Life

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — In watchmaking, heritage matters. But while rival European horologists vaunt the traditions of their centuries-old workshops, design duo Toledano & Chan’s new creation has a longer history altogether: It was carved from a meteorite that slammed into Earth around 1 million years ago. The Brutalist-inspired watch, dubbed the B/1M,

By Gustavo Valdes, CNN (CNN) — Having fun in the sun south of the border could get a little more expensive next year for visitors who stop in Mexico via cruise ships. The Mexican government plans to impose a $42 immigration fee for each passenger on a cruise ship that docks in the country. Passengers

CNN By Jack Guy, CNN (CNN) — Pantone has named an “evocative soft brown” its color of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century. In a statement published Thursday, the global color specialist said Mocha Mousse was “a mellow brown infused with a

By Jack Guy, CNN (CNN) — Pantone has named an “evocative soft brown” its color of the year for 2025, continuing a tradition that has now run for more than a quarter of a century. In a statement published Thursday, the global color specialist said Mocha Mousse was “a mellow brown infused with a sensorial

By Victoria Barauna, CNN (CNN) — When it comes to holiday destinations, Thailand is one of the most popular countries in the world. It’s already attracted approximately 26 million international tourists this year, according to reports, with 2025 set to be even busier. The Southeast Asian nation is well known for its stunning beaches, gastronomy,

By Maureen O’Hare, CNN (CNN) — It’s been a big old year for Paris: the Olympics this summer, Notre Dame reopening this weekend, and now it’s been named the most attractive city in the world. It’s the fourth time in a row that the French capital has taken the No.1 spot in the Top 100

By Leah Dolan, CNN (CNN) — Each year, a fresh troupe of design industry talents are recognized in Architectural Digest’s AD100 list. Spotlighting studios across the globe, from Australia to Belgium, the curated index involves editors spending “months — even years” tracking “extraordinary projects,” according to the magazine’s global editorial director Amy Astley. For the

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — Known as a tax haven and playground for the rich, Monaco packs a population of around 39,000 — of whom almost seven in 10 are millionaires, according to property firm Knight Frank — into an area smaller than New York’s Central Park. But the world’s second-smallest sovereign state has

By Lilit Marcus, CNN (CNN) — He has won multiple Grammys and racked up nine Billboard Top 10 Hits, but musician Ed Sheeran will soon add another trophy to his collection – becoming the first-ever Western artist to perform a concert in Bhutan. On January 24, 2025, the British singer-songwriter will perform at Changlimithang Stadium

CNN By Jack Guy, CNN British luxury automaker Jaguar has revealed its Type 00 concept car, the first glimpse of a new electric vehicle following a controversial rebrand that has divided opinion. The manufacturer said it was “introducing an unmistakable, unexpected and dramatic physical manifestation of Jaguar, as the brand continues its transformation,” in a

By Julianna Bragg, CNN (CNN) — Amtrak has reached a historic milestone, carrying 32.8 million passengers on the passenger rail system in fiscal year 2024. That’s a 15% increase from the previous fiscal year when it carried nearly 28.6 million riders, according to a news release from Amtrak. “This record ridership shows that travelers throughout

By Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Rome (CNN) — The days of arriving late at an Airbnb in Italy and opening up the key box to let yourself will soon be over after the country issued a ban on self-check-ins under a new law it says is needed to combat potential terrorism. In a move welcomed

By Jack Guy, CNN British luxury automaker Jaguar has revealed its Type 00 concept car, the first glimpse of a new electric vehicle following a controversial rebrand that has divided opinion. The manufacturer said it was “introducing an unmistakable, unexpected and dramatic physical manifestation of Jaguar, as the brand continues its transformation,” in a statement

By Marnie Hunter, CNN (CNN) — Frontier Airlines is the latest no-frills carrier getting into the premium seating game — with what it’s referring to as “first class-style” seats. The “luxurious, spacious seats” will be available in late 2025, Frontier announced on Tuesday. Aircraft will be reconfigured to replace the existing first two rows with

By Jack Guy, CNN London (CNN) — Thieves in northern England might have bitten off more than they can chew after stealing a van carrying 2,500 pies, worth about £25,000 ($31,600). Michelin-starred chef Tommy Banks said on Monday that the pies were loaded and ready to be delivered to York Christmas Market when the van

By Joe Minihane, CNN (CNN) — Sydney or Melbourne? It’s the great Australian city debate, one which pits the commerce, business and money of Sydney against cultural, arts-loving, coffee-drinking Melbourne. While picking one can be tricky, there’s no denying that Australia’s second city, home to 5.2 million people, has a charm all of its own.

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — American model Alex Consani has become the first transgender woman to win Model of the Year, following a string of high-profile runway appearances for labels like Chanel, Stella McCartney and Victoria’s Secret. The in-demand 21-year-old, who is known for her distinctive bleached hair and eyebrows, claimed the title at

By Forrest Brown, CNN (CNN) — Anyplace can throw up a few lights and call it a holiday celebration, but travelers who really adore Christmas want more. They desire a place where Christmas markets beckon, lights dazzle in all directions, holiday feasts offer endless temptations and Yuletide traditions such as Advent are longtime, serious business.

By Francesca Street, CNN (CNN) — In the photo, four young women walk arm in arm, smiling and laughing, on a beach promenade. They’re dressed in mini skirts and flip flops, and there’s what looks like a 1960s Ford Corsair in the background. This is clearly a snapshot from a bygone era, but there’s something

By Jacqui Palumbo, CNN (CNN) — How do you bring to life one of the most beloved Latin American towns — one that has a century of history, but never existed at all? That was the task facing the production team of “One Hundred Years of Solitude” (or “Cien Años de Soledad”), the long-awaited Netflix

By Jacqui Palumbo, CNN (CNN) — A century ago, the scientist and inventor George Washington Carver filed two patents related to his new method for making paints and stains from Alabama’s clay. He had discovered the iron-rich soil could be used in a chemical reaction with a potassium compound and nitric acid to produce a

By Julianna Bragg, CNN (CNN) — What does it take to channel the spirit of Jacques Cousteau and search for secret treasure? For Jon Collins-Black, this question sparked a thrilling journey that led him to hide five treasure chests across the United States. His new book, “There’s Treasure Inside,” offers hints for eager treasure hunters,

By Matt Villano, CNN Las Vegas (CNN) — Dozens of internationally renowned recording artists give concerts in Vegas every year, but the musician who connects best with people might be a local troubadour who improvises on a piano in the back of his pickup. The maestro, Danny Kean, calls his setup The Traveling Piano, and

By Faith Karimi, CNN Scottsboro, Alabama (CNN) — Vee Aronds gazed at her reflection in the mirror as she tried on a satin-and-lace wedding dress. She patted the fitted bodice and twirled to see the length of the train. Surrounded by racks of formal gowns, Aronds was on a mission to uncover hidden treasures at

By Maureen O’Hare, CNN (CNN) — In travel news this week, Disney’s newest cruise ship, ideas for Christmas cheer, plus the top-tier cities most loved around the world. London wows for 2025 The 2025 World’s Best Cities report, compiled by marketing consultancy Resonance in collaboration with market research company Ipsos, ranks cities on what it

By Lianne Kolirin, CNN (CNN) — A flight packed with vacationers had to be aborted in midair because a technical mistake meant the aircraft failed to pressurize. An official report into the incident last year found that the 193 people on board the Tui Airways flight from Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom to Kos

By Marnie Hunter, CNN (CNN) — It’s high time for some holiday cheer. Think hot tea or hot toddies, skiing or snorkeling and loads of twinkling Christmas lights. Luxury hotels serve up a glamorous way to brighten up the Christmas season, whether for an overnight stay or an elegant afternoon tea. These lavish properties are

By Chris Lau and Yoonjung Seo, CNN Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — Coffee lovers with a keen interest to catch a glimpse of life in the world’s most reclusive nation should get ready to travel: Starbucks has the perfect spot for them to hang. The American chain’s latest outpost in South Korea is located on

Maggie Hiufu Wong, CNN (CNN) — As the leaves rustle atop the hills in Nantou, Taiwan’s largest tea-producing area, the farm suddenly comes alive, millions of tiny green bugs hopping into the air. While many farmers might frown at the sight of these pests munching on their crops, Lee Ming-cheng, a third-generation tea farmer and

By Francesca Street, CNN (CNN) — It was November 1997 and Dina Honour was hosting Thanksgiving dinner for the first time. The then 27-year-old invited a group of New York City friends who, like her, had decided to stay in the city over the holidays. It had been a tough year for Dina. She’d been

By Rosa Rahimi, CNN London (CNN) — A Banksy mural in Bristol, southwestern England, is set to be sold at auction next year, along with the building it was created on. “Well Hung Lover” was painted on the side of a building on Bristol’s Frogmore Street in 2006, with the city’s residents later voting to

By Lex Harvey and Amanda Jackson, CNN (CNN) — A stowaway evaded multiple airport security checkpoints and flew aboard a Delta Airlines flight from New York to Paris Tuesday evening, authorities said – a shocking breach that raised serious alarm over airport security. The individual, who did not have a boarding pass, completed security screening

CNN By Milly Chan, CNN (CNN) — To a din of cheering crowds, rhythmic chanting and taiko drums, hundreds of people haul massive wooden floats through the streets of Osaka — while running as fast as they can. This chaotic spectacle is one of the Japanese prefecture’s “danjiri matsuri,” or float festivals. Held over a

By Milly Chan, CNN (CNN) — To a din of cheering crowds, rhythmic chanting and taiko drums, hundreds of people haul massive wooden floats through the streets of Osaka — while running as fast as they can. This chaotic spectacle is one of the Japanese prefecture’s “danjiri matsuri,” or float festivals. Held over a few

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — For hundreds of years, Notre Dame was the backdrop to some of French history’s defining moments. On Friday, the cathedral itself will play the lead role as France’s President Emmanuel Macron visits the building ahead of its official reopening the following weekend. It will be the first glimpse inside

By Lex Harvey, CNN (CNN) — A California man was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he allegedly tried to check two suitcases containing more than 70 pounds of clothing caked in methamphetamine – including a cow pajama onesie – on a flight to Australia, federal prosecutors said Tuesday. Raj Matharu checked two suitcases,

By Karla Cripps, CNN (CNN) — As millions of Americans take to the skies during what’s shaping out to be another summer of high temperatures, some will likely be searching for easy travel hacks to help make their journeys a little less painful. Among the many flying tips making the rounds in recent years on

By Anne Clifford, CNN (CNN) — When most people think of Greenland, they think of the cold, the snow and how remote it is. Two out of three of those things are unlikely to change any time soon, but as of November 28, it’s about to get a lot less remote. That’s thanks to a

By Maureen O’Hare, CNN Kaçkar Mountains, Turkey (CNN) — In the little wooden hut perched high on metal-wrapped stilts, the drone is high, loud and insistent. With his beekeeping suit on, but hands uncovered, Hasan Kutluata squeezes the bellows on his pine-filled bee smoker. Pale wreaths swirl in the air, mirroring the mist that drifts

By Lilit Marcus, CNN (CNN) — The Maldives, with its sprawling white sand beaches and dazzling coral reefs, is one of the world’s most expensive holiday destinations. Now, though, this Indian Ocean archipelago nation has just increased the price it costs to leave. From December 1, exit fees for those flying out of the country

By Kathleen Magramo, CNN (CNN) — Travelers to the Philippines can now book a room in the world’s largest building shaped like a chicken, located in the country’s remote highlands. No, you’re not expected to bed down on top of a pile of straw in a chicken coop. The towering six-story building stands nearly 35

By Jack Guy, CNN London (CNN) — A prowling puma, a hunting polar bear cub and a ghostly barn owl are among the shortlisted images for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award 2024. The judging panel selected 25 images from a total 59,228 submissions, and the overall winner will be chosen by

By Rosa Rahimi, CNN London (CNN) — A painting by British artist George Stubbs is expected to sell for up to £2 million ($2.5 million) in London next week, as it comes to auction for the first time in more than 50 years. The 18th century artwork of a Spanish pointer dog was last on

By Francesca Street, CNN London, United Kingdom (CNN) — Traveling in a premium cabin on an Airbus A380 — AKA the world’s largest passenger aircraft, known for its low noise levels and super-spacious feel — is usually guaranteed to be a swanky affair. This luxury is set to be taken to new heights on British

By Thomas Page, CNN (CNN) — Ernest Cole was dying. Lying in a hospital bed in Manhattan, New York, thousands of miles from his homeland of South Africa, the photographer and documenter of apartheid was faced with a bitter irony: he was leaving the world just as his nation was being reborn. The date was

By Karina Tsui, CNN (CNN) — “Demure,” a word that went viral over the summer, has been named Dictionary.com’s 2024 word of the year — beating out other contenders like “brainrot,” “brat,” and “weird.” In an announcement Monday, the site said that the word experienced a “meteoric rise in usage” in 2024 — up 1,200%

By Hassan Tayir, CNN Hong Kong (CNN) — China has 3.7 million square miles of land to explore. But more and more young Chinese travelers are opting to see their country from the sky. The newest of these not-for-the-faint-of-heart structures is called Tianti (“Sky Ladder” in Chinese). It clocks in at 551 feet long (168

By Francesca Street, CNN (CNN) — Navigating airports and airplanes can be stressful at the best of times. As millions of travelers take to the skies over the busy holiday period, that inbuilt stress can hit new heights. But it doesn’t have to, just ask the world’s flight attendants. If anyone’s got surviving holiday travel

By Natasha Chen, CNN (CNN) — On Disney’s newest cruise ship, the Treasure, kids ride a slide down to enter a children’s club. While they play and design their own Avengers costumes, adults can grab a cocktail at a bar themed to Disney’s classic ride, the Haunted Mansion. Later in the day, kids, parents and

By Leah Dolan, CNN (CNN) — In German folklore, doppelgängers are considered to be a bad omen whose presence brings about misfortune. It feels all the more fitting then, that amid today’s geopolitical conflicts, increasing climate catastrophes and economic uncertainties, we’re seemingly hooked on celebrity lookalike contests. It began with actor Timothée Chalamet. In October,

By Will Noble, CNN London (CNN) — Utter the single word “Wetherspoon,” or even the colloquial “Spoons” to a Brit, and they’ll know what you mean. Some will grimace. Some will groan. Others will excitedly rub their hands together like you’d just cooked their favorite meal. Wetherspoon pubs are an institution in the UK. They

By Maureen O’Hare, CNN (CNN) — In our roundup of travel news this week: the world’s best cheese of 2024, why the FAA might be slowing down Thanksgiving air traffic, plus the apparent boom in wealthy Americans seeking a new life abroad. Villages and visas The Italian village offering $1 homes to Americans upset by

By Kathy Rose OBrien, CNN (CNN) — Not so long ago, if you wanted to spend Christmas with the royal family, the only way to get close was to press your nose up to the TV screen during the monarch’s Christmas speech. But times have changed and many royal residences are getting into the holiday

By Amarachi Orie, CNN (CNN) — An explosives disposal team was sent to London’s Gatwick Airport and one of its terminals evacuated after a “suspected prohibited item” was found in luggage on Friday. “A security cordon is in place around the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport following discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,”

By Alexandra Skores, CNN (CNN) — While the cost of Thanksgiving dinner has been on the rise in recent years, traveling home for the holidays shouldn’t be too pricey in 2024 — at least by car. And the number of people hitting the road is on the rise. Airports and the country’s major highways will

By Amarachi Orie, CNN London (CNN) — The Italian Renaissance diplomat Niccolò Machiavelli has become synonymous with subtle scheming. And now, an extremely rare first edition of his most famous work, the political manual “The Prince,” is going up for auction, with an expected sale price of up to £300,000 ($375,000). The copy of the

By Lilit Marcus, CNN (CNN) — The deaths of six foreign tourists linked to a suspected mass methanol poisoning has thrown a spotlight on a small town in Southeast Asia that has worked hard in recent years to shed its reputation for excess. Vang Vieng, a popular backpacker destination in northern Laos, is at the

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — Last year, French photographer François Prost spent hours browsing Google Maps to plan a road trip documenting Japan’s “love hotels” — establishments found across the country that offer hourly rates and, most importantly for guests, privacy. But as he embarked on his 3,000-kilometer (1,864-mile) journey, they proved impossible to

By Graham Hurley and Chris Boyette, CNN (CNN) — An unruly passenger accused of trying to force open a plane door and injuring an attendant mid-flight last week – prompting fellow passengers to duct-tape him – has been charged in federal court, a federal prosecutor’s office said. Abdul-al-Jabbar Oloruntoba Olaiya, 29, was charged with interfering

By Ross Levitt and Pete Muntean, CNN (CNN) — The Federal Aviation Administration might need to slow down air traffic during the busiest holiday travel times because of air traffic controller staffing shortages, particularly in the Northeast. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker says this is most likely to occur in the New York area, where the

WCBS By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — When a banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $120,000 in 2019, social media uproar and an age-old debate about the meaning of art ensued. But artist Maurizio Cattelan’s viral creation, titled “Comedian,” has proven a sound investment for one collector: One of the artwork’s three “editions” smashed

By Richard Collett, CNN (CNN) — As Tommy Driskill, a YouTuber from Hawaii who’s better known by his moniker, ‘Dude Abroad’, sat down for a traditional Iraqi breakfast of kahi and geymar (pastries and clotted cream) outside a hole-in-the-wall cafe in downtown Baghdad, he couldn’t help but think it was a surreal experience. “It was

CNN By Alexandra Skores, CNN (CNN) — American Airlines is expanding its new boarding technology that stops passengers from cutting in line during boarding to over 100 airports nationwide before Thanksgiving. The airline has given the technology a test-run at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport over the last

By Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — When a banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $120,000 in 2019, social media uproar and an age-old debate about the meaning of art ensued. But artist Maurizio Cattelan’s viral creation, titled “Comedian,” has proven a sound investment for one collector: One of the artwork’s three “editions” smashed estimates

By Alexandra Skores, CNN (CNN) — American Airlines is expanding its new boarding technology that stops passengers from cutting in line during boarding to over 100 airports nationwide before Thanksgiving. The airline has given the technology a test-run at Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport over the last month

By Lianne Kolirin, CNN (CNN) — A stained-glass Tiffany window originally designed for an Ohio church has sold for $12.48 million at auction. The Danner Memorial Window fetched more than $5 million over the upper limit of its estimated value when it went on sale at the New York branch of Sotheby’s on Monday. Bidding

By Tamara Hardingham-Gill, CNN (CNN) — After continually moving further and further south in search of sunshine, Gail and Greg Warner, both from the United States, were seriously considering relocating somewhere much further afield. The couple, who were based in Florida at the time, had traveled to many different countries across the world together and

By Smitha Menon, CNN Srinagar, India (CNN) — In Indian-administered Kashmir, long before the morning call to prayer reverberates across neighborhoods, the city of Srinagar’s kandurs, or bakers, have fired up their tandoor ovens. Located in the snowy Himalayas, at the northern tip of India, this disputed region between India and Pakistan is a paradise

By Karina Tsui, CNN (CNN) — A René Magritte painting depicting an eerily lit streetscape sold for more than $121 million at a Christie’s auction in New York on Tuesday –– surpassing its $95 million estimate and smashing the auction record for the Surrealist artist’s work. As one of the largest paintings in a succession

By Leah Dolan, CNN (CNN) — At first glance you might have missed it. But hidden within the typical red carpet fanfare at the Governors Ball in Los Angeles on Sunday night was a group of sartorial renegades, each one taking aim at the traditional button-down shirt. Leading the charge was actor Barry Keoghan, dressed

By Issy Ronald, CNN (CNN) — An American silver coin dating back to the 17th century, before the United States was founded, has sold for a record-breaking $2.52 million at auction, eight years after it was discovered in an old cabinet in Amsterdam. The threepence coin was struck in 1652 in Boston just weeks after

By Alexandra Skores, CNN (CNN) — If you planned on traveling aboard Spirit Airlines for the holidays, which filed for bankruptcy Monday, you shouldn’t worry. Spirit plans to operate business as usual as it begins to work on its $3.1 billion in long-term debt, according to previous regulatory filings. “Guests can continue to book and

By Silvia Marchetti, CNN (CNN) — While many communities around the world have been wondering what to make of Donald Trump’s presidential re-election, a village on the Italian island of Sardinia has sniffed a potential opportunity. Like many other places in rural Italy, Ollolai has long been trying to persuade outsiders to move in to

By Leah Dolan, CNN London (CNN) — Despite usually lasting less than 15 minutes, the modern runway show often demands months of preparation, hundreds of thousands of dollars and an army of highly skilled technicians, set builders and tailors. Yet these fleeting displays have the power to cement a designer’s legacy. Even if you’re not

By Lilit Marcus, CNN (CNN) — Pioneering travel guidebook writer Arthur Frommer has died at the age of 95, according to a statement from the media brand he founded. His daughter, Pauline Frommer, confirmed that her father died on November 18, “at his home, surrounded by loved ones.” Born in Virginia in 1929, Arthur Frommer

By Christian Edwards, CNN (CNN) — Vladimir Shklyarov, a world-renowned Russian ballet star, has died after falling from the fifth floor of a building on Saturday. His death was confirmed by the Mariinsky Theater, a venue in the city of St. Petersburg where Shklyarov was the highest-ranking dancer. “This is a huge loss for the

By Jen Rose Smith, CNN (CNN) — If a steaming bowl of soup strikes you as the ultimate in old-fashioned comfort, you’ve got plenty of company. Soup is one of the world’s oldest and most universal foods, said Janet Clarkson, author of the book “Soup: A Global History.” “Every culture has some kind of soup,”

By Billy Stockwell, CNN (CNN) — A gold watch gifted to the captain of a ship which rescued more than 700 passengers and crew from the Titanic has sold for a record-breaking £1.56 million ($1.97 million). The 18-carat Tiffany & Co. pocket watch was given to Captain Arthur Rostron by the widows of three wealthy

By Barbie Latza Nadeau, Antonia Mortensen and Alessandro Gentili, CNN (CNN) — There’s nothing quite like the mouthwatering taste of real Prosciutto di Parma, known the world over as Parma ham. The Italian delicacy, which generates an annual turnover of $1.6 billion, is prized by Italians and enjoys a protected status — only meat cured

By Jessie Yeung and Oscar Holland, CNN (CNN) — Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark has been crowned Miss Universe 2024, becoming the first Dane to ever win the competition. The 21-year-old, a competitive dancer, entrepreneur, and aspiring lawyer, beat more than 120 other contestants to win the annual beauty pageant in Mexico City on Saturday

By Julia Buckley, CNN (CNN) — He’s the mythical Celtic warlord who held out against the Anglo Saxon invasion of what would come to be called England. His right-hand man was a wizard, he was handed his famous sword by a deity, and he was a romantic — and chivalrous — hero. Oh, and he

By Maureen O’Hare, CNN (CNN) — In travel news this week: crackdowns on overtourism in Florence and Pompeii, new developments in the world of long-haul and ultralong-haul flights, plus the California couple who moved to France, where things did not go as they hoped. Launch of the Airbus A321XLR It’s slim, it’s sleek, it has

By Paradise Afshar, CNN (CNN) — Dallas police are investigating after a Southwest Airlines flight was struck by a bullet as it was preparing to depart from Dallas Love Field Airport in Texas Friday evening, authorities said. The bullet apparently struck the right side of the plane just under the flight deck as the plane

CNN By Barbie Latza Nadeau, CNN Rome (CNN) — The ancient Colosseum in Rome has witnessed some historic battles, with toga-clad crowds once packing the gigantic venue to watch gladiators slug it out against opponents including lions and baboons. But, apparently, its fighting days aren’t over. The 2,000-year-old venue is now the scene of a