Explore South America At Its Best With These Dazzling Relais & Châteaux Properties

Fall is almost here, and that means people begin to plan their holiday travel. But, what if you didn’t have to spend a penny on your next trip? It turns out that there are plenty of ways to travel for free beyond earning and redeeming miles and points. These five fall travel contests and sweepstakes could have you celebrating iconic experiences all around the country.

As the travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic, one sector remains undeniably healthy—the six-figure vacation. According to several leading luxury tour operators, the ultra-rich are booking more trips that cost upwards of $100,000, including around-the-world excursions and extended journeys to Asia and Africa. Says Justin Huxter, cofounder of Cartology Travel, “the focus is shifting to spending more on the experiences rather than the primary focus being on the accommodation.”

Wheels Up is again turning to Delta Air Lines for C-suite leadership. After appointing the Atlanta-based airline’s CFO Dan Janki as Chairman last month, the New York-based private jet flight provider is tapping Delta Board Member George Mattson as CEO.

As travelers may be looking for a bargain on future fall and winter travel following a busy summer season, a new report may point passengers in the right direction.

Combine one of New York’s top bars, an adventurous distillery and a famous troupe of three men painted in blue and you wind up with the bedlam of Mindcluck II — an interactive cocktail + theater experience where the drinks are part of the story.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rowena Shek. It has been edited for length and clarity.

South Africa is an excellent destination for family trips.

Hugging the Andes mountains, Southern Peru continues to celebrate its age-old customs and traditions. Cities like Cusco, Puno and Arequipa proudly preserve ancient festivals and culinary techniques (think masked paraders paying homage to the Sun God and ceramic pots stacked on wood-fired ovens), making each an extraordinary destination for travelers craving authentic experiences.

Around 3,000 reefs contribute to the world’s largest underwater ecosystem, the Great Barrier Reef. Clownfish, whale sharks, manta rays, green turtles, and giant clams are just some of the marine species residing amid this Coral Sea marvel. Although so mammoth it can be spotted from space, a trip to the moon is a stretch too far for the average adventurer. A myriad of cruises, snorkeling tours, and helicopter flights depart from towns and cities along the tropical Queensland coast. Cairns, Airlie Beach, Townsville, and Port Douglas are the most convenient options although it’s even possible to sleep on an offshore island. Only catamaran away from the corals, these Airbnbs near the Great Barrier Reef are as phenomenal as the natural wonder.

The South Carolina Aquarium, commonly referred to as the Charleston Aquarium because of its location, has the deepest aquarium in North America: the Great Ocean Tank. In this 385,000-gallon tank that is so tall it stretches from the first to the third floor, you’ll see sharks, a 220-pound loggerhead sea turtle, and many more fish, each more intriguing and beautiful than the next. But the aquarium is home to all sorts of animals beyond fish: a rehabilitated bald eagle named Liberty, a large pink spoonbill named Pearl, and adorable river otters. Need another reason for visiting? The aquarium hosts adult-only night visits where you can wonder the galleries with a canapé on one hand and glass of wine in the other.

Since leaving my native Norway, I find myself constantly telling people about brunost. Pronounced “broon’ust,” it simply means “brown cheese.” But brunost is nothing like any other cheese.

Renowned across the globe for its stunning architecture and vibrant nightlife, New Orleans serves as one of the most unique travel destinations in all of the Lower 48—and as an added bonus, this storied city offers one of the most dazzling dining scenes in all of the Americas. Muffulettas, pralines, and po' boys are just a few of the iconic dishes with strong ties to The Big Easy, and for those wishing to explore the magic of New Orleans in culinary form, there’s a wealth of both iconic and under-the-radar venues to explore.