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For U.S. travelers planning a European Christmas market trip in December 2026, the prettiest market is not automatically the best destination. Airfare, hotel availability, rail connections, market closing dates, and the amount of sightseeing you can do without a car can make a major difference in the total trip. This ranking compares five of Europe’s … Read more
Summer 2027 may seem far away, but travelers who want a specific Alaska cruise should already be comparing routes. Alaska is different from many cruise destinations because the itinerary matters almost as much as the ship. Two seven-night cruises can have very different glacier viewing, ports, scenery, transportation needs, and opportunities to explore inland Alaska. … Read more
When cold weather settles over much of the United States, the Caribbean can offer an easy change of season: warm water, sunny beaches, and daytime temperatures that often stay in the 80s. For winter 2026-2027, travelers also have a wide range of nonstop flights from major U.S. gateways, making several islands realistic even for a … Read more
Winter can completely change the character of a national park. Summer crowds thin out, familiar landscapes turn white, wildlife becomes easier to spot in some regions, and cooler temperatures make normally hot destinations much more comfortable. But winter travel also creates extra planning challenges. Roads may close, shuttles may stop running, campgrounds and lodges can … Read more
Holiday theme-park trips are moving into booking season for November and December 2026. The biggest events combine millions of lights, seasonal shows, parades, special food, decorated attractions, and opportunities to see Santa or favorite characters. But the best choice is not simply the park with the most decorations. Ticket costs, crowds, weather, transportation, and how … Read more
When freezing temperatures make outdoor pools impossible, an indoor water park can turn a winter weekend into a warm-weather-style family escape. The best resorts combine large indoor parks, lodging, food, activities for different ages, and enough attractions to keep children busy for more than a few hours. For this ranking, we prioritized slide and pool … Read more
A December weekend trip can deliver holiday lights, seasonal markets, ice skating, special performances, and festive food without requiring a full week of vacation. The challenge is choosing a city where you can fit plenty into two or three days without spending most of your time driving between attractions. For this ranked list, we compared … Read more
Few winter trips feel as satisfying as stepping out of cold mountain air and into naturally heated mineral water. Hot springs resorts can combine the comfort of a spa vacation with snowy scenery, skiing, hiking, aurora viewing, or simply a quiet weekend away. But winter hot springs trips require more planning than they may appear … Read more
Low water on the Danube has recently caused major changes to some TUI River Cruises itineraries, turning portions of what passengers expected to be a river cruise into overland coach travel. For Americans considering a European river cruise, the situation is an important reminder that a river itinerary can change much more dramatically than a … Read more
TSA PreCheck is becoming more than a shorter security line. Two newer features are changing how some travelers and even non-travelers can move through U.S. airports: Gateside by TSA PreCheck and TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. They solve very different problems. Gateside can let an eligible person enter the secure side of an airport without flying … Read more
