Abu Dhabi’s recent history is still remembered by many residents who lived through the era before skyscrapers, wealth and oil shaped the city. The change over the past five decades has been extraordinary. In the 1960s, local Bedouin tribes followed traditional livelihoods: coastal communities fished and collected pearls for trade, while desert nomads traveled with … Read more

Element Lifestyle, a luxury travel and lifestyle concierge firm, has released its annual selection of the top hotels and resorts for 2025. The Element team evaluated newly opened and soon-to-open properties, highlighting the most anticipated destinations and personally recommended stays to compile Element’s Top 25 Hotels and Resorts for 2025. © Michael Albanese The 2025 … Read more

Joie de Vivre Hotels has expanded its presence in Hawaii with the opening of the Shoreline Hotel Waikiki. The newly renamed 135-room property, formerly known as the Seaside Hotel Waikiki, reopened this month after completing an extensive renovation. Located in the heart of Honolulu’s vibrant shopping and dining district and a short walk from Waikiki … Read more

The ninth lunar month in the Chinese calendar ushers in an annual vegetarian observance for many members of Thailand’s Chinese community, a tradition that dates back to 1825. Originally intended to encourage purity of lifestyle and deepen spiritual connection, the practice has evolved into a vibrant cultural festival that attracts both Chinese and non-Chinese participants … Read more

In spring, when Seoul finally sheds the grip of its long, harsh winter, many of the city’s roughly 10 million residents take to the extensive hiking and biking trails that wind through nearby hills and mountains or run alongside the Han River. These level riverside paths are especially popular with families and casual cyclists. In … Read more

American Airlines’ Five Star Service is an exclusive, elevated experience available for select top-tier customers on departures, arrivals and connections in certain markets. The airline has expanded this premium program in New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX), adding new amenities designed to reduce travel stress, save time and create a seamless end-to-end journey for … Read more

The pandemic temporarily slowed many travel plans, but the hospitality industry has continued to move forward with an extensive pipeline of luxury hotels scheduled to open next year. From sophisticated urban high-rises to nature-focused retreats, the new properties arriving in 2022 showcase a range of approaches to upscale travel. Below are some of the most … Read more

“London, Paris, and Rome often top the list for first-time visitors to Europe, but the continent offers countless lesser-known cities that deliver equally rich cultural experiences without the crowds. If you prefer a trip focused on authentic discovery rather than typical tourist routes, consider exploring some of these overlooked European destinations that rarely appear in … Read more

Audley Travel has crafted bespoke luxury tours around the world since 1996. Now expanding its European offerings, the company relies on local country specialists with deep, on-the-ground knowledge of Italy, Spain, Portugal, France and the United Kingdom to design personalized itineraries that reflect each destination’s character and traditions. In Italy, sample itineraries showcase hands-on, authentic … Read more

On the Ground: I checked in at Durban (DUR) for a South African Airways flight connecting through Johannesburg to New York. The check-in was quick, and the agent priority-tagged and checked my bag through to JFK. In Johannesburg I visited the Baobab Business Class Lounge, which is separate from the Cycad First Class Lounge. Staff … Read more