Booking tips

It’s finally spring and we’re removing our coats and sweaters to show off some skimpier looks both at home and on upcoming trips. After being cocooned and indoors, we all want a spring refresh especially before beach season hits. That’s why it’s time to book some beauty and wellness treatments to look refreshed; here are six NYC salons and workouts that will have your body spring trip-ready:

Cowboys are so often depicted like John Wayne—meaning, as a white man on a horse. For a long time, this representation has overshadowed the existence, and importance, of Black cowboys, but in the 19th century, an estimated one in four cowboys was Black. They were often barred from competing against white riders, and went on to form their own rodeos—yet to this day, Black rodeos continue to thrive.

After almost sinking during COVID, the cruise industry is getting hot again. New ships, from the “city at sea” 7,600 passenger Icon of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) to smaller, all-luxury ships like the 920-passenger Explora I are bringing new interest—and new cruisers—to the industry.

The turn off is small and miss-able, shielded by trees and shrubbery even at the start of the year. As we start up the winding, rutted driveway, I anxiously reach for the Tarte Tropézienne my partner Laila and I picked up in Cannes and placed—carelessly, in hindsight—in the backseat of our rented Renault. The layered dessert is both for research and pleasure: I’m here to write my cookbook, le SUD: Recipes from Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, and La Tropézienne is one of the recipes I’m aiming to perfect.

Looking to book a last-minute trip to Japan? Well, if so, you're in luck. There is decent award availability in business class, but you'll need to act fast.

"Yeah, right," I muttered while staring at a deal on Royal Caribbean's homepage last week. A countdown clock just below the promotion told me that I only had seven hours, 40 minutes and 28 seconds left to pounce on the offer before it would magically disappear.

Arguably, no one deserves to be spoiled more than Mom, and what's more special than a weekend away with daughters, sons or multiple generations, or even a solo trip? This Mother's Day, dozens of fabulous hotels and resorts in the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean are offering experiences and packages that go far beyond the typical Mother's Day brunch (although many offer those, too!), from wine tastings to sunset yoga sessions. You might even be able to earn and burn some points while treating your mom, too.

Are you looking to take a cruise between now and the end of the year? We have some bad news: You might have a tough time finding a cabin — at least if you want a specific type of room on a specific ship.

My overriding memories of crossing countries by train, on a trip from London to Albania, are of half-empty carriages and countryside sweeping past windows bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset. I remember cypress trees, red-roofed villages with square churches, farmland in neat strips and row upon row of vineyards.

The honk of the geese as they take off from the lake is comically loud, reeds quiver and the reflection of the clouds on the water is momentarily fractured. A butterfly flits by, landing on my boot. We’re on a guided walk at 42 Acres, a regenerative farm, nature reserve and retreat centre near Frome in Somerset – and the whole place feels vibrantly alive.

Authorities in Venice have been accused of transforming the famous lagoon city into a “theme park” as a long-mooted entrance fee for day trippers comes into force.

I absolutely love Italy, for many different reasons. But I hate the way in which many Americans go about planning trips there. Survey after survey shows it is the number one dream destination for U.S. leisure travelers, but the way those travelers get their information and advice gives me nightmares.

Marriott PointSavers lets you book select room types at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels at lower award rates on some dates. I figured PointSavers rates would disappear after Marriott adopted dynamic award pricing, but they're still around. So, here's what you need to know about Marriott PointSavers.

Dinner out is always a welcome gift and it’s an even better one for mothers who stay up to date on New York’s restaurant scene and want to try the ones most in demand. Getting those top tables is tough, though, even if you follow to the second the advice on the booking platform Resy about when reservations drop. (Part of the gift, then, might also be handling the reservation process instead of leaving it to your mom. )

If you're considering changing your Chase credit card, here's an important step to consider before doing so.

With Mother’s Day quickly approaching, it's high time to start shopping for the moms, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and mother-in-laws in our lives again. Whether you're celebrating with a large family brunch or taking your mom out for a spa day, a well-thought-out gift is always appreciated. For those who can’t be with their mothers this year but still want to send something to make her smile—we’ve got you covered. Below, we've rounded up dozens of thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas for all kinds of moms, from the ones who taught you to love the great outdoors to the ones who appreciate a trip to a winery, and the ones whose ideal vacation is sitting in a beach chair with a good book in hand.

Riding one of the longest flights in the world is already an undertaking—then I had to do it with my talkative son in tow. Even though flying with a toddler can be tough, I was determined to introduce him to the paternal side of my family who I hadn’t seen for over 20 years. So we embarked on an 18-hour journey from London to Bali. Here is what I learned about flying with a toddler after the trip—and what I wish I had known before.

Finding a great bookstore while traveling can be just as satisfying as spending the day at a beloved museum or sacred monument—and that’s certainly the case in Istanbul. The city is packed with hidden second-hand bookstores and flea market-style book alleys. The thing is—the majority of these places sell books written in Turkish, which, while beautiful to look at, mightn’t be the most practical if you’re looking for something to bring back to your hotel and read (unless of course, you speak Turkish).

Toronto-based Hostaway, which sells property-management software, announced it will offer business loans to its customers. Hostaway didn’t share details about how the financial arrangement works but said that the industry standard is to take a commission of the loans. 

Whether you celebrate Earth Day, National Park Week or World Environment Day, you can’t escape the many ways these celebrations strive to bring more attention to the damage the industrial world can wreak on our planet. But after the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic brought the travel industry almost to a standstill, American travelers rushed back to their airports as soon as they could.

On Oct. 3, 2022, I reserved a seat in a Megabus coach for the busy Sunday after Thanksgiving to return to Boston after visiting family in Philadelphia. With a $3.99 booking fee, the total came to $53.98. On Oct. 26, I received an email from Megabus canceling the trip “due to a schedule alteration,” and promising a refund. But I only received $49.99. I wrote every few months demanding my $3.99 back, receiving no response until nearly a year later, when an agent named Danielle wrote back to explain that the service fee was nonrefundable. I understand why a company would keep a fee if I had canceled or rebooked, but this was their decision. Can you help?