Driving all the way to a national park usually feels like the hardest part. But in early 2026, some visitors finally rolled up to the entrance booth and got hit with a new question that instantly changed the mood: Are you a U.S. resident?
Here’s what’s happening at the gate, why some travelers are turning around, and how to avoid being blindsided on your next winter park run.
Some trips leave a mark long before they happen—dreams quietly carried through busy decades. But for many older adults, waiting too long meant missing the chance to take journeys they once hoped would define retirement or rekindle wonder. From solo adventures to meaningful family escapes, the trips most often regretted aren’t always the farthest or most expensive. They’re the ones rooted in personal meaning, connection, or a long-held curiosity left unexplored.
Not all travel companions are created equal, especially when you’re over 60. Choosing the wrong person could turn your getaway into a frustrating ordeal instead of the relaxing escape you envisioned. Seasoned travelers over 60 know that a successful journey isn’t just about picking a great destination—it’s about planning wisely to avoid predictable pitfalls. Understanding these common missteps ensures that your trip is memorable for all the right reasons.
Traveling in later life should be an enriching experience, full of moments to savor, not a series of stress-filled mishaps. Yet, many older travelers still make rookie errors that lead to exhaustion, discomfort, or unnecessary tension. By being proactive, you can sidestep these mistakes and enjoy smoother adventures, ensuring you return home refreshed and fulfilled. Here are 12 crucial things to avoid.
You might not believe it, but there are more things about life in America that Europeans secretly envy than you’d think. When they talk up their centuries-old cathedrals and flawless rail networks, you almost forget about the everyday conveniences that make life here feel so effortless. Yet when they step onto U.S. soil, they can’t help but notice that certain perks make their home country seem a little less appealing.
From all-night shopping to endless menu options and the freedom to personalize almost everything, these quirks of American life have Europeans whispering, “Why don’t we have that back home?” Whether they’re grabbing a late-night snack or marveling at the size of a supermarket, each of these 13 points reveals a slice of American living that makes visitors wish they could take a piece of it home.
Homicide rates tell a story that statistics alone cannot soften. Behind every number sits a mix of fear, instability, and systems that no longer protect people the way they should. In 2025, some countries continue to struggle with violence at levels that reshape everyday decisions.
Gang power, organized crime, inequality, and weak institutions show up again and again. These rankings reflect reported homicide rates, but they also hint at deeper social fractures that numbers can only partially explain.
Airports can be hectic, and that chaos creates opportunities for scams targeting your luggage. From impostors posing as airport staff to effortlessly swapped bags at claim carousels, these tactics are designed to catch travelers off guard. Knowing what to watch for, where these scams tend to happen, and how to respond can give you the upper hand. A few simple precautions can help keep your belongings safe and your trip on track.
While mountain lions (puma concolor) are masters of invisibility, human expansion into wildland-urban interfaces means encounters are increasingly possible. As a wildlife expert, I can tell you that a mountain lion isn’t looking for a fight; they are looking for an easy meal. Most dangerous escalations occur when a human inadvertently mimics the behavior of prey. Survival depends on operant conditioning: you must convince the cat that you are a dangerous adversary rather than a fleeing target. Here is how to manage an encounter using biological principles.
If you knew your travel days were numbered, which adventures would shoot to the top of your bucket list? The clock doesn’t pause, and the world isn’t waiting. Ordinary getaways won’t cut it when your soul craves extraordinary. You deserve to feel shaken by beauty, lifted by wonder, and forever changed by the sights you’ve only dreamed about.
From vanishing wonders to breathtaking spectacles, these places offer more than just scenic photos—they deliver perspective, purpose, and the kind of memories that embed themselves into your bones. These are the experiences that shout, “I’m alive,” and they may not be around much longer. Don’t let time or hesitation rob you of them.
Finding the perfect small-town destination can transform travel for older adults, combining ease with enriching experiences. These towns offer walkable streets, rich history, and local culture, creating a peaceful atmosphere ideal for relaxation. Accessibility, nearby medical facilities, and serene settings are prioritized to ensure comfort and safety. Whether seeking charming architecture, waterfront views, or vibrant arts scenes, these towns provide a balanced mix of engagement and tranquility for seasoned travelers.
Backpacking is increasingly popular among older travelers who seek flexible, immersive, and budget-friendly adventures. This style of travel allows for a personalized pace, encouraging physical activity and fostering a sense of independence. By traveling light and embracing local cultures, older adults can enjoy meaningful experiences that promote mental and physical well-being. Ultimately, backpacking helps seniors reconnect with their curiosity and adaptability in new and enriching environments.
Airbnb just rolled out one of its biggest updates ever, adding more than 60 new features designed to make trips easier, smarter, and more connected. The changes range from smarter search tools to flexible payments, but the standout feature is social — a new way for travelers to meet, message, and build connections around shared adventures.
It’s part of Airbnb’s push to evolve beyond booking into a global travel community that connects people before, during, and long after the trip ends.
Every year, people vanish without a trace in national parks, forests, and wilderness areas across the U.S. Some are hikers who stray off the trail, others vanish under circumstances that defy logic. Despite modern tracking technology and widespread media coverage, many cases remain unsolved for decades.
The disappearances raise unsettling questions about how vast, wild, and unpredictable America’s wilderness really is — and what might be lurking within it.
In a wetland in Madagascar, researchers have discovered a colossal interconnected web stretching across hundreds of meters — a shimmering fortress of silk housing over 111,000 spiders. The massive “super-web,” unlike anything previously documented, is the result of cooperative behavior rarely seen among typically solitary creatures.
This discovery challenges long-held beliefs about spider social structures and raises fascinating questions about survival, teamwork, and adaptation in nature.
Airport security has always been an uneasy trade between convenience and privacy, but TSA’s new face scan technology may be tilting that balance further than travelers realize. The system is quietly expanding to hundreds of airports, scanning faces as passengers hand over their IDs — often without clear consent.
Officials promise faster lines and improved accuracy, yet privacy advocates warn that the risks of storing millions of facial templates could far outweigh the convenience.