This might be the most fun DoubleTree in the world — and the hyper-themed hotel is getting a huge makeover

Closed shops, bread lines, neighborhoods reduced to rubble for over a decade, residents recovering from years of war and trauma — this is what Human Rights Watch researchers saw on recent visits to Damascus, our first in 15 years.

Ah, the time-honored tradition of spring break. The week-long break from school, schedules, and studies can be the perfect time for families to take a quick getaway—but spring break trips can get very pricey, very quickly. Thankfully, there are some affordable options.

For years, flying from the United States to Africa has meant enduring multiple layovers and navigating complex routings through Europe or the Middle East. But that’s starting to change.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is among my favorite travel credit cards.

Travelers have new data to avoid cancelled or delayed flights, thanks to a report that reveals which airlines were the most punctual in February. The analysis from aviation analytics company Cirium spotlights the on-time performance of flights in the United States and around the world. 

Exploring Colorado has never been easier, thanks to two new travel packages from Rocky Mountaineer, a scenic rail tour company renowned for its routes through the Rocky Mountains and iconic glass-domed coaches. For the first time, the luxury line is offering shorter journeys on the “Rockies to the Red Rocks” route, which traditionally runs between Denver and Moab, Utah, with a stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Verdant grass, stone carvings, and a delightful bench to relax on. By all means, the green space in the small town of Nagaizumi, Japan—about atwo-hour drive southwest of Tokyo—has all the elements of an idyllic park … except for the fact that it totals about 2.58 square feet.

Avianca is opening up two new direct routes to Central America from Florida later this spring, adding increased connections for U.S. travelers to Central America. Beginning May 10, flights will start between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Guatemala City (GUA) and operate daily. That same day Avianca will also launch a new route between Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Managua (MGA), Nicaragua. 

When people think of St. Patrick’s Day parades in the United States, places like New York City, Boston, or Chicago usually come to mind. And while New York City has the largest and oldest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the country (it was established in 1762), the second largest belongs to a city much smaller in size: Savannah.

A couple of jolts and bumps during a flight is expected, but certain routes have more than their fair share of stomach-dropping turbulence. A study from turbulence tracking company Turbli, reviewed turbulence forecast data from NOAA and the UK Met Office, to identify the most unstable flight routes in the world.

You can listen to our podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify each week. Follow this link if you're listening on Apple News.

British Airways is terrible value for money, has uncomfortable seats, and lousy food and drink. That’s according to the results of an annual passenger satisfaction survey conducted by UK consumer group Which?.