Thursday, February 12, 2026

“Taste Hong Kong,” A Chef-Curated Gourmet Guide To The City’s True Culinary Soul

More than 50 master chefs handpick 250 restaurants to showcase the authentic flavours of Hong Kong’s neighbourhoods.

Hong Kong’s longstanding reputation as one of the world’s great food cities has been built on contrast — a destination where humble street stalls sit comfortably alongside polished Michelin-starred dining rooms, and where “Great Taste” can be found everywhere in Hong Kong. This season, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) celebrates the city’s rich culinary culture with the launch of Taste Hong Kong, a new gourmet guide developed in collaboration with the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) that invites visitors to experience the city through the eyes — and appetites — of its master chefs.

Taste Hong Kong is a chef-curated culinary guide to the city’s diverse neighbourhoods. More than 50 master chefs — all graduates of CCI’s prestigious Master Chef Course in Chinese Cuisine — have collectively handpicked 250 restaurants throughout Hong Kong, shining a spotlight on the places they return to time and again. The guide offers a comprehensive and refined overview of the city’s culinary landscape, highlighting a rich tapestry of Chinese cuisines alongside an array of international flavours, from traditional noodle shops and classic dessert parlours to family run local gems, artisanal cafés, upscale hotel restaurants, and Michelin-starred fine dining destinations. Going beyond conventional rankings and accolades, the guide provides an authoritative, insider perspective on the city’s most authentic and distinctive gastronomic experiences.

At the heart of Taste Hong Kong are the chefs themselves. As the creative minds behind some of Hong Kong’s most celebrated dining rooms, they bring a rare perspective on what defines a great meal — and what makes a restaurant endure. Among them are acclaimed figures such as Adam Wong and Lee Man-sing, who have each contributed personal recommendations that reflect both their culinary roots and their deep connection to Hong Kong’s dining culture.

“When I think about Hong Kong food, I think about the neighbourhood places I always go back to — dai pai dongs, cha chaan tengs and small restaurants that define the city’s everyday dining culture. These spots reflect how locals really eat and the city’s culinary soul. I am excited to be part of this guide because it gives visitors a genuine way to experience Hong Kong through the food and neighbourhoods that locals know and love,” says Adam Wong, a 3-star Michelin Executive Chef at the Forum Restaurant.

“I have always believed that some of Hong Kong’s best food is found in the simplest settings, whether it’s a comforting bowl of noodles or hot pot shared with friends. The restaurants highlighted in Taste Hong Kong are places with history, consistency and heart. They show why Hong Kong is one of the world’s most exciting cities to eat in,” says Lee Man-sing, Executive Chef of Mott 32 Group.

Designed for both visitors and locals, Taste Hong Kong organises its 250 restaurant picks by neighbourhood. With various neighbourhoods represented, travellers are encouraged to venture beyond well-trodden dining districts and experience the distinctive character of each area. From sizzling woks in bustling street kitchens to quiet neighbourhood favourites passed down through generations, the chefs’ selections offer visitors and locals a deeper insight into Hong Kong’s rich culinary heritage and vibrant diversity, guiding them to the true “Great Taste” of the city.

The guide is supported by a rich suite of digital content, including neighbourhood videos and curated maps, hosted on the campaign’s dedicated website. A downloadable digital edition of the Taste Hong Kong guide will also be available, serving as an easy-to-use companion for planning meals and neighbourhood discovery. QR codes will be displayed at various MTR stations, bus shelters and visitor signage across neighbourhoods. HKTB will also broadcast the “Taste Hong Kong” promotional video at major tourist hotspots, and prominent shopping malls and hotels across the city, reinforcing Hong Kong’s status as a global gourmet capital where exceptional food can be found everywhere — often in the most unexpected places.

To discover the full Taste of Hong Kong guide and begin your culinary adventure, visit tastehk.discoverhongkong.com. Download the digital guide, watch the neighbourhood videos and join the conversation using #TasteHongKong to discover the authentic flavours that define Hong Kong, one neighbourhood at a time.

Source: Hong Kong Tourism Board

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

You’re Banned From Blocking Trump’s Face On Your National Park Pass—But There’s A Work-Around

These designers found a clever way to keep the president’s mug off their America the Beautiful entry passes.

The 2026 national park pass features a portrait of Donald Trump’s face, and the Department of the Interior (DOI) has threatened to penalize anyone who tries to cover it up. Now, park lovers are inventing their own clever work-arounds to remove the president’s visage from their passes.

For over two decades, the annual America the Beautiful park pass design has featured photography of nature, animals, and scenery across the United States. But when the DOI revealed the 2026 pass in November, something was glaringly different. Rather than a cascading waterfall or towering redwoods, the pass included a portrait of George Washington, framed side by side with Trump’s mug-shot-inspired headshot.

The response to the pass design was swift. Many cardholders took to the internet to show themselves covering Trump’s face with stickers as a form of protest. But mere weeks later, per an internal email obtained by SFGate, the DOI updated its “Void if Altered” policy in a transparent effort to discourage pass holders from covering Trump’s face.

Whereas the policy previously stated that passes could be voided only if the signature section of the card was altered, it now overtly flags stickers and other coverings as alterations that could invalidate the pass. According to a policy document shared with The Washington Post, staff who come across altered passes are instructed to ask that stickers or coverings be removed. If that’s not possible, they’re permitted to either charge the guest with the regular entrance fee or give them the option to buy a brand-new pass.

While the Trump administration is acting quickly to redesign the National Park Service in Trump’s literal image, national parkgoers are quicker. In the days since the pass policy was altered in early January, multiple designers have stepped up with clever work-arounds that conceal the president’s glowering face without running afoul of the restrictions. The simplest solution is a card sleeve that covers Trump’s face most of the time, but can be easily removed when the card is shown at park entrances.

How small designers are fighting back against the DOI

Katie Weber and her husband, Chris, started their Michigan-based apparel brand Dirt Roads Project in March 2025. The company, Weber says, was her way to make a difference after feeling “overwhelmed by everything happening in our country.” So part of each purchase gives back to the preservation of parks and nature, including through collaborations with nonprofits like the Michigan Animal Rescue League, Alliance for the Great Lakes, and Reef Relief.

When Weber saw the park pass design for 2026, she immediately decided to create something that would cover Trump’s face.

“I was incredibly frustrated and wanted to be able to bring the parks front and center instead of showing someone who is honestly trying to dismantle our parks,” Weber says. “That night, I started going through all of our photography from past hiking trips, chose a handful that I loved, and created the design.”

Her final selections, which run for just $6 each, feature photos taken at eight prominent national parks, including Zion in Utah, Haleakalā in Maui, and Yosemite in California. After they launched for preorder around Thanksgiving, Weber says, interest in the stickers has been “growing rapidly.”

Weber specifically engineered the stickers to avoid covering any pertinent information on the cards, including the signature section, holographic strip, and barcode. But in the wake of the DOI’s new sticker ban, she adapted the design to guarantee that users won’t be penalized. Instead of adding the sticker directly to their passes, customers can now purchase a $2 plastic card sleeve from Dirt Roads Project to keep their cards completely unaltered while still obscuring the president’s face.

After the DOI’s new regulations emerged, Weber says Dirt Roads Project has seen “skyrocketing” demand, bringing in over $6,000 from the stickers alone in the first weeks of January. “To me, that shows that this small form of protest is being seen, and that people’s frustration is being heard,” she says.

Other small businesses are similarly using their art to fight back. Mitchell Bowen is a graphic designer who runs a poster company called Recollection Project, pulling inspiration from 1930s illustrations to create posters of national parks and other travel destinations. He designed a $12 card sleeve with one of his illustrations for Grand Teton National Park, featuring two American bison in front of a mountain vista. Interest has been so high, Bowen says, that he’s had to pause new orders to focus on fulfilling his backlog.

“Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet”

Both Weber’s and Bowen’s nature-centric designs call back to the history of the national park pass’s design, which has, by federal law, featured the winning photo of the National Park Foundation’s annual public lands photo contest since 2004. In fact, the DOI and the National Park Service are currently facing a lawsuit from the conservation group Center for Biological Diversity for failing to follow that federal design stipulation on the 2026 card.

In a statement on the lawsuit released on December 10, Kierán Suckling, the center’s executive director, wrote that the new pass design was “Trump’s crassest, most ego-driven action yet.”

“It’s disgusting of Trump to politicize America’s most sacred refuge by pasting his face over the national parks in the same way he slaps his corporate name on buildings, restaurants, and golf courses,” he continued. “The national parks are not a personal branding opportunity. They’re the pride and joy of the American people.”

https://www.fastcompany.com/user/gsnelling

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

On July 4, The Port Of New York Will Host One Of The Largest Ship Gatherings In History To Mark The Country's Semiquincentennial

For the nation’s 250th birthday, the city’s waterfront becomes the stage for a historic parade of ships, jets and fireworks.
Photograph: Courtesy of Sail250
If your idea of a big Fourth of July crowd is shoulder-to-shoulder on the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, get ready to think much, much bigger. Next summer, New York Harbor will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with what organizers are calling the largest international maritime gathering in U.S. history.

From July 3 through 9, the Port of New York and New Jersey will host a weeklong spectacle featuring more than 60 international tall ships from more than 20 countries, more than 40 allied and U.S. naval vessels, a British aircraft carrier, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and an aerial armada of over 100 aircrafts led by the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. By the numbers alone, it’s set to eclipse every Operation Sail celebration that came before it, from 1964 through 2012.

The main event hits on July 4, natch, with an International Parade of Sail that will send towering Class A tall ships gliding under the Verrazzano Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and up the Hudson to the George Washington Bridge. They will be joined by smaller Class B ships, gray-hulled naval vessels in a rare International Naval Review and a sky full of flyovers, all before the night wraps with the 50th anniversary of Macy’s July 4th Fireworks over Manhattan.

City officials project that as many as eight million spectators could line the 15-mile stretch of New York City and New Jersey coast to watch it all unfold. The economic ripple is just as outsized: an NYC Economic Development Corporation analysis estimates $2.85 billion in total economic activity, including $730 million in net new impact for the city.

The show won’t end when the fireworks fade. From July 5 to 8, many of the international tall ships will be open for free public boarding at piers across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and New Jersey. The week also brings food festivals, cultural programming and a ticker-tape parade honoring post-9/11 veterans and first responders.

It’s not just another Fleet Week moment. For Semiquincentennial the harbor itself becomes the main stage, with tall ships, naval power and aerial displays converging in a way the city hasn’t seen in decades.

https://www.timeout.com/profile/laura-ratliff

Monday, February 9, 2026

Travelore News: Air Canada Suspending Cuba Service In Response To Aviation Fuel Shortage

Air Canada said that effective today it is suspending its service to Cuba due to an ongoing shortage of aviation fuel on the island. Over the following days, the airline will operate empty flights southbound to pick up approximately 3,000 customers already at destination and return them home.

Air Canada took the decision following advisories issued by governments (NOTAMs) regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports. It is projected that as of February 10 aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports. For remaining flights, Air Canada will tanker in extra fuel and make a technical stops as necessary to refuel on the return journey if necessary.

Air Canada will continue to monitor the situation to determine an appropriate restart of normal service to Cuba at a future date.

Customers

Air Canada’s immediate priority is to return customers already in Cuba to Canada. It will operate empty ferry flights to the island over the coming days to maintain its regular schedule from Cuba to Canada over the near-term to pick up these customers. Air Canada currently has approximately 3,000 customers in Cuba, most of whom are travelling on Air Canada Vacations Packages.

Throughout the process, Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations monitored the situation closely, first introducing a flexible rebooking policy for customers travelling to Cuba. Air Canada Vacations is now introducing a refund policy, allowing customers who had scheduled departures to Cuba and experienced flight cancellations to automatically receive a full refund in their original form of payment. There is no need for these customers to contact the Air Canada Vacations’ Contact Centre.

Customers currently in Cuba who booked an Air Canada Vacations package can receive direct support from Air Canada Vacations’ local representatives, who are available to address any questions or concerns.

Air Canada Cuba Schedule

Air Canada operates on average 16 weekly flights to four destinations in Cuba from Toronto and Montreal. These include:

From Toronto:

4 times weekly to Jardines del Rey Airport in Cayo Coco,

2 times weekly to Frank País Airport in Holguín,

4 times weekly to Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport in Varadero,

Once weekly to Abel Santamaría Airport in Santa Clara.

From Montreal:

3 times weekly to Jardines del Rey Airport in Cayo Coco,

2 times weekly to Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport in Varadero.

At present, seasonal flights to Holguín and Santa Clara are cancelled for the rest of the season. Flights to Varadero and Cayo Coco are schedule to operate yearround but are currently suspended with a tentative restart, pending review, on May 1. All Flights are normally operated on various narrow body aircraft between Mainline and Rouge. Air Canada will look to redeploy these aircraft to other destinations.

For updates, please visit: aircanada.com

Caribbean Islands Have Put Citizenship Up For Sale. Why Applicants Might Want To Hurry.

For savvy home hunters seeking real estate with benefits, countries that offer passports through investment have become the real golden ticket.
Caribbean Countries With Easy Paths to Citizenship Andreas Voelkel - Getty Images

For savvy home hunters seeking real estate with benefits, countries that offer full citizenship by investment (aka CBI programs) have become the real golden ticket, with Caribbean nations leading the charge.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines announced in December that it plans to launch a CBI scheme this year, following neighbors Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Kitts and Nevis. St. Kitts launched the region’s first CBI program in 1984.

Rather than just offering residency, citizenship-by-investment programs grant passports to foreigners who either invest in government-run philanthropic projects or buy approved real estate, said Basil Mohr-Elzeki, a Miami-based managing partner at Henley & Partners, a global firm that specializes in residency and citizenship planning.

“Governments started these programs to seek foreign direct investment,” Mohr-Elzeki said. “The investor’s family gets a passport. The country gets economic stimulus that leads to jobs and infrastructure. It’s a win-win.”

But there’s a case for investors to hurry if they’re seriously interested, as residency- and citizenship-for-investment programs tend to come under the microscope as they become more popular.

According to a report from the European Commission, more than 100,000 passports have been issued through CBI programs since 2014. But the report added that “the past years have shown that traveling without a visa may pose significant challenges related to irregular migration and security.”

As a result, islands may soon tighten up requirements, Mohr-Elzeki said.

“St. Kitts will be implementing a more merit-based program, meaning a genuine link to the island, a physical presence, or job creation or a business, and other islands are rumored to be considering more stringent requirements and higher investment thresholds,” he said. “But we don’t see a cap coming. We see a change of program to make it more difficult as demand increases.”

To add to pressures in the region, the United States this week announced it will no longer process visa applications from 75 countries, including most of the Caribbean islands.

Boom in U.S. Applicants

As applications for CBI programs have “surged,” host countries are seeing significant changes in both who’s applying and how they’re spending. Among Henley Global clients, U.S. nationals accounted for 5% of total applications in 2018, a figure that rose to about 40% in 2025, “a 2,425% increase in applications,” Mohr-Elzeki said. The firm also saw a 43% increase in total CBI applications in 2025 compared to 2024, he said.

When the programs started, “it was people who wanted to get into the U.S. and required a friendlier passport than their home countries, like Russia or China,” said Dominique Silvera, co-founder of Christie’s International Real Estate Barbados. “Ironically, it’s a lot of Americans who are buying now. If you’re an American who does global business, it’s hard to say these days who’s a friend and who’s not, so a neutral passport is valuable.”

For many buyers exploring CBI programs in the region, lifestyle is a primary driver of where they end up buying, said Odge Davey, head of international sales for Savills in London. “Barbados has fantastic golf courses, beautiful landscapes and amazing nature,” he said. “You may get more for your money in Antigua in terms of property. Connectivity is another consideration, since some islands have better airlift than others to the U.S. and Europe.”

The Nuances of Each Island

But tax-efficiency and add-ons to CBI programs also influence choice of location, said Walter Zephirin, managing director of London-based Caribbean real estate specialists 7th Heaven Properties. “Each island has its own little nuances in terms of appeal to buyers. St. Kitts and Nevis is one of the most tax-efficient. Dominica is cheapest in terms of property investment and government donations. And Antigua is a real opportunity buy in terms of capital appreciation.”

Dominica “is also quicker to approve applications, because they don’t have a huge backlog,” said Silvera of Christie’s. “St. Kitts gets many more applications, so the process could take much longer.”

Buyers should also consider their horizon for keeping or selling property, Silvera said.

“Dominica is not a high-volume, high-turnover real estate island, so if you’re planning to eventually sell, you have to consider that. And on St. Kitts, you can’t sell CBI-connected real estate for seven years, so if you’re not planning to hold property, it may not be the best choice for you,” she said.

A St. Kitts passport also enables visa-free travel to 155 countries, the most of any island nation that offers a CBI program, she said. And because of a treaty with the U.S., Grenada’s passport is the only one in the region that provides access to an E2 visa, which allows a two-year stay in the U.S. for investors who commit “substantial” capital to a Stateside business. “If you’re coming from somewhere like the Middle East, that’s your roadmap to the U.S.,” she said.

Why You Should Hire an Expert

Obtaining citizenship by investment isn’t as easy as writing a check, said Mohr-Elzeki of Henley & Partners. “There is stringent due diligence to ensure that these passports are awarded to good citizens,” he said. “It’s more extensive than a standard background check. Every government has strict criteria and multiple layers. Because it could pose a risk for other countries, these Caribbean nations are very conscious about security. Rejections happen if files aren’t submitted correctly.”

Applicants must work with an authorized agent or lawyer to get the benefits of a CBI program, Mohr-Elzeki said. Approvals can take six to eight months, he said. Applicants can expect to pay around $40,000 to $60,000 in consultant fees and about $10,000 to $20,000 in government and administrative costs; applications can include dependent children, he said.

By Michael kaminer

Sunday, February 8, 2026

What's New In Sonoma County – Winter 2026

Winter sets a different rhythm in Sonoma County. The pace softens, and the landscape exhales as valleys and vineyards grow quiet, and vines rest, gathering strength for the season ahead. Rain showers move through our region, followed by clear days and wide-open blue skies. The slower season leaves room for unhurried conversations and genuine moments of connection, inviting you to be present and experience our region at its most reflective. This is winter in Sonoma County, where “Life Opens Up.”

New in Hotels

Madeira House
Winter 2026
Madeira House is a new boutique stay on the Sonoma Coast, set where the Russian River meets the Pacific Ocean in the town of Jenner. The intimate property spans 11 rooms across three restored houses, pairing coastal restraint with warm, residential design. Many rooms offer river or ocean views, private decks, fireplaces, and select kitchenettes, while the overall experience is intentionally quiet and unplugged. With gardens, waterfront seating, and immediate access to coastal trails and beaches, Madeira House offers visitors a fresh lens on Sonoma County lodging beyond Wine Country, rooted in landscape, calm, and a strong sense of place.

Hyatt Place Sonoma Wine Country

A new Hyatt Place is under construction in Sonoma County near Charles Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS). The 165-room Hyatt Place Sonoma Wine Country is expected to open for guests in late 2026. The hotel will offer brand-style rooms, meeting spaces, a pool, a gym, outdoor areas, and a rooftop restaurant and bar with views of flights arriving and departing at STS. The lobby will include a bar serving local wines, beer, spirits, and Starbucks coffee, along with a 24/7 To-Go corner. A breakfast space and social areas are designed to appeal to business and leisure travelers alike. The project reflects growing investment in hospitality infrastructure supporting Sonoma County Wine Country tourism.

New in Wineries

Sol Rei Wines

Sol Rei Wines, a boutique, women-owned producer known for low-histamine, low-sulfite wines that are lab-tested to be free of detectable pesticides and other residues, has opened a new tasting room in downtown Sonoma. The space is designed as a light, nature-inspired retreat that reflects the brand's focus on purity, sustainability, and connection to the land and the craft of winemaking. Artistic touches include a mural of local wine grapes and a grapevine embedded in the bar, tying the tasting experience to the vineyards that supply the wines. Founder Katherine Kitzmiller created Sol Rei after a personal health journey led her to prioritize clean, intentional winemaking; the winery has quickly earned national honors for its 2023 vintage wines.

Marietta Cellars

Marietta Cellars has opened its first tasting room in downtown Healdsburg after 47 years as a Sonoma County staple known for its Old Vine Red and other approachable wines. The space, in a former police station near the Healdsburg Plaza, highlights the winery's small-lot, artisanal selections rather than its widely distributed labels. Designed by co-owner and designer Lisa Steinkamp with a contemporary feel, the tasting room offers flights, glasses, and bottles of single-estate and experimental wines in a relaxed setting with indoor seating and a leafy patio.

About Sonoma County Tourism

Sonoma County Tourism (SCT) is the official organization responsible for destination stewardship in California's Sonoma County. Committed to cultivating a vibrant economy through inclusivity, sustainability, and community connections, SCT promotes the area as a welcoming destination for all. Learn more about the organization's innovative efforts to support the local economy responsibly at sonomacounty.com/partners/about-sonoma-county-tourism/.
Wolves Lovers + Thieves

A new tasting room focused exclusively on sparkling wines has opened in Glen Ellen, adding a unique stop for Sonoma County Wine Country travelers. Wolves Lovers + Thieves brings a curated selection of bubbles to Sonoma Valley's tasting scene, giving visitors a reason to schedule a dedicated sparkling wine stop on their itineraries. The launch reflects broader confidence in Sonoma County's tasting room growth this year, with several new wine destinations debuting across the destination

Sonoma County Winegrowers

Sonoma County Winegrowers and Reservoir launched Reservoir Farms, Sonoma, the first on-farm robotics and automation hub for vineyards and the flagship of SCW's Farm of the Future initiative. The site includes fabrication space, an engineering workshop, and 14 acres of vineyard test blocks where startups and AgTech partners develop and test new tools with grower input. The hub addresses labor shortages, rising costs, and production pressures while supporting job growth and local innovation. Reservoir expects to bring six startups into the incubator by late 2025, strengthening Sonoma County's leadership in sustainable, tech-driven viticulture.

New in Restaurants

Bubbles & Delights Café

Petaluma's newest breakfast spot, Bubbles & Delights Café, is drawing attention for its lively take on morning meals. Locals are calling it a “truly unique breakfast place” with a menu of scratch-made classics and bubbly drinks, including mimosas alongside farm-fresh eggs and hearty plates served with care. The cafe opens early for daily breakfast and brunch and adds a fresh, community-oriented voice to Petaluma's food scene.

Aroma de Cafe

Aroma de Café, located in the heart of Railroad Square, one of Downtown Santa Rosa's most historic districts, has opened, signaling a fresh chapter in Santa Rosa's dining scene. Owners Luis Rodriguez and Alejandra Bravo have relocated their well-loved brunch cafe from Fifth Street to the larger Railroad Square location, where they will continue serving Latin and American brunch favorites. The expanded space allows the cafe to grow while staying connected to the neighborhood's historic character and steady flow of locals and visitors. Adding to its appeal, chef Carlos Mojica of Guiso Latin Fusion has introduced a dinner-only Latin-Italian menu, broadening the restaurant's reach from a daytime brunch favorite into an all-day and evening destination.

Pick's Roadside

Pick's Roadside in the far northern Sonoma County town of Cloverdale has reopened with fresh energy while honoring its century-old roots. The drive-in first opened in 1923 and has become a local landmark known for burgers, milkshakes and root beer. After a complete renovation and menu reboot, the reimagined Pick's features premium Wagyu beef burgers, classic shakes and a curated Sonoma County wine list, blending old-school charm with modern tastes. New owners Anidel Hospitality led the revival to preserve the site's historic spirit and create a community gathering place with a Sonoma County Wine Country twist. The original neon sign and nostalgic feel remain, drawing longtime fans and newcomers alike. This relaunch places Pick's back at the heart of downtown Cloverdale and positions it as a must-visit stop for travelers exploring Wine Country and Northern Sonoma County.

The Porch Kitchen

Longtime caterer and chef Lisa Boisset of The Cook and The Drummer has opened The Porch Kitchen in the former Goatlandia Kitchen space in Sebastopol. The Laguna Parkway restaurant behind The Barlow previously served as the animal rescue's catering kitchen and, briefly, a vegan cafe. Boisset has revamped the patio into an upscale grab-and-go space that's quickly gaining buzz as a place to linger and dine.

New in Airlines

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines has decided to add more flights between Denver and Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa before its new service even begins. The airline will start flying from Sonoma County to Denver in April 2026, with trips available for sale now. The early expansion will add more departures than originally planned. This move responds to strong demand for nonstop Denver service from inbound and outbound travelers. The expanded schedule will offer travelers more weekend and weekday options to fly between Sonoma County and Denver when the route launches this spring.

New in Experiences

Jack London State Historic Park

Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen is marking the 150th anniversary of the novelist's birth with a full year of public programming and special events. Planned events through 2026 include a quarterly speaker series featuring scholars and London's great-granddaughter, a “Call of the Wild Day” family celebration with art, music, and guided walks, and gala events. The program also introduces new offerings such as an online “Around the World on the Jack London Trail” guide and themed trail challenges to highlight London's global travels and local legacy. This yearlong initiative aims to blend heritage interpretation with immersive tourism experiences in a beautiful, hike-friendly setting at a California state park.

New in Wellness

Park Rx- Forest Bathing Walks

Forest Therapy, also known as Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing, continues to gain attention for its proven health and well-being benefits. Originating in Japan, this guided walking practice focuses on slowing down, reducing stress, and engaging the senses to support mental and physical restoration. In Sonoma County, Sugarloaf Ridge State Park offers a recurring Forest Therapy Series as part of its Park Rx Program, held on the fourth Sunday of each month from March through November. Led by certified Association of Nature and Forest Therapy practitioners, the experience introduces participants to simple techniques designed to deepen presence and enhance the restorative impact of time spent in nature. The program highlights Sonoma County's commitment to accessible, science-backed wellness experiences set within protected natural landscapes.

Elevate Sonoma

A new wellness destination is opening in Sonoma with the launch of Elevate Sonoma, a clinic offering hyperbaric oxygen therapy and red-light therapy. The facility features hyperbaric sessions that increase oxygen delivery in a pressurized environment to support healing, recovery, and overall well-being, while complementary red-light therapy aims to enhance results. The clinic brings a modern health and recovery option to Sonoma County's wellness landscape, positioning the region as a lifestyle travel destination for visitors seeking restorative experiences beyond traditional wine and outdoor offerings.

For the Good of the Cause

Russian River Brewing Company

Russian River Brewing Company, the Sonoma County brewery behind Pliny the Elder, the globally acclaimed craft beer repeatedly named among the best beers in the world, is pairing purpose with production in 2026. The brewery has introduced Russian River 110, a West Coast–style pilsner created to support Russian Riverkeeper, the nonprofit dedicated to protecting and restoring the Russian River watershed. A portion of net proceeds from expanded production, and the beer's first bottled release will fund local conservation efforts. The release underscores how one of America's most influential craft breweries continues to connect its beer, its place, and its environmental stewardship, giving visitors another reason to experience Sonoma County's craft beer scene firsthand.

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Free Wi-Fi Now Available for American Airlines AAdvantage® Members, Sponsored By AT&T

Free high-speed Wi-Fi sponsored by AT&T is now rolling out to most American Airlines domestic flights and select international flights — exclusively for AAdvantage® members. Get ready to elevate your journey with high-speed connection from takeoff to landing.