The scent of burning wood filled my nostrils as I pushed through the large paned doors of Fore Street in Portland, Maine. The restaurant, with its tavern-like atmosphere and rustic wood and brick accents, instantly felt welcoming.
30.09.2024 - 21:27 / lonelyplanet.com
Sep 30, 2024 • 3 min read
You're probably planning to come to Orlando to join the crowds at the theme parks like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. (We don’t blame you; they’re amazing.) But when is the best time to do that?
And beyond the rides and costumed characters, is there a preferred time to take in the city of Orlando itself, with its lovely, tree-lined neighborhoods and rich performing arts scene? From high season to low, here’s our seasonal guide to what you can expect throughout the year in Orlando, including the best events at the theme parks and in the city.
March to April is peak tourism season thanks to spring breakers. The summer is also one of Orlando's busiest times, full of vacationing crowds, and lots of festivals. It's hot and humid, with temperatures often above 90°F (32°C).
Throughout March to mid-April, American colleges release students for one-week spring breaks. While they are mainly drawn to the beaches, Orlando and the theme parks will also start to fill up with visitors of the younger, rowdier variety. Held in the upscale Orlando suburb of Winter Park, the Florida Film Festival takes place each April. Celebrating independent films, it’s fast becoming one of the largest festivals in the southeast.
As the school year ends around the USA (and world), the summer-vacation crowds flock to Florida. Plan on arriving good and early at the theme parks, and try to stay cool in the heat. The unofficial start to the summer season is Gay Days, when for a week some 170,000 people, largely from the LGBTIQ+ community, descend on the Magic Kingdom and other Orlando theme parks, hotels and clubs. On the 4th of July, fireworks and laser shows mark the USA’s birthday. The weather can be tough as peak summer sets in: Floridians do nothing but crank the A/C inside while foolish tourists swelter and burn at the theme parks – and run from afternoon thundershowers.
Crowds thin and prices drop in May after the spring break – though temperatures tick up, with highs around 88ºF (31ºC). The masses also diminish after Labor Day (first Monday in September) – with Halloween festivities the exceptions. Lodging prices dip as the summer summer sizzle fades.
In September, shoulder-season deals can pop up. Theme parks are starting to run Halloween events this month, including Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party; look out for goblins, monsters and mummies all around. Early fall is also the peak of hurricane season, which runs June through November. Travelers should take all hurricane alerts, warnings and evacuation orders seriously.
Tourism hits a spike for a week around Thanksgiving, and temperatures are better for hiking and camping at one of Florida’s many state parks. This is also the start of the
The scent of burning wood filled my nostrils as I pushed through the large paned doors of Fore Street in Portland, Maine. The restaurant, with its tavern-like atmosphere and rustic wood and brick accents, instantly felt welcoming.
“It’s a Dall sheep!” the train tour guide exclaims as we swoop past a jagged cliffside dotted with fuzzy white creatures impressively balanced on their rocky perch.
Oct 2, 2024 • 7 min read
Frontier Airlines will launch flights to the Vail ski area for the first time ever in December, making it easier to get to the resort in time for ski season.
Amtrak is launching a new route between Chicago and Miami this fall that will whisk passengers from the Midwest to the Sunshine State in 47 hours.
With holiday travel approaching using airline miles and points is a smart way to avoid a possible hefty price tag. However, certain award currencies provide better value than others during peak travel times.
Every year, Condé Nast Traveler readers weigh in on their favorite hotels, airlines, cruises, islands, and more in our annual Readers’ Choice Awards. Luggage is also among the categories you voted on this year, applauding the brands you trust the most for durable, practical suitcase and bags. After all, no matter the trip—be it a safari, cruise, city escape, or weekend in the woods—you need something to carry your belongings. And for many of us, that same carry-on, duffel bag, or backpack becomes our trusty travel companion for years at a time. Below, find your fellow readers’ favorite luggage brands, plus a few of each brand’s most popular pieces of luggage, should you be looking to add a new roomy weekender or sturdy suitcase to your collection.
As a beer aficionado, I've been to my fair share of brew festivals throughout the US, several of which were "Oktoberfest" themed.
European rail company Eurostar is becoming the first non-airline partner of the SkyTeam Alliance, making it easier for its members to travel across Europe.
There’s never a wrong time of year to visit the Berkshires, the mountainous stretch of western Massachusetts located just 140 miles north of New York City. You can thank the fall’s vibrant display of foliage, summer’s Tanglewood music festival that draws crowds from all over the world, and a steady tide of new hotel openings to take advantage of as cozy winter getaways and for ski season. The region also has strong roots as an artists community, with a robust community of galleries, independent boutiques, and museums. And for city dwellers looking to stretch their legs, the Berkshires is also home to scenic hiking trails and winter slopes for every activity and ability level.
In May 2022, I rode the Rocky Mountaineer — one of the world's most luxurious trains. The Canadian train company operates four routes, and I was on its US route heading to Moab, Utah, from Denver.
Amsterdam, like many other European cities, is facing an overtourism problem. The numbers don’t lie. In the year 2000, the Dutch capital broke a record when it welcomed over 4 million visitors. In 2019, the city’s enthusiasm for unbridled tourism had curbed: 10.2 million visitors came to Amsterdam, which has a population of about 820,000, that year and spent 21.8 million nights in the city.