The Golden Rules of Queer Travel

Ahhhh, the great American road trip. A chance to put rubber to pavement along our millions of miles of roads and see the nooks and crannies of the country we’d never otherwise see. Road trips can be truly transformative travel journeys, a meditative way to traverse the countryside, meeting interesting people and exploring unusual sites. They’re also a chance to connect with your fellow road trippers, engaging in hours of conversation you wouldn’t have time for at home.

Imagine: You're on a backpacking trip. You stand on the summit of a high mountain. As you look out on the horizon, you can see precisely how far you've come. You take a sip of water from your bottle and, with that simple, cool refreshment, feel a welling sense of pride. Having reached your goal, in that precious moment you embody the effects not only of your physical exertion, but also the meticulous planning that brought you here. Your accomplishment is made possible by your thoughtfulness, your decisions to realize your vision of travel for the sake of pure adventure. The steps you took, no matter how graceful or clumsy, got you here. The view from wherever you stop is merely your reward. And don’t forget, you still must make it back down the hill and home again safely.

Aug 28, 2024 • 7 min read

We’re back with another edition of the brands and properties that have caught my eye this season. 

“I tell my friends that I'm now midcentury modern,” the New York–based fashion designer Phillip Lim quips about turning 50. “And like the furniture, hopefully better with age.” Joking aside, Lim, who launched his 3.1 Phillip Lim label in 2005 and now sells his signature clean-lined clothing in shops around the world, saw the landmark birthday as a chance to take stock. “I heard somewhere that, with 50, you get a second dawn. I took that to heart.”

This month, an 11-year-old startup called Flyr raised the largest single round of venture capital for a travel tech company in years: A total package of nearly $300 million. 

Between Sri Lanka’s eight UNESCO world heritage sites, its thriving wildlife, and pristine white sand beaches, the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” has enough glimmer for everyone—and now, visiting the South Asia island nation, located off the coast of India, is about to get easier (and cheaper) for travelers from 35 countries.

Aug 23, 2024 • 0 min read

Aug 21, 2024 • 10 min read

The UN World Health Organization (WHO) declared on August 14, 2024, that the recent upsurge in mpox cases constitutes “a public health emergency of international concern," the organization's highest alert level. The next day, Sweden confirmed the first case of the new strain, mpox Clade 1, to be diagnosed outside Africa.

With summer coming to an end, make the best of it by embarking on a holiday in Türkiye. Perfect for solo travels and family trips, Türkiye offers the most varied experiences in the Mediterranean. From the vibrant cultural tapestry of İstanbul to the sun-kissed shores of the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, each Turkish destination offers a journey filled with many unforgettable experiences, complemented by world-famous Turkish hospitality and cuisine.

Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia in conversation with Saniya Zanpure, Skift’s research analyst, as they dive into the Skift Travel Health Index (STHI) — a tool that tracks and measures the performance of various travel sectors. They explore why the travel industry in 2024 is mirroring 2023, with insights into the factors driving this stability. Plus, they look at India’s rise as a major player in global travel and find out what’s fueling this rapid growth.