Groningen: an ancient city with a young heart in the Netherlands

It’s a bird; it’s a plane; it’s a flying restaurant? Acclaimed Dutch Chef Angélique Schmeinck has created quite a stir with her popular CuliAir Skydining, the world’s first hot air balloon restaurant, where lucky diners enjoy a three-course meal while floating in the skies above Holland.

Apparently, Icelandair neglected to patent its recently launched Stopover Buddy program.

Without warning, Chef Patrick flicked his wrist and chocolate sauce flew across the table. As I and the other restaurant patrons jumped to cover the tops of our wine glasses, the chef smiled and began to throw together (literally) the night’s dessert on a white canvas, like an Italian Jackson Pollock. He sprinkled coffee cake and sunflower seed crumbs, then gently added lemon curd and cheesecake. For the finale, he slammed fist-sized tiramisu balls down on the table, sending chocolate debris flying across the canvas.

I don’t suppose that most travelers choose their trip destinations based on a country’s happiness index. On the other hand, if they knew that Country A scored near the top of the happiness index and Country B scored near the bottom, it seems probable they’d be inclined to book their flights to Country A. Who wants to spend their vacation among unhappy people?

With rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft taking over, you might be wondering where in the world it’s still possible to take a cheap taxi. Cabs aren’t dead, yet: These countries still heavily rely on them.

Calling Europe a “hot” destination this year has little to do with trends; when Paris hit 109 degrees in July, it marked the city’s hottest day on record—shattering the previous record by five degrees. And the worst may not be over: August could be even hotter, and heat waves in Europe, where fewer than five percent of homes have air conditioning, seem to be getting more common overall.

The Netherlands, known for its delicious food, picturesque landscapes, charming windmills, and vibrant tulip fields, has no shortage of idyllic getaway destinations. For those seeking a truly immersive experience in the heart of nature, look no further than Cabin ANNA, an innovative architectural marvel that will redefine your concept of a countryside retreat.

In the mid-20th century, Aruba was a mostly ignored deserted island. Compared to its lush and volcanic Caribbean neighbors like Cuba or the Bahamas, Aruba’s landscape of cactus-filled rock swept bare by hot trade winds didn’t seem as much like a vacation paradise as it did a place to send misbehaving sailors.

The Colosseum is the most visited attraction in Rome. Every year around six million people purchase tickets to marvel at the historical landmark, making it not only the capital’s, but one of the world’s most popular sights. This means the city center, grounds and interior of the amphitheatre are extremely busy. Staying at a hotel in the area offers an incredible opportunity to be close so you can beat the crowds first thing in the morning and you can enjoy the architecture from the comfort of your hotel. Hotels near the Colosseum are centrally located, making them a convenient base for exploring the city. Aside from the Colosseum itself, you’re within walking distance of other significant sites like the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. There’s a wide range of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. From luxury hotels like Hotel Palazzo Manfredi offering stunning views of the Colosseum and five-star amenities, to more affordable yet comfortable stays like the Colosseum Corner.

Synonymous with fashion, finance, and on-the-pulse architecture, Milan hotels reflect the character of Italy’s wealthiest city. Five-star properties place you steps from the Duomo or feature rooftop hangouts with insane views. As the capital of the Lombardy region, Milan also serves as the gateway to Northern Italy’s Lake District and the Dolomites. Whether you’re flying in to shop or cheer on your favorite football team, surrender yourself to Milanese luxury at these vogueish hotels in Milan, Italy.

Wealthy travelers are snapping up reservations onboard Italy's newest luxury train, "La Dolce Vita," before they've even finished building it — and it's easy to understand why. 

Nijmegen is a lively university city around an hour-and-a-half by train from Amsterdam. Beyond its famous Four Days Marches, it’s a fairly unassuming place and doesn’t exactly sit on the country’s tourist trail.