11 tips for backpacking Japan

Packed with iconic museums and monuments, together with low-key treasures cherished by locals, Paris is a city that emanates "la belle vie" (the good life).

I felt an instant pang of regret on my most recent Target shopping spree. 

I've been to Las Vegas many times in the past 15 years with friends and family but most of the time I've gone by myself. As an avid global solo traveler, it's become one of my favorite places to visit.

Last year, New York City welcomed the much-anticipated opening of Aman New York. This Zen-like gem on west 57th Street has been heralded for its spacious suites, which each include multiple high-tech gadgets, fireplaces and luxurious décor. It is one of the most relaxing city properties and also features a spectacular spa, an impressive gym, and perfectly curated dining experiences. Nothing quite prepares you for the sense of calm you feel as you first walk in and guests who have enjoyed other Aman properties will be thrilled to experience the same level of service and artistry. Perhaps lesser known is the fact that Aman New York is also an ideal hotel for families. Below are several reasons that families will feel extremely welcome in this urban oasis.

This as-told-to story is based on a conversation with Justin Miller, a Tokyo-based DJ and English teacher. He shares what he's learned about Tokyo after living in Japan for 15 years. It's been edited for length and clarity.

Alaska Airlines is justly lauded for its Mileage Plan loyalty program, which among other features boasts 17 airline partners, allowing program members to earn and redeem miles for flights throughout the world.

OAG, which dubs itself an “air travel intelligence company,” has released its top-10 rankings of the most and least punctual airlines in 2016. The group analyzed 54 million flight records using full-year data from 2016 to compile the list, and for the purposes of the study defined “on-time” as “a flight that arrives or departs within 14 minutes and 59 seconds (under 15 minutes) of its scheduled arrival/departure time.”

This coming August, all eyes will turn to the beaches and stadiums of Rio de Janeiro, where the 2016 Summer Olympics will be in full swing. The Games are expected to bring athletes and tourists from across the globe to Brazil, and now for Americans, a huge hurdle has been removed. In a move to stimulate the Brazilian economy, the Brazilian government announced that it will waive visa requirements for citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan.

Travel website, Trippy, has put together an awesome infographic showing prices for food, beer, taxis, and hotels in the most and least expensive countries. And the best part is that it updates daily, so you can see the average price of something when you’re planning a trip or once you’re in the destination.

American citizens are pretty fortunate in terms of passport power, but your little blue booklet may not be quite as powerful as you think. The list of countries that require visas for Americans includes some travel hotspots, for example Australia, Brazil, Cuba, and China.

With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.

You might want to rethink your Christmas market plans—the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention just moved four popular European destinations to the highest warning level for travel (Level 4: Very High Risk).