Remember when we used to be cordial? You’d show me a photo of your kid, I’d show you my dachshund, and we’d giggle while munching pretzels. I’m loath to admit it, but I don’t miss those days. Like a couple who’ve been together for decades, we’re way beyond chitchat. That’s why I brought my iPad.
Yet there are still a few simple rules of engagement that will keep us both happy. For starters, don’t order bottle after teensy bottle until you fall asleep on my shoulder. Don’t ask if your spouse/partner/mother-in-law can switch seats with me. I booked this spot for a reason (and won’t you see plenty of them on vacation?). If I offer you a mint, take it—please. And by all means, lay off the perfume! We’re sitting in an airtight container, after all.
Sorry to be so blunt. Even if this feels like public transportation, it really isn’t. But there’s no reason we can’t be civil. I’ll happily give you the armrest and lower the shade so you can watch your movie. We may never be Facebook friends, but you’re still my high-flying compadre, taking in the world with me from an awe-inspiring 36,000 feet, and if we hit some unexpected turbulence, you can bet I’ll be grabbing your arm.
Yours, The T+L Editors
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter @ThePluckyOne.
Can you guess in which Asian capital this bridge can be found? Head over to our Facebook page and leave your guesses there. Check back on Monday for the answer!
Lyndsey Matthews is an assistant digital editor at Travel + Leisure.
ABC News's Genevieve Shaw Brown gets the scoop on a new program called Pets Unstressing Passengers (PUP, for short), that brings therapy dogs to LAX to help ease the nerves of wary travelers. (Nikki Ekstein)
Want a discount at your favorite restaurant? Put away your phone! CNN Money's Erin Kim reports on phone-free dining. (N.E.)
If you're in New York City this weekend, be sure to check out the Tribeca Film Festival, which runs through April 28th in various locations throughout Lower Manhattan. (The festival is sponsored by American Express, T+L's parent company.)
In the video above, T+L's Nilou Motamed talks about Tribeca, one of the city's most beloved neighborhoods.
This summer, Ritz-Carlton guests will have more to look forward to than just sunbathing. The luxury hotel company will expand its ecological program, Ambassadors of the Environment, to three of its properties. The program, created by award-winning environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, emphasizes education and sustainability through various Caribbean eco-adventures.
Memo to Ryan Gosling and Jon Hamm: Steer clear of Riyadh.
According to a story in The Telegraph based on a report from the Arabic news site Elaph, three male delegates from the United Arab Emirates were recently asked to leave a cultural festival in the Saudi capital and subsequently deported back to Abu Dhabifor the crime of being too good-looking.
There’s no shortage of tools to figure out how to make the most of your limited vacation time. Launching today, Mosey.com jumps into a crowded space of itinerary planners and micro-guides—but with a few unique features that make it stand out. Like our own Weekend Getaways or The New York Times’ wonderful 36 Hours pieces, Mosey offers condensed itineraries for travelers, but here, they hover closer to a short four hours. Want to try a bar crawl in New York’s East Village or art-hunting around San Francisco’s Mission District? Mosey offers focused, niche adventures, each compiled by users looking to serve as digital tour guides. Naturally, each Mosey can be shared via social networks or kept private—but just scrolling through user suggestions provides a lovely way to get inspired.
Minneapolis’s new Nordic dining scene has been getting some buzz lately—helping it score the city a spot on Travel + Leisure’s 13 places to go in 2013—but the nightlife scene is also heating up. One place to watch: Marvel Bar, an unmarked speakeasy that just happens to be tucked underneath the city’s much-lauded Bachelor Farmer restaurant. Pip Hanson presides over the bar, where he hand-chips ice using a classic Japanese technique. Creativity is key when it comes to his cocktails: in the Oliveto, Hanson emulsifies olive oil directly into the drink with the help of an egg white, while the Lincoln County is infused with charcoal.
Top Chef finalist, Pierre Sang Boyer, has finally settled down in the Oberkampf area of Paris after a number of pop-up restaurants. The Korean, French-raised chef offers a fixed menu at his eponymous Pierre Sang Restaurant.
Original course combinations include tempura of andoilette with tuna sashimi, roast-suckling pig with pumpkin puree, and a moelleux of chocolate with wasabi and Armagnac foam. The restaurant is first come, first serve with no reservations or telephone, so plan to beat the 1 o’clock lunch crowd for less waiting and more munching.
Maria Pedone is a digital editorial intern at Travel + Leisure.
We’ve gathered five great summer getaways for every kind of family—and all are under $200 a night.
Camp for All Ages: Maine Camp Experience A growing number of camps provide overnight camp sessions for the whole family—a great chance to have fun all together. Family Camp at Maine Camp Experience offers a range of camp options around the state. There’s plenty to enjoy: waterskiing, fishing, rock climbing, zip lining, archery, tennis lessons, arts and crafts, as well as sunset campfires and games organized by camp staff. Experiences range from specific two-night weekend sessions to lengthier, more flexible stays. Rates from $65/night per person ($55 for ages 6-11 and under 6 is free), includes accommodations, meals and activities. mainecampexperience.com
Kathryn O'Shea-Evans is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter @ThePluckyOne.
