Tag: Holidays

COCA COLA CAKE – The Southern Lady Cooks – Southern Recipe
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Coca-Cola Cake is a Southern classic. It’s a decadent old-fashioned chocolate cake with rich chocolate frosting that never disappoints.

If you like this cake, you may want to try our lunch lady brownies, old-fashioned sweet chocolate pie, and our Southern chocolate pound cake.

❤WHY WE LOVE THIS CAKE

This is a chocolate lover’s dream cake, and makes me happy just to have it in the house! There are lots of recipes for this cake, but this one is my favorite. The classic cake is so moist because of the coke and buttermilk, and the frosting is fudgy and delicious! The marshmallows are a must in this cake! I promise you’re gonna love this old-fashioned Southern cake.

🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
- Sugar
- All-purpose flour
- Ground cinnamon (Optional) (I think the cinnamon brings out the chocolate flavor even more)
- Butter
- Coca-Cola (I always use regular Coke, do not use diet)
- Pure cocoa
- Buttermilk
- Baking soda
- Miniature marshmallows
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
FROSTING INGREDIENTS
- Butter
- 100% pure cocoa
- Coca-cola
- Powdered sugar ( Note: 1 pound of unsifted powdered sugar= about 4 1/4 cups. 1 lb. of sifted powdered sugar = about 4 3/4 cups. I used 4 cups of unsifted powdered sugar, and it works fine for this frosting)
- Vanilla extract
- Pecans or nuts of your choice (Optional)
SUBSTITUTES

✔Please see the comments on this cake to see how others have used different colas in it. Many have had great success with cherry coke, and several loved it with Sprite.

👩‍🍳HOW TO MAKE

This cake is so easy; you don’t even have to pull out the mixer!

COOKING

Step 1: Combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.

Step 2: Combine butter, 1 cup of Coca-Cola, and cocoa in a pot on the stove and bring to a boil, stirring often.

Step 3: Remove from heat and pour over the flour mixture. Mix with a spoon.

Step 4: Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and pour into the cake mixture. Add marshmallows and continue stirring (your marshmallows will not melt). Add in eggs and vanilla extract.

Step 5: Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, testing for doneness.

FROSTING INSTRUCTIONS

Bring margarine, cocoa, and Coca-Cola to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar until the frosting is of a spreading consistency. You can either stir in nuts or sprinkle them on top of the cake. Spread over hot cake.

⭐PRO TIP

Make the frosting while the cake is in the oven baking. Then, you’re ready to frost the cake while it’s still warm.

❓FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I don’t like Buttermilk. Can I use regular milk?

Buttermilk is an essential ingredient when baking. It adds flavor and texture to cakes. You don’t taste the buttermilk. I don’t recommend using regular milk; it will change the texture and moisture of this cake. However, if you don’t have buttermilk, here is a substitute that will work.

Does it taste like Coke?

Ironically, no! You don’t taste Coca-Cola in this cake. It just produces a very moist cake with a fudge-like frosting.

STORING AND FREEZING

Store this cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can easily freeze this cake. Just bake and frost it, and then I do recommend cutting it. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.

💕MORE OLD-FASHIONED RECIPES YOU MAY ENJOY
Southern Coca Cola Cake

Leigh Walkup

Coca-Cola cake is a southern classic. This old-fashioned chocolate cake is decadent and the frosting is delicious. No doubt this coca-cola cake will quickly become a family favorite!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Course Dessert

Cuisine American, southern

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon Optional (I think the cinnamon brings out the chocolate flavor even more)

1 cup butter or margarine or two sticks or 16 tablespoons

1 cup coca cola I always use regular coke and have not tried it with any other kind

3 tablespoons 100% pure cocoa

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

2 eggs beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting for Coca Cola Cake

1/2 cup butter or margarine or 1 stick or 8 tablespoons

3 tablespoon 100% pure cocoa

6 tablespoons coca cola

1 1 pound package powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup pecans or nuts of your choice Optional

Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix well using a wire whisk.

Combine butter, the 1 cup of coca cola and cocoa in a pot on the stove and bring to a boil stirring often.

Remove from heat and pour over flour mixture. Mix with a spoon.

Mix buttermilk and baking soda together and pour into cake mixture. Add marshmallows and continue stirring.(Your marshmallows will not melt) Add in eggs and vanilla extract.

Pour into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes, testing for doneness. Frost.

Frosting Instructions

Bring margarine, cocoa and coca cola to a boil on top of the stove. Remove from heat and add vanilla and powdered sugar until frosting is of spreading consistency. You can either stir in nuts or sprinkle on top of the cake. Spread over hot cake.

1 pound of unsifted powdered sugar= about 4 1/4 cups. 1 lb. of sifted powdered sugar = about 4 3/4 cups. I used 4 cups of unsifted powdered sugar and it worked fine in this frosting
© The Southern Lady Cooks photos and text – All rights reserved. No copying, posting on other sites, or other uses allowed without written permission of the copyright holder.
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Leigh Walkup

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November 5, 2023
Holiday gridlock. Nearly half of America plans to travel between Thanksgiving and mid-January

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While warnings about holiday travel being crowded seem to come out every year, 2023 could be a standout.

Nearly half the country plans to travel between Thanksgiving and the middle of January, according to the 2023 Deloitte Holiday Travel Survey. They’ll be traveling less frequently, though, meaning the concentration of people taking a trip around Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is going to be higher.

More than one-third of travelers (37%) will take a flight at least once this holiday seasons. Roads, though, might be a bit less congested, as 53% of American travelers are planning road trips, compared to 64% last year.

“The travel industry is reaching its cruising altitude this holiday season,” said Mike Daher, vice chair, Deloitte LLP and U.S. transportation, hospitality and services non-attest leader in a statement. “Spending time with family and friends is even more important during the holidays, and Americans are embracing this tradition as they pack away many of the concerns that impacted plans last year.”

The big beneficiary of this travel boom could be hotels. Some 56% of holiday travelers say they play to stay at a hotel at some point in their journey this year, compared to just 35% last year. The average traveler expects to spend $2,725 on their trip, Deloitte reports.

That steep bill is the reason the number of people traveling isn’t higher. Of the people surveyed who won’t be hitting the road, 38% say finances are the top deterrent. COVID fears have largely disappeared, with only 11% citing health worries as the reason they’re staying home.

The continued surge in remote work is also fueling the travel boom. One-third of the 5,281 people surveyed said they planned to work on their longest trip this holiday season. Those workers tend to travel more frequently and take longer trips, says Deloitte.

Subscribe to the CFO Daily newsletter to keep up with the trends, issues, and executives shaping corporate finance. Sign up for free.

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Chris Morris

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October 31, 2023
Best Marijuana Hacks For Winter

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Snow is hitting parts of the country and the chill is driving people indoors…how do I consume so I manage the winter months

Snowstorms are raging in parts and the country and the holidays are nest month. We now have darkness in the evenings and always need a coat or scarf. rWith less incentive and options to go out and have fun, it looks like the majority of our time will be spent indoors. And here are the best marijuana hacks for winter. While you’ll hopefully spend your time doing a healthy mix of different activities, don’t beat yourself up if you end up smoking more weed than usual.

Look for sales and hint for Holiday gifts

Holiday sales are later this month and find out if your local dispensary is going to put any of your favorites on sale? Maybe talk to the bud tender beforehand so you can be prepared to stock up! Even after the holidays, in the the slow months, sales are not uncommon.

Also, for either Friendsgiving or a Green Christmas, do you friends know what you like, never hurts to share which brand and flavor of gummy is your go two. Unfortunately, in some states there is no way to legally provide any form of gift card or offer deemed as a “coupon” by the state.

Store it correctly

Photo by Zummolo/Getty Images

RELATED: 8 Ways to Enjoy Marijuana Without Smoking It

If you are buying edibles and oils, they are already pre-packaged, but think of a place to put them were they are not “shared” accidentally (be it kids or a greedy relative/roommate). When purchasing significant amounts of flower, it’s important to store it properly in order to not waste any money or product. Don’t store large amounts of weed in Ziploc bags, since they’ll lose all of their stickiness. Place your weed in mason jars, with airtight lids, and place them in areas where there’s no direct sunlight or extreme temperatures. This will preserve the quality of your product without losing smell or flavor. Need more suggestions? Here are 8 Ways To Properly Store Marijuana For Freshness.

Have a comfortable consuming space

With edibles and oils, you don’t really need to special place, they are the perfect on the go treats. Vaping has less of an odor and it great for moving around. But if you want to go old school, a good smoking space can transform your smoking experience. Whether your bedroom or your couch, make the space comfy and inviting, someplace you’d be happy to spend hours on end. Make sure there’s a window nearby so the smell and air will clear out. You will also need to wash nearby blankets and sheets with some regularity.

Stock up on healthy snacks

Photos by Danielle Guercio

RELATED: How To Make Your Joints Burn Slower

The holidays are already a tough time on everyone’s waistline. If you’re the type of person who gets very intense munchies, save yourself some stress by stocking up on healthy snacks can be stored and preserved. Limit the amount of junk foods you purchase, since they’ll look extra appetizing after you start your journey.

RELATED: Science Explains How Marijuana Inspires Awe

Build up your kief stash

Buy a grinder with an extra level on the bottom, perfect for storing kief. Build up your reserves and use these to add an extra kick to your joints. Your kief will build up naturally, without much work from you. Just be sure to store your grinder in a dark and cool space, way the quality of the kief won’t be messed with. But first, What Is Kief And What To Do With It.

Enjoy the best hacks for marijuana this winter and, remember, spring isn’t too far away.

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Sarah Johns

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October 31, 2023
Santa is Back at Cabela’s in 2023! Get Your FREE Photo With Santa
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If you are thinking about bringing your kids to Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s, Santa will be there too! Kick off the holiday season with Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. Truly FREE, a visit to Santa’s Wonderland includes not only a chance to talk to Santa, but also a free studio-quality printed 4×6 photo. You’ll enjoy free activities, candy cane, games, and more. This is one place where holiday magic is really, actually free, and we love it.

See Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Santa in 2023
- Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s: Santa arrives on November 4th, 2023!
- Free 4×6 high-quality photo
- Lots of Free fun all season long!
- Reservations are open NOW! Make your reservation to see Santa at Cabela’s!
Saturday, November 4th, 2023: Santa’s Arrival Parade at 5 pm in front of Bass Pro Shop.
November 5th, 2023 through December 24, 2023: FREE photos with Santa at Cabela’s.

Note: The times listed above are for Santa at Cabela’s of Greenville, SC. Times and dates may vary by location, but the offerings will be very similar.

Just check with your local Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shop for their Santa’s Wonderland schedule.

Photo credit: Cabela’s

FREE Arrival Parade Event

Santa will arrive on a boat straight from the North Pole at Cabela’s & Bass Pro Shops on November 4th, 2023 at 5 p.m.

The arrival event will include:
- Carolers
- Free special giveaways
- Hot chocolate and cookies
- Various vendors
- Free games and activities
Free Photos With Santa and Visit to Santa’s Wonderland: Yes! It’s Really Free!
- Make a reservation in advance.
- Visits include a FREE 4×6 photo with Santa that you will receive on-site.
- A visit to Santa’s Wonderland includes FREE crafts and games
- Use the letterbox to drop off your list to Santa
Want more photos? Purchase Additional Photos with Santa at Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops

Love your free photo? Copying is prohibited, but you can purchase a photo package for additional photos. They’ll print right in the store. Use your CLUB Mastercard® and you can purchase a special CLUB Members Exclusive Photo Package for just $20.

But, remember, no purchase is necessary to visit Santa’s Wonderland at Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops. No purchase is necessary for a free photo with Santa. You can have a great time with the kids and spend nothing at all.

Santa’s Wonderland: What you need to know before you visit with Santa

Kidding Around Guest Contributor Lauren Justus brought her family to Cabela’s of Greenville for a visit with Santa. Here are her parent tips: everything you need to know before you go for your visit with the big man in red.

Plan Ahead

In order to visit Santa’s Wonderland, you are required to make a free online reservation with Santa. It takes just a minute to register and you will receive a confirmation email with your booking date and time.

Reservations are available up to seven days in advance, November 5-December 24, 2023. No walk-ins are allowed at this time.

Photo Credit: Cabela’s

How It Works

Upon arrival, one of Santa’s helpers will ask to see your booking confirmation. After your photo is taken, each family will receive a complimentary 4 x 6 print as part of their free online booking. There are additional photo packages available for purchase.

Photo with Santa provided by Cabela’s at Lauren’s visit.

Extra Touches

Before our exit, Santa’s helpers provided our children with an individually packaged holiday activity kit full of festive surprises. They were also given a huge candy cane and a “Letter for Santa” printout to send to the North Pole in the coming weeks!

Santa’s Letterbox

There is a letterbox at Santa’s Wonderland so you can send your list! You can take some time to fill out your list right away and mail it, or bring it back to the store to mail when you’re done.

Do some shopping or enjoy the displays

Don’t forget to take a walk through the store before or after your visit so you can enjoy the large aquariums and wildlife displays throughout each store. That’s actually something that’s great to do any day, but even more fun when you’re making a day of it and visiting Santa, too!

Photo Credit: Cabela’s

Photo Credit: Cabela’s

Where will your family visit with Santa this year?
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Kidding Around Team

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October 31, 2023
Is your hotel sustainable? Not if these two things are in your room, says Soneva’s founder

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Many hotels claim to be eco-friendly.

But are they?

A quick-and-easy test is to look for two items, said Sonu Shivdasani, founder of Soneva and Six Senses hotel brands.

First, sustainable hotels should not have branded water of any sort, he told CNBC Travel.

“When you have incredible filtered water, and where the tap water is pretty pure in most countries in the world … there’s no need to have any sort of branded water,” he said.

Not only does this reduce single-use bottles, but it’s healthier too, he said.

“There are quite a lot of brands of water that can be quite toxic, because they’re in areas where there’s sort of chemical pollution,” he said. Plus “plastic bottles are a carcinogen. You can imagine … that plastic bottle … sitting in a store for two or three months, getting hot and roasting.”

A better, cheaper option for hotels is to purify tap water and add electrolyte minerals, such as sodium, potassium and chloride, he said.

Next, check for toiletries in plastic bottles, which Shivdasani called “silly.”

“One should really buy in bulk containers, and then you refill in ceramic bottles,” he said.

But that’s really the bare minimum, said Shivdasani, who sold Six Senses in 2012.

He now focuses on Soneva’s three hotels: two in the Maldives and one in Thailand, plus another — Soneva Secret — set to open on a remote atoll in the northern Maldives in 2024.

The resorts serve guests produce grown on-site, rely partly on solar energy and recycle 93% of generated waste, said Shivdasani, who was awarded the 50 Best Hotels inaugural “Icon Award” for responsible luxury tourism in September.

‘Ecology is economy’

Shivdasani rejects the idea that operating sustainably is costlier.

“Ecology is economy,” he told CNBC Travel.

By relying more on solar power than diesel fuel, he said, Soneva resorts will save money in the long run.

“Our bankers are very supportive of us doing it,” he said. “The payback on this investment is about four and a half years.”

By making charcoal using fallen branches, Shivdasani estimates his company saves $20,000-$30,000 per year. Plus, on-site gardens deliver about $10,000 a month of vegetables — at market prices — into each resort, he added.

But Shivdasani doesn’t dispute that sustainability — at this level — is harder.

“It’s certainly not easier. But it’s more interesting,” he said. “It is more difficult, but it’s certainly much, much more fulfilling.”

A 2% environmental levy

As the tourism industry adopts more sustainable practices, one question remains: Who pays for it?

“Governments can create the context, but businesses need to make the change,” Shivdasani told CNBC Travel. “We can do that by making small changes to the way we do business that does not affect our profitability, but which can have a huge impact on people well beyond our shores.”

Nearly 80% of travelers will pay at least 10% more for eco-friendly travel, despite the cost-of-living crisis, according to a Euromonitor International report published in August.

Soneva Fushi, a resort in the Maldives where Shivdasani said he and his wife, Eva, live about half of the year.

Source: Soneva

Shivdasani said he decided to institute a guest environmental levy after the company measured its “scope 3” emissions.

“I didn’t know what scope 3 CO2 emissions were,” he said. “Scopes 1 and 2 are like the light bulbs, the air-conditioning … scope three is externalities outside the property [like] guests flying in, supplies coming in.”

Companies often fall short of reporting scope 3 emissions, said Kelvin Law, an associate professor of accounting at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University who researches corporate sustainability and financial fraud.

“Missing one out of three reporting scopes may not seem like a big deal — but it is,” he wrote for CNA, since they account for the lion’s share of most companies’ emissions. “Leaving out scope three emissions reporting is akin to solving a jigsaw puzzle without the largest piece — the picture is never complete.”

Shivdasani said that after Soneva determined that 85% of its carbon emissions were “scope 3” emissions, the company introduced the 2% carbon levy. That was in 2008.

“That’s why we said we had to do something about it,” he said.

Small changes

The levy has generated about $12 million for The Soneva Foundation, a British charity founded in 2010.

The revenue has been used to restore forests in Thailand, fund a 1.5 megawatt windmill in India (“giving the local community subsidized energy”) and to buy stoves in Myanmar and Darfur, Sudan.

“The cookstoves has been a fantastic investment,” he said adding that they not only reduce CO2 emissions but also decrease firewood expenses and the risk of lung disease. The latter causes an estimated 3.2 million deaths per year, including some 230,000 children under the age of five, according to the World Health Organization.

Moreover, the stoves have created a carbon surplus, he said.

“We now have two million surplus carbon credits, which is worth about $20 million,” he said.

The credits — which currently sell for $10-$15 each on the open market — are certified and then purchased by companies, such as Marks & Spencer, which use the credit to meet their own carbon reduction goals, he said.

The Soneva Foundation is reinvesting that money, using it to plant 1 million trees in Nepal and Mozambique each, among other projects, he added.

“It’s a small change, but it’s had this fantastically growing impact,” he said.

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October 30, 2023
Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake [+Video] – Oh Sweet Basil
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Paula Deen’s Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake is a yellow cake crust topped with a creamy pumpkin layer and the most popular pumpkin dessert at our Thanksgiving table.

This is the very first recipe I had ever made from the Food Network. Paula Deen inspired something in Cade and I and that is the only reason this blog exists.

Cade’s from the South and as super poor newlyweds we didn’t have much entertainment that didn’t cost money and since cable was free in our apartment we would watch Paula cook up delicious foods and I got to learn about Cade’s Southern side.

It was so fun to surprise him with classic southern dishes like, Fried Chicken, Southern Macaroni and Cheese, Perfect Pecan Pie and Tomato Basil Pie. But then we saw a few pumpkin recipes using pumpkin puree like, pumpkin cake, pumpkin gooey butter cake and other pumpkin dessert recipes.

We just knew Thanksgiving was going to be extra special.

Our First Thanksgiving Home as Newlyweds

Cade and I had been married for just shy of a year and we had gone home to Washington for the holidays. It felt so special to finally be a married couple enjoying the time with family. We had been thinking up pumpkin ideas for weeks.

I can’t remember why I was making pumpkin recipes, it must have been that we decided to not do pumpkin pie or something but either way this gooey butter cake ended up being what I chose and my whole family has been hooked on Paula Deen’s Gooey Butter Cake recipe ever since.

Now, I’ve waited this whole time, choosing to not post any Food Network recipes because I totally get how hard those chefs work, but after almost 12 years I decided that:
- it’s one of our favorites
- it’s already all over the web
- you want to know the recipes that people are obsessed with so you can make it a family favorite too!
What Ingredients for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Crust

Start off by making the crust with the above ingredients. You’re not making the cake with the ingredients listed on the box, instead you’re making it into a crust.

That golden crust is actually one of my favorite parts. It’s almost like the topping of a cobbler. You know those cake mix cobblers you just can’t stop eating?

This is a really easy gooey butter cake to make and one of the best pumpkin dessert recipes I’ve ever had. It’s so silky, creamy and the spices not only make it taste like the holidays but my goodness, it SMELLS like the holidays!

Here’s what you need for our easy pumpkin cake recipe.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
- Pumpkin puree
- Cream Cheese
- Eggs
- Butter
- Spices
How do you Make Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

As mentioned above, start your gooey butter cake by making the crust using a yellow cake mix. A white or spice cake will work as well.
1. Press the crust into the bottom of the pan.
2. Combine the canned pumpkin puree, cream cheese, eggs, butter and spices until smooth.
3. Pour the pumpkin over the top of the crust.
4. Bake to perfection, but never over-bake the pumpkin cake, the center should be just set!
Other Gooey Butter Cake Ideas

There are a lot of options out there for dessert but before moving on I think you should introduce your family to more ooey gooey butter cake recipes. Maybe let the kids think up some fun combinations like:
- Chocolate
- Snickerdoodle
- Vanilla
- Banana
- Lemon
Can You Use Winter Squash Instead Of Pumpkin?

Yes, if you do not have pumpkin, you can use equal amounts of another type of winter squash in place of pumpkin, but then it will taste like butternut squash or whatever flavor you use so I don’t recommend it.

What Can You Substitute For Cream Cheese?

You can use Neufchatel cream cheese, which has lower fat.

You can also use equal parts of ricotta cheese plus plain, full-fat yogurt.

Or, you can use lower fat cottage cheese plus 1/2 cup margarine.

Oh Sweet Basil Pro Tip

The biggest issue I see with people making a gooey butter cake, especially the pumpkin version comes from the cream cheese being combined with the pumpkin.
- Always soften your cream cheese to room temperature.
- Beat the cream cheese alone in the bowl until smooth.
- Carefully beat in the pumpkin, going from a low to a high speed to remove any bumps.
What Makes Cake Dry?

Dry cake can be a result of over-baking. This is incredibly easy to do with a gooey butter cake so please don’t over-bake.

How Long Will Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake Keep?

Covered in the fridge a gooey butter cake will last for about a week. Never top with powdered sugar or whipped topping until serving to help preserve the cake.

If butter is involved, then you can count me in! This pumpkin gooey butter cake melts in your mouth. That cake mix crust is so simple yet heavenly, and the pumpkin cake is perfectly spiced and creamy. Skip the pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving and make this cake instead!

More Pumpkin Recipes

Check out our entire Thanksgiving Recipes Section for more ideas.

Check out the VIDEO on How to Make Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake
Servings: 12

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Description

A delicious combination of a cake mix crust, deliciously sweet and silky pumpkin filling and a dollop of whipped cream make this gooey butter cake a possible threat to the traditional pumpkin pie.

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a bowl, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with a handheld electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.

Add the pumpkin and beat again until smooth.

Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well.

Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Make sure not to over-bake as the center should be a little gooey.

Allow to cool for 1 hour.

Serve with whipped cream.

If you forgot to set out your cream cheese just fill a bowl or sink with warm water and place the tin foil covered cream cheese in for 5-10 minutes and it will soften.
This cake will keep for a week when covered and stored in the refrigerator.

Serving: 1sliceCalories: 535kcalCarbohydrates: 75gProtein: 5gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 122mgSodium: 521mgPotassium: 148mgFiber: 2gSugar: 55gVitamin A: 6329IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 2mg

Author: Sweet Basil

Course: 500+ Best Dessert Recipes, Over 300 Christmas Recipes and Ideas to Bring the Christmas Spirit

Cuisine: American
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Sweet Basil

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October 30, 2023
I Tried This Roasting Pan from One of Our Favorite Cookware Brands — Here’s Why Everyone Should Own It (Especially for Thanksgiving)

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We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

While I love cooking year-round, the colder months are definitely when my culinary skills shine the most. And, as we’re all breaking out the Dutch ovens, braisers, and other fall and winter cooking gear, it’s a great time to take stock of what you have and what needs to be upgraded. (Thanksgiving is around the corner, after all, and you don’t want to realize your stand mixer is broken the night before you plan on baking cupcakes.) So, I’ve started thinking about all the cookware in my kitchen that either needs a revamp or that I need to buy in the first place. And, one of the most important pieces of your kitchen’s autumnal arsenal is a solid roasting pan.

While roasting pans might seem like things that only really get used on holidays, we’re here to tell you that’s far from the case. I use roasting pans all the time — yes, even in the summer! — for everything from cooking whole chicken and roasted veggies to batched appetizers, ratatouille, and much more. That’s why we were so psyched when one of our favorite cookware brands, Caraway, dropped their Roasting Pan just in time for the holidays.

What Is the Caraway Roasting Pan?

This classic roasting pan is the perfect piece of cookware for everything from roasted poultry and glazed hams to weeknight dinners, baked fish, and much more. It also sets itself apart from standard roasting pans, since it’s made with Caraway’s signature non-stick coating — which we can attest is top-of-the-line and makes both cooking and cleaning a total breeze. Plus, the heavy-duty, stainless-steel wire rack is included, which gives whatever you’re cooking on the racks more exposed surface area, meaning you’ll get a more even cook without unwanted hot spots or burning. On top of that, the whole 16-by-13-inch roasting pan is oven-safe up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, which is about as hot as most home ovens can get.

Why I Love the Caraway Roasting Pan

First of all, this thing is gorgeous. Available in multiple colorways in both the “Classics” and “Iconics” collections, the sleek ceramic surface and stainless-steel accents make this an easy fit for all kitchen aesthetics. Secondly, the roasting pan is big — but not too big, which I appreciate, especially living in a two-person household. As you can see, it easily fits a spatchcocked chicken, even when placed widthwise. If you have a massive bird for Thanksgiving, this might be a touch tight, but for small and medium turkeys, you’ll be in business. It has a good weight to it, too, so you won’t have to worry about it sliding around on the stove, but it isn’t too heavy like a big piece of cast iron.

The roasting pan is also super easy to clean, thanks to its nontoxic, nonstick Ceramic Coating. Plus, it’s induction compatible, so it’s a snap to finish dishes on the stove (did someone say gravy?), and if you want, you don’t have to use the oven at all. And, with a 4.8-star average rating, it’s clear that I’m not the only one who thinks this a top-tier addition to Caraway’s cookware lineup.

With the holidays around the corner, now’s a great time to upgrade your roasting pan or purchase your first (and probably your last!) one. Caraway’s Roasting Pan is made from high-quality materials, has a great nonstick coating, and is sure to help you nail your holiday meals — and make your fall weeknight meals that much better. Plus, it also makes a great gift for the home chef in your life!

Buy: Caraway Roasting Pan, $195

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Ian Burke

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October 26, 2023
The best places — and best times — to take a safari

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In some African cultures, the combination of rain and sunshine means that a leopard and a lioness have given birth to a cub.

I was hoping that this was the case as we traversed Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve in a four-wheel drive jeep in the midst of a sunny downpour.

In the seven years that I’ve been a travel journalist in Africa, the game drive experience has always been one of my favorites. Wildlife is Africa’s treasure, and tourists revel in watching the animals — particularly the cats — in their natural habitats.

Travel journalist Harriet Akinyi watches a herd of elephants in a game drive at Mugie Conservancy, Kenya.

Source: Harriet Akinyi

There are 10 countries in Africa that have a strong wildlife focus: Kenya (my motherland), Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia and Rwanda.

Here are highlights that I recommend.

Kenya

For more than 25 years, professional safari guide Geoff Mayes has taken tourists to the best parks in Africa. He believes that many choose Kenya — and in particular, Maasai Mara — for their first trip to Africa because it’s safe and fairly accessible.

Known as one of the eight wonders of the world because of the wildebeest migration, Masaai Mara is one of Africa’s most renowned parks, said travel journalist Harriet Akinyi.

Wldavies | E+ | Getty Images

“It’s easier to catch flights to Kenya, making it high on peoples’ bucket list,” he said. “Also a game drive experience in Kenya will be able to meet the travelers’ expectations in terms of catching ‘the Big Five.’”

Less than an hour flight from the capital city of Nairobi is Nairobi National Park, where there’s a good chance of seeing lions and rhinos, he said.

And “if you come to the Maasai Mara, you’ll see the elephants and leopards and lions,” he explained as we drove through it.

In total, Kenya has 25 national parks and 16 national game reserves with countless private conservancies, which are smaller, private-owned wildlife reserves.

Amboseli National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its massive elephant population and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Harriet Akinyi having a bush breakfast with a view of the rhinos after a game drive in Solio Conservancy in Kenya.

Source: Harriet Akinyi

Tsavo National Park, Kenya’s biggest park, is one of the world’s largest game sanctuaries. It was highlighted by President Barack Obama in the five-part Netflix docuseries “Our Great National Parks.”

South Africa

Kenya is not the only country where I’ve gone on game drives.

South Africa is another and is home to some of the oldest and most iconic national parks in Africa. It’s a year-round safari destination, but the best game-viewing conditions are in the cooler winter months from May to September.

A game drive at Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Luis Davilla | Photodisc | Getty Images

There are 20 national parks, including the world–famous Kruger National Park — which has Africa’s “Big Five” game animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhino and buffaloes.

There’s also Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, near the border of Botswana, and Pilanesberg National Park. The latter is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Johannesburg. It’s smaller than Kruger, but rich in wildlife — and, fascinatingly, it’s inside the crater of an ancient volcano believed to be some 1.2 billion years old.

Another highlight, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, has the “Big Five” as well as a thriving population of African wild dogs.

I’ve also been to Addo — the biggest park in the Eastern Cape and third-largest in South Africa — which is famous for its elephants. According to Ncediso Headman Nogaya, a game guard at Addo, October to April is the best time to visit.

“We are more likely to receive rains from May to September and while the season is great because it gives food to the wildlife … it might be a slippery drive and muddy,” he noted.

Uganda

Uganda is known for its diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes in its 10 national parks and 12 game reserves. Of the national parks, seven are located on savannahs and three in forests. In those three, one can track mountain gorillas in Mgahinga National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.

Around 1,000 mountain gorillas exist today, more than half which live in Uganda, according to the Uganda Wildlife Authority.

Jason Edwards | Photodisc | Getty Images

My favorite memories at Queen Elizabeth National Park are of tracking chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, watching tree-climbing lions and a herd of elephants walking majestically on the plains, and observing buffaloes, warthogs, hippos and Nile crocodiles while cruising the Kazinga Channel.

Another park to consider is the Kidepo Valley National Park, with its sweeping plains and valleys overshadowed by the brooding Mount Morungole. The mountain is sacred to the Ik tribe, one of the smallest tribes in Uganda. The park ranks among the best birding safari destinations in the country too.

I loved my game drive experience at Lake Mburo National Park, even though it’s one of the smallest national parks in the country.

It’s the only park where travelers can enjoy boat cruises, walking safaris and horseback riding, tour operator Dennis Kahungu told CNBC Travel.

A group of big horn Ankole Cattle in Lake Mburo National Park, Uganda.

Christopher Kidd | Photodisc | Getty Images

Plus “it’s the only national park in Uganda with the impalas,” he said. “It’s also where you will find the big horned Ankole cows.”

Rwanda

Located in eastern Rwanda, Akagera National Park is a protected wetland and the last remaining refuge for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. Park visitors can take boat safaris along Lake Ilhema, the second largest lake in Rwanda, for wildlife and birdwatching.

Weaver birds and nests over Lake Ihema, Rwanda.

Inti St. Clair | Photodisc | Getty Images

Travelers in search of mountain gorillas usually go to Volcanoes National Park in the northern part of the country. It’s also home to golden monkeys, and well regarded for hiking and mountain climbing.

Recently inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Nyungwe National Park is another part to explore and is situated in southwest Rwanda and is known for its chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. It’s also popular for canopy walks on a suspended bridge some 70 meters (230 feet) above the forest floor.

While the parks can be visited all year round, it’s best to avoid April, as that’s when Rwanda typically receives heavy rains.

Botswana

Botswana is a fast-emerging ecotourism destination — visitors are drawn to the vast elephant herds of Chobe National Park and the canoe-based wildlife safaris in the Okavango Delta.

A herd of elephants at Chobe National Park, Botswana.

Williececogo | Moment | Getty Images

One can also see the “Big Five” at Moremi Nature Reserve, Nxai Pan National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans National Park as well as Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

Tanzania

In Tanzania, I visited the iconic UNESCO-listed Serengeti National Park, which rivals Kenya for one of the best wildlife experiences in Africa.

Tourists watch a herd of wildebeest from a land cruiser in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.

Patrick J. Endres | Corbis Documentary | Getty Images

My first time there was during the calving season when the wildebeests and the zebras give birth on their way to Kenya during the Great Migration.

Another wonder is the Ngorongoro Crater, one of the largest calderas in the world.

Some consider it one of the best places to go on safari in Africa.

Zimbabwe

Apart from the renowned Hwange National Park, I have also visited Matobo National Park, which has a wide diversity of fauna and plenty of white rhinos. The area around Matobo Hills is home to the remains of early settlements and the graves of historical figures like Cecil Rhodes.

The rock formation in Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe, Africa, which is home to the grave of Cecil Rhodes.

Westend61 | Getty Images

The best time to visit the parks is during the dry season, from June to October. That’s when the bush is thinner — making wildlife easier to spot.

Mayes said the best time for safaris in Kenya and Tanzania is, of course, during the migration season. But he recommends visiting Zimbabwe and Zambia from July to October.

In other parts of the continent, months like February, June and September can be very rewarding too.

“The wildlife is fantastic and there are fewer vehicles around,” he said. “And you can often benefit from a low season price structure which of course is always nice.”

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October 24, 2023
Seasonal Hiring Is Slowing Down at Retailers—But Not Amazon | Entrepreneur

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While the holiday season historically yields an increase in shopping — and subsequent staff needed to accommodate — this year may look different for prospective seasonal workers.

Big-name retailers, such as Macy’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods, are cutting back on their seasonal hiring initiatives, scaling back their workforce after two years of increased foot traffic following the pandemic, The New York Times reported.

Macy’s plans to hire 38,000 workers, 3,000 fewer than its 2022 target — and far fewer than 2021 when Macy’s aimed to hire 76,000 people during the holiday season, both in permanent roles and seasonal jobs, according to the Times. Dick’s Sporting Goods intends to hire up to 8,600 seasonal workers, a slight increase from the 8,000 in 2019, but down from the 9,000 hired last year and the 10,000 in 2021.

A report from career coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas last month found that retailers are forecasted to hire 410,000 seasonal workers this coming holiday season, marking a 15-year low, Yahoo Finance reported in September. Some economists interpret these hiring trends as signs of the labor market cooling down from its pandemic-fueled boom two years ago.

Related: Want to Be a UPS Delivery Driver? The ‘Hottest’ Job in the Country Only Has 17 Positions Open.

“The seasonal hiring market looks a whole lot more like 2019 than those pandemic bounce-back years,” Nick Bunker, director of North American economic research for Indeed, told the Times. “I really do think this is emblematic broadly of what we’re seeing in the U.S. labor market, where demand for workers overall is fairly strong but down from where it was in the last year and a half.”

Meanwhile, searches for seasonal jobs have increased by 19 percent compared to last year, per data from Indeed, while the number of available positions has decreased by 6 percent, per The Times. Companies that assist businesses in finding temporary workers note that major retailers have been slower to announce their hiring plans this year, and fewer job postings are marked as “urgent” on Indeed.

However, one company is the exception to the scale-back hiring trend. Amazon announced last month that it would be hiring 250,000 seasonal employees, a 67% increase from hiring initiatives over the past two years.

The company is also adding signing bonuses of up to $3,000 for certain hires.

Related: Amazon Is Hiring 250,000 Workers Ahead of the Holidays, With Some Making Up to $28 an Hour. Here Are the Roles It’s Filling.

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Madeline Garfinkle

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October 16, 2023
I walked more than 100 miles in Kyoto. Here are 5 new places worth visiting

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Kyoto’s flat geography makes long strolls easy.

And by using bustling Shijo Street — also known as Shijo-dori — as a main street for navigation, it was a breeze to weave through the city during my three-month trip in May.

Between meal runs and plotting routes to popular attractions such as Nijo Castle and Kiyomizudera, I clocked close to 130 miles on foot.

Kyoto’s traditional businesses and ancient temples didn’t disappoint, but a new trend caught my attention. More artisanal shops are popping up — many not far from the city’s most famous sights.

Here are five of my favorites.

O’Chill — for meditation and tea

Opened in June 2023
Closest to: Kyoto Imperial Palace (12 minutes)

The path to the front door of O’Chill.

Source: Morgan Awyong

Curiosity was my main motivation to visit O’Chill, which allows visitors the chance to drink — and smoke — tea.

Phones are strictly forbidden in the zen-like ceremony room, where matcha is served in a traditional tea ceremony. Guests are then given hookahs, with tobacco replaced by tea leaves.

Co-founder Kiruta Wataru explains that tea leaves remove the prejudice often associated with smoking, while the fired leaves act like incense. The experience is a form of “shiko-hin,” or self-nurturing ritual, he said.

“We believe that any lifestyle is good if the person is happy,” Wataru said.

My eyes widened with the first puff. The perfume of the tea leaves produced a sweet, woody flavor, as I passed the pipe between the company’s other co-founder Daichi Isokawa and two guests.

The 90-minute experience includes a guided meditation and refreshments.

Rokuhichido — for paper objects

Opened in April 2023
Close to: Hokan-ji Temple (1 minute)

Visitors shop the handmade paper products at Rokuhichido.

Source: Morgan Awyong

With all eyes on the famous five-story pagoda nearby, it is easy to miss Rokuhichido, a shop that makes Japanese paper products using methods like silk screen printing and paper cutting.

The brand first gained popularity with postcards, then expanded to produce playful paper balloons and miniature figurines, shaped like marine animals or places like Mount Fuji.

Designs are based on Japanese traditions and culture, the four seasons and landscapes, manager Shota Yamada said. Its ukiyo-e postcards, featuring classic motifs like geisha and shogun, are the most popular, he added.

“Depending on the product, a single craftsman can produce only a few dozen of our products per day,” said Yamada.

Gokago — for matcha drinks and food

Opened in June 2023
Close to: Kiyomizudera Temple (2 minutes)

The front door to Gokago.

Source: Morgan Awyong

There’s no shortage of matcha cafes in Kyoto, but no one does it quite like Gokago. The finely ground green tea — in everything from drinks and donuts to ice cream — is whisked right in front of guests.

Tea ceremonies are a wonderful Japanese tradition, said the company’s director Kazuaki Nakanishi. “Since experiencing the traditional tea ceremony can be a hurdle, we thought it was important to offer it in a casual style to make it accessible to as many people as possible,” he said.

Admittedly, the experience here doesn’t replace the real thing, but it’s still a great stop for an authentic matcha brew en route to Kiyomizudera, one of Kyoto’s most famous temples. And visitors get to see the precise movements and formal presentation of the ingredients, which is part of the ritualistic grace of a formal ceremony.

Kaji Kyoto — for Peruvian and Japanese fine dining

Opened in May 2023
Closest to: Nishiki Market (11 minutes)

Food at the Peruvian Japanese restaurant, Kaji Kyoto.

Source: Morgan Awyong

Traditional restaurants are everywhere in Kyoto, but Kaji Kyoto isn’t one of them.

“I want guests to leave Kaji and see how Japanese people that left Japan had to adapt because the ingredients they had were different — and were just as delicious,” said head chef Keone Koki.

Koki brings his Peruvian heritage to Japanese cooking, in one example using passion fruit from Okinawa as a marinade for a tiradito, an onion-free ceviche. “It’s also a bit different since most sashimis are only eaten with shoyu,” he said.

With only eight seats, the restaurant is housed in a traditional merchant house, with seating split by a small kitchen in between. The effect is much like a performance, with Koki and his crew of five endearing themselves to guests with light banter.

Fuku Coffee Roastery — for specialty coffee

Opened in March 2023
Close to: Kennin-ji Temple (4 minutes)

Fuku Coffee Roastery is in a machiya, or traditional wooden townhouse, that Morio Ajiki inherited from his grandmother.

I initially thought this was a coffeehouse, but I found out from Morio Ajiki that his company provides high quality coffee beans to businesses.

Luckily, visitors can still drop by for a cup.

“There were customers stopping by my shop who wanted to try my coffee,” Ajiki said. “So I decided to serve them.”

It’s easy to strike up a conversation with the shy but affable Ajiki, who will likely pop through a set of sliding doors that lead to his home. You might even catch a glimpse of his cat, which the store is named after.

Cups of coffee are meant to be had on the go, but there are two benches — one inside and the other out front — for those who wish to stay.

The roastery displays products made by artists in the neighboring alley. This level of mutual respect between artisans in Kyoto makes discoveries like this well worth the walks.

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September 25, 2023
Which is better — ChatGPT or a travel agent? Here’s our pick

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Planning a holiday can be stressful — that’s where travel agents come in.

But now, travelers have another option: chatbots like ChatGPT, Bard AI and Microsoft Bing. Simply input a prompt and watch the travel recommendations pour in. The best parts? It’s instantaneous and, for the most part, free.

But which is better when it comes to planning vacations?

Intrepid Travel, a small group travel agency, accepted CNBC Travel’s request to find out.

CNBC asked both sides to plan a two-day trip for four friends, all in their mid-20s, to Melbourne, Australia.

Here’s how they fared.

Where to stay in Melbourne

The ask: Recommend three places to stay in Melbourne that have a pool and gym, are near Swanston Street, and that are priced less than $500 a night.

Right off the bat, there was a rather glaring error with ChatGPT: All three recommendations were no longer in service. If that wasn’t enough, some of the places lacked both a pool and a gym, and one was over the budget.

Intrepid Travel, on the other hand, provided options that came with either a pool or a gym, or both. The company also recognized that those amenities were not necessities but additional benefits.

The winner: Intrepid Travel

Where to eat

The ask: Provide dining options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and post-dinner drinks for two days.

Again, ChatGPT struggled. The suggested restaurant on the first day, a place called Fatto Bar & Cantina, had been closed for years.

Apart from that, a quick Google search of the other places showed that they were (thankfully) still in operation. Those were, to me, on the safer end, with suggested spots appearing on several “must-visit” restaurant lists for Melbourne.

Conversely, I felt that Intrepid Travel suggested places that were more niche and representative of Melbourne’s unique culture.

It is worth noting that both Intrepid Travel and ChatGPT proposed breakfast at Hardware Société, a popular brunch spot with locations in Paris and Barcelona too.

The winner: Intrepid Travel

What to do

The ask: Provide a two-day itinerary around Melbourne with a focus on art and cultural activities.

Both Intrepid Travel and ChatGPT came back with reasonable options around the city. Multiples places were on both lists — Queen Victoria Market, Hosier Lane and National Gallery of Victoria — which point to the popularity of those spots.

My favorite recommendation? Incube8r, a store with handmade gifts and art, as recommended by Intrepid Travel.

The winner: Intrepid Travel (again)

Finding a ‘hidden gem’

The ask: Recommend one place that is not well known by travelers

Intrepid Travel’s hidden gem recommendation: Le Bar Europeen. It’s been touted as Australia’s smallest bar and barely fits four people.

Reds | Room | Getty Images

Intrepid Travel recommended hidden speakeasy Le Bar Europeen for a nightcap, and the Yalinguth App walking tour as a daytime activity. I found both recommendations exciting and felt that they were lesser-known ways to explore the city.

Between the two, I particularly enjoyed the Yalinguth App walking tour, which is an audio tour along Gertrude Street in Melbourne’s Fitzroy district. The app uses geolocated stories and sounds from Australia’s aboriginal community so listeners can understand a slice of Australia’s past as they make their way around one of Melbourne’s cultural hubs.

On the other hand, ChatGPT interpreted the request as asking for a full day’s itinerary, recommending visits to Hardware Société, Rippon Lea House and Gardens, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, Chin Chin and Eau De Vie.

I don’t consider any of those “hidden gems” in Melbourne, as all are all rather popular locations for tourists to visit.

The winner: Intrepid Travel

Conclusion

Ultimately, some of the teething problems I had with ChatGPT boiled down to the chatbot not being up-to-date — it currently only “knows” data up to 2021.

In ordinary circumstances, a two-year time lag doesn’t seem like much. After all, restaurants and hotels open and close all the time! That said, the initial two years of the Covid-19 pandemic caused many closures in the hospitality sector, making recommendations given prior to it unreliable at times.

I also found browsing Intrepid’s itinerary more enjoyable as each recommendation came with a short write-up. The company also suggested specific activities and dishes to try at each location.

On the other hand, ChatGPT was much more succinct in its recommendations. Though impersonal and utilitarian, it got the job done. However, I found myself less excited about my trip than when I read Intrepid Travel’s suggestions.

Overall, I won’t discount the recommendations put forth by ChatGPT. It’s a quick and easy way to suss out the classic top spots to visit on your holiday. But if you want a more personalized itinerary that focuses more on local spots, sticking with travel companies is the way to go.

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September 18, 2023
‘Just a temporary blip’: Chinese travelers will be back, says Banyan Tree founder

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Chinese travelers are returning to Banyan Tree Holdings hotels, it’s founder told CNBC.

Christian Heeb| Prisma By Dukas | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

A dearth of Chinese travelers is nothing to “worry about,” said Banyan Tree Holdings founder Ho Kwon Ping.

“They are definitely going to come back,” he told CNBC’s Chery Kang at the Milken Institute’s Asia Summit on Wednesday.

“China is just a temporary blip,” he said. “Most of us in the hospitality industry, a year or so ago, predicted that Chinese tourism would only start to rebound around maybe this year or even next year.”

No one expected a quick turn-around from lockdown to mass travel, he added.

For Banyan Tree Holdings — which operates more than 60 hotels in 17 countries — Ho said “Chinese tourism [is] coming back quite strongly.”

What’s missing are the “mass group tours, which provide the numbers, but they don’t come to our hotels anyway,” he said.

“So you have a lot more free individual travelers … and they’re the ones who can pay the higher airfares and so on.”

He’s also bullish on the tourism market within China.

“The Chinese government made it very clear, they don’t want to have a heavy investment-led growth, they want consumption-based growth and consumption equals tourism. And tourism, as any economist will tell you, has got the greatest sort of trickle-on effect,” he said.

China’s property market

Ho also dismissed concerns about the turmoil surrounding China’s real estate market, which makes up about 30% of its economy.

“The banking system is not going to collapse because it’s Chinese banks that are lending money,” he said.

We’re comfortable with a China real estate story, because we had a number of hotels in China which were all sold prior to the property bubble.

Ho Kwon Ping

Banyan Tree Holdings

“So that’s why you see things like Country Garden … near to going bust, yet not going bust,” he said, referring to the Chinese property giant that narrowly missed a default.

In addition, “the percentage of the Chinese population that actually still lives in modern housing is not halfway near what it is in the Western world. So there’s a lot of demand still.”

As to his company’s exposure to a Chinese real estate bubble, he said: “We’re comfortable with a China real estate story, because we had a number of hotels in China which were all sold prior to the property bubble.”

Not just two superpowers

Ho said he believed Singapore, where his hospitality brand is headquartered, can help soothe geopolitical tensions that have escalated between China and the United States.

“I think Singapore can actually play a very important role in trying to make the U.S., the West in particular, understand that the rise of China is the rise of an entire civilization — and that it’s not a zero-sum game where they’re trying to rise to the extent of putting America and the West down.”

The Western psyche has been too absorbed by the Cold War, which was a zero-sum game, he said.

Even though the West has been dominant for the last 300 years, one global dominant power is not sustainable into perpetuity, he said.

“I think we’re going back to what I call ‘Back to the future’ — like in the movie, where the world 50 years from now will consist of various great civilizations,” he said.

“I use the word civilization because it’s not about economics. It’s not about military power, even politics [or] the idea of the only criteria by which you should judge a country’s politics is whether it practices liberal democracy … I think that’s all changing.”

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September 13, 2023
Where to stay in India? Here are 8 former palaces that are now hotels

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The Maharajas of India’s past built magnificent palaces as a symbol of their power.

But in 1971, India abolished “privy purses,” or governmental payments made to these rulers. Several of them transformed their vast estates into heritage hotels, or leased them to renowned hotel chains which carefully restored them to their former glory.

From the eastern state of Odisha to Rajasthan in the north, here are eight regal retreats where travelers can live like kings and queens.

1. Jehan Numa Palace — Bhopal

Visitors can step back in time at Jehan Numa Palace in Bhopal, which has a neoclassical style and a 19th-century exterior.

Jehan Numa Palace.

Source: Jehan Numa Palace

This pristine white building was built by General Obaidullah Khan, son of the last ruling Begum of Bhopal, and transformed into a 100-room hotel by his grandsons in the 1980s. The hotel contains salvaged original artifacts and Raj-era photos as well as modern luxuries, such as a palm-lined pool and Chakra spa services.

Its palatial charm lingers among the racehorses that gallop around the track encircling the hotel. Travelers can dine on Italian and Mediterranean cuisine here, but Indophiles opt for the hotel’s legendary Bhopali fare prepared from secret palace recipes in a restaurant named Under the Mango Tree.

2. Haveli Dharampura — Delhi

Once a nobleman’s home, the 19th-century Haveli Dharampura was meticulously restored over six years under the leadership of the prominent political figure Vijay Goel.

Haveli Dharampura.

Source: Heritage Dharampura

It’s now a 14-room boutique hotel, which received an honorable mention in 2017’s UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation. The atmospheric Mughal-era hotel has red sandstone-arched colonnades, a marble courtyard, Arabesque tile-work and intricate stone and wood details that echo the opulence of yesteryears.

The in-house Lakhori restaurant prepares historic Mughal recipes, while the breezy rooftop provides a delightful setting for drink-in-hand lounging while listening to the muezzin’s call from the nearby Jama Masjid — a soul-stirring reminder that you are in the heart of Old Delhi.

The hotel has guided heritage walks, kite-flying and high tea on the roof terrace, and kathak performances on Saturday and Sunday, where guests can enjoy an evening of Indian classical dance.

3. Taj Lake Palace — Udaipur

Accessible by boat, this stark white edifice in the heart of Lake Pichola (as seen in the 1983 James Bond flick “Octopussy”) was originally a summer pleasure palace for Mewar royalty in the 1740s.

It was transformed into a heritage hotel in the 1960s and is now impeccably managed by the Taj Group.

Taj Lake Palace

Source: Taj Lake Palace

Straight out of a fairy tale, the Taj Lake Palace boasts domed pavilions, ornamental turrets, crystal chandeliers, and 83 antique-filled rooms and suites, some which overlook a gleaming courtyard that hosts nightly folk dances.

It has four dining options serving globe-trotting menus, a spa boat and butler service.

4. Taj Falaknuma Palace — Hyderabad

Perched nearly 2,000 feet above sea level, this hilltop hotel has 60 rooms and suites, which increase in lavishness as you move up its room classes.

Taj Falaknuma Palace.

Source: Taj Falaknuma Palace

By the time you reach the Nizam Suite — graced with fine tapestry, a private pool and personal butler — it’s easy to envision the lifestyle of the Nizam of Hyderabad, who lived in the palace in the 19th century.

The rooms aren’t the only lure. The 130-year-old edifice is known for its state banquets of yore-style food, grand gardens, billiard room with monogrammed cues and ivory balls, and a library modeled on the one at Windsor Castle. Staterooms are decked out with Venetian chandeliers, royal portraits and heirlooms from the Nizams’ era.

5. Taj Usha Kiran Palace — Gwalior

This palace dating to the 1800s was, in its past life, a guesthouse and later royal residence of the ruling family of the state of Gwalior.

Taj Usha Kiran Palace.

Source: Taj Usha Kiran Palace

Today, it’s a lavish Taj hotel that balances old-world vibes with contemporary style. Its interiors contain ancient stone carvings, filigree work and rich tapestries. For a regal experience, travelers can take a heritage tour through the sprawling estate and stay in one of the Royal Suites, which are kitted out with four-poster beds, Venetian mirrors and mother-of-pearl mosaics.

The hotel also offers plenty of facilities to help guests unwind, including a spa, outdoor pool, and an Art Deco-style bar.

6. Rambagh Palace — Jaipur

Set in 47 acres of gardens that are home to peacocks, this former hunting lodge and royal abode of the Maharaja of Jaipur, dates back to 1835. It is now a heritage hotel managed by the Taj Group.

Rambagh Palace.

Source: Rambagh Palace

Exquisite antique furnishings, silk drapes, domed wooden ceilings and four-poster beds give the 78 rooms and suites a regal feel.

Many other features make Rambagh Palace an unforgettable retreat: heritage walks around the premises conducted by the palace butler, golf putting green, original palace dining room with chandeliers and gilded mirror, a Polo bar festooned with trophies and memorabilia of the Jaipur polo team, and a spa with Indian healing services.

The palace has hosted the likes of King Charles, Louis Mountbatten and Jacqueline Kennedy.

7. The Belgadia Palace — Mayurbhanj

Nestled in the charming town of Baripada, The Belgadia Palace has been with the descendants of the same royal family since it was built in 1804, giving it an authenticity that is hard to replicate.

The Belgadia Palace.

Source: The Belgadia Palace

A portion of this historic palace has been converted into an 11-room hotel by Mrinalika and Akshita Bhanj Deo, royal descendants of the family. It boasts lofty ceilings, marble corridors and artifacts.

There’s also a lavish dining hall that serves Odisha-style meals, and elegant verandas on which to drink tea. The palace arranges activities such as traditional Chhau dance performances on the pristine lawns, handicraft village tours and other excursions.

8. Chittoor Kottaram — Kochi

The height of exclusivity, the Chittoor Kottaram — which once belonged to the king of Cochin — hosts only one group of no more than six people at any one time.

Chittoor Kottaram.

Source: Chittoor Kottaram

Nestled amid coconut groves by the edge of the lagoon backwaters of Kerala, the three-room abode boasts beautiful Athangudi floor tiles and wooden ceilings.

Precious artworks by Lady Hamlyn of The Helen Hamlyn Trust, the restorer of this 300-year-old palace, lend the property something of a museum feel. A personal chef prepares traditional Keralan dishes that can be eaten at a waterside gazebo or in the lush garden.

Ayurvedic massages and private cultural shows can be arranged, as can a private sunset cruise on the serene waterways.

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September 7, 2023
A new hotel trend that puts you to sleep — literally

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Yearning for a good night’s sleep?

Join the club.

Globally, more people searched about sleep this year than ever before, according to data released by Google Trends last week. People are turning to the internet to learn about bedtime routines, sleep positions and to understand — “Why am I so tired all the time?” — a question which peaked in June, according to Google.

In fact, restorative sleep eludes so many that it’s given rise to a new type of travel. Hotels and wellness resorts are launching “sleep tourism” programs that go beyond plush bedding and blackout curtains.

From beds that use real-time artificial intelligence to on-call hypnotherapists, here are six spots that go to great lengths to help travelers get great shut-eye.

Zedwell Hotel, London

For those who need to switch off completely, London’s two Zedwell hotels have minimalist rooms that are free of “distractions” — such as televisions, telephones and even windows — according to its website.

Zedwell Hotel, London.

Source: Zedwell Hotels Trocadero (London) Hotel Ltd

The clutter-free aesthetic incorporates natural oak and ambient lighting, and rooms have sound insulation and purified air.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives

Sleep-deprived guests can book a sleep wellness program that ranges from three to 10 days at Six Senses Laamu. Each stay comes with sleeping tracking, wellness screenings, spa treatments, meditation or breathwork exercises and nutritional advice, according to its website.

Six Senses Laamu, Maldives.

Source: Eleven Six PR

There are also yoga and Ayurvedic treatments, and visitors get access to the Timeshifter app to curb jet lag.

Sleep packages are also available at select Six Senses resorts in Switzerland, Fiji, India, Turkey and Thailand, among other locations.

Park Hyatt, New York

For restless sleepers in the Big Apple, New York’s Park Hyatt refreshed its three “Sleep Suites” with the latest version of Bryte’s “Balance” smart beds.

Park Hyatt Hotel, New York.

Source: Park Hyatt New York

The mattress plays sounds and uses subtle motion to lull guests to sleep. To wake up, the bed gradually moves over a period of 15 minutes to slowly and silently wake users up again. Within the mattress, a matrix of AI cushions adapts to body movements to relieve pressure in real time, too.

Suites also come with a diffuser and relaxing essential oil blend, along with a collection of “sleep-related books,” according to the hotel.

The Cadogan, London

Partnering with sleep specialist and hypnotherapist Malminder Gill, The Cadogan has a “Sleep Concierge” service that comes with a meditation (recorded by Gill), pillow menu, weighted blanket, bedtime tea blend and scented pillow mist.

The Cadogan, London.

Source: The Cadogen, A Belmond Hotel

For extra help, guests can book a session with Gill for one-on-one in-room sleep assistance, according to the hotel’s website.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Miami

From ocean-front rooms on Miami Beach, this resort applies a tech-forward approach to sleep wellness through vibration and sound therapy that will provide an “essential powernap — even for the busiest of minds,” according to the hotel’s website.

Carillon Miami Wellness Resort, Miami.

Source: Carillon Miami Wellness Resort

In addition to having Bryte Balance mattresses, the resort provides hypnosis, saltwater bath therapies that allow guests to immerse in water loaded with 800 pounds of Epsom salt, and a “Somadome” futuristic meditation pod that combines color and sound, according to the website.

Sha Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain

With the help of sleep medicine specialist, Dr. Vicente Mera, guests at this luxury hotel and wellness clinic can participate in its “Sleep Medicine” program, which includes a sleep consultation, night-time polygraph, a continuous positive airway pressure (or CPAP as it’s known) study and tests that measures sleep and daytime indicators, such as resting heart rate and heart-rate variability, according to its website.

Sha Wellness Clinic, Alicante, Spain.

Source: Sha Wellness Clinic

A wellness plan is put in place for each guest that includes stress management sessions and hydrotherapy.

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September 3, 2023
$1,850 a day? What it costs to visit the 10 most expensive vacation destinations in the world
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Looking to splurge on your next vacation?

The travel website FloridaPanhandle.com analyzed costs in 100 popular vacation spots, looking into average prices for accommodations, transportation, food and attractions.

Here are 10 destinations that certainly call for big budgets.

According to the analysis, the most expensive vacation destinations, excluding flight costs, are:

Gustavia, St. Barts

Gstaad, Switzerland

Aspen, Colorado

Park City, Utah

Maui, Hawaii

London, England

Cocoa Island, Maldives

Maun, Botswana

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Monte Carlo, Monaco

The 10 most expensive vacation destinations around the globe.

Source: CNBC

The list was dominated by islands and ritzy ski towns, though the draw of eco-tourism safaris in Botswana and Europe’s financial capital, London, rounded out the ranking.

Where hotels average $1,000 per night

The Caribbean island of St. Barts is the most expensive vacation destination in the world, largely because of its high accommodation costs, which average $1,770 per night, according to the analysis.

Average hotel rates in Switzerland’s Gstaad (No. 2) are $1,360, according to the research. The town in the Swiss Alps also has the highest average food costs on the list, at $177 per day.

Accommodations at the third priciest spot — Aspen, Colorado — average $1,385 for one person, but a family of four can expect to pay $2,274, according to the analysis.

A street in downtown Aspen, Colorado.

Nik Wheeler | Corbis Historical | Getty Images

To find those prices, FloridaPanhandle.com researched average rates for four- and five-star hotels for stays during Christmas (Dec. 21-27) and the spring (May 19-25), but did not include taxes.

Attractions: from $0 to $333 per day

To estimate the price of activities, FloridaPanhandle.com calculated the average cost for each location’s three most-reviewed attractions on TripAdvisor.

The ski town of Park City, Utah, averaged $333 for daily attractions — the highest on the list.

Attractions in Maun, Botswana, Africa’s lone destination on the list, averaged more than $100 per day for activities like a one-day visit to the Okavango Delta.

Despite having higher overall average costs, St. Barts and the Maldives’ attractions were valued at $0. Vacationers may have to pay top dollar for hotels in those locations, but their beaches are free.

Monaco, Monte Carlo.

Ostill | Istock | Getty Images

Monte Carlo had one of the lowest average rates for attractions on the list, a surprising result for a vibrant gambling hot spot.

While “Monte Carlo is known for its casinos, it is also not the most popular thing to do in town,” said a representative from FloridaPanhandle.com.

According to the company, the three most popular attractions in Monte Carlo are the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, an outdoor area called Casino Square, and the Casino of Monte Carlo, which has an entrance fee of 18 euros ($20).

Gambling losses, however, are not included in Monte Carlo’s average attraction costs.
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August 10, 2023
It’s now cheaper for travelers to go to Bhutan — if they stay long enough
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Travelers can avoid paying some of Bhutan’s daily tourism fees, as long as they stay at least five nights.

Last week, Bhutan announced changes to its Sustainable Development Fee which made headlines after it jumped from $65 to $200 a day when the country reopened its borders in September.

Travelers who pay the SDF for the first four days can stay an additional four days without paying the fee, according to an announcement on Bhutan’s Department of Tourism website.

Similarly, travelers who pay the fee for the first seven days can stay an additional seven days without paying for the second week, while those who pay for 12 days are exempt from paying it for 18 days thereafter, it said.

This equates to $600 in savings for tourists staying a week, and some $3,600 in savings for those staying a month.

The changes, effective June 1, are meant to encourage vacationers to stay longer. Bhutan’s Department of Immigration created a website where travelers can calculate potential savings under the different incentive programs.

Travelers who have already booked trips to Bhutan can take advantage of the new incentives by canceling their visas and re-applying for a new one, according to the announcement.

Government officials are quick to point out that Bhutan’s SDF has not changed however, and remains $200 per traveler per night.

The new fee incentives — which officials have called a “promotion” — are set to remain in place until the end of 2024, after which “the standard SDF will apply once again,” according to tourism department.

A controversial fee

Spending at least $200 a day isn’t new to travelers to Bhutan.

Prior to the pandemic, tourists were required to spend a minimum of $200 to $250 per day, which was often wrapped into tour packages that included hotel, food and transportation charges as well as the SDF, which was $65 at the time.

Bhutan scrapped that spending structure in 2022 in favor of a set $200 SDF for all tourists except:

Children aged 6 to 11 years old, who pay 50% of the daily SDF to visit, or $100;

Children 5 and younger, who are exempt from the fee.

Additionally, Indian nationals are charged 1,200 rupees per night ($14.50), while day visitors to Bhutanese border towns do not need to pay the SDF.

Supporters of Bhutan’s $200 daily fee say it furthers the country’s goal to attract “high value, low volume” tourists who can afford the fees which will go toward upgrading infrastructure, protecting the environment and creating jobs that provide fair wages and working conditions.

But others argue the increased rates are “elitist,” and will harm the country’s travel industry that was already reeling from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

News that officials were considering changing the SDF followed discussions between Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lotay Tshering and members of Bhutan’s tourism and business communities in April, according to a local media report.

After citizens argued the tourism fees were harming investment in the country and discouraging long vacations, Tshering assured community members that changes were in the works, the report said.
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June 7, 2023
Should you check emails on vacation or face a ‘tidal wave’ of messages later? These CEOs have some ideas
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Should you check email on vacation or face a tsunami of messages once you’re back at the office?

For workers at war with their inboxes, neither is a great option.

That’s why many people choose something in the middle. But even monitoring email on holiday “is almost always a bad move,” said Zachary Weiner, CEO of the marketing company Emerging Insider Communications.

“Once that Pandora’s box is open, you usually find yourself having to respond, having to put out fires, unintentionally spending hours and hours of time,” he said.

Still, some 84% of white-collar workers do it, and more than 70% are triaging messages from three or more platforms — like Teams, Slack and WhatsApp — said work-life balance consultant Joe Robinson.

“Everyone is dog paddling out there in this tidal wave,” he said. “We’re doing everything wrong. That’s why everybody’s so frazzled.”

An ’email intervention’

Robinson launched an “Email Intervention Campaign” earlier this month to deal with issues like “vacation email panic,” he told CNBC Travel.

According to a survey of workers he conducted in April:

25% have skipped a vacation to avoid email backlog when returning to the office

34% have shortened vacations for the same reason

87% favor a company policy to disconnect after work, except during emergencies

One company doing it right is the Mercedes-Benz Group, which lets employees auto-delete incoming email messages while they’re on vacation, he said. (Out-of-office messages alert senders that messages have been deleted, too.)

“I encounter tons of people who are burned out from email,” said work-life speaker and consultant Joe Robinson. Managers and “the people at the top are … worse off.”

Source: Joe Robinson

According to Robinson, 95% of respondents said they would support a similar policy at their companies.

Robinson advises companies to create defined email policies, ideally ones which give workers permission not to check email on vacation.

Gates Little, CEO of the U.S.-based lender altLine Sobanco, agreed, adding leadership should set the example.

“If your boss is always answering emails while away, don’t you think you’d be expected to do the same?” he said. “Whereas a boss who preaches work-life balance will set an example by not responding to emails until they return.”

Start before your vacation

1. Pad the dates on your “Out of Office” autoreply

Set an autoreply with your vacation timeline and a colleague’s contact details for urgent emails — but turn it on a few days before and after your leave dates.

“When you extend your OOO auto-response to encompass the days before and after vacation, you can enjoy your time feeling less stressed,” said Shawn Plummer, founder and CEO of financial and insurance agency The Annuity Expert.

2. Select an “email partner”

An “email partner” solves two problems, said Jack Underwood, CEO of the delivery software company Circuit. You can leave with peace of mind and avoid “an endless backlog of emails to dig through” upon your return.

Joe Robinson advises “partners” tackle emergency emails only, to avoid overburdening them. And Emerging Insider’s Weiner recommends instructing your “partner” to text — not email — to discuss urgent matters.

3. Set filters

Stanislav Khilobochenko, a vice president at the customer services company Clario, uses filters to distinguish urgent emails from irrelevant ones. He said, “I set up as many filters as possible so emails that arrive while I’m away are already sorted by priority.”

Kim Rohrer, principal people partner at human resources company Oyster, said she discovered her top email pro-tip during her 24-day honeymoon in 2011.

She sets up two filters:

Send all mail to the archive and mark as read

Send all mail with “README” in the subject to a special “README” folder

Via autoreply, she notifies senders she’s archiving all emails during her vacation dates. She refers urgent emails to a colleague, but asks that non-urgent emails “you’d like me to read … upon my return” be resent to her with “README” in the subject line.

“I once checked, and I had received over 3,000 emails after a two-week vacation, but only had four emails in my ‘read later’ folder,” she told CNBC Travel, which “just goes to show how much false urgency impacts our workloads.”

4. Mute notifications

To tune out work, mute email notifications and messenger systems, said Christy Pyrz, chief marketing officer of the supplement company Paradigm Peptides.

“Do yourself the favor,” she said. “Mute the apps.”

Mrigaa Sethi, pictured here with wife, Erin (left), in Sri Lanka, said both have a habit of working on vacations. “This time we deleted our email apps and turned off notifications and had the best time ever.”

Source: Mrigaa Sethi

But travel editor Mrigaa Sethi goes a step further. “Delete the apps! Email, Slack, Teams … be absolute. Don’t leave the door partway open.”

They said they understand the urge to check email daily to prevent email backlog, but “I know myself well enough that even the slightest bit of news will make my brain whir.”

Taming email on vacation

If you can’t tear away from your inbox, follow these tips to minimize email time:

1. Set designated times

David Ly, the CEO of the Nasdaq-listed tech company Iveda, said he checks email daily on vacation.

“Whether I’m on vacation or not, I try to remain disciplined, setting specific time aside,” he said.

Jonathan Zacharias, founder of the digital marketing agency GR0, suggests doing “a quick check in just once a day.”

And Andrew Meyer, the founder and CEO of the digital energy advisor Arbor, recommends choosing either early mornings or late nights “so as not to miss any daytime activities.”

2. Don’t respond (if you don’t have to)

Emails proliferate like rabbits, said Joe Robinson. On average, every sent email triggers five more messages, and everyone takes three minutes of your time, he said.

“You save yourself 18 minutes with every email you don’t send,” he said.

And stop sending one-liner emails, like “thanks” and “got it,” he said. “People still have to open that up.”

For Brian Lee, founder and CEO of the tech sports card company Arena Club, not responding to emails while on vacation sets a clear boundary. “People will respect your time more,” he said.

Ease back into the office

Denise Hemke, the chief product officer at employee screening company Checkr, said her company blocks off time to catch up on email after vacations.

“We ask our employees to spend a few days focusing solely on their emails before getting back into the swing of things,” she said. “This helps them get caught up quickly and efficiently, without feeling overwhelmed with an overstuffed inbox when they return to work.”

Brian Binke, CEO of the recruiting company The Birmingham Group, said his company allocates time for employees to catch up on emails after trips, too.

“We want our people to relax as much as possible when they’re on vacation,” he said.
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May 21, 2023
Wellness travel is rising among a particularly weary group of travelers — parents

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Amusement parks and road trips — this is this stuff many family vacations are made of.

But a new survey shows parents increasingly want in on a trend that isn’t often aimed at families: wellness travel.

A report published Thursday by the market intelligence company Morning Consult showed that parents, compared with others, showed less interest in traveling to relax or for cultural experiences, and more interest in traveling for mental and physical health.

The data showed an emerging picture of family travel — one in which parents may be starting to prioritize their own needs alongside those of their children.

Traveling to improve physical health

American Kristen Graff took a diving trip with her family to Fiji in 2022.

“It was something we could all do that was active,” she said.

But “we were doing it for us,” she said, referring to herself and her husband. The kids just happened to be invited too, she said with a laugh.

Purpose of leisure travel for trips planned in next year.

Source: Morning Consult

She said the family reserved one day for kid-centric activities, like all-terrain vehicle riding, but spent most of their time in the water. Graff said she and her husband are avid divers, and, as it turned out, her sons ended up loving it too.

Compared with nonparents, parents were nearly twice as likely to have plans to travel to improve their physical health, according to Morning Consult’s survey of some 2,200 American adults.

And the trend appears to be growing. Traveling for physical health is up eight points among parents since last year, said Lindsey Roeschke, travel and hospitality analyst at Morning Consult.

“One bit of data I find particularly interesting is, when looking at the various goals for traveling, we asked parents who benefits from those goals — the parent themself, the kids, someone else, or everyone on the trip — and the idea of traveling to improve physical health is the one most likely to benefit the parent alone,” she said.

And “mental health is a close second,” she said.

One in five adult respondents said they are planning to travel to improve their mental health, but among parents the rate rose to nearly one in three — perhaps reflecting the lack of time parents have in their daily lives to focus on their own well-being, according to the report.

“The idea of traveling for mental or physical wellness is attractive to them because they themselves feel the benefit of it, rather than putting someone else’s needs before their own — which parents have to do all the time,” Roeschke said.

Traveling to relax

Compared with nonparents, parents indicated less interest in traveling to relax or “get away,” according to the survey.

However, that’s likely because parents accept the realities of traveling with kids — especially young ones. Parents of children under the age of five are the least likely to say they travel to escape or get away, according to another Morning Consult report on family travel published in November.

Simply put, it’s harder for parents to relax when traveling,

Lindsey Roeschke

travel and hospitality analyst at Morning Consult

Parents of young kids are also the most likely to be deterred from traveling, because of costs or the added stress of lugging around car seats and strollers, according to the report.

“Simply put, it’s harder for parents to relax when traveling,” said Roeschke. “I’ve often heard it said that traveling with a child is just parenting in a new location, and it can actually be more difficult than parenting at home due to schedule changes, lack of comforts of home — like toys, games, cribs, highchairs — and upended routines.”

Parents also showed less enthusiasm to travel to spend time with family and friends, the May report showed.

“Parents are doing that often at home, so they’re less likely to think of it as the purpose of their trip,” she said.

Planning a wellness family vacation

Though some wellness resorts only allow adults, places like The Farm at San Benito welcome guests of all ages.

The resort — located 90 minutes south of Manila, Philippines — has children’s meditation and fitness classes alongside animal-feeding and vegetable-picking activities, according to its website.

In February, Napa Valley’s Carneros Resort and Spa debuted a spring “Little Seedlings” program for children that includes garden tours and chicken feeding. Kids can also take yoga classes, embark on scavenger hunts and sleep outside in a tent — fireside smores included.

“Napa doesn’t just have to be an adults-only experience,” said managing director Edward Costa. “The Little Seedlings program was designed to inspire our youngest guests … while allowing the adults to fully embrace the charm and amenities of our luxury resort.”

Guests must be at least 17 years old to visit the BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, but the all-inclusive resort makes an exception on major holidays and during fitness-themed weeks in the summer. From July 3 to Aug. 25, the family-based fitness weeks combine yoga, sailing, healthy cooking and “beach boot camps” hosted by visiting Olympians.

Planning your own wellness trip

Rather than a resort stay, parents can plan their own wellness trips based on their interests.

One activity that suits many families is the safari, said Mike Harlow, the general manager of the travel agency Scott Dunn Asia.

“We are able to customize safari holidays for families with little ones to see the Big Five in South Africa,” he said.

Places like Madikwe Safari Lodge are ideal for families, he said, because they combine shorter game drives with bush and bug activities and animal tracking to ensure kids never get bored.

Madikwe Safari Lodge accepts children aged seven and older, and drives don’t go as close to dangerous game, according to its website.

Hoberman Collection | Universal Images Group | Getty Images

In the winter, Harlow recommends Sweden for sleigh rides, watching the Northern Lights and a stay at the Ice Hotel — which has beds and chandeliers made of ice — while families keen on history can cruise the Nile in Egypt.

Parents can also swap the traditional family vacation for a couples or even solo trip — or by booking a trip that includes just part of the family.

“Globally, we’ve noticed a growing trend of one parent taking one child away for a bonding holiday,” said Harlow. “Mother and daughter trips, in particular, are on the rise.”

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May 9, 2023
Planning a solo trip to Seoul? Here are some places that cater to singles in Seoul

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A decade ago, a person who walked into a restaurant in Seoul and asked for “han myung-I” —a table for one — could be declined service.

That’s because restaurants in South Korea prefer groups of two or more, owing to a complex mix of local social dynamics, profit margins and simple logistics — a tableside grill has to be cleaned whether it serves one patron or four, after all.

Solo rejections commonly occurred at family restaurants and barbecue outlets, two quintessential spots to sample some of the country’s best cuisine. Solo diners could circumvent it in two ways: by placing an order for two or agreeing to a minimum spend.

However, with the growth of one-person households in South Korea, more people are choosing to dine, drink and travel alone — embracing the “honjok” lifestyle trend that has visibly taken root in the country.

Eating out

Hongojib is unlike most barbecue places in Seoul.

Located in the lively neighborhood of Yeonnam-dong, the restaurant — and its predecessors, such as Sinssi Express and Hongo — have swapped traditional communal dining for the growing trend of honbap, or eating alone.

Diners eat at counters rather than round tables. And dishes aren’t served family style — each diner is given personal settings for condiments and cutlery along with their own grill.

Sinsii Express’ solo counter, where the author ate, with a small grill and privacy divider.

Source: Morgan Awyong

Orders are placed and paid for with tablets. And food — alongside a cluster of classic banchan, or side dishes — is served within minutes.

Marianne Lee, a Korean education consultant, said this style of eating is a change from the days when “everyone has to eat in teams, everyone has to drink together, everyone has to go for the same menu.”

“If you wanted to have a Chinese meal, but if your manager says let’s go for Japanese noodles, you’d have no choice but to go,” she said. “But nowadays, people respect having their own time.”

With a following of more than 40,000 on TikTok, Lee — who said she’s spent equal parts of her life in the United Kingdom and South Korea — is popular for her videos about Korean culture, from bus etiquette to the best time to visit the country.

In her videos, she recommends solo travelers try restaurants such as Labap for fine dining, or Gimbap Cheongu and Pomato for their wide variety of Korean food.

The latter two “are open 24 hours and sell tteokbokki, rice dishes, soup and other hot cooked meals,” she said, referring to Korean spicy rice cakes.

South Korean tourist information helpers guide tourists in Seoul’s popular Myeongdong shopping district.

Jung Yeon-je | Afp | Getty Images

Lee suggests visiting the popular tourist spots first, such as Namsan, Myeong Dong, Insadong and Itaewon, where people often speak some English. Multilingual tourist guides dressed in red coats and hats are there to help with travelers’ questions too, she said.

“It also helps when you add in a few Korean words, like hoksi (maybe) before you ask your question in English,” she adds. Koreans listen better than they speak, so she feels that it helps to “soften the approach and we really appreciate it.”

Where to stay

South Korea is popular with visitors from Asia, especially China and Japan, but visitors from Western countries, namely the United States, are on the rise. American travelers were the fourth-largest source market until 2019, but catapulted to the top demographic in 2022, according to Tourgo, a research initiative of the Korea Culture and Tourism Research Institute.

Earlier this year, South Korea announced a new visa for digital nomads is in the pipeline. The visa, which would allow foreigners to stay in Korea while working remotely for an employer in another country, is slated to start later this year, according to The Korea Herald.

Luckily, it’s now far easier to find a place to stay than it was in the past.

New co-living companies, like Episode and Mangrove, were created in response to the rise of single-person households seeking affordable places to live in Seoul. Some residential buildings allow short-term lodging, which solo travelers can book.

The author, Morgan Awyong, in the communal kitchen of Mangrove Dongdaemun.

Source: Morgan Awyong

I stayed at Mangrove Dongdaemun for a month in a clean and compact room that came with a workstation, private bathroom and a view of Mount Namsan.

Unlike hotels, there are communal kitchens and coworking spaces, plus a gym, yoga rooms, library and even free laundry self-service. An app links residents with chat boards and activities like “New Joiner Nights.”

The concept is popular, said Mangrove staff member Kim Serin, who added that the building is full most of the year. She said short-stay requests are increasing, and that the company is working to meet this need with new projects coming in two other popular destinations, Busan and Jeju.

Celib Soonra is another residence designed for solo residents and travelers. Stays under three months can be booked via Airbnb, which is how I booked my stay.

Morgan Awyong in the communal tea room at Celib Soonra.

Source: Morgan Awyong

My room was less cookie-cutter and came with local touches like a traditional tea room, and the rooftop has panoramic views of Changdeokgung palace and Jongmyo Shrine.

Its neighborhood, Gwonnong-dong, is more intimate too, and the hip cafe-filled Hanok village of Ikseon-dong is but a 10-minute walk away.

Business hotels too

Business hotels, like those from the hospitality brand Accor, are also working to create hybrid living spaces where travelers and locals can “live, work and play,” according to its website.

An ondol room at Ibis Gangnam.

Source: Morgan Awyong

Accor’s Ibis brand offers an example of this. At the Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Gangnam, I could see how small changes can make a huge difference, such as the communal garden on the hotel’s 15th floor, where I worked on days I had tight deadlines.

I also slept in an ondol room at the hotel, which had heated floors and traditional bedding, something that is usually found only in traditional houses and hanoks that caters to groups. Near Gangnam’s Coex Mall, it was also a steal at less than $55 a night.

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April 30, 2023
What do Chinese travelers want? Luxury ‘star-rated’ hotels, says new survey

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Consumers in China plan to pay up when it comes to hotels, a Morgan Stanley survey found in late January.

The research points to growing demand for high-end and luxury hotels in China now that the country has ended domestic travel restrictions — and a Covid wave has passed.

“Consumers appear more willing to increase spending on hotel accommodation for their trips vs. pre-Covid, with 20% citing it as their top travel expense compared to 17% each in 2017 and 2020,” Morgan Stanley analysts said.

The report released Tuesday cited a proprietary survey from Jan. 29 to 31 of about 2,000 consumers across China’s larger cities in 19 provinces.

The report said that “37% of the consumers prefer higher star-rated hotels, up from 18% in 2020, with higher-income consumers showing even stronger appetites for luxury hotel stays (47% vs. 31% in 2020).”

“Mentions of budget hotels and mid-range hotels fell universally.”

Savings soared

Consumers’ penchant to save soared to record highs during the pandemic. Retail sales lagged overall economic growth in China in the face of uncertainty about future income.

Morgan Stanley said the survey found a similarly muted appetite for shopping, despite it ranking as the top expense for travelers. The shopping budget for travelers was 9,405 yuan ($1,387), slightly higher than in 2020 but still well below the 2017 level of 13,782 yuan, according to surveys over the past few years.

“The majority of the consumers expect to keep their overall spending unchanged in the next six months (70% vs. 73% last month),” the report said.

But 24% of respondents said they planned to spend more to “upgrade their lifestyles” — an attitude that typically results in buying higher quality products. That’s up from 20% a month ago, the report said.

“The increase in the number of consumers looking to upgrade their lifestyle with higher spend is universal.”

On leisure spending in China: “We don’t see them slowing down.”

Christopher J. Nassetta

CEO, Hilton Worldwide

Per capita disposable income in China grew by 2.9% in 2022 to 36,883 ($5,439) when excluding price factors, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. For urban households, disposable incomes rose more than $1,000 above the national level, the data showed.

An opportunity for international brands

Back in September, UBS analyst Xin Chen and a team said they expected that after Covid passed, people in China would pay up for hotels.

“The growing mid-/high-income population in China will fuel continued growth in demand for upscale hotels,” the UBS report said. “At present, the number of upscale and luxury hotel guest room contribution and brand penetration rate in China are both lower than in North America.”

It may be an opportunity for international brands.

“We believe it will be challenging for China hotel groups to enter the upscale market,” UBS said.

“China’s hotel groups are still exploring the upscale hotel market, and we think acquisition of established overseas upscale brands may be their best option, and that founding joint ventures with real estate developers could provide property management resources for expansion into the upscale hotel market.”

InterContinental Hotels Group announced this week it signed two hotel deals in Shanghai, including the first hotel in Greater China under its luxury Vignette Collection brand. The hotels are set to open in the first half of 2024, according to a release.

InterContinental, Marriott International and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts are due to release earnings later this month.

Hilton Worldwide Holdings said in its fourth-quarter earnings report overnight that an industry measure of revenue for China showed business was still down by 37% compared to 2019 levels. China’s Covid controls also prevented the company from expanding as much as it had planned in the fourth quarter.

Read more about China from CNBC Pro

“You’re already starting to see significant travel within China in terms of uptick,” Hilton Worldwide CEO Christopher J. Nassetta said in an earnings call.

“And we expect, particularly in the second half of the year, you’re going to have a big tailwind from that,” he said, according to a StreetAccount transcript.

“There continues to be broader pent-up demand across all segments. I mean, you could argue in the leisure side … people have been doing a lot of it, but we don’t see them slowing down.”

— CNBC’s Michael Bloom contributed to this report.

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February 9, 2023