Check out 6 of the most extravagant first-class suites on global airlines

You’d think marrying a Texan and watching hours of unofficial documentaries about Beyoncé, the queen of Houston, would serve me well for a move to the Lone Star State. Alas, little could prepare me for what was to come.

Colorado is justly famous for its breathtaking landscapes: mountain vistas, sun-drenched plains, red rock mesas and high deserts. All of which look especially fetching through a windshield.

Overlooking the English Channel is a small resort town bedecked with freestone facades and half-timbered houses. English is heard everywhere, from the Art Deco Westminster hotel to the lighthouse, which, on the occasion of the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, was lit up with Her Majesty's favourite colours. The bells of city hall chime in an echo of Big Ben, and it was just announced that the town's airport will soon be rechristened after Queen Elizabeth II.

One of the most debated questions in airline boardrooms is how to use real estate on aircraft to generate the most money. 

You could say that Nia Vardalos—the actor, writer, executive producer, and director who introduced the masses to Greek and Greek-American culture via her My Big Fat Greek Wedding films—is most at home in the country of Greece itself. In fact, when she appeared on Zoom for her chat with Condé Nast Traveler, she called in from the rocky island of Hydra. “I realize that my bikini is literally drying on the windowsill,” she laughed about the view of her background. 

For the first time, a nation is allowing travelers to cross its border with a digital passport on their smartphone instead of a physical passport. While the trial is happening in Finland, the European Union wants at least 80% of citizens in the 27-country bloc to be using a digital ID by 2030.

Jack Ieronimo was one of the people on a United Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Rome, Italy, that made headlines after passengers said they were stuck onboard for seven hours without taking off. 

Wrapped around Port Phillip Bay, the seahorse-shaped Melbourne is the gateway to the Great Ocean Road. The state capital of Victoria, Australia, Melbourne has also earned itself a reputation for being the coffee powerhouse of the South Hemisphere while streets overflow with galleries, landmark buildings, and green oases. Come rain or shine, there’s always something to do in Melbourne. Whether you’re bookending a road trip or looking to hole up in the city, these are the best hotels in Melbourne, Australia, for luxury and location.

Bangalore is a sprawling, vibrant city in India and is well worth exploring. The city has a rich cultural heritage that can be experienced in its many temples, museums, galleries and other attractions. Bangalore is also known for its lively nightlife and bustling street food scene, offering something to suit every taste and budget. These Bangalore Airbnbs put you in the heart of it all.

When I planned my two-week backpacking trip through six European cities across four countries in October 2022, the last thing I expected was to be blown away by my budget bookings. 

Flight prices have been all over the place this past year.

As any jaded traveler will tell you, there are some stays that are luxurious and a great experience, and there are others— albeit few and far between- that leave you blown away.