UPS tips

It was a hot afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City. I was sitting on the edge of the hotel bed, scrolling through Instagram, about to go ham on a piping hot bowl of phở when I got a buzz. A text from my then-husband flashing six words nobody wants to read: "I think we need to talk."

I know full well that new internet scams are popping up every day. I'm suspicious to the point of being cynical and I've worked in online media for more than 15 years. I thought I was scam-proof. I was wrong.

Jan 16, 2025 • 8 min read

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Jan 16, 2025 • 6 min read

Several years ago,I dreamed I was walking down the main street of a small town, where I met a nice bookseller and a local witch. In the dream, I kept getting the message to "go to Skibbereen."

Maud Bailly is entering her third year as the CEO of the high-end collection of Accor brands like Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems.

By the time my kids, Mila and Joe, were tweens, they’d become pretty savvy travelers. We had traveled as a family all over Mexico and Central America, to French Polynesia, and around Southeast Asia—Joe had even tagged along with me on a work trip to Egypt. But a family trip to Europe? Nope. I had been urged by a few well-traveled friends to save Europe for a time when my children would really appreciate it, when they could enthusiastically spend not just hours but consecutive days wandering museums and historical sites, when their palettes could handle sophisticated flavors, and when 10 p.m. dinners wouldn’t destroy the following day. I’m not sure why I chose to listen to this parenting advice while cavalierly ignoring all sorts of other cautionary tales and whispered warnings, especially since my kids ate everything, had been visiting museums since their toddler days, and frequently stayed up to 1 a.m. But I did, and year after year, kept punting on a family trip to Italy or Greece, countries I knew and loved and couldn’t wait to share with my kids when the time was right.

What ever happened to airport fashion? Take the Beckhams' travel looks of the ‘90s and early 2000s, for one. From which Victoria Beckham became an icon for strutting to far-flung destinations in little Gucci dresses and Posh Spice leathers. These days, you'll often see travelers sporting cozy loungewear sets or a simple pair of leggings and a tee. We want to be comfortable sitting in economy just as much as the next person, but we also want to look put together when we arrive at our destination. The solution to acing that effortless airport style while remaining comfy: jeans! And yes, it is possible to find a pair of denim that's comfortable enough to wear on a long-haul flight.

January brings new beginnings—and new deals—to the travel world. We're seeing the unveiling of new cruise routes, new restaurants, and note-worthy hotel openings—plus an influx of new discounts and promotions across the board. This month the deals spread far and wide, from 60% off group trips to South Africa to discounted rates to the Maldives; there is something out there for every type of traveler. Plus, Wave Season has just started so you can save up to 30% off on tons of cruise deals.

When my taxi rolled up to Aleenta Phuket Phang Nga Resort & Spa, a luxurious beach hideaway north of Phuket—and far from Thailand's overcrowded beach towns like Patong—I was a shell of a human, on the verge of burnout. My body was teetering toward a full system shutdown; my gut was a mess. My under-eye bags could double as carry-ons.

Jan 15, 2025 • 8 min read

Jan 14, 2025 • 5 min read

If you thought a year's worth of unlimited Virgin Voyages cruises in 2025 was epic, wait until you hear what the cruise line has cooked up for next year.

A bear-shaped kiddie camera, miniature tubs of Play-Doh, bilingual flashcards, an LCD doodle board—these were just a few of the things I brought and later abandoned on a 12-week, 14-country trip around the world with my 2.5-year-old son Julian.

On top of announcing new Bluetooth-capable seatback screens and new partnerships with Uber and YouTube, Delta Air Lines revealed a head-turning partnership during its star-studded spectacle at Las Vegas' Sphere last week.

Let's face it: Solo travelers often get the short end of the stick when it comes to cruise vacations.

Jan 14, 2025 • 8 min read

Jan 14, 2025 • 6 min read

Jan 14, 2025 • 8 min read

Breeze Airways has just released dozens of one-way tickets bookable for under $40 — but travelers will have to act fast to snap up these deals.