TRAVEL NEWS

The problem persists in European cities.

Tourists can become easy targets. Once you make an impression that you’re not a local, the prices inflate, and you’re suddenly paying more for taxis and products in shops. But it goes further than rip-offs, and one of the most common problems you’ll face, especially in crowded tourist places, is pickpocketing.  According to a study by price comparison website Money.co.uk, the top 10 places for pickpockets are all in Europe. The study analyzes TripAdvisor reviews for popular attractions as well as transport stations around the world.  Europe dominates the list with the most pickpocket complaints overall and also takes the lead in the highest percent of pickpockets mentioned in the reviews. The only non-European destination is Colon Street in the Philippines, with 11.65% of reviews mentioning thievery.

For centuries, swashbuckling buccaneers ruled the seven seas, leaving many stories in their wake.

Everyone loves a good pirate story. They’ve all got swashbuckling action, Robin Hood-like themes, and the freedom that comes with imagining a life on the high seas. However, pirates—or privateers, as many were called—were very real and not always so heroic. Many roamed the waters of the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico during the golden age of piracy in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Hints of those pirates remain etched into landscapes even now—you just have to know where to look. Here’s our guide to 10 travel destinations that are rich in pirate history.

From Antarctica to the Galapagos, these expedition cruises are launching new routes and introducing new vessels.

With COVID-induced lockdowns behind us and frazzled consumers making up for the lost time by investing in transformative travel, demand for expedition cruises is booming. With their irresistible promise of remote locations and ever-expanding excursion programs (including heli-flightseeing and submersible sojourns)—it’s easy to see why travelers are opting for these all-inclusive experiences. From Melanesia and West Africa to the Polar regions, these are the expedition cruises to have on your radar.

With these expert tricks, you won't break the bank when taking the little ones to Disney.

Kids don’t care about Mickey Mouse, and neither should you if you want to save hundreds on your next family vacation to Walt Disney World Orlando. What kids care about is the idea of Mickey, Disney’s top celebrity. Disney trots that mouse out like he’s the headliner at Coachella. Suddenly, kids who spend most days watching Sponge Bob Square Pants or PAW Patrol get fixated on Mickey. Even adults might trample you to get a selfie with the Mouse. One couple even spent $5,000 to have Mickey and Minnie attend their wedding, leaving them without enough money to feed guests at the reception. You don’t have to break the bank to see Mickey. Besides, your kids might not care as much as you think, and they certainly won’t remember how much money you spent. “Material things, they lose their value,” said Dr. Treshonda Daucom, a Central Florida-based therapist specializing in child psychology. “One of the things they always hold onto are the memories and experiences.” That’s what you want to deliver: a memorable Mickey experience. You don’t have to spend $3,000 to $5,000 on theme park tickets, expensive Disney merchandise, and transportation to see Mickey. Instead, use these hacks to create a budget-friendly dream Disney vacation. Related: 38 Things You Can Do at Disney World Without Paying Theme Park Admission  

These are not just cookbooks.

Food is such a major part of our lives. For some, it is rooted in tradition and forges a connection to heritage—that’s why some dishes are comforting and remind of home. For others, it’s a way to bring people together and experience different cultures. For some, it may be just a way to give sustenance to the body. No matter how you feel about food, you will agree that what we eat depends so much on who we are, where we live, where we come from, and how much we make. There are so many different opinions on what we should eat and how we should live, but nothing is linear, absolute, perfect, or all-encompassing. It’s all relative. So to understand a fraction of it, we’re turning toward books that contextualize the science, the emotions, and the business of food. From memoirs and food memories to investigations and science, this is a wholesome list of books to read if you want to redefine, reexamine, or reanalyze your own relationship with food.