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Hike, Soak, Repeat: How to Visit Kyushu, Japan’s “Onsen Island”

This island of Japan is best experienced through its verdant mountains, active volcanoes, thermal waterfalls, and thousands of bubbling hot springs.

Sponsored by Kyushu Tourism Promotion Organization

A train running alongside the ocean, with beach grass in the foreground

Trains

10 Train Routes That Will Take You Straight to a National Park

Amtrak routes like the Empire Builder and the California Zephyr deliver you straight to the country’s wildest places.

September 19, 2025 09:03 PM

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Alexandra Gillespie

A layout of colorful Jono Pandolfi Designs plates

Fall 2023

The Country’s Coolest Hotels and Restaurants Get Their Plates From This New Jersey Studio (And You Can, Too)

Jono Pandolfi Designs makes the most sought-after dinnerware in the United States.

November 17, 2023 11:43 AM

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Lyndsey Matthews

National Parks

A First-Timer’s Guide to Banff National Park

Banff National Park is full of rugged mountain peaks, emerald lakes, and vast glaciers. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of your time there.

May 13, 2024 06:49 PM

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Juliette Recompsat

Where to Travel Next

Warm Your Winter With These 11 Hot Cocktails From Around the World

Whether it’s a festive “feuerzangenbowle” in Germany or a hot buttered rum fit for a sailor on the Atlantic, raise a glass of one of these warming drinks and toast to cold weather.

January 22, 2021 01:12 PM

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Audrey Bruno

History + Culture

14 Beautiful Medieval Castles in Europe You Can Visit

Indulge your medieval castle fantasies in Europe.

October 18, 2023 12:24 PM

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Jennifer Ceaser

Where to Travel Next

12 Charming Small Towns in Mexico to Visit for a Trip Without the Crowds

Mexico’s government has a list of small towns it considers the most magical in the country.

March 28, 2025 02:04 PM

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Meagan Drillinger

Food + Drink

Eat Your Way Through Athens, Greece, One Mouth-Watering Bite at a Time

On a 48-hour trip to Athens, writer and cookbook author Anya von Bremzen savors modern tavernas, heritage pastries, and the city’s best souvlaki.

January 27, 2023 02:33 PM

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Anya von Bremzen

Beaches

Puerto Rico Has Nearly 300 Beaches—These Are the Least Crowded

Step into Puerto Rico’s bioluminescent waters, white sands, and bathtub temperatures—in solitude.

November 29, 2024 09:25 AM

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Terry Ward

Where to Travel Next

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Washington, D.C., Including 6 Less Crowded Places

Everything you need to know about getting your cherry blossom fix in Washington, D.C., including where to go and stay.

March 11, 2026 03:03 PM

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Jessie Beck

History + Culture

Meet Mexico’s Youngest Generation of Rodeo Riders

Women rodeo riders, known as “escaramuzas,” perform highly choreographed equestrian dances—some start as young as five years old.

June 10, 2022 11:02 AM

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Ayesha Habib

A skier in black pants and a grey t-shirt flying down the slopes, with pine trees in the background

Winter Sports

6 U.S. Resorts With Great Spring Skiing

Beyond late-season skiing and snowboarding, these mountains go all out with music, festivals, and competitions.

February 28, 2025 02:32 AM

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Anna Fiorentino

Borgo Santandrea's pastries and croissants, and a view from the terrace.

Hotels

The Breakfast Test: Why the Morning Meal Is the Most Revealing Way to Judge a Luxury Hotel

Around the world, breakfast is emerging as the moment when a luxury hotel’s ambition—and its core values—become most visible.

November 21, 2025 06:37 PM

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Mark Ellwood

Packing Tips + Gear

Hard vs. Soft Luggage—Which Is Superior? Two AFAR Editors Hash It Out

There are two types of travelers: hard-shell luggage devotees and those who remain loyal to their soft-sided suitcases.

October 11, 2023 08:05 AM

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Lyndsey Matthews

Outdoor Adventure

All-Female Climbing Trips, Sailing in Italy, and Other Ways to Get Outside Right Now

57Hours connects you with certified guides to lead you on that next great outdoor adventure.

April 6, 2021 02:18 PM

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Laura Dannen Redman

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