Where Travel Will Take Us Next, According to Our Top Travel Specialists

There are many great reasons to stay at independent hotels and vacation rentals. Unfortunately, the ease of earning rewards on these stays is not one of them — or so you might think. Over the years, I've enjoyed a variety of unforgettable stays and picked up several tricks to maximize my savings and rewards on them. Here's what I've learned.

Earplugs are a simple yet effective tool for blocking out noise, keeping water out of your ears, and even getting better sleep. Whether you're navigating loud environments, trying to focus, or just seeking some peace and quiet, they can make a big difference—especially in noisy cities, busy workplaces, and on airplanes. They can also help people with claustrophobia and hyperacusis (sensitivity to noise).

The notion that long-distance train travel is a thing of the past—especially in the U.S.—is being challenged by Amtrak. With growing interest from travelers, the U.S. national rail company is shifting its focus and investing heavily in improving its long-distance service. This includes enhancing iconic routes like the California Zephyr, which stretches from Chicago to the San Francisco Bay Area, and the Crescent, which links New York City and New Orleans.

Lufthansa CEO Jens Ritter is emphatic about the state of the transatlantic travel market: Business is good and continues to grow.

Welcome to Where Chefs Eat on Vacation, a column in which chefs tell us what they ate on a recent trip.

The 43rd Annual Experimental Aviation Convention in Buenos Aires drew over 15,000 visitors to see unique, homemade aircraft.

Thirty seconds. That's all the time it took for me to come eye to beady eye with my first Galápagoan critter after stepping onto the tarmac of the Galápagos Seymour Ecological Airport. I'd found a land iguana, endemic to this part of the archipelago, with scaly skin slouched around its bones and a grimacing mug only a mother could love, lounging in the arrivals terminal.

If it's got a few playful ruffles, a bold botanical print, and an easy-breezy vibe, there's a good chance the garment you're admiring is from Zimmermann. The Australian brand, founded in 1991 by sisters Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, is still faithful to its original philosophy of feminine silhouettes, ingenious color combinations, and that laid-back Bondi Beach state of mind—something the duo know well. “There's nothing better than being on a beautiful boat on Sydney Harbour in the sun,” says Nicky. Here she and Simone share their must-do recommendations in their hometown, including where to grab a meal with a view, go for a dip, and, of course, sip a classic flat white when you need to get your caffeine fix.

Doha is a city full of surprises. Which is why, during Condé Nast Traveler's inaugural Points of View summit in the Middle East, we partnered with Visit Qatar to ensure that the attending travel specialists—many of whom were visiting for the first time—had chance to discover some of Doha's most intriguing attractions.

My Wildest Prediction is a podcast series from Euronews Business where we dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries. In this episode, Tom Goodwin talks to Tara Chklovski, CEO of Technovation, a global tech education non-profit empowering girls to become entrepreneurs and leaders.

American travelers headed to the Caribbean should be aware of the new travel advisory for Turks and Caicos.

There's an airline with a fleet of new, comfortable Airbus A330 planes outfitted in eye-catching striped branding ready to fly you to Europe this year.