Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2024: Best Luxury Chocolates From Around The World

Luxury hotels in Thailand will be hosting "The White Lotus" season three cast in February, and they're just as swanky as the last locations.

Embarking on a yearlong journey around the world is a dream scenario for many travelers. However, the logistics of making it happen can be challenging, not least because of the sheer number of flights you would need to book. One way to make the journey a reality is by purchasing an around-the-world flight ticket.

Luxury cruise line Seabourn wants to help travelers escape the cold in style — and for less — with a big winter sale that has up to 25 percent off fares.

“Going over the top” to impress a special someone every February 14 is a relative concept. Jet-setters know the world’s top luxury tourist destinations strive to offer unique experiences, but chasing the coolest place someone else has never visited requires a discerning palate whenever a dash of romance is involved.

Whether it’s a modest box of conversation hearts or a flamboyant heart-shaped box of chocolates, a whopping 92% of Americans plan to say “I Love You” with a gift of sweets on Valentine’s Day, according to the National Confectioners Association.

Demand for plant-based food has soared in the UK in the past few years, thanks in part to the popularity of movements and campaigns like Veganuary. With the latter came a blossoming of the country’s vegan dining scene, which now spans from fine dining to street food. While some establishments focus on lifting vegetables to stardom, others use meat substitutes to entice non-vegans. The biggest change, though, is the diversity of cuisines available — you can now just about eat your way around the world, whether you’re after flavours from Asia, Europe or the Americas. For those contemplating a dietary switch, here’s a selection of fully vegan restaurants around the country to get you started.

This is an as-told-to story based on a conversation with David Purcell, 78, a retired attorney. It has been edited for length and clarity. Purcell was among the dozens of people who signed up for a three-year cruise with Life at Sea — an around-the-world journey that was canceled two weeks before its departure. He and 77 other would-be passengers who have not received refunds are asking the US Attorney in Southern Florida to open a criminal fraud investigation into Miray Cruises, the parent company of Life at Sea.

What are the best cities in the world? Time Out has just released its latest report of the world’s 20 best cities, which is based on the Time Out Index, created from a survey of more than 20,000 city dwellers around the world, along with its own network of editors.

Gifts for your loved one at Valentine’s Day can range from experiences (romantic dinners or weekend getaways) to tasty treats to enjoy at home. But, if you are looking for a gift to wrap up in a box and give to your traveling sweetheart, here are some entertaining ideas that will make their frequent trips more enjoyable.

Today, there are lots of ways to see the world in one go. Self-serving, globe-traversing plane tickets where you pick your stops along the way and stay in each as long as you want. Months-long cruises that ply well-trodden coastlines of countries both massive and miniscule. Few, however, promise to be as extraordinary, informative and indulgent as the White Desert World tour, just announced for departure in January 2025 (for those with very deep pockets).

The Seven Seas just got a bit more crowded: Nine new world cruises have recently set sail, joining Royal Caribbean's ongoing Ultimate World Cruise in a quest to travel around the world in 2024.

On Valentine’s Day, even the most elegant New York City hotel dining rooms raise the bar in terms of their culinary offerings.