Travel – The News Desk

17Apr

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Travel

The Best Alaska Tours

From its famous glaciers and northern lights sightings to its abundant wildlife and majestic national parks, Alaska offers so much to see. But navigating its vast landscape can be a challenge without the savvy guidance of a local. After consulting traveler opinion and expert input, U.S. News compiled some of the best Alaska tours to consider when planning your bucket list itinerary. Whether you want to try your hand at dog sledding, fly over Denali or observe bears in their natural habitat, there's a tour for you. Plus, many tour operators offer round-trip transportation to the various Alaska cruise ports, making them great options if you're looking for a convenient excursion.Phillips Cruises & Tours – 26 Glacier CruisePrice: Adults from $189; kids from $125Duration: 6 hoursCruise thr...

Delta is changing how it boards passengers starting May 1

10Apr

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Money

Delta is changing how it boards passengers starting May 1

Delta Air Lines is changing its boarding process beginning May 1 in an effort to speed up loading passengers onto planes. If you're flying on the airline, you'll have to know what zone number you're in to board in the correct sequence. That's because Delta is introducing numbered boarding zones for all flights, meaning that customers will have a zone number assigned to them instead of boarding groups labelled by airline status or fare class, such as "Sky Priority." The airline stressed that boarding orders will not change, but the group names will. Customers who need more assistance will still pre-board as usual before passengers in Zone 1, which will comprise Delta One and First Class customers. Zone 2 will include Diamond Medallion Members and Delta P...

IHG launches travel planner powered by Google Cloud AI – Business Traveller

9Apr

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Travel

IHG launches travel planner powered by Google Cloud AI – Business Traveller

IHG Hotels and Resorts has partnered with Google Cloud to launch an AI-powered travel planner. The trip planner will be incorporated into the IHG One Rewards mobile app, as part of a revamp that will launch in the second half of the year. Guests will be able to make requests and receive personalised recommendations from the IHG Travel Planner, with examples including late-night dinner options, and jazz shows near the hotel on a particular date. The Travel Planner will be developed using Vertex AI, Google Cloud’s AI platform, and Google’s Gemini models. Jolie Fleming, chief product and technology officer at IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Working with Google Cloud as an AI innovation partner, we’re making trip planning easier and more interactive for prospective travelers. Our custo...

Earthquake snarls air and train travel in the New York City area

6Apr

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Money

Earthquake snarls air and train travel in the New York City area

An earthquake centered in New Jersey and felt across the New York City region on Friday disrupted air and rail travel, with ground stoppages at airports in the New York City area and delays in train service. Travel operations were momentarily halted Friday morning with ground stoppages at John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens and at Newark Liberty International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, with crews working to resume normal air traffic operations. By early afternoon, the ground stoppage at JFK had been lifted. Arriving and departing flights in Newark also resumed in the afternoon, but delays averaged roughly two hours, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The earthquake, which occurred roughly 10:20 a.m. Eastern time, had eith...

27 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

5Apr

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Travel

27 Things You Should Always Pack in Your Carry-on Bag

Packing your carry-on bag for a flight is exciting – but it can also be overwhelming. With a little planning and a concise list of airport and in-flight essentials, you can maximize space and be prepared for your journey.To help you decide what to pack in your carry-on bag, our team compiled this list of must-have items. Download the packing list here to use while you prep for your next trip, then read on to learn more about what to pack.Carry-on packing list Travel wallet Passport holder Toiletry bag TSA-approved liquids bag and compliant containers Prescription medications Glasses case Travel pillow Packing cubes Valuables Tech organizer Luggage tracker Zippered pouches and reusable silicone bags Mini clip bag Hand sanitizer Lip balm Bluetooth wireless adapter Wired ear...

5Apr

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Travel

The 10 Best Denver Tours

Note: Some tour providers on this list may have ceased operations due to COVID-19. Check with your tour operator about availability before you book.There's much more to Denver than its outdoor pursuits. The city offers everything from a rich history to fantastic mountain vistas to craft breweries to plentiful street art. Discover the best of the Mile High City on a guided tour, which take visitors by bus, bike or on foot to see Denver like a local. After consulting both expert input and traveler sentiment, U.S. News picked the best 10 tours to add to your itinerary. Mile High Bike Tours – Bike and Brew TourOn this three-hour, 9-mile bike tour, travelers see top sights in Denver, including Union Station, Coors Field and local street art in the River North (RiNo) district. Along the way, th...

5Apr

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Travel

Japan Offers Luxury Train Travel

Japan’s public transportation is known for its punctuality, efficiency and high-quality service, which means train travel is a great way to see the countryside and to experience Japanese culture — even if you’re squeezed into Tokyo’s crowded Yamanote line at rush hour or experiencing the popular high-speed Shinkansen bullet train.But many savvy visitors crisscross the country in another way, using luxury trains that resemble five-star hotels on rails.Luxury rail travel appeals to “someone who wants slow travel, the experience of excellent service in a contained environment, the finest dining, the most exquisite accommodation with private bathrooms,” Simon Pielow, co-founder of the Luxury Train Club, said by phone from Wiltshire County, England. “Things that many people have no idea is pos...

4Apr

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Travel

9 Best Napa Valley Wine Tours of 2024

When it comes to drinking wine in Napa Valley, a guided tour isn't just an option; it's an essential experience. Not only will an organized tour provide you with local insight, but it's also a safe, easy and efficient way to sample the region's renowned wine.From train rides through the countryside to private tours with your own chauffer, these are the best Napa Valley wine tours based on recent traveler reviews. Note that participants must be 21 or older to participate in any of the recommended outings.Napa Valley Wine Train – The Legacy ExperiencePrice: From $625 per personDuration: 6 hoursOne of the most popular ways to explore California wine country, the Napa Valley Wine Train offers a variety of experiences. Travelers wanting to visit some of the wineries should book The Legacy Expe...

The 13 Best Weekender Bags for Women in 2024, Tested & Reviewed

4Apr

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Travel

The 13 Best Weekender Bags for Women in 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Although they're available in traditional duffel styles, weekender bags come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them a luggage category of their own. Designed for overnight trips or a few days away, they can also be used as a personal item or carry-on bag depending on airline size restrictions.(Note: Prices and availability were accurate at the time of publication; they may fluctuate due to demand and other factors).Best Overall: BÉIS The Weekender Dimensions Weight Colors 19 x 15.7 x 9.8 inches 3.86 pounds 8 options, including black, beige or pink What started as a trendy bag is now a travel staple. The Weekender by BÉIS combines the right amount of style and efficiency, with features including a bottom compartment for shoes or other large items, a...

Monos vs. Away: Luggage Comparison Charts

4Apr

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Travel

Monos vs. Away: Luggage Comparison Charts

When it comes to purchasing new luggage, the final decision for many buyers often comes down to two brands: Monos and Away. Both brands offer similarly designed hard-sided luggage in the same price range. They've both been around for about the same amount of time as well – Away launched in 2015, and Monos made its debut in 2018.With so much in common between these brands, you may have difficulty deciding which luggage brand makes the most sense for your travel needs. That's why we've taken Away and Monos head to head in a series of comparisons below.(Note: Prices were accurate at the time this article was published; they may fluctuate due to demand or other factors. Because of the popularity of these brands, certain pieces or color choices may be sold out.)Monos vs. Away: The Basics ...