14 things you need to know before backpacking Africa

If you’re a pet parent, you’ve probably considered flying with a dog. While it might seem like the best option to keep your furry friend with you on all of your travels—not to mention more appealing than organizing dog-sitting or a stay at a boarding facility—it’s far from a straightforward decision.

These days, budget air deals aren’t hard to come by. There are plenty of flash sales and discount carriers to choose from, but not all of them are created equal. It’s become easy to find reasonable flights between big air hubs, but dreamy, far-off islands will almost always cost you more.

Many of the world’s best wine regions are popular vacation spots in their own right: California, France, South Africa, and New Zealand. But there are still some undiscovered, award-winning wine regions with hidden treasures like “floating” vineyards and castle wineries—and fewer tipsy tourists.

Whether or not her title remains “Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Sussex,” Meghan Markle will always be the queen of stylish packing. Her whirlwind schedule—jetting off for an appearance on The Today Show one day, touring South Africa as part of a royal visit the next—would leave even the most frequent traveler fatigued and worn. But not Markle, who always looks pristine and put together with a collection of tasteful sheath dresses, belted coats, and darling hats ready to be called into service. (Who else can make a Philip Treacy fascinator look modern and fresh?)

In stressful times like this global pandemic, it’s easy to get caught up in fear, confusion, and the never-ending news cycle. But perhaps the best way to escape it all is to mentally dive into a good vacation. Researching your dream trip of choice is a helpful reminder that the world will go back to normal again—and when it does, you’ll have a decisive plan of action for a trip you’re excited to take. Whether it’s a new type of travel for you (sailing, hiking, train itineraries, or road tripping) or a destination you’re unfamiliar with, now’s the time to tackle all your wildest travel ambitions.

Croatia is an endlessly appealing destination with sun-drenched beaches, picturesque hilltop towns and atmospheric streets.

You’ve read about all the ways the Paris 2024 Olympics will set groundbreaking new precedents next year. And you’ve decided you want to be a part of history and attend the events in person.

A port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira has been a popular tourist destination since the 1960s when it began to attract laid-back bohemian types. In the decades that followed, Essaouria’s popularity continued to grow as more people discovered its stunning beaches, UNESCO-protected medina, fresh seafood, and vibrant arts scene. Ask today’s travelers, and most will tell you that Essaouira is now a Moroccan must. If you plan on visiting, make sure to cross these five experiences off your bucket list.

The most iconic structure in the United States is not the Empire State Building, but like the emblematic skyscraper, it’s located in New York. The Statue of Liberty, known throughout the world as a symbol of the United States’ most important values: freedom and democracy, remains mysterious to many. From its color to its origins and its weight, there is plenty people want to know about Lady Liberty (a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1984) before they pay it a visit.

There are high-speed trains and then there are high-speed maglev trains. While there are plenty of examples of the former (in the UK, in Spain, in France and even in Florida), only one of the latter is in commercial operation today: The Shanghai Maglev Train (SMT), also known as the Shanghai Transrapid Maglev Train. This unique train runs between Shanghai Pudong International Airport and the Shanghai’s financial district every 15 minutes and is the fastest commercial train in the world.

Bringing private safari experiences to adventurers from across the world, Tswalu Kalahari’s trips reach far beyond a stereotypical safari. The largest private game reserve in South Africa, Tswalu doubles as the home of the Tswalu Foundation. Dedicated to environmental research, the foundation joins Tswalu’s lauded safari camps in sharing the secrets of the Kalahari with curious visitors.

Say Senegal or mention West Africa and misinformed mutterings of ebola start to spread quicker than the virus itself. Sitting on the western shoulder of Africa, Senegal is frequently overlooked by travellers – but for little good reason.