A group of idealistic young sailors is preserving Venice’s bygone maritime traditions, and you can learn to sail alongside them.
JUST TRYING TO find the office of the sailing and rowing club Venice On Board involves taking a deep dive into the maritime past of Italy’s most ravishing city. The club sits in the ancient boatbuilding district of Cannaregio, where the intricate maze of alleys and canals confounds even Google Maps. I discovered this one morning last spring, when I wound my way there from the Piazza San Marco, became lost, and had to retrace my steps several times before finally finding the Rio della Sensa, a dreamily quiet side canal near Venice’s last working shipyard. At 9 a.m., the only person in sight was a bearded young craftsman who was planing the hull of a traditional wooden sailing boat. Behind him, a heavy wooden door guarded by a sleeping brown dog stood open, leading me to deduce, Sherlock Holmes–style, that I had arrived at Venice On Board’s HQ.
The retro nautical ambience became even more potent when I peered inside to find what might have been a backstage prop room for a production of The Pirates of Penzance. Every inch of the floor was covered with coiled rope, canvas, obscure metal tools, and handmade models of antique Venetian sailing craft. Rows of oars were balanced in the ceiling rafters, and an entire wall was covered by wooden oarlocks called fórcole, which hung in racks like abstract sculptures; their designs have been honed over centuries to allow for a variety of rowing angles.
In an effort to combat overtourism, the Italian city of Venice has implemented new policies that will go into effect next summer.
Tourists who wish to visit Venice will have to book a ticket in advance for a fee and enter the city through electronic turnstiles, CNBC reported via Italian newspaper La Stampa.
The entry fee will change according to the season. In high season, tourists can expect to pay as much as $12 (€10) and during less popular visiting times, the price could drop to about $3.50 (€3).
Visitors may have to book early, if they plan on visiting Venice during its most popular month as the city will implement strict daily tourist capacity limits.
However, tourists who are staying in local hotels will be exempt from the entrance fee. (Overnight guests in the city already pay a nightly tax.) Residents, their relatives, and children younger than six will also be exempt.
At its busiest, Venice could draw more than 80,000 tourists per day before the pandemic. (And an estimated 25 million visitors per year.) Thousands of locals were leaving the city, pushed out by throngs of tourists and increasing rent prices.
Lawmakers approved the package of tourism restrictions last week. Discussion of the laws began back in 2019, but the passage was delayed due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the pandemic hit and tourists left, Venice immediately saw a difference. The city’s canal waters cleared up and locals were once again left to wander their own streets. Last month, Italy declared the waters around Venice a national monument and banned large cruise ships from entering. Small ships are still permitted to enter the Venice lagoon.
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee announced last month that because of Venice’s efforts to save the city from overtourism, it would not be included on a list of endangered world heritage sites.
Cailey Rizzo is a contributing writer for Travel Leisure, currently based in Brooklyn. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or at caileyrizzo.com.
This Nevada city offers glitz, glamour, thrills, and more.
Call it cliché, but we believe Las Vegas has something for everyone. With entertainment options ranging from celebrity chef-helmed restaurants and enticing casinos to thrill rides, professional sports, and the great outdoors, we’d bet big money that Las Vegas has what you’re looking for.
To create a thorough list of things to do in the Nevada city, we enlisted several Las Vegas experts, including assistant chef concierge for Wynn Las Vegas, Angelica Miozza; comic performer Colin Cahill, who plays Blue Jackson in Spiegelworld’s Atomic Saloon Show at the Venetian; and long-time resident and vice president at Kirvin Doak Communications Natalie Mounier. Here are 30 ideas to help you better plan your next Las Vegas escape.
1.Sway to the music at the Bellagio fountain show.
This expansive fountain show occurs multiple times a day, every day of the year; check the schedule once you arrive to town to make sure you catch it. The romantic spectacle is free, and onlookers line the sidewalk, mesmerized by the beauty of the dancing fountains and the music that plays along with the show.
2. Observe the Las Vegas Strip from above.
To enjoy panoramic views of the city, hop on High Roller, the largest observation wheel in North America. You’ll ride in one of 28 spacious air-conditioned cabins for 30 minutes, at one point reaching 550 feet above the Strip. Cabins hold up to 40 guests, so grab some friends (and a cocktail or two) for the ride. Note that glass and coolers are not permitted.
3.Take a walk under the sea.
At Shark Reef Aquarium, you can walk through an underwater glass tunnel as more than 2,000 sea creatures swim around you. The Mandalay Bay attraction include jellyfish floating gracefully, friendly sea turtles, and sharks gliding through a shipwreck. Book an early-entry guided tour for an additional fee if you’d like to feed a stingray.
4.Go skydiving indoors.
Travelers can experience skydiving, without the airplane, on the exhilarating Vegas Indoor Skydiving attraction. You can fly on your own (even kids can try it, so long as they’re 40 pounds or more), or get a group of six to ten friends or family members for a twenty-minute party with private training and your own block of time in the wind tunnel.
5. Play around at Topgolf.
Whether or not you’re an avid golfer, this is fun venue in which to spend a couple of hours, or more. Topgolf Las Vegas offers climate-controlled hitting bays, plus music, HDTVs, and a pool (must be 21 and over) with cabanas. This is a favorite spot for the Wynn’s Angelica Miozza, who comes to test her golf swing. There’s also a sports bar, restaurant, and complimentary golf clubs.
6. Drive a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or go-cart.
At Exotics Racing, driving is extremely exciting, whether you choose a supercar, go-kart, or off-road experience. Steer an exotic car around a racetrack for the thrill of it, or have fun racing a go-kart on an outdoor track. You can even choose a specially built Baja race truck for the ultimate off-road experience.
7.Stroll through an indoor garden.
Visitors are dazzled by the intricate designs, colors, and beauty of the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Each season, the 14,000-square-foot garden is transformed with floral displays, living plants, and water features. In addition to unique designs for each season, a special Lunar New Year garden is created each year.
8. Ride a gondola and stroll through St. Mark’s Square.
At the Venetian Resort, a gondola ride takes you through a replica of Venice, complete with the Rialto Bridge, a sparkling Grand Canal, and a serenade by your gondolier. Once off your boat, browse the upscale Grand Canal Shoppes, enjoy the street performers, or grab a gelato while you take in the atmosphere of “Italy.”
9.Catch the light show on downtown’s Fremont Street.
The largest video screen in the world is suspended 90 feet above Fremont Street for this dazzling free light show with concert-quality sound. The show begins every hour between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., every day. And while you’re in the downtown area, check out the SlotZilla zip line, which has an option to fly over the street like a superhero, landing at the historic Golden Gate Hotel and Casino.
10. Experience Illuminarium.
At Illuminarium Las Vegas, 4K laser projection, 3D audio, and special effects create immersive experiences not to be missed. Travel to outer space via images captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, or to the African savanna, where incredible animals roam. Check the website for what experiences are available during your Las Vegas visit.
Venice is once again on the radar of UNESCO, which has recommended the famous city be added to its list of World Heritage in Danger sites.UNESCO experts have now recommended the canal city be added to the list because the group said officials in Italy are not doing enough to protect it from the effects of climate change and over-tourism, Reuters reported. Venice, which was spared the same fate in 2021, has been in UNESCO’s crosshairs for years.
“Resolution of long-standing but urgent issues is hindered by a lack of overall joint strategic vision for the longterm preservation of the property and low effectiveness of integrated coordinated management at all stakeholder levels,” UNESCO said, according to the wire service.
The last time the heritage group considered listing Venice as endangered, Italy declared the waterways around the city a “national monument” and banned large cruise ships from passing through its canals. The city has also made plans to introduce a day trip tax but has continually postponed its implementation.
Additionally, Venice has built sea walls to keep out high tides, The New York Times reported.
UNESCO has called these measures “currently insufficient and not detailed enough,” according to Reuters, and said Italy “has not been communicating in a sustained and substantive manner since its last Committee session in 2021.”
Renato Brunetta, a former government minister who now leads a Venice-focused sustainability foundation, told the NYT the efforts the city has enacted make it more prepared than many other cities to weather climate change.
“Venice has been a more fragile city than the others,” Brunetta said. “Paradoxically now it’s the most secure.”
Venice isn’t the only city UNESCO has added to its World Heritage in Danger list. Earlier this year, the group inscribed the Ukrainian city of Odessa on the list. As a result, Odessa would receive reinforced technical and financial international assistance.
The group also added landmarks from Yemen and Lebanon to its endangered list.
Qatar Airways is putting flights across the world on sale, offering 30 percent off travel to everywhere from Bangkok to Sydney.
The sale, which must be booked by Aug. 6, is valid on travel through March 31, 2024, the airline shared with Travel + Leisure. The 30 percent off promotion is valid on both Economy Class Classic fares as well as Business Class Classic fares.
“With over 160 global destinations, Qatar Airways continues to grow its network offering [unrivaled] connectivity, flexibility, and a premium experience to passengers,” Craig Thomas, the VP for sales Americas, told T+L. “Through our latest global promotion, passengers can enjoy timeless adventures across key hubs that will take your breath away including destinations such as Bangkok, Kilimanjaro, Seychelles and more.”
To take advantage of the sale, travelers must purchase their ticket at least three days before flying and stay in the destination for a minimum of three days. Several blackout dates also apply for outbound flights from the United States from Dec. 10 through Dec. 23, and for inbound flights to the U.S. from Dec. 27 through Jan. 21, 2024.
The sale is available for travel from all of Qatar’s U.S. gateways: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington D.C.
In addition to saving on flights, travelers who sign up to join the airline’s Privilege Club loyalty program can earn up to 3,000 bonus points for economy and up to 6,000 bonus points for business class during their first flight as a member. To score the bonus points, travelers should use the promo code “PCGSP” when they join, sign up by Aug. 5, and fly before June 30, 2024.
Qatar Airways, which is known for having one of the nicest business class seats, is also considered one of the safest and best carriers in the world. And in 2021, it got easier for passengers to treat themselves to the airline’s luxurious business
lass seats, is also considered one of the safest and best carriers in the world. And in 2021, it got easier for passengers to treat themselves to the airline’s luxurious business class when Qatar introduced new unbundled Business Lite fares, which allowed passengers to book the seat but forgo complimentary access to Qatar’s business class lounge.
Total income for the quarter ended June 2023 was INR 171,609 million, an increase of 31.8 per cent over the same period last year. For the quarter, IndiGo’s passenger ticket revenues were INR 149,956 million, an increase of 30.8 per cent, and ancillary revenues were INR 15,484 million, an increase of 20.4 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Whether you’re seeking beaches or mountains, deserts or small towns, these California road trips deliver.
When it comes to road trips, California is hard to top. The land of fair weather always seems to deliver that carefree, top-down road trip experience. And due to its size — California is the third-largest U.S. state — there’s plenty of terrain to explore. You can start at the ocean and end up in the mountains, or spend an entire weekend exploring the California desert.
All it takes is a solid playlist, some road-trip friendly snacks, and a little planning to get out of your routine and on the road. To get you started, we’ve outlined some of California’s best road trips — from multiday to multiweek adventures that criss-cross practically every part of the state (and kick off in major, easy-to-access cities).
Highway 1
Start: San Francisco
End: Los Angeles Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway (or PCH), snakes along the California coastline delivering almost 656 miles of ocean views along with plenty of nature (hello, elephant seals) and some of the state’s most interesting sites.
Technically, the route runs from the city of Leggett to Dana Point, south of Los Angeles, but many people cut the 656-mile drive short by starting in San Francisco. If you’re leaving from the Golden City, fuel up with a to-go brew from Snowbird Coffee before hopping on Highway 1. From there, slowly make your way south, stopping in Santa Cruz to watch (or catch) the surf.
Spend quality time together discovering the best of what roadside America has to offer
Nothing brings two people together quite like planning a road trip. Romantic destinations are plentiful in the U.S., where couples will love discovering America’s most beautiful attractions side by side. Luckily, the U.S. is home to thousands of miles of scenic roadways with numerous national parks, beaches, and mountain vistas along the way.
For the ultimate bonding experience, gather your favorite road trip snacks, sync your playlists, and embark on one of these romantic road trips for couples.
New England: Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont
Start your journey in Maine at Acadia National Park, where 47,000 acres of hiking, biking, and wildlife await. Then, head to Camden, Maine — the self-described “Jewel of the Maine Coast.” Here, you can shop downtown, picnic at the beach, and see some important lighthouses. Next up is Portland, where you’ll want to check out the breweries, art galleries, and of course, lighthouses. Start with the historic Portland Head Light along the shores of Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.
Afterward, head west to the White Mountains in New Hampshire, where you can spend the night at the Omni Mount Washington Resort. This resort is New Hampshire’s largest ski area and a favorite New England retreat for presidents, artists, and celebrities seeking a peaceful mountain getaway. Finally, pay a visit to Waterbury, Vermont, where you can tour the Ben & Jerry’s factory and share a pint of ice cream.
Los Angeles to San Luis Obispo, California
Start your journey in glamorous Los Angeles and spend a day exploring iconic landmarks like the Hollywood Sign before taking Highway 101 up to Ventura. Here, try your hand at surfing, or ride the ferry to Santa Cruz Island, one of California’s Channel Islands, to hike and explore. From Ventura, you’ll hug the coastline up to Santa Barbara, where you can check out the Funk Zone and its urban wine trail. Spend the night at historic Hotel Californian and depart the next morning to take Route 154 through the winding mountains and vineyards of the Santa Ynez Valley.
Make a detour to the quaint Danish town of Solvang and enjoy authentic European pastries like homemade ebelskivers. On your way back to Highway 101, stop at OstrichLand to buy the most enormous eggs you’ve ever seen. From here, you’ll travel up through Los Alamos and the Santa Maria Valley vineyards, passing through the shoreside city of Pismo Beach, and finally ending your road trip in romantic San Luis Obispo for a variety of outdoor adventures and diverse culinary experiences.
Western National Parks
Begin your journey at Yellowstone National Park, where more than 10,000 hot springs and geysers, including the famous Old Faithful, can be found. Following Yellowstone, stop at Grand Teton National Park in northwestern Wyoming, which boasts a majestic mountain landscape, stunning alpine lakes, and vast grassy plains. Spend a night at Lost Creek Ranch & Spa to experience the romanticism of the Old West against the backdrop of Teton views. Here, rustic-luxe log cabin accommodations are coupled with classic ranch activities like horseback riding.
Next up on the romantic itinerary is Utah. On your way from Yellowstone, you can spend a night in Salt Lake City at the romantic Hotel Monaco, before continuing to Arches National Park. Here, you can take pleasure in the 18-mile out-and-back scenic drive and over 2,000 distinctively named arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch. Last on the list is Canyonlands National Park — just a half hour’s drive from Arches — which includes three major areas for all adventure levels: the less accessible, backcountry Needles region; the isolated, off-road Maze section; and easily reachable Island of the Sky, with a paved scenic drive featuring views of buttes, fins, and water-carved canyons.
The Kancamagus Highway: New Hampshire
This 34.5-mile scenic drive along Route 112 in northern New Hampshire is best known for its spectacular fall foliage, but it’s an idyllic adventure any time of year, especially when the snow blankets the ground and transforms the mountains into a winter wonderland. On this journey, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the breathtaking White Mountain National Forest, Swift River, Sabbaday Falls, Lower Falls, and Rocky Gorge.
The Kanc, as it’s affectionately known by locals, takes you up to an elevation of just under 3,000 feet. Its highest point brings you to Kancamagus Pass on the flank of Mount Kancamagus near Lincoln, New Hampshire. Start your road trip in Conway and stop at the Saco Ranger Station just west of town to pick up a map and plan your points of interest. Key attractions include the Albany Covered Bridge, built back in 1858, and picturesque Sabbaday Falls. The romantic route will end in Lincoln, where you can stay overnight at The Mountain Club on Loon, which is open year-round and perfect for ski season.
Historic Route 66: Chicago to Los Angeles
Stretching from Chicago to the end of the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, this 2,400-mile route is often called the “Mother Road” — a nickname coined by author John Steinbeck. An ultimate American road trip experience, the 38-hour drive can be turned into a romantic week-long trip filled with fascinating stops along the way. Start your journey in Chicago, where you can share a deep dish pizza and admire the masterpieces at the Art Institute of Chicago before heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma, to visit the Blue Dome Entertainment District, a nine-block area with trendy eateries, local pubs, indie shopping boutiques, and.
nightlife venues. Another highlight here is the Blue Dome building, a revitalized 1920s-era Gulf Oil station.
Next, stop at Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas (don’t forget your spray paint!), and in New Mexico, soak in Albuquerque’s unique vintage shops, hitting the historic Route 66 neon sign for photo ops. In Arizona, check out the Petrified Forest National Park, but don’t take any of the wood — it’s bad luck for your romance. Finally, end your journey in sunny California at the Santa Monica Pier. Now that you’ve made it to the Golden State, reward yourself with a luxurious stay at Santa Monica Proper, which epitomizes the quintessential, laidback Californian lifestyle.
Pro tip: Visit any and all diners that pop up roadside, so you can share a soda pop with your sweetheart, just like they do in the movies.
Oregon’s Scenic Coast
While driving up Route 101 along the Oregon coast, your first stop will be the scenic Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor. Here, 12 miles of lush forest come up to untouched beaches, massive jagged rocks, and clear, blue water. Visit Arch Rock Picnic Area and Natural Bridges before making a stop at the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area. Stay overnight at Hallmark Resort in Newport, where rooms come with oceanfront balconies. The property also has a public path that leads directly to the beach.
Next up, drive the Three Capes Scenic Loop and admire Haystack Rock, an impressive 235-foot sea stack on Cannon Beach. Then, pay a visit to Ecola State Park before holding a romantic bonfire at Cannon Beach. End your journey in Seaside and enjoy its historic arcade, old-fashioned carousel, bumper cars, and indoor miniature golf. The loser has to buy the winner some signature Seaside saltwater taffy.
The Overseas Highway: Miami to the Florida Keys
The Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West offers a drive like no other. Suspended over water nearly the entire time, this 113-mile roadway crosses 42 bridges from Miami to the southernmost point of the U.S. (You’ll be closer to Cuba than you are to Miami by the end of this road trip.) Romantic duos will first hit Key Largo, home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. You can enjoy a view of the reef from a glass-bottom boat tour or get a closer look by scuba diving or snorkeling at this underwater playground.
Next up is Marathon, where you’ll find the Dolphin Research Center and the 1,000-acre Curry Hammock State Park. Then, you’ll hit the Seven Mile Bridge — a pure, green-blue ocean drive — before arriving at Big Pine Key. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the elusive Key deer and spend the night at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, just off Big Pine Key on Little Torch Key. Now, you’re only 45 minutes north of Key West, but you’ll want to stop at Mangrove Mama’s, a landmark restaurant on Sugarloaf Key that serves fresh local seafood. End in Key West at Mallory Square, just in time for the most romantic event of the evening: Sunset Celebration.
Both Florida and California have 10 beaches with good air quality.
If there’s one place where travelers should be able to kick back and take a deep breath, it’s no doubt at the beach. But with pollution, weather, and wildfires impacting air quality around the globe, monitoring Air Quality Index (AQI) has become as essential as checking the temperature — even for a day on the sand.
To get a sense of the American beaches where travelers can truly exhale, a recent report looked at a two-week period in July to compare the average AQI. According to the government agency partnership AirNow, an index of 50 or less is considered “good” and in the green zone. This means the “air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.” Of the 120 beaches listed in the findings, 111 met that standard.
Coming in on top were two Hawaiian beaches: Hapuna and Poipu Beaches, each with an average AQI of 10. These were followed by a trio of Alaskan sites: Home Spit Beach (11), Sandy Beach (14), and Kenai Beach (14).
In the contiguous United States, both Florida and California secured 10 spots each in the green zone. For Florida, the top beach was St. Augustine at No. 26 (average AQI of 29), followed by Fort Lauderdale (32) and Key West (33). The Sunshine State’s Miami Beach, Siesta Key, Clearwater Beach, South Beach, Naples, Siesta Key Beach, and Panama City Beach were also noted for “good” average air quality.
California’s lowest index was Carmel Beach in 10th place (average AQI of 16), followed by Santa Cruz (20) and Pismo Beach (25). Also included were Malibu, Newport, Huntington, Laguna, Coronado, Venice, and Santa Monica.
Oregon and Texas each had seven beaches with an average AQI of 50 or less during the study period, while Hawaii and Washington each had six. Louisiana, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Maine notched five each, while Rhode Island and New Hampshire each had four. The study was conducted by MyBioSource and honed in on the data from July 3 to 17 using IQAir.
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