Thanks to a 1910 Act of Congress, the height of buildings in Washington, DC, is heavily regulated. As a result, the district’s skyline is low and sprawling, with broad avenues, green open spaces and public squares – all thanks to the baroque city design adopted by George Washington’s prized urban planner, Pierre L’Enfant.

From the right rooftop, expect sweeping views of the Washington Monument, the Potomac River, the US Capitol and, yes, even the White House. Here are eight of the best rooftop bars in Washington, DC, for a bird’s-eye view of the city below.

Terrazza

Washington, DC’s southwestern Wharf development offers many Instagrammable views, and the rooftop at Officina is no exception. Part of the three-level Italian culinary venue from Michelin-starred Masseria chef Nicholas Stefanelli, Terrazza presents a series of picture-perfect moments: planes landing and taking off in the skies above Reagan National Airport, and yachts sailing along the Washington Channel.

In the winter, the rooftop transforms into a cozy, enclosed winter wonderland with flannel blankets, fire pits and creative hot cocktails like A Toddy A Day, made with bourbon, Amaro, honey-ginger, lemon and alpine whipped cream.

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Colada Shop

Transport yourself directly to the charming streets of old-town Havana with a visit to Colada Shop, the Cuban hotspot situated just off DC’s bustling 14th St corridor. Vibrant interiors match the menu’s flavorful offerings of strong coffees and light snacks such as empanadas, pastelitos (pastries), croquetas (croquettes) and Cuban sandwiches.

Its main draw, however, is the year-round rooftop garden with colorful seating and flower-filled planters hanging off its pastel green accent wall. Listen to Caribbean beats while indulging on $9 house cocktails at Havana Nights, the shop's all-night happy hour every Thursday from 4:00pm until close.

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Wild Days

Located atop the Eaton DC, one of The District's most progressive hotels, Wild Days is one of the few rooftop bars offering uninhibited views of K St in Downtown DC. Throughout the week, the space plays host to a variety of musical events – from DJ sets to jazz performances to live music shows – and stand-up comedy shows. Turn up on a Friday or Saturday night and find the indoor area transformed into a large dance floor with a chicly dressed crowd dancing the night away.

There are handcrafted cocktails, a beer list featuring local brews, plus inventive fare like an outdoor-only s'mores experience.

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Top of the Yard

For a free bird’s-eye view of a live Washington Nationals baseball game, head to Top of the Yard, the casual Navy Yard bar on the rooftop of the Hampton Inn & Suites. There are baseball-themed cocktails like a Triple Play margarita or a Ball Park Palmer with Jack Daniels Tennessee honey whiskey, honey, lemonade, iced tea and mint. And that’s not all. Fans of ballpark food will be thrilled with the snacks: choose from burgers, soft pretzels, nachos, cheese sticks, Old Bay wings and hot dogs.

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Summit

One of the latest rooftop bars to open in The District, Summit sits on the 11th floor of the sophisticated Conrad Washington, DC. This swanky outdoor bar offers monumental views of the US Capitol building and Downtown DC, making it one of the best vantage points in the city for Fourth of July fireworks. Sip on drinks ranging from a classic old-fashioned or margarita to their Aperol spritz on tap.

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Whiskey Charlie

The first rooftop bar to open on the 10th floor of the Wharf's Canopy by Hilton, the Whiskey Charlie gets its name from the call sign “WC” that’s given to boat captains entering the Washington Channel. The most impressive views from the outdoor deck occur at night when the US Capitol Dome shines brightly in the unobstructed distance, or in the spring when the cherry blossoms bloom across the water in East Potomac Park. Get there early in the evening to grab a front-row seat of the enviable nightly sunsets while sipping on nautical-themed cocktails like the refreshing WC Mule made with vodka, ginger beer, Caribbean syrup and lime, or their playful Old Scalawag mixing whiskey, Grand Mariner, orange and walnut bitters.

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Top of the Gate

Located alongside the Potomac River, Top of the Gate offers excellent panoramic views of the Georgetown waterfront and the Washington Monument, as well as the Pentagon across the river. Perched atop the infamous Watergate Hotel, the bar closes during the winter months before reopening in the spring for dining and drinks.

A collection of colorful seasonal cocktails take their inspiration from the epic daily sunset hues over the Potomac – which just so happens to be the best time to stop by one of The District’s most luxe rooftop bars.

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You won’t find Minneapolis highlighted in as many travel guides compared to the uber-famous US cities, but that’s a sore mistake – this city is seriously underrated. With arts, music, global culture, an award-winning restaurant scene, Minneapolis has a magnitude of top-notch activities and attractions that’ll rival anyone’s favorite coastal cities.

With dramatically less of the congested crowds yet all of the same metropolitan energy, it’s no wonder that Minneapolis has remained a hidden gem of the Midwest. While you’re in town, be sure to check off a few of Minneapolis’ top things to do.

Take a stroll across Stone Arch Bridge

An iconic emblem of Minneapolis, Stone Arch Bridge is one of those non-negotiable “must visit” places in the city. This former railroad bridge turned pedestrian haven crosses over the mighty Mississippi River from St. Anthony Main into downtown, with giant archways made from limestone and granite. Here, everyone convenes – spandex-clad cyclists, older folks out for a leisurely stroll, college students – it’s like a little microcosm of the city on one 2,100-foot-long bridge.

Grab a beer at a craft brewery

At this point, craft beer is to Minneapolis as red wine is to Bordeaux. A bold statement, but true: the local brewery scene has rapidly blossomed in the past decade, and it’s only continuing to grow. It’s hard to narrow down all of the glory into one paragraph, but you’ll find breweries in droves in the Northeast neighborhood, which is chock-full of craft beer, dive bars and lots of art. Take your pick between the bright and airy interior of Bauhaus Brew Labs, city-spirited pours at 612Brew or a grand variety of ciders at Sociable Cider Works. Outside of Northeast, just west of downtown, a visit to the Latin-influenced brewery La Doña Cerveceria is also well worth your while.

Visit Minneapolis’ art museums and galleries

Between immersive modern art installations and galleries furnished with antiques that’ll transport you back decades, the art scene in Minneapolis is both broad and full of depth. The Walker Art Center is one of the more well known of the lot, with an impressive selection of contemporary art. Only five minutes southeast by car, the Minneapolis Institute of Art has more than 90,000 works that span 5000 years of history. With cozy interiors and a seemingly endless array of rooms to meander about, it’s pretty unbeatable.

Don’t snooze on the smaller galleries, either. The Northeast Minneapolis Arts District is teeming with artist lofts and open house events, an ideal way to get a feel for the local art scene.

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Walk around the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden wows with some of the most postcard-like views around town, plus the giant Spoonbridge and Cherry sculpture that has become a symbol of the city. It’s what Minneapolis locals would describe as touristy, though well-loved, and with good reason. Amid the garden, you’ll also find a strikingly large blue rooster sculpture, a smattering of funky geometric installations and ample footpaths for perusing the area. Turn it into a full-day arty excursion by popping into the Walker Art Center while you’re there. It’s right next door.

Experience Somali culture and cuisine

Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somali residents in the United States, and you’ll find an abundance of culture and cuisine in the West Bank neighborhood of Minneapolis. Enticingly fragrant dishes – such as rich curries and sambusas – can also be found around within the Midtown Global Market or Karmel Mall, both indoor marketplaces with myriad vendors. Further south on Lake Street, the Somali Museum of Minnesota holds a gallery of nomadic artifacts from Somalia, community events and immersive educational experiences.

Go camping

One thing that sets Minneapolis apart from other US cities is, quite simply, that it’s a lot easier to take a break from. With pristine nature both within and just outside of the city, it’s a breeze to pack up a tent, say “catch you tomorrow” and roam off into the (surprisingly close) wilderness for a night. With both the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers at your doorstep, plus a mind-boggling amount of lakes, you can find campsites less than an hour’s drive away – some even as close as 20 to 30 minutes. Snag a tent and some camp supplies to kick it old school or rent a fully outfitted campervan from a locally based rental company like Voyager Campervans. The city’s energetic buzz will await your return.

Hang out by lakes, rivers and waterfalls

Lakes are a lifestyle around Minneapolis, and locals make the most of them in every single season, even when it means wearing four different layers to stay toasty. Regardless when you visit Minneapolis, its lakes and waterways are central to experiencing all that the city has to offer.

In the summer, everyone flocks to the freshwater beaches, hopping on kayaks and stand-up paddleboards to revel in the summer sunshine. The Mississippi River comes alive with activity, inviting people to hike and bike along the shores. Few things compare to an autumnal stroll around Bde Maka Ska or Lake Harriet, two of the city’s most popular lakes. When winter blankets the scene, a visit to the frozen version of Minnehaha Falls is a perfect reason to bundle up and roam around.

Get fancy with fine dining

Beyond a wildly high volume of cheese curds and Minnesota’s classic hotdish, Minneapolis is home to a thriving fine-dining scene. James Beard Award-winning classics like French-inspired Spoon & Stable and Young Joni, a woodfire pizza staple, have drawn much-deserved attention to Minneapolis’ dining scene. Sumptuous, candlelit restaurants and strikingly minimalist architecture only add to the experience. To dine out in Minneapolis is much more than consuming food alone.

Snag tickets to see live music or theater

As the birthplace of the legendary Prince, Minneapolis has earned a reputation for having a solid local music scene. It only makes sense. Catch a show at First Avenue & 7th Street Entry –the city’s most famous venue – Skyway Theater or The Armory, all of which are downtown and popping on the weekends. You’ll encounter plenty of big names visiting year round, alongside up-and-coming local performers. Theater buffs should head to the Guthrie Theater, a futuristic-looking performance venue right on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Hit the town after sunset

You might not expect it before visiting, but Minneapolis’ nightlife scene is like the gift that keeps on giving – and no, that’s not only alluding to hangovers. During the warmer months, plentiful rooftop bars reveal sparkling views of the city’s skyline, the ideal place to kick off a Friday or Saturday night. Post sunset, socialites can choose between loungey speakeasy-type bars, rowdy clubs, gritty dive bars, live music joints and a lot more. It all shuts down around 2am, but post-bar house party culture is bountiful around here, if you make some friends and are feeling particularly rowdy.

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Craggy cliffs cut by rivers, filled with old-growth forests, and flowing with waterfalls. These are the Catskills : a wild refuge two hours north of New York city where urbanites escape the hustle-bustle to explore the sublime.

The rolling plateaus of the Catskills offer a dynamic line-up of trails fit for all levels of hikers. Snap pictures of the state's tallest cataracts, try your luck on the East Coast's most daunting paths or glide along paved roads to see why millions of travelers fall in love with this region every year.

Sam's Point Area

Best hike for diverse landscapes
7.4 miles round trip, 4-5 hours, moderate

Sam's Point is the over-achiever of Catskills trails: instead of one jaw-dropping destination, it has three. The first of these spots is the area's eponymous lookout, located less than a mile from the parking lot. After climbing a steady paved path, step onto the flat, bald-faced ledge to see the Shawangunk Ridge and Wallkill Valley unfurling below.

Continue onward through a scrubby forest of huckleberry and pitch pine trees until you reach the ice caves – a series of chilly crevices where snow lingers well into July. Wood planks and ladders clearly mark the loop trail as it winds through the rocks. The caves may be impassible if you visit between late autumn and early spring; check at the visitor's center before beginning your hike.

To reach the third site, backtrack to signs for Verkeerderkill Falls – a 187-foot cascade that roars most impressively in spring and early summer. A sign along the trail exclaims "This is one of Earth's last great places" – a bold statement you'll have trouble refuting.

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Kaaterskill Falls

Best waterfall hike
1.6 miles round trip, 1-2 hours, easy to difficult

Kaaterskill Falls isn't only one of New York's tallest cascades – it's also one of the most famous. Thomas Cole, founder of the Hudson River School, replicated the site in his romantic 19th-century landscapes. Washington Irving featured the "sheet of feathery foam" in Rip Van Winkle, his legendary tale from 1819. Today, everyone from plein air painters to camera-happy hikers captures the two-tiered, 260-foot waterfall as a work of art, enticing an estimated 100,000 people a year to follow in their footsteps.

A series of forested trails starting at Laurel House Road give hikers the option to choose their own adventure. For a quick, family-friendly stroll, head to the upper falls observation deck and wait in the steady stream of visitors waiting to pose for photos. To see both cataracts, take the strenuous 200-stair descent to the lower fall's base. From here, scramble over river rocks until you find a sturdy platform to admire the scenery.

On hot summer days, daring swimmers cool off in the refreshing watering hole below the upper falls. In winter, skip the icy downward climb and stick to the observation deck to see the frosted landscape from above. You'll likely encounter large crowds during autumn's leaf-peeping season – a price worth paying to see such natural beauty.

Bonticou Crag

Best hike for beginner-level rock climbing
2.3 miles round trip, 2 hours, difficult

Mohonk Preserve, located on the southeastern edge of the Catskills, covers over 8,000 acres and contains nearly 70 miles of trails. Choosing the proper hike can be a challenge, though not nearly as challenging as the trail to Bonticou Crag.

Don't be fooled by the trail's unassuming start. Meadows filled with eye-high grasses lead to a gravel road winding through peaceful woodlands. It isn't until you reach the Bonticou Ascent Path, marked in yellow, that the difficulty level dramatically increases. Here, the cliffside shoots above the treeline, and hikers must climb a short but intense rock pile to reach the top.

Brave hikers reap big rewards: the white quartz-and-sandstone summit offers 360-degree views of the region. Sit back on one of the ledges and refuel with a light snack before starting the descent. Luckily, you don't have to go down the way you came. Follow yellow arrows near the climbing area to walk down the mountain's backside. If this quick loop is still too easy, tack on a few extra miles by hiking to Table Rocks, a tranquil cliffside outcropping that doesn't require climbing.

Overlook Mountain

Best hike for panoramic views
4.6 miles round trip, 3 hours, moderate

The steep gravel road used to scale Overlook Mountain might not be the bucolic footpath of a John Muir daydream, but this hike above the town of Woodstock isn't entirely about the journey – it's about the destination. From the 3,140-foot summit, hikers can spot the Ashokan Reservoir glistening to the south and Hudson River Valley unfolding eastward. If the sights from here aren't grand enough, scale the 60-foot fire tower to change your point of view.

Before the hike begins, check out Karma Triyana Dharmachakra, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery where strings of colorful prayer flags flap in the wind. As you continue along the path, it's impossible to miss the ruins of a century-old hotel that welcomed guests from the early 1800s through the early 1900s. In 1940, the property was sold to New York State following a plague of slow business, fires, and shoddy reconstruction. While you're not likely to find ghosts from the hotel's heyday rustling among the abandoned rooms, do stay vigilant for signs of timber rattlesnakes, which occasionally slither along the trail.

Ashokan Reservoir Promenade

Best ADA-approved hike
5.4 miles round trip, 2 hours, easy

You don't have to climb the Catskill Mountains to marvel at their magnificence. This is particularly true along the wheelchair-accessible Ashokan Reservoir Promenade – a flat, paved trail hugging the water's southern shoreline as it stretches from Slide Mountain to Esopus Creek.

Although it may seem like a natural part of the landscape, this lake did not exist until the early 1900s. As New York City's population began booming, lawmakers looked toward the Catskills to find residents an adequate source of clean drinking water. Their solution was building this reservoir – but only after displacing roughly 2,000 people and clearing 10,000 acres of land. The 123-billion-gallon tank now provides Big Apple residents approximately 40% of their daily drinking water in non-drought seasons.

With the water came new kinds of communities. Today, families of trout, salamanders, frogs, and turtles call the Ashokan Watershed their home. Bald eagles nest in the maple and pine forests lining the shore, and white-tailed deer graze among grasses adjacent to the esplanade. Stroll, jog, or roll your way along the path and you'll understand why so many animals covet this century-old real estate. Plan your trip just before dusk to see the sunset’s neon palette reflected in the reservoir.

Devil's Path

Best hike for adventurous backpackers
25 miles from point to point, 2-3 days, very difficult

West Coast climbers familiar with the rugged Rocky Mountains will call most New York trails child's play until they attempt the Devil's Path. With six peaks covering over 14,000 feet in elevation change, this is widely regarded as the East Coast's most challenging through hike.

The arduous path is not for the faint of heart. Daring souls who attempt the trail usually spend three days camping in lean-tos and purifying their water from streams as they backpack along the east-to-west route. Unpredictable weather, rocky scrambles, and run-ins with black bears are par for the course.

But for all its danger, the Devil's Path is undeniably Edenic. For the majority of the trail, hikers will find themselves far enough from civilization to enjoy an abundance of wild waterfalls, thick forests, and spectacular vistas in solitude. If the payoff isn't worth the punishment, consider a day hike along some of its shorter sections, like the 7-mile Indian Head Loop Trail or the path to Plateau Mountain. Devil's Tombstone Campground – a popular site along Notch Lake – offers access near the route's midpoint.

Beer Mountain

Best trail for non-hikers
30 minutes, easy

If you can't commit to a full-fledged hike, consider taste testing the Catskill's natural landscape near the trendy town of Livingston Manor. Upward Brewing Company, a microbrewery favored by local hop heads, serves its suds with a side of hiking. Follow the sign near the chalet-style pub to climb up the property's aptly named Beer Mountain (not to be confused with Bear Mountain State Park).

The path starts with a steep ascent through a calm forest, then follows a rocky road to a meadow framed by rolling hills. It might not pack the same punch as other hikes on this list, but that’s not the point. This quick jaunt is just an excuse to order another beer after tricking nature naysayers into giving the mountains a go.

Tusten Mountain Trail

Best historic hike in the Delaware Valley
3 miles round trip, 1-2 hours, easy to moderate

Cross the rocky Ten Mile River as it ambles toward the mighty Delaware and you'll find yourself at the foot of Tusten Mountain – a gentle slope that climbs nearly 600 feet to a bird's eye view of the Western Catskills. You might spot a few locals from nearby Narrowsburg strolling along the forested path, but you're more likely to see a variety of avian travelers soaring through the canopy. Songbirds flit about at eye-level in spring and autumn, and if you look up, you may catch a turkey vulture or bald eagle surveying the landscape.

While driving along the dirt road leading to the hike, it's possible to make out remnants of early colonial communities. The short-lived Reeves Mill settlement occupied this area in the mid-18th century, followed by the 19th-century Tusten settlement, which set up workshops like a sawmill, gristmill, and quarry to take advantage of the area's natural resources. A historic stone arch bridge made of native bluestone greets hikers at the trailhead.

Tusten is a trail for all seasons, but the surroundings are most splendid in fall, when changing leaves of beech, oak, and maple trees put on a kaleidoscopic art show. For a less strenuous climb, follow the loop trail counterclockwise. Pack a lunch and spread out on one of the river's many flat rocks to enjoy a post-hike picnic.

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Hawaii 's governor David Ige has said that tourists are welcome to travel to the islands from November 1 as the COVID-19 situation continues to improve across the state.

Gov. Ige had previously asked in August that would-be travelers postpone their trip to Hawaii until the latest wave of Delta-driven infections had settled. It was a request, rather than an outright travel ban, to give Hawaii time to recover.

I’m encouraged by the continuing trend of lower case counts of COVID in our islands. Our hospitals are doing better and seeing fewer patients. This gives us the ability to move forward in our economic recovery and safely welcome back fully vaccinated domestic travelers.
— Governor David Ige (@GovHawaii) October 20, 2021

Summer in Hawaii had seen a surge in coronavirus case numbers across the state that overwhelmed the health service and strained resources. But now case numbers are steadily decreasing and Gov. Ige is confident that Hawaii can "move forward in our economic recovery and safely welcome back fully vaccinated domestic travelers".

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But it's not business as usual. Earlier this month, Hawaii extended its statewide COVID-19 emergency order through November 30. The measure, which was introduced in March 2020 as part of efforts to halt the spread of coronavirus, includes continuing capacity limits on restaurants, bars and gatherings, and continuing to require people wear masks in indoor public spaces.

Hawaii, in line with the rest of the United States, is also preparing to welcome fully vaccinated international visitors from November 8. But according to Gov. Ige, some details on the process still need to be ironed out. "We’re continuing to seek information from the federal government about plans for international travel and will have an appropriate plan in place prior to November 8," he confirmed today.

It's worth noting that although things are improving in Hawaii, the situation could change suddenly. Gov. Ige has said that officials will "continue to monitor case counts and hospitalizations in the islands and adjust as needed while prioritizing the health and safety of our residents".

If you're traveling to Hawaii, you'll need to complete the Safe Travels Hawaii form before departure. Under the current rules, you can bypass quarantine if you're coming from the mainland or an approved country and can show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of departure. You'll also need a health pass, such as an official vaccination card, to enter some venues in O'ahu and Maui. Always check the latest public health guidelines before traveling. For more information on COVID-19 measures, see the Hawaii Tourism Authority website.

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Hawaii is ready to welcome travelers once again in November

Just the name Malibu can bring to mind images of endless beaches, deep blue ocean waves, sunny weather and beautiful people. The original Chumash Indian name for the 21 miles of gorgeous coastline west of Los Angeles is Humaliwo (the Hu is silent) which roughly translates to “the surf sounds loudly.” Although there are canyons and hiking trails inland to explore, Malibu is defined by its beaches.

While you could pull off the Pacific Coast Highway nearly anywhere and glimpse the sand and sea, here are the stand-out beaches that make Malibu one of Southern California’s most popular destinations.

Zuma Beach

Best Beach for Families

Zuma looks like the quintessential Southern California beach with an impossibly long stretch of sand, nearly two miles long, dotted with volleyball nets, beach umbrellas and LA’s iconic light blue lifeguard stands. Point Dume, a rocky bluff a little south of the beach, offers a dramatic backdrop to a fun-filled day.

With so much to do in a single stop, Zuma is a convenient choice in Malibu for families. The parking is plentiful (over 2,000 spots in the lot), there are food stands at either end of the beach, picnic tables, restrooms and showers, and even surfboard rentals too. Across the street from the beach is the Trancas Country Market, home to Village Grocers and several shops, most notably the candy haven that is SweetBu Candy Co.

El Matador

Best Quiet Beach

El Matador is one of three pocket beaches that make up the Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach at the northern end of Malibu. The other two are El Pescador and La Piedra. However, El Matador has the most stunning scenery with giant rock formations jutting out from the shoreline and sea caves buried in the cliffs. You’ll go for the coastline photo ops but you’ll end up staying for the tidepools and the bird-watching.

Getting down to the sand at El Matador requires a short hike down several staircases built into the cliffside. The drop is not for the faint of heart or for those who like to bring a ton of things with them to the beach. Parking is available off PCH but it’s limited and fills up quickly on hot days. There are a few port-a-potties in the lot, but the beauty of Matador beach is its relative simplicity—just you, the sand, and the waves.

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Staircase Beach

Best Dog Beach

Most beaches in Malibu do not allow dogs, but at Staircase Beach on the northern end of Leo Carillo State Park, there’s a small section where dogs can frolic and play, so long as they are on a leash. The parking lot for the dog beach is hard to see from PCH but once you’re in, you can wind down a short trail from the bluffs right onto the sand. Much like El Matador, this almost feels like a secret or private beach, absent of tourists but full of gorgeous scenery. It’s also a favorite spot for in-the-know surfers so bringing a board is a good idea—so long as someone can watch the dog while you surf.

Surfrider Beach

Best Beach for Surfing

The historic Malibu Pier draws the most crowds in all of Malibu, namely because it’s become a popular Instagram spot anchored by trendy shops and the delicious Malibu Farm restaurant. But the pier is also adjacent to Surfrider Beach, a legendary surf spot (some say it’s where the genesis of modern surfing began) that’s a part of the larger Malibu Lagoon State Park. When the waves are pumping, surfers will crowd this small beach for hours until the waves die out.

Advanced surfers who understand surfing etiquette can paddle out to Surfrider’s first point and await their chance on one of the smoothest breaking waves in the world. But if you’re still learning to surf, it’s best to skip a session at Surfrider beach and head to a less-crowded spot where beginners are free to make their mistakes without dropping in on a pro.

On calmer days, the beach is a picturesque spot for sun-bathing and exploring. The Adamson House Museum at the edge of the lagoon was the former home to an original Malibu land owner and gives a look at what life in Malibu was like in the early 1900s. Parking is free on PCH but on weekends and big surf days, spaces can be hard to find meaning the pay-for-lots are your best options.

Carbon Beach

Best beach for Celebrity-Spotting

On PCH, about a mile south of the Malibu Pier, is a very small and subtle sign for Coastal Access. (You can see the full list of public beach access points in Malibu here.) The white gate that leads out to the beach appears to be part of a private residence but is actually the public path out to Carbon Beach, a once private enclave nicknamed “Billionaire’s Beach” because its residents counted multiple billionaires among them. After a lengthy fight, the residents ceded the public access to a picture-perfect beach.

Aside from sunning and swimming, there’s not much to do at Carbon Beach other than stroll this stretch of coastline ogling the multi-million dollar houses but it is a rare glimpse into the lives of the rich and famous.

Paradise Cove

Best for a Beach Club Vibe

Paradise Cove offers a full-service experience at a secluded beach along a rocky promontory that’s ideal for swimming or surfing or fishing from the small pier. There’s also a café and bar, chaise lounges for rent, towel service and bathrooms with showers, but these come at a steep price. Parking is $50 on the weekends and $35 during the week. You’ll save a little bit on that if you eat at the café but there’s a minimum order of $30.

If you aren’t keen to “rough it” at the regular beaches, Paradise Cove is the happy medium. If you’d rather skip the entrance fee, you can still walk down to Paradise Cove from PCH and park your stuff on the sand without having to pay.

Point Dume State Beach

Best for Exploring

Point Dume is a long bluff that marks the northern point of the Santa Monica Bay and you can see it jutting out from the coast as you drive north up PCH. The views from the top of the bluff are astounding and ideal for whale-watching in the winter months. You can access an easy hiking trail (with a staircase) from the beach below which will lead you into the Point Dume Nature Preserve. Or you can wander around the beach, heading north into the small Westward Beach next to Zuma or south into Paradise Cove. Getting to Point Dume is easy but parking is a little tricky. There is free parking at Westward Beach and at the top of Point Dume but spaces are limited. A pay parking lot is currently closed.

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With its dazzling national parks, globally-renowned wineries, Andean ski resorts and top-class surf beaches, Chile is an attractive destination for travelers from around the world. Deciding you want to visit is the easy part; navigating the logistics of actually making that trip happen can be a tad trickier. Below is a useful guide to Chile’s entry requirements, including information on visa types, costs and all the details you’ll need to ensure a seamless journey in and out of the country.

What you need to know about visas in Chile

Citizens of around 95 countries can enter Chile without the need to obtain a consular or electronic visa in advance. These include citizens of the United States, Japan, Canada, the UK, the European Union and Chile’s South American neighbors – all of whom receive a stamp allowing them to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Formerly, the citizens of many of these countries had to pay hefty “reciprocity fees” to enter Chile. These are no longer in place, with the final fee, for Australians, removed in 2020 (though Australians will need an e-visa to enter beginning in 2022).

Citizens of many other countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, will need to visit the closest embassy to apply for a tourist visa, which could last for a minimum of 30 days or a maximum of 90, depending on the nation. You can view the full list here (in Spanish) of who does and doesn’t need a visa and how long these visas last.

Citizens of all countries must ensure that their passport is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival.

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Tarjeta de Turismo or Tourist Card

Upon entering the country, you will receive a slip of paper called the Tarjeta de Turismo (Tourist Card). Hold onto it for the duration of your stay as you’ll be required to present this to border officers when you depart. This tourist card is actually quite useful as you can use it to avoid the 19% room tax at hotels, which domestic tourists must pay. Most hotels won’t automatically deduct this, so be sure to show your passport and tourist card at check-in.

If you lose the tourist card, you can request a free copy at the website of the Policía de Investigaciones de Chile (PDI), at the nearest PDI office or at the Santiago airport (though you should allot at least 45 minutes extra at the airport to deal with this). Residents of visa-free countries can extend the tourist card for an additional 90 days by filling out a form online (in Spanish) and then going to a local bank to pay a US$100 extension fee, but this requires a high level of Spanish comprehension and the patience to jump through some hoops. It’s often easier (and cheaper) to just hop across the Andes to Argentina and return a day later, at which time you’ll receive a new tourist card free of charge.

Working visas

Citizens of 16 countries – including Canada, Sweden, Germany, Australia and New Zealand – can apply for Working Holiday Visas to extend their stay in Chile even longer. These visas are generally available to those between the ages of 18 and 30 (or up to 35 for Canadians) and allow foreigners to work and live in Chile for up to one year. Entrepreneurs should consider applying to the Start-Up Chile program, which arranges one-year work visas on top of generous monetary incentives in the tens of thousands of dollars. Others who want to stay longer can work with local language schools to arrange Sujeta a Contrato visas for teaching English in Chile.

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The magic of Buenos Aires lasts all year long. The non-stop, fast-paced city has something to offer at every time of year, and its calendar of cultural events includes a different festival almost every month.

When is the best time to visit Buenos Aires? It depends on whether you prefer sticky summer heat, cooler winter temperatures, or the pleasant in-between days of fall and spring.

To get a visceral sense of how Buenos Aires changes with the seasons, listen to Ástor Piazzolla’s Estaciones Porteñas , a series of tangos that celebrate summer, fall, winter, and spring in this beguiling city.

High Season: December–February

Best time for sun seekers
The Southern Hemisphere summer months in Buenos Aires are hot, with average highs in the mid to high 80s (around 30℃ C). And as any porteño (Buenos Aires resident) will tell you, the humidity makes it feel even hotter. Long hot spells are often broken by dramatic thunderstorms and several days of rain. It’s the high season for tourism, so hotels are busier with higher prices to match. If your budget permits, consider booking a hotel with a pool: nothing beats cooling off in the water after a day of sightseeing on sticky days.

Shoulder Seasons: March–May and September–November

Best time for pleasant weather
Most people find fall (March to May) and spring (September to November) the most pleasant seasons to visit Buenos Aires. The weather is generally mild, with average temperatures in the low 70s (around 22℃), and a mix of sunny and rainy days. Hotel occupancy rates are usually lowest between April and June, making it the best time to find discounted rates.

Low Season: June–August

Best time for crisp winter days
Winters in Buenos Aires can be overcast and chilly, with average highs in the low 60s (around 16℃) and lows in the mid 40s (around 8℃). Although rain is possible year-round, the weather in winter is often dry, with sunny winter days perfect for exploring the city. There is a small uptick in tourist numbers in July and August, during the Northern Hemisphere summer break.

January

The first month of the year means summer holidays in Buenos Aires. Schools are closed and many porteños take time off work to escape the sweltering city heat and head to the beach. The city is generally quieter and traffic is calmer, but since it’s also the peak time for tourism in the city you should book accommodation in advance.

Key events: Verano en la Ciudad

February

It’s still hot and humid as the city gears up for Carnaval, with parades every weekend building up to the official carnival holiday, which falls toward the end of the month. Colorful carnival troupes take to the streets to perform murga, a style of percussion-heavy music and dancing. Watch out for kids with water bombs and foam sprays!

Key events: Carnaval Porteño

March

As fall approaches, the weather is balmy. Rainy fall days are a good excuse for ducking into one of Buenos Aires’ magnificent old-school bars and people watching over a café con leche (milky coffee).

Key events : Día de la Memoria (March 24); FIBA (Festival Internacional de Buenos Aires; held biannually)

April

The weather is still pleasantly mild, with a good chance of rain. Film buffs won’t want to miss the independent film festival BAFICI, with screenings held in cinemas across the city.

Key events : BAFICI; Feria del Libro

May

There is a chill in the air as porteños gather to celebrate the anniversary of the revolution of May 25 with steaming bowls of locro (a corn-based stew).

June

Though winter has set in, June is historically the driest month in Buenos Aires. Crisp, sunny days with vibrant blue skies are perfect for exploring outdoors – but pack a warm jacket.

July

The countryside comes to the heart of the city during the Exposición Rural, a 10-day agriculture and livestock show held in upscale Palermo. Events include impressive displays of gaucho horseback-riding skills.

Key events : Día de la Independencia (Independence Day, July 9); Exposición Rural

August

The biggest event on the tango calendar is the Buenos Aires tango festival and world championship, with couples from around the world competing in improvised salon dancing and choreographed stage dance categories. The festival features a packed schedule of performances by tango orchestras, tango classes and milongas (tango dance events).

Key events : Tango BA

September

The first day of spring is celebrated with picnics in the park. Music lovers should check out the lineup at the Ciudad Emergente festival, held at the Usina del Arte in La Boca. What started out as a rock festival has expanded to include other musical genres and features both up-and-coming and established bands.

Key events : Ciudad Emergente

October

As spring sets in, the city hosts the world’s elite distance runners for the Buenos Aires Marathon. Other events include Ciudanza, with dance performances staged in the street and other outdoor urban spaces.

Key events : Buenos Aires Marathon; Ciudanza; Buenos Aires Photo; Gallery Day

November

Hands down the best month to visit Buenos Aires. There is a warmth to the late-spring air and the blossom of jacaranda trees turns the city streets purple. It’s still the shoulder season for tourism yet the cultural calendar is packed with events. Jostle with the crowds at the Noche de los Museos (Night of the Museums), when museums across the city open their doors for a series of late-night events.

Key events : Buenos Aires Jazz; Semana del Orgullo BA (LGBTQI+ Pride Week); Noche de los Museos, Lollapalooza; ArteBA

December

As the mercury rises, porteños head outside, dining at alfresco tables and soaking up the sun’s rays in the city parks. Summer in Buenos Aires means ice cream, cold beers, and asados (barbecues), and the smell of grilling meat floats on the breeze. Families gather to exchange gifts on nochebuena (Christmas Eve). The start of the new year is marked with fireworks.

Key Events: Argentine Open Polo Championships; nochebuena (Christmas Eve); fin de año (New Year’s Eve)

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Buenos Aires is officially divided into 48 barrios (neighborhoods), each with a distinct atmosphere and personality. Spending time in different neighborhoods offers a big pay off, as the city’s true character is slowly revealed. Knowing the best neighborhoods to stay, where to head for daytime sightseeing, and where best to experience Buenos Aires’ legendary restaurants and nightlife will help you make the most of your visit.

Palermo

Best neighborhood for shopping and nightlife

Buenos Aires’ largest neighborhood is Palermo, a fashionable district known for its shops, restaurants, lively nightlife and for keeping up with the latest trends. For those who want to be close to the action, Palermo makes an excellent place to stay, with plenty of accommodation options ranging from hostels to boutique hotels.

The district is subdivided into smaller neighborhoods. To the north of Avenida Juan B Justo is Palermo Hollywood, an area full of music venues, media companies, and cafes where their employees sip flat whites. To the south is Palermo Soho, which is packed with shopping boutiques, cocktail bars and restaurants (for some of the city’s best steak, try Don Julio). From Plaza Italia, the subte (subway) runs to the city center, and to the east of Plaza Italia are a number of large, family-friendly parks, the MALBA art museum and the Museo Evita, a museum dedicated to Evita Perón.

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Recoleta

Best neighborhood for architecture

Recoleta is the place to go to understand why Buenos Aires is sometimes called the Paris of the South. Stroll the streets of this upmarket neighborhood - Avenida Alvear is a good place to start - and gawp at the French-influenced architecture of the grand mansions, many of them built by wealthy cattle ranch owners in the early 20th century, when Buenos Aires was one of the richest cities in the world. A day in Recoleta wouldn’t be complete without visiting the magnificent cemetery, and stopping for an ice cream (try Persicco or Rapanui).

San Telmo

Best neighborhood for tango and antiques

San Telmo’s history can be seen in the crumbling former mansions of the city’s early residents, which by the late 19th century had become tenement housing for the poor. It was in the shared courtyards of these buildings that tango first emerged, its mix of European and African influences a reflection of the neighborhood’s diversity.

On Sundays the neighborhood fills with tourists and locals who come to browse the craft and antiques stalls at the Feria de San Telmo street market, which runs along cobbled Calle Defensa. In Plaza Dorrego, street performers dance tango next to the outdoor tables of old-school cafes. Though the neighborhood has a high tourist footfall, it retains a gritty, down-to-earth feel, with plenty of the street art Buenos Aires is known for. The historic Mercado de San Telmo is an atmospheric place to shop for groceries. The neighborhood’s excellent bars and restaurants, live music and tango venues and proximity to the city center make it a popular place to stay.

La Boca

Best neighborhood for soccer

The working-class neighborhood of La Boca is famous for its soccer team, Boca Juniors, who play home games at La Bombonera stadium. Tourists snap photos of the colorful houses of el Caminito, an open-air art installation representing the traditional shacks of the Genoese port workers who immigrated to the city in the late 1800’s. Nearby are two worthwhile art galleries, the Museo Benito Quinquela Martín and the Fundación Proa (head to the rooftop cafe for views of the river). For safety reasons, it’s better for tourists to visit during the day and not stick around after dark.

City Center

Best neighborhood for sightseeing

The district informally known as the microcentro (city center) is not in the geographical center of the city, but can be thought of as the city’s heart: it’s the center of government and finance, and the place from where the city’s main avenues emerge and branch out into the surrounding neighborhoods. The official barrios that form the district are Monserrat and San Nicolás.

Every visitor to Buenos Aires will want to see Plaza de Mayo, where so many of Argentina’s most important historic events took place, and the famous balcony of the Casa Rosada presidential building from which Evita Perón addressed the crowds gathered below. From here, stroll down elegant Avenida de Mayo and cross the 12-lane wide Avenida 9 de Julio (passing the Obelisco) to see the legislative buildings and nearby Palacio Barolo. The city center is not the best place to go in Buenos Aires for nightlife, so consider staying elsewhere and visiting during the day.

Almagro

Best neighborhood for the arts

Almagro is a residential neighborhood with a thriving arts scene and some of the city’s best neighborhood restaurants, old-time bars like the soccer-flag covered El Bandarín, and tango venues, including the bohemian La Catedral. As well as timeless cafes like Las Violetas, the neighborhood has a number of cutting edge arts venues, cultural centers and theaters. Almagro makes a great place to live for those planning a longer stint in the city.

Chacarita

Best neighborhood for getting off the beaten track

Many tourists don’t make it as far as Chacarita, but there is much here to explore. The neighborhood is home to both long-time residents who watch the world go by from the sidewalks and a younger generation who help fuel Chacarita's vibrant cultural life. Look out for street art, and be sure to check out the neighborhood’s latest restaurants – Chacarita has an emerging foodie scene. Don’t leave without sampling a greasy, doughy slice from the classic pizzeria El Imperio de la Pizza.

The neighborhood’s most worthwhile sight is the atmospheric Cementerio de la Chacarita, which contains the mausoleum of tango singer Carlos Gardel. Outside the cemetery gates sit a number of flower sellers with colorful stalls of fragrant bouquets.

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Thailand will drop quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated visitors from 10 low-risk countries from November 1.

Under the new plan, arrivals from the 10 approved countries will need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test before they depart for Thailand and then do another test when they arrive, according to the Thailand tourism board. Once the result is negative, they will be free to move and travel around Thailand much in the same way that any Thai citizen can.

The 10 countries considered low-risk include the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, China, Singapore, and Malaysia. More countries are expected to be added to the list in December when entertainment venues are permitted to open and alcohol sales are allowed to return under the latest phase of the reopening plan—Thailand's prime minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said via the BBC.

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Visitors from countries not on the approved list are still welcome to travel to Thailand but will have to meet other COVID-19 requirements such as traveling under the Sandbox model. The Sandbox model allows fully vaccinated tourists from about 70 countries to travel to Thailand without quarantining provided they stay in designated areas within Phuket, Phang-Nga, Surat Thani, Krabi or other approved destinations for at least seven days before traveling to other parts of the country. Under the system, visitors are also required to be regularly tested.

In anticipation of borders reopening in November, Thai Airways is resuming service to 36 destinations this winter, including London, Paris, Sydney, Munich, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Airlines including Emirates, KLM, Qatar Airways and Etihad are operating flights from the US to Thailand, generally with one stopover, from November.

While Thailand is gearing up for more tourists, a nationwide state of emergency remains in effect through November 30. Cases are generally decreasing nationwide but some areas are seeing significant increases. The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is particularly concerned about a surge in Chiang Mai ahead of borders reopening next month and will continue to monitor the situation there, the Bangkok Post reports.

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According to the Thai Embassy in the US, about 37% of Thailand's population of 70 million are fully vaccinated so far but officials plan to ramp up the vaccination rollout in the coming weeks.

Thailand continues to categorize provinces into dark red, red and orange zones based on their COVID-19 risk, with varied restrictions in place across each zone. Check the latest advice for the area you are traveling to before departure. Face masks are compulsory across Thailand and must be worn in indoor and outdoor public places and on public transport.

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