My friends bailed on my birthday trip to Paris a few years ago. Now, I go on a solo trip every year to celebrate getting older.

Paris' wealth of architectural icons, monumental museums and unmissable dining experiences makes it difficult for visitors to contemplate straying beyond the city limits. Yet on Paris’ doorstep are magnificent châteaux, exquisite gardens, medieval cathedrals, and rambling forests, which can add a new dimension to a holiday in the French capital.

It's been seven years since my husband and I chose to relocate our family from Maryland to Florida. It's a decision I've never regretted once, but living in the Sunshine State is very different from life in the Northeast.

To her more than one million TikTok followers, digital creator MJ Hedderman is known as "the Instagram girlfriend." It's a moniker she said she fell into in 2020 after realizing she didn't need a partner to take photos of her — she could learn to take them herself instead. 

Already valued at an estimated $185 billion, the worldwide ecotourism segment is expected to exceed $374 billion in global impact within the decade.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with 44-year-old Denmark native Torbjørn "Thor" Pedersen. It has been edited for length and clarity. Although world travel isn't well-documented, record-keeper Harry Mitsidis told Condé Nast Traveler that about 199 people had traveled to every country; claims appear to be based on the honor system, the magazine reported. Pedersen spoke to Insider while he was still on his journey. He finally returned home to Denmark on July 26.

A week before a Journee mystery trip, the traveler receives a sealed envelope in the mail. 

Paris will allow people to swim in the Seine following the 2024 Olympics for the first time in more than 100 years.

America’s coastal areas don’t have a monopoly on great beaches . . . or groovy beach towns.

Zika virus, the mosquito-related disease that’s prompted travel advisories across the Caribbean as well as Central and South America, is now in Southeast Asia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

Every summer, Americans selectively schedule their vacation time, typically taking a week or two to get out and enjoy the sun or a dreamy, far-off destination. But as the midyear heat wanes and the holiday season approaches, more of us should assess the vacation days we’re not using—all 658 million of them.

Airbnb is expanding beyond the rental-sphere. The ubiquitous home-sharing platform announced today that it will now connect travelers and locals for more than just a place to sleep. “Trips” is a new Airbnb feature that allows locals to list their own “Experiences” and “Places” for visitors to try out. They include classes, guided tours, and hidden local spots in the following 12 cities, with more to be added:

Looking for the ultimate family-bonding trip? Check out G Adventures’ brand new Family Journeys, designed for multi-generational travelers.