Gatherings tips

Embark on a literary journey at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. On Jan 12, 2024, the hotel will host the second instalment of the Reese’s Book Club x Sheraton Lobby Library. It’s the Reese’s Book Club’s only stop in Canada. This collaboration is a cornerstone of the new Gatherings by Sheraton program, which features weekly experiences aimed to help guests and locals feel inspired by the stories and cultures of communities around the world, ultimately helping guests get the most out of their travels.

The concierge team at Villa Firenze facilitates various services, including tour bookings and organizing wellness sessions.

Effective strategies for expanding social networks and fostering engaging conversations in new settings.

A significant aspect of this collaboration was the unwavering support extended to Greek SMEs, nurturing their growth and empowering them to embrace sustainable practices. This support will lead to the further development of services that prioritize sustainability, ensuring a positive impact on both local communities and the environment.

Private group travel may be one of the biggest travel trends of 2024. A recent survey by luxury travel advisors at Embark Beyond found that 61% of Americans are interested in traveling with extended families or a small group of friends next year.

Times Square in New York City and Sydney Harbour are justly famous for their New Years Eve celebrations. But for those who don’t cherish the prospect of being elbow-to-elbow with a million other revelers, here are eight alternative (and very cool) places to ring in the new year.

Did you receive gift cards for the holidays that you aren't that excited about?

When entrepreneur Tara Medina and architect Andrés Saavedra began dreaming up MUSA (Modern Utopian Society of Adventurers), a hotel-meets-real-estate project in the Mexican state of Guerrero, they knew that they wanted it to feel, above all, like a community. It's an approach that's driven a lot of hospitality developments throughout Mexico lately, from Mérida to Todos Santos. The business partners, who started Loot, a surf and lifestyle brand in Zihuatanejo, have always been on the cusp of the next cool thing. Having lived and worked on various real estate developments in the area, they asked themselves: What does an ideal community look like? It didn't matter if the master plan took months or even years to realize (which it did). They were determined to make sure that the slice of virgin land they'd purchased in 2020, on Mexico's Pacific coast 30 miles south of Zihuatanejo, would honor their vision.

From a Texas-shaped lazy river that glows with holiday lights to bare trees swaddled in colorful lights at botanic gardens, unexpected destinations around the country turn into illuminated winter wonderlands this time of year. If you’re looking to see some of the most magnificent holiday lights displays between now and the New Year, a new study from SmokyMountains.com shows the top-rated lights in the country as well as the highest-rated lights attractions broken down by state.

The cost of flight delays or cancellations can quickly add up. On top of the inconvenience of being stuck in an airport for hours on end, missing a family gathering or a day of vacation, flight disruptions can get expensive — from extra meals at the airport to, in the worst cases, an unexpected night in a hotel.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will turn 50 in January 2024, and it's marking the milestone with a year-long celebration that will include special events, activities and surprises.

The U.S. Department of Transportation is opening an investigation into possible deceptive and unfair practices of airline loyalty programs as part of an effort to further regulate the industry.

In the chilly predawn hour of late July, the peak time for a winter safari in Botswana, I sink deeper into the seat of our electric Land Cruiser, bundled in layers of scarves, blankets, and jackets. We’re on the move. A predator, the elusive African leopard, was spotted near our lodge the night before. While tracking this large nocturnal cat will ultimately prove difficult, I have already witnessed a different rare sight on this trip: a crew of all-woman guides known as the Chobe Angels, the first in Africa and the only such team in Botswana, where women still represent less than 5% of all safari guides.

Nathan Phillips Square is the heart of downtown Toronto with a lively yet laid-back atmosphere. The newly transformed Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, across the street from the main square, has a similar sense of vivacity and easygoing sophistication. On a recent trip, there was a humming bustle of locals and travelers alike in the inviting lobby, which recently had a modern makeover. With cozy lounge areas, flexible gathering spaces, and artistic nods to Toronto, the hotel is the ideal resting point for business and leisure travelers who want to stay near the city’s main attractions and gathering points.

On New Year’s Eve, 1 million people will gather in New York City’s Times Square to watch an 11,875-pound geodesic hunk of Waterford Crystal be slowly lowered onto the top of One Times Square. Iconic? Yes. Worth experiencing in person? Not necessarily.

Home to one of the most-visited archaeological sites in the world, diverse ecosystems and a gastronomic scene that’s been booming for over a decade, it’s not difficult to come across a traveler with Peru on their bucket list — or one who has already crossed it off. 

Locals and tourists frequently swarm to the DUMBO area of Brooklyn for some iconic photos of the Manhattan Bridge, as well excellent shopping and cutting edge art. Visitors can now add another reason to stop by. Just steps from the Brooklyn Flea, NINA is a new restaurant that focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients and seeks to create a warm environment where sharing plates add to the fun.

Attorneys for Disney and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) headed to federal court Tuesday as a judge considers whether to throw out Disney’s lawsuit accusing DeSantis of unlawful political retaliation, as the dispute between the Florida government and Disney over the special district that oversees Walt Disney World continues to heat up more than a year after it began.

“Sometimes you have to do things you’ve never done to get to places you’ve never been.” These are the words of wisdom offered by our mountain guide, Espen Minde, as we take a break from climbing 1,000 metres on skis up an unnamed peak in Norway’s Lyngen Alps. Something, indeed, I’d never done before. We’re also climbing straight into a blizzard. Normally, in conditions like these, I’d have turned back or maybe not even set off in the first place. But Espen, being a Norwegian mountain guide, isn’t put off by driving snow, howling winds and zero visibility. And as our group — comprising six other skiers — has every confidence in Espen’s years of experience touring these wild, often unnamed mountains, we plough on.

Winter brings plenty of holiday travel experiences, stocking stuffer ideas and travel contests to get you going, but there is other news in hospitality. These hotels and hospitality groups are adding promotions, upgrading their offerings and redesigning their look to encourage future bookings in 2024. Here’s what you need to know to get the year off to a great start.

This story about Saint Paul's Hmong Village is part of Home, Made, a collection of stories honoring Asian diasporas creating vibrant communities by weaving their heritages with their American hometowns. Read more here.