$1,780 to Spend the Night in a ‘Cocoon’? Hotels Are Betting on Sleep Tourism.

Looking for a springtime pick-me-up? These free travel contests, giveaways and sweepstakes could be just the ticket to have you winging to far-flung getaways with just a little luck. From big-ticket prices from famous hospitality brands to short weekend trips closer to home, these are some of the top competitions worth considering.

For Hyatt loyalists, there are few things sweeter than the opportunity to earn extra night credits for stays. If you've been craving something sweet, we have some good news: World of Hyatt members can earn twice as many tier qualifying night credits from now through June 10 for eligible stays at Thompson and Dream hotels.

Airports might seem like frenetic, disorienting places, but there’s a lot of very precise orchestration taking place behind the scenes.

It’s Tuesday, and if you are a regular reader, you probably know that means that Southwest Airlines has released a new sale. Southwest has released a promotion with sale fares for $69 and savings of up to $250 on Hawaiian vacation packages. However, after some digging, fares can be found for as low as $29.

If you are planning a trip to Japan this summer, you’re not alone. New research has revealed the most popular destinations for the coming peak travel season – and there are a few surprises.

Ever heard of “fifth freedom flights” and “the freedoms of the air”? The latter may sound more like poetic prose than legal jargon, but this phrase—unbeknownst to most casual fliers—actually denotes the five official rights that make international air travel possible.

The global post-lockdown travel boom has continued year after year with no slowdown in sight, but even by these standards Thailand’s capital is ultra-popular. Bangkok has never been hotter, and last year made travel industry headlines when a Mastercard report named it the most visited city in the world for 2023. This is a distinction a few places claim, and the numbers often conflict, but there’s no doubt that Bangkok is near the top of all cities on earth in popularity, is getting more U.S. travelers than ever, and is both a destination in its own right, the gateway to the rest of Thailand, and a major gateway to the entire Pacific Rim. When I visited the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel before the pandemic, I loved it. But when I returned at the end of 2023, it was even better.

Southwest Airlines is promoting one-way fares for as low as $49. The flight sale includes travel to the continental United States, Hawaii, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, for travel in spring and early summer. But these flight deals will be ending soon.

A destination rich in history and culture, Washington, D.C., has endless attractions. More than simply the nation’s capital, a politician’s escape or a school field trip destination, Washington has become a vibrant melting pot of excellent hotels, standout dining and ample cultural experiences.

Amtrak is adding more trains to its schedule along the busy Northeast Corridor, owing to major strides in ridership after pandemic setbacks between 2020 and 2022.

Franco-Palestinian chef and hotelier Fadi Kattan, who splits his time between projects in London and the West Bank, can now add author to his repertoire. His new cookbook, Bethlehem: A Celebration of Palestinian Food, set to be released on May 14 in the US, honors his hometown and its people. In a devastating time for Palestinians, as a violent war with Israel pushes surviving Gazans to the brink of famine and impacts life for those in the West Bank every day, Kattan's book aims to bring Bethlehem into people’s kitchens to preserve the traditions, culture, and flavors of Palestine well beyond the region.

Spring is on the horizon, and with it, the truly stunning spectacle of cherry blossom season.