This summer, Americans are trading international itineraries and Aperol spritzes on the Amalfi Coast for all-American road trips, national parks, and nostalgic stateside escapes. Travel experts say rising costs, economic uncertainty and soaring airfare are pushing more Americans to trade big international vacations for shorter, easier getaways closer to home this summer. “Compared to last … Read more
Hate ’em or love ’em, Sandals resorts are to Caribbean tourism what bees are to Earth’s eco-system: Necessities of life. And signs of health. Of vim and vigor. Of zip and zing. Of rum and punch (perfect for buzz-seeking newlyweds honeying their moons). So, it was distressing when swarms of the mega-brand’s hives shuttered back in … Read more
Think you know the wine world? It’s time to redraw the map. For centuries, Burgundy and Tuscany have set the standard, their names synonymous with quality and prestige. But a wave of smaller, surprising regions is producing award-winning bottles that rarely cross borders, making travel to high-altitude vineyards in Yunnan, China — and even a … Read more
Soup’s off the menu — literally. A soup sold at Whole Foods stores across more than a dozen states has been recalled after federal officials discovered it may contain an unexpected (and potentially dangerous) ingredient: shrimp. Kettle Cuisine is recalling 24-ounce cups of Whole Foods Market Kitchen Minestrone Soup after the US Food and Drug … Read more
Celebrity stylist turned fashion mogul Rachel Zoe was born to be a Hamptonite. She’s alighted on the East End every summer of her life, and her aesthetic embraces the tony enclave. “Caftans all day, every day!” Zoe tells Alexa when asked to describe her Hamptons uniform. “I am basically in one-shoulder gowns, vintage Halston and … Read more
Eleventy fashion looks effortless, but a lot of thought goes into every piece. That’s one reason co-founder and creative director Marco Baldassari calls it “smart luxury.” Take the brand’s clever-as-can-be linen joggers. With adjustable drawstrings tied at the waist, they look casual and cool. But when the drawstrings are pulled through eyelets and hidden inside, … Read more
Once coined “the city that never sleeps,” a sizable portion of NYC now has a sensible, if not yawn-inducing bedtime. While most Empire City bars, nightclubs, fitness centers and even supermarkets once stayed open until the wee hours, the pall of the pandemic changed the circadian rhythm of the city — shifting some 24-hour hotspots … Read more
Back to the good old (clubbing) days. It’s 2:30 a.m. outside Artichoke Basille’s Pizza on 10th Avenue. A line of drunken, hungry customers spills out onto the sidewalk. The smell of cigarettes and cheese permeates the air as ravenous millennials, fresh off a nearby nightclub’s dance floor, wait impatiently for an oversized slice before stumbling … Read more
As summer approaches, many Americans reach for a beloved seafood favorite: popcorn shrimp. With a crispy breaded coating and bite-sized shape, popcorn shrimp is often eaten dipped in sauce or paired with fries. Unlike butterfly shrimp, which uses larger split-open shrimp, popcorn shrimp is typically made with much smaller, bite-sized pieces. It’s preferred by some diners for its … Read more
Texas may be the spiritual home of barbecue, but according to a buzzy new Yelp ranking, California just smoked the Lone Star state. Yelp’s new “Top 100 BBQ Restaurants in the US,” compiled using ratings and reviews from Yelp Elite users, gave California more spots on the list than Texas. But, there’s one very California … Read more
A family said their vacation became a nightmare when they arrived and found out their hotel was a construction site. Scott Edward, 36, was set to go on a sunny family vacation with his wife Katie and children Freddy and Alexandra — but the trip turned traumatic, complete with food poisoning and electric shock. “No … Read more
They’re packing their bags and leaving hustle culture behind. “Gap years,” once taken solely by college grads who yearned for an intentional break between graduation and full-time work to figure out their lives, are being redefined by today’s burned-out Gen Z and millennials, who are desperately seeking an out from the corporate grind. With some … Read more
Beware, consumers: “Monkee” business is afoot. More than 121,000 squishy children’s toys sold at Walmart and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet have been recalled due to “risk of serious injury or death from asbestos exposure,” warns the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. “The recalled Orb Funkee squeeze toys may contain fibrous tremolite (asbestos) in the sand, which … Read more
Tourists chasing the perfect shot of one of California’s most famous bridges could soon find themselves out of luck. Monterey County supervisors are weighing a sweeping proposal to ban parking for a full year at the legendary Bixby Bridge after years of influencer-fueled chaos turned the scenic Highway 1 landmark into what locals say is … Read more
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a private island, now’s your chance — for less than the price of many US homes. A Greek island called Makri is up for sale. It was originally advertised with a value of about $9.2 million when it was first listed by high-end real estate companies back in 2022, … Read more
A Philadelphia pizza shop is about to start selling slices for $55 — each. What makes this particular piece of pizza from Marina’s Pizza Co. in the Fishtown neighborhood so special is caviar, a gold plate and a mother-of-pearl spoon visitors get to keep (the plate stays at the restaurant). “Debuting on Friday, May 22, Marina’s new … Read more
DEAR ABBY: My husband, “Evan,” and I have been together five years and were married 2 1/2 years ago. We’re both in our early 40s and have children from previous relationships. What I’ve noticed is that anytime there is something going on in his family, I constantly have to ask him for updates. He sometimes … Read more
More than a year after setting the box office ablaze, Warner Bros.’ critical and commercial hit “Sinners” will be coming to Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights. Universal Studios announced the new attraction in a press release, while debuting a teaser video, key art and shots of merchandise fans will be able to acquire when the … Read more
The restaurant that saved Midtown dining from the pandemic just celebrated its fifth anniversary — and chef/owner Daniel Boulud can take credit for more than Le Pavillon’s widely praised, Michelin-star menu and spectacular setting. When New York City dining rooms were still limited to less than half indoor capacity in the uncertain spring of 2021, … Read more
The city of Santa Clarita is soon cutting the ribbon on a massive expansion of David March Park, and the centerpiece of the project is a grueling outdoor 116-step exercise staircase — that leads to nothing. While most people try to avoid an extra flight of stairs, the health-obsessed residents of this suburban enclave are … Read more