Top 5 Tips to Avoid Holiday Airport Traffic

Beware of Rush Hour

Planning your airport commute starts right when you book your flights. Steer clear of flights that will require you to commute during peak weekday rush hours. Although exact timing varies by city, traffic is typically heaviest in the morning between 6am and 10am and in the afternoon between 3pm and 6pm. If you want to take advantage of the first flight of the day (a smart idea, since earlier flights are less likely to be subject to delays or cancellations), then plan to arrive at the airport before the bulk of morning commuters hit the road.

Book Your Ride Ahead of Time

Calling a rideshare is a great way to avoid parking or the chaos of public transit. Booking your ride in advance to avoid the uncertainty of driver availability is the easiest way to have peace of mind, but how far in advance should you book? A spokesperson at Lyft filled us in: “Usually, scheduling an airport ride the day before is perfectly fine. But around the holidays, scheduling your Lyft 2-3 days out helps with ensuring drivers are on the road and ready to go.”

Have a Back-Up Plan If Taking Public Transit

Public transportation is not immune to running behind schedule. Buses, like cars, are at the mercy of traffic and even train systems that run above ground are subject to weather delays. When using public transit, never plan to take the last available bus or train that will allow you to arrive on time. Leave early enough to have at least a few options should your first route be cancelled or delayed. 

Build in Extra Time for Traffic

Even if you plan your departure perfectly, there is always a chance for traffic. Whether it be an unexpected weather delay or an accident on the road, you’ll want to built in extra buffer time to your commute in case of any unforeseen events.

“From 2024 Thanksgiving data alone, we actually saw that pickup times decreased by one minute year-over-year,” says a spokesperson at Lyft, “That being said, it’s still good to plan for occurrences less in your control, life traffic. We recommend buffering 45 minutes to an hour into your holiday season airport trips this year.”

Choose Your Airport Strategically

Some airports are simply easier to get to than others. If you live in an area with access to multiple airports, shop around before your book your flights. If the fares are comparable, spring for the option with the easier commute to save yourself a huge headache when travel time comes.

The Most Convenient and Efficient Airports for Holiday Travel

If you need help judging where you want to book your departing flight this season, Lyft analyzed the thirty largest airports in the US to reveal the top ten most convenient and most efficient to help you prep for your holiday travel. Lucky travelers that live in range of these airports will have an advantage in the fight against the seasonal airport rush. Is your home airport on the list?

The Most Convenient Airports for Holiday Travel

1. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
2. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) 
3. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
4. Nashville International Airport (BNA)
5. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
6. San Diego International Airport (SAN)
7. LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
8. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
9. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
10. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)

Ratings based on: shortest commute and average Lyft pick up times 

The Most Efficient Airports for Holiday Travel

1. Detroit Metropolitan Wayne Country Airport (DTW)
2. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) 
3. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
4. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
5. Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
6. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
7. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
8. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
9. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
10. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Ratings based on: TSA wait, percentage of flights on time, and percentage of flights canceled

The post How to Beat the Holiday Airport Rush This Season appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Cityscapes and Neighborhood Light Displays

Rockefeller Plaza, NYC

Arguably the most famous Christmas tree in the world is at Rockefeller Center in New York, with a display of angels that’s just as iconic. 

Baltimore, Maryland

The “Hampden Maryland Miracle on 34th Street” is a neighborhood where you absolutely have to decorate with Christmas lights: each house on this block in Baltimore is more decorated than the last. 

St Augustine, Florida

Downtown St. Augustine is renowned for its Nights of Lights display, featuring millions of tiny white lights strung along historic Spanish Colonial architecture spanning 20 blocks.

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

After checking out Rockefeller Center, head to Brooklyn where the neighbors in Dyker Heights string lights on every branch of their trees and fill their yards with hundreds of nutcrackers.

Koziar’s Christmas Village, Pennsylvania

In the town of Bernsville in Pennsylvania, a family began decorating their house and yard in 1948 so much that it became known as the “Christmas House,” and now it’s transformed into the incredibly elaborate Koziar’s Christmas Village.

Clifton Mill, Ohio

More than four million lights decorate the historic Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio, which includes a Santa Claus museum and a light show synchronized to music over a covered bridge.

Austin Trail of Lights, Texas

Austin decorates its Zilker Park with more than two million lights for the holidays as part of the Austin Trail of Lights, and the drive-through route is so bright it’s practically visible from outer space.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Drive through Celebration in the Oaks at New Orleans’ City Park and see historic oak trees covered in over a million twinkling lights.

Zoo Light Displays

Indianapolis Zoo

The Indianapolis Zoo’s holiday festival Christmas at the Zoo goes back to 1967, and besides twinkling lights, there’s “Santa’s Barn” with reindeer and a chance to meet and greet with penguins.

San Diego Zoo

Often ranked one of the best zoos in the world, the San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells holiday display brings in a Twinkle Light Trolley to explore lit-up animal habitats, including a Northern Frontiers Holiday Forest.

Cincinnati Zoo

For Cincinnati Zoo’s PNC Festival of Lights, five million LED lights are strung up around the zoo, along with a light show on Swan Lake and strategically-placed oversize animal lanterns. 

St. Louis Zoo

St. Louis’s historic zoo established in 1910 gets dressed up for the holidays during the St. Louis Zoo’s U.S. Bank Wild Lights festival, featuring animal-themed light displays and a chance to go in the zoo’s Sea Lion Sound Tunnel.

Dallas Zoo 

Drive through a mile-long route of holiday lights at Dallas Zoo Lights, including high-tech projection mapping and a holiday village to explore at the end of the ride.

Botanical Gardens

Descano Gardens

In Los Angeles, take a one-mile walk through Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted Forest of Light display, featuring dramatic lighting in an ancient forest and stained glass creations from sculptor Tom Fruin.

Longwood Gardens

This botanical garden near Philadelphia is one of the most famous in the U.S., and for Longwood Christmas, find half a million twinkling lights, illuminated treehouses, and a colorful fountain display.

ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden 

New Mexico’s largest walk-through light show is the ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden’s River of Lights, with more than 800 holiday displays.

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Illuminated sculptures light up the night at Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, including a Glowing Grove along the garden’s flower walk. 

The Morton Arboretum  

Each year, 50 acres of tree groves are awash in color during Illumination: Tree Lights at The Morton Arboretum near Chicago, with s’mores stops along the walking route.

Amusement Parks and Pop-Ups

Busch Gardens, Virginia

Busch Gardens Williamsburg in Virginia puts up a whopping 10 million lights during the holidays, making the Christmas Town festivities one of the largest light shows in North America.

Hersheypark, Pennsylvania

Naturally, this amusement park has a sweet theme for its light display: Hersheypark. Christmas Candylane boasts more than five million lights and a Santa display with reindeer.

LuminoCity, NYC and D.C.

LuminoCity, an immersive pop-up light show in Freehold, New Jersey and East Meadow, New York, revolves around larger-than-life illuminated sculptures.

Silver Dollar City, Missouri 

Over six million lights illuminate Silver Dollar City’s An Old Time Christmas display In Branson, with a parade every night featuring Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

Disney World, Florida

At the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, rides like Jungle Cruise get a holiday makeover during Disney Very Merriest After Hours and there’s a “magical snowfall” to see on Main Street, U.S.A.

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post The 23 Best Christmas Light Displays in the U.S. appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Through the end of December, Lyft is partnering with DoorDash to give DashPass users up to 50% off four scheduled rides to the airport, with a maximum discount of $25 per ride. To take advantage of this perk, simply link the two accounts to have the discount automatically applied on your next scheduled ride. 

Pro-Tip: Maximize your chance for savings by trying out the Lyft Price Lock feature, which lets you “lock in” lower ride prices during off-peak hours. Although Price Lock can’t be combined with the holiday promotion, a spokesperson at Lyft let us know that “whichever promotion results in a better price for you will be the one applied to your airport ride.”

The post How to Get 50% Off Lyft Rides to the Airport This Holiday appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Monos Metro Duffel

Monos’ Metro Duffel is perfectly sized for weekend trips, daily commutes, or the occasional gym run. The duffel comes with Monos’ genius Metro Kit, part of its trademarked QuickSnap Modular Kit System. This small bag can be used to pack toiletries or other travel essentials that you want to keep separated (but still close by). 

In addition to a roomy interior, the Metro Duffel has a laptop sleeve, inner side pockets (perfect for water bottles or umbrellas), and a built-in suitcase sleeve that converts to an additional pocket as needed. 

Choose from a variety of colors in sleek nylon or stylish vegan leather—both are water-resistant and easy to wipe clean.

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Oxo Rapid Brewer

Do you know someone who takes his coffee seriously? Treat him to the Oxo Rapid Brewer so he can have perfect espressos, lattes, cold brews, or even espresso martinis anywhere he goes. This compact brewing system does not require electricity to make the perfect cup (making it a great choice for camping). 

Simply add ground coffee beans and water and steep for 2-5 minutes. Then, use the pump to extract the coffee through the stainless steel filter to dispense delicious, concentrated coffee that’s ready to drink as is or dilute. Everything but the pump can be washed in the dishwasher when you’re done. 

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Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza Oven

Shopping for someone who won’t stop reminiscing over that incredible pizza they had on a trip to Italy years ago? Help them recreate a taste of the dolce vita at home with Solo Stove’s Pi Prime Pizza Oven. Neapolitan pizza is typically cooked at temperatures higher than home ovens can achieve (ideally around 750°F), which is why you can never create a crust that’s as good at home as it was in a restaurant.

This at-home pizza oven uses propane and a demi-dome design to achieve temperatures over 950°F, giving the crust that perfect amount of char and crunch that you get in an Italian pizzeria. For a truly great gift, opt for the Pi Prime Pizza Oven Essential Bundle, which includes everything you’ll need to create the perfect pie: a Cordierite pizza stone, the Pi Prime Shelter (a cover that protects the oven from the elements), a 12″ bamboo peel, a stainless steel pizza turner, a heat-resistant silicone mat, and a pizza rocker blade to slice up your creation.

The Pi Prime is big enough to cook a pizza, but it’s small enough to be travel-friendly. Weighing just over 30 lbs., this pizza oven can be taken on car camping trips, to vacation rentals, or even to tailgates. 

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MTailor Custom Jeans

Flying in jeans is rarely comfortable, but what if it could be? Treat your favorite fashionable traveler to MTailor’s Custom Jeans, and they won’t want to take their jeans off, even for a long haul. This bespoke clothing company creates jeans tailored to your body at a surprisingly affordable price.

All you have to do is download the app, scan your body, and MTailor will automatically record over 60 measurements to create the perfect fit. Next, choose your color and other details including silhouette and even thread color, and MTailor will handmake your custom jeans. 

The jeans come with a money-back guarantee—if you don’t like the pants, MTailor will remake them or give you a full refund.

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Randolph Archer Sunglasses

Any stylish traveler in your life would be delighted to receive a pair of Randolph’s Archer Sunglasses as a gift. An iconic American brand since 1973, Randolph’s sunglasses are all handmade in the USA. 

Each pair is made with meticulous detail, involving over 200 precise steps of hands-on craftsmanship. The Archer style is named after ballooning pioneer Samuel Archer King, making them a perfect fit for your favorite adventurer. Plus, the polarized lenses are equipped with a trademarked Vector Anti-Reflective & Blue Wave technology that helps reduce glare, even on the water. 

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Todd Snyder Slim Fit Sea Soft Irish Linen Shirt

Linen is one of our favorite travel fabrics—it’s lightweight, breathable, and thermoregulating. Upgrade his travel wardrobe with Todd Snyder’s Slim Fit Sea Soft Irish Linen Shirt. Crafted from Baird McNutt’s renowned washed linen fabric, this shirt is comfortable for even the longest journey. Sourced from one of Ireland’s oldest linen mills, this top will last through many miles. The shirt’s slim fit silhouette and classic button-down design are ultra-versatile, ensuring it will gain a spot in his suitcase on every trip.

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North Drinkware

Commemorate a memorable trip with a whiskey or pint glass from North Drinkware. These hand-blown glasses feature the outlines of famous mountains molded into the bottom.  

Choose from mountains across the United States or Japan—or opt for a generic geometric mountain shape that will remind someone of all their favorite hiking trips. 

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Royce New York Leather Passport Cover

Shopping for a frequent international traveler? Help him travel in style while keeping personal data secure with Royce’s elegant full-grain leather passport case. Built with integrated RFID shielding technology, this handsome accessory safeguards sensitive information without sacrificing sophistication. 

The thoughtfully designed interior features a dedicated passport pocket, a convenient slip pocket, and four card slots for seamless organization. It’s available in multiple colors so that you can pick his favorite. 

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Thermos Icon Food Jar

For anyone who frequently complains about overspending on road trip snacks or grumbles about in-flight meals, the Thermos Icon Food Jar is the perfect solution to enhance their travel experience. This stainless steel jar features Thermos’ signature vacuum insulation technology, keeping food hot for up to 14 hours and cold for up to 24.

You can fill it with soup, pasta, or any dish you desire for a convenient, affordable, healthy travel meal surpassing what you’d find on a plane. (Just remember to avoid packing anything that could be considered a liquid if you’re flying.) Plus, a folding spoon neatly tucks into  Comment end the top, so you’ll always have something to eat with. 

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Icebreaker Tech Lite T-Shirt

Icebreaker’s Tech Lite T-Shirt is the perfect travel shirt. Made of 100 percent merino wool, the Tech Lite is breathable, odor-resistant, and makes an excellent gift for adventure travelers. The offset shoulder seams help reduce friction, a key feature if you plan on carrying a backpack while wearing it. 

We recommend this shirt for everything from long flights to hiking, to trips where you might not be able to do laundry. 

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Snack’d World Sharing Subscription Box

For the foodie traveler, you can’t go wrong with Snack’d World’s Sharing Subscription Box. This tasty treat includes over 20 snacks you’ll only find abroad. The selection covers a variety of countries and cuisines around the globe and includes sweet and savory options, plus two drinks. 

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Apple AirTag

Any traveler would love to receive an Apple AirTag. This tiny little gadget has endless uses when away from home. You can place it in checked luggage (or a carry-on that you’re forced to gate-check), put it in the hotel room safe to automatically remind you to clean it out before you check out, or attach it to your keys and keep track of it with your phone.

A four-pack of AirTags is available on Amazon for less than $100 and makes for great stocking stuffers (or an emergency gift to have on hand).

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Tasc Everywhere Polo

Do you know someone who needs to upgrade his travel wardrobe? Gift him Tasc’s Everywhere Polo. Tasc takes the traditional polo shirt and improves it by adding a bamboo fabric that’s temperature-regulating, anti-odor, and moisture-wicking. 

The self-collar features permanent stays, and river shell buttons add a bit of extra style, making this polo suitable for everything from the golf course to the office.

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The post The Best Travel Gift Ideas for Men appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Eating 12 Grapes

Start the year off on a sweet note by following the Spanish tradition of eating grapes at the stroke of midnight. Known as “The twelve grapes of luck,” revelers must eat one grape for every chime of the clock at twelve on the dot. If you successfully finish all twelve grapes within the minute, you’ll reportedly be rewarded with luck, love, and happiness in the new year.

Make a Wish on Your Suitcase

Hopeful travelers can learn a lot from this tradition that occurs in many Latin American countries, most notably Ecuador, Colombia, and Mexico. Many believe that packing a suitcase with items representing the type of trip you want (like a bikini or hiking boots) and taking it for a walk around the block will bring travel in the coming year.

You might feel a little odd when your neighbors see you taking your suitcase for a walk, but they’ll be totally jealous when you’re on your way to the airport.

Baking a Coin into the Bread

In Greece, New Year’s Eve is celebrated by baking a traditional bread known as Vasilopita that comes with a special surprise: a “sweet coin” baked into the bread (or cake in some cultures). It’s a coin wrapped in tin foil and dropped randomly into the bread; whoever gets the lucky piece will have good luck for the following year. The tradition honors St. Basil, who came up with the idea to bake coins into bread when he knew the poor people of his church would be too proud to accept charity.

Throwing Stuff Out the Window

Heads up! If you plan to spend New Year’s Eve in Italy, you might want to find some cover because Italians like to ring in the new year by chucking dishware, appliances, and sometimes even furniture out the window. But it’s not just a lot of ruckus; the act symbolizes letting go of the past. By hurling unwanted possessions out the window, Italians cast out the old troubles and welcome hope for a new year.

Wearing New Underwear

If you intend to welcome the new year in Brazil, you’ll have to follow a dress code. Brazilians traditionally wear white on New Year’s Eve, but that’s not all. They also believe you should wear brand-new underwear and that the color of the underwear will represent what you wish to attract in the new year—yellow for money, green for health, and red for love.

Breaking Dishes

This tradition is best celebrated in its native countries, as it involves breaking plates against your neighbors’ doors. In countries like Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, throwing dishes against other people’s homes is popular as a sign of good luck and camaraderie. In fact, the more pieces of broken glass you have on your doorstep, the more well-liked you are!

Eating Seven Times

New Year’s Eve in Estonia never ends on an empty stomach. In this small Baltic country, they eat seven times to celebrate the new year. Eating so often is a wish for abundance and strength in the coming year, and seven is one of the country’s lucky numbers.

Dropping Ice Cream on the Floor

If your ice cream falls to the floor in Switzerland, there’s no need to be upset. The Swiss purposefully drop their ice cream on the floor on New Year’s Eve to bring on a year of abundance and (hopefully) more ice cream.

Ringing a Bell 108 Times

In Buddhism, it’s believed that there are 108 earthly desires that cause suffering. At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve in Japan, temple bells will toll 108 times—one for each desire. This ritual is called Joya-no-Kane. It’s all about purification and encouraging a fresh start for the new year.

Everything Is Round

In the Philippines, the new year is celebrated with roundness. Part of the fun of the day is coming up with 12 different round fruits—one for each month of the year. For Filipinos, roundness is a symbol of health and also signifies prosperity and wealth (because coins are also round). Women will often wear polka-dot dresses to add even more roundness to the big day.

Predicting the Future

On New Year’s Eve in Finland, people have a tradition of fortunetelling. They’ll melt small tin horseshoes in a pan and then pour the liquid metal into a bucket of cold water. The tin solidifies instantly when it hits the water, resulting in random shapes. The shapes are then interpreted to predict their future for the coming year.

Hitting the Walls with Bread

In Ireland, bad luck must be driven out of the house before midnight, and the quickest way to get bad spirits out of the house is apparently with a loaf of Christmas bread. The Irish will smack the walls and bang on the doors with bread to chase out the bad and welcome in the good spirits.

The post 12 New Year’s Traditions from Around the World appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Here are some tips to help you navigate an extended stay with relatives this holiday season:

Make Your Bed More Comfortable 

Relegated to a futon, air mattress, or pull-out couch during your visit? There are a few things you can do to make your sleeping arrangement more comfortable. Air mattresses get colder than real beds (the air inside cools overnight, making you chilly). Pad it with extra blankets, or use a sleep sack, which is easy to pack and provides a ton of warmth.

If possible, move the air mattress up against the wall so your pillows don’t fall off while you sleep. Also, put a blanket or a yoga mat underneath the mattress to make it less noisy when you move around. Packing an inflatable sleeping pad is an easy solution to make futons or rock-hard mattresses more comfortable.

Even if you’re staying in a great guest room, most normal bedrooms don’t come with blackout curtains like those you’ll find at hotels, so be sure to pack an eye mask that will block out light to help you sleep past dawn.

Earplugs are also essential if you’re a light sleeper (or just go to bed earlier/get up later than other people in the house). We recommend Earpeace, earplugs that are specially designed for sleeping. Or bring a travel-sized white noise machine if you really want to drown out the world.

Don’t Forget to Breathe

Getting stressed? Take a deep breath to help relax. If you’re staying in an environment you’re not used to (for example, sharing a house with smokers or pets when you’re allergic), bring a tiny travel air purifier for your room. This can make a big difference and help you breathe easier.

Get Some Quiet Time

Spending time with other people 24/7 can be challenging. But you’ll be a better guest and family member if you take some solo time to decompress each day. Take a walk, or excuse yourself to take a nap and use the time to sleep or read. If you’re coming home to a deadline-driven family, you could appear busy while carving out alone time by offering to run errands by yourself.

Stay Charged and Connected

If a big group is staying at your family’s house, the Wi-Fi may get overwhelmed quickly. If it’s important to stay online, bring along a Wi-Fi hotspot to avoid the frustration of slow internet. A travel-sized power strip can also save the day if everyone is fighting over one outlet to charge gadgets.

Work Out

There’s a reason the Thanksgiving Turkey Trot is so popular. Whether you head out in the morning for a quick run or get a day pass to a local gym, working out can give you an excuse to leave the house for a bit. Exercise is also a proven stress reducer and mood enhancer and will make you feel less guilty about eating home-cooked food.

Don’t Dominate the Bathroom

Chances are, you won’t have a private bathroom while staying with family, so don’t leave your toiletries scattered all over the sink and shower. This innovative bag is a great solution, as it lets you lay out all your toiletries on a flat surface to use; when you’re done, simply fold it up and take it back to your room.

Be Your Own Climate Control

Unlike at a hotel, you don’t get control over the thermostat when staying with family. If you know the house will be cold, pack extra layers. In shoe-free houses, travel slippers can keep you comfortable. 

House too hot? A portable fan can be a lifesaver, and also act as a white noise machine at night.

Pack Modest Pajamas and a Robe

You probably don’t think twice about what you pack for sleepwear at a hotel, but you might want something a little more modest if you’re staying in someone’s home. Don’t forget to pack pajamas and a robe you won’t be embarrassed to be seen in for those middle-of-the-night bathroom trips.

Offer to Grocery Shop, Cook, or Buy Dinner

Try to make your visit as easy on the host as possible. Just because it’s your family doesn’t mean they’re responsible for cleaning up after you and cooking every meal. Show up with a restaurant gift card to let them know a few meals are on you, or offer to go grocery shopping and cook for everyone while you’re there.

Be Appreciative

Your presence is not your present. Make sure to show appreciation to your host for putting you up. A thank you note or gift is always a nice gesture.

Some good host gift ideas include a bottle of wine and a wine chiller, a gift basket full of tasty treats, an easy-to-care-for plant, or a framed family photo.

Caroline Morse Teel is a Managing Editor at SmarterTravel. Follow her on Instagram @TravelWithCaroline for photos from around the world. 

All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

The post 10 Strategies to Survive Staying with Family Over the Holidays appeared first on SmarterTravel.

Dragsholm Castle

Built in 1200, the Dragsholm Castle is not only one of the oldest castles in Denmark, it is also the home to many of the longest-staying guests. Though there isn’t an exact number of spirited figures who still roam the grounds—some believe the number to be in the hundreds—there are three who make a particular impression: the Grey Lady, the White Lady, and the Earl of Bothwell.

Visitors may encounter the Grey Lady in their rooms at night, because even in her death, this grateful spirit still keeps a close eye on the castle grounds to make sure things are in order. When the Grey Lady was alive, she was believed to be a worker who suffered from a horrible toothache, which was cured by someone in the castle. She has been repaying the kind deed ever since.

The White Lady’s tale is by far more tragic, and begins with the discovery, during a renovation in the early 20th century, of a young girl’s skeleton in a white dress hidden within a wall. Legend has it that these bones once belonged to the daughter of the castle’s former owner. She fell madly in love with a commonplace worker, and when her father learned of the affair he had her locked within a room in the castle, never to see the light of day again. Her young spirit has been seen roaming the halls at night, perchance searching for her lost love.

The Earl of Bothwell, James Hepburn, a consort to Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for murder in the Dragsholm Castle cellars, where he eventually went mad and died in 1578. Visitors can see the same pillar where the Earl was once chained, and if they’re lucky, they may even catch a glimpse of the Earl riding into the courtyard with a horse and carriage. Some visitors have even claimed to hear the sound of horses when there’s nothing there.

Today, Dragsholm Castle is a hotel, restaurant, and a museum. Rooms start around $226 USD per night, and include breakfast. The hotel also offers guided tours exploring the castle’s 800-year history.

Lizzie Borden Bed and Breakfast

You may have heard of Lizzie Borden from the playground rhyme, “Lizzie Borden took an axe/ And gave her mother 40 whacks/ When she saw what she had done/ She gave her father 41.” However, the mystery surrounding the murders of Andrew and Abby Borden is much more complicated than a simple child’s game.

For instance, Lizzie was never found guilty for the slaying of her father and stepmother, and to this day, the case remains unsolved. Come decide for yourself what actually happened on the morning of August 4, 1892, by staying in the house in Fall River, Massachusetts, where it all took place. Choose from six rooms, including the one where Abby Borden’s body was discovered. Retrace the gruesome events by starting your morning with a breakfast reminiscent of the ones the Bordens ate as their last meal.

You may even encounter the restless spirit of Lizzie herself. Some who have stayed here have heard giggling. Others claim to feel a chill in certain spots of the house. And, those who snap photos seem to always catch an orb or possibly the faint outline of a face.

Rooms are typically in the $250 to $315 range per night, with prices known to spike during high season. However, if you’d like to learn more about the infamous murders without spending the night, you can tour the property during daylight hours for $30.

Fairmont Banff Springs

The Fairmont Banff Springs, “Canada’s Castle in the Rockies,” has seen many prestigious guests since it first opened its doors more than 120 years ago. In fact, some liked the place so well that they never left.

This is the case with Sam the Bellman, who worked at the hotel for many years. Before his death, Sam joked that he would return to the hotel he held so dearly in the afterlife. Many guests will attest that Sam kept his word.

The first sighting was by two elderly ladies who couldn’t get the key to work in their room door. Feeling uneasy because of the late hour and darkened corridor, they called the front desk for assistance and were told to wait for the bellman. However, when the bellman arrived, the ladies were already safely in their room. When asked how they managed that, they stated that the gray-haired bellman had appeared moments after they called and opened the door for them. The young bellman was bewildered since no one matching that description worked at the hotel. Since that time, the elderly bellhop with a Scottish brogue has been assisting guests and keeping a watchful eye on his hotel.

Visitors may also encounter the spirit of a young bride. Close to the time of the hotel’s grand opening in the 1930s, a groom waited in the library at the top of a candlelit, winding, limestone staircase for his true love to ascend. As she made her way up the stairs, her hem of her dress brushed against one of the candle’s flames and caused her to jump back, which sent her tumbling to her death. Guests claim to occasionally see her, still dressed in her white lace gown, dancing her wedding waltz alone, without her love.

Rooms start at roughly $400 per night, with many in the $500-$600 range, but there are plenty of package deals available to keep your heart from racing.

The Stanley Hotel

Built in the early 1900s, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, has hosted many guests, including the master of horror, Stephen King. While staying in room 217, King was inspired to write The Shining, about a grand hotel in the Rocky Mountains that possesses its guests. Though most of King’s inspiration came from his own twisted imagination, the Stanley is home to a few spirits.

The most notable ghost is the original owner, F.O. Stanley, who has been spotted in the lobby and the billiard room. His wife, Flora, who once entertained guests with her skillful piano playing in the ballroom, still plays to this day. Hotel staff have heard music coming from that room, and have even seen the piano keys moving—though the music stops abruptly once they enter.

The greatest activity, however, is said to take place on the fourth floor, especially in room 418. When the room is empty, strange noises emanate from behind the doors. Guests often report hearing children’s laughter in the hallway at night. The staff has even seen an imprint on the bed, although no one had been sleeping there.

Rooms start at around $250 per night. If you really want to get your supernatural feet wet, book the spirited Night Tour during your stay. For just $30 per person, explore the haunted history of this grand hotel under the cover of darkness.

Gosforth Hall Inn

Built in 1658 by Robert Copley, who was suspected of being a Roman Catholic at a time when that meant death, the Gosforth Hall Inn has long been a sanctuary for lost souls. The inn may not publicly advertise its uninvited guests, but the owners are happy to share their experiences if asked.

And there’s plenty to talk about. Some guests have seen curtains billow in a room with no wind, felt the playful presence of a child, and even met apparitions in their rooms at night.

Room 11 is not only the biggest room at the inn, but it’s also the most popular for otherworldly sightings. The room has what people believe to be a priest’s hole (a hiding place for priests during the Roman Catholic persecution). At night, guests have woken to see a man dressed as a monk or friar, sitting next to the hole. Another guest once encountered a little old lady wearing an off-white dress and hair pulled back into a bun floating above the floor by the window, who vanished the moment the guest spoke.

There’s also the tale that Copley built the upper stories from the timbers of ship wrecks found along the Irish coast. The story goes that the timbers groan in anguish for the men whose final moments were spent clinging to their sturdy wood before the sea claimed their lives. Visitors who listen carefully just might hear a few final pleas for help.

Basic rooms start at £110 (about $122 U.S.; check XE.com for current exchange rates) per night, and include breakfast.

The Marshall House

Savannah has a reputation as one of the most haunted cities in the U.S., so it’s only fitting its first hotel would be a premier gathering place for restless souls. Built in 1851, the Marshall House has accommodated yellow fever victims, and was once used as a Union clinic for wounded soldiers during the Civil War.

In the 1960s, the amputated bones of patients were unearthed while renovating the hotel, and hotel guests have been reporting stories of creepy encounters ever since. For instance, some guests wake to the feeling of someone holding their wrist, much in the same way nurses would take a pulse. Others have felt the presence of a little girl rumored to be searching for her father who died in one of the rooms.

Rooms start around $230 for weekday stays during high season. If you’d rather hear the stories than experience them first-hand, you can always schedule a haunted walking tour for $29. You’ll stop at many of Savannah’s eerie establishments, including the Marshall House.

Villa di Corliano

Recognized as one of the most prestigious Renaissance villas in Tuscany, Villa di Corliano‘s luxury and grandeur is more than enough reason to never leave—even after the body has given up the ghost. Built in the 15th century, the building’s exterior is decorated in graffiti typical of the Florentine Mannerist Art and dating back to the 1500s.

The villa has been home to and welcomed many prestigious guests throughout its time. In fact, it is one such person that is thought to remain on the grounds to this day.

By the light of a full moon, guests have encountered a noblewoman, known as the “White Ghost,” lurking in their rooms. Some local peasants even claimed once to see her in the drive of the park leading a six-horse coach, where she stopped at the Ragnaia, or “Cobweb Corner,” to stare longingly at the villa which they believed was once her home. Known also as a good-natured spirit, she is also responsible for moving tapestries and rearranging ornaments, and a slamming door or mysteriously opened window is considered her handiwork. Occasionally the underground passageways beneath the wine cellar ring with giggling or the sound of footsteps. There is also the account of one night when the hall was filled with the thunderous sound of the crystal chandelier crashing to the floor, but when the chandelier was found, it was right where it should be without one crystal out of place.

So, who is the “White Ghost?” Speculative fingers point to the direction of Maria Teresa Scolastica Ottavia della Seta Gaetani Bocca who was married at the villa in 1755, but there is very little to support that claim. For now, her identity remains as mysterious as her presence in the villa.

Rooms start at €85-$140 (about $95-$156 U.S.; check XE.com for current exchange rates) per night, and include breakfast.

The Admiral Fell Inn

With a history dating back to the 1700s, the Admiral Fell Inn once served as a safe haven for sailors while their ships called at Baltimore. The historic hotel still maintains the same home-away-from-home appeal for all travelers today, whether they have a pulse or not.

One of the more notable supernatural occurrences happened during Hurricane Isabel in 2003, when the hotel was evacuated except for a few managers. During the night, merriment and dancing could be heard above the lobby, but the only breathing people in the hotel were on the ground floor. The next night, the noises became so loud that the floor actually vibrated.

Rooms start in the $150-$200 range, but if you dare not spend the night, you can embark on a Fells Point Ghost Tour to see what other apparitions are hiding in this seaside town.

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The experts at Google Flights examined historical data for holiday flights over the last four years to determine the optimal time to buy tickets. 

When Should You Buy Flights for Thanksgiving?

According to Google Flights, you should buy Thanksgiving flights in early October. For domestic trips around Thanksgiving, prices have historically been the lowest 45 days before departure, with the cheapest deals around 26-59 days before the holiday. 

When Should You Buy Flights for Christmas?

You’ll want to buy your Christmas flights a bit earlier, as Google Flights found that domestic flights around the holiday have been the cheapest 58 days before departure. The low price range for Christmas travel is 36-72 days out, so you’ll want to lock in your flights before the end of October. 

What is the Best Day of the Week to Book Flights?

If you see a good flight deal, grab it—don’t wait until Tuesday to book it because you’ve heard that’s the best day of the week to purchase flights. Whether you’re buying tickets for the holidays or just for vacation, there’s “not much benefit to buying your tickets on a certain day of the week,” say Google Flights experts. 

Although Tuesday has historically been the cheapest day to book flights, it’s only 1.3 percent cheaper on average than Sunday, the most expensive day to buy travel.

However, the day of the week that you travel on does impact the price of your ticket—during non-holiday periods, you’ll save money by flying on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, which have been 13 percent cheaper than flying on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. With Thanksgiving always on a Thursday and Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, this trend doesn’t apply to holiday travel.

The Best and Worst Days of the Week to Fly During the Holidays 

If you can be flexible with your holiday travel, try to avoid flying over these dates when travel booking site Hopper predicts that flights will be more expensive and airports are at their most crowded. 

“Departing the week before Thanksgiving or on the Monday ahead of the holiday will save travelers the most,” says Hayley Berg, lead economist at Hopper. “Savvy travelers will save 23 percent or about $60 per ticket by departing on the Thursday before Thanksgiving (11/21) or the Monday of Thanksgiving week (11/25) instead of taking a weekend flight.”

The Best Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

1. Thursday, November 21
2. Monday, November 25
3. Thursday, November 28

The Worst Days to Fly for Thanksgiving

1. Sunday, December 1
2. Saturday, November 30
3. Monday, December 2
4. Wednesday, November 27
5. Saturday, November 23

Berg advises holding off until October to book Christmas flights. According to Hopper, ticket prices for domestic trips are currently averaging $406 per ticket, up four percent from this time last year. However, fares are expected to fall by about $80 until they reach their lowest point in October.

“Departing the week before Christmas or on Christmas Eve or Day will save travelers the most,” says Berg. “Savvy travelers will save 26% or about $100 per ticket by departing on Christmas Eve instead of taking a flight the weekend before the holiday.”

The Best Days to Fly for Christmas

1. Tuesday, December 31
2. Tuesday, December 17
3. Tuesday, December 24

The Worst Days to Fly for Christmas

1. Saturday, December 21
2. Friday, December 20
3. Sunday, December 22
4. Saturday, December 28
5. Friday, December 27
6. Sunday, December 29

The post When Should You Book Your Holiday Flights for 2024? appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The Best Mother-Daughter Trips

By the time your mom or her mom reaches her golden years, you really start to appreciate the chance to travel together, because it’s easier to recognize the moments passing. Though there may be some comical generational differences in travel style, there’s no better way for women young and old to bond than traveling together on a mother-daughter trip.

Here are some of the best mother-daughter vacations to delight moms and daughters of all ages, no matter when you travel together.

Jolly Trolleys and Golden Gates: San Francisco, California

Everyone should see the magnificent Golden Gate Bridge at least once, and a mother-daughter trip to San Francisco is the perfect excuse for doing so. Bike or walk across the bridge to get out of the fog, and have lunch with a view in the whimsical town of Sausalito.

Pair a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour with a CityPASS, which includes admission to some of the most popular Bay Area attractions, like the California Academy of Sciences and the Aquarium of the Bay, and the option to add on a cable car pass.

While roaming around Pier 39, have a bread bowl of clam chowder at Boudin Bakery, made with San Francisco’s famous sourdough bread—you won’t regret it. Nor will you regret the decadent chocolate sundae you’ll have at Ghirardelli Square after.

Where to stay: Book a room at Hotel Zoe Fisherman’s Wharf for a memorable stay central to the city’s most famous attractions.

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Vinos and Velos: Cycling from Dijon to Beaune, France

For an active vacation paired with exquisite wine and a whole lot of grandeur, try a mother-daughter bicycle tour through the Burgundy region. Explore the French countryside at your own pace while stopping along the way to taste a sampling of France’s finest fermented grapes.

Start in the historical town of Dijon at the Place de la Liberation. Pedal past rolling vineyard hills and storybook chateaus on your way to the charming town of Nuit-Saint-Georges. Take a break while you’re there to appreciate a taste (or two) of the region’s Premier Cru red wines, made from Pinot Noir grapes, and go truffle hunting at one of the local farms.

End your bike tour in the fairy tale town of Beaune. Its main square has been hosting an unmissable Saturday market since the early 13th century.

Where to Stay: Kick off your stay at La Cour Berbisey, a hotel built inside a 17th-century building in the heart of Dijon. After you’ve had your fill of biking, end your journey at Abbaye De Maizieres, a 12th-century cistercian Abbey converted into a boutique hotel.

Sipping, Sampling, and Shopping: Denver, Colorado

With so much to offer, it’s no wonder Denver is becoming such a popular destination for mother-daughter trips. If you want to shop, dine, partake in a libations tour, take in the arts, or do all of the above, you can do it in Denver.

The city’s most popular area for strolling and shopping is the neighborhood around 16th Street Mall and Larimer Square. You can dine your way around Denver with stops at Rioja, Tamayo, Avanti, and North Italia, and then drink your way around on a boozy tour. There are plenty of guided tasting tours that will take you to places like Laws Whiskey, The Infinite Monkey Theorem Urban Winery, Colorado Cider Company, and Denver Beer Company.

Where to stay: At the MOXY Denver Cherry Creek, you’ll enjoy a fun and modern stay. The space encourages guest interaction with a full bar and an impressive assortment of lobby games, from shuffleboard to Hungry Hungry Hippos.

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Relax and Rosé All Day: Calistoga, California

While Napa may get all of the shout-outs, the best place to stay in California wine country is Calistoga. It sits at the base of Mount Saint Helena, about 25 miles northwest of the town of Napa. In Calistoga, you can do all of the iconic things mothers and daughters daydream of doing on a mother-daughter trip, like getting daily spa treatments and drinking Rosé all day.

Volcanic ash, mud, and mineral baths are the specialty spa treatment of this town. What better way to celebrate the unique bond between a mother and daughter than taking a mud bath? You can also get a proper massage treatment at Calistoga Spa and Hot Springs and the recently renovated Calistoga Motor Lodge and Spa. Basically, you can walk from one end of town to the other in spa flip-flops, getting one treatment after another, and no one would blink an eye.

Take off your shoes and get stomping at Grgich Hills Estate, which offers daily grape stomping during the harvest season. Go for a royal tour and wine tasting at the Castello di Amorosa, a medieval-inspired Tuscan castle that features barrel-tasting and a torture chamber. No trip to Napa would be complete without taking a ride on the famous Napa Valley Wine Train. Book the Vista Dome for one of the most memorable meals you’ll ever have. The three-hour journey includes a gourmet meal and wine, of course.

Where to stay: You’ll find a stay at Dr. Wilkinson’s Hot Springs Resort to be reasonably priced and wonderfully retro.

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Shamrocks and Smiles: Road Tripping Around Ireland

Haven’t you always wanted to take a mother-daughter trip to Ireland? Want to kiss the Blarney Stone, drive the Ring of Kerry, or perhaps behold some sheep roaming lush green hills of the countryside? Take a road trip from Dublin that passes through Cork, Killarney, Dingle, and Galway, and you’ll delight in exploring these sights.

Visit the nearby town of Kinsale and take the easy hike to Charles Fort. Spend a day in Killarney National Park, and make time to visit the historic sites of Dingle before heading to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway, which is known for its traditional pubs and live Irish folk music.

Where to stay: Stop by the Hayfield Manor in Cork for a quintessentially Irish stay, complete with gourmet dining and afternoon tea service.

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All of the products featured in this story were hand-selected by our travel editors. Some of the links featured in this story are affiliate links, and SmarterTravel may collect a commission (at no cost to you) if you shop through them. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Melissa McGibbon’s travel accomplishments include circumnavigating the globe on a ship, having dinner at Fidel Castro’s house in Havana, skiing steep chutes in Canada, and downhill mountain biking in Peru. Follow her on Twitter @mcmliss.

Editor’s note: This story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated to reflect the most current information.

The post 5 Incredible Mother-Daughter Trips You’ll Always Treasure appeared first on SmarterTravel.

The animal officers are highly trained but also very cute, so get your free calendar now. The calendar can be downloaded and printed directly from the TSA’s website. The calendar features photos and fun facts about 15 working dogs. 

This year’s calendar cover model is the 2023 Cutest Canine Contest winner, Dina, a 3-year-old German Shorthaired who works at at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas. According to the calendar, “Dina is an attention-seeking dog at her core. Her favorite places include anywhere in the sun.”

The calendar features reminders for federal holidays, non-traditional holidays (like “take your dog to work day”), and birthdays of each canine officer pictured.

Hints from the TSA are scattered throughout as well, such as “Traveling for spring break? Pack any sunscreen over 3.4 ounces in your checked baggage,” which is helpfully marked on March 9. 

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