Paris’ Golden Triangle, the 8th arrondissement area framed by three grand avenues (Montaigne, Champs-Élysées and George V), is where haute couture was born, where artists once held court and where travelers still come to experience the beating heart of the city. Longtime Forbes travel contributor Laura Begley Bloom talked with Marine Leroux, the concierge at the Plaza Athenée, and other local insiders in le 8ème to get the best recommendations for where to eat, stay and play in the City of Light’s shiniest neighborhood.
The private islands owned by cruise lines may promise pristine beaches with carefully curated resort experiences, but are they really a dream getaway or just another way to boost profits? From the Bahamas to the Caribbean, here’s what you need to know about cruise ships’ island adventures.
Just ahead of summer, World’s 50 Best has released its annual list of the Best Beaches for 2025. Unlike other crowd-sourced rankings, the World’s 50 Best list is chosen by more than 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers. Beaches were evaluated across eight criteria, including unique characteristics, wildlife, natural soundtrack, ease of water entry, and lack of overcrowding. Topping the 2025 list is Cala Goloritzé in Sardinia, Italy, with Entalula Beach in the Philippines and Bang Bao Beach in Thailand rounding out the top three.
In a landmark decision this week, the European Union’s highest court ruled that Malta’s controversial ‘golden passport’ program violates the EU’s rules on citizenship. The system allows foreigners to buy EU citizenship through an investment—usually around $500,000—but the European Commission took legal action against the small Mediterranean island nation over the scheme, citing security concerns. Here’s what the new EU ruling means for the future of golden visas.
If you can’t get away this Mother’s Day, why not bring some of the world’s greatest hotels home in the form of a signature fragrance? From Italy to Thailand, here are gifts with a real scent of place.