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How to Engage More With Locals on Your Next Trip

Travel is as much about the people we meet as the places we go, but making those on-the-ground connections can be challenging. These sites are here to help.

May 10, 2019 04:15 PM

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Ashlea Halpern

Tarcoles, a small fishing village
on the Gulf of Nicoya on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.

Outdoor Adventure

10 Can’t Miss Things to Do in Costa Rica, From Wild Beaches to Local Coffee

Its rainforests are legendary, but there’s more beyond the jungles of Costa Rica that belong at the top of your list.

July 8, 2025 05:08 PM

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Nina Kokotas Hahn

When designing the National Museum of Qatar, architect Jean Nouvel took inspiration from a desert rose crystal.<br/>

LGBTQ Travel

What It’s Like to Be a Queer Traveler in the Middle East

An honest reflection on feeling safe, respecting local culture, and being true to one’s self in more conservative countries.

April 4, 2023 01:40 PM

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Emy Rodriguez Flores

Weekend Getaways

Napa’s in Bloom: How to Plan the Perfect Spring Weekend

Now is the time to plan a visit to wine country.

April 8, 2021 06:42 PM

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Aislyn Greene

Aqua_Expeditions_Indonesia_spice_courtesy

Expedition Cruises

A Cruise to Indonesia’s Spice Islands Shows “How the World Is Supposed to Be”

Breathing in the nutmeg scent and following red-footed boobies in the footsteps of naturalists on this seven-night Aqua Expedition.

March 31, 2023 03:54 PM

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Michelle Jana Chan

Where to Travel Next

The Sweetest Small Towns in California

Look beyond the Golden State’s bustling cities and explore these nine appealing towns on your next visit.

April 12, 2024 04:36 PM

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Michelle Konstantinovsky

A snow-covered mountain reflected in a clear lake, surrounded by evergreen trees

National Parks

10 Less-Crowded Alternatives to the Most Popular U.S. National Parks

With crowds overrunning the U.S.’s most popular national parks, head to these alternative parks, forests, and natural wonders instead.

April 23, 2025 03:04 AM

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Maggie Fuller

Bassin de la Villette swimming pools in Paris

Cities We Love

Where to Go to Avoid the Crowds in Paris This Summer

As postpandemic travelers return to Paris in droves, here’s a cheat sheet of new hotels and restaurants, under-the-radar exhibits, and other off-the-beaten-path discoveries.

July 10, 2023 07:45 PM

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Mary Winston Nicklin

Food + Drink

Take a Bite (and Sip) out of These 7 Summer Food and Wine Festivals

From classic Italian street foods to Maine’s well-loved lobster rolls, these summer food festivals will please plenty of palates.

July 19, 2022 03:49 PM

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Susan B. Barnes

Working Flower Farm South Africa Airbnb Pool

Hotels

14 Airbnbs You’ll Want to Book Just for the Pool

From Palm Springs to Palermo, these Airbnbs with pools are worth adding to your wish list for future trips.

June 28, 2023 08:02 AM

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Nicholas DeRenzo

Food + Drink

The One Place You Need to Try Italy’s Special Sauce

For tried-and-true pesto, head to the ancient city of Genoa in Italy’s Liguria region.

December 13, 2017 05:44 PM

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Colman Andrews

Flower vendors give away free roses in Downtown Detroit on July 25, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan.

CREDIT: Sylvia Jarrus for AFAR

4 Days In

The Perfect 4 Days in Detroit, According to Locals

See the best art museum in the country, wander a 985-acre island, and enjoy a coney dog.

March 3, 2025 10:00 AM

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Sarah Bence

Water Sports

This Boat Rental Company Is the Perfect Way to Step Up Your Staycation

Boatsetter, the Airbnb of boats, makes it easy to rent anything from a fishing boat to a fully crewed yacht.

August 19, 2020 02:30 PM

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Rosalie Tinelli

dining table with eight chairs at the Toscana on the Oceania Vista cruise ship

Ocean Cruises

Oceania’s First New Cruise Ship in a Decade Sets High Bar for Fine Dining at Sea

The 1,200-passenger “Vista” also offers some of the best new solo cabins as well as impressive onboard and in-port immersive experiences.

May 26, 2023 07:30 PM

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Terry Ward

Restaurants + Cafés

From Mezze to Knafeh: The 7 Dishes You Must Try in Jordan

Get a flavor of Jordan’s rich history and culture through these tasty Arabic dishes.

October 3, 2022 01:27 PM

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Yulia Denisyuk

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