Kuala Lumpur draws visitors with its gleaming Petronas Towers, delicious hawker food stalls, and shopping. Then there's Borneo, complete with wildlife-packed jungles and a rich Indigenous culture, as well as Desaru Coast, a 3,900-acre area that's home to coveted resorts like the One&Only Desaru Coast , a tropical oasis that opened in early September 2020 (the brand's first in Asia). — Alisha Prakash

30. Maldives

The Maldives' 1,000+ islands sit in the Indian Ocean like a string of turquoise pearls. The tropical nirvana has 166 accommodation options, including the new Joali Being nature retreat, which leads guests on a transformative wellness journey. Alila Kothaifaru Maldives debuts in February with 80 beach and overwater villas on the Raa Atoll. Coming to the same atoll in May, also with 80 luxury villas, is Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa on a massive lagoon primed for snorkeling. The ever-innovative Soneva Fushi has a new experience that includes zip-lining to a six-course meal 30 feet about the sand. Along with Soneva Jani, they've debuted Soneva Soul , a new spa complex melding ancient and modern techniques. Other vacation favorites are unveiling new digs like the sleek, contemporary renovation of Naladhu Private Island and the Conrad Maldives Rangali Island , debuting in February. — Katie Lockhart

31. Newport, Rhode Island

Newport is considered one of the sailing capitals of the world. It is home to the largest fleet of America's Cup 12 Meter yachts , most of which are available for charter. In May, the coastal town is welcoming a Sailing Museum that is sure to solidify that title. Over the past few years, a slew of hotel openings have closed a much-needed gap for luxury accommodations, including Hammett's Hotel , Brenton Hotel , and The Wayfinder Hotel . The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection is debuting the property's highly anticipated transformation conceived by Dallas-based design collective Swoon — the lobby, dining room, and shared areas are now complete with guest rooms finishing early next year. Renowned beverage executive Maxwell Britten has joined the team as chief cocktail curator alongside an amazing chef who cooks up a selection of elevated pub-inspired dishes. And don't miss Giusto , at Hammett's Hotel, which serves up excellent Italian with a Rhode Island twist. — Scott Bay

32. Nile Cruise, Egypt

There is no trip that will convert you to a life of river cruising quite like a sail down (well, technically, up) the Nile. In fact, the world's first river cruises sailed in Egypt, a country designed around the central waterway, where it makes sense that the Nile would act as your home base. A typical Egyptian river cruise sets sail from Cairo to Luxor and then Aswan, with the occasional stop to visit an island temple along the way — complete with sights like the Pyramids, Valley of Kings and Queens, Nefertari's tomb, and the Temple of Kom Ombo. In 2022, there's more than one new river cruise to choose from, between Uniworld's newly launched S.S. Sphinx and AmaWaterways' Amadahlia , both of which sailed their inaugural voyages in fall 2021. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

In late 2021, Panama launched a tourism platform along with the coolest tagline in travel: " Live for More ." With a booming coffee scene and a renewed focus on its culture, history, and biodiversity , the Central American nation is ready for its moment in the spotlight. It's an attractive place for those looking to get out of resort mode and into a world open for exploration and adventure. Immersive environmental experiences abound here, including trekking through the rainforest on its suspended hanging bridges and walking to the top of the Volcán Barú, an active volcano with both Pacific and Atlantic Ocean views from the top. There is also abundant opportunity to learn from Panama's seven Indigenous communities, each of whom offer their own personalized experiences and are happy to share their craftsmanship and traditions. Panama offers plenty of luxury, too. In its capital city, check into the American Trade Hotel , centrally located in Panama's Casco Viejo district, a historic neighborhood which happens to also be a UNESCO World Heritage Site. — Stacey Leasca

34. Phuket, Thailand

Before the pandemic, Phuket was beautiful but crowded, full of beach bars and tourists chasing all-nighters. It's still full of energy and surrounded by the same pristine sea glass–colored water, but its luxurious side is finally getting the attention it deserves, from its high-end coffee shops to its cocktail bars. Hide from the world in paradise with a stay in one of the private pool residences at Trisara , featuring kitchens, a private chef, butler service, and breathtaking views over the sea, as well as access to the resort's PRU restaurant , which has earned both a Michelin star and a Michelin green star. Or book a stay at the brand-new V Villas Phuket , which offers a curated selection of 19 private-pool, 1-, 3-, and 4-bedroom villas. Later, party the night away in Phuket Old Town with inventive cocktails at Club No. 43 (think: rum with grilled pineapple juice and espuma), or settle in for a great dinner and a night of daring performances at the Junkyard Theatre , which just launched a weekly Saturday night show. — Alison Fox

35. Pico, Portugal

The islands of the Azores — a Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean some 900 miles west of Lisbon — are more popular than ever, and for 2022, travelers will want to fix their eyes firmly on the second-largest isle: Pico, an alluring, otherworldly locale covered with black, volcanic rocks. Conquering Portugal's highest peak, the cloud-shrouded, 7,713-foot-high Mount Pico, used to be the island's main draw, but a recent uptick in hospitality infrastructure has allowed for more opportunity to partake of Pico's most important agricultural output: wine. Renowned Portuguese winemaker Antonio Maçanita just opened a new winery that comes with bookable design-forward apartments adjacent to the island's unique vineyards. On Pico, grapes are planted on volcanic terroir that are then protected from Atlantic winds with rock walls. Maçanita's ​​ Azores Wine Company 's mineral, sometimes slightly salty wines could be the perfect celebratory drink after a grueling hike.The crashing waves around Pico are beginning to seduce surfers, too. And there are also ample opportunities to watch for marine life thanks to 20 species of dolphins and whales (including humpbacks and orcas) that can be spotted in these waters. But if you'd rather eat what's in the water: Try lapas, a local shellfish delicacy best served grilled with butter and garlic and finished with a squeeze of lemon. Thankfully, getting to experience all of this has never been easier: Starting July 1, United Airlines will for the first time connect Newark to the island of São Miguel (the Azores' largest island), and from there, it's a quick hop over to Pico. Or you could always get there via direct flights from Lisbon or Porto with Tap Air Portugal's stopover program. — Chadner Navarro

36. Quebec, Canada

After over a year of tight pandemic restrictions, Canada reopened to American tourists in 2021, so now might finally be time to plan that trip to the Great White North, starting with the province of Quebec. From the charming, French-influenced cities of Montreal and Quebec City to the region's snow-capped mountains, there's something new to explore every season. In December 2021, the first Club Med mountain resort in Canada, Club Med Quebec Charlevoix , opened, offering all-inclusive ski vacations just a short flight from several major U.S. cities. Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering a foliage-packed autumn cruise from New York to Montreal in October. No matter what time of year you visit, Le Capitole Hotel in Quebec City and Humaniti Hotel Montreal are top picks for places to stay in the major cities. — Elizabeth Rhodes

37. Queensland, Australia

Australia's highly anticipated international border reopening will be well worth the wait, especially as more travelers seek nuanced cultural experiences and sustainable stays. The northeastern state has long been the gateway for visits to the rightly beloved Great Barrier Reef, and beginning in 2022, visitors can learn about conservation efforts and the ecosystem directly from the area's Traditional Land Owners and Indigenous guides during day trips from Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel . Aboriginal elders and Traditional Land Owners are also working with local operator Gudjuda Tours on a daylong excursion to tag and rescue one of the reef's most beloved creatures: sea turtles. Those who want to take a more extended trip to the Whitsunday Islands can look to Elysian Retreat , recently certified as the area's first fully solar-powered resort, or its carbon-negative sister property Pumpkin Island . Back on the mainland, within the verdant Daintree Rainforest UNESCO World Heritage Site, eco-luxury hideaway Silky Oaks Lodge will finally welcome guests back after its $15-million overhaul. — Sarah Bruning

38. Santa Ynez Valley, California

Two hours from L.A., the Santa Ynez Valley is rural, unassuming, and coming into its own. The region has grown grapes for decades and has even made a Hollywood cameo in the movie Sideways. The arrival of newer tasting rooms, restaurants, and hotels in recent years has firmly put the area on oenophiles' and travelers' radars. Start with a private olive oil tasting at Global Gardens and hard cider at Tin City Cider in Los Olivos. Follow with pizza pies at Full of Life Flatbread and vino at nearby female-owned A Tribute to Grace and Casa Dumetz . Detour to Firestone Walker 's outpost in Buellton for a few limited edition craft brews and finish with dishes such as roasted tomato and fennel risotto at the Ballard Inn's Gathering Table . Though it's technically just beyond the boundaries of the valley in Lompoc, The Hilt Estate , is too good to miss. And once it opens this year as an Auberge property, The Inn at Mattei's Tavern will make for the perfect base from which to explore it all. — Tanvi Chheda

39. São Paulo, Brazil

Known for its dynamic combination of luxury, design, and fashion influence, São Paulo is an international metropolitan hub of arts and culture. It's the largest city in South America, hosting an array of entertainment opportunities such as fabulous hotels, decadent restaurants, high-class museums, and iconic mid-century architecture. With airlines including American adding flights throughout Brazil in 2022 and a flourishing hospitality renaissance throughout the city, São Paulo is well prepared for its anticipated influx of new travelers. A must-visit destination for 2022 is the Rosewood São Paulo , located in the heart of São Paulo's Cidade Matarazzo and housed in a historic landmark building. Here, visitors will encounter 200-plus luxurious guest rooms, suites, and residences, plus six restaurants and bars and two pools. — Molly O'Brien

40. Savannah, Georgia

This coastal Georgia city is rightly famous for its atmospheric, moss-draped streets and squares, not to mention its hundreds of years of history. But lately Savannah has been boosted by creativity and innovation outside the sometimes frozen-in-amber Old Town, which means now is a particularly compelling time to visit. Make home base the brand-new Thompson Savannah , a slick 13-story tower with interiors by Studio 11 Design that anchors the still-developing Eastern Wharf neighborhood. Phase one of the 54-acre development, which aims to turn a once-industrial waterfront into a contemporary mixed-use destination, includes hundreds of apartments, fitness trails, access to the Savannah River, and multiple bars and restaurants, including Fleeting , a seasonally driven spot inside the Thompson. At the same time, Savannah's other major waterfront destination has also come into its own. The Plant Riverside District, a stone's throw from Old Town, marked its official grand opening in November 2021, putting a bow on a bustling JW Marriott hotel , countless restaurants and bars, and multiple live performance venues all along a rebuilt waterfront. Not that all the action is along the river: The ever-evolving Starland District, a short drive from Johnson Square, has its share of hangouts including Starland Yard , a food truck park that's also home to the excellent Pizzeria Vittoria Napoletana ; Two Tides Brewing Company , which pours hazy ales and delicious sours in a super-cool taproom; and Troupial , a Venezuelan cafe. You'll also want to pack Wildsam Savannah , a newly released field guide that helps visitors understand the layers of history (and the contemporary politics) that are fueling the latest renaissance in Savannah. — Paul Brady

41. Seattle, Washington

Few places offer both an urban and a natural escape in one destination — and the Emerald City might be one of the best. The city center is world-class with top hotel accommodations ( Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and Thompson Seattle ), locally focused fine dining, and countless cultural sites. Then, just minutes away from all of that is some of the most stunning outdoor recreation out there. Adding to the city's luster is the newly opened Lotte Hotel Seattle . The 189-room tower is bringing high design and refined service to the area. Charlotte , the hotel's restaurant on the 18th floor, serves up an inventive menu that is sure to become an all-time favorite dining experience. The landmark Fairmont Olympic Hotel recently completed a $25-million historic restoration of its public spaces, quickly becoming one of the most Instagrammable spots in town. Plus, its buzzy new culinary showpiece will debut in the months to come. Before leaving Seattle, don't miss a meal at celebrated pasta specialist Brian Clevenger's new restaurant, Autumn . — Scott Bay

42. Sedona, Arizona

Makito Umekita/Travel + Leisure

With tourism already surging thanks to the Instagram fame of attractions like Devil's Bridge, Sedona garnered even more of a following during the pandemic among cooped-up city dwellers enthralled by the destination's red rocks and energy vortexes. In 2022, set your sights on North America's first landscape hotel, Ambiente , home to 40 standalone accommodations (called "atriums"), most with private rooftop decks perfect for stargazing. Opening in May, the sustainability-focused retreat will offer on-site trailhead access — further immersing guests in the Sedona landscape while combating traffic along the city's main highway — and reactivate an ancient waterway to populate a stream running throughout the hotel. Experience Sedona's culinary clout right on property at Ambiente's restaurant, Forty1, housed in a refurbished airstream, or venture next door to Mariposa , the city's must-visit restaurant by chef Lisa Dahl, who pioneered fine dining in this town. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

43. Singapore

Singapore reopened to vaccinated American travelers in October 2021 with the introduction of the country's Vaccinated Travel Lane . Travelers can fly from the U.S. on Singapore Airlines' vaccine-mandatory flights ; the World's Best airline 26 years running launched Vaccinated Travel Lane flights this fall, and United Airlines plans to follow suit by January 2022. Even in the early stages of reopening to foreign travelers, the city-state is already unveiling new culinary ventures. Recently, chef Julien Royer, behind three-Michelin-star Odette, opened Claudine , and Raffles Singapore unveiled Osteria BBR by Alain Ducasse, while Marina Bay Sands plans to debut chef Tetsuya Wakuda's second restaurant within the hotel in the new year. Of course, there's just as much flavor to be found at Singapore's famed hawker centers, now on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. As tourists return to Singapore, new cultural attractions follow — from the return of Singapore Art Week, beginning Jan. 14, to the recent unveiling of SkyHelix Sentosa , an open-air ride towering 300 feet above sea level, for anyone still in need of thrills after a 17-hour flight over the Pacific. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

44. Southwest Michigan

Beaches with ocean-like views were once the main draw to Michigan's southwest coast, but new high-style accommodations and hyper-local experiences are giving us more reasons to go. Where to stay with so many options? Consider the cool new motel-turned-boutique Lake Shore Resort in Saugatuck; The Fields glamping retreat with new spa tents in South Haven; the revamped, modern Harbor Grand Hotel in New Buffalo; or anywhere along the coast with high-touch Bluefish Vacation Rentals , which has killer lakefront homes now stocked with handmade local goods. Hop on the new pedestrian/bike trail in Union Pier, and definitely shop two new woman-owned standouts: the beautifully curated Haven and Ariane Prewitt's AP Cottage, scheduled to open this spring. Women are showing off the culinary scene, too, with everything from a special saison ale — winner of the 2021 Great American Beer Festival — at woman-owned Waypost Brewing Co. , to new herb-inspired cocktails at James Beard-winning chef Melissa Corey's Penny Royal Café & Provisions , to James Beard nominee Abra Beherns' Granor Farm , where dinners return this year in a new glass-enclosed barn. — Nina Kokotas Hahn

45. St. Moritz, Switzerland

If you're on the hunt for glitz, glamour, and powder for days, look no further than St. Moritz, Switzerland. The Alpine ski town has long been considered the birthplace of winter vacationing. Tourists first flocked to the mountain town in 1864 , when hotelier Johannes Badrutt took a few British travelers to the community, promising them bluebird days all winter. It wasn't long until others learned about this hidden winter oasis. Skiers and winter sports enthusiasts flocked to the mountain, which has now hosted the Winter Olympic Games not once, but twice. It's an ideal place for ski bunnies too, thanks to its luxury shopping, and its numerous Michelin-starred restaurants . This winter, head to St. Moritz for its fantastic events like White Surf (Feb. 6, 13, and 20, 2022), an international horse race that takes place across the frozen Lake St. Moritz, and the Snow Polo World Cup (Jan. 28-30, 2022), which happens to be the world's only high-goal tournament on snow. Book a stay at the Badrutt's Palace Hotel , which officially reopened on Dec. 3 for the 2021/2022 season and offers guests the chance to try their hand at high-octane winter sports like skijöring, snowkiting, tobogganing, and even private helicopter tours to the peaks of Piz Bernina and Piz Palü. — Stacey Leasca

46. St. Pete/Clearwater, Florida

The beaches of St. Petersburg and nearby Clearwater are consistently ranked among the best in the U.S. and even the world , but there's more to this destination than white sand, pristine waters, and 361 days of sunshine per year. St. Pete/Clearwater offers more than 30 museums and galleries featuring world-renowned artists like Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso, as well as the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's work outside of Spain. One could say brewing the perfect beer is also an artform that St. Pete/Clearwater has mastered, with its trail of 35+ locally owned craft breweries. Playfully nicknamed the " Gulp Coast ," complete your experience with a digital passport that tracks your beer-sampling progress. These year-round offerings mean you can visit any time, but head over in June 2022 to revel in the 20th anniversary of St. Pete Pride , the largest Pride event in Florida, hosting events for everyone from friends and families to couples and solo travelers. — Jessica Poitevien

47. Todos Santos, Mexico

Todos Santos is one of Mexico's pueblo mágicos, or "magic towns," and locals are working to retain its history and culture while embracing the steady stream of travelers who have begun venturing an hour north of Cabo San Lucas to discover its charm. The area saw a handful of new boutique resorts pop up in 2021 that provide luxury amenities while keeping the rugged land and local flora the centerpiece. Wellness-focused Paradero describes itself as a "landscaping project" that just so happens to have luxurious suites, and El Perdido , an all-villa resort less than five miles south, provides all-terrain vehicles so visitors can get to Los Cerritos beach, the local surf break of choice. Oceanfront Rancho Pescadero 's multimillion-dollar transformation will be complete in the spring. Bookings for its oceanfront villas and penthouse rooms — some with private rooftops and plunge pools — open in January. Todos Santos has fully embraced farm-to-table dining, with Javier Plascencia's orchard-adjacent Jazamango leading the way, and Santa Terra , a cosmopolitan oyster bar meets arts and entertainment venue concept, is in the process of adding multiple bars and restaurants, plus a glamping site and amphitheater, according to its developer, "without chopping down a single tree." — Nina Ruggiero

48. Udaipur, India

After an extremely challenging 20-month closure, India reopened to vaccinated travelers on Nov. 15, 2021. Those looking toward South Asia in the new year, perhaps to see the Taj Mahal in Agra or hit the Goan beaches, should make sure Udaipur is on the itinerary. The city of lakes in southern Rajasthan is thought of as the most romantic Indian destination (even called the "Venice of the East") — but it's not just for honeymooners. From the vibrance of Hathi Pol bazaar and Shilpgram , an artisanal compound on the outskirts of the city with a festival set to return on Jan. 22, to the serenity of Lake Pichola, the artificial lake made in the 14th century, Udaipur is a city where you can fully immerse in Rajasthani culture. A hub of Indian luxury, Udaipur is now home to the country's first Raffles hotel, which opened in October. This private island hotel on Udai Sagar Lake is accessible only by boat — something of a trademark for the over-the-top hotels of Udaipur. Meant to be a flagship hotel in the Raffles portfolio, complete with brand staples (think: bars, both Long and Writers), 101 lavish suites, Rasoi cooking school, and lakeside open-air restaurant Belvedere Point. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

49. Wales, United Kingdom

The only path in the world to follow the whole of a country's coastline, the Wales Coastal Path celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2022. Walking its 870 miles would take three months, but its most spectacular stretches can be seen in one visit — and in style. St David's in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, is Britain's smallest city with a mere population of 1,600 and is home to a Medieval cathedral , a luxury hotel inside Roch Castle , some excellent pubs, and the upscale St David's Gin & Kitchen . Hiking paths with unbeatable coastal vistas are within easy reach (try the St David's Head loop ) and pass neolithic tombs and hillforts. — Jamie Carter

50. Yucatán, Mexico

Mérida, the capital of the state of Yucatán, has emerged as one of Mexico's most popular cities thanks to its lively restaurant scene, a busy calendar of cultural events, and a relaxed tropical atmosphere. Increasingly, however, travelers are venturing beyond the city to explore the state's unspoiled nature reserves, ancient Maya sites, and sprawling haciendas — a number now converted into hotels. Among the destinations that are drawing travelers to Yucatán are El Cuyo, a quiet beach town that was long a closely guarded secret of windsurfers. Now visitors can also enjoy gourmet Mexican fare at the El Chile Gordo restaurant and boho-chic lodgings at the new Casa Mate . In Espita, a charming colonial town near Valladolid, is the Casona los Cedros hotel which opened in summer 2021. Sisal, a historic port in the western part of the state, has attracted new interest since being named a Pueblo Mágico at the end of 2020. A new highway completed in April now connects Sisal to Hunucmá (and then beyond to Mérida) making it easier for beachcombers to visit, and perhaps spend the night at the cool Club de Patos . — John Newton

51. Bonus: Space

This was a monumental year for human spaceflight — not only did NASA and SpaceX achieve a regular cadence of astronaut launches for the first time since the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011, but space tourism has also lifted off in a major way, making space a top destination to visit in 2022. And it's a realistic trip, too, so long as you have the budget for it. Both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic succeeded in taking passengers to space on short suborbital hops this year, and each company plans to ramp up those flights in 2022 — Virgin Galactic already has more than 600 bookings. The price for a quick jaunt to space? A few hundred thousand dollars . If you have an even bigger budget (say, a couple hundred million dollars), you could charter your own orbital flight in a SpaceX Dragon Capsule, as did entrepreneur Jared Issacman with his Inspiration4 mission in September. There are also tourism trips to the International Space Station in the works; Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa launches on his multi-day journey in December, courtesy of space travel agency Space Adventures and Russia's Roscosmos space agency, which plans to take even more " citizen space explorers " to the orbiting laboratory in the near future. Of course, not everyone has pockets deep enough to cover space travel, but more affordable journeys are on the horizon. Startup Space Perspective plans to launch high-altitude balloon rides to the edge of space in 2024 , for the relatively low price of $125,000. Potential dealbreaker, though — the balloons don't actually reach space, maxing out at 100,000 feet in altitude, while space is considered to begin somewhere between 264,000 feet (50 miles) and 327,360 feet ​​(62 miles). But hey, at least there's a bar on board. — Stefanie Waldek

Elektrostal, Russia

Region: Moscow Oblast

Geographic coordinates: 55.783300, 38.466700, temperature range: -40.0°c to 30.0°c (-40°f to 86°f), climate: cold and snowy winters, mild summers with occasional heat waves., population: 158508, language: russian.

Elektrostal, Located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, Is a city known for its industrial heritage and diverse economy. With a population of around 150, 000 people, It lies approximately 50 kilometers east of Moscow. Founded in 1916 as an industrial center for steel and metal production, Elektrostal’s most notable landmark is the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant (EMZ). The plant produces various steel products including railway wheels, Pipes, Wire rod, And sheet metal. Apart from its industrial significance, Elektrostal offers several cultural attractions that are worth visiting.

The Museum-Estate Kuskovo features an impressive collection of art and artifacts from the 18th century. Lake Senezh – a large freshwater lake outside Elektrostal’s city limits – provides opportunities for swimming, Boating or fishing during summer months. Elektrostal also has several parks where visitors can enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or cycling. Gorky Park features walking paths along with sports facilities like tennis courts and basketball courts. Public transport within Elektrostal itself is convenient with numerous bus routes connecting different parts within the city limits as well as nearby towns like Noginsk or Dmitrovskiy Districts in Moscow Region.

Overall Elektrostal offers visitors an interesting mix of industrial heritage, Cultural attractions and natural beauty making it definitely worth a visit whether you’re interested in learning about Russia’s steel industry or simply want to enjoy the outdoors.

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Important Landmarks

  • The Museum of Local Lore – it showcases the history and culture of the town.
  • The Church of St. Nicholas – a beautiful Orthodox church built in the 19th century.
  • Victory Park – a large park with several monuments dedicated to World War II heroes.
  • Ice Palace Vityaz – a modern ice arena that hosts various sports events and concerts.
  • Elektrostal Central Park – a popular spot for picnics, walking, and outdoor activities.
  • The Monument to Soviet Soldiers – located in Victory Square, it honors soldiers who died during World War II.
  • Elektrostal History Museum – displays artifacts from ancient times to present day including photographs, documents, paintings etc.,
  • Kuzminsky Park- A beautiful park with greenery all around perfect for spending some quality time with family or friends

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Primary Industries

  • Metallurgical Industry: Elektrostal is renowned for its steel production industry that involves the manufacturing of steel pipes, wires, sheets and other metal products.
  • Chemical Industry: The city boasts several chemical plants that produce chemicals such as ammonia, fertilizers and plastics.
  • Machinery Industry: Elektrostal has a significant machinery industry that produces machine tools, mining equipment and other industrial machinery.
  • Construction Materials Industry: There are several cement factories in the city producing cement and concrete products.
  • Food Processing Industry: Several food processing plants operate within the city producing dairy products, meat products and other food items.
  • Energy Sector: The city houses a thermal power plant which supplies electricity to the region.
  • Retail and Service Sector: Additionally, there is a well-developed retail sector with shopping centers, supermarkets and small shops catering to the local population’s needs.

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Noteable History

  • The city was founded in 1916 as a center for steel production during World War I.
  • During World War II, Elektrostal played a crucial role in supplying the Soviet army with weapons and ammunition.
  • In 1957, the first nuclear power plant in Russia was built near Elektrostal.
  • The city is known for producing high-quality steel that is used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and construction.
  • Notable people from Elektrostal include Olympic gold medalist figure skater Irina Slutskaya and former Russian Prime Minister Sergei Kiriyenko.
  • In recent years, the city has undergone significant modernization efforts to improve its infrastructure and attract new businesses to the area.

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Museums and Things To See

  • Museum of Local Lore: This museum showcases the history and culture of Elektrostal and the surrounding region.
  • Victory Park: A large park dedicated to the victory in World War II, with monuments, memorials, and a military museum.
  • Church of St. Nicholas: A beautiful Orthodox church with stunning frescoes and icons.
  • The House-Museum of V.V.Vorovsky: This museum is dedicated to the revolutionary leader Vorovsky who lived in Elektrostal for a time.
  • The Central Culture and Leisure Park: A popular park with various attractions like amusement rides, sports facilities, cafes etc.
  • The Monument to the First Builders of Elektrostal: This monument commemorates those who built the city’s first industrial complex.
  • Art Gallery Art-El: An art center featuring works by local artists as well as exhibitions from around Russia and beyond.
  • Museum Elektrosvet: A unique museum showcasing lighting equipment from various periods starting from 19th century till present day.

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Cultural Events

  • City Day Celebration: This festival is held annually on the first weekend of September to celebrate the founding of Elektrostal.
  • International Festival The World of Dance: A dance festival featuring performances from various countries around the world.
  • Folklore Kaleidoscope Festival: A cultural event showcasing traditional folk music, dance, and costumes from different regions of Russia.
  • Art-Electro Festival: An art exhibition featuring works by local artists as well as artists from other parts of Russia.
  • Jazz Festivals: There are several jazz festivals held throughout the year in Elektrostal which feature performances by local and international jazz musicians.

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  • Shashlychnaya No. 1 – A restaurant specializing in shashlik (Russian kebabs) and other grilled meats.
  • Cafe U Dvukh Medvedey – A cozy cafe serving traditional Russian dishes like borscht, pelmeni (dumplings), and blini (pancakes).
  • Pivnaya Apteka – A beer bar with a wide selection of craft beers from Russia and around the world.
  • Kebab House – A fast-food chain offering various types of kebabs, falafel wraps, and salads.
  • Cafe Podkova – Another cozy cafe serving Russian dishes like beef stroganoff, chicken Kiev, and dumplings with different fillings.
  • Restaurant Kolbasny Dom – A meat lover’s paradise with various types of sausages, smoked meats, and steaks on the menu.
  • Sushi Master – For those who crave Japanese cuisine; this sushi restaurant offers fresh sushi rolls and sashimi plates.
  • Pizzeria Mama Mia!- If you’re in the mood for Italian food; this pizzeria offers delicious pizzas made from scratch using fresh ingredients.
  • Cafe Kamelot- A cozy café serving traditional Russian dishes such as borscht soup,pelmeni (dumplings),and vareniki(boiled dumplings).
  • Restaurant “Gagarin”- Named after Yuri Gagarin; this restaurant serves European cuisine including steaks,pasta,and salads along with exotic cocktails to choose from!

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Parks and Recreation

  • Central Park of Culture and Rest
  • Park of the 50th Anniversary of Victory
  • Park of the 300th Anniversary of Elektrostal
  • Sports and Recreation Complex Olympic
  • Ice Palace Elektrostal
  • Ski resort Krugloye Ozero
  • Beach complex Sunny Beach
  • Tennis club Elektrostal
  • Bowling club Strike
  • Paintball club Delta Force

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Shymkent, Kazakhstan

Reading Time: 5 minutes Shymkent, Kazakhstan Region: South Kazakhstan Region Geographic Coordinates: 42.316700, 69.595800 Temperature Range: -30.0°C to 40.0°C (-22°F to 104°F) Climate: Cold winters and hot summers with moderate precipitation throughout the year. Population: 1028673 Language: Kazakh Shymkent is a city in southern

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Akita, Japan

Reading Time: 7 minutes Akita, Japan Region: Akita Prefecture Geographic Coordinates: 39.720000, 140.103000 Temperature Range: -20.0°C to 30.0°C (-4°F to 86°F) Climate: Cold winters, mild springs and autumns, and hot summers with high humidity. Population: 302984 Language: Japanese Akita is a city located in

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Level Winner

Travel Town Beginner’s Guide: Tips, Tricks & Strategies to Complete More Levels and Rebuild the Entire City

By: Author Barbara Craig

Posted on Last updated: April 6, 2022

Travel Town is a match and merge puzzle game developed by Magmatic Games, and it’s currently available on iOS and Android platforms. On top of the beautiful sharp graphics and matching sounds, Travel Town comes with an addictive gameplay, that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.

To get you started on the right foot, we have put together a comprehensive Travel Town beginner’s guide . We will start this guide with explaining the basic mechanics and continue with effective strategies to advance quickly in the game, rebuild the city and help your neighbours. Of course, without forgetting to enjoy the thrill of finding new and better objects as you go merging.

travel town tips

Travel Town is visually similar and has the same mechanics as Merge Mansion , a game that we have covered before here at Level Winner. So if you had the pleasure of playing that game, then you probably won’t have any major problems going through Travel Town.

The game takes place in Travel Town, a beautiful seaside that was ravaged away by a storm. Your main objective is to restore it and help your neighbours who were left with nothing. Meanwhile, you discover new objects. The mechanics of the game consists of mixing matching objects to get better and better objects. You can sell these objects to your neighbours who in exchange will give you smileys among other rewards. Smileys are the in-game currencies in Travel Town, and you will use them to rebuild the town. To start to play you need to use energy. At the beginning you have 100 units of energy in the form of lightning and you must use it wisely to advance levels. But be careful, in between you must pay attention to how you organize yourself. Here I will share with you several tips and strategies to be able to advance quickly in Travel Town.

1. Starting From Scratch And Cleaning Your Place

At first, you will start with little free space to merge. Not only that, but you will also find spaces blocked by objects covered in sand. Do not worry that this is momentary and here you will see how to proceed to optimize your space.

starting from scratch in travel town

These grey objects that you find buried in the sand have to be removed with a matching item. To do this you must take objects out of the bucket and mix until you get the one you are looking for.

Now you may ask: How do I know what I need to mix to get what I’m looking for? Well, at first you will not have major difficulties. Keep looking, you’re on the right track. Once you achieve to unlock the space you will have a little bit more room and be more comfortable.

Pay attention not to miss the opportunity to unlock a space if you have the same item. As you advance in level, more spaces will be freed up to work and you will be able to have a greater variety of objects. You will also be able to see stars with numbers drawn on the sand, these numbers indicate at what level that space is unlocked. But you may have to dig up some grey object from that new place. When the neighbours see what you achieve on the beach, they will add you to the chat group.

travel town chat

There you can keep up-to-date with everything they would like to improve about the city, as well as read pretty funny things apart from the fact that they don’t stop talking in that group.

2. Stay Organized And Save Space

Maintaining order in Travel Town can be crucial and makes the difference between an average player and a pro player. Maintaining order in the first levels is not something very difficult to achieve, since you will only have a couple of objects on the playground. But what happens as you go forward? As you advance in the game you will have a greater variety of objects at your disposal.

Not only that, but you will also have to achieve more complex objects and you will have the board with half-jobs distributed everywhere. So how can you improve this situation?

A good option is to organize them by type , this way you will have more ease when searching for a particular object. For example, you can group the objects that come out of the bucket in one corner, the objects that come out of the picnic basket in another corner, and so on. You can also save space by gathering all the same items , so you will have more free places.

travel town inventory

Another option is to keep rare items, that you are not going to use for the time being, in the inventory. What happens if you follow the previous steps and still fill the sandbox with things? Can’t you keep mixing? Okay, do not worry! In this case, you have two options, one is to sell the objects in exchange for smileys, touching the object you want to sell and then below the currency symbol you can make the sale in exchange for smileys.

Some lower-tier items you will not be able to sell but if you need the space urgently you can remove them. You select the object first and then down in the garbage can. Throwing out the items does not benefit you since the sale value is not as good as the value for which the neighbours pay, but it’s still something. That’s why you have to try not to get to this point.

The inventory will also be enabled, where you can initially store up to 7 objects. You can unlock more slots in exchange for diamonds.

3. Keep Your Neighbours Happy And Successfully Deliver Orders

The neighbours seem to love the items you manage to get from the sand. That’s why they will be constantly requesting new items. Before starting to create an order object, you should review all the orders you have.

This way, you avoid making a very complicated request when you have an object that’s almost ready on your board. Sometimes the commands are very simple, but other times they are a bit more difficult. There may be unique objects , which you will have to find out where or how to get them. It may also be that you order 2 or 3 objects together.

travel town 2 items order

And you have to get them all, they don’t take half orders. This may seem difficult, but as the game progresses you will become a master at delivering double or triple commands. I recommend that you try to start with the most difficult of the 2 items. When you get this object it will turn green, this way it is very easy to identify them and you will know that you have to deliver it.

An ideal scenario is that you group the objects in green in some sectors of the board where you do not move the items much. This is so that you don’t keep mixing it with the same item and you lose the needed level. So you will leave it waiting until you get the others.

Why shouldn’t you overdo the level? If you build higher-level objects, you will spend more energy and later you will not be able to sell them and they will take up space. Also, you will have to start from scratch to build it again and deliver it, since you cannot go back. For example: if a neighbour asks you for a Nautilus shell but you continue mixing until you reach a starfish, then you will not be able to go back and you will have to wait for someone to ask you for that object.

travel town nautilus shell

Another thing that can happen is that you see some requests in grey: when you see this, if you try to open it, it will tell you that you have to go up to the next level to be able to take that order. So first you must level up completing other orders and then you will see what the order is about.

4. Start Little By Little To Buy Buildings And Reform Them

As we mentioned before, smileys are the in-game currencies. You can spend smileys on keys, so you can rebuild the buildings of Travel Town. You have several options to get smileys:

Fulfilling the requests of the neighbours: You will constantly have orders to deliver. Although, some objects will not give you many smileys in return. Some neighbours are willing to pay fortunes for rare objects. But yes, you have to know how to find them.

travel town order

Mixing certain objects: There are some objects such as photos or jewels that, when merged, may reward you smileys. You’ll notice because they will fly on the board, so don’t forget to collect them!

Buying smileys in the store: Some days there are available smileys in the store for purchase. It’s a lazy option and you must pay with diamonds in exchange if you do not want to merge.

Selling objects: Another good option is to sell some items that you have left and that you think you will not need. Once you sell an item, you will see how many smileys you got for that item in return.

Hmm… did you regret selling it? After the sale, you can recover the item by going down where it says undo selling and select the circular arrow. But be careful, once you select something else on the screen, the option to have the object returned to you will disappear.

selling objects in travel town

Opening chests: The majority of the chests have smileys as a reward, and you will be able to get many out of them. But of course, getting chests is not easy. You will have to fulfil orders, level up or rebuild buildings to get them. Once you get the necessary resources you can start upgrading the city. Keep in mind that in this case, you are going to need a pile of wood planks as well as smileys. Later in this guide, we will explain how to get the materials.

travel town upgrade

5. Squeeze The Juice Out Of Your Resources

The items that allow you to advance in the game faster are the following 3. Don’t forget to take care of your resources because they are the key to success in Travel Town.

Smileys: You need to get the maximum number of smileys to be able to pay for the key to the land that you are acquiring and also for the restorations. Doing this will give you experience points and you will advance in level.

That’s why every time a face item appears on the board, it is recommended not to sell it immediately and keep them in the inventory to mix them and reach the maximum level. This way, you can obtain greater benefits than selling them one by one.

For example: If you only have one smiley and you sell it, they will give you 1 in exchange, but if you have 2, they will give you 3, if you have 4 they will give you 7, if you mix 8 they will give you 15, and if you reach the maximum level of the item (level 5) which is 16 will give you 32 smileys. This is a lot of difference to make if you are patient and wait until you have the maximum level before selling it.

Energies: the energies will allow you to continue loading objects on the board, they renew themselves from time to time, but, indeed, they are also spent quickly when you need to deliver an object. That’s why every time an energy item appears, like the smileys, it is recommended to keep them in the inventory to mix them and reach the maximum level. This way you can get more benefit from it, for an energy item at the maximum level, you will get 100 units of energy.

travel town energy at maximum level

A tip to get more energy is to take a good look at the sign that appears when you run out, since sometimes to the right of the option to pay with diamonds it gives you the option to see a commercial in exchange for 25 energy.

travel town video ad

And because they are short commercials, I think it’s worth watching the commercial instead of spending diamonds on energy.

Diamonds: Diamonds are definitely the most precious and that’s why you have to avoid wasting them. In Travel Town, you can use it for almost everything. For example, you can skip the waiting time of some items with diamonds, but is it worth it? Perhaps, you can be patient with the wait and use the diamonds to exchange them for space in the inventory or get energy at good prices.

Check the offers daily, there are days that for a few diamonds you can get energy packages or chests. And just like energies and smileys, diamonds can be pooled together to make the most profit from selling them. Don’t forget that every time you discover a new item, it will appear in the collection book as a gift.

travel town collection

You must open it and inside it, you will find a diamond. So every day at the end of playing you can go to the book to continue completing the collections.

6. Permanent Objects

Permanent objects are those from which you can obtain objects in exchange for energy. These objects cannot be sold and you can take them to their maximum level. The higher its level, the better objects you will obtain from it. Keep in mind that of the objects that you can get from inside in exchange for energy, you will not be able to select them since it will give you a random object. Permanent items have a cooldown time that depends on the item.

As much as you have energy, you will not be able to remove objects infinitely. When the inside is finished, a clock will appear indicating how long you must wait until you can get objects again. There are times when you will be lucky and it will give you some higher-level item. Here are some permanent items that you will find in the first levels: Beach Bucket: This is the first permanent item that you get in the game. It is formed from buckets and you can take it to the maximum level, which is 9. From here you can obtain pebbles, stones, sandcastles and seashells, among others. When it is at its maximum level you will be able to obtain the mysterious letter from here but to be honest it will not be easy to obtain one.

travel town beach bucket

With the objects that come out of the bucket, you can complete the Shells and the Sand Castles book collection. Picnic Basket: This basket, like the bucket, is one of the first permanent items that you obtain and that requires energy to deliver objects.

travel town picnic basket

From here you can obtain spoons, olives among others. And you will be able to complete the Picnic Food series and the Cutlery Tools series. Jewellery display: When you take the jewellery display to level 4 you will have a jewellery box. It is a permanent item which means that it will remain on the board forever, not only will you be able to create beautiful jewels with what is inside it but it also has a particularity.

It is that this jewellery box does not use energy to generate objects! Which means that you will have endless items? Well, yes and no, because if it has a cooldown time. You can place the jewellery box in the middle of the board and you can see how the objects jump out.

In case you have a full workspace, I recommend that you keep the jewellery box surrounded by items. This way, neither of the will pop from inside, occupying the place you need on the board.

travel town jewellery

Once they stop coming out, you will have to wait for the recharge time to expire. If you need to make a jewel and you don’t want to wait for the recharge time, you can also use diamonds to skip the time. A trick for when they give you a reward jewellery box and you have one on the board: first you empty the one you have on the board until the clock mark appears indicating that you have to wait.

Next step, you lower the new jewel box to the board and empty it too. Once the 2 are with the cooldown clock, you merge them. This will not only give you a higher tier jewel box but also resets the time so you can empty it for the third time. 

7. Reward Items

Crates: Crates have 5 levels. Inside the crates, you can get smileys or  diamonds. When you get one, either for a level-up reward or for having completed a level. You can open it or you can also save it and wait till get one of the same level to be able to merge them.

Whichever option you choose, when you want to open it you have to select them and choose the option to open there will tell you how long you have to wait. The higher the level of the crate, the greater the rewards, but also the longer it will take to open.

travel town crate

Energy crate: The crates contain only energy inside so nothing that comes out of it can surprise you. They are usually achieved by levelling up or completing an order. These crates cannot be levelled up as they are at their maximum level when they appear. Toolbox: Toolboxes are boxes full of tools where you can find everything from screws and wood to cement and bricks for construction. They are crucial for building upgrades. Not only that, but they are quite difficult to get, usually given to you as a reward for hard-to-complete orders.

So I recommend that you keep everything that comes out of the toolbox well until you can get the maximum level of each item. So when you manage to build, for example, a brick wall or a concrete mixer, it will be kept in the inventory until you use it in some upgrade.

travel town tool items

These tool items will be saved in the second tab of the inventory. So you should not worry about them taking up space. You can go check what materials you have stored at any time.

8. Special Items Are Difficult To Get

Joker: The jokers are rarer items than diamonds. And they have the peculiarity of being able to duplicate any common object you have in the playground. If you’re lucky enough to get one, I don’t recommend using it to combine with a pebble.

Save it or use it to combine with an object that has a very high tier level. This way you will save a lot of time. You also have the option to buy it in the store in exchange for diamonds. So it would be a good purchase. Bubbled items: Bubbled items are items that appear inside a bubble when you are creating an object. These objects are trapped and you will not be able to use them unless you pay their reward in diamonds. Its price varies depending on the difficulty of the item. It may be that you are not interested in taking out of the bubble in exchange for some diamonds. But as soon as an item that you need appears, this may be worth spending diamonds on.

travel town bubbled

Be aware, you cannot doubt it for a long time since the bubble will disappear in a short time. Don’t worry if you decide not to pay with diamonds, the bubbles always leave you something in return, which can be a smiley, energy or even a diamond.

Mysterious letter: Just as its name says, this letter is mysterious, it is rumoured that it has a map inside and that it takes you to some hidden place in Travel Adventure, have you got it yet? Do not worry that as the levels progress they will come to your hands. As a suggestion, you should start by getting letters out of the bucket. Mysterious fossil: If there was something more mysterious than the mysterious letter, it is surely this fossil. It is much more difficult to get, but believe me, it has a very good reward.

9. Take Part In Special Events

Do not forget to complete the special events, they are a good opportunity to gather resources. Daily challenge: It is a daily event that will appear as an order on the top right and when you open it you will be able to see the tasks to complete. This order, unlike the others, has a time limit that you cannot exceed. You can see the time remaining from the order or when opening it as well.

travel town daily challenge

You can also see the counter, for example, if it says 0/3, it means that you have 0 tasks performed out of 3. As you complete them, it will indicate 1/3, 2/3, and so on until it reaches 3/3. Completing it will give you the reward indicated in the order. Wildlife sanctuary: it is a special event to which you are going to be invited to travel to the jungle. Precisely to a sanctuary, where you can feed and rescue tigers, cut dry or fallen trees, and plant new and healthy ones.

travel town welcome

During our stay in the sanctuary, you have to try to complete as many requests as possible. Here there are no smileys as a reward for orders. But in exchange for completing an order, they will give you a paw token.

travel town sanctuary

As you collect the paws you will advance in level, each time you reach a new level you will need more tokens to complete it. Once the time of the stay finishes, they will give you a diploma with the maximum level you reached and with it the rewards. The levels that you can reach range from level 1 to 8.

In the sanctuary, you will have a different energy, which has the same functionality as in the rest of the game but it is blue. When you run out of energy, you can go out and wait for it to recharge or you can also buy it with diamonds.

You can also collect smileys that will appear from time to time when you mix some items, it may be that smileys appear and you can collect those, a tip to take advantage of here is that if you see that our time in the jungle is running out and they are going to be left items, the ideal is that you can sell them before leave. Because once the time is up you won’t be able to come back for anything from the place.

travel town paw

The mechanic is very similar to what you’ve been doing. Only that here your mission, apart from completing the orders, is to rescue the tigers that are in the jungle. To do this, the first thing you must do is get items from the worker’s hut in exchange for energy. From here you can get tools, seeds and feeding bottles.

How to rescue your first tiger? The tigers are lost in the middle of the jungle but to get to them you must first cut down the fallen trees. You do this by taking some items of tools to the maximum level until you get a chainsaw. With it, you can choose the place to weed. Note that there are two types of trees to cut, one is the dry one that you will have to cut 2 times, so you will need 2 chainsaws.

travel town feeding bottle

And the other one is the stump for which you’re going to have to cut only once. Both will give you lodges in return. Once you enter the jungle you will find items in grey covered by the undergrowth, to unlock it you must get a matching item. When you go into the jungle, you may find a baby tiger in grey and to rescue it you will need to have another one. To get one you have to take a feeding bottle to the maximum level, then you double-tap it and a baby tiger will appear.

Once you got the baby tiger now with it, you can rescue the one you found in the jungle.

travel town baby tiger

How do you plant new and healthy trees? Once you were able to remove the dry trees, the idea of ​​the sanctuary is that you reforest it with healthy trees. To do this you must start by mixing the seeds until you bring them to their maximum level. When you manage to have a Sundari tree, it will provide you with seeds and flowers without having to spend energy in return.

travel town title

As soon as you finish don’t forget to claim your reward.

10. Be Persistent And Be Patient

As you progress in the game, you can achieve more complex items. Or maybe you use up energy faster. But don’t get discouraged, you can close the game and come back when you have full energy. Some items will take a few days to form but in the meantime, you will always have some other easier items to deliver. And when you have a permanent item in cooldown, relax and do other things in Travel Town.

That was our last piece of advice, and with that we conclude our Travel Town beginner’s guide. Hopefully, the tips and tricks we shared in this article will help you to advance in the best way until you complete your collection of objects and restore the city. If you have discovered any other tips or tricks during your gameplay, we would be happy to hear from you! Feel free to drop us a line in the comments below!

Deborah Leigh

Tuesday 13th of February 2024

What is an auto producer I keep hearing them mentioned. What do I do with the items? What items should I keep on the board?

Saturday 25th of November 2023

My favorite simple trick is this: try to keep 3 jewelry boxes on the playing board. Never combine them, and they will generate free jewelry three times as fast. Same with ice cream generators. Have fun Y'all.

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

Hi can someone tell me how to make the Goddess sculpture. I believe you use the are supplies for and I'm getting paintbrushes and notebooks which gave me pipes and make a colorful palette and pieces of concrete. But I don't know what to do with them. Thank you for any advice I could get

Sunday 6th of August 2023

What do the pearls do in the beach game?

Sunday 23rd of July 2023

How do you get the clown bugle in the circus?

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Travel Town - Merge Adventure 4+

Merge & discover‪‬, magmatic games ltd, designed for ipad.

  • #3 in Board
  • 4.8 • 56.2K Ratings
  • Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Explore Travel Town, where you can combine everything into better and more useful items while you travel the world! Reveal secrets as you discover yourself and help the friendly people of Travel Town! TRAVEL TOWN FEATURES: == Match Objects == • Discover over 500 fantastic objects through hundreds of levels! • Freely drag objects around the beautiful world and match 2 of a kind evolve them into more superior items! • Fulfil the missions of the townsfolk to unlock more amazing items! == Meet New Villagers == • Discover 55 villagers who live in Travel Town, and help them restore their seaside town! • Match objects to upgrade them and unlock more and more items to support you on your journey! == Town Building == • A storm has ravaged Travel Town - Collect coins and bring the town back to its former beauty! • Discover and upgrade dozens of houses and improve the town beyond your wildest dreams! Follow Travel Town on Facebook and Instagram for exclusive offers and bonuses! Facebook: facebook.com/TravelTownGame/ Instagram: instagram.com/traveltowngame/ Terms of Service: https://static.moonactive.net/legal/terms.html Privacy Notice: https://static.moonactive.net/legal/privacy.html Questions about the game? Contact us in the game by clicking on Settings > Contact Us Our support is also ready and waiting at: https://support.traveltowngame.com/

Version 2.12.501

Welcome to the latest update of Travel Town! We’ve been busy improving the game and addressing bugs for you. Enjoy!

Ratings and Reviews

56.2K Ratings

On the fence

When I started I loved playing the game! I watched every video I could, joined the Facebook group. I went all out for this game and I’ll admit I’ve spent a couple bucks on energy when I’ve been bored 😂 but recently the game is either not working right or just being rude when you get to a certain level. I takes so much money to upgrade one thing, and the orders don’t give me a lot of money compared to how long it takes to fill them. Because when you need to place and order, the baskets never give you the items you need, it gives you the exact opposite. Also for the card collections, it always gives me old cards and never new ones. I have almost competed every single one, and now I don’t get new cards. It’s just starting to take forever to do anything. So I’m on the fence of whether to keep playing or not 🤷🏼‍♀️ Edit: I still love this game, but when playing the special events and getting to level 14 I never get the prizes. It always glitches and I don’t get rewarded. This has happened twice now and it’s frustrating. I love playing but I hate not getting any rewards for playing. I just wish the game was a little more fair. Also no matter what I do, if I buy it or win it the amount of duplicate cards is insane. I have 8/9 for so many!!! Never can complete them. I have no more money and I just want to play a game to distract from everything. I just want an easy fair game.

Developer Response ,

Thank you so much for your feedback! We'll certainly take it into consideration as we continuously enhance Travel Town.

Overall enjoyable

Fun match game, similar to other games out there. What makes this one unique is the town development aspect and the various producers that you get as you move through the game. Some are regular tap for an item, some spit the items out at a certain interval, and some need to be tapped multiple times to produce the item. Those last ones are the most frustrating, but I like the additional challenge of having to ration your energy and plan your moves to optimize order completion. I do have a few *minor* critiques. After a certain point, you stop using some producers all together. The game has a kind of cold storage for the obsolete producers to get them out of the way. However, I do wish the game would circle back to them sometimes. Just to mix it up. Also, the frequency of energy and gem drops is rather low compared to other similar games; it would be nice to have more of a chance to get energy and gems. In the same vein, the cost of energy feels high and I dislike that the item shop only offers gems prices. Overall, this is a nice game that keeps me returning daily. It’s relaxingly simple while providing a slight challenge in terms of resource management. The special events are always a fun bonus, too.
Thank you for this feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know your thoughts!😊

Still getting stuck with big update…

First off, I do really enjoy this game, and I don’t mind the new update too much. Even though we had to start over, you gave us all our diamonds back, and it was kind of nice to start with a fresh board again. HOWEVER, you said it was to give smoother progresss for everyone and less instances of getting stuck and that’s NOT what’s happening for me. I’m at level 16 and progress has pretty much halted completely. Tasks that offer supplies as rewards are not often enough to continue upgrading the buildings so I have 3 buildings just sitting there waiting for me to get more cement mixers, brick walls, and boxes of nails. So progress has almost completely stopped for me and I am unable to play the game as intended. I get what you were trying to do but you need another update to accomplish it. Right now I am just disappointed and frustrated. (Side note, the amount you get for selling high level items is ridiculous. For example, the large bacota sandwich is level 13, but when you sell it you only get 12 back, which is borderline insulting! You get 1 for the mix of olives that is level 2 in the same category so we should be getting A LOT more back for the sandwich considering it takes 2,048 olives to create it…just something to think about as this is always something about your game that has always rubbed me the wrong way.)
Hi, please send us an email about this at [email protected] Thank you.

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19 Inspiring Travel Experience Stories About Life-Changing Trips

Love inspiring travel experience stories ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Grab a snack and your favorite beverage and get ready to settle in, as you’re about to read some truly inspiring travel stories about life-changing trips.

In this roundup, some of my favorite bloggers share their best travel stories.

You’ll hear about travelers embarking on sacred pilgrimages, growing after a first solo female travel trip, deeply connecting with locals on the road, and getting out of their comfort zones in ways that completely alter the course of their life.

And if you’re looking for a unique travel experience, you’ll likely find it in the short stories about travel below.

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Make sure to also connect with me  on Instagram ,  on YouTube , and  on Facebook  to start traveling #BeyondTheGuidebook.

I regularly share about solo female travel, New York City, lesser-known destinations, unique experiences, active adventures, and how to turn your passion for exploring the world into a profitable business through travel blogging.

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There is so much included!

Plus, I’m constantly adding new resources, guides, and personality quizzes to help you travel beyond the guidebook!

On that note, let’s dive into the inspiring travel stories .

1. Travel Experience Stories In South America

My travel story takes place in South America, back when I used to travel solo for months at a time.

I was in my mid-20s, and even though I’d backpacked Europe, Southeast Asia, and China and had studied abroad in Australia, the mix of intense excitement and nerves I had leading up to my South America backpacking trip was different.

And despite family and friends warning me that South America wasn’t a place for a solo female traveler , it ended up being my best trip ever.

There are so many interesting short travel stories and unforgettable travel experiences woven into this trip, like:

  • Getting invited to have dinner with my Brazilian plane seatmate and her grandma
  • Having a group of complete strangers on Couchsurfing take me out for dinner and dancing on my birthday in Mendoza
  • Attending a small house party in Argentina and learning about the tradition of mate
  • Getting stuck on a broken-down bus and having an impromptu language exchange with an elderly woman in Peru
  • Having a love interest back home break up with me via text, and then experiencing the kindness of strangers as a woman in my hostel who I barely knew treated me to ice cream to cheer me up
  • Having a romance with a hostel mate in Ecuador and then traveling through the country together
  • Living in a giant treehouse with a group of strangers during a solo trip in Brazil and spending our days exploring hiking trails and swimming and our nights drinking and exchanging stories about traveling
  • Taking a 4×4 from Chile to Bolivia across the Siloli Desert to see otherwordly sites like rainbow lagoons and train graveyards in the middle of nowhere
  • Experiencing some of the world’s most incredible natural wonders, like Iguazu Falls, Torres del Paine, the Amazon River, Uyuni Salt Flats, and Perito Moreno Glacier

At times the trip was also challenging, from dealing with long bus rides and car sickness to flipping over my bicycle handlebars in Peru and getting my body (and ego) badly bruised.

But, I was okay.

In fact, I was more than okay, as the trip showed me how independent I could be and what I was truly capable of. It also showed me the beauty of immersing yourself in cultures different than your own and connecting with locals who want to share them with you.

Years later, when people ask what my best travel experience has been this is the trip that comes to mind.

-Jessie from Jessie on a Journey

A travel experience story about Brunei

2. Traveling With An Open Mind

Many people think of travel as an experience and rightly so. Sometimes, however, you cannot choose the places you travel to.

This happened to me in 2019.

My husband found himself posted in Brunei for work.

Three months pregnant meant that I had a choice:

Either stay with him in Brunei for three months before returning back to India or remain in India, alone.

I chose the former. Not because of my love for the country but because I wanted to be close to him.

Brunei had never held any appeal to me. Whatever research that I pulled off the Internet showed me nothing other than one beautiful mosque.

The flights in and out of the country were expensive so traveling frequently out was not an option either.

I was engulfed by a sense of being trapped in a remote place.

Needless to say, I reached Brunei in a pretty foul mood. I think one of the things that struck me the most even in the midst of that bad mood was the large swaths of greenery that surrounded us.

Mind you, we were not staying in the big city but as far away on the outskirts as you could imagine. I’m not a city girl by any stretch and the greenery eventually soothed my nerves.

It took a week, but I soon found myself interacting with people around me. Fellow expats and locals all went out of their way to make me feel comfortable.

The more comfortable I felt, the more we explored. We trekked (yes, while pregnant!), we joined the board game community, and we enjoyed the local cuisine.

Three months later when it was time to leave, I found myself reluctant to say goodbye to the warmth of the country I had called home for a short while.

I think that my time in Brunei taught me a valuable lesson:

Don’t judge a place by what others say or a lack of information.

Sure, you may not always like what you see, but there will always be something that you will like. You just need to look hard enough to find it!

-Penny from GlobeTrove

A slow travel experience across the Portuguese Camino de Santiago

3. From Half-Day Hiker To Walking Holiday Enthusiast

I’ve always enjoyed walking but never in a million years did I imagine I’d end up walking over 200 kilometers (~124 miles) in 10 days, become a fan of walking holidays, and end up developing self-guided hiking routes in Portugal with a local tour operator as part of my business.

The shift from being someone who was content with an easy three-hour walk to an experienced multi-day hiker began with a brief taste of the Portuguese Camino de Santiago, an ancient pilgrim trail through Portugal to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.

Back in 2013 I did a guided one-day hike along one of the most beautiful stretches of the Camino, north of Ponte de Lima. It’s also one of the most challenging sections so it was hard work, but the views from the top of Labruja Mountain made the climb worthwhile.

My guides were so enthusiastic about the thrill of arriving at Santiago de Compostela Cathedral after the challenges of day after day on the Camino that I began to think I might want to give it a go, despite not being religious.

Fast forward a few years and I set off from Barcelos with a friend of mine to follow the Portuguese Camino de Santiago.

Apart from suffering from chronic back pain, I thought I was quite fit but nothing had prepared me for how utterly exhausted I would feel at the end of each walking day.

This was truly a slow travel experience, as we were averaging about 20 kilometers (~12 miles) per day and by the time we reached our hotel, I would barely have enough energy to get cleaned up and find food before collapsing. I had envisioned plenty of sightseeing but that ended up being minimal.

Quickly, I realized the moral of this unique travel experience:

The Camino was all about making the most of the journey rather than the destination.

For me, that was quite a shift in thinking as I am usually all about getting to where I want to be as soon as possible so that I can start exploring. It was, perhaps, also my first step on the path towards mindfulness.

I will never forget the sense of achievement and progress at the end of each walking day, and the relief and pride I felt when we finally made it to Santiago de Compostela.

We met people who had walked the Camino several times and I can totally understand how it can become addictive. 

-Julie from Julie Dawn Fox in Portugal

A story about traveling the Banda Islands

4. A Story About Traveling & Its Ripple Effect

Tucked away in far eastern Indonesia is a tiny archipelago of islands called the Banda Islands.

Apart from world-class snorkeling and some crumbling colonial buildings, the Banda Islands are mostly forgotten and would be described as a backwater by all accounts.

However, the Banda Islands are possibly the main reason that I am who I am today. 

Well, the Bandas are the original Spice Islands.

Nutmeg used to grow on this tiny group of islands alone and nowhere else. The Dutch colonized Indonesia and promptly became the owners of islands where money grew on trees.

The only problem was that Indonesia was so far away that they needed a halfway stop to and from Indonesia.

That’s where my travel experience story comes in.

The same Dutch East India Company that traded in spice set up a halfway station at the foot of Table Mountain to break up their long journey. As a result, my Dutch ancestors arrived in the southernmost point in Africa , and generations later we are still there.

When I visited the Banda Islands, it dawned on me how something happening on the other side of the world can ripple out and affect people on the other side of the planet.

And I’m not the only one!

The spice trade was so important to the Dutch that they even traded a tiny island in the Banda archipelago for a much bigger island…Manhattan.

Yes. That Manhattan.

Before visiting the Banda Islands I never really knew about this part of my history.

Along with the spice that the ships carried back to Amsterdam, it also carried slaves. These slaves, more often than not, ended up in Cape Town.

Just like my European ancestors, they too became a part of Africa and added another shade to our beautiful Rainbow Nation.

It was in the Banda Islands that I realized how much of my culture, food, stories and even words in my mother tongue, Afrikaans, actually originated in Indonesia.

Because of these tiny islands, I am a true mix of Europe, Africa, and Asia. While I always thought I knew how all things in life are somehow connected, I didn’t really grasp it until my visit to Indonesia.

This could have been a resort travel experience story, as I went to Indonesia to swim and snorkel and relax on the world’s best beaches. And while I did get to do that, I also learned a lot about who I am as a person, my people, and my country…on another continent. 

My visit to the Bandas has sparked a fascination with Indonesia, which I have visited seven times since. I’m already planning another trip to this spectacular country!

-De Wet from Museum of Wander

The best trip ever in Costa Rica

5. Awakening My Spirit In A Costa Rican Cloud Forest

In February 2017, I was just coming out of a decade of mysterious chronic illness that had shrunk my world.

And one of the things that finally helped me to resurface during the previous year was an online Qi Gong course I stumbled upon: 

Flowing Zen .

To the casual observer, Qi Gong looks a lot like its better-known cousin, Tai Chi — the ancient art of moving meditation — but it’s actually energy medicine for healing.

In fact, it’s commonly used in Chinese hospitals.

My daily practice that year made such a difference for me that I dangled a reward for myself:

If I stuck with it all year, then I’d head to Sifu Anthony’s annual retreat in a cloud forest in Costa Rica the following February.

And I did! It was my first trip out of the country for more than a decade.

Just like that, I booked a solo trip — something I hadn’t done since I was an exchange student to Europe 30 years earlier — to San Jose where I met up with a dozen strangers and Sifu Anthony, our Qi Gong master.

We boarded a tiny bus and rode up, up, up around carsick-inducing curvy mountain roads into a magical cloud forest jungle where we finally arrived at The Blue Mountain (“La Montana Azul”) for a weeklong Qi Gong retreat. 

There were no Internet or distractions here — just delicious organic vegetarian meals made with love and shared with the community under a gorgeous open-air palapa.

There were also colorful tropical birds singing in the jungle, as well as the largest arachnid I’ve ever seen in my gorgeous (but also roofless) room for a little extra adventure.

I’d felt a little energy movement during my year of online practice, but during that week on The Blue Mountain, my body began to really buzz with Qi — life force energy — as I Lifted the Sky, stood in Wuji Stance, and practiced Shooting Arrows.

I felt electrified and joyful. 

And that was when everything changed for me.

At home, I had a successful career as a freelance writer, but I decided during my week in the cloud forest that I wanted more from life.

I wanted to explore the beauty, diversity, nature, and culture in every corner of the world.

And I wanted to share this intoxicating joyful feeling of life-giving freedom and adventure with anyone who wanted to come along for the ride.

Shortly after that, at age 53, I launched my travel blog.

Dreams really do come true. They are just waiting for you to claim them.

-Chris from Explore Now or Never

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6. From Rome With Love

This wasn’t the way I wanted to see Rome. 

Sure, I was happy to spend Christmas in Rome and stand in awe of the city’s many iconic attractions. But, life wasn’t meant to turn out like this.

I was supposed to go to Rome with my mom back in 2012; however, life had different plans, because a week before our trip, I got a double kidney infection. A condition that required a week of hospitalization.

Although I was annoyed I had missed my trip, it wasn’t the end of the world since I was fine and everything seemed okay…until my mom developed a cough.

A cough that later became a heartbreaking diagnosis of stage four ovarian cancer. 

My mom spent the final months of her life in chemo, desperately trying to fight a horrific disease so that she wouldn’t let her family down.

And she didn’t.

Instead, she showed us how to never give up on life, even if it was a losing battle. 

So, when she eventually passed away, I booked a trip to Rome. 

Sure, it wasn’t the trip I had hoped for. But, I knew that as her daughter, it was my job to live enough for the both of us. 

And that’s exactly what I did.

Was I an anxious, sad, angry mess of a person?

Absolutely. I was still getting used to a world that my mother wasn’t a part of. 

And honestly, you never get used to that world. You just deal with it because you don’t really have a choice.

But I also knew that I wanted my mom to live on through me and that I didn’t want to live a life where the haunting phrases “should of,” “could of,” and “would have” swirled through my head and ate away at my happiness.

So, I went. I packed a boatload of tissues, sobbed my heart out, and attended Christmas mass at the Vatican. 

I also threw a coin in the Trevi Fountain, walked through the Colosseum, chowed down on gelato, and spent two weeks doing all the things my mom and I had wanted to do. 

And that’s when it hit me. I had never gone to Rome alone because my mom had always been there with me. Maybe she wasn’t physically there, but I thought of her and felt her presence every minute of every day. 

Her presence also reminded me that life isn’t about the things we buy or the money that we have.

It’s about making memories with the people we love; people that never really leave us since they are constantly influencing our lives in countless ways.

And after my trip to Rome, I finally knew that my mom would always be there because she had forever changed my life in the best possible way. 

-Kelly from Girl with the Passport

inspiring travel stories in Finland

7. Studying In Finland

One of my major life-turning points happened during my exchange studies in Finland.

Until then, I was studying at a university in Prague, had a part-time job at a renowned management-consulting firm, and thought I was on the right path in life.

At the University of Economics where I studied it was notoriously difficult to get on an Erasmus exchange trip abroad since the demand was huge. Everyone wanted to go!

Regardless, I decided to sign up early for my last semester, just to see what the process was like to be better prepared for applying again in a year.

I did make it through all the three rounds and surprisingly got a spot at a University in Turku, Finland! I was ecstatic. The success brought its own challenges, but once you set your eyes on the goal, nothing can stop you.

And I had the time of my life in Finland.

I met the most amazing people, traveled a ton, partied a lot, and bonded with friends from all over the world.

Given I was one of the few people there who really needed to pass all her courses and additionally write her thesis, I managed to run on an impossible sleep schedule of four hours per night. But I made it!

My studies in Finland opened up my horizons, too.

The summer after, I wrapped up my life in Prague and went on to study in Germany and China . The whole time I traveled as much as possible, often going on solo adventures. It was only a matter of time when I’d start my own travel blog.

My Finland adventure led me to a life of freedom made up of remote work, travel blogging , and plenty of traveling. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome. And it gave me one of my favorite true adventure stories that I can now share with others.

-Veronika from Travel Geekery

Travel experience stories in Cuba

8. How Cuba Changed My Life

One of my favorite inspiring stories about travel takes place in Cuba.

I visited Cuba in February 2013 and it changed my life — and I like to think it did so for the better.

Interestingly, I expected a completely different country and was compelled to write about it when I got back home.

But let me tell you more.

I read copious amounts of blogs and travel diaries to prepare myself for the trip to Cuba so I thought I’d go in with a fairly good idea of what to expect. Each and every post I read spoke of marvelous landscapes, pristine beaches, crumbling but charming cities, and welcoming locals.

All of it was true, in my experience — except for the locals.

I didn’t find them so welcoming. At least, not genuinely so. They only seemed to welcome me as far as they could get something in exchange: money, clothes, pens, soap, you name it. 

Each and every day in Cuba was a challenge to avoid the scams, to avoid being ripped off, to fight off each and every attempt of people trying to take advantage of me. I usually managed, but it was exhausting and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

Once I got back home I felt the urge to write about my experience — not for other sites or papers as I’d often do. This time I was afraid I’d be censored.

So I opened my own blog. With zero tech knowledge, zero understanding of online content creation and SEO, I started writing and telling people what they should really expect during a trip to Cuba.

I’d put up the occasional post, but continued with my usual job.

At the end of the year, my contract as a researcher in international human rights law at the local university ended, and I decided to stop pursuing that career for a while.

I packed my bags and left for a long-term trip to Central and South America . I started writing on the blog more consistently and learning, and eventually took my blog full-time , turning it into a career.

As of today, I have never looked back and have no regrets.

The one thing I’ll do, as soon as I can, is travel to Cuba to say thank you — because it changed my life in a way nothing else has ever done. 

-Claudia from Strictly Sardinia

inspiring travel stories in Patagonia

9. A Short Travel Story About Finding Inner Peace In Patagonia

Life in London is hard.

Life in London as a gay single brown refugee is harder.

Juggling between work, my passion for traveling, and the prejudices that I dealt with on a daily basis eventually took their toll on me and I reached a breaking point.

The fact that I couldn’t return home to see my family and being away for them for almost nine years was enough to hammer in the final nail in the coffin.

I almost had a nervous breakdown and in that moment of desperation, which I knew would define the rest of my life, I took a month off and headed to Patagonia.

It was probably the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. The 36 hours it took me to get to El Chalten from London were tiring but Patagonia blew me away.

On my first day there I did a 28-kilometer (17-mile) hike which included a steep mountain climb. It was incredible how moving through the forest helped me clear my mind. And as I stood in front of Laguna de Los Tres, the rain and clouds gave way to sunshine and a rainbow.

I felt at peace.

The countless hikes, great food, and the warmth of locals in Chile and Argentina helped me get back in my skin and find the peace I was missing in my heart.

Nature is indeed the best medicine when it comes to stress relief and I won’t be coy about hugging trees to speed up the process (it did).

Patagonia was life-changing for me.

The beauty of nature struck me at each point and every time I thought it wasn’t possible to beat the view, the next one did just that.

I came back a changed, resilient, and most importantly, a happy person.

-Ucman from BrownBoyTravels

A unique travel experience in Colorado

10. Looking Inwards & Making Connections With Strangers

It was decades before I traveled solo for the first time in my life.

This trip — a six-day escape to Colorado — was the first trip that was not for business or family reasons but just to travel and discover.

As I prepared for it, I had a strange feeling of excitement and nerves at the same time. I had all sorts of thoughts and doubts:

Would it be fun?

Would I be bored?

Would I stay in bed all day or would I bounce with excitement to do the next thing?

I wasn’t sure. Little did I know that it was going to be a memorable journey of self-discovery. 

As a good wife and mom, for me travel is always about the family; always thinking of who would enjoy what. It’s about family time and bonding. It’s about creating memories and travel stories together. It’s all so wonderful.

But on a solo trip who would I connect with? What would I say?

Well, I found that I got to do anything I wanted!

Usually when I travel with my family, if I feel like going on a drive that’s not on the itinerary or getting a snack no one else is interested in, we simply don’t do that.

So it was weird to just go do it. Really, that’s a thing?

As for making connections, it was so easy to meet locals while traveling and also to connect with other travelers. Honestly, I had conversations everywhere — on planes, while hiking, in restaurants, in the hotel lobby.

It was quite an eye-opening experience to meet a mom of 18 kids and hundreds of foster kids, a cookie baker, a professional photographer, a family of Fourteener hikers, and an internationally ranked marathon runner.

The inspiring stories I discovered were amazing and nothing like my wonderful safe life at home. 

In terms of travel safety , I got to go rock climbing, solo hiking, driving up a Fourteener, eating alone.

And it was all fine. Actually, it felt surprisingly normal.

It was was just me, my SUV, and my backpack for a week. Most of all, it was a breath of fresh air that I didn’t know existed. 

It’s wonderful to be back home and know that possibilities are endless and there is so much more out there to explore and be wowed by!

-Jyoti from Story At Every Corner

life-changing travel experience stories in Colombia

11. A Solo Hike To Find Connection

I have traveled solo many times, but I admit I was a bit uneasy booking my trip to Colombia . In part, due to the country’s dark past. But also because I desperately wanted to do the Cocora Valley hike, and if I’m honest, I was terrified.

This hike is located in the Coffee Triangle, an area recognized for its beauty as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features both rainforest and a stunning green valley speckled with cartoonishly-tall wax palms rising 200 feet or more.

It’s incredibly beautiful.

It’s also a long hike and quite challenging — it generally takes between six and eight hours and there is a steep area with over 3,000 feet of elevation within a quarter of a mile.

I wasn’t in hiking shape, so I was a little concerned. But, worst of all for me were the seven dodgy-looking suspension bridges. 

I’m terrified of heights.

And, I’d be going alone.

I decided to go anyway and I met an incredible woman on the bus to Salento, the town near Cocora. She was also traveling solo and we agreed to hike together.

The town is a backpacker enclave and we met up with a small group of people all traveling solo. As the days passed, our group got larger and it was such a magical experience.

As much as I love city travel, this small town won my heart.

My new friend and I set off on the hike and met two other women who were nervous to do the hike. We all went together.

When we got to the first suspension bridge, I paused. I was embarrassed to admit my fear, but the bridge swayed widely and there was nowhere to hold onto.

When they realized how out of my comfort zone I was and how scared I felt, everything changed. Instead of me dealing with it alone, they were all there to encourage me.

One crossed the bridge to encourage me from the other side and they stayed off of it to limit the sway. Crazy enough, I not only crossed the seven suspension bridges, but I also crossed one an extra time when we went the wrong way on the trail.

I did it! 

I was prepared to be blown away by Cocora Valley’s beauty, but what I wasn’t expecting was what a life-changing travel experience my time there would be.

 -Sam from My Flying Leap

short stories on travel and sustainability

12. How A Pet Sitting Travel Experience Led To A Passionate Career

We wanted to go to the Caribbean but didn’t know much about the islands or how we were going to afford it.

By chance, a friend of ours in Australia mentioned “pet sitting” and that it is something you can do all over the world.

We quickly created an account on a pet sitting website and began searching for options. There were only a couple of sits available in that part of the world, but we tried our luck, sent a request, and to our surprise landed a three-month gig in a beautiful house in the US Virgin Islands — with an infinity pool overlooking the British Virgin Islands.

A month into our sit, we had explored the destination pretty well and so had a lot of time on our hands. We managed to secure another sit in Grenada, so our year was going to be taken up with Caribbean pet sits.

Inspired by a Canadian couple that had previously stayed at our Grenada housesit, we decided to start our own travel blog. We began by writing about The Virgin Islands, highlighting the beautiful beaches and funky bars.

But for every photo of a beautiful beach there were 10 photos of trash.     

It was hard to ignore the plastic pollution issue, especially on such pristine and remote beaches.  So, we began to share photos of the trash we saw and how much we could pick up on our daily dog walks.

The more we looked into plastic pollution, the more we realized the severity of the global plastic pandemic. From that point, we used our platform to create awareness and highlight ways to say no to plastic and travel plastic-free .

We changed our daily routines, our way of living, and even our diets to accommodate more organic foods and little to no plastic packaging.

It’s been over three years now and we continue to do what we can. This journey has led us to some amazing places, working with great conscious brands and even organizing a country-wide beach clean-up campaign in Grenada.

Our aim now is to keep on going.

We love connecting with like-minded people and love the shift over the last few years that brands have made towards creating more sustainable products and services.

It’s been an amazing few years that was sparked by a conversation about pet sitting. Who would have guessed?

-Aaron & Vivien from The Dharma Trails

travel for experience in Uganda

13. Learning To Slow Down The Hard Way

On Christmas of 2017, I was born again.

We like to spend our Christmas holidays somewhere warm abroad, and that year we chose Uganda.

Nature, wildlife, and sunny days were a blessing when it was so cold and dark in Europe. Life was beautiful, and we had a rental car and a busy schedule ahead to explore the country.

This is where this short travel story turns into one of my more scary travel experiences :

At Murchinson Falls National Park, we had a car accident.

I lost control of the car, and it rolled over, destroying windows, chassis, and engine.

But we were alive! My right arm was severely injured, but we managed to walk to our lodge, not far inside the park.

In the lodge, I was happy to learn that there was a pretty decent American hospital in Masindi that was just a one-hour drive from the lodge. Moreover, one of the lodge’s guests was a nurse who cleaned the wound while we were waiting for the taxi from/to Masindi.

The hospital took care of us, and after a couple of injections and stitches, I was ready to head to our new hotel in Masindi; however, my wound required daily dressing and more injections, so we were asked to stay in town for a few days.   

Masindi is the kind of place where you may want to stop to buy some food or water, but that’s it.

The town’s highlights were the market and our daily visit to the hospital, so we ended up looking for the small things, chatting with the medical staff, the hotel staff, the people in the market, and learning more about their customs.

We learned to slow down the hard way.

When we were allowed to leave, we took a road trip south through the country to see something else. We did not care about our travel bucket list anymore — we were alive, and we wanted to enjoy Uganda’s unique nature and its people. 

In the end, our Uganda trip was not about the places that we saw, but the people that we met. It was travel for experience vs sightseeing.

I hope to revisit Uganda one day, with a stop at Masindi for some food, water, and maybe something else.

-Elisa from World in Paris

short travel stories about cycling

14. A Cycling Trip To Remember

During the summer of 2019, I cycled solo from London to Istanbul. This huge bicycle tour took me 89 days and through 11 countries.

As you might expect, it was a challenging yet incredible journey, which saw me pedal along some of Europe’s greatest rivers, pass through some of its best cities, and witness some of its most beautiful scenery.

It’s becoming more and more important for us to think about the impact that travel can have on our environment. This was the inspiration for my bicycle tour; I wanted to find more responsible ways to explore the world and avoid flights where possible.

I discovered that bicycle touring is one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel, as using nothing but a bicycle and your own pedal power you can carry everything you need while covering surprising distances each day.

The simplicity of life and the sheer amount of time I spent cycling alone gave me a lot of time to just think . This really helped me to come to terms with some personal problems rooted in my past and, as a result, I arrived solo in Istanbul with newly found confidence, independence, and liberation. 

Cycling across the entire European continent may seem like an impossibly daunting task, but I assure you, it will make you feel like a new person, just like it did for me.

-Lauren from The Planet Edit

Best travel experience in Jamaica

15. How The Caribbean Shaped Me Into A Fully Sustainable Traveler

One of my first international trips as an adult was traveling around the Caribbean .

I checked into my hotel in Jamaica and asked for a recommendation for a local place to eat. The receptionist told me that under no circumstances should I should go into the town because it was really dangerous, but that — to my luck — the hotel’s restaurant offered wonderful Caribbean food.

I pondered my options:

Did I really want to spend all my time on the beach without getting to know a single local?

I was a very inexperienced traveler and very young, but there was only one answer to my question:

Absolutely not. I was not going to be visiting a new place and staying hostage in a hotel chain. So out I went.

The poverty hit me in the face. After only seeing fancy resorts, the reality was hard to swallow.

A few locals approached me and were super curious as to what I was doing there alone, since most tourists didn’t go there.

I told them I was interested in meeting them and experiencing their culture. And just like that, I was embraced.

We met more people, had some food, and then we danced the night away. They had so little, yet they wanted to share it with me. They wanted to make me feel welcome.

And they undeniably did.

The next morning all I could think about was how all the money most tourists spend goes to big corporations. The locals have to be thankful if they get a job that pays minimum wage, while foreign businesses earn millions.

I have always been environmentally conscious, but this trip made it clear that sustainability goes well beyond nature and wildlife.

It’s also about communities.

From then on I always look for locally owned accommodation, eateries, guides, and souvenirs.

Sustainability, with everything it entails, became a motto for me and changed the very essence of the way I travel.

-Coni from  Experiencing the Globe

Short stories about travel in Peru

16. Lessons From My Students In Peru

One of the most life-changing trips I’ve ever been on was a volunteering experience in the stunning city of Cuzco in Peru.

I spent a month there teaching English and Italian to a group of local adults. And even though my time there was short, the travel experience was so humbling that it changed my outlook on life.

My lessons took the form of active conversations, which essentially turned into a massive multilingual cultural exchange between me and my students. Hearing my students talk about their lives — and realizing just how different they were from mine — made me look at my own life with a fresh new perspective.

One person spoke about the three years he spent living in a jungle with his dad, where they fed off of animals they hunted in order to survive.

Another student told me about her ultimate dream of mastering English so that she could become a tour guide and have a more stable future.

For me, these stories were a reminder of just how small I am in this world and how much we can get consumed by the small bubbles we live in. 

Most of all, my students showed a passion and appreciation for life that I’d never witnessed before.

This is true for the locals I met in Cuzco in general. The quality of life in Cuzco is very modest; hot water is scarce and you learn to live with little.

But the locals there do way more than just that — they spontaneously parade the streets with trumpets and drums just because they’re feeling happy, and their energy for the simple things in life is incredibly contagious.

It was impossible to not feel inspired in Cuzco because my students always had the biggest smiles on their faces, and the locals showed me again and again that simply being alive is a blessing.

I went to Peru to teach, but ended up learning more from my students and the locals there than they did from me.

Ever since I got back from that trip, I made it a goal to slow down and not take the simple things in life for granted.

Every time I get upset about something, I think about the Peruvians in Cuzco parading their streets in song and pure joy, and I tell myself to stop complaining.

-Jiayi from  The Diary of a Nomad

inspiring traveling stories about overcoming obstacles

17. Braving Travel With Chronic Pain

Santiago de Compostela is a beautiful city with a prominent cathedral positioned centrally within the city.

While the historical cathedral attracts numerous visitors, even more well-known is the route to Santiago de Compostela, Camino de Santiago –- the world-famous pilgrimage route that has a plethora of trailheads and ends in Santiago. 

Home to locals, students, English teachers, and those on a spiritual pilgrimage, personal conquest, or a great outdoor hiking excursion, Santiago is a magical city.

My introduction to Santiago de Compostela doesn’t begin on the pilgrimage route, yet ends with a spiritual awakening analogous with those other unique pilgrimage stories.

It was my first solo trip abroad teaching English in Spain, a country that’s always been on my travel bucket list. A small town outside of Santiago was selected as the school I’d be teaching at for the year.

Unknowingly, this teach abroad program chose the perfect city for me to live in. 

A year prior, I suffered a traumatic brain injury that left me unable to function normally and complete average tasks. Migraines, headaches, and dizziness became my body’s normal temperament, a hidden disability invisible to the naked eye. 

Braving travel with chronic pain was the first lesson I learned during the trip.

The vast green outdoors and fresh dew from the morning rain enlivened me daily and reminded me about the importance of slowing down so I could enjoy traveling with my hidden disability. 

I also learned to stop often for daily tea breaks and to embrace the long lunch hour,  siestas , with good food, company, and a nap to rest.

Meeting locals , indulging in local food, and learning Spanish allowed me to connect deeply with the beautiful culture of Santiago. After all, my dream was to travel to Spain, and I more than accomplished that dream.

Difficult or not, I learned to own my dream and I was more than surprised with the results.

Who knew that a year after my injury I’d be traveling the world with chronic pain, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

-Ciara from Wellness Travel Diaries

travel experience stories in China

18. A Blessing In Disguise

2020 has been a wild year for all of us and foreign students in China are no exception. As soon as the malevolent virus began to make its rounds in China, our university sent us home for “two weeks.”

However, within a short time, countries began to shut their borders and these “two weeks” turned into months, a full year even.

Crushed by the burden of online lectures and virtual labs, my boyfriend and I packed our bags and caught one of the first flights to his home country of Pakistan.

I had always been an over-ambitious traveler. I believed numbers were everything — the number of countries I visited, the number of hours I spent on a plane, the number of international trips I took in a year. These numbers were what defined me.

My feet were constantly itching and I never liked to spend more than a few days in a place before heading to the next country. Revisiting a place felt superfluous to me.

That’s why I was hoping to spend a month or two in Pakistan and then continue to check new countries off the list — after all, my online classes finally granted me the freedom to “work on my numbers.”

But as is usually the case in 2020, things turned out quite different from what I had expected. Borders remained closed and worldwide infections stayed rampant. At this point, I have already spent nearly half a year in Pakistan.

During this peculiar time, however, an amazing thing happened:

My mindset about travel started to change and I began to look at my long stay in Pakistan as perhaps my most valuable travel experience ever.

I may not have visited dozens of countries like in previous years but my experiences were deeper than ever before.

From trekking to one of the world’s tallest mountains to sharing tea with heavily armed officers at nearly 5,000 meters altitude to exploring hidden beaches in the most secluded regions to spontaneously being invited to village homes, my adventures in Pakistan couldn’t have been more incredible. They opened my eyes to the sheer diversity of many countries and completely transformed my idea about traveling. 

It took me nearly a full year of heavy restrictions on international travel and a few months in one of the world’s most fascinating countries to give up on my superficial ideals and become a more mature traveler.

This time will always have a special place in my heart.

-Arabela from The Spicy Travel Girl

short travel stories about life-changing trips

19. What The River Taught Me

My travel story takes place in the summer of 2017 — the final summer before I graduated university — as it continues to play a significant role in the person I’ve become.

When I say that, people ask me if it was the portion of the summer I spent solo backpacking in Europe . And to their surprise, it wasn’t. It was actually the latter portion of the summer where I stayed closer to home.

For July and August I worked as a canoe guide leading whitewater canoe trips on remote rivers in Canada. It was here that I got to canoe the powerful and iconic Missinaibi River, a river that continues to influence me all these years later.

The Missinaibi River flows from the powerful Lake Superior to the even more powerful salty waters of James Bay. Here, I led a group of eight teenagers through dozens of whitewater rapids over 500 kilometers (~311 miles).

With no cell service for 25 days, we were forced to disconnect from anything other than the river.

During this trip I learned two important lessons:

First, I learned to be confident in my own abilities as a leader and problem solver.

There were a few rapids where my campers’ boats flipped and I had to rescue the campers and the canoes. One rescue saw two boats flip on a mile-long rapid. It took six hours to make it down the rapid, and during this time I managed stuck canoes and crying campers.

And while this was one of the most difficult rescues I’ve done, I was amazed at how calm I was throughout it. I gave clear directions, prioritized effectively, and kept my campers safe throughout the entire experience. Following the rescue, I had a newfound sense of confidence in my abilities.

The second lesson I learned on the Missinaibi was the power of disconnecting from society and connecting with the people around you.

A wild river commands all of your attention. Each day, you and your group must take down camp, load canoes, paddle up to eight hours while navigating both rapids and portages, get to a new campsite, set up camp, cook dinner, and go to bed.

And without the distraction of technology, your attention has nowhere else to be. You focus on the river and your teammates.

As someone who had wrestled with anxiety and depression prior to this summer, I felt at total ease on the trip. Now I seek societal disconnection and human connection as much as I can. 

Sometimes the most profound, life-altering trips are the least expected trips closer to home.

-Mikaela of  Voyageur Tripper

More Short Travel Experience Stories

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23 Inspiring Travel Stories Sharing The Kindness Of Strangers

17 True Short Adventure Travel Stories To Inspire Your Next Trip

38 Inspiring Travel Love Stories From The Road

16 Short Funny Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh

20 Embarrassing Travel Stories That Will Make You Laugh & Blush

21 Travel Horror Stories About Scary Travel Experiences

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These stories are so much fun to read! Thanks so much for putting a post like this together. It’s great to be able to check out other people’s blogs and read about other people’s experiences!

Always great to read about travel experiences of others. Some great stories to read over coffee. I’ve Pinned your post for future reference and to share with others. Will check out each story author’s blog as well. Great Job! 🙂

Amazing story for new traveler like me thanks for your contribution

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Aspen has seven more weeks of skiing — here’s what’s new in the celeb-loved mountain town.

A new high-speed quad lift, renovated rooms at the Residences at The Little Nell and recently opened boutique hotel Mollie beckon in the Colorado community, where slopes remain open through April 21.

By Elycia Rubin

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Aspen Mountain at night

Aspen is always a haven for titans such as Jeff Bezos, David Geffen and Rihanna, who was spotted in the mountain town over the holidays wearing a  Giorgio Armani faux fur coat  and sweatsuit paired with  Icon Low cream faux fur Moon Boots .

The ski area’s 2023-2024 season still offers seven weeks for fun on the slopes, with Aspen closing for the spring on April 21.

Related Stories

The buzzy new riviera maya edition at kanai boasts the largest penthouse suite in north america, the best carry-on suitcases for every type of budget and traveler.

Here’s what’s new to check out and enjoy in the resort town.

This season, Aspen has unveiled Hero’s, a high-speed quad lift and 150 acres of expert terrain on the upper, eastern side of Ajax Mountain, along with  Mollie , a new 68-room boutique hotel perched at Paepcke Park in the center of downtown.

Layne often books the newly renovated two-, three- and four-bedroom  Residences at The Little Nell , (from $10,985 per night, through the hotel or via Hotels.com ), affiliated with The Little Nell, the only five-star, five-diamond ski-in/ski-out hotel in town.

“Families love it, and the property has one of the most prime locations in town.” The redesign includes a flock of sumptuous new touches including woven wallpaper, plush sectional sofas, leather dining chairs, white oak wood flooring and new appliances in the open-air kitchens. There’s also a rooftop pool and ski concierge perched right at the base of Ajax Mountain to help guests pop in and out of their boots. Topping off the newness are a fitness center and spa redesign at the hotel that opened this December, featuring three treatment suites (two of which have fireplaces and infrared saunas) and a partnership with  Seed to Skin Tuscany , the cult-favorite, natural skincare line handmade at celebrity hideaway  Borgo Santo Pietro  in Italy — the line is available both in the spa and as amenities in the guest rooms.

ASPENX  — known for its ASPENX Beach Club designed with Gray Malin — is offering a custom experience at Snowmass’ quaint  Lynn Britt Cabin .

And on the dining front, Matsuhisa has renovated their upstairs space; basement bar Buck has just opened under Brunello Cucinelli, and quick serve joint Jimoto serves up ramen and soup dumplings.

Through March 18, shop the offerings at the Revolve & FWRD pop-up store or saunter in to the Kemo Sabe hat store, where Mariah Carey popped in on New Year’s Day to snap up this  Stetson 20xGus felt hat .

Elsewhere in Colorado, Crested Butte is another emerging hot spot that Layne recommends to clients. “It’s lesser-known and great for a change of pace.” Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder and CEO of Indagare , the members-only luxury travel company, sees a lot of interest in Beaver Creek. “As other slopes have become busier, it’s very appealing.”

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Travelers just rated this Arizona town as the best place in the US to visit in 2024

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A southeast Arizona town with historic architecture and a rich mining legacy was recently recognized as one of the best places in the world to visit for 2024.

Atlas Obscura, an online magazine that highlights what it considers the world’s most fascinating places, recognized Bisbee in Cochise County among five reader’s choice destinations included in its inaugural Wanderlist , a guide to the year’s best places to visit.

Bisbee shared the reader’s choice honor with four other destinations around the world. Bisbee was the only U.S. destination on the Wanderlist.

Here’s why Atlas Obscura readers named Bisbee a must-visit destination for 2024.

Other must-visit Arizona spots: Tripadvisor users swear these are the Arizona cities you must visit in 2024

What did Atlas Obscura readers like about Bisbee?

Bisbee, 11 miles north of the Mexican border in southeast Arizona’s Mule Mountains and famed as a 19th-century mining town, impressed Atlas Obscura readers because of its Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb,

Bisbee, 11 miles north of the Mexican border in southeast Arizona’s Mule Mountains and famed as a 19th-century mining town, impressed Atlas Obscura readers because of its Bisbee 1000 Stair Climb, a race held every October that encompasses 4.6 miles of the numerous staircases built into the town's hills .

Readers cited its small-town charm, colorful storefronts, mining history, the Old Bisbee Ghost Tour and cooler weather compared to other parts of Arizona because it’s a mile above sea level.

Atlas Obscura’s summary of Bisbee cited recommendations from a reader named Rachel Reeher, who described the town as a “hidden gem,” praised it for “a slow pace of life and gorgeous weather year-round,” and recommended the bakery Patisserie Jacquie for offering “the best pastries outside of Paris.”

It also observed Bisbee is a central location to natural landmarks of southeast Arizona such as Chiricahua National Monument ( which some are advocating to be reclassified as Arizona’s fourth national park ) and Ramsey Canyon Preserve.

Arizona's newest state park: Here's what you can do at Rockin' River Ranch

Is Bisbee, Arizona worth visiting?

Atlas Obscura isn't the first publication to recommend Bisbee as a top place to visit in 2024.

In November 2023, Travel Lemming ranked Bisbee No. 42 in a list of the 50 best places to travel in 2024 , citing the landmark Copper Queen Mine, the Smithsonian affiliate Bisbee Mining & Historical Museum, and the town's arts and culture.

Arizona Republic contributor Roger Naylor wrote a guide on things to do in Bisbee that was published in January. Some of the landmarks he recommended were shared in Atlas Obscura’s summary, including the Room 4 Bar – the smallest bar in Arizona – and fine dining restaurant Café Roka .

What to know after the recent Bisbee fire

Downtown Bisbee is recovering from a Feb. 14 fire that damaged two historic buildings . The fire affected the Many Fine Things Gallery and Bisbee Oil & Vinegar, Co.

The fire is under investigation. Bisbee Fire Chief Jim Richardson told The Arizona Republic on Monday that the buildings were unstable and bricks were still falling down.

Atlas Obscura readers’ top places to travel in 2024

  • Bisbee, Arizona.
  • La Paz, Bolivia.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at  [email protected] . Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:  @salerno_phx .

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to  azcentral.com  today .

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Cape Town Travel Guide

There’s something magical about Cape Town.

A city built around the foothills of Table Mountain National Park, beautiful beaches, a delectable food scene, and a ridiculous amount of secluded cabins and wine farms.

Need some travel inspiration for your trip? You’re in the right place.

After 10 years (and counting) in the Mother City, here are my top tips for visiting Cape Town.

Destinations

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Cape of Good Hope

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Table Mountain

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Boulder’s Penguin Colony

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Stellenbosch

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Garden Route

Plan your trip.

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What to See

Need some inspiration for your trip? Discover the best things to do in Cape Town.

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Where to Stay

Here’s what to expect from each neighbourhood in Cape Town.

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There’s so much to see in Cape Town, but there’s even more just outside of the city.

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Things to Know

Everything you need to know for your first trip to Cape Town.

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Money & Costs

Money-saving tips to help you travel Cape Town on a budget.

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Getting Around

Tips for getting Cape Town by renting a car, public transport or on foot.

Cape Town TRAVEL GUIDEs

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The Best Things to Do in Cape Town

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The Perfect One-Week Cape Town Itinerary

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10+ Coolest & Best Coffee Shops in Cape Town

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12+ Best Hiking Trails in Cape Town

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10+ Multi-Day Hiking Trails in the Western Cape

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12+ Secluded Cabins Near Cape Town

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The Best Hotels in Cape Town for Every Budget

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10+ Romantic Weekend Breaks in the Western Cape

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

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Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

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Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

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Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

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Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

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Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

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Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Speculation About Kate Middleton's Health Reaches a Fever Pitch Online

This week, conspiracy theories about the Princess of Wales abound on the internet.

catherine, princess of wales visits streets of growth in london

"The Princess of Wales appreciates the interest this statement will generate," the Palace said at the time. "She hopes that the public will understand her desire to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private." After being discharged from the London Clinic , Kensington Palace said the Princess would be recuperating at home at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor. Later, Prince William shared that his wife has two "amazing and kind" nurses caring for her. But broadly speaking, the Palace noted that they would not be providing updates, only when there is "significant new information to share."

Yet, earlier this week, when Prince William missed his godfather King Constantine's memorial service in Windsor due to a "personal matter," the Palace—perhaps realizing the unspecified explanation of William's absence could trigger speculation about the Princess of Wales—shared a health update on Kate , saying she "continues to be doing well."

Prince William's mysterious "personal matter," coupled with an increased interest in the royal family following the shocking death of Thomas Kingston (the son-in-law of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent ), led the internet to suddenly explode in conversation about Kate Middleton's health.

the british royal family attend the christmas morning service

Speculation on X (formerly Twitter) ranged from serious concern for Kate's wellbeing to silly memes. As a user named Mahida wrote on X , "I have fallen down the Where is Kate Middleton rabbit hole and I need someone to come take me out immediately. It’s wild down here."

The conspiracy theories are making the Palace's silence on Kate's health and whereabouts, though that was always their plan, even starker. The lack of updates on Kate is in sharp contrast to the communication regarding King Charles in recent weeks. Since Buckingham Palace announced Charles's cancer diagnosis , he has been photographed attending church at Sandringham , meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , and reading get well cards sent to the Palace .

King Charles also publicly shared a personal message , writing, "I would like to express my most heartfelt thanks for the many messages of support and good wishes I have received in recent days. As all those who have been affected by cancer will know, such kind thoughts are the greatest comfort and encouragement." Of course, Kate is not head of state like Charles is, but as she is a working senior royal, and a prominent member of the family, the absence of any news has been worrying for many.

Others on social media were more light-hearted in their posts about Kate. "The kate middleton drama is hard because i don't care about the royal family or conspiracy theories, however, i do care about being in everyone's business," one person wrote . There were also jokes about how she was growing out bangs, or hiding from her kids in the bathroom. Some people shared fictional characters who could "find" her, like Detective Olivia Benson, or even that Kate "entered the princess protection program."

Kate's last public appearance was on Christmas Day, when she joined the rest of the royal family at Sandringham for church services. As Kensington Palace has previously shared, she's not expected to return to public duties until after Easter (Easter Sunday falls on March 31 this year). In fact, following this rampant speculation, the Palace reiterated , "Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princess' recovery and we'd only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands." He reiterated that Kate is "doing well."

So despite the online speculation, there will likely be no answers about the Princess of Wales anytime soon.

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Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma , a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram .

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Travel Town - Merge Adventure

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A ‘cowboy ski town’ where high earners can’t afford a home faces a housing battle

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STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. — Despite offering a salary of $167,000, the city of Steamboat Springs can’t find a head of human resources who can afford a place to live in the remote Colorado community surrounded by ranches and famous for training Olympic athletes.

At the Steamboat hospital, doctors willing to pay more than $1 million for a home have been repeatedly outbid by all-cash, out-of-town buyers, and housing costs have caused some positions to go unfilled for more than two years. The local ski resort has been leasing a hotel for its employees to live in as the homes they once rented are increasingly turned into short-term rentals for visitors.

“Houses used to be for employees and hotels for guests. Now houses are for guests and hotels are for employee housing,” said Loryn Duke, director of communications for the Steamboat ski resort. “We have a lot of great staff who are early in their careers or have young families, but they just aren’t able to put down those roots.”

In Steamboat, along with other mountain towns and destination communities across the country, a pandemic-fueled real estate boom driven by remote workers, second-home buyers and short-term rental investors has caused home prices to nearly double. Those prices have shown few signs of easing, despite rising interest rates and a push for remote workers to return to the office, leaving even high-income professionals struggling to find housing in small, rural communities across the country.

“I know that it’s so hard for folks outside of mountain or resort communities to even wrap their heads around, but housing is just so through the roof that unless you’re extremely wealthy, it’s unattainable,” said Margaret Bowes, executive director of the Colorado Association of Ski Towns.

But addressing the problem has created a predicament of its own, dividing residents in a battle over how to provide more housing and who should pay for it.

Local governments and state legislatures, including those in Utah and Virginia , have been at odds over restrictions on short-term rentals like Airbnbs, and ballot initiatives to add taxes to those rentals have had mixed results at the polls. When it comes to building more housing, residents have mounted opposition to some efforts over concerns about everything from traffic congestion to wildlife migration patterns.

In Steamboat, the latest battle lines have been drawn over a 534-acre ranch that the city’s housing authority purchased with a $24 million anonymous donation. Under the current proposal , the housing authority would use state and federal grants and proceeds from a recently passed tax on short-term rentals to build more than 2,200 housing units in phases. Sale and rental of the properties would be restricted to residents who meet a certain income threshold, work locally, and plan to live in the unit full-time.

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“In this environment where there’s always going to be significant amounts of demand, we have to deal with it on the supply side, and our supply side just has not kept up year over year over year over year,” said Jason Peasley, director of the Yampa Valley Housing Authority, which would oversee the development.

The project, called Brown Ranch, has been met with opposition from a group of local residents who have raised concerns about its financing and the impact on traffic and local infrastructure, along with what it could mean for the character of the community.

During a city council meeting in October that stretched into the early-morning hours, dozens of residents spoke for and against the project, with supporters pleading for affordable housing and opponents urging the city to scale back the plans or take more time to study the impact. In the end, a divided city council voted to approve the Brown Ranch plan. But opponents collected more than 1,000 signatures to get the development placed on the ballot on March 26, leaving the final decision up to voters.

Jim Engelken, who has lived in Steamboat since 1979 and previously served on the city council, has been helping organize the opposition. Engelken said he sees a need for more affordable housing but would like to see the development downsized or grow at a slower pace.

“Yes, we need affordable housing, no question,” Engelken said. “It needs to be smaller to start with, it needs to have some ability to generate its own way, its own money.”

He said he is concerned that the city won’t have enough funds for the planned infrastructure, like parks and public transit, and that the projected 6,000 people who will ultimately live at the development — the majority of whom are expected to move there from out of town — will add to traffic congestion and create a need for more water infrastructure.

“It’s an overreach, it’s too big, it’s too much, it’s too expensive, it causes too many problems for the existing city,” said Engelken. “We’re concerned that the infrastructure won’t be in place in this new, large, separate portion of our city, and it will create a second-class neighborhood. That the people living there will be treated like second-class citizens who don’t have access to public transportation or city parks, and we don’t know how many of them are coming from outside.”

With a population of around 13,000, Steamboat has prided itself on its small-town, Western feel. While housing has always been a struggle for entry-level and hourly workers, Steamboat had been viewed as relatively affordable for middle-income professionals compared to other mountain towns, like Vail, Colorado, or Jackson, Wyoming.

“Steamboat has always been known as a cowboy ski town. It’s real authentic,” said Steamboat City Manager Gary Suiter. “And the real estate prices had not gotten crazy like everywhere else. Well, that ended with the pandemic.”

Since 2020, single-family home prices have increased about 80% to $1.8 million on average, and all real estate sales, including condos, increased 64% to $1.1 million, according to data compiled by Jon Wade, a local realtor. For existing homeowners, those rising sale prices have caused property taxes to shoot up, with the average tax assessment up 86%, Wade said.

That’s put homeownership largely out of reach for most people making less than $200,000 a year. And even for those who can afford a home at that price, the competition for housing is so fierce given the low inventory that those without all-cash offers are often losing out, said local realtors.

“We are seeing across all segments of the market even high-paid professionals, they’re turning down jobs because they spend a little time looking at housing costs and they can’t do it,” said Christy Belton, who has been selling real estate in Steamboat for 20 years and whose family has been in the community for five generations.  “The people who are coming here are paying a million dollars for an entry-level house — a totally entry-level, 50-year-old house.”

Steamboat isn’t alone in its struggles. As demand shot up during the pandemic, so did prices in more high-profile destination towns like Aspen, Colorado, and Park City, Utah. With even wealthy homebuyers priced out of those markets, they began looking to more off-the-beaten-path locations.

In Driggs, Idaho, which used to be an affordable-housing refuge for workers in more pricey Jackson Hole, average home prices have also gone up around 80% to $735,000 since the start of the pandemic, according to data from Zillow. Woodstock, New York, has seen prices increase 78% to more than $600,000 on average amid an influx of buyers from New York City. In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, a popular resort community in the Great Smoky Mountains but not one known as a hot housing market, home values have risen more than 80% to an average of $480,000.

Houses dot a hillside in Steamboat Springs, Colo.,

For the city of Steamboat, the high housing costs have caused two job candidates to turn down a position overseeing the town’s human resources and risk management because they were unable to find a place to live despite the six-figure salary, said Suiter. Even Suiter’s daughter and son-in-law, with well-paying jobs and a home in Denver, had to abandon their plans to move to Steamboat after the pandemic because the town he runs had become too expensive for them.

The main hospital for the region, UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center, has had positions for mammography technologists go unfilled for more than two years. Even for its highest-paying positions, like doctors and administrators, housing has been a struggle.

“No income earner is immune. Even your top earners with physician pay ranges are sitting in my office saying, ‘I don’t know if I can afford to live here,’” said the hospital’s president, Soniya Fidler.  “I think that probably every week there’s someone who comes back and tells me we lost someone because of housing.”

Sanaya Sturm, the nursing manager at the hospital’s cancer center, is among those hospital employees who have been struggling. When Sturm moved to Steamboat in October 2020, her family of four sold their 3,600-square-foot house in Denver and planned to temporarily live in a 1,500-square-foot rental for $3,350 a month until they found a place to purchase in Steamboat.

At the time she began her search, the average home price was within her budget with the money from the sale of her Denver home and the income from her and her husband, who works remotely as a product manager. But as Sturm began her search for a new home, so did hundreds of out-of-town buyers looking to relocate to Steamboat or buy a second home.

“I can say confidently that I’m now priced out,” said Sturm. “We had the means in the early-2021 price range, but unfortunately I don’t think that’s an option for us right now as things stand with the interest rates and the price of housing.”

Sturm said she was outbid on more than a dozen homes, often by all-cash, out-of-town buyers putting in bids as much as $100,000 over the asking price. She saw one home she was outbid on put up for rent shortly after the sale closed for $7,500 a month.

“It’s really kind of a knife in the gut that’s being turned,” she said.

To address the problem, the hospital has gone into the residential real estate business and is building 42 apartments with rent that will be capped at around 30% of the employee’s income. While the hospital could be spending the money it is investing in housing instead on new patient facilities or updated equipment, Fidler said the hospital has little choice unless it is going to cut back on the services it provides because of a shortage of staff.

“It is hard because we are here to deliver health care, we’re not here to deliver houses. Usually, if we have the dollars to spend, it is on state-of-the-art equipment and upgrading our facilities,” Fidler said. “But we don’t want to have to close services, especially because we can’t staff for it.”

At stake, residents say, isn’t just the fate of their own personal lives or businesses, but the larger character of the community where they says they’re more likely to run into ranchers and Olympic skiers than celebrities or billionaires around town.

“You come downtown and it’s full of normal people, which is one of the primary attractions here. We’re still very authentic,” said Suiter. “That’s one of our biggest threats is that we become so exclusive that we lose our character.”

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Shannon Pettypiece is senior policy reporter for NBC News digital.

NBC Chicago

Wrong-way, fiery crash on I-88 crash leaves 1 killed; 1 with life-threatening injuries

The crash occurred amid patchy, dense fog in the area, published march 4, 2024 • updated 3 hours ago.

A fiery, two car crash early Monday on Interstate 88 near DeKalb that closed some lanes for a period of time left one person killed and another critically injured, the Illinois State Police said.

According to the ISP, the crash occurred around 5:19 a.m. on I-88 in Maple Park near Watson Road when a wrong-way driver traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes crashed head on into another vehicle.

Both vehicles then became fully engulfed in flames, ISP said.

The wrong-way driver was pronounced dead on the scene, police said. The driver of the other vehicle was transported to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries, police added.

Feeling out of the loop? We'll catch you up on the Chicago news you need to know. Sign up for the weekly Chicago Catch-Up newsletter here.

All eastbound lanes were diverted to Peace Road shortly after the crash, ISP said. Lanes reopened at approximately 10:18 a.m.

According to the NBC 5 Storm Team, patchy, dense fog was reported early Monday in DeKalb and Kane counties, with visibility below one mile.

No further details were available. This is a developing story that will be updated.

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A Quiet Town Has One of North America’s Oldest Chinese Temples

The Bok Kai Temple, honoring a water god, has stood in Marysville, 40 miles north of Sacramento, since the 1800s.

Soumya Karlamangla

By Soumya Karlamangla

Plates of various fruit sit in front of a shrine with carved furniture and hanging lamps with red tassels.

For a brief time in the mid-19th century, one of the biggest cities in California was a place you may never have heard of: Marysville, about 40 miles north of Sacramento.

Marysville was a gold rush boom town, more populous in 1860 than any other city in the state except for San Francisco and Sacramento. The community, in Yuba County, was the last stop along the way for gold-seekers who had come to California by steamship and were headed inland to the mines.

It was also home to the state’s third-largest Chinatown, a hub for immigrants from the southern province of Guangdong who worked on the railroads.

“I grew up knowing Marysville as Sahm Fow,” or “third city” in Cantonese, said Jon Lim, a 54-year-old native of the town.

Today, Marysville is a quiet town of antique shops and Victorian houses, and a population that is only 7 percent Asian. Yet the legacy of its once-bustling Chinatown remains.

Bok Kai Temple, built in 1880 at the center of Marysville’s Chinatown, has survived as one of the oldest Taoist temples in the United States. The temple, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, honors the water god Bok Eye, to whom locals prayed for enough rain to grow crops, but not so much that their homes would be submerged. Marysville is at the confluence of the Yuba and Feather Rivers, and its Chinese residents were relegated to its lowest, most flood-prone parts.

I recently stopped by the temple and passed through imposing red doors into a sanctuary where the air was cool and smelled of incense. An ornate wooden altar framed brass statues of gods decorated with peacock feathers and red ribbons.

Under the temple’s eaves were surprisingly well-preserved murals painted nearly 150 years ago, showing Chinese scenes. They had been obscured for decades by layers of incense smoke, which seemed to have protected them from the elements, said Lim, who is president of the nonprofit Marysville Chinese Community, which owns the temple.

Lim told me that Bok Kai was built to replace earlier temples in Marysville that had been destroyed by fire and vandalism. His family, which has been in the region since the 1860s, believes the current temple survived for so long in part because the surrounding community was more tolerant of Chinese immigrants than people in other parts of the state were.

(Bok Kai is not the oldest Chinese temple in California; there’s a temple dating from 1863 in nearby Oroville and one from 1874 in Weaverville, another gold rush town, farther north in Trinity County.)

Bok Kai’s grand iron gates now abut a dirt levee that keeps the Yuba River at bay, and the temple is on a desolate street next to the Silver Dollar Saloon, a former brothel. With Marysville’s Chinese population now a fraction of what it once was, the temple is typically open only by appointment, except for one weekend a year, which is coming up next month.

The 144th annual Bok Kai Festival , which is billed as the longest-running parade in California, is scheduled for March 8 to 10. Visitors can tour the temple, see traditional lion dancing and enjoy a firecracker show. The festival celebrates Bok Eye’s birthday, which falls on the second day of the second month of the traditional Chinese calendar.

Lim told me that he was trying to reignite interest in the festival, despite the dwindling of the town’s Chinese population. He hopes to keep it going as long as he can.

“If I don’t do it, my kids don’t have it,” he said.

The 2022 Pixar movie “Turning Red” took inspiration from Bok Kai Temple, KCRA reports.

The rest of the news

The authorities in 2023 seized a record 62,000 pounds of fentanyl smuggled into California , a sharp increase from the previous two years, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced.

Southern California

Dr. Jane Burns of the University of California, San Diego, has been on a quest for 40 years to find the cause of Kawasaki disease , a rare childhood illness that can lead to aneurysms and heart attacks.

The Commonwealth and Council gallery in Los Angeles started in a one-bedroom apartment. Now its artists are heading to the Whitney Biennial , Venice Biennale and museums during Frieze.

The I.R.S. announced that it would push back its tax filing deadlines for residents and business owners in San Diego County because of the severe storms that hit the region this year.

Northern California

Supervisors in San Francisco formally apologized to Black residents for the city’s role in perpetuating racism and discrimination, The Associated Press reports.

Macy’s said it would close about 150 of its stores over the next three years. The retailer did not identify the locations, but the mayor’s office in San Francisco said one of them was the store in Union Square.

What are the best California movies? “Chinatown”? “Vertigo”? “La La Land”?

Tell us which movie you would put on a California movie list and why. Email us at [email protected]. Please include your full name and the city in which you live.

And before you go, some good news

A Los Gatos man, Mark Zhang, has been lending portable generators to his neighbors in the South Bay who lost power this winter, including during the recent heavy rainstorms, The Mercury News reports .

His effort began in earnest a year ago, in January 2023, when Los Gatos experienced extensive outages after a bad storm. Zhang, who is passionate about preparedness and had amassed a collection of used generators, was out of the country. But with the help of a local council member, he was able to lend out his generators to neighbors who had no lights.

The generators made such a difference that this year, Zhang decided to formalize the operation, leading lessons for the community about how to set up the machines and teaching the town’s Community Emergency Response Team, of which he is now a member, to use them.

Zhang said he hoped to create a generator-sharing program for South Bay residents, to ensure the community is as prepared and resilient as possible.

“I have the mind-set of preparing not just for myself, but also raising awareness in the community, and helping the community survive those outages,” Zhang told The Mercury News.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Soumya

P.S. Here’s today’s Mini Crossword .

Maia Coleman and Briana Scalia contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at [email protected] .

Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox .

Soumya Karlamangla reports on California news and culture and is based in San Francisco. She writes the California Today newsletter. More about Soumya Karlamangla

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Tumblegeddon: A town in southern Utah was taken over by Tumbleweeds

Wind blew thousands of weeds into South Jordan, and they formed piles as high as 10 feet. Residents used hoes and shovels to break down the weed piles before city workers arrived with garbage trucks.

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Good morning. I'm Steve Inskeep.

A town in southern Utah was taken over by tumbleweeds. Wind blew thousands of weeds into south Jordan. They formed piles as high as 10 feet. People called it Tumblegeddon (ph). Residents used hoes and shovels to break down the weed piles before city workers arrived with garbage trucks. Imagine this is one of those 1950s-style horror movies - the town suddenly invaded, although the invaders were less charismatic than monsters or aliens.

It's MORNING EDITION.

Copyright © 2024 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

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    Travel Town is a match and merge puzzle game developed by Magmatic Games, and it's currently available on iOS and Android platforms.On top of the beautiful sharp graphics and matching sounds, Travel Town comes with an addictive gameplay, that fans of the genre will certainly enjoy.

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    iPad. iPhone. Explore Travel Town, where you can combine everything into better and more useful items while you travel the world! Reveal secrets as you discover yourself and help the friendly people of Travel Town! TRAVEL TOWN FEATURES: == Match Objects ==. • Discover over 500 fantastic objects through hundreds of levels!

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