Helen Hatzis
Napa Valley has long drawn visitors for its celebrated wines, yet the story of how those wines reach the bottle often begins with hands that worked the soil long before the tasting rooms opened. Elias Fernandez embodies that continuity. The son of Mexican immigrant farmworkers, he has spent the past 42 years as winemaker at
New York City – The Plaza Hotel, the 18-story landmark that has stood on Fifth Avenue for generations, will close its doors in January 2027 for a comprehensive restoration of its historic facade. Operator Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has confirmed the project will last at least four years, prompted by findings from City Buildings inspectors
Miami, Florida – Fifty students from Miami-Dade County have been chosen to take part in the Disney Dreamers Academy, a program that pairs young people with mentorship and career exploration opportunities at Walt Disney World. The selection marks the start of an inaugural class that also draws participants from Orlando and Houston. The effort stems
The question of how a vehicle that leaves the ground would be regulated has lingered in transportation circles for years. Elon Musk recently highlighted the issue again by unveiling Tesla’s new Roadster Rocket and labeling it a “flying car” equipped with ultra high-pressure air tanks. The U.S. Department of Transportation was asked directly who would
JetBlue has opened bookings for its new first-class product, BlueFirst, giving travelers an early look at the airline’s first domestic premium cabin. The service begins on December 8 with a flight from Boston Logan International Airport to Fort Lauderdale, marking a notable step for the carrier as it expands options on popular winter routes. Tickets
Alaska stretches across a scale that can feel almost impossible to grasp in a single trip. Its coastline alone runs for thousands of miles, marked by fjords and tidewater glaciers, while the interior holds vast stretches of tundra, forests, and towering peaks. A cruisetour offers one thoughtful way to experience both realms without the need
The Royal Hawaiian has stood on a prized stretch of Waikiki Beach since 1927, its distinctive pink stucco and Spanish-Moorish architecture making it one of Honolulu’s most recognizable landmarks. As the hotel approaches its 100th birthday in February 2027, a comprehensive renovation is underway to refresh guest rooms, public spaces, and amenities while honoring its
Viking marked a significant expansion this week with the official naming of seven new river ships during a ceremony in Amsterdam. The 29-year-old company now operates a total of 109 vessels, including river, ocean, and expedition ships. This milestone underscores the continued appeal of intimate, destination-focused cruises along some of the world’s most storied waterways,
Standard cruises along Alaska’s southeastern coast offer striking views of glaciers and fjords, yet many travelers seek more time to experience the state’s vast interior. Princess Cruises addresses this desire through its cruisetours, which combine a seven-night coastal voyage with multi-night overland segments that reach several national parks in a single itinerary. These programs stand
The Transportation Security Administration introduced a pilot program in September 2026 that lets certain non-travelers accompany loved ones through security and all the way to the departure gate. Called Gateside by TSA PreCheck, the initiative revives a practice familiar to many before heightened security measures took hold after 2001. Recent developments show the program has
Three members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 gathered recently to describe their time aboard the International Space Station. They had returned to Earth after nearly eight months in orbit, and their reflections centered on a single word: joy. The astronauts spoke about the mix of demanding work and meaningful moments that defined their mission, offering a
Travelers drawn to Tuscany often seek places where the landscape itself tells a layered story. Castello di Bolgheri stands as one such site, its stone walls rising amid the rolling hills of the Bolgheri region. The castle’s 13th-century origins anchor it firmly in the area’s long history of settlement and cultivation, while the surrounding vineyards