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Humpback whale breaching off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, USA.

Traveling the Whale Trail in Santa Barbara

Off the coast of this Southern California city, a new Whale Heritage Area allows marine life to thrive—and visitors to explore responsibly.

June 29, 2024 02:20 AM

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Julia Cosgrove

Other

The Essential Guide to Nova Scotia

Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites, untouched nature, and culinary trails lined with lobster in this coastal Canadian province.

February 19, 2020 10:32 AM

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Renee Suen

Maine is truly a four-season state, with each one offering new treasures and surprises. In summer, enjoy the coastline at Popham Beach, Higgins Beach, or even a <a href="https://www.afar.com/places/greenville-greenville-61131aa6-6637-43e3-9eec-ded2a5c1bf79" target="_blank">Moose Safari</a>. The leaves put on a show in the fall around the Bigelow Mountains and <a href="https://www.afar.com/places/acadia-national-park-maine" target="_blank">Acadia National Park</a>. Winter offers snow-covered ski trails at Sugarloaf, Sunday River, and Shawnee Peak. And spring brings new life blooming along the Appalachian Trail. From Portland's culinary sophistication to the rustic beauty of the Appalachian Trail’s “100 Mile Wilderness,” you can find what you’re looking for in Maine, at any time of year.

Where to Travel Next

A 93-Mile Trail and Hobbit Homes: New England’s Latest Reasons to Visit

Ahead of fall foliage season, New England’s got plenty going on this summer and autumn.

June 24, 2024 08:47 PM

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Miles Howard

Epic Trips

I Took My Two Year Old on a Global Trip—and Found the Music of This Country Life-Changing

One writer and her two-year-old boy were enchanted by the sounds of India.

April 30, 2025 05:47 PM

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Ashlea Halpern

Mountains surrounding the town of Grindewald, Switzerland.

Art + Culture

15 Star Wars Filming Locations Worth a Visit

It turns out the “Star Wars” galaxy isn’t terribly far, far away.

August 18, 2023 02:16 PM

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Kyle N. Ormiston

Art + Culture

7 Things to Know Before Seeing a Broadway Show in NYC

Experiencing Broadway in NYC is dazzling, unforgettable—and a little dizzying. Here’s what to keep in mind before hitting the Great White Way.

Some travelers have decided to forgo travel to places whose politics don’t match their own.

May 31, 2022 05:30 PM

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Victoria M. Walker

Aerial of boat and snorkelers on the reef

Beaches

Fewer Travelers Visit This Part of the Great Barrier Reef. They’re Missing Out.

Not many people visit Lady Elliot Island, at the Great Barrier Reef’s southern tip. But a lot of people are trying to protect it.

April 17, 2025 12:54 PM

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Tim Chester

Performers in mime attire at the Fringe advertise their shows on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

Festivals + Events

Everything You Need to Know About the Edinburgh Festival Fringe

How to get tickets to Edinburgh Fringe, where to stay, and what to do in Scotland’s charming capital city.

June 13, 2024 10:40 AM

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Shannon Reed

A suite on Riverside Luxury Cruises, featuring a bed with green decorative pillows and a desk with a mirror above it

River Cruises

This River Cruise Line Is One of the Best-Kept Secrets on Europe’s Rivers

Some of the most luxurious river cruise sailings in Europe are also some of the most affordable.

June 11, 2024 07:30 AM

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Jeri Clausing

AFAR Advisor

Seeing California Through the Eyes of Its Most Important Librarian

The California State Librarian talks about the most surprising things you can check out of a library, cool road trips around the state, plus the best local libraries to visit in California.

June 10, 2021 06:04 AM

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Annie Fitzsimmons

SustainalbleCharleston_Aquarium_CourtesyofSouthCarolinaAquarium.jpg

Sustainable Travel

Our Favorite Sustainable Museums, Restaurants, and Shops to Visit in Charleston in 2025

The historic South Carolina city is known for preserving its past, but many locals are working to ensure its natural and cultural pillars survive well into the future.

December 13, 2024 11:57 AM

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Lauren Mowery

Holland America Line's 'MS Nieuw Amsterdam' ship sailing through Alaska's Inside Passage with green snow-capped mountains all around

Cruise

The Best Alaska Cruises to Book in 2026, From New Luxury Yachts to Nature-Focused Expeditions

Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly adventure, an adults-only sailing, or a truly luxurious escape, these are the best Alaska cruises for every type of traveler.

January 28, 2026 01:22 PM

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Bailey Berg

Four statues (a pair of men and a pair of women) painted white in a fence-lined park in New York City

LGBTQ Travel

Where to Find Meaningful LGBTQ Monuments Around the World

Public memorials honoring figures from the LGBTQ community say a lot about a city’s culture and serve as a reminder that coming out can be its own heroic milestone.

June 3, 2024 05:59 PM

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Kelsy Chauvin

Art + Culture

The Best Concert in New York Is in a Harlem Apartment

For 30 years, Marjorie Eliot has hosted jazz sessions in her Sugar Hill home. There’s no place in the city quite like it.

March 18, 2025 02:17 PM

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Shannon J. Effinger

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