In Marriott-Starwood Merger, Best of Both Worlds for Customers

Auckland is a city with many faces. Known locally by its Māori name, Tāmaki Makaurau, the city has a cosmopolitan heart with some of the best dining, drinking, and shopping in the country. Yet, urban sprawl quickly gives way to landscapes of New Zealand’s signature beauty here; to the west, the forested hills of the Waitākere Ranges border black sand beaches pummeled by surf. To the east of the city is the island-studded Waitematā Harbor.

The Himalaya and Karakoram mountain ranges have long drawn adventurous tourists to northern Pakistan, but these famous summits are far from the only beautiful places to visit in the country.

Once war-torn, now sublime, Vietnam is long, lovely and languorous.

Famous for its blustery winters, steamy summers and skyscraping skyline, Chicago sees the full range of seasons. But thanks to a calendar packed with festivals and events, a rich foodie scene and a full hand of world-class museums to duck into when the days get cold, there's always something happening in the Windy City no matter what month you visit.

Northern Ireland's second city and Ireland's northern-most county sit rather snug together in the corner of the island of Ireland. But many are yet to discover the two make a fantastic combination for a twin break. Blending thought-provoking history, striking landmarks and an incredible natural world, Derry~Londonderry and County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula offer everything you could wish for in a short, action-packed getaway.

Following is our regular summary of the latest travel news and best frequent traveler promotions reviewed during the past week.

Never mind the high-profile battle to acquire Starwood, featuring competing multi-billion-dollar offers from Marriott and a Chinese investment group. Starwood’s marketing machinery remains in high gear, just this month churning out a bonus offer for the Starwood Preferred Guest credit card and a discount on award stays at Caesars Resorts in Las Vegas.

Survivor meets The Truman Show. As a pretty clever marketing ploy, the Helsinki Airport invited Chinese actor and TV personality, Ryan Zhu, to live in the city’s airport for 30 days.

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.

Cushioned by the North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is interrupted by pockets of greenery and bay views. The natural landscapes are matched by the port city’s art museums, vibrant food culture, and wine bars that show off what British Colombia is capable of. Downtown Vancouver, BC, hotels put you within walking distance of the main sights and are just a short subway or boat ride to outlying spots. These are the best luxury hotels in Vancouver for living the high life on Canada’s West Coast.

Berlin is surrounded by the forest-filled, lake-spotted state of Brandenburg, which offers year-round respite from the streets of the capital. Forest walks, cycling routes, dips in the lake, historic sites and much more are all within easy reach, sometimes still within the city’s boundaries.

Running along the shimmering Arctic tundra in Greenland, jogging across the African savannah and racing through the Amazon are some of the exhilarating marathon experiences now on offer around the globe. From coastal routes in Jamaica and California to challenging courses in the blazing Sahara and freezing Polar Circle, a growing number of endurance events provide a dramatic change of scene and pace. Read on for our pick of the world's best marathons.