Travel

Things look pretty bleak in America right now. Has anyone noticed?

We had some of our preconceptions upended and learned a number of unexpected things about our new temporary home.

What’s the difference between street art and graffiti?

People often say that they think we’re brothers, but we don’t look anything alike. Why is that?

The world seemed wide open, and we were growing more intrepid by the month. Now we’re living in a suburb with an SUV in every driveway.

We worried we’d end up even more lonely by leaving our home and seeing the world. But instead we’re more socially active now than we were back in our twenties. 

A group of travel industry associations is teaming up with two entities that have fought against marriage equality and transgender rights.

“Why being different is bad and sex is scary.”

“It’s not a happy and healthy gay-for-all,” he writes, “but it’s not being thrown off tall buildings either.”

The mayors of four West Coast cities say they’re lifting bans imposed on city-funded travel to Indiana after changes were made to that state’s religious objections law to make clear it can’t be used to discriminate.

Indiana tourism agencies are rolling out campaigns emphasizing that everyone is welcome, but it might not be enough to quickly restore the state’s battered image after a backlash over its religious objections law.

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy on Saturday lifted their bans on some state-funded travel to Indiana, citing changes made to a religious-objections law that had spurred concern about anti-gay discrimination.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee is rescinding a ban on state-funded travel to Indiana after a law that critics said had the potential to discriminate against gays and lesbians based on religious beliefs was amended.

PHOENIX — Destination resorts across Arizona are broadening their marketing strategies since same-sex marriage became legal last month.

Hotels in Phoenix, Sedona and elsewhere are offering discounts or tweaking their advertising to lure same-sex couples, reports the Arizona Republic.

NEW YORK — Forget bad weather, traffic jams and kids asking, “Are we there yet?” The real headache for many travelers is a quickly-growing list of hotel surcharges, even for items they never use. Guaranteeing two queen beds or one king bed will cost you, as will checking in early or checking out late. Don’t need the in-room safe? You’re likely still paying. And the overpriced can of soda …

RICHMOND, Va. — “Richmond is out!” That’s the message of a new tourism campaign aimed at LGBT travelers. The goal is to let them know the city is open, accepting and a great place to visit. The campaign is set to run through October 31 to correspond with the pride festival at the end of September.

Why are we celebrating the obligation to toil most of our lives? Seriously, why is Labor Day an American holiday? Is it an excuse for one last blowout before – before what? I’m tempted to research the origins of Labor Day, though I have no doubt that I learned all about it back in fourth grade. It’s never made sense to me to get a day off to celebrate work. Of course it’s never made sense to me…

LAS VEGAS — While same-sex couples still can’t get married in the marriage capital of the world, Las Vegas wants to let them know they – and their money – are more than welcome to the buffet of other activities Sin City has to offer. The city’s tourism authority recently launched its first mainstream TV campaign aimed at the LGBT community: a commercial featuring a hunk and a…

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Atlantic City is planning a series of events to attract gay tourists, who are becoming an increasingly important part of the resort’s growth strategy. Mayor Don Guardian and tourism officials said Monday the goal is to reinvigorate a once-thriving gay community in the New Jersey resort city.

WASHINGTON — Citing rising threats of violence at the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, U.S. officials said Friday they are prepared to work with Russian security officials to help protect American athletes and the 10,000 American spectators expected to attend.