Celebrity tips

Boater or fascinator? A hat is said to bring good luck for those who are celebrating the 150th run of the Kentucky Derby, (rather than Star Wars Day) on May 4. Derby style advises that the topper dictates the rest of your wardrobe. A flamboyant hat may call for a more streamlined outfit, where a simple chapeau invites a flashy ensemble. Whatever you choose, there’s a spot in Boston to show it off. The festivities this year range from drop-in drinks to elegant soirees. Here’s a round up of top spots for watching the most exciting two minutes in sports.

Cinco De May0 is right around the corner and American drinkers are expected to toast to the holiday with roughly 127 million liters worth of tequila. While the annual holiday is a relatively minor observance south of the border (commemorating the Mexican army’s victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th, 1862), in the US it’s turned into a sweeping celebration of Mexican culture.

Celebrating Mom this Mother’s Day is an opportunity to show how much people love and appreciate her. Gift ideas abound from flowers and chocolate to jewelry and clothes. But, what if you could give the gift of memories with her? Even if time is limited, there are lots of creative hotel packages for entertaining weekend getaways to celebrate with her or for her to enjoy on her own or with friends. These are some of the limited-time deals available for Mother’s Day this season.

The Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival is one of my favorite wine events in the U.S. Now in its 25th year, “Pinot Fest” is a gathering of more than 50 producers from this small, cool-climate AVA, many of whose Pinot Noirs exceed their Sonoma competitors in quality at a fraction of the price. The Grand Tasting will be held on Saturday, 5/18, but I recommend spending the weekend and checking out the many related wine and food events that make Pinot Fest a longstanding destination to kick off Spring.

Can’t impress mom with your cooking? Try scoring a special reservation to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 12. Of course, brunch is the move here and so many New York City restaurants are pulling out the stops to celebrate moms, grandmothers, step-moms, dog moms - whoever wants to indulge in special mid-morning through mid-afternoon meals. Here’s where to treat mom to a top notch meal this spring.

Sit on a bench in Stanley Park long enough and you’ll hear a symphony of languages spoken. Stroll down the streets of Gastown and be ready to encounter a fusion of cuisines from dozens of cultures. Take a closer look at British Columbia’s biggest city and there also lies a vineyard of international connection. No event encapsulates this global unity through the art of winemaking quite like the Vancouver International Wine Festival. From the rolling hills of Sonoma and Napa Valley to the coastlines of New Zealand, the world of wine is as diverse as the cultures and climatic zones that nurture its vines. This unrivaled celebration of oenophilia is a testament to the worldwide beauty found in each and every glass.

Often packed with as many visitors as there are roadside hawkers, Chiang Mai is one of Thailand’s most-loved destinations, offering a cool respite from the beaches and busy cities further south.

Meet your astrologer

Nestled in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, Aspen is a small ski town known for vacationers with big budgets.

Frontier is making it easier to jet around the Caribbean with several new routes from Puerto Rico, and is celebrating with flights starting at less than $60.

This May, the Walt Disney World Resort is celebrating travel advisors in a new way. There will be a Travel Advisor Appreciation Station in Disney's Animal Kingdom.

On an otherwise unremarkable Saturday in Tucson last month, I visited the intersection of the Harlem Renaissance and romance lit with Netflix darling Tia Williams, brushed up on global security threats with MSNBC contributors Barbara McQuade and Frank Figliuzzi, got an easy Roman-Jewish cake recipe from cookbook wunderkind Leah Koenig, and caught a dramatic reading by National Humanities Medal winner Abraham Verghese. All before lunch. And tens of thousands of people around me were doing much the same thing: making the rounds at the famed Tucson Festival of Books, where I’d decided to spend a few hours on a trip to see my parents. As I began to realize the more people I met in line, many had come to town just for this.

Over the past few years, with the influx of New Yorkers and Californians calling South Florida home, high season in Palm Beach is no longer confined to the slightly-less-balmy winter months. In between Aspen for skiing (or après) and the Hamptons in summer, Palm Beach’s iconic The Colony Hotel operates as a year-round base for the society set, celebrities (you’re sure to see a Real Housewife or two) and a stylish mix of 20- and 30-somethings who’ve moved their business South post-pandemic.

For the uninitiated, the Bicycle Day international holiday might suggest a celebration of bicycles and riding bikes. But that’s only part of the story.

Get ready for the Battle of the Cruise Ship Giants out of Miami.

New York City is the location of a new food festival and it will be the first ever one centered on Thai cuisine.

These three islands off the coast of Lombok are the ultimate tropical escape, where you can fully disconnect amongst the palm trees and powdery beaches. Thanks to a ban on motor vehicles, the islands feel like a whole world away from Bali’s crowded streets, allowing you to soak up the peaceful atmosphere no matter when you visit. 

This week, The St. Regis Venice welcomed an enticing new arrival. But not the kind you might imagine. The chic hotel’s newest resident is not a Hollywood celebrity, but an ultra-exclusive Rare Cask Cognac from LOUIS XIII by Rémy Martin.

Long a stalwart supporter of indigenous artists and cultures, Manitobah has collaborated with Mikailah Thompson, an afro-indigenous beadwork artist and entrepreneur, for the one-of-a-kindWallowa Moccasin. Named after her tribe’s original homeland, Wallowa, or Wa’lâwa,inspiration for the modern geometric designs derives from traditionalNimîipuu beadwork and cornhusk pieces. “When I sit down and come up with a pattern, I start with what stands out to me most and add to it as I go along,” Thompson says.

One of the Italian design capital’s top hotels, Park Hyatt Milan, is celebrating 20 years of hosting both locals and guests with the completion of a multi-year transformation.

A transport company is offering £2 tickets for coach trips across the UK to be taken up to May 12. With a £1 service fee, that means travellers planning journeys can book long-distance tickets from £3 on the FlixBus website or app.