The real reason why passports only come in four colors. And, generally speaking, it’s pretty much true that countries opt for these dark, official-looking hues. But it turns out that there’s no official regulation forcing these countries to select primary colors. Credit: Mehroz Kapadia There are, however, no stipulations in place that dictate how a passport looks. “Nothing stipulates the cover color,” confirmed Anthony Philbin, ICAO’s chief communications officer. So, why the global predilection to navy blues, maroons, forest greens, and black?...

The Massachusetts island is more than just the preppie paradise of yesterday. Here’s how to explore the newer, more diverse Martha’s Vineyard. Elizabeth Cecil It was close to sunset, and our boat had just pulled in to Menemsha Harbor. Menemsha Harbor at sunset.Credit:Elizabeth Cecil Menemsha is a fishing village on the tail end ofMarthas Vineyard, in the literal sense. If you look at theMassachusettsisland on a map, it resembles a fish....

Here, austere elegance defines luxuryno TVs in rooms, no gym, not even a swimming pool. This pioneering concept has spawned a global movement of art hotels that have transformed luxury accommodations worldwide. During a meeting in 1985, the two men laid the groundwork for what would become Benesse House Museum. These philosophies manifest in Benesse House’s deliberate restraintspaces designed for contemplation rather than excessive comfort and convenience. Soon after its opening, Benesse House Museum transformed the entire island of Naoshima into an immersive art experience....

Chayanee Chomsaengchun I didnt just want a photo of the rainforest. Before baptism, these mystical waters demanded a photo. The universe laughed, but I got the shot. The Leisure Pool at the Kamalaya Koh Samui resort.Credit:Chayanee Chomsaengchun Dont worry; this isnt a story about just another phone-addicted millennial. Time passed, fluid as a river. Related:The Best Times to Visit Thailand Physical, spiritual, mental lately it feels likewellnesscan mean anything. Gulf views from Conrad Koh Samui....

Hoganas, a Swedish town once famous for its salt-glazed ceramics, is having a renaissance. Happily, it was out of commission, which made dinner much more comfortable. The oven was so big we could have fit a dozen more people without feeling crowded. The Grand Hôtel presides over the coastal town of Mölle.Credit:Courtesy of Kullahalvön The walls were midnight-black from generations of soot. But with globalization came outsourcing, and in 2008, the kilns went cold....

Ariel Frager/Travel + Leisure I didnt mean to hire a Vietnamese travel agency to plan our three-week family adventure. “No way, I always make my own arrangements, I thought. When I was initially beginning to plan a familytrip to Vietnam, I texted my friend Andrea Fleming. Credit:Ariel Frager/Travel + Leisure She recommended Blue Asia Tours, the agency that all the local international teachers use for their travels. My email correspondence with Quang Hoa, the owner of Blue Asia Tours, refined our itinerary....

A complex system cleans and pressurizes the air in the cabins. Whileflying at 35,000 feet, you may wonder how fresh, clean air circulates through a pressurized cabin. Unsurprisingly, manufacturers have spent decades mastering the complex process. Credit: fStop Images - Halfdark / Getty Images Planes flyin conditions that are inhospitable to human life. Under such conditions, most people would lose consciousness within 60 seconds and die shortly thereafter. These processes are interrelated....

After a lifetime of traveling solo, Honor Moore tackles the ultimate adventure a safari through Tanzania with friends. ILLUSTRATION BY HARRIET LEE-MERRION Ill go if you go, my friend Diane said. She was recently widowed. Credit:ILLUSTRATION BY HARRIET LEE-MERRION The price was steep, but I had time to save up. I was 20 when I first traveled by myself, the trip to Europe a gift from my parents. Supper was a solo affair at a cafe....

ILLUSTRATION BY EMILIA SCHETTINO I was one of 11 students staying at a boutique hotel in Mexico City. My own relationship with Spanish was rooted in guilt and a bit of shame. Im a Latina raised in the Midwest, but I have little proficiency in the language. Credit:ILLUSTRATION BY EMILIA SCHETTINO My Mexican American dad was raised in Texas in the 1950s, the oldest of 11 children. Spanish was spoken at home, but not in school....

Here’s how to plan a trip to the Netherlands to see the tulips this spring. during cherry blossom season. Here’s how to plot the perfect adventure to the Netherlands to see the tulips blooming this spring. Rows of colorful tulips.Credit:JacobH/Getty Images The weather forecast for the coming month looks promising, with moderately cold temperatures." If you’re planning a trip this spring, Strauss suggests booking right away. “Id always recommend booking as soon as possible,” he said....

The beloved tradition almost never happened. Here’s a look at the backstory and how they actually do it. Depending on the weather, the hue is typically strong enough to stick around for several days. Credit:Scott Olson / Getty Images “It’s the perfect storm of celebration,” Alter said. Scott Olson / Getty Images

Once marginalized, Bangkoks LGBTQ+ culture now flourishes in the spotlight. Matt Hunt/Neato/Alamy There may be no country in Asia friendlier to LGBTQ people than Thailand. These days, transgender actors and business leaders are celebrated. Artists SILVY and Mint at the anniversary celebration of Fake Club, a nightclub in Bangkok.Credit:Matt Hunt/Neato/Alamy It seems clear that BangkoksLGBTQ sceneis not the tawdry affair it used to be. In 2022, my husband and I were holed up at a friends beachfront villa on Koh Samui....

Generations of skiers have known Big Sky as a low-key ski destination. But with new luxury resorts and tricked-out lifts, word is about to get out. Mark Hartman “You have to go to Big Sky is a refrain Ive often heard from fellow skiers. Descending the Liberty Bowl at Big Sky Resort, in Montana.Credit:Mark Hartman But diehards know what really puts thebiginBig Sky. ski resort,Big Sky has a unique preponderance of this throw in of advanced terrain....