Travel

This autumn, take a break from your car and try sliding into a kayak. With cool breezes wafting across wide-open water, and colorful leaves decorating the banks of rivers and lakes, there’s no better way to soak up the season. We’ve rounded up a few noteworthy places to kayak in different regions of the United States, from a serene East Coast lake, to Michigan’s turquoise cove, to rushing rapids in the Pacific Northwest.

New York State residents will have access to a new driver’s license that also acts as a passport, and is intended to heighten border security—but is the system too expensive to be effective?

Fall is made for festivals, hikes in the woods and scenic road-trips, with stops along the way for crisp red apples and stunning photo opportunities. This week, we highlight distinctly autumnal opportunities in Southern Vermont.

As I stepped off an airplane at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Kenya, I immediately felt the African breeze and the distinct feeling of stepping into another world. After traveling for over 24 hours across three continents, I eagerly anticipated the adventures that lay ahead, and took a moment to take in the fact that I was on the other side of the earth.

On Thailand’s Railay peninsula remote tropical beaches are hidden from the mainland by limestone cliffs, and favored by adventurous travelers. Four getaways are possible in this haven in South Thailand, where the legacy of bohemian backpackers lingers among locals, foreign vacationers, day-trippers and rock climbers longing for jungle escapades.

Assateague is a quiet National Seashore destination off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. On Assateague, ponies roam free, but once a year herds are rounded up for a run to Chincoteague.

Investigators say that an oxygen cylinder exploded on board a Qantas jet last month, tearing a hole in the plane and forcing an emergency landing.

Having steadily climbed its way out of Cold War doldrums, Berlin has been born again as a thriving cultural hotspot that combines glamour, gritty determination and historical weight.

The FAA is investigating a computer glitch that delayed over 600 planes Tuesday. Flights were back on track for the most part by Wednesday morning, but will passengers come back?

On Denmark’s North Zealand Coast, clean, crisp breezes off the Baltic Sea waft through the quaint fishing villages and sandy beaches that compose the Danish Riviera. The serenity of coastal roads and the vibrant style of summer-loving locals lend a uniquely Danish feel to this coastal scene, which has drawn vacationers since the 19th century.

Patagonia is one of the leaders in outdoor equipment, gear and accessories. It’s also a pioneer in human resources and sustainable merchandising, which has contributed to the company’s success. How is Patagonia reshaping corporate America, and what are its next moves?

The Democratic National Convention is coming to Denver for the first time in 100 years, and the city is prepared. But before you take off for the Mile High City, learn where to find attractions with historical intrigue, walking tours showing off amazing architecture, and find out how to fit barbeque and a bike ride into your trip. 

Alki Beach is a secret to everyone except the Seattleites who frequent the park on sunny Pacific Northwest summer days. The beach presents an unusual view—of a city. Seattle’s stunning skyline is fully visible far from the shore across the Puget Sound, offering a day trip with urban and natural attractions. Families and active types will love the lengthy promenade extending more than two miles along Alki’s shore.

When I was growing up, going on vacation meant going camping, period. And growing up in central New York state meant the Adirondack Mountains were a regular destination. So when I got married near my hometown in June, the idea of a quick honeymoon in the mountains of my childhood filled me with nostalgia. Luckily, the rugged Adirondacks held enough appeal to charm my new husband, too.

Resort towns that historically catered to gay travelers are inviting others in.

Imagine a natural pool with hot tub attached, where rustic walking trails carve their way through woods along a soothing bay. The coast of Maine presents just that in Roque Bluff State Park, where a crescent-shaped beach with chilly ocean waves sits behind a warm, freshwater lagoon.

Imagine a natural pool with hot tub attached, where rustic walking trails carve their way through woods along a soothing bay. The coast of Maine presents just that in Roque Bluffs State Park, where a crescent-shaped beach with chilly ocean waves sits behind a warm, freshwater lagoon.

Philadelphia is quickly growing from a historic college town into a bustling destination for the hippest in art and music. Those who might in the past have chosen New York City as their home are now setting their sights on Philly.

When I entered Guatemala from Mexico on a luxurious, overly air-conditioned bus, my sheltered American self thought, “Guatemala can’t be much different from Mexico.” After passing through customs, I hopped on another bus: an old U.S. school bus brightly painted in red and turquoise with “Jesus es el Señor” emblazoned across the side. As the driver sped out of the parking lot, rosary beads swung wildly from the rearview mirror. Things were about to get very different.

Costa Vicentina sits pretty in Portugal’s Algarve region, with several soothing beaches preferred by surfers and nature lovers.

Australia’s airline Qantas, famed for its safety record, is being investigated after a series of recent in-air incidents.

Exploring the surf-worthy waves and wild natural features of Puerto Escondido’s unspoiled beaches offers a rejuvenating sojourn for adventurers and sun-seekers alike.

Charging for pillows is the newest entry on a growing list of airline-industry fees and cost-cutting geared to combat fuel prices and decreased profits.

For an extended summer, May through September, I was lucky enough to call Oregon home, and I’ve yet to find a place that matches the Pacific Northwest state’s majestic coastline.

Ballydonegan Beach is quiet and rustic, carved from a stretch of Ireland’s wild Beara Peninsula.

As authorities begin investigation into a recent explosion on a Qantas jet, concerns about thorough safety inspections are raised.

With the violent insurgency waning, Iraq is working harder to promote its tourism industry, but the United States warns travelers against making the trip.

Northwest plans to cut staff and increase fees and US Airways will cut in-flight entertainment. Analysts wonder how much worse things can get.

New body scanners called backscatters reveal intimate details about one’s body, and are being installed in airports around the country.