Google Bard’s Gemini Upgrade: We Tested it for Travel

Anyone who has waited this long to do holiday shopping would be wise to take some instant inspiration from the 2023 Forbes Holiday Gift Guide—an A-to-Z list of letter-perfect presents for all the alphas in your life.

Smartwatches can be a traveler’s best friend. Monitoring their sleep, managing their stress, delivering messages and calls right to their wrist. There isn’t much to not love. And with Apple halting online sales of their Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra Series 2 today, it’s time to put a spotlight on some of the other great smartwatches on the market.

Now that the northern hemisphere is firmly in the cooler months of the year—and it’s only getting colder—it’s time to talk fleece. For bitter winter chills, fleece is hard to beat because the fabric is made to be both lightweight and incredibly insulating. And in recent years, fleece technology has improved so much that the variety on offer is now immense both in quality, style, and price. If you thought that Colorado bros have the market cornered with their Patagonia zip-ups, it’s time to reconsider the category altogether.I was previously super hesitant about fleece because, for most of my life, I assumed its pieces all looked the same. But while shopping in Manchester last year, I came upon a button-up fleece chore jacket with a rounded collar from UK-based Universal Works that changed my mind about what fleece could look like. But in speaking with Universal Works design director and co-founder David Keyte about the material, I learned that the name is actually a catchall that could mean different things depending on where you are. “There really are so many different fleeces,” Keyte says. “It’s an amazing technical invention that replaced knitted wools and cottons to become a flexible layer of clothing that moves with the body and is warm. Fleece became the modern version of those traditional fabrics, but it’s made of synthetic fibers that hold warmth and are lightweight.”My jacket is a wool-blend fleece (that almost looks like boiled wool), which Keyte says is great for heat regulation. I use it from fall on; either on its own or layered underneath a heavier coat when it gets bitingly cold out. But regardless of which brand or style you go for, that’s kind of the benefit of fleece when it comes to outerwear or as a shirt or sweater: They offer enough warmth when worn on their own, but most are light enough to be another protective layer to partner with heavier items for harsher winter days. Here, you'll find our picks for 28 fleece items that will serve you well from now through spring.

A senior Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) official revealed Thursday that travel advisors would no longer receive commissions for the entire cruise fare on advanced bookings, starting in the first quarter of 2024.

A volcano is erupting near the most-populated area of Iceland, spewing flames and lava not far from the town of Grindavik. Travel impacts are minimal so far, but that could change as the eruption continues, especially if ash and smoke become a bigger issue.

Point.me is a paid tool that has revolutionized how I search for award flights. Since it launched in February 2022, it's been adding extra features (such as QuickLook, which shows results faster) and partner integrations (such as Bilt's Point.me integration).

Finding the best walking shoes for travel can be tough. You want something comfortable enough to get you through a full day of wandering around, but not so comfortable that it screams “I'm a tourist!” And since nobody wants to tote around a bag (checked or otherwise) filled with shoes, the ones that do make the packing list cut need to be versatile enough to wear with multiple outfits.

‘Tis the season for traveling, and US government officials are urging travelers to make sure they know their rights ahead of time.

Picture this: Your first flight is delayed, and your connection time is cut in half. If you’re going to make your next flight, you’ll have to hurry. Thankfully, you packed light and only brought a carry-on. Many savvy frequent flyers know that checking luggage can often bring more stress and hassle than necessary—not only are missed connections a possibility with checked luggage, but also, bags sometimes get lost or damaged. Plus, who wants to wait for luggage to round the carousel at the airport baggage claim? Packing light is simply the quickest way to speed through the airport—either to start your vacation or to get home and in your own bed as soon as possible.

If you have your eyes set on island-hopping throughout the Lamu Archipelago or venturing on some of the most thrilling wildlife safaris in the New Year, we have good news for you: travel to Kenya is about to get a little bit easier.

Finding a budget-friendly gift that the traveler in your life will actually use and love can be quite the feat. The best gifts under $25 for travelers are thoughtful, practical, and can be used on their next adventure—and the one after that. We rounded up more than 30 travel-friendly gifts for everyone on your list that won't break the bank. From outdoorsy gifts like camping chairs and portable hammocks to in-flight essentials like phone mounts and passport holders, we have something for every type of traveler in here. And if you're really stumped on what to buy, we have some can't-miss gifts that just about anyone will love, like cozy socks, candles, and comfortable slippers. Whether you need a small stocking stuffer or something for each member of your travel crew, here are our favorite travel-themed gifts under $25.

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines recently announced it plans to buy Hawaiian Airlines for the sum of about $1.9 billion—a historic deal that, if finalized, could create both benefits and setbacks for the flying public.