The holiday season is officially here, and there’s no better way to count down to the festivities than with an advent calendar. These calendars, which often contain small numbered flaps or doors to open on each day of Advent, were traditionally filled with Bible verses and chocolate. Today, advent calendars have evolved to include makeup, coffee, skincare, wine, sweets, candles, and, well, you name it. Since there are so many options to choose from, advent calendars also make a great present for nearly anyone on your list—though we wouldn’t judge you if you bought one (or more) for yourself. To inspire your holiday shopping, we’ve compiled our top picks for the best advent calendars, all of which are geared toward travelers, to snag before they sell out.
'Queer Eye' Star Tan France Shares His Style Tips for Train Travel
01.11.2023 - 13:07 / travelandleisure.com / Star
We've all heard of airport style when it comes to breezing through a busy with a comfortable but flawless 'fit, but have you heard of train style? No worries, Queer Eye star and fashion guru Tan France is here to help you nail your look.
In fact, he recently teamed up with Trainline, the international digital booking platform for train and bus travel, to create the brand’s first-ever rail travel style guide: Trainleisure: A Style Guide to Europe.
“There's something about traveling [by train] in Europe and England that makes it feel very much like a part of your journey," he told Travel + Leisure. «I see it as an extension of my vacation, which means I dress accordingly.”
His best style tips for a train trip? Layers. Even if it is super hot outside, the train should be at a perfect temperature, ideal for layers.
“You might have to take the top layer off, maybe even the second layer, but you want it to still look put together and coordinated and not just, ‘I'm wearing my random t-shirt or the thing that I sleep in,’» he said.
The fashion expert, who used to regularly commute from from Manchester to London when he lived there after college, also suggests a great piece of outwear as your go-to. Everything else can stay relatively simple if you have a statement outwear piece, even if it is neutral.
France also urges travelers to leave the sweatpants at home.
“I would go for comfortable clothing with more structure. We call it 'hard clothing,' he explained. «Trousers instead of sweatpants and a sweater as poised to a sweatshirt to elevate what you are used to wearing.”
And if you are a notorious over-packer, France encourages travelers to plan their outfits ahead of time and take pictures for reference.
“Therefore you’re sticking to what you already planned and then you are taking only what you need. My husband will pack this and pack that because you are thinking you are going to be something you’re not on vacation,» he told T+L. «But you're still you so if you wouldn’t wear it in your regular life, you are probably not going to wear it on vacation.”
Trainline offers routes from over 270 rail and coach operators in 45 countries, including the UK, Italy, France, and Spain, and Americans can buy their tickets in dollars for convenience.
‘Crisp air and wildlife – fantastic’: readers’ top tips for UK winter outdoors activities
Experience the unique beauty of the New Forest national park on a winter cycling adventure. With fewer crowds, you can enjoy peaceful rides through ancient woodlands and across heathlands. Remember to dress in warm layers, check your bike for winter readiness, and bring some hot tea or coffee in a Thermos to savour in the midst of your journey. Wildlife, serene landscapes and crisp winter air make this a fantastic outdoor activity in the UK.Magsy Griffin
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Customs and Immigration Control officer stamping a passport. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/FTiare)
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32 Best Women's Loungewear Sets for Long Travel Days
Some may argue that traveling by plane is an occasion to dress up, but for most of us at Traveler, comfort is the main priority when planning a transit day ensemble: You want something loose enough that you won't need to readjust (or worse, unbutton) a few hours into a flight or road trip, but put-together enough to feel that you've made a switch out of pajamas and into a true outfit. Luckily, there is no shortage of loungewear sets these days.
France is cancelling more than 16,000 flights in 2024 due to air traffic control upgrades
French air traffic control currently works on a system developed in the 1970s - sometimes still using paper strips to represent incoming planes. Though it has been regularly upgraded over the years, it is scheduled for a major overhaul in early 2024 due to rapid growth in air traffic.
5 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade tips for first-time watchers
Few things compare to seeing the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in person on a brisk November morning. Watching massive balloons like Snoopy and even modern favorites such as Bluey and Grogu (aka "Baby Yoda") fly down the streets of New York City is an iconic holiday experience on many families' travel wish lists.
Top 10 Toughest Miami Restaurants To Get Into For Holiday Travel
Miami’s holiday travel season kicks off in earnest with Art Basel (Dec. 8 - 10), runs through February, then begins to taper off. It’s a time when securing a reservation in the thriving local restaurant scene becomes nearly impossible. Here are ten of the toughest Miami restaurants to get into for holiday travelers (put in those reservation requests now!).