Apple’s board says that Tim Cook has to fly private from now on ‘in the interest of security and efficiency’ (AAPL)

Apple CEO Tim Cook is now required by Apple’s board of directors to fly on private aircraft, even for personal travel. Apple says it’s for security and safety reasons. Tim Cook racked up $93,109 in personal travel costs for Apple in 2017, which counts as part of his compensation package. Cook made $12,825,066 in total …

A renowned French chef gave up his Michelin Star because he can’t afford it

Renowned French chef Jérôme Brochot owns a restaurant in a former coal mining town in the Burgundy region of France. His restaurant, Le France, was awarded a Michelin Star in 2011. In November, Brochot voluntarily dropped his Michelin Star because diners in the working-class town couldn’t afford to eat there. Jérôme Brochot, a renowned French …

Disney is making a major change to its hotels in the wake of the Las Vegas shooting

Walt Disney World resorts are replacing “Do Not Disturb” door signs with signs that say “Room Occupied.” Resort employees are now required to enter each room at least once per day. There is speculation that the changes were put into effect to prevent events like the October shooting at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino …

An airliner flew 8 hours over the Pacific Ocean with a passenger who was on the wrong plane — and Chrissy Teigen live-tweeted the whole incident

An All Nippon Airways Boeing 777-300ER was forced to return to LAX on Tuesday after it was discovered that a passenger boarded the wrong flight. As a result of the diversion, passengers spent 8 hours on board the flight to nowhere. How a passenger managed to board the incorrect flight is under investigation. An All …

These married tech billionaires donated $165 million to preserve a pristine stretch of California’s coastline

Jack and Laura Dangermond, tech billionaires known as the parents of the digital mapping industry, have made the single largest private donation to The Nature Conservancy to date. They’ve given $165 million so the Conservancy can purchase an iconic, pristine stretch of undeveloped coastline in California. This is the spot where California bends inland. It …

Here’s where Meghan Markle vacations, from the white-sand beaches of St. Barts to New Year’s celebrations in Iceland

Meghan Markle is a jetsetter. Long before she was taking couple’s trips with fiancé Prince Harry, she was already a frequent flyer, writing about her journeys on her now-defunct lifestyle blog, The Tig. From girls trips to Spain and Italy, to attending weddings in Greece, to plenty of beach destinations, below is where she’s vacationed …

13 of the best places to visit if you’re planning a vacation in February

We’ve compiled 13 of the best places to visit for your February vacation. The destinations include tropical beaches and winter havens around the world. Winter may have just gotten underway, but many people are already planning their getaways. Fortunately, from extravagant Carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro to Chinese New Year in Beijing, February is …

I will only ever travel to Japan using Airbnb for a very unusual reason

Internet is very important when English speakers travel to Japan because of the language barrier. International data plans can be prohibitively expensive. Most Airbnb listings in Japan include a “pocket Wi-Fi” device that provides unlimited data and can be brought anywhere. Internet can feel like a necessity for a foreigner in Japan. English is a …

Hotels are giving housekeepers ‘panic buttons’ they can use if they feel threatened by a guest

Hotels are starting to give their housekeepers “panic buttons” that allow them to immediately report guests who make unwanted contact or advances. The panic buttons have been or are set to be introduced on a wide scale in New York City, Seattle, and Chicago. Workers’ rights advocates have paid particular attention to hotel employees. As …

Why airplane windows have tiny holes

If you’ve ever sat in the window seat on a flight, you’ve probably noticed the tiny hole at the bottom of the window. We asked the FAA why it’s there, and they assured us it’s totally safe. Here’s why there are tiny holes in airplane windows. Following is a transcript of the video. Why airplane …

New York’s oldest restaurant is so iconic, George Washington celebrated winning the Revolutionary War there — here’s what it’s like

Fraunces Tavern in New York’s Financial District is the city’s oldest restaurant by far, dating back to the 1700s. First built in 1719 and having served as the stage for some of American history’s greatest figures like George Washington, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere, the restaurant exudes history from every wooden bench. There are tributes …

20 stunning photos of unreal landscapes, incredible animals, and mesmerizing underwater scenes

This week National Geographic announced the winners of their annual Nature Photographer of the Year Contest. Judges chose winners and honorable mentions from 11,000 entries. The four different catagories included: aerials, landscapes, wildlife, and underwater — and a people’s choice award was also announced within each. The grand-prize winning photo of an orangutan crossing a …

Take a look inside an abandoned $35M Communist monument

There’s an abandoned monument in Bulgaria filled with communist propaganda. Construction cost the equivalent of $35 million today. Earlier this year, a group of adventurers visited the monument and documented their experience on YouTube at “Exploring the Unbeaten Path.” Following is a transcript of the video. Welcome to Buzludzha Monument — a historical monument built …

An underwater volcano has made a mysterious new island in the South Pacific — and NASA satellites captured the amazing process

Hawaii isn’t the only series of islands formed from underwater volcanic eruptions. In 2014, a massive eruption formed the new island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai. But there’s something about this island that has scientists stumped. Following is a transcript of the video. Watch a brand new island form. You’re watching the evolution of a brand …

I visited the quirky sandwich shop that beat out fine-dining joints to be named the best new restaurant in America — here’s what it’s like

Bon Appétit named the sandwich joint Turkey and the Wolf the best new restaurant in the US in 2017. The decision to elevate the quirky, low-budget concept over other restaurants created some controversy. Turkey and the Wolf is filled with ’90s nostalgia, cheap cocktails, and an incredible fried bologna sandwich. When Bon Appétit announced its …

Major airlines are taking on the biggest threat to their business — and it’s great for consumers

Low-cost carriers accounted for 28% of all passengers traffic in 2016. It’s a percentage that’s still growing. The rise of low-cost carriers has disrupted an industry traditionally dominated by major legacy carriers. These major airlines are now fighting back with low-cost options of their own. The availability of more low-cost flights is ultimately better for …

Delta has a new baggage fee that’s going to annoy tons of passengers

Delta Air Lines will now charge $60 for checked baggage on select international flights. The fee applies to basic economy fares for flights between the US and Europe or North Africa. Basic economy passengers previously received an allowance of one free checked bag. This week, Delta Air Lines updated its basic economy travel policy with …

Inside Emirates’ new first class suites with virtual windows and NASA-inspired seats

Emirates has a new cabin in its Boeing 777-300ER. Wonder what it’s like? Zach Honig flew first class and got a first-hand look. Now, you don’t have to pay first-class prices to see what it’s like inside. Following is a transcript of the video. Zach Honig, editor at “The Points Guy,” flew first class in …

The 10 most luxurious first class cabins in the world

Airlines are slowly moving away from pricey first class suites. But the ones that remain offer palatial settings and stunning luxury. Every year, Skytrax names the airlines with the best first-class offerings. Airlines from Asia dominate the list. First class is slowly, but surely going the way of the dodo. The palatial luxury suites that …

Airlines will begin banning smart luggage in 2018

Airlines are starting to announce policies to ban smart luggage that includes non-removable lithium ion batteries on their flights. The first bans are set to go into effect on Jan. 15. American Airlines, Delta, and Alaska Airlines have announced bans so far. United and Southwest are expected to do so soon. The future of luggage …

The 10 best business class airlines in the world

Every year Skytrax names the airlines with the best business class offerings. Airlines are moving away from costly first-class cabins replacing them with more plush business class products. As a result, business class is becoming more and more luxurious. The top 10 are dominated by airlines from Asia. Every year, leading aviation consumer website Skytrax …

Starbucks opened a super-sized gourmet location in China — here’s what it looks like (SBUX)

Starbucks opened a new super-sized Roastery in Shanghai on Tuesday. The location is 30,000 square feet and serves gourmet, nitrogen-infused drinks and food baked in-house. The Roastery is a window into Starbucks’ future as the coffee chain attempts to bolster its premium image. Starbucks has opened a stunning location in China that is 300 times …

This glass cabin in Sweden takes you closer to nature

Sweden is offering the best way to relax and unwind… by staying in a glass cabin! This cabin is located on a private Swedish island and offers canoeing, swimming, and fishing. Following is a transcript of the video. This cabin brings you closer to nature. It’s called the 72-hour cabin. The cabin is on a …

Inside New York City’s most festive bar, where they spend more than $60,000 a year getting ready for Christmas

Rolf’s German Restaurant is known for its over-the-top Christmas decorations. By December, lines wrap around the block, and the place gets packed with locals and tourists. They spend $60,000 on lights and ornaments. When it comes to getting in the Christmas spirit, no one does it quite like Rolf’s German Restaurant in New York City’s …

The best photos of Europe that National Geographic has taken in its 125-year history

National Geographic revolutionized photography and the photo essay. The magazine’s photographers, who are sometimes armed with up to nine different cameras and 500 rolls of film for a single assignment, have captured the world with tack-sharp images. More than 200 photos from the past 125 years are featured in the new book “National Geographic: Around …

10 up-and-coming destinations you should visit for the holidays

American Express Travel looked at flight-booking data and found the 10 destinations with the greatest increase in bookings during this year’s fourth quarter. Some appeal to those who like the cold and others to those who want to escape it, but each offers unique cultural experiences. Many will allow travelers to break out of their …

21 stunning portraits that just won one of the most prestigious awards in the industry

This year, 2,423 photographers from 66 countries submitted entries to the prestigious portrait contest hosted by the National Portrait Gallery in London. Since 1993, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize has awarded and celebrated photographers at every level, including amateurs, emerging photographers, and seasoned professionals. 59 images from a total of 5,717 entries were recognized …