Travel and Leisure: Trending Stories from USA Today

Best Small Town Food Scene
Which small town has the best culinary scene? Vote now!

Alaska Air confirms plans to acquire Virgin America
The long-term future of the Virgin America brand was not immediately clear.

Ask the Captain: Why was my plane towed to the gate?
Is this a fuel-saving measure and, if so, why isn’t it used all the time?

Troubling signs for aviation safety
The planes might be properly maintained, and the pilots well trained, but air travel is hardly risk-free.

Airline complaints rise despite better performance
U.S. airline performance improved in three of four key categories in 2015.

First look: Inside Viking’s new ocean ship, Viking Sea
The 930-passenger vessel sailed with paying passengers for the first on Sunday.

The top 50 Instagram photos by @USInterior
Users chose their favorites of the Department of the Interior’s most stunning and scenic photos.

Great European vacation rentals for under $100/night
If you’re willing to go a bit off the beaten path, you can score a great vacation rental.

Photos: Chicago’s iconic Willis Tower
At 1,451 feet, the Willis Tower is the second tallest building in the U.S.

Explore Virgin Islands National Park both above and below the waves
Half of this national park’s 10,000 acres are actually underwater.

America’s annual seafood festivals and cook-offs
Celebrate shrimp, oysters, lobster and crawfish at these fishy fetes across the country.

10Best: Cities to see street art
Many cities have designated areas for murals, and offer tours.

Best Coastal Small Town
Vote for your favorite coastal small town in America at 10Best.com!

Royal Caribbean to ‘Boaty McBoatface’ guy: Name our ship, too
The line has offered overnight sensation James Hand a voyage on its newest vessel.

Wanna own a castle … and a village? Pony up $8.3M, and it’s yours
A royal family in Italy has owned the 2,100-acre Castle of Sismano estate for over 1,000 years, but now it can all be yours for only $8.3 million. Video provided by Newsy

Why an older woman may be your next Airbnb host
Women who are 60 and over receive the highest percentage of five-star reviews.

America’s best vodka bars
Bucket list watering holes for fans of America’s best-selling spirit.

Dolly Parton on Dollywood, the new resort and her fear of coasters
Why Dolly won’t get on her own coasters, and whether she sees a second park in the future.

Skinny Pancake: Vermont fresh fare transforms the ordinary crepe
The menu boasts local ingredients, including apples, maple syrup, ham and lots of renowned cheeses.

Space Invaders: Delightful mosaics left by elusive Paris street artist
Lift your eyes on your next stroll through Paris and you’ll spot the colorful “invasion.”

Amazing places where your dollar goes further this year
Favorable exchange rates and overall affordability can get you more for your money.

Frequent-flier sweet spots: Best routes for American AAdvantage
There are still a few areas where American excels above the rest of the legacy carriers.

Best College Small Town
Vote for the most travel-worthy college small town in the U.S. once per day!

Maintaining relationships on the road: Tips from travel bloggers
With all the joys that life on the road brings, there are also downfalls, like maintaining relationships back home.

El Yunque: The USA’s only tropical rainforest national forest
28,000 acres unlike anywhere else in the USA await in Puerto Rico.

How many people does it take to run an airport?
From cooks to chaplains to cobblers, these employees keep U.S. airports running.

Manatee Appreciation Day: Celebrate with a visit in Florida
Find the best places for viewing these gentle sea giants.

Uncover Japan’s hidden meals of a lifetime
Staying and eating at a ryokan is a pure and quintessential Japanese experience.

Photo tour: Cruising the Norwegian fjords on the Kong Harald
The ferry-like vessel offers an offbeat way to explore Norway’s coast.

Amtrak in the 1970s: Exclusive historical photos
Amtrak spent much of the decade establishing its operations, route network and branding.

Best Historic Small Town
Vote once per day for your favorite historic small town in America!

Travel writer gets one of Jim Harrison’s final interviews
An evening in Patagonia with Jim Harrison, author of “Legends of the Fall.”

The Big Apple’s biggest share plates
New York City’s trading tapas for large format, family-style menu items for groups.

Travel after the attacks: What to know if you decide to go
Following a fresh wave of bombings, travelers want to know how to save their vacations.

Ask the Captain: Do planes have backup cameras like cars?
Do airplanes have external cameras for the pilots to use when taxiing or parking?

Road Warriors name their favorite world airlines
USA TODAY Road Warriors vote for their favorite world airlines.

50 states, 50 dates: Romantic ideas around the USA
Need a fun local idea, or just want to get away with your loved one? We’ve got 50 ideas for you.

Photos: The grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica

Eight reasons to collect Southwest Rapid Rewards points
Southwest’s loyalty program is frequently ranked as one of the best in the country.

Quaint and quirky Homestays around the world
Homestay only offers rentals with a local host on site.

Watch the big game in a Las Vegas sports book
However you play it, a major sporting event at a Vegas casino is about as good as it gets.

10Best: Favorite Korean food from fusion to fine dining
Korean food is appearing everywhere from food trucks to frozen dinners.

Cool off in style: Caribbean resort pools not to miss
Beaches too crowded? These pools are a great way to cool off in style.

Where to eat over Easter weekend
50 places to order eggs for brunch, plus chocolate bunnies, hot cross buns and more.

Cruising to adventure on India’s Ganges
River line Uniworld’s new Ganges Voyager II explores a little-visited part of the country

Another new Viking ocean ship takes to the water
The Viking Sky is the third of six new vessels the line has on order

America’s best bars for rum fans
Tiki and rum-centric bars have made a major comeback across the country.

Alberta beef + Argentine style = A meat lover’s dream
At Calgary’s Charbar, everything has a bit of a gourmet surprise or twist.

Six Flags VR coasters: Watch how it works
Nine coasters at Six Flags parks will transport you into a whole new world starting this month.

14 insanely cheap destinations for spring 2016
Why not treat yourself for surviving the winter by booking a trip to one of these destinations?

10 Italian wines to pair with pasta
Our wine expert picks the best bottles for this month’s cooking demo.

So you want to become a digital nomad? Read this first
All of the preparation in the world can’t prepare you for the realities of life on the road.

Five myths about the Galapagos Islands
The logistics and cost of traveling around these remote islands can be daunting.

The world’s best train station takeout for the ride
Prominent train stations offer great food to-go from NYC’s Grand Central to Tokyo Station.

No Wi-Fi? No problem, say these travel bloggers
Those wanting to truly experience the world will undoubtedly find themselves disconnected from time to time.

Taste California: Disneyland Food & Wine Festival returns
After a six-year absence, the foodie festival returns for one month only.

Spring forward in Philly: The season’s best art, music and events
Chinese dragons, Picasso and King Midas descend on the city this spring.

Size matters: The biggest Caribbean islands
When it comes to beautiful beaches and sumptuous sights, size really does matter.

Cruise giant Carnival Corp. wins approval for Cuba sailings
The Cuban company’s new Fathom brand will begin voyages to the island nation in May

Ask the Captain: A grab bag of flying questions
We’re going to the archives to surface some answers that never made the column.

Why you should travel on spring break this year
Don’t let Zika and security scares keep you home.

Hotel CEOs talk mergers, Airbnb and robots
USA TODAY holds its annual roundtable of hotel industry CEOs.

This L.A. sushi trail’s the next best thing to visiting Japan
Sushi has come a long way in LA where it is embraced more than anywhere else in the USA.

Photo tour: Grand Teton National Park’s majesty
From the peaks of the Teton Range to beautiful Jackson Hole, the park has something for all.

25 cruise ship attractions that will blow your mind
There’s seemingly nothing that the designers of today’s ships can’t dream up.

These Caribbean all-inclusive resorts have the biggest bang for your buck
Getting something (or a lot of things) for nothing is a big draw while on vacation.

Sip Scotland’s gin trend on the new trail
Find the best craft gin distilleries, bars and shops in Scotland at these stops.

From Atlantis to Camelot, 10 mythical sites that just might exist
Even in an era of GPS and Google Maps, a few glorious cities and treasures remain uncharted.

Pets on trains a hit for Amtrak and riders
Amtrak is expanding its program allowing small cats and dogs to travel with their owners.

Top five categories to include on your bucket list
Adventures and activities you’ll want to start right away

Photo tour: The castles of Ireland

Low peso, high style: Mexican experiences worth a splurge
With international travel costs breaking budgets, now’s a great time to consider Mexico.

Maple Block: A taste of Texas barbecue in L.A.
Maple Block Meat Company updates the classics with high-quality ingredients.

10 new routes that promise cheap flights this spring

Where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the USA
Find whiskey, corned beef, Irish coffee and fun green food near you.

Best Cave
Where’s your favorite cave or cavern in the USA? Vote once per day!

The Hollywood Roosevelt hotel gets a makeover
The nearly 90-year-old iconic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel is getting a makeover

Flying in the 1980s: What’s our vector, Victor?
Our trip through each decade of the aviation industry is approaching its next stop.

Transportation face-off: Uber, taxi, rental car, transit
If you’ve waited until you’ve already reached your destination to figure out the best ways to get around, you’ve waited too long.

23 stunning ocean views in exotic destinations
The beautiful views are found in far-flung locales like Zanzibar, the Maldives and Koh Tao.

Tour the fun Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
Opened in 1946, the landmark Vegas property is fun and approachable in a prime location.

12 great places for pasta in New York City
We’re celebrating Italian cooking all month and love these go-to ristorantes for pasta.

Photo tour: Grand Canyon National Park’s timeless beauty
From mule tours to sunsets, our reporter captured the natural wonderland in photos.

Inside the Caribbean’s largest suite: The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman has unveiled an 8,000 square-foot penthouse suite.

Indulge on the Brooklyn chocolate trail
Tour and taste at New York’s trendiest chocolate makers’ shops and factories.

Dream Boats: What to buy to try the Great Loop
“Loopers” circumnavigate the entire eastern U.S. via a continuous waterway.

March’s #avgeek gallery: 30 cool aviation photos
Check out our latest batch of fun airplane and aviation photos from around the globe.

Cruise smackdown: Norwegian Breakaway vs. Royal Princess
Our latest side-by-side ship comparison looks at two of the hottest megaresorts at sea.

Renting a vacation home online? 3 players add fees
VRBO, HomeAway and VacationRentals have added new service charges ranging from 4% to 9%.

Celebrity Cruises to expand in Galapagos
The line is taking over two small vessels that offer tours of the destination

Best Archaeological Site
Vote for America’s best archaeological site in the 10Best Readers’ Choice awards.

Ask the Captain: Will the mystery of MH370 ever be solved?
Pilot John Cox answers questions about the search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

Travel liars, pants on fire
Let’s talk about travelers who feign injury and illness to get preferential treatment.

Over-the-top Disney: Splurge on luxury, access
Want the ultimate in luxury on your Disney World vacation? We’ll show you how to find it.

50 flavors for St. Patrick’s Day
Restaurants and bars across the USA celebrate with green beer, Guinness and Irish food.

More airports calling out TSA for long lines
Lines are lengthening at major airports, but TSA faces constraints in hiring more screeners.

What’s new in Great Britain and Ireland for 2016
The British Isles have a knack for sharing their heritage with the world in an engaging way.

Caribbean campaign: Presidential history in the islands
America’s history has a Caribbean connection, from a Broadway show to Trump’s villa.

Jacksonville, Fla.’s beer scene flourishes
Breweries and restaurants respond to younger residents’ preference for local beer.

10Best: Fun, festive Easter egg hunts
Cities, resorts and historic sites are staging increasingly elaborate events.