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A birds-eye view of sailboats anchored near the shore of Lake Harriet in Minnesota.

Water Sports

7 Picture-Perfect Minnesota Lakes You Need to Visit

Go canoeing, relax by the shore while sipping wine, and shop in these charming lake towns.

Sponsored by Visit Lake Tahoe

The view of San Pedro Volcano across Lake Atitlan

Outdoor Adventure

8 Beautiful Lakes Around the World to Plan a Trip to Right Now

Waterside beauty goes beyond the beach.

May 27, 2024 09:32 AM

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Chloe Arrojado

A dome building at CERN science center in Switzerland with a metal sculpture in front

Art + Culture

Is This the Nerdiest Thing You Can Do in Switzerland?

CERN, the nuclear physics science center where the world wide web was invented and the Higgs boson was discovered, is open to the public for free. And it’s awesome.

October 28, 2023 08:00 AM

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Billie Cohen

the Grotto in Bruce Peninsula National Park featuring a rocky alcove and turquoise blue water

Cruise

These Lakes Are So Big and Beautiful That You Can Take Multiday Cruises Along Them

Some lakes are as big as a small sea, so perhaps it’s little surprise that on these stunning bodies of water, you can take an overnight cruise to better explore their impressive shores.

May 23, 2024 07:10 PM

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Fran Golden

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan

Winter 2023

The Great Lakes Offer Culture, History, and One of the Most Unique Ecosystems

From charming lake towns to expedition cruises, there are many good reasons to explore the Greats.

December 1, 2022 09:00 AM

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Elaine Glusac

The pool at Grand Hotel Fasano sits by the shores of Lake Garda in Italy.

Stay Here Next

This Idyllic Italian Lake Is an Overlooked Alternative to Lake Como—Here’s Where to Stay

The neoclassical-style Grand Hotel Fasano on Italy’s Lake Garda offers a more laid-back alternative to flashy Lake Como.

May 14, 2025 12:21 PM

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Alia Akkam

Door County, Wisconsin, is one of the many easy-to-reach day trip destinations from Chicago.

Weekend Getaways

The Best Weekend Getaways From Chicago for Beaches, Museums, and More

Escape Chicago for a few days with one of these 10 weekend trips, all within easy driving distance or by train.

May 28, 2025 05:47 PM

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Katherine LaGrave

Aerial Photos of the Chicago Architecture Foundation Center River Cruise Aboard Chicago’s First Lady, Summer 2018, Photographer: Barry Butler

4 Days In

A Local’s Guide to the Perfect Long Weekend in Chicago

Sample gourmet Ukrainian food, watch a comedy show with puppets, and catch an all-ages jazz show.

May 19, 2025 08:50 PM

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Elaine Glusac

The balcony view from Nido, the rooftop restaurant at the Loren at Lady Bird Lake.

Hotels

This Lakefront Boutique Hotel Gives Guests Easy Access to Austin Highlights

Here’s why we love the Loren at Lady Bird Lake. Plus: Five exciting destinations within easy walking distance.

November 25, 2022 08:30 AM

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Mae Hamilton

Makkum, The Netherlands-February 2021; View over the frozen water of the IJsselmeer close to Makkum with four recreational ice boats on the ice and endless ice landscape in the back

Winter Sports

What to Do With All This Cold? Race Sailboats Across Frozen Lakes, From New York to Finland

Watch ice boats race across the ice—or try it yourself.

January 27, 2026 12:50 PM

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Francesca Krempa

Off The Tourist Trail

A Local’s Guide to Lake Tahoe Without the Crowds, Including Remote Hot Springs and Moonlit Adventures

A resident shares a decade’s worth of tips to see California’s renowned nature with fewer people in the way.

November 7, 2025 02:23 PM

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Suzie Dundas

Towering bluffs and sweeping sand dunes define the landscape at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.

U.S. Beaches

You Don’t Need to Go to the East or West Coast for Some of the Best Beaches in the U.S.

Skip a coastal spot and head to the Midwest this summer.

June 6, 2025 11:24 AM

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Elaine Glusac

The exterior of Nomad Design & Lifestyle Hotel

Hotels

5 of Switzerland’s Most Stylish Boutique Hotels

From a minimalist sanctuary in Zurich to a modernist retreat nestled in the Alps, check into these inspiring properties during your next visit to what’s known as the Playground of Europe.

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