Travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path have a new flight option to Italy's Puglia region, an area known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable food and historic medieval architecture.
31.01.2025 - 20:25 / cntraveler.com
Thanks to its unique combination of mountainous terrain, an arid climate, and minimal light pollution, the southern Arizona landscape offers pristine conditions for night sky viewing—whether you’re hoping to see a planetary alignment, meteor shower, or simply want to lie back and appreciate the Milky Way in all its glory. This January, Tucson, Arizona launched a new astrotourism trail, further cementing the desert city’s reputation as a sanctuary for stargazers.
Tucson is home to an array of astronomical attractions including observatories, research centers, and vast outdoor spaces like Saguaro National Park, the world's ninth Urban Night Sky Place. The city is also a burgeoning arts and culture hub (landing it on our list of the best places to go in 2024)—meaning you can still enjoy top-notch hotels and restaurants while taking advantage of its plentiful natural wonders.
The new Tucson “Astro Trail” is a curated guide of dark-sky attractions—plus local retailers and restaurants along the way—linking five observatories, a planetarium, a laboratory, an aviation and space museum, two state parks, and a national park. Having strictly enforced light pollution control since 1972, Tucson is a pioneer of night-sky preservation—and now visitors can nimbly navigate between its many astronomy attractions using a mobile passport or printed guide.
“From our mountaintop observatory experiences to live planetarium tours of the constellations in the middle of the day, there’s a lot to discover here,” Nick Letson of the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium tells Condé Nast Traveler.
I followed the self-guided trail connecting the region’s most iconic stargazing spots and observatories. As a meteorologist and cosmic enthusiast, it suffices to say that I totally geeked out. Here are three highlights, and how travelers can experience the trail for themselves.
Saguaro National Park is only 30 minutes from downtown Tucson and is the world’s ninth Urban Night Sky Place.
Less than 30 minutes from downtown, wander among the prickly giants of the Sonoran Desert in Saguaro National Park’s two districts. Cactus Forest Scenic Loop (east) and Scenic Bajada Loop (west) are phenomenal drives with access to numerous hiking trails, including my favorite short hikes on Mica View Trail (east) and Signal Hill Trail (west).
In 2023, DarkSky International designated Saguaro National Park as the world’s ninth Urban Night Sky Place, the second in the National Park system. “There aren’t many places in the world where you can find dark skies so close to a city of roughly a million people, which means there aren’t many places where the wonders of starry sky are more accessible,” says Beth Hudick, the park’s education and outreach manager.
Travelers looking for something a little off the beaten path have a new flight option to Italy's Puglia region, an area known for its proximity to the Adriatic Sea, delectable food and historic medieval architecture.
A major Florida airport has an expansion on the horizon. Tampa International Airport recently announced that its new $1.5 billion Terminal D will be anchored by Delta Air Lines, which will have access to at least six gates, and also operate a new airline lounge in the space. Delta currently operates a variety of flights from Tampa, including direct routes to its hubs in Atlanta, Boston, New York (JFK and LGA), and Minneapolis. It also operates an international route to Amsterdam, and will soon launch a direct flight to Austin, Texas.
“You’re going to want to see this.”
Breeze Airways will ramp up its flying in a big way this spring and summer. The Utah-based low-cost carrier on Wednesday announced plans to launch service from three new airports by midyear.
Feb 4, 2025 • 14 min read
Feb 4, 2025 • 7 min read
Planet Hollywood is coming back to New York City.A major tourist attraction in the 1980s and early 1990s, the restaurant was owned by, among others, Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger.The start power was palpable. But, the allure quickly died off, like many chain restaurants.The doors on 42nd Street opened on Monday. There was a $20 million investment in the new property.According to the eatery, the restaurant redefines Hollywood glamor beneath a 360-degree canopy of state-of-the-art, high-definition screens. Encircling the entire perimeter is an impressive array of over 692 video tiles delivering cutting-edge dining and event experiences through dynamic and interactive displays."We're relaunching Planet Hollywood in Times Square not just as a restaurant but as an all-encompassing sensory experience that magnificently combines innovative technology with the unique flair of Hollywood," said Robert Earl, Founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood and Earl Enterprises. "This venue is poised to deliver exceptional entertainment and dining in the spirit of New York's celebrated theatrical grandeur."Instead of traditional memorabilia, an all-encompassing audio-visual experience brings Hollywood to life through synchronized video projections, soundscapes, and interactive elements that turn dining into a fully sensory affair. Every detail of the space has been thoughtfully curated to provide guests with a unique dining adventure that feels fresh. The venue is slated to be a hotspot for the late-night scene, with the mood on the second and third floors becoming very different when they transform following dinner service.Culinary creativity remains at the core of the Planet Hollywood experience featuring an elevated, yet approachable variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, and entrees. Culinary highlights include Kobe Cheesesteak Empanadas, Prime Rib Sliders, Chicken Caesar Salad, All-American Double Smash Cheeseburger, Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, NY Strip Steak, and Lobster Pot Pie. Guests can also enjoy the nostalgic "1993 Icons" section with beloved classics that pay homage to Planet Hollywood’s original menu including the World-Famous Chicken Crunch, Planet Nachos Grande, L.A. Lasagna, and St. Louis BBQ Ribs.The new Planet Hollywood will be within walking distance of other nightclubs and Madison Square Garden.
"New Orleans is a city of mood,” chef Serigne Mbaye tells me one Wednesday morning in September. We've been discussing the merits of Parkway's po'boys and the old-school kitchen at Commander's Palace. While growing up in Senegal and New York City, Mbaye cooked with his mother, and his Uptown restaurant, Dakar NOLA, braids his memories of this time with his haute restaurant experiences and the deep-rooted African heritage of New Orleans.
Touchdown! The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off in the Super Bowl on Feb. 9, a bonanza for special flights to New Orleans.
Nothing can rekindle romance quite like travel. No matter your love language, quality time together — especially in a new destination — simply makes people feel closer. While flutes of Champagne and candlelit dinners are all well and good, embarking on an escape built around a shared passion is even better and can create a deeper connection whether you've been together for four months or 40 years.
Equinox is eyeing a country-wide expansion — not just with its gyms, but its hotels.
Travelers flying with JetBlue Airways now have another option for upgrading their in-flight experience.