The Oceania Vista will sail the world in 2026

Every year, Time Out ranks the best cities in the world. For 2024, it’s ranking the world’s 30 coolest streets—and five U.S. cities made the cut. But these are not expected spots (sorry, Fifth Avenue). Instead these are places with true character and charm, where you can eat, drink, dance, shop and stroll.

If you thought expedition cruising was all about polar destinations, think again. The newest ships and itineraries will have you swapping the thermal gear for swimsuits, basking in bright sunshine and slipping into the warm crystal waters in some of the more remote tropics around the world, including wild frontiers without the bone-chilling cold.

Last week, hundreds of global travel professionals gathered in Delhi for the inaugural Skift India Summit and the opportunity to glean valuable insights from the CEOs of major travel brands, including The Oberoi Group, OYO, Agoda and the country’s flag carrier, Air India. “India is having a moment,” explains Brian Quinn, head of event programming at Skift, “with the India outbound traveler poised to become the biggest global force in coming years.”

Finland has done it again. The 2024 World Happiness Report is out, and for the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the happiest country in the world.

Last month we went into extended detail about the new “World Championships” launched by the Tasting Alliance. You can catch up on the full story here. In short, it’s pretty much the Olympics of liquor tasting. The top-rated boozes from three of the industry’s most coveted competitions all square off against one another, to arrive at the best-of-the-best from any specific category, in any given year. We’ve already revealed the 2023 winners for bourbon, tequila, and scotch.

Over half of Tripadvisor’s users say that helping the environment is important to them and sustainability increasingly factors into travellers’ choices about where to go.

Advanced Eco Tourism and Climate Action tourism operator, Sailaway Port Douglas, this week launched the world’s first all-electric tender and glass bottom boat providing a “whisper quiet” sustainable experience for guests heading to the picturesque Low Isles on the Great Barrier Reef. The 22 passenger ‘eTender’ EV Discovery is 100% electric and is designed to operate as both a transfer tender and a glass bottom boat for coral viewing of the Reef’s rich underwater biosphere.

Witnessing the natural phenomenon of the aurora borealis belongs on every traveler’s bucket list. But determining where to see the northern lights is a complex matter—actually encountering the majestic and alien-ish green and purple glow of the night sky is not only about location, but also timing (December to March is ideal in many instances; August through April in other parts), positioning (typically from latitudes 65 to 72 degrees North), and plain ol’ luck (a clear, dark, and cloud-free sky).

Cuba received for the fourth consecutive year the award for Best MICE Organizer at the World MICE Awards 2023, in the field of tourism for meetings, congresses and incentive trips, The note from the tourism authorities of this country reflects satisfaction and the reference to the fact that it is an incredible testimony of efforts and hard work.

Digital nomadism has shot up in popularity recently. While many destinations have simple citizenship requirements in place, the country a person hails from can still significantly impact their travel opportunities.

What makes one passport more powerful than another? The best-known passport ranking, from London-based investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners, focuses solely on visa-free travel. Essentially, the more countries a citizen can visit without a visa, the better. In that ranking, six nations—France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Singapore and Spain—tie for the top position, with 194 visa-free destinations apiece. (In 2024, the U.S. is tied for sixth, with 189.)

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Emily Crider . It has been edited for length and clarity.