Beyond the Theme Parks: How Adventures by Disney Opens a Whole New World of Travel

When Billy Joel sang about a “New York State of Mind” he was talking about going home to the Big Apple.

These days, Babba Rivera is practically synonymous with her haircare line Ceremonia. The brand's Instagram feed is filled with shots of her lush brown hair, drenched in guava-scented products; signature pops of hibiscus pink, lime, and tangerine, are both splashed across bottles of deep-conditioners and her envy-inducing wardrobe. In that way, the line between work and personal life is always blurry—something she was reminded of when she recently spent a month working from Mexico City. 

For any traveler who's a bit too early for their Amtrak train, or wants a spot to figure out the first thing to do upon arriving in New York City, will soon have a place to go.

New York City’s Equinox Hotel is well known for its emphasis on health and well-being. The Hudson Yards’ hotel is conveniently located atop its 60,000 sq. foot namesake gym. The rooms are equipped with yoga mats and a mini bar full of healthy treats. But to truly indulge in an immersive wellness experience, plan on spending some time in the hotel’s fabulous spa, a.k.a., The Spa by Equinox Hotels.

A staycation at The Ritz-Carlton Central Park conveniently sidesteps the hassles of crowded airports, canceled flights, and other irksome travel delays. And for those living in the tri-state area, a New York City staycation is one way to reduce their carbon footprint.

The world’s fastest growing sport is becoming a year-round hobby for many. Pickleball, the tennis ping pong hybrid sweeping the nation, has made its impact on New York City this year, with outdoor courts across the boroughs, including in popular landmarks including Union Square and Central Park.

Every year, retired cruise ships are sold to ship-breaking yards in Turkey and India where thousands of workers painstakingly dismantle the massive vessels and sell their parts for scrap. 

When it comes to the world’s most popular destinations, two travel hubs have been in a tug-of-war match for the title of ‘most-visited’ over the past few years.

If you closely followed the debate leading up to the American-US Airways merger, you’ll recall a period during which it seemed a safe bet that the Department of Justice would nix the tie-up on antitrust grounds. DOJ officials signaled that, after signing off on mergers between United and Continental, Delta and Northwest, and Southwest and AirTran, further consolidation was likely to impede competition and give the airlines outsize pricing power. And it was their duty to forestall just such an outcome.

If New York has its way, the popular accommodations-sharing company Airbnb will be toast.

Editor’s Note: For the latest version of this story, see The World’s Most and Least Expensive Cities, Ranked.

Looking for the best cities to live in or retire abroad? The world’s most livable city is once again Vienna, Austria, according to The Economist’s Intelligence Unit’s annual Most Livable Cities ranking.