Why You Should Start a Travel Journal

Have the itch to travel, but want to avoid crowds and expensive holidays? Consider travelling during ‘shoulder season’.

In the five years I worked as a VIP tour guide at Disneyland, I got to know the park very well.

It’s never been more stressful to obtain or renew a passport. Officials are working through a deluge of passport applications, which began pouring in earlier this year and has caused major delays in processing times.

Many of us travel for both personal and business reasons, and sometimes, it's hard to keep them separate. And with the continued trend toward blended travel, where trips have both leisure and business purposes, this is even more challenging. The last thing you want is to charge a personal expense to a business card (or vice versa).

New York City’s world-class cultural institutions, incredible diversity and everything-goes kind of vibe make it a one-of-a-kind destination to visit.

Editor’s Note: The views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the writer. CNN is showcasing the work of The Conversation, a collaboration between journalists and academics to provide news analysis and commentary. The content is produced solely by The Conversation.

New York’s Ellis Island Museum pays tribute to the millions of emigrants who sailed into New York harbor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in search of a better life. The largest group of soon-to-be expats came from Italy; their exodus created one the greatest diasporas in human history.

As the plane descends to Maui’s airport in Kahului, it’s readily apparent how sharply tourism has dropped off following the massive fires a month ago: hundreds of unrented rental cars parked in a field near the runway. In the aftermath of the blaze that leveled the historic town of Lahaina and caused so much personal suffering and loss, it was understandable for Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green to advise visitors not to come to Maui. Now facing the financial devastation of an island that depends on tourism, the government changed its position and is urging visitors to come, including to the resort areas of West Maui north of Lahaina which are reopening October 8th. But should visitors listen?

With incredible shopping, stylish restaurants, historic architecture, and world-famous nightlife, the lively Spanish capital of Madrid sets the backdrop for a splurge-worthy trip. Madrid exemplifies chulo, the Spanish word for cool, which you’ll embrace after spending days getting lost in the colorful markets, strolling through El Retiro Park, and sipping cocktails on a rooftop as the sun sets.

No topic is more hotly contended in the Condé Nast Traveler office than what constitutes the perfect airport outfit. Some of us will proudly strut into JFK wearing jeans and crocs, while others are firm within the oversized hoodie and Birkenstock Bostons brigade. Others have even been known to wear espadrille wedges and a floaty summer dress on a flight, embracing main character energy and boldly flouting safety considerations, comfort, and the arctic-level air conditioning on the plane.

Colorado is one of those places that appear on just about everyone’s bucket list, and for good reason.

Nothing captures the Indian Ocean quite like rum — and it has a long history in the region. Sugarcane, the key ingredient, has been cultivated for the fiery brew in India for thousands of years, and the spirit has been distilled in Réunion and Mauritius for centuries. Today, the local rum industry is still small, but quality is improving all the time with many producers drawing the eyes of the world.