Travel In Life

If an excursion to Denmark isn’t on your travel bucket list, we’ve discovered a reason to make that vacay a priority.

Shopping for souvenirs and ensuring that they are locally produced and support the local economy can be a complicated business. To help you, we spoke with four experts who gave us their tips on how to get souvenirs the right way.

Glamping #goals is reserved for this awesomeness.

The anniversary of Apollo 11’s landing on the moon is Saturday, July 20. It’s a day worth celebrating, which is why Airbnb hand-selected properties that help connect guests to space for just $11 a night.

Before they go to auction, they're boarding the Queen Mary 2—and you can join them.

Small on space, big on style.

At some point, we’ve all tried to make a comfortable resting spot out a tiny airplane seat—a place that simply couldn’t measure up to the coziness of a bed. From using a rolled up jacket as a pillow to turning a long sweater into makeshift comforter, none of these temporary fixes quite compare to this multi-functional travel blanket known as The Layover, a new product currently funding on Kickstarter.

There’s something particularly gorgeous about a church that has been renovated and transformed into a residence. I’m charmed enough by the aesthetic that I long fantasized of purchasing a church instead of a traditional home and turning it into the spacious, high-ceiling-ed, reverb-heavy house of my dreams. When I was house-hunting for the first time about three years ago, I kept this in mind.

Although the official start date of summer isn’t until June 21, the hot seasonal vibes are well under way! And with the thoughts of summer comes thoughts of vacationing, which is probably why you clicked on this article. In reality, though, most of can’t just jet off to our dream destination without a care as to how much it would cost. That’s why we decided to search for the cheapest weekends to travel this summer, plus where you should be jetting off to for said cheap price.

This is not a drill: IKEA is sending one lucky winner to Copenhagen for two weeks in September to find out if home is the source of happiness.IKEA Denmark is looking for a happiness hunter to uncover just what makes Danes some of the happiest people in the world. They will be sharing their experiences on IKEAHomeView.com and followed by a camera crew, who will be producing a mini documentary on their two week pursuit of happiness in Denmark.

Sure, the royal family may not be the sort you imagine letting their hair down and frolicking around a Jamaican resort. But if any spot could get the Queen Mother (also Queen Elizabeth, the current monarch’s mother) to relax and live their best life, we understand why it’s this one. The Little Hill Villa at The Tryall Club in Montego Bay, Jamaica, where she has luxuriated in Caribbean splendor, is officially on the market for $6.5 million.

Though they’re pretty ubiquitous now, the first guy to tote a U-shaped travel pillow on a plane probably got a few sideways glances. Alas, it’s not a perfect design, and many gadgets have since hit the market to try to maximize comfort during increasingly uncomfortable flying conditions. Here are five such products, silly though they look, that might just let you get some sweet, sweet sleep.

100 percent of recent guests have given the location a five-star rating—and how could they not with Instagrammable views like this?

Low budgets and a lack of time can put a dent in the fun of summer traveling, without doubt. But just because you can’t go far doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. Lovingly called a “staycation” by some, we call it being a tourist in your own city. Here are eight ways how to do it.

Whether you’ve lived in your neighborhood for years or have recently made the move, we bet there’s something you’ve never noticed before. Home is not just the few rooms you pay for and occupy — it spills out of your front door and stretches into the streets and businesses that surround your address. This weekend, with these tips, get up, out and explore your ‘hood.

Traveling on a budget isn’t necessarily easy, but it’s definitely not impossible — especially if you get a little strategic.

If you haven’t already started planning your beach getaway, what are you even doing with your life? Perhaps you’re paralyzed with indecision from looking at all the wonderful beach vacation options (because how can you possibly choose one location?) or you’re scouring the internet and cringing at how expensive summer travel arrangements are. Fortunately, there’s an antidote to both of these issues: Vrbo’s breakdown of best value beach destinations for 2019.

Imagine it’s 2:30 p.m. on a Friday and your flight is at 5 p.m. It usually takes about an hour to get to the airport, but it just dawned on you that you’re going to hit rush hour traffic. You get into your Uber and the GPS ETA says 4:10. Is your initial reaction a.) hands are getting clammy, anxiety is at an all-time high, you regret not leaving earlier; OR b.) you feel adrenaline pulsing through your veins and the pressure is exhilarating.

Glamping has taken us to many far-flung places. You can bed down in a tented eco-retreat in Mexico or a cozy pod in Sweden. There’s even a glamping experience in Calistoga wagon replicas to get a taste of the Wild West. The glam camping trend shows no signs of stopping, and I’m here for it!This summer, glamping is truly hitting new heights—the top of the Watergate Hotel in Washington, D.C., to be exact.

Experience the couple’s legendary, empire-building style for yourself.

If Belle from “Beauty and the Beast” were to live in our modern times, she’d be all over this charming treehouse. About 300 miles south of Paris is this incredible treehouse rental, just an hour outside the historical, charming town Brive-la-Gaillarde. The treehouse is the most idyllic escape that will make you feel like you’re hiding away from reality.The house sleeps four, complete with two bedrooms: one with a queen-sized bed and the other with two twins.

For many travelers, the perks that come with renting out an Airbnb for a getaway make it the obvious choice over a standard hotel. If you’re lucky, you land a stay at one of these dreamy Airbnb houses that comes with a cool, accommodating host and have an experience that easily earns a 5-star rating.

If you’re not quite ready to take the plunge and live in a tiny home full-time, how about renting one out for a getaway?

But here are a few other IKEA-inspired baby names you could use instead (some assembly required).

While the idea of taking a road trip—whether it’s a quick weekend getaway with your SO or a cross-country tour of America’s national parks—certainly sounds dreamy and adventurous, the logistics of planning such a trip, particularly finding the right vehicle to use, can feel daunting. Enter: RVshare.RVshare is like A‌i‌r‌b‌n‌b‌ for RV rentals.

After you factor in the printed invitations, the plated meals and the pretty peonies you just have to have, your wedding budget is likely getting higher and higher than you’d ever imagined. And you’re supposed to plan a 10-day European vacation with the leftover budget? (Again, what leftover budget?) The answer to your troubles doesn’t have to be “skip the honeymoon,” you just have to be a little creative with your post-wedding travel plans.

Theresa Delaney is from the East Coast, but she’s fallen completely in love with Tucson, where she shares a cute apartment with her Tucson-native boyfriend James (and two rowdy pups). She writes: “We love being a quick ten-minute drive from downtown or the University of Arizona, and minutes from our favorite spots in the foothills. The large yard, quiet neighborhood and desert scenery don’t hurt, either!” Today, she shares some of her favorite spots in Tucson.

In imagining the ideal wedding venue, the corporate headquarters of a Silicon Valley company wouldn’t exactly be at the top of most couples’ lists, but for Ben and Noa it couldn’t have been more perfect. Married a little over a month ago in Airbnb’s light-filled atrium on July 6th, the couple first met in 2014 when Ben made several attempts to book Noa’s space in Tel Aviv on the vacation rental marketplace.

Color lovers, you might want to book a trip to San Francisco ASAP: The latest must-visit destination is The Color Factory, and it’s probably already infiltrating your Instagram feed. Inside the can’t miss it striped exterior, you’ll find a 12,000 square foot, pop-up “color experience.” Color Factory just opened on August 1, and tickets are selling out faster than you can say (or take a) Boomerang.

I don’t know about you, but I am so tired of hearing about “man caves” and “she sheds” all the time. Don’t get me wrong—I’m totally here for people carving out their own spaces in their homes (personally I would love a separate room where I could just hang out and do crafts and practice my guitar and have alone time whenever I want it). But… why do we need to gender rooms? And why do they need to be so binary?

First Eloise, now Kevin McAllister leaves his mark on the iconic Plaza hotel. The famed hotel is now offering Home Alone 2: Lost in New York inspired packages for the wealthy and nostalgic. As a celebration of the movie’s 25th anniversary, the hotel has set up an exhibit, crafted a ’90s inspired menu and even offers up a room package that includes a stay at The Plaza and the opportunity to live out some of the more memorable scenes from the movie (Joe Pesci not included).

Anybody who says they enjoy flying just hasn’t flown enough. There aren’t enough audiobooks and podcasts in the world to make waiting at a crowded gate for a delayed flight with a 10-percent battery feel like a good time. But what does go a long way in making a miserable airport experience a, well… less miserable airport experience are modern amenities— everything from free wifi to creepily accurate wait time trackers.

If you’ve ever sipped on a velvety, chewy glass of red wine so delicious that you thought to yourself, “Wow, I could take a bath in this,” then you just might be ready to try the Medieval self-care regimen we didn’t know we were missing — but are totally here for now.

Clairee, Ouiser, M’Lynn, Annelle, Shelby. If these are names of women who are as dear to your heart as any real-life girlfriends, then pack your bags for a trip to the real-life Chinquapin Parish—known to locals as Natchitoches, Louisiana. Where the Eatenton home from Steel Magnolias is now an actual bed and breakfast, with bookings available.

The rumors keep flying about a Spice Girls reunion. And while that may or may not happen, this new exhibit is serving up some serious nostalgia and has me digging in the back of the closet for my patent leather platform boots. A post shared by Suzana Carrascosa Storolli ☆ (@suhzana) on Aug 9, 2018 at 4:02am PDT The SpiceUp exhibit opened in London on July 28 to be followed by the Manchester opening on August 24.

Turns out that Warner Bros. Studio Tour in London’s ‘Hogwarts After Dark’ isn’t the only festivity we get to look forward to this year. From November 17 to January 27, 2019, muggles and wizards alike will get to witness the Studio transform into a winter wonderland for the second year in a row, thanks to ‘Hogwarts in the Snow.

It’s no secret that the Queen is a worldwide traveler. Ever since taking her rightful place on the throne, she has been jetting off to countries left and right to maintain good relations with the U.K. While the 92-year-old royal might not be crossing country lines as often as she used to, the years of experience have surely helped her gain a plethora of travel hacks and knowledge.

On January 1, anything seems possible. A brand new year is a clean slate and an enticing opportunity to embark on ambitious goals. Unfortunately, we all know that a few weeks or even days later most New Year’s resolutions usually fall by the wayside—but maybe 2019 can be different. Instead of tripping up on your lofty New Year’s resolutions, why not be proactive and book a trip that will help you stay motivated?

Every Harry Potter fan has been sorted into a Hogwarts house at some point in their life. And if you haven’t, thanks to Pottermore, you can easily find out what house you belong in if you don’t already know if you’re a Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Slytherin, or Hufflepuff. Each of the Hogwarts houses has a specific set of traits that explain why they were sorted into that house. Gryffindors are known for their “nerve, chivalry, daring, courage, bravery and determination.

If your kind of a vacation involves a whole lot of HGTV inspiration, then do we have the dream retreat for you. Frequent fans of Waco’s wonder duo, Chip and Joanna Gaines, are probably familiar with the couple’s collaborator, Jimmy Don Holmes. Holmes often participated in “Fixer Upper” renovations, putting his special touch on the projects with his intricate metalwork.

On the spectrum of Harry Potter fandom, I’m somewhere in the middle. Thanks to Pottermore, I know my houses (Hufflepuff and Horned Serpent at Ilvermorny, the American equivalent of Hogwarts), my Patronus (fox), and my wand (redwood, phoenix feather core, 12 and a quarter inches, pliant). I’ve read the original books and seen the movies, but I won’t win any trivia competitions, and I’m in no rush to sit through the five-plus hours of “Cursed Child.

Reroute your owls to deliver The Daily Prophet to your new address because you’ll never want to leave this Harry Potter rental. Located in Salem, MA, this private room can fit two guests, and ideally those who can revel in the extra attention to detail. Just one mile from the train station, this room was crafted by a host with experience in the toy and games industry.

Just south of San Francisco, close to the idyllic Highway 1 views of California’s picturesque cliffs and beaches, lies a tiny mushroom dome cabin in the woods. It’s one of the world’s most popular Airbnb listings and, for just $130 a night, it could be yours to sleep in. The Mushroom Dome cabin is in Monterey Bay and is surrounded by 10 acres of woods that make perfect hiking trails.

What we might love most about Airbnb‘s existence is the astounding variety of stays travelers can now experience. If you can dream up a lodging scenario—anything from a treehouse to a mansion—you can likely find it on Airbnb. And yes, that includes the former homes of celebrities. There’s no denying the allure of being physically present in a space that one of your heroes once called home.

“Game of Thrones” may be coming to an end, but the most-licensed program in HBO history can live on in the memories of superfans with a serious case of wanderlust. Throughout the years, the show has filmed in 10 countries, including Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Malta, Spain, Croatia, Iceland, United States, Canada, and Scotland. Hotels.

If you can dream it, you can find it on Airbnb. The vacation rental service gives you the chance to stay in some truly remarkable spaces. You can rent homes once owned by famous celebrities, stay overnight in converted train cars, and get cozy in the tiniest tiny houses you can imagine. If you like your vacation rentals to be an experience, we found your next destination: an alpaca ranch.

In the southwest of England lies a tiny house in Salisbury, a medieval cathedral city near Stonehenge. Two guests can cozy up in the studio-style space with a bed meant for stargazing. The hut includes a tiny wood-burning stove in the corner of the main living area that’s equipped with bench seating and a wooden table, plus kitchen appliances (tea kettle definitely included). Every morning, guests are treated to fresh bread, marmalade, granola, and muesli.

Want to make your Disney vacation last forever? Try smelling it.

Road tripping is a laidback way to see a lot of places you might not get to otherwise. But if you’re the type who prefers to be extremely thorough, here are five routes that pack a lifetime of traveling into one trip. UPenn senior data scientist Randy Olson has determined the most efficient path to hit up every national park in the lower 48. That’s 47 parks in total. The trip can be accomplished in about two months if you’re not dilly dallying.

Looking for a small escape from winter? Luckily, there’s a charming resort in Sarasota, Florida that has a fleet of tiny houses just ready to be booked. Tiny House Siesta near Siesta Key Beach has eleven such homes for rent in all shapes, sizes, colors, and themes.

At just $20 on Amazon Prime, you just can’t go wrong.

It sleeps up to 14 people, so you can take the whole crew and escape into a world of glamour and mystery.

Do you enjoy being right? Of course, you do, who doesn’t? If you love to make bets with your friends about the endings of your favorite TV shows and movies, you’re going to want to check this deal out. If you’re a “Game of Thrones” fan, chances are you’ve already put a lot of thought into who will sit on the Iron Throne. Every GoT fan has spent quite a bit of time debating with their friends about who will rule Westeros.

If you’re a tequila lover, you might know that the agave-based liquor was first invented in Tequila, Mexico—a short drive away from the country’s second-largest city of Guadalajara. What you might not know (and will probably be excited about) is that there is actually a tequila barrel hotel there that you can stay in, literally on the grounds of a distillery. I was lucky to get a chance to stay there courtesy of the Guadalajara Tourism Board.

When it comes to air travel, it seems as though there are polarizing issues just about everywhere that divide passengers. Do you stand up well before it’s your aisle’s turn to exit or not? Do you prefer the window or not? Do you only travel with a carry-on or not? And, of course, one of the most controversial questions: do you recline or not recline? And moreover, how do you go about reclining when you do?

Now that the weather is finally getting nice (sorry, friends and family in Chicago), you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Hmm, it’s been quite awhile since I’ve gone on vacation.” (And if you’re not, wow, lucky you!) If you’re like the average American, you’ll probably let this thought pass by and go back to your day-to-day (or that growing pile of work that’s been landing on your desk.) But I am here to tell you: Take that time off!

Ever since “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” we can’t stop fantasizing about a dreamy getaway in Greece. This cozy Halkidki hideaway makes the ideal backdrop for your private Mediterranean adventure—musical numbers not required. This cozy wooden cabin is nestled on the Halkidiki, Chalkidi peninsula in Northern Greece off of Central Macedonia. The 365 square-foot tiny home is fully equipped with a plush double bed, cozy bathroom and kitchen, and an outdoor shower.

Transitioning to life on the road is a huge undertaking but thanks to the numerous options for camper and van conversions, the process of pivoting to permanent #vanlife can be a little less harrowing. The latest home-on-wheels to catch our eye deserves an honorable mention based on its name alone: the Big Gigantic is a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter build-out, courtesy of Washington-based Freedom Vans.

The most magical place on Earth is about to go intergalactic: Word on the design streets is that a Star Wars hotel is coming to Disney World in Orlando, and this collision of fantasy worlds undoubtedly has space geeks and theme park enthusiasts pumped. The new luxury resort at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge theme park will be the first of its kind, and true to form, Disney has plans to go all out (of this world) with the hotel design.

We’re seeing more and more dream jobs where the lucky employee gets paid to travel the world. There’s usually some unbelievable perks, and most require skills like photography and social media content creation—but this gig is different. That’s why the latest dream job we spotted really stands out. One woman is hiring a personal designer to travel the world by her side.

Everyone hates baggage fees, whether they’re unexpected or not. But clearly, the airlines know how to make a bundle off them: In 2017, US airlines collected $4.6 billion in checked baggage fees. Enter: LugLess, a new travel startup that offers a cost-competitive alternative to checking bags. The company is hoping that customers are willing to part with the traditional baggage-checking model in order to score cheaper luggage shipping rates.

According to well-traveled individuals, it takes a bit of skill to ensure that you sleep well on sleeper trains, but one way to avoid those problems is to try catching some ZZZs in a vehicle that doesn’t move like a fabulous train car tiny house. Anyone who suffers from motion sickness (plus those who don’t) will be happy to board Platform 1346, a former World War II-era troop car-turned-vacation rental near the Smoky Mountains in Maryville, Tennessee.

When two of the most popular home building trends collide, you can expect nothing less than stellar results. Guaranteed to put stars in your eyes is this absolutely charming two-story shipping container house from CargoHome. Its stylish tiny digs are roomier than your typical micro home, plus it smartly incorporates the perpetually cool concept of upcycling shipping containers into its chic living spaces.

If you have Airbnb envy, you’re not alone. After all, it seems so simple: Rent out your place and reap the rewards. But contrary to popular opinion, it’s not that easy—and there are definitely things that can go awry (and they will!).

There are glamping tents and treehouses, teepees and covered wagons. But the latest trend in unique vacation rentals? Shipping containers. If you’ve been curious about the tiny house trend—but want something a teeny bit bigger—take one of these eco-friendly homes for a spin. They may be small, but at $100 or less per night, they’re big on value.

Just look at the tiny Pusheen details throughout the entire cafe!

We’ve seen that many travelers have been eager to indulge in the #camperlifestyle. This includes scouting the perfect sites to explore and sleep in, but most importantly, shopping around for a camper that will make for the perfect road trip. Add incredibly cute, family-friendly, and comfortable into the mix, and you’ll get the Summit: a charming teardrop trailer from Colorado Summit.

There’s a website that allows you a temporary escape by swapping homes with a stranger—and it could be the getaway you’ve been looking for. Like the 2006 romcom “The Holiday,” Love Home Swap lets users list their homes and then browse through others to swap. If you’re going through a rut and need a quick change of scenery, or just want to escape your comfort zone and try something new, this might be an oddly simple solution.

If you love the beach and cozy retreats, we’ve found the glamping getaway for you. This oh-so-quaint retro caravan set on the Pohutukawa Coast in Beachlands, Auckland, is available for rent and accommodates two. You can snuggle up with your S.O. on the plush double-size bed that also serves as a table. The playful, light-filled accommodation is complete with a small kitchen outfitted with a gas stovetop and under-bench oven.

Wish you were on vacay every day? Some tourist destinations across the United States also make terrific places to live. Weather aside, these cities have amenities that year-round residents love—whether that’s as an emerging wine region, outdoor recreation activities, an impressive arts and culture scene, or great sandy beaches. Here’s where you can live the dream all year long—even after the piña coladas melt. The good news: You can live on an island year-round.

Have you ever wondered what’s it really like to live in a tiny house—and whether or not you could really do it, even part of the time? Now’s your chance to try before you buy (or build). We’ve rounded up 11 of the cutest tiny cottages you can actually book and stay in for your next getaway. Despite what many experts may opine in theory, in reality tiny homes remain as popular as ever—if only as a novelty or source of small-space living and storage ideas.

Just picture it: You’re graciously gliding across the ice, hot cocoa in hand and wowing the crowd with your figuring skating spins. Okay, maybe it’s more like chopping across the ice while gripping the rink’s ledge. And, perhaps it was a fall—not exactly a flying sit spin—that’s being judged… But that’s neither here nor there! Ice skating is a quintessential wintertime activity, even more so when rinks are decked out in their best holiday finery.