TRAVEL NEWS

The Most Expensive Cocktails in the World (And Where to Find Them)

Would you spend $23,000 on a cocktail?

Over the last two years, we have collectively endured a global pandemic, enforced lockdown, isolation, and social distancing. To cope, many have turned toward the fine art of cocktail mixing. Whether it’s Stanley Tucci giving us a Negroni masterclass or Ina Garten inspiring us with her bathtub-sized Cosmopolitans, splurging on a well-made drink has always been an indulgence. Now that we can return to indoor dining, treating ourselves to a professionally-made cocktail is a treat we all deserve. What better way to kick off the New Year (who needs Dry January, anyway?) than with some of the swankiest and outrageously priced cocktails? As a self-professed foodie and author of five culinary travel books, I’m always justifying how I spend my money—all in the name of research, of course. I confess to buying a $14 loaf of “ártisan” bread before it was mainstream, and I have fallen victim to spending more than I can afford on a stinky-yet-incredible creamy Swiss alpine cheese. When it comes to cocktails, I love a good tipple. I always start my weekend clinking glasses with my mates on Friday night. How about a well-balanced martini or a Sidecar with just the right amount of cognac, triple sec, and a squirt of lemon to end a tough work week? If you sometimes scoff at the prices of cocktails in bars ($32 for a pina colada? $24 for a Mint Julep at the races?), you might just lose your mind at some of the world’s most high priced cocktails. From a $10,000 cocktail in Vegas to a “humble” thousand-dollar drink in one of Paris’ most iconic bars, if you thought these cocktails had more style than substance, think again. Most of these cocktails are expensive because the ingredients used are extremely rare and considered some of the most sought-after spirits, some of which date back to the 19th-century. If you’re looking to splurge on a truly unique drink, look no further than the following places. Cheers!

What Ive Learned Traveling Outside the U.S. as a Multilingual Black Woman

Being able to speak multiple languages has many perks abroad, but Ive found that discrimination doesnt get lost in translation.

For the Love of Hobbies: 10 Books to Ignite Your Passions

There’s a book for every soul.

There’s a reason why having a hobby is good for mental health: It sparks joy and relieves stress (and we’ve got plenty of it going around). The start of the pandemic was all about baking, gardening, painting, and other passions that people had buried underneath jobs and chores. Many found new loves. For me, it was tennis. I learned to play, became a Rafa fan, and discovered that a lazy bookworm like me could be mildly athletic, too.  Even if you weren’t one of those people on Instagram sharing banana bread recipes and photos of your sketches, now is as good a time as any to rekindle your love for an old hobby or engage in a new one—February is the month of love, after all.  It’s still pretty much the start of 2022 (where did the month go?) and if you’ve resolved to make more time for your hobbies this year, I have a suggestion: read a book on the subject. Want to mix it up and enjoy yourself? Take classes, experiment with different activities, and find groups with similar interests—there’s no wrong way to approach this.

These 13 Water Towers Prove That America Is Downright Silly

From watermelon-shaped water towers to a replica of the leaning tower of Pisa.

America is a land full of wonders. With the Statue of Liberty, Mount Rushmore, Golden Gate Bridge, and brick walls painted with angel wings or the word “Love”—we’re spoiled rotten, aren’t we, Augustus Gloop? And just when we thought we were gagged with IG gold, here comes another one to tickle the tonsils. Wait for it…water tanks.  “Water tanks? Those big ugly cylinders out on the freeway? Fodor’s, you can’t be serious?” We imagine you saying behind your laptop screen. Well, things have gotten pretty serious, so much so that there are annual tank awards honoring the most creative uses of water tank coatings in North America. They’re more prestigious than the Golden Globes right now, dahling. Not convinced? Scroll down and enjoy.

Japan Might Hold the Secret to Saving Cities From Disaster

As floodwaters rise in cities around the globe, Tokyos underground flood defense system could be the answer to avoiding catastrophic events.

Forget the National Park, Heres Why Your Kenya Safari Should Be in the Mara Naboisho Conservancy

Most travelers book their bucket list safari in a national park like Kenyas Maasai Mara Reserve, but the best safari experience rests in the privately-owned conservancies working to support local communities and protect Africas wildlife.

These 11 Cities Are Extremely Close to Active Volcanoes

There’s potential, if not immediate, danger.

Travelers love the thrill of seeing a volcano up close and personal. From lava hunting and climbing to sledding and abseiling down an active volcano, adventure seekers have found ways to add a twist to their sightseeing tours. The imposing volcanoes are a dramatic sight, even more so when they’re spewing smoke and ash. But the dangers of living close to an active volcano are real.  Just this month, the eruption of the underwater Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcano in the Pacific has caused devastation in the remote archipelago of Tonga. This was the biggest volcanic activity recorded in 30 years on the planet. It triggered a tsunami that hit the archipelago and the main island of Tongatapu was severely damaged while the neighborhoods were also covered in ash. The waves were also felt on the west coast of the United States, as well as Peru, Japan, and New Zealand. There are many other cities in the world that are in the path of volcanic eruptions. There are also small communities and villages at the foothills of these volcanoes that face imminent danger from smoke, ash, pyroclastic flows (a hot mix of gas, rock, and ash that travels quickly) and lahars (mudflow), earthquake, and/or tsunami. DID YOU KNOW?The Pacific Ring of Fire is an arc that stretches over 25,000 miles from South America to New Zealand. It has 75% of the world’s active and dormant volcanoes and 90% of earthquakes happen here. The U.S., Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Peru, Indonesia, Chile, and Papua New Guinea are all part of this belt.  

Consider Ditching These 11 Words When Talking About Your Travels

Seven travel professionals weigh in on words to consider avoiding while talking or writing about travel.

Wellness Resorts Can Have a Bad Reputation. But What’s It Really Like to Stay at One?

With popular shows like 'Nine Perfect Strangers' giving wellness resorts and retreats a bad reputation, I decided to go and see what its actually like to stay at one.

11 Magical Places Where Snow Falls on the Beaches

Bye, bye, bikini. Hello, parka!

When the weather turns chilly, travelers run in the direction of sun, sand, and sandals. But there are some beaches in the world where it’s hardly beach weather in winters. Quite the opposite, in fact. From the Jersey Shore to the Baltic coast, snow falling on beaches is an incredible, magical sight. White, powdery snow covers sandy beaches and turns the scenery into a winter wonderland unlike any you may have seen. Here we have 11 beaches where snow makes an appearance, so pack your beanies and gloves because things can get pretty cold out there.