Visiting Japan? Enowa Botanical Retreat Offers Uniquely Luxurious Experience

Sitting on Pollepel Island in New York's Hudson River, a stunning piece of history is slowly crumbling away.

Brought to Japan as a six month old baby from Thailand, the elephant Miyako has spent 50 years living in cramped, solitary confinement at the Utsunomiya Zoo about one hour outside of Tokyo.Unlike elephants in the wild who live in extended family groups and wander for miles on a daily basis, Miyako spends her days standing listlessly on a small concrete platform amid her own feces. And when she’s not exhibited on that platform for zoo visitors, Miyako is locked in small, dark indoor space.

Amidst the vast plains and rugged landscapes, North Dakota’s culinary scene is steadily making waves with the recent recognition of three James Beard Award nominees in 2024. These nominations underscore the state’s growing influence on the national food scene and showcase the rich tapestry of flavors and culinary talent present in the region. North Dakota Tourism invites visitors to experience the innovative dishes that celebrate local ingredients and traditions. From traditional Midwestern favorites to creative fusion cuisine, a trip to North Dakota isn’t complete without a stop - or a few! - at these must-try spots. Each with its own history, story, and motivation, no matter the mood you may be in, there is a restaurant that will suit all palates.

In the battle to safeguard the planet’s endangered ecosystems, Canada is a global leader. Some of the world’s oldest, best managed, and biodiverse national parks reside north of the 49th parallel, collected under the umbrella of Parks Canada, a growing network of nearly 50 parks inaugurated since 1911.

There's never a bad time to visit Washington, DC. Not only do brilliant events take place almost every day, but the district also undergoes breathtakingly beautiful transformations as the seasons change.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members who dream of reaching far-flung paradisiacal shores on their next vacation are now in luck.   

Though K-beauty first landed stateside back in 2011 — when Dr.Jart+ flooded the shelves of Sephora stores across the country and spawned the BB cream craze — South Korean skincare products have experienced a resurgence in popularity in the past few years.

Travelers dreaming of aspirational destinations like Bali and the Maldives can now get there more easily with airline miles.

Educational travel and voluntourism often serve as a conduit for experiential learning. An educational vacation or community service travel can enrich knowledge of places and customs in ways that can’t be taught via textbooks, especially for younger kids who tend to soak up hands-on lessons like a sponge. Through cultural exploration and immersion, students become enriched as global citizens, while developing a stronger knowledge of language and geography as well as an increased confidence and problem solving skills.

Over the past decade, I've successfully visited all 50 US states solo. I've even made it to most of the major US national parks along the way. Because of this journey, I'm often asked which states I'd recommend to travelers.

Rapidly expanding its diverse portfolio of tour experiences in European destinations like Greece, Spain, England, France and more, City Experiences delivers unmatched explorations of major cultural sites, lesser-known haunts, family-run eateries and more through its partners, Walks and Devour Tours.

Japan’s public transportation is known for its punctuality, efficiency and high-quality service, which means train travel is a great way to see the countryside and to experience Japanese culture — even if you’re squeezed into Tokyo’s crowded Yamanote line at rush hour or experiencing the popular high-speed Shinkansen bullet train.