A scenic two-hour ferry ride from Vancouver, Salt Spring Island is an established artists’ community with a well-known gallery route and several vineyards that welcome visitors for tours and tastings of handcrafted local wines. Outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling are popular, and the large Saturday Market—open from April through late October—offers local produce, … Read more
One of the greatest pleasures of a cruise is exploring a new port, but passengers can also enjoy a different kind of discovery without ever leaving the ship: a behind-the-scenes tour of the lower decks. When offered, these limited excursions give a small number of guests access to areas normally off-limits, revealing how the ship … Read more
Terminal B at Philadelphia International Airport will undergo a $30 million renovation to modernize the facility and improve the passenger experience. Operated by American Airlines, the terminal renovation—developed in partnership with MarketPlace Philadelphia—will roll out over the next 18 to 24 months and bring a mix of technology upgrades, refreshed interiors and new dining options … Read more
Inhabiting a former empty lot opposite the Finnish Parliament in downtown Helsinki, the striking new Oodi Central Library welcomes visitors to Finland’s capital. Designed by ALA Architects after an anonymous competition, the building was envisaged as a public gift for Finland’s 101st independence anniversary and quickly became a modern symbol of civic pride. Reading and … Read more
Havana Air has launched a fully automated online reservation system that is now available to travelers. For the first time, customers can book flights to Cuba directly on the airline’s website. In addition to booking air travel, the online system lets passengers submit required authorization forms and visas at the time of booking. Havana Air … Read more
Poor Brisbane. For years visitors treated Australia’s third-largest city mainly as a gateway to the Great Barrier Reef or the famed waves of the Gold Coast. Even many Australians called “Brissie” a “big country town,” suggesting it lacked flash or sophistication. That relaxed, unpretentious character is precisely Brisbane’s appeal, especially for families with young children. … Read more
Trump SoHo New York has introduced Young Entrepreneurs SoHo, a new extension of its Trump Kids program. Designed for children and teens ages 3 to 17, the program is available to hotel guests, condo owners and nearby residents. Young Entrepreneurs SoHo provides a range of benefits including personalized business cards, exclusive invitations and a quarterly … Read more
Airport security lines have been a major headache this year, with some travelers facing waits of up to two hours and many missing flights as a result. Under pressure to improve the passenger experience, the Transportation Security Administration has begun testing and rolling out measures designed to reduce congestion and speed the screening process. One … Read more
Everything old is new again at Ashford Castle in County Mayo, Ireland, where a $75 million restoration revealed a long-forgotten limestone coal bunker within an unused tunnel beneath the castle. That hidden space has been beautifully converted into an intimate wine cellar ideal for tastings and private gatherings. Once a subterranean walkway and servant entrance, … Read more
On the Ground: My flight to Madrid began with a connection from Denver to Chicago on American Airlines. Transferring to the Iberia gate at Chicago O’Hare International Airport was quick and stress-free. Upon arrival in Chicago a gate attendant met me with my boarding pass in hand, allowing me to proceed straight to O’Hare’s Terminal … Read more