More ‘Magia’ is Coming to Walt Disney World Resort This Fall

I loved participating in the Disney College Program — where students and recent grads can work at the theme parks for a semester — so much that I did it twice. 

It’s getting easier (and cheaper) to jet off to Europe as the summer comes to a close, and British Airways is putting the cherry on top with a September flight sale that has roundtrip tickets starting at less than $500. 

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.”

Editor’s Note: Monthly Ticket is a CNN Travel series that spotlights some of the most fascinating topics in the travel world. In September, we’re celebrating superlatives as we look at some of the world’s biggest, tallest and most expensive attractions and destinations.

The cozy timber-frame lodge of Camp Denali bustled with morning energy just moments ago. Guests chatted with each other, lodge staff cleared the plated breakfast of pancakes with blueberries harvested from the tundra outside, and coffee mugs clinked on the long wooden tables reminiscent of dining together in someone’s home. But now the lodge is quiet. Guests have left for activities of their choosing, from guided naturalist hikes designed for a range of abilities, biking the park road, and canoeing on Wonder Lake to relaxing in their cabins and enjoying the view. It’s a good day for it; the peak of Denali, all 20,300 feet of it scraping the rare clear sky, gleams impossibly through the window like some snow-covered image of myth.

Guests can explore a beautifully landscaped walking trail with fun and surprises around each turn, as they engage with water in magical ways like Moana did with the ocean – from a simple greeting to a high five or even a crashing wave of fun. This lush and tropical path is the first Disney Parks experience to immerse guests into a world inspired by the hit Walt Disney Animation Studios film, “Moana.” The newest attraction in Walt Disney World is part of a multi-year transformation of EPCOT as The Walt Disney Company continues to invest in growth across its theme parks and creating unique experiences for guests.

Paris is always a good idea. And now travelers can escape to the French city and more European hotspots for less with a new Icelandair sale that has flights starting at just $349 round trip.

Hotels are always opening across the U.S. as hospitality giants such as Hilton, Marriott and Hyatt expand their footprint and charming new boutiques pop up.

When people refer to “big” airports, they typically think of large hubs with huge numbers of passengers transiting through. But bigger doesn’t always mean busier. The biggest airports in the world are those that occupy the highest total acreage of land. And yes, some of the biggest are also some of the world’s busiest—but not always. Some are hubs that have big hopes for future growth, while others have interesting stories behind how and why they acquired and maintain such a large footprint.

I've been visiting Disney World and Universal Orlando for many years. Since moving from Maryland to Florida seven years ago, I usually spend several days a month at both parks. 

The official end of summer is near, but that does not mean you have to stop adventuring—especially if you have a stash of miles and points to pay the way. In fact, come fall, airlines, hotels and credit card companies are eager to woo new business after the summer rush, offering special offers and promotions that can refill your loyalty program account in a jiffy. Plus, seasonal perks and benefits often pack extra value into the journey. Here is everything you need to know to make the most of September's best loyalty rewards program deals.

Timesharing, as a concept, was conceived in Europe in the 1960s. There, it was originally presented as a contractual lodging arrangement featuring the right to make reservations in multiple properties owned by the offeror or even by third parties. The first timeshare in the United States was started in 1974 by Caribbean International Corporation (CIC), based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It offered what it called a 25-year vacation license rather than ownership. The company owned two other resorts the vacation license holder could alternate their vacation weeks with: one in St. Croix and one in St. Thomas; both in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Virgin Islands properties began their timeshare sales in 1973.