Rad Arachnids at the National History Museum's Spider Pavilion http://ift.tt/2fbRyd5

If you live in Los Angeles and somehow missed the bevy of haunted houses and scary attractions, you're in luck: the Spider Pavilion at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is open from October 30 to December 11. This isn't your normal spider exhibit, full of glass cases and barriers between you and the spiders; the exhibit is housed in an open-air pavilion where you can see non-venomous Golden Silk Spiders and Garden Spiders do what they do best, up-close and personal.

Museum guides tell visitors about the importance of spiders to our everyday lives, as well as their description of the arachnids' web-building prowess. Visitors are warned to watch where they step in order to avoid stray spider silk across the face, but luckily the spiders mostly keep to themselves and are shy around humans.

For the more squeamish guest, the entry area to the pavilion holds several spiders in closed habitats, where you can see spiders such as the Pinktoe Tarantula and the Mexican Fireleg Tarantula in glass cases while you learn about their habits and favorite foods (spoiler: it's not people.)

Plan your trip: Visit Fodor's Los Angeles Travel Guide

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The Exhibit Where You Can Explore Cuba Without a Passport http://ift.tt/2fbQ16H

The American Museum of Natural History will be presenting ¡Cuba!, a new exhibit exploring the nature and culture of the island nation. Given the country’s incredible biodiversity and vibrant culture it’s clear that the exhibit, the largest of its kind in the United States, will serve as an exciting examination of everything Cuba has to offer.

Visitors to the museum will be able to get an immersive experience as they find themselves in the midst of the country’s sights (including a 3-D recreation of the Garden of the Queens coral reef) and even scents (sections will feature the transportive aromas of tobacco leaves and coffee).

¡Cuba! opens Nov. 21st and will run until Aug. 13th.

For more on this story visit The New York Times.

Plan your visit to the American Museum of Natural History with the New York City Travel Guide. Or plan your trip to the real deal with the Cuba Travel Guide.

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5 Ways to Contribute to Wildlife Conservation with a Trip to Namibia http://ift.tt/2fbNXf0

While on vacation in Namibia, it’s easy to contribute to wildlife conservation while staying at comfortable lodges and going on guided safaris. Namibia is the first African country to incorporate protection of the environment and wildlife into its constitution. It has done this by creating conservancies and involving local communities, tourism businesses, safari operators, lodges, and farmers in working toward a shared goal of natural resource conservation. Currently 43.6% of Namibia’s 300,000 square miles is under conservation management.

With tourism being one of the major contributors to their economy, Namibians have found a way to support and aid their conservation efforts with sustainable tourism. If you’ve always dreamed of a guilt-free African safari, it’s time to head to Namibia.

Stay at a luxury lodge

Many of the lodges in Namibia have close ties the various communities and conservation areas around them. While you spend your hard-earned dollars lounging on the deck sipping on a sundowner, a portion of your fees are being invested directly into the wildlife conservation of the area. Luxury lodges often sponsor game guards to help control poaching in the region. In the beautiful and remote Northern Kunene region, half of the community conservation projects are linked to wonderful luxury lodges and tented camps. Places such as Desert Rhino Camp, Serre Cafema, Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge, or Grootberg Lodge are excellent choices.

Use a conservation-minded tour operator

When booking your holiday, choose a tour operator like Wilderness Safaris that can plan your itinerary and book all your accommodation. As one of the premier conservation-minded tour operators in Southern Africa, all of their establishments are deeply invested in the surrounding communities and wildlife management programs. Funds from their lodges are donated to area farms to repair damages from wildlife or to reimburse farmers for stock lost to predators like cheetahs. In addition, all their camps are built and managed in an eco-friendly way. While you’re still enjoying hot showers and five-star meals, they have taken care to minimally impact the surrounding ecosystem.

Go on a guided safari

If it’s your first time in Namibia, book a tour with your own guide and driver so you can spend all day admiring the landscape that Namibia is famous for. A planned itinerary will take you through the relevant nature conservancies, tribal villages that are actively involved in protecting the wildlife, and community camps and markets. Ultimate Safaris is Namibian owned and they specialize in tours and guided self-drive itineraries that are conservation focused.

Avoid wildlife sanctuaries

This may seem counterintuitive, because surely wildlife sanctuaries are there to preserve wildlife. Sadly, not all of these establishments have as honorable intentions as they should. Many are linked to illegal hunting operations or merely don’t actually rehabilitate the wildlife they have on display. Ideally, you are contributing far more in the long run to wildlife conservation by avoiding places that offer tours of animals in cages and small enclosures. Make sure to visit reputable places such as AfriCat at the Okonjima Reserve, where they are involved in cheetah rehabilitation. You won’t see animals in cages, but you will get to walk in the reserve and silently watch the rehabilitated cheetahs in their natural environment. With each visit, you’re directly contributing to rehabilitation of future cats as well as helping pay for education toward and management of the serious human–wildlife conflict with the farmers and cheetahs in the greater Namibia area.

Visit a national park

This one might seem a little more obvious than the others, but it’s not just about the entrance fee. Once you visit Africa, the continent stays with you forever. It happens with your first sighting of a leopard dozing in a tree above a river, or of elephants dipping their trunks into a pool of water and spraying it over their dusty backs. After you visit, your love for Namibia might inspire you to further contribute toward the conservation of wildlife. It could be something as simple as sharing the message, donating to a cause, or even just planning your next trip.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Namibia Guide

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The World's Most Famous Cemeteries http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Although some say it might be creepy to visit a graveyard while you’re on vacation, we beg to differ. Graveyards can be a history lesson, a walk through a lovely garden, or a place to see the best view of the skyline. At these nine cemeteries, you’ll find memorials dedicated to war heroes, politicians, artists, writers, and musicians where you can pay your respects and learn something new.—Teddy Minford

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Live Like the King When You Stay at the Guest House at Graceland http://ift.tt/2dVNVH7

Just a few feet away from where Elvis Presley himself lived is the newly opened The Guest House at Graceland, a full-service luxury hotel that reflects the one-of-a-kind style of the legendary singer. The Guest House boasts 450 rooms, two restaurants, a 464-seat theater for movies and live performances, as well as a number of other amenities.

Guests looking for something beyond The Guest House’s standard issue Southern hospitality can opt for a VIP experience. The membership, dubbed The Founders, includes special access to Graceland, exclusive invitations to special events, and priority room and dining reservations.

For more on this story visit USA Today.

Plan your trip with the Memphis Travel Guide.

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Prince�s Paisley Park Opens to the Public http://ift.tt/2dVM7hf

Representatives of Prince’s estate have announced that Paisley Park, the late musician’s famed recording studio, is now officially opened to the public as a museum. The opening of the Minneapolis adjacent complex was delayed when the City Council of Chanhassen, Minn. raised concerns about zoning changes. The museum was able to make tours available to a select few but now has announced that is now permanently open to the public with regular tours resuming today.

Tickets for touring the storied studio start at $38.50 with $100 V.I.P. passes available for Prince super-fans interested in seeing the legendary artist’s private working environment, personal archives, wardrobes, musical instruments, and motorcycles.

Plan your trip with the Minneapolis-St. Paul Travel Guide.

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How to Spend 3 Days in the Florida Panhandle http://ift.tt/2fpuwDK

Once dubbed the Redneck Riviera, this 28-mile stretch of Florida shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico is now clustered with hip beach towns sporting high design, fine dining, and—best of all—no crowds. Whether you lust after architecture (the region’s New Urbanism design, marked by walkable neighborhoods, inspires architects nationwide) or can’t get enough of fresh-catch seafood, say hello to this lesser-known corner of Florida. Pro tip: rent a two-wheeled beach cruiser to feel even more like a local as you zip past emerald-green waters (there’s a reason it’s called the Emerald Coast) and sugar-white sand. And bring comfortable shoes: this is a walkers’ paradise.

Day 1

While two airports service the area, the smallest, newest, and most convenient is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (airport code ECP) in Panama City. United, Delta, and Southwest all fly into this LEED-certified airport that opened in 2010 as the country’s first airport to earn the eco-friendly certification.

Arrive mid-day and check into your accommodations. The first thing you should do is lock in a bicycle rental (not difficult to do as there are more bike-rental places than gas stations along 30-A) as your main form of transportation this weekend. Sip a Hemingway cocktail and take in the sunset at the area’s only rooftop lounge—Havana Beach Bar & Grill at The Pearl Hotel in Rosemary Beach, open since the spring—overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Fire pits and hammocks help you ease into your vacation in this New Urbanism town that celebrated its 20th anniversary last year. The houses have all been built under tightly regulated design guidelines, creating a cohesive look of deep eaves, metal roofs, and high ceilings, all in nature-inspired hues or stark whites reminiscent of the West Indies. Multiple boardwalks lead to the beach.

From casual to fancy, Downtown Rosemary Beach is filled with many dining options  along Main Street. Save some of those for later and book a table at Havana Beach Bar & Grill—either the indoor dining room on the ground level or right where you already are, on the roof. Dishes span Spain, France, and Portugal—entrees include paella featuring Gulf shrimp and grouper with chorizo—culling from local farms whenever possible. Cap off your first meal with a Mojito trifle.

Day 2

After a hearty breakfast at the super-cute Cowgirl Kitchen Market & Café in Seagrove Beach, where dishes highlight a Southern twist ( the “Heartache” features pimento cheese and praline bacon on a biscuit), try your hand at stand-up paddleboarding with YOLO Board + Bike in Santa Rosa Beach. You can rent by the hour or for a half day.

For lunch, head to Seaside, a New Urbanism community along the Gulf of Mexico made famous in the 1998 Jim Carrey film The Truman Show. The airstream trailers permanently parked on the Central Square are food trucks serving lunch bites like grilled-cheese sandwiches from The Meltdown to grass-fed hot dogs from Wild Bill’s Beach Dogs. Linger in Seaside a little bit longer: this was the town that, incorporated in 1981, spawned the rest of the region’s development over the past two decades. A farmers market on Saturday mornings is held behind food truck Raw & Juicy. Browse the stacks at Sundog Books and be sure to check out the record-shop upstairs, Central Square Records, also a fun place to pick up rock-themed gifts.

Burn off your lunch with a self-guided walking tour of Seaside’s brightly hued cottages that look like a movie set (which, of course, they once were). Next, head to nearby Deer Lake State Park for a hike on the boardwalk along coastal dunes and wind down with a glass of wine at the area’s newest wine bar, Neat in Alys Beach, another New Urbanism community where all of the buildings are white and inspired by Antigua, Guatemala, and Bermuda. In addition to sipping wine in the Tasting Room, you can pick up a bottle for later from its Bottle Shop.

Taste local oysters sourced from Apalachicola (named for the small town) at Hurricane Oyster Bar & Grill in Grayton Beach. Happy Hour is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, folding in deals on oysters on the half shell. If you like shellfish, this is your place, with fresh-out-of-the-water oysters prepared several different ways: raw, grilled, steamed, and baked (nine options total, including Rockefeller). Depending on the time, catching the sunset from Grayton Beach State Park is a must.

Enjoy one of the few nightlife spots at The Red Bar, a locals’ institution in Grayton Beach with boho flair. Pay homage to another local business by ordering a cold brew from Grayton Beer Company. Live jazz performs most nights.

Day 3

Get up early so you can snag some donuts from Charlie’s Donuts, a truck parked in Alys Beach. Donuts in decadent flavors like red velvet are only served until they run out.

Hit the local shops selling everything from beachy tunics to handmade soaps along Main Street in Rosemary Beach. Alys Beach’s Alys Shoppe is another great spot for picking up preppy beachwear (cue polos and fedoras for the guys and tasseled scarves for women). After spending time in these pedestrian-friendly beach towns, you might even feel inspired to pick up some home décor, like a throw pillow from Rosemary Beach Trading Company.

For lunch, dine outdoors at La Crema Tapas & Chocolate on Main Street in Rosemary Beach. Start with Serrano-wrapped figs and saffron scallops; end with chocolate-dipped bacon and chocolate molten cake.

Relieve yourself of any sunburn or sore muscles with a spa treatment at WaterColor Inn & Resort. Treatments inspired by nearby waters include Seascape Serenity, 80 minutes of pampering including a green-sea-algae body wrap. For your last dinner, get a window seat at Fish Out of Water, a fine-dining restaurant overlooking the beach at WaterColor Inn & Resort. From the ceviche to the key-lime pannacotta, Southern cooking techniques shine through with the help of local ingredients and the chefs’ whims.

WHERE TO STAY

The bulk of options are vacation and cottage rentals, but if you don’t want to cook your own meals, check into The Pearl in downtown Rosemary Beach, a block from the Gulf of Mexico and just south of 30-A. Behind its black-and-white striped awnings are a Havana-inspired eatery, rooftop pool, and spa. With just 55 rooms, it’s been open since 2013. The brightly hued WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach right on 30-A boasts a private beach, a pool overlooking the water, four dining options, and a spa.

Rosemary Beach Cottage Rental Company and Cottage Rental Agency in Seaside are a one-stop shop for finding a place to crash. You’ll have a full kitchen and an outdoor living space (either a porch or a courtyard), and be in close proximity to amenities, in keeping with the New Urbanism philosophy.

WHEN TO GO

Outside of holiday weekends, autumn is a great time to visit the region because many of the residents are second- or third-home owners now occupied with school activities in their primary city of residence. Temperatures tend to hover between the high 70s and mid-80s.

GETTING THERE

If you’re using Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, you’ll likely get routed through a hub city if you don’t already live in one. On United, flights go through Houston, while Delta’s connections are through Atlanta. Southwest utilizes Nashville and Houston. Four commercial airlines service Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport (airport code VPS): American, United, Delta, and Allegiant. Cities that fly directly to VPS include New Orleans, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Charlotte, and Washington D.C.

 

Plan Your Trip with Fodor’s Florida Guide

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12 Under-the-Radar Museums in Amsterdam http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Amsterdam has no shortage of important cultural institutions, from the Rijksmuseum with its Vermeers and Rembrandts to the Van Gogh Museum, filled with works by the celebrated Dutch artist. But the consequence of all that greatness is endless lines and crowded galleries. So when the queue to the Rembrandt House is too long, or you can’t score a ticket to the Anne Frank House, don’t despair—the city is home to 50-plus museums, many of which are little-known gems that showcase everything from contemporary Dutch photography to the purses of the rich and famous. We’ve rounded up a dozen of our favorites to check out the next time you’re in town. Note: A great time to visit is during Amsterdam’s Museumnacht, or Museum Night, which takes place the first Saturday in November, when more than 40 institutions across the city will stay open from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.—Jennifer Ceaser

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'What Are You Doing Here?' On the Ground at a Greek Refugee Camp http://ift.tt/2fpp03N

My family left Afghanistan when I was two years old. I spent my childhood in Germany as an auslaendar (foreigner) before moving to California at age 10 and having to relive the process all over again. Such extraordinary experiences have left me with a unique understanding of the challenges of being in a strange place, having to learn a new language, and adjusting to a foreign culture.

That’s why this past July, I went to volunteer in the Softex Refugee Camp in Thessaloniki, Greece, where more than 2,000 marooned refugees—mostly from Syria—are still treading the waters of uncertainty. I wanted to be there to provide moral support, act as a translator for Pashto- and Dari-speaking refugees, or simply help in any way possible. I knew things had been and were going to be difficult for these people.

Throughout Europe, the refugee crisis has incited a wide range of emotions among locals. Some have expressed compassion and a willingness to take refugees into their own homes, while others in communities plagued with economic issues are angry and frustrated by the presence of foreigners. Volunteers are often caught in the middle and occasionally subject to violent threats by far-right groups.

But that didn’t stop me. Nor did the difficulty I incurred trying to get to there. The Softex Refugee Camp is located in an industrial area of Thessaloniki so remote I had to get the map coordinates from a stranger on Twitter. I put the coordinates into my GPS and after a 15-euro cab ride over a dirt road, I was at the back entrance: an unassuming warehouse. I stepped out of the car to see children in torn clothes rushing to greet me—some even without shoes. I’ve been to Afghanistan twice and have encountered similar scenes, but it was jarring to see set against a European background.

I noticed a little girl around three years old with light brown hair and green eyes running toward me, arms extended. What a welcome! I picked her up as she crashed into my arms. She hugged me fiercely, a complete stranger, then handed me the bottle of water she was holding, as generous as she was friendly. I asked for her name.

“Shayma,” she said shyly. 

“And where are mama and baba?” I asked.

“Khaimah.”

I don’t speak Arabic, but I knew this meant tent. Where were the volunteers, or even the adults? At that moment, a smiling young man approached me and introduced himself as Ahmed. Off we went on a fruitless mission to find the volunteer coordinator, who we later learned had gone on a food run. I was beginning to sense a pattern. Who was in charge here?

The Softex Refugee Camp is supposed to be run by the Greek military. After the evacuation of Idomeni, refugees were urged to come here as a safe place where they could get food, shelter, and help with their asylum claims. Except that’s not what I saw. The only group I witnessed helping the residents while I was there was the Al-Khair Foundation, which fed the 2,000 residents every day from a large truck. Al Khair, based in the United Kingdom, offers humanitarian aid and disaster relief to more than 25 countries around the world. The organization is active throughout Greece, providing food, housing, and medical care to thousands of refugees. But what about the institution designated to help?

“Isn’t the military administering food?” I asked upon finding the volunteers. “Aren’t they supposed to provide security?”

I was met with bitter laughter.

Around me, the camp buzzed with energy. My visit coincided with Eid al-Fitr, a celebratory Islamic holiday that takes place right after Ramadan, the annual month of fasting. Growing up in a Muslim household, Eid was akin to Christmas. My mother would buy us new clothes and spend days baking treats in preparation, and on the day of the holiday, male family members gave the children money to celebrate. My parents always underlined the significance of joy on Eid: It’s a day to abandon grudges, let go of worries, and enjoy being with friends and family. On what was supposed to be one of the happiest days of the year, the refugees were separated from their homes and their loved ones, dependent on the kindness of strangers to survive in a foreign land.

Under the hot sun, I watched hundreds of people line up outside of a school bus to wait for a plate of food. Another volunteer told me that the camp residents had nothing—no school, access to medical care, or legal counsel. (Some of that has improved slightly in recent months, as more aid organizations have become involved, but during my time, the Softex residents survived on the barest of minimums.)

It was decided that I would help with the Eid festivities planned for the kids. I walked back toward the warehouse, where a few kids loitered by the entrance.

Inside, attempts had been made to liven up the drab space: balloons and hand-drawn pictures lined the wall. Two deflated bounce houses waited limply in the corner, and three tables covered with face paint bottles and cookies were set to provide the entertainment.

I choked up at the playtime instructions: each child would spend just 10 minutes in the room to celebrate. But I had to steel myself. After all, these kids were able to laugh and play and celebrate Eid despite their circumstances. What right did I have to be upset in front of them?

For the rest of the day, I switched between helping volunteers in the kids’ play area and assisting with food preparation in an outdoor area next to the warehouse. We chopped vegetables and cubed meat before sorting ingredients into buckets. From there, the food was transported to a nearby school bus for cooking. 

While we worked, the volunteer coordinator filled me in on camp life and advised me on etiquette. He advised me not to appear as a tourist: no gawking or taking photos of the refugees’ “homes." Many refugees were suffering from the traumas of war and mourning lost loved ones. Be respectful above all. The volunteers were also advised to refrain from asking the residents about their lives “back home” or how they came to be here. It didn’t prove a difficult task—the adults mostly kept to themselves and the volunteers mainly interacted with the children. It was the children who wanted to interact.

I was introduced to “the camp translator,” a Syrian boy about 10 years old who spoke excellent English. I tried to remember what not to say.

“How long have you been here?” I asked.

Two months, he said. He explained that he had learned English from interacting with the volunteers. I tried to focus on the future by asking in which country he hoped to end up.

“Germany, Italy, or Spain,” he told me. Hopefully, he added, “I hear Spain is very nice.”

It is, I assured him.

In addition to being exceedingly social, the children were smart, cheerful, and infinitely curious. They asked the volunteers questions about where we were from, what our hometowns were like, where we had traveled to, what our favorite pastimes were. We asked them about their families, their favorite activities, and their aspirations for the future. Such resilience at such a young age! Their optimism floored me.

The volunteers finished up working late in the afternoon, and I was able to get a cab to come out to the camp to pick me up. To meet my ride, I had to walk quite a distance: past the tent city, over a dilapidated bridge, beyond the port-a-potties and main warehouse until finally I saw the taxi driver, who was chatting with the Greek soldiers—the first I’d seen—under a white tent. I was sweaty, covered in dust, and limped a bit on my left leg, which I had injured moments earlier while walking up some makeshift steps.

The driver regarded me skeptically. “What are you doing here?” he asked.

Good question. Why had I come? The condition of the camp was much worse than I had anticipated, and the government's role even more limited than I'd been led to believe. Most of the volunteers had no cultural, religious, or geographic affiliation with these refugees. There was every reason in the world to just stay home.

Before my experience at the Softex Refugee Camp, I didn't really think volunteering made much of a difference. But during my time there, I realized every single person who had come to help mattered. Their presence was felt. The small band of approximately 20 volunteers worked tirelessly to feed 2,000 people. If three volunteers hadn't shown up that day, food production would have slowed considerably and the residents would have had to wait even longer to receive their meals. If the female volunteers weren't around to help in the play area, not all of the kids would have felt comfortable getting their faces painted by a bunch of young men they didn't know. Where governments were failing, humanitarians were picking up the slack.

“I was volunteering,” I told him.

Until a solution for self-sufficiency is found and implemented, volunteers and NGOs will continue to be an indispensable force in caring for the millions of refugees throughout Europe who rely on their aid for survival. You can join us. Visit the Al-Khair Foundation or Amnesty International to find ways to get involved.

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George Lucas Unveils Designs for Narrative Art Museum http://ift.tt/2eLtcXY

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art promises an exploration of how visual art tells a story, from the paintings of Edgar Degas to the animated films of Pixar. Where the museum’s collection will be ultimately housed is still a matter that’s up in the air. George Lucas is currently courting both San Francisco and Los Angeles with proposals that include architectural designs for the future museum.

Both of the designs, which show what the museum would look like in Los Angeles’ Exposition Park and in San Francisco Bay’s Treasure Island, depict sleek and futuristic structures that will be home to a myriad of objects. The majority of the museum’s planned exhibitions will come from Lucas’ personal collection, which includes work by Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth, and R. Crumb, as well as costumes and objects from a number of films including “The Ten Commandments” and, naturally, “Star Wars.” San Francisco Chronicle art critic Charles Desmarais said that Lucas’ items “may just be the core of a great museum.”

Depending on where the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is eventually established, plan your trip with the Los Angeles Travel Guide or the San Francisco Travel Guide.

For more on this story visit the Los Angeles Times.

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How to Get a Seat Upgrade http://ift.tt/2eMnRCB

If you've been traveling for a long time, you might remember the days when it was fairly easy to upgrade your coach seat to business or first class. But rigid rules have made gettinga better seat more difficult, since they are usually reserved for an airline's top customers. Not an elite flyer? Here are a few ways to snag more legroom on your next flight.

PAID UPGRADES

Often, you can pay the airline for a better seat—whether it's in economy plus, business, or first class. You can usually buy up to economy plus—which has a little more legroom than economy—when you make your reservation. Upgrades to business/first are often available online prior to check-in or at check-in. You can also check for upgrade possibilities when you get to the airport.

Each airline has a slightly different system for paid upgrades, but most are only available after their elite customers have been upgraded according to specific rules of the program. Some airlines, like American, only offer paid upgrades to business or first to members of its AAdvantage frequent flyer program. If you don't have elite status, you can only buy upgrades for flights on which you've purchased a full-fare coach ticket in the Y or B fare class. The cost is $30 per 500 miles. On Delta, more fare classes are upgradable, but not all routes are eligible. The price will depend on your ticket's fare class and the distance you're flying. For example, upgrades from the continental United States to Hawaii range from $269 to 399 per person on Delta flights. Check with your airline for its rules on paid upgrades.

UPGRADE USING MILES

Most airlines will allow you to use miles to upgrade a coach ticket to business/first. Be aware, however, that it's usually not a great value and you'd be better off waiting until you have enough miles in your account to redeem a ticket instead of using them to upgrade. Not all tickets can be upgraded (it depends on the fare class of the ticket) and some airlines—like United—charge a cash co-pay in addition to the miles, making the proposition even less appealing. For example, if you're traveling within the continental U.S. on a United flight, you can upgrade for 7,500 miles and no cash co-pay up to 20,000 miles and $250, depending on the fare class of your ticket.

CHARM

If there are no seats available, no amount of kindness will make a difference. But treating a gate agent respectfully and kindly can go a long way toward helping your case—especially during irregular operations. (Whatever you do, though, don't try to bribe them!)

OPERATIONAL UPGRADES

Sometimes the airline needs to upgrade passengers for "operational" reasons. Most often, the company has oversold the economy cabin and now needs to upgrade some customers from economy to business/first in order to get everyone on the aircraft and into the air on time. The gate agent has latitude to upgrade whomever he or she deems appropriate. So how can you improve your chances of getting selected? When you arrive at the gate, introduce yourself to the agent (when he or she isn't busy assisting other passengers). Explain that you have a seat in economy and would be interested in upgrading if economy is oversold. Be friendly and straightforward. If the answer is no, offer your thanks and mention that you'll be in the gate area if anything changes. Stay in the immediate vicinity so you're easy to find if the agent needs to make an upgrade. This only happens rarely, but in the event that it does, you'll want to be in the best position to take advantage of the situation.

BE A LOYAL CUSTOMER

If you fly often enough on the same airline, you will become an “elite” member of that airline’s frequent flyer program. This will entitle you to access to complimentary upgrades on that airline and sometimes even its partners. Below you’ll find what it takes to become an elite at the most popular U.S.-based airlines and what upgrades elites are entitled to.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines Elite Status Tiers

MVP: Fly 20,000 miles on Alaska Airlines, 25,000 miles on Alaska and elite-qualifying partners, or 30 segments on Alaska and elite-qualifying partners

MVP Gold: Fly 40,000 miles on Alaska, 50,000 miles on Alaska and elite-qualifying partners, or 60 segments on Alaska and elite-qualifying partners

MVP Gold 75K: Fly 75,000 miles on Alaska, 90,000 miles on Alaska and elite-qualifying partners, or 90 segments on Alaska and elite-qualifying partners

 

Alaska Airlines Upgrades for Elites

MVP: Preferred seating and first-class upgrades on Alaska Airlines, preferred seating and 50% off Main Cabin Extra seating on American Airlines, and preferred seating on Delta and unlimited upgrades on select flights

MVP Gold: Preferred seating, unlimited first-class upgrades for you and a companion, and four first-class guest upgrades per year on Alaska Airlines; preferred seating and complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating on American Airlines; preferred seating on Delta and unlimited upgrades on select flights

MVP Gold 75K: Preferred seating, unlimited first-class upgrades for you and a companion, and four first-class guest upgrades per year on Alaska Airlines; preferred seating and complimentary Main Cabin Extra seating on American Airlines; preferred seating on Delta and unlimited upgrades on select flights

 

American Airlines

American Airlines Elite Status Tiers

You can earn elite status on American in two ways: by reaching a certain number of Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) on eligible fares on American Airlines, American Eagle, OneWorld member airlines, Alaska Airlines, Horizon Air, and any codeshare flight with an American Airlines flight number.

Gold: 25,000 EQMs or 30 EQSs

Platinum: 50,000 EQMs or 60 EQSs

Executive Platinum: 100,000 EQMs or 120 EQSs

 

American Airlines Upgrades for Elites

Gold: Complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles processed 24 hours before departure, free Preferred Seats, 50% off Main Cabin Extra seats, which are complimentary at check-in if still available

Platinum: Complimentary auto-requested upgrades on flights 500 miles processed 72 hours before departure, free Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats

Executive Platinum: Four one-way systemwide upgrades with the ability to earn up to four more for a total of eight per year, free auto-requested upgrades that are processed 100 hours before departure, free Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats

 

Delta Air Lines

Delta Elite Status Tiers

You can earn elite status on Delta by reaching a minimum number of Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs), or Medallion Qualification Segments (MQSs) and Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

Silver Medallion: 25,000 MQMs, or 30 MQSs and $3,000 MQDs

Gold Medallion: 50,000 MQMs, or 60 MQSs and $6,000 MQDs

Platinum Medallion: 75,000 MQMs, or 100 MQSs and $9,000 MQDs

Diamond Medallion: 125,000 MQMs, or 140 MQSs and $15,000 MQDs

 

Delta Upgrades for Elites

Silver Medallion: Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades for all revenue tickets except E fares and Pay with Miles tickets, Delta Comfort+ upgrades, unlimited complimentary companion first-class and Delta Comfort+ upgrades, complimentary preferred seats

Gold Medallion: Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades for award tickets and all revenue tickets except E fares and Pay with Miles ticket, Delta Comfort+ upgrades, unlimited complimentary companion first-class and Delta Comfort+ upgrades, complimentary preferred seats

Platinum Medallion: Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades for award tickets and all revenue tickets except E fares and Pay with Miles ticket, unlimited complimentary Delta Comfort+ upgrades, unlimited complimentary companion first-class and Delta Comfort+ upgrades, complimentary preferred seats

Diamond Medallion: Unlimited complimentary first-class upgrades for award tickets and all revenue tickets except E fares and Pay with Miles ticket, unlimited complimentary Delta Comfort+ upgrades, unlimited complimentary companion first-class and Delta Comfort+ upgrades, complimentary preferred seats

 

JetBlue

JetBlue Elite Status Tiers

You can earn elite status on JetBlue by reaching a certain number of points based on the dollar amount spent per ticket.

TrueBlue Mosaic: 30 segments plus 12,000 base flight points within a calendar year, or 15,000 base flight points within a calendar year

 

JetBlue Upgrades for Elites

TrueBlue Mosaic: Redeem for Even More Space seats at reduced rates

 

United Airlines

United Airlines Elite Status Tiers

You can earn elite status on United Airlines by reaching a certain number of Premier Qualifying Miles (PQM) or Premier Qualifying Segments (PQS). Residents of the United States also need to meet minimum Premier Qualifying Dollars (PQD) requirements.

Premier Silver: 25,000 PQM and $3,000 PQD, or 30 PQS and $3,000 PQD

Premier Gold: 50,000 PQM and $6,000 PQD, or 60 PQS and $6,000 PQD

Premier Platinum: 75,000 PQM and $6,000 PQD, or 90 PQS and $9,000 PQD

Premier 1K: 100,000 PQM and $12,000 PQD, or 120 PQS and $12,000 PQD

 

United Upgrades for Elites

Premier Silver: Complimentary Economy Plus access at check-in for you and one companion, complimentary Premier upgrades for you and a companion confirmed as early as the day of departure, and instant upgrades on Y- or B-class full-fare economy tickets

Premier Gold: Complimentary Economy Plus access at booking for you and one companion, complimentary Premier upgrades for you and a companion confirmed as early as 48 hours before departure, and instant upgrades on Y- or B-class full-fare economy tickets

Premier Platinum: Complimentary Economy Plus access at booking for you and eight companions, complimentary Premier upgrades for you and a companion confirmed as early as 72 hours before departure, instant upgrades on Y- or B-class full-fare economy tickets, and Regional Premier Upgrades eligibility

Premier 1K: Complimentary Economy Plus access at booking for you and eight companions, complimentary Premier upgrades for you and a companion confirmed as early as 96 hours before departure, instant upgrades on Y- or B-class and M-class full-fare economy tickets, and Regional Premier Upgrades eligibility

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America�s Most Popular Haunted Houses According to Instagram http://ift.tt/2eTHQvy

�Fodor�s Brooklyn� Wins Lowell Thomas Award http://ift.tt/2dYUBaE

Fodor’s Brooklyn won silver place from the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition. Sponsored by the Society of American Travel Writers, this is the premier competition in travel journalism.

The judges released a statement saying “the neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to a somewhat compact geographic area is especially welcome … With Brooklyn overtaking Manhattan as the trendy borough, this guidebook feels especially timely.” The judges also praised such touches as the guide’s inclusion of “commentaries by Brooklynites rather than observers who parachute into a location and write on the basis of superficial knowledge” as well as the guide’s “well-designed” maps and illustrations.

Click here to find out more about Fodor’s award winning guidebook.

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The World's Weirdest Museums http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Human interests are as diverse as the day is long, which is most evident in the way we choose to document our passions. Displayed in these 15 museums are tributes to innovation and tributes to the idiosyncratic. Then there’s the museum dedicated to Bigfoot, proving that there’s truly no limit to the human imagination and that whatever your interest, there’s a place for you in the world.—Vanita Salisbury

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Cheap and Chic: 14 Affordable Hotels in Mexico http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

If you’ve been vacationing in Mexico for many years, or even decades, you may remember a time when it wasn’t that hard to score a stylish cabana for less than $50 a night. Here’s the new reality: the average room rate in Cancún can be pricier than in Florence. Riviera Maya is more expensive than Dubai, and Los Cabos is loftier than Venice. While Mexico isn’t quite the bargain it used to be, we've picked 14 affordable gems, most of which cost $150 or less and easily earn the chic label, while a few max out around $220 to $300 a night.—Christine Ciarmello

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Experts May Have Uncovered the Mystery Behind the Bermuda Triangle http://ift.tt/2fedzvT

An upcoming Science Channel documentary claims to have uncovered the cause behind the Bermuda Triangle’s propensity for shipwrecks, downed planes, and vanished aviation pioneers. So what’s to blame? Aliens, an ancient curse, or an Illuminati conspiracy? It turns out that the likely culprit is clouds. According to meteorologists, the Bermuda Triangle sees an unusual amount of hexagonal-shaped clouds that can be up to 50 miles across that cause localized high winds. These winds may explain so many vessels have met an unfortunate end within the million square miles of open sea between Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico.

However, some experts aren’t so sure that the mystery is solved. NBC meteorologist Kevin Corriveau saying that the hexagonal cloud shapes in Bermuda are “not the cloud signature of what a microburst looks like.”

For more on this story visit The Telegraph.

Go on a fact-finding mission of your own and plan your visit with the Bermuda Travel Guide.

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Sleep Like a King: 10 Castle Hotels in Germany http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

There's no shortage of castles in Germany. Customs houses and fortresses known as Burg line the riverbanks and crown nearly every hilltop. Scattered throughout the countryside are the more ornate homes of landed gentry and archbishops, or Schloss. While gorgeous to look at from the outside, many castles also are unique overnight lodgings. Here are 10 of our favorite places to sleep like a king or queen in Germany---places you can afford even if you're not royalty.—Courtney Tenz

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9 Must-Try Street Foods in Hanoi http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, is famously home to some of the most incredible street food in the world. Delicious, fast, and fresh, there are endless options to choose from on every bustling street. Here are our picks for dishes you must try when visiting Hanoi. —Jennifer Arnow

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Exhibit Dedicated to Taylor Swift to Open in NYC http://ift.tt/2dRlhKB

Taylor Swift fans visiting New York City should definitely leave a blank space on their sightseeing itinerary. “The Taylor Swift Experience,” an exhibit dedicated to the sparkly-guitar slinging singer, begins its three-month run at the Grammy Museum on Nov. 18. Fans will be able to get “an in-depth look” at Swift’s life and career and for just $9 a pop! Among the pieces on display will be baby pictures, personal photographs, home videos, costumes, her Grammy for best female country vocal performance, and handwritten lyrics to some of Swift’s biggest hits.

Can’t make it to New York? Shake it off! After its New York City run, the exhibition will make its way to Mississippi.

For more on this story visit The Daily News.

Plan your visit with the New York City Travel Guide.

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Pope Francis Opens Private Summer Residence to the Public http://ift.tt/2eMlJXX

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to vacation like a pope, you can find out with a visit to the pontiff’s private summer residence. Pope Francis made the gardens of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo open to the public in 2014, but only now have 20 new rooms been made accessible to tourists and pilgrims. The rooms include a private chapel, a study, a library, and a bedroom. In addition to the recently revealed rooms, the tour of the 17th-century papal getaway, located approximately 15 miles outside Rome, includes a visit to Pope Benedict’s organic farm.

For more on this story visit CNN.

Plan your trip with the Rome Travel Guide.

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America's Most Haunted Hotels http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

If your hotel also keeps a ghost log in addition to a guest log, you know you’re in for a scary night. Halloween is just around the corner, and in truefreak-ourselves-out style, we’ve found the spookiest hotels in all corners of the country. For extra haunted happenings, be sure to ask the about local ghost tours. We won't judge you for sleeping with the lights on.

Insider tip: Some properties' policies don't allow public advertising of any reported hauntings or paranormal activity, but that doesn't mean they don't have spooky stories to tell. A discreet inquiry to the concierge or a longtime employee just may get you a behind-the-scenes tour to a property's hidden haunted hot spots.—Blane Bachelor & Lola Akinmade

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Alba�s Truffle Celebration is a Delicious Autumn Tradition http://ift.tt/2e5ZYT2

In Italy, great food and wine are fundamental to life. Never is this more apparent than at the country’s sagre, the town festivals that consecrate the yearly harvest of local delicacies. People come together at these rustic village fairs to feast on seasonal specialties and partake of the local wine. In Alba, where its prized white truffle is feted each autumn, the community celebration has grown to epic proportions, with throngs of visitors drawn by the chance to taste the town’s culinary treasure.

Alba’s Fiera del Tartufo is in its 86th official year. Last year saw a record half a million visitors flood the town over six weekends, and for 2016, the turnout is expected to be even greater as the festival adds more gastronomic events to the schedule.

Each weekend at the festival, truffle hunters sell their finds directly to customers in a hall dense with the pungent scent of the precious fungi. The market takes place in Alba’s medieval central piazza, where a fist-sized truffle can set you back as much as a nice pair of shoes---with truffles turning up in high quality but low quantities this year, the going rate is close to $1,600 a pound. The fragrant white truffle variety that grows in the forests around Alba is considered the best in the world for its mellow but distinctive flavor; its price, though dependent on the weather and the talent of the dogs (and a few pigs) that hunt them out from among the tree roots, reflects their status as the king of truffles.

During the festival, there are many tastings, and the area’s celebrated restaurants serve special dishes that showcase the flavorful morsel. However, Alba and its surrounding hills are the stuff of epicurean legend for more than just truffles: this corner of Italy’s northern Piedmont region is home to the nebbiolo grape, which makes the prestigious Barolo, along with Barbaresco and Dolcetto wine. This year, Alba’s truffle festival joins forces with the surrounding vineyards for the first time, offering visitors the chance to feast on the rare delicacies and also indulge in special wine tastings. At Alba’s town wine cellar, attendees have the chance to try bottles from many of the region’s top producers in a single sitting, while sommeliers guide them through the characteristics of the region’s wines and territory.

Events will be crowded—book ahead and come hungry, thirsty, and ready for a food and wine lover’s dream.

Alba’s Truffle Festival Runs until November 27.

Plan Your Trip with Fodor’s Alba Guide

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Now You Can Set Sail for the Marvel Universe http://ift.tt/2dIg0or

Starting in the fall of 2017 Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to go toe-to-toe with the Marvel Universe’s bravest heroes and most devious villains. Disney Cruises have announced the launch of Marvel Day at Sea—a day-long celebration dedicated to feting the Marvel Universe. Passengers traveling on one of these special Disney Magic voyages will be able to partake in a number of immersive superhero-laden events. Marvel Day at Sea will feature meet and greets with superheroes, a spectacular party filled with dancing and games, Marvel-themed trivia, and a deck party that culminates in a themed pyrotechnics show.

For more info visit DCLNews.com.

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The 10 Best Cocktail Bars in New Orleans http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

The city that bills itself as home of the original cocktail takes its craft very seriously. This is your go-to list for spirit sipping: from local dive to historic hang to hipster lounge, here are the best renditions of the classics to fresh modern twists.—Cameron Quincy Todd

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How to Spend 3 Days in the Lot Valley, France http://ift.tt/2eCRp1W

If you’re looking for French country charm, fine wine, and stone villages steeped in history all at affordable prices and removed from the tourist crowds, look to the lesser-traveled Lot department in southwest France. Along the loops of the Lot River, west of Cahors, lies a scenic valley lined with vineyards bearing grapes that have made Cahors’s wines famous since Roman times. Rows of vines lead to hilltop chateaux and surround medieval stone villages with colorful weekly markets. Almost every small vineyard offers a casual tasting room , and restaurants among the vineyards are elegant yet accessible. Small bed-and-breakfasts provide a romantic, French-country atmosphere. Beyond the serenity, what makes this side of the Lot Valley unique are miles of riverside paths and gentle trails dedicated to walkers and easy cycling. You can stroll through green and gold vineyards in picturesque scenery.

Day 1

Start your three-day visit in riverside Puy L’Eveque, an impossibly picturesque pile of medieval towers and stone houses in the middle of the valley. Once you arrive, grab your shopping basket and set off for the area’s most colorful and aesthetic open-air market in nearby Prayssac. En route, stop in at Artisan Pâtissier Franck Tonel, on Puy L’Eveque’s main street, for the best chocolate croissants and walnut tarts around.  Offerings at the market include artistic arrangements of fresh truffles, girolle and cèpe mushrooms, walnuts, apples, and the famous prunes d’Agen. Drop into the Prayssac tourist office in the market area and pick up a free map-guide to the local vineyards and, if you plan on doing any cycling, the Veloroute Circuit No. 1 map.

Dedicate the rest of the morning to exploring the vineyards, by car or by velo (bicycle). V-Lot can deliver rental bikes to your hotel, including electrically assisted bikes if your cycling muscles are rusty.

With more than 80 vineyards, ranging from world-renowned La Grezette (acclaimed by wine expert Robert Parker) to family-owned farms, the Cahors appellation is most famous for its hearty malbec-based red wines, best paired with beef, venison, or the local specialty, magret (duck breast). What may impress you most are the affordable prices for this excellent wine. Your map will tell you which vineyards have tasting rooms, what the hours are, and whether English is spoken–most often, it is.

Insider Tip: Avid oenophiles can read up on the history of the local vineyards in “Families of the Vines,” by Michael S. Sanders.

Aim for lunch in the charming courtyard of Le Caillau, a 300-year-old former winery surrounded by vineyards. A fresh-and-innovative, bargain lunch menu du jour features a main course, dessert, and a glass of local wine and coffee. Not that hungry? Share a platter of cold cuts, cheeses, and salad washed down with a carafe of the excellent house wine. Don’t skip dessert, which is outstanding here: buttery English-style cakes, and fruit crumbles with cream.

To work off lunch, hop back on your bike (or car), and head west along the veloroute signed Cahors, toward the tiny village of Grézels, where you’ll find a great photo op of vineyards and village, lorded over by the impressive, hilltop, 17th-century fortress of Chateau de la Coste.

If you’re driving, follow the signs, just past Grézels, to Belaye, up a winding, very narrow road to a viewpoint with panoramic views of the valley and two loops of the river.

You may not be wildly hungry after a late lunch, but if you get a little puckish once you’re back in Puy L’Eveque, cross the bridge and head for the stone tower of Le Pigeonnier, where the specialty is crepes and salads. From the restaurant terrace, you’ll have a picture-perfect view of the village at sunset.

Day 2

After a light breakfast, drive or cycle 4 km west to Duravel, a storybook village that was once a Roman garrison before it became a prosperous medieval town with a monastery. Climb up to the restored remnants of the medieval wall for a sweeping valley view. The tourist office in the Mairie (town hall) has an excellent map of the village’s notable buildings, each marked by an informative plaque in English.

One of the Lot Valley’s celebrated historical treasures is the vaulted crypt in the village’s 11th-century church. You can pick up the key at Marty’s Boulangerie near the church and let yourself in to soak up the Romanesque atmosphere. Stone steps lead down to the vaulted crypt, where you’ll find 900-year-old columns with exquisitely carved capitals. Even if you’re not religious, the atmosphere here feels sacred.

For lunch, the gastronomic highlight in these parts is a meal at elegant Le Gindreau, a Michelin-starred restaurant presided over by Pascal Bardet, a former pupil of Alain Ducasse. Not only is this Michelin-starred restaurant relatively affordable but it’s also not pretentious or stuffy. At $65, the three-course lunch is a deal, offering main-course choices, along with delightful extras like exquisite amuse-bouches and a basket of delicate breads with flavored butters. If the weather is fine, book a table on the tree-shaded terrace, overlooking the countryside. The menu features traditional local specialties, updated in lighter, imaginative versions: foie gras, game, pigeon, an array of mushrooms and, particularly in the fall, truffles. There’s always seafood on the menu, too. The wine list focuses on local wines and the very helpful sommelier can suggest wines by the glass to complement your menu choices.

There isn’t much in the way of nightlife in Puy L’Eveque, but Le Stromboli, an excellent pizza and grill at the top of town, is lively and has a terrace with a bird’s eye view of the village.

Day 3

Today’s the day to get out on the river. From the dock at the foot of Puy L’Eveque, take a one-hour, narrated cruise in a Gabare, a replica of the boats that once carried Cahors grapes downriver to Bordeaux. You can also rent a kayak or canoe and do the paddling yourself.

Join in the time-honored French custom of a long, leisurely lunch in the country, at Clau del Loup, a quintessentially French country hotel and restaurant in Anglars-Juillac. Here’s your last chance to indulge in foie gras, duck, and goat cheese in an elegant dining room or on a garden terrace shaded by huge trees.

Getting Here

Four trains a day from Paris arrive in Cahors, the closest long-distance train station. Closest airports are Bergerac and Toulouse. Puy L’Eveque is 35 km west of km Cahors, 83 km southeast of Bergerac, and 136 km north of Toulouse.

When To Go

Summertime in the Lot Valley is filled with village festivals, concerts and wine fairs. Tourism winds down the last two weeks of August as European families head home in what is called La Rentrée, the return to school and work. So, autumn is very tranquil, usually cool but sunny, and wildly scenic as the vineyards turn to russet and gold. In mid-September, grape-picking gets underway.

WHERE TO STAY

If you want a country hotel with easy access to biking trails and vineyards, Hostellerie Clau del Loup in Anglars-Juillac I a great choice.

A range of B&Bs, from luxury to budget, are scattered along the river’s edge and in the villages. Prices range from $50 to $85. Some B&Bs close in October and don’t reopen util the spring.

La Croze is the epitome of French-country elegance idyllically located on the river between Puy L’Eveque and Duravel. Nearby in Port de Vire, Au Clos de la Salamandre has comfortable rooms with artistic flair provided by the ceramic-artist owner, plus a fleet of bicycles for rent. 

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s France Guide

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South America�s Biggest Aquarium Set to Open in Brazil http://ift.tt/2ez00CR

South America’s largest aquarium is set to open in Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 9th. AquaRio will have 28 tanks with 8,000 animals, but the most intriguing feature might be its 650-foot underwater tunnel. The submerged glass tunnel will allow visitors to walk through a massive tank, getting face to fin with the underwater world. Looking for a unique hotel alternative? Guests will even be able to book a night sleeping in the giant tunnel for what is objectively the raddest slumber party ever. In addition to its many marine life attractions, the aquarium will also be home to a surf museum, science museum, and a touch tank where brave souls can touch sharks, stingrays, and various invertebrates.

For more on this story visit Inhabitat.

Plan you trip with the Rio de Janeiro Travel Guide.

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Russian Observatory Hosts Exhibit Where Art and the Cosmos Collide http://ift.tt/2dF1HAT

A Russian observatory that once housed one of the largest mirrored telescopes in the world has now become the site of an art installation dedicated to exploring the place where the cosmos and human imagination meet. The Special Astrophysical Observatory is now featuring pieces contributed by Russian and Austrian artists that run the gamut from photography to a piece called “Why Work?” where visitors lay on top of a bench while looking up at a ceiling-mounted wind god illustrated with green neon tubing. Curator Simona Mraz said he was inspired to put together the exhibit in order to bring the two typically separate worlds of science and art together and “watch the creative sparks fly.”

For more on this story visit The Seattle Times.

Plan you trip with the Russia Travel Guide.

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10 Spooky Spots for a Ghostly Encounter http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

With Halloween on the horizon, how about a seasonal getaway where you might see something far more memorable than fall foliage? Consider these spooky spots around the world, where the eerie encounters that have reportedly taken place include full-bodied apparitions of former royalty, ghostly orbs, mysterious echoes of cannon fire from bygone centuries, and even a phantom truck that terrorizes drivers. No matter where you go, you’re guaranteed some spirited sightseeing.

By Blane Bachelor

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Artist Brings World Class Carvings and Vignettes to Arizona Pumpkin Garden http://ift.tt/2ekAIKR

The town of Carefree, Arizona has a pumpkin patch unlike any other. The Carefree Enchanted Pumpkin Garden features four acres of pumpkin tableaus and carvings. The carvings come courtesy of Ray Villafane, who Martha Stewart called the “Michelangelo of pumpkin carving.” And given how detailed (and clever!) Villafane’s carvings are, the Enchanted Pumpkin Garden may very well be the gourd version of the Sistine Chapel. Not only will autumnal squash enthusiasts be able to view these whimsical creations until Oct. 31st they’ll be able to take pictures with the 400-pound carved “King of Carefree” pumpkin.

​

For more on this story visit PeeWee.com.

Plan your trip with the Arizona Travel Guide.

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6 Central Florida Ranches That Let You Ride Back in Time http://ift.tt/2eIcBZj

If the countryside by horseback is on your bucket list, take a few days from your Central Florida theme park vacation and experience an old-Florida cattle ranch. Whether you seek a shared bunkhouse, a rustic cabin, or a deluxe teepee, there are many ways to observe life as a rancher. For centuries, raising cattle was an important industry in the state, but recent development has reduced the number of working ranches. However, the Florida outback still offers the would-be cowpoke a chance to hop on a horse and follow the cattle out to pasture. Not interested in riding? Simply sit back and enjoy the slower rhythms of ranch life from a rocker on a homey porch, observing nature in all its variety.

Westgate River Ranch

Where: River Ranch

It’s certainly a huge ranch, and while there are horses, cows, cowboys, and a rootin’ tootin’ rodeo, visitors don’t rough it here. Westgate Resorts offers a dude ranch experience that will satisfy the pickiest city slicker, whether you want the luxe comfort of a resort-like cottage or prefer accommodations a little closer to the campfire(but no less luxurious)--options include yurt glamping or an upscale teepee with AC, a fireplace, and a chandelier made of antlers. Trail rides, airboat tours, and campfire activities keep guests busy.

The Griffin Ranch

Where: Ft. McCoy

Carl Griffin invites locals and visitors to escape to his 30-acre Griffin Ranch for a weekend getaway, to ride, take a wilderness survival course, or just to enjoy the slow pace of old-Florida life. A kayak or canoe trip on the nearby Ocklawaha River or swimming at Juniper Springs are great ways to cool off. The ranch van drops guests at the springs and picks them up when they are done. The ranch also offers hayrides and unique night-time forays into the forest to see the spider’s eyes reflected in flashlights. Accommodations include a 100-year-old cabin with a claw-foot tub and private front porch, a lodge with private bedrooms, and even an Airstream trailer. The ranch’s sister organization, Out of Ocala, offers wilderness adventures.

Happy Acres Ranch

Where: Dunnellon

Jim and Beanie Moore own this 40-acre working ranch with 15 registered quarter horses. Guests can take riding lessons, go riding on the 50 miles of trails adjacent to the ranch, or enjoy boating, canoeing, or swimming in the nearby Rainbow River. Cottages on the ranch have Wi-Fi and air conditioning, or guests can ride the trails and camp overnight. The ranch hands bring camping gear and food out to the trail and pick up the horses. Next morning, they return with fresh horses and retrieve all the equipment.

Circle F Dude Ranch

Where: Lake Wales

This dude ranch and camp, founded in 1952, offers outdoor experiences to families on weekends. The ranch sits amid 500 acres of rolling hills, pasture, and live oaks on a huge, spring fed lake. Rustic bunkhouse cabins with ceiling fans, large windows, and air conditioning, sleep up to 12 people each. Family style meals are served in the large dining hall. The lake offers opportunities to swim, kayak, and canoe, and the ropes course, rock wall, and zip lines ensure lots of outdoor activities. Guests can interact with horses in the stables and corrals, and riders of all levels of experience can ride along many miles of trails.

Cypress House Ranch and B&B

Where: Bushnell

Amy and Michael Griffing welcome visitors to the peaceful countryside at their ranch on the edge of the Withlacoochee State Forest, just a few miles from Disney. Guests can book a two-hour trail ride through the forest or simply sit on the porch enjoying the breeze under moss-draped oaks. The ranch only has five rooms so guests should book ahead. There are no meals provided other than a simple breakfast, but the rooms have a microwave and fridge, and the owners encourage people to cook out on the fire pit.

The Smoakhouse Ranch

Where: Branford

The Smoakhouse Ranch is a historic family farm, located on 50 acres in the heart of North Florida, home to many major springs and rivers. Guests can enjoy ranch life and also swim, dive, kayak, or canoe in the cool waters of nearby Ichetucknee Springs and river run. The hosts, Debra and Oscar Cramer, invite guests to interact with ranch animals, including cows, donkeys, and goats.Depending on the season, guests can help pick blackberries, apples, and grapes; hang around the campfire in the evenings; or just sit on the porch and read.  Accommodations include three private cottages and a three-bedroom farmhouse.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Florida Guide

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Virgin Voyages to Set Sail in 2020 http://ift.tt/2ekvYF9

Billionaire business magnate Richard Branson recently announced that the Virgin Group, having conquered the skies with Virgin Atlantic and space with Virgin Galactic, is setting its sights on the open sea. The company will now be entering the realm of cruises with Virgin Voyages.

“This is anything but just another cruise or holiday,” said President and CEO Tom McAlpin. “It will be a transformational experience delivering a very ‘Virgin style’ of adventure.”

The line’s three vessels will be built by Italian master shipbuilder Fincantieri and will feature clean energy system Climeon Ocean, which transforms low-grade energy into clean electricity.

The ship’s maiden voyage will set sail from Miami in 2020 and will feature a number of itineraries that promise unique ways to experience a number of Caribbean ports.

To learn more visit VirginVoyages.com.

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5 Reasons to Visit Paraty, Brazil http://ift.tt/2ekz5gz

The bay town of Paraty (pronounced para-chi), Brazil, is literally off the map.  A mere dot against the majestic Costa Verde’s seaside cliffs, burrowed right between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, it’s easy to miss.  But once you visit Paraty, with its stunning colonial architecture, postcard-worthy mountains and waters, and some of the best seafood around, it’s hard to forget. Here are just five reasons to add it to your Brazilian vacation agenda.

Preserved Colonial Roots

Paraty’s colonial history dating back to 1667 is what sets it apart from other Brazilian beach towns like Buzios or Florianopolis. The town’s age shows, but in a warm and welcoming way. At its heart is a historic town center, where cobblestone streets are ringed with sand and still traversed by horses towing carriages along the narrow passageways. Famously free of cars, the historic center is denoted by red and white flags strung overhead. But most noticeable is the characteristic whitewashed and wrought iron architecture throughout, which stands out and harkens back to a town built centuries ago. Anchoring the historic center on one end is an inlet lined with wooden rainbow boats, and on the other end is the 1772 Chapel of Saint Rita standing in whitewashed beauty. Somewhere above, the bells of the First Church of Our Lady of the Remedies can often be heard tolling.

Insider Tip: Paraty Tours offers a terrific historical walking tour throughout the town, and there are a few free walking tours that depart from the town square at 5 pm each afternoon.

Hidden Artistry

Paraty has become something of an artistic hideaway with its inflow of artisans that appeal to each of the five senses. The historic center circles around a town square—the Praca da Matriz—where painters create seascapes and local musicians strum and sing.  Familiar smells like cheese, cinnamon, and seafood float through the streets, which are filled with fusion bistros, cafes, galleries, and cozy guesthouses known as pousadas. The galleries double as artists’ workshops, which stand open with brightly colored artwork peeking out from behind wooden blue doorways. 

Drop by the art and ceramic studios of Aecio Sarti, Brasil Goulart, Renata Rosa, and Jorge Pessotti. Dine at Quintal das Letras if you’re feeling fancy, Restaurante Refugio if you’re looking for top-notch seafood, or Café do Fogo for authentic Brazilian cuisine; be sure to try the flambéed mango with star fruit for dessert.  Stay at Pousada Aconchego, Pousada a Joana, or Pousada Guarana, where everyone leaves knowing the owners David and Jimena by name. Sip a rich cappuccino at Café Pingado. Finally, when it gets into the late hours of the night, dance to traditional pagode or forro music at Van Gogh.

Caipirinhas, Caipirinhas, Caipirinhas

This deserves to be mentioned more than once.  In Brazil, there’s nothing quite like the syrupy, strong bite of a well-crafted caipirinha on its home turf, and in Paraty you’re close enough to catch a sweet scent of the sugarcane plantations and cachaça distilleries where the magic is made. Bordering the nearby Amazon rainforest, there are seven distilleries where visitors can learn how the country’s famous drink is manufactured and—the best part—enjoy a tasting. Try Cachaça Pedra Branca or Cachaça Maria Izabel for a great educational tour and guaranteed delicious rum. 

Insider Tip: Each year in August, Paraty also holds its annual Sugar Cane Rum Festival, or Festival da Cachaça. It’s the ultimate celebration for sugar cane rum lovers, and has cachaça from several different distilleries known locally as pot stills, making it the mecca for seeking out some of the country’s best caipirinhas.

Alluring Twilight Beaches

This is where scenes from the movie Twilight were filmed, and Paraty is rightfully proud of its claim to fame. Seated within the vast Bay of Ilha Grande and dotted by dozens of islands, you need only set off on a schooner with a few others, and within 30 minutes you’ll find yourself among the natural paradise of Mamangua Bay, Praia do Sono (Sleep Beach), and Trindade (pronounced trin-dodgy).  With their deep blue waters fringed with banana plants and vivid sunsets, the beaches in Paraty easily rival those in Thailand. It doesn’t get much better for digging your toes in the cashew-colored sand and soaking up some Vitamin D. The waters are calm, crystal, and filled with colorful fish, making it an ideal tranquil stopover for fishing, scuba diving, and sailing. Beyond the bay, the lush vegetation surrounding the beaches hides dozens of glittering waterfalls like Tobago Falls and wading pools that resemble tiny wild aquariums, along with natural rock formations and South American wildlife.

Insider Tip: Ativa Rafting e Aventura offers boat tours that transport you from Paraty’s historic town center to several stunning, secluded beaches.

Adventures Around the Corner

Possibly the best part of Paraty is the fact that its visitors can travel by foot, Jeep, boat, horse, or bicycle.  The climate and geography make it the ideal spot for seeking out sports and adventures. The waters surrounding Paraty rise up into a majestic backdrop of the jungled Bocaina Mountains, which means you can take a Jeep deep into the rainforest and trek along tropical hiking trails. There are a number of them in the Atlantic Forest that surrounds the Gold Path, a rugged road originally built by slaves and used for transporting gold in colonial times. But if hiking isn’t your cup of tea, there’s also rappelling (known as abseiling), canyoning, horseback riding, mountain biking, bird watching, and yes, even tree climbing.  If you prefer to take your expedition to the water and catch some rays in the process, grab a kayak or go rafting, surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, or scuba diving to up close with Paraty’s exotic fish population. Within a stone’s throw of bays, islands, peninsulas, beaches, rainforests and mountains, Paraty presents a truly unique environment for releasing your adventurous spirit and meeting another side of Brazil.

Insider Tip: Paraty Sport Aventura and Ativa Rafting e Aventura are excellent options for a number of excursions by land and sea. Training, guidance, and all of the equipment you need are provided, so that you’ll have plenty of space left over in your suitcase for mementos of your trip to the Brazilian coast.

Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor’s Paraty Guide

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