In the tracks of the Orient Express: my train ride from London to Istanbul

As flight technology advances (such as being able to hold more and burn less fuel) and long-haul carriers make improved efforts to provide a more comfortable journey (be that with jet lag–reducing lighting, serving healthier food, and enhancing business-class and economy seats for a more comfortable journey), the longest flights in the world are gradually getting even longer. The lengthiest now connect cities on opposite sides of the globe and are upwards of 17 hours.

A couple says they had to cancel their horse trekking trip in Mongolia after Air Canada refused to let them take their bags off a delayed flight, as first reported the Canadian broadcaster Global News last Thursday.

Two passengers were kicked off an Eva Air flight after they were disruptive on board, the airline told The Independent in a statement.

With the Paris Olympics less than a year away, French authorities want to make sure the bedbugs don’t bite during the games and have started a drive to exterminate the pests.

Paris is battling a major bedbug infestation, with reports of the bloodsucking pests being spotted in the French capital's movie theaters, trains, and at Charles-de-Gaulle Airport.

Demand for luxury train travel has surged in the wake of the pandemic. The leisurely pace and atmosphere of Old-World glamour that define these voyages appeal to travelers seeking time for reflection and deeper connections to the people and places encountered along the way. While Europe boasts the Orient Express, Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu represents the pinnacle of luxury rail travel in Asia. Newly renovated last year—and a reader favorite—the Seven Stars celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. With only 10 cabins and a maximum of 20 guests, the deluxe liner elevates the art of omotenashi (Japanese hospitality) to new heights.

If you are a tennis fan now is the season to get some quality time with some of the world’s best players. The Grand Slam season is over for 2023 but you can still find excellent training experiences, clinics and drills with players such World No. 3 Danil Medvedev in far-flung places such as the Maldives. Look to sharpen both your tennis and pickleball skills with Sam Querrey in Turks & Caicos or tune into a new wellness regimen with Maria Sharapova in Thailand. Here’s the latest on where to go for the ultimate tennis training experience.

If you are a tennis fan now is the season to get some quality time with some of the world’s best players. The Grand Slam season is over for 2023 but you can still find excellent training experiences, clinics and drills with players such World No. 3 Danil Medvedev in far-flung places such as the Maldives. Look to sharpen both your tennis and pickleball skills with Sam Querrey in Turks & Caicos or tune into a new wellness regimen with Maria Sharapova in Thailand. Here’s the latest on where to go for the ultimate tennis training experience.

In a mere half-decade, Istanbul, where the whispers of Byzantine antiquity meld with the rhythm of a bustling metropolis, has unfurled architectural marvels that continue to captivate and astonish. This metamorphosis greets visitors upon arrival: The colossal Istanbul Airport, unveiled in 2018, presents columns that echo Ottoman splendor, juxtaposed against modern art installations like the evocative Wish Tree and the kinetic Istanbul in Motion mural. Remarkably, this nexus ushers in over 90 million travelers annually, eclipsing even the iconic Hagia Sophia's draw.

Southwest made a startling discovery earlier this month.

From harbor-front Hong Kong glam to old-school European luxury, a just-released list of the best hotels on the planet offers a handy guide to traveling the world in high style – or at least assembling a list of dream accommodations. 

There was a time when accommodation options in Japan tended to fall into three categories: glossy international chains, dull homegrown business hotels and basic ryokan (traditional inns), which despite their atmospheric tatami mats and wooden sliding doors were often light on comfort and mod cons. But new options abound, particularly for the cultural traveller.