14 incredible places to visit in Virginia right now

Forget high-rise hotels and all-inclusive beachfront resorts — the world's most popular hotel companies see a future in luxury tents.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kate Boardman , a 36-year-old former teacher and current content creator from Massachusetts who has lived and traveled all over the world. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Over the past decade, I've traveled to all 50 US states and spent time in tons of major cities and small towns. I've also driven solo across the country several times, stopping in some of the most unique and beautiful places the United States has to offer.

These three islands off the coast of Lombok are the ultimate tropical escape, where you can fully disconnect amongst the palm trees and powdery beaches. Thanks to a ban on motor vehicles, the islands feel like a whole world away from Bali’s crowded streets, allowing you to soak up the peaceful atmosphere no matter when you visit. 

Although many people think of Oregon as one big forest — or equate the Pacific Northwest with Portland, its unabashedly weirdest and biggest city — this massive state offers so much more.

Visit Fort Lauderdale is offering up numerous sensory-friendly activities for families to enjoy in Greater Fort Lauderdale from museums to sporting events in honor of Autism Awareness month this April.

Over a third of Americans are planning to vacation in France this year and a third of those are going specifically for the great wine, according to findings from luxury tour operator Scott Dunn. The company’s latest Travel Trends Report names France as the “place to be” when booking a trip in 2024. If you want to be part of that champagne-popping, sauvignon-sipping crowd, here are destination recommendations from Ashley Hall, senior travel consultant for Europe at the company.

The summer travel season is just around the corner, and Virginia Beach is poised to welcome visitors to its sunny shoreline with a packed opening weekend of festivals to suit a variety of entertainment themes. A pair of brand-new events build on the destination’s arts and music scene paired with the return of a top international action sports competition and a spotlight on the city’s patriotic personality. Add some sizzle to a summer vacation plan with a visit to enjoy any, or all, of the events planned for the first weekend in June:

Since my first visit to Columbus last year—when I fell hard for Ohio’s capital—the city has only continued to flourish. In fact, a study released by the Bank of America Institute a couple of months ago reported that Columbus is now the fastest growing city in America.

Mainland Europe’s first total solar eclipse since 1999 is just 850 days away. Where will you be? As excitement dies down from the “Great American Eclipse,” eclipse chasers are turning their attention to Wednesday, August 12, 2026, when a 183-190-mile-wide moon shadow moves across remote Siberia, Greenland, Iceland and Spain.

While getting to Sedona might require more planning than most U.S. destinations, at least the journey here is an unforgettable one. Like most Americans, you’ll probably fly into Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, then hop into a car and cruise down Arizona State Route 89A for two hours.

Brazil has postponed its travel visa requirements for American visitors until 2025 just as it was set to go into effect.