There’s plenty to say about riding the train being a better way to travel than flying, especially in Europe: It’s more convenient, it’s more comfortable, there’s no luggage restriction, there’s no security line, it’s better for the planet, etc. One aspect of train travel that worries travelers, however, is how long it takes to get from one place to another. While some train routes, like the Eurostar between London and Amsterdam, or the high-speed train that runs between Paris to Zurich, are just as fast as flying, riding the rails can sometimes be slow. Pressed-for-time travelers who like to ..read more

When my daughter Margot was born, my wife and I made a promise that we would still travel as much as possible and take advantage of free or discounted flights for babies under two. We held to that promise more than we thought we’d be able to — Margot has already taken 20 flights from coast-to-coast and to three countries, with two more international trips scheduled before we have to start paying full prices for her. That said, we’ve quickly learned that it’s a lot harder to keep a toddler entertained on long flights and during travel downtime than it is a newborn. No one toy, book, or tip (ap ..read more

Summer trail and beach season is upon us. This weekend you can take advantage of a massive sale at REI Outlet to ensure you’re stocked and dressed for success this year, with massive discounts on name-brand outdoor gear and clothing from companies including PrAna, Vasque, and Outdoor Research. Check out the full rundown. Also available through April 29, REI members can take advantage of a free $20 digital gift card when they buy a gift card of $100 at REI.com right now. That quick math you just did in your head is correct – buy a gift card for yourself, and get $20 more for free. Here are Mat ..read more

Until recently, the rules surrounding flight compensation in the event of delays and cancellations have been murky at best, with domestic airlines deciding terms for reimbursement independently. Earlier this week, the Department of Transportation (DOT) announced a new set of rules that serve to standardize when and how airlines are required to issue refunds to passengers. According to a DOT release, passengers who experience significant flight disruptions will now receive “automatic” and “prompt” cash refunds from airlines. Examples of refundable disruptions include flight and baggage delays ..read more

The Tennessee Night Sky Trail takes you through Northeast Tennessee and the Appalachian Mountains. The celestial road trip makes a perfect getaway to explore the area. It’s drivable, so all you need a vacation rental near the mountains, and after the sun goes down, you can head out and enjoy Tennessee’s pristine night sky. The trail encompasses nine locations, each offering a quality vantage point for observing the cosmos. From panoramic vistas atop mountainsides to the serene tranquility of lakeside spots to a modern observation deck, whether you’re a seasoned astronomer, astrophotographer ..read more

If you live in or near a city, you’ll be used to looking up to a hazy night sky. Light pollution from artificial lights, from streetlamps to billboards, washes out starlight, hindering our ability to see stars and fainter celestial objects like nebulae, galaxies, and comets. The further from populated areas you go, the darker the night sky will become. With this comes a sense of peace and solitude, ideal conditions for sitting under a star-studded sky on a warm summer evening. So where do you go? To help you plan your next US stargazing trip, the accommodation booking site HomeToGo has ranked ..read more

Istanbul is undeniably the most well-know part of Türkiye, but it’s far from being the only one worth visiting. If you’re keen to explore the country further but want to keep your carbon footprint down, you can opt to travel by train. The rail network in Türkiye is relatively extensive, with high-speed trains linking Istanbul to Ankara, Konya, and Sivas, local trains, long-distance routes, sleeper trains, and even touristic trains covering large swathes of the country. The Mesopotamia Express, a sleeper train that travels 653 miles across Anatolia is Türkiye’s latest touristic, long-distance ..read more

The typical piece of luggage sees a lot go in and a lot come out. Ideally, the bag is emptied entirely after each trip, or at least before the next trip. If not, travelers may inadvertently end up bringing something prohibited into another country. A man from Oklahoma, Ryan Watson, went on a vacation to Turks and Caicos and is now facing a 12-year prison sentence after he claims he unintentionally left bullets from a previous whitetail deer hunting trip in the luggage he brought to the island. Watson was visiting the island with his wife, Valerie, as well as friends for a 40th birthday celebr ..read more

Construction is one of the largest carbon dioxide emitting industries in the world. Building accounts for as much as 36 percent of emissions, 11 percent of which comes from making materials like steel, cement, and glass. Yet in some parts of the world, a sustainable, natural material can lessen the impact: bamboo. Bamboo U in Bali focuses on inspiring and educating people around the world about bamboo architecture. On the latest episode of No Fixed Address: The World’s Most Extraordinary People, host Micahel Motamedi speaks with Orin Hardy, the founder of Bamboo U, and other members of the Ha ..read more

Anyone who’s been on an African safari knows all about the thrill of looking for wild animals. The fact that you have to keep your eyes peeled, be patient, and hope you’re lucky enough to see animals like lions and zebras makes the activity feel almost like a treasure hunt. But after you’ve done a few game drives in Africa, you may realize that spotting famous species like elephants, hippos, and giraffes isn’t actually all that hard. The species are large and follow predictable patterns, and safari guides usually have at least a vague idea of where the animals will be at any given time. That ..read more