Better Together

Our Better Together series brings fresh and diverse voices to Travel + Leisure, offering engaging stories and travel advice from destinations, perspectives, cultures, and communities near and far. Understanding the different ways we see the world, Better Together helps us realize how connected we all truly are.
Latest Stories
Michael Cohen in Greeze, petting a cheetah and on a scenic staircase
I’m a Prostate Cancer Survivor Who Lives With Pancreatitis — but I Don’t Let That Slow Down My Passion for Travel
A woman in front of a tent at Cherero Camp in Tanzania
I Stayed at One of the Few Black-owned Safari Camps in Africa — Here’s Why You Should, Too
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A pair of photos one showing a stree in Havana and the other cocktails on a terrace.
I Just Got Back From This Famous Island Nation That's Suddenly the Hottest LGBTQ Destination in the Caribbean
Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby riding camels, in front of an airplane and waterfall
We're 82-year-old Best Friends Who Traveled Around the World in 80 Days — Here's What It Was Like
A father and son in McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, right off the C&O Canal Trail and two brothers in front of the Eiffel Tower
My 29-year-old Son Is on the Autism Spectrum — but It Doesn't Stop Us From Traveling the World
Daytime view of the skyline of Asheville, North Carolina
This Southern U.S. City Recently Unveiled a 1-mile Black Heritage Trail That Passes Through 3 Historic Neighborhoods
Chef Ashleigh Shanti with a tray of food at Good Hot Fish in Asheville, NC
This Affrilachian Chef Just Opened Asheville, North Carolina's 'Hottest' New Restaurant
A collage of family photos from Jon Bailey
The Family Behind '2 Dads With Baggage' on What It's Like Traveling the World As a Gay Couple With 2 Daughters
Composite image of Thomas Panek traveling
I've Been Legally Blind for Decades — Here's What It's Like to Travel the World on My Own
A mural on the side of a building with an antique shop in the Black Belt of Alabama
This 247-mile Mural Trail Is an Art Revolution in Alabama's Black Belt — and Each Masterpiece Honors a Local 'Unsung Hero'
KR Liu on trip with family
How I Travel With a Hearing Disability — and What I've Learned Along the Way
Asian elephants foraging in the forests of the northern part of Thailand in Lampang Province
Thailand's Famed Elephant Tourism Is Controversial — Here's How to Pick an Ethical Sanctuary
A collage of three photos of Hunter Woodhall on his travels
I'm a Double Amputee Paralympian With Prosthetic Legs — Here's What It's Like to Travel the World
Lit up grounds at the North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival
This North Carolina Town Is Hosting a Gorgeous Chinese Lantern Festival With a 21-foot-tall Dragon — and Tickets Are Still Available
Exterior of the MS Spitsbergen
This New, Once-in-a-lifetime Cruise Sails Along the Incredible Coast of West Africa — Here's What It's Like on Board
Guests on a Paddle Excursion in Antarctica with Quark Expeditions
This Once-in-a-lifetime Trip to Patagonia and Antarctica Is With an All-star Conservationist — How to Get on Board
Paraplegic person skiing down a hill
10 Ski Events That Make Winter Sports More Accessible for Everyone
Skiers going down a mountain with the pride flag during Aspen Gay Ski Week
Aspen's Gay Ski Week Is Right Around the Corner, Here's What You Can Expect
Chloe performs onstage during Honeyland Festival Day 1 on November 11, 2023 in Sugar Land, Texas
This Must-visit Texas Festival Celebrates Black Communities, Cuisine, and Culture
An instructor helping a person with mobility issues
5 Adaptive Winter Sports Programs in the U.S. That Make Skiing and Snowboarding More Accessible
Safari Guide, Sharon
I Went on a Safari in Botswana With a Female Guide — Here’s Why It Made All the Difference
Chickasaw National Recreation Area During Fall
This Oklahoma 'Playground of the Southwest' Has Some of the Oldest Mountains on Earth, Here's Why It's No Longer a National Park
Aurora Borealis over Kluane Lake in the eponym National Park of the Yukon
What the Northern Lights Mean, According to Indigenous Communities in North America
Pair of photos from Costa Rica, showing a plated shrimp dish, and shrimp cooking in a skillet
I Ate My Way Through Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast — and Found Vibrant Jamaican Flavors and Centuries-old Traditions
The Alejandro Surf School, Adaptive Surfing in Costa Rica
How to Enjoy an Accessible Costa Rican Adventure — From Hotels and Tour Operators to Transportation
View from the lobby at Rosewood Mayakoba
I Was Pampered at a Luxury Mexican Resort With Overwater Suites — and My Happiest Memory Is a Visit to a Local School
Author, Ashley Couto
How Disney World Helped Me Find Joy in My Disability
The aurora, glowing over Yellowknife city
These Indigenous-led Northern Lights Experiences in Canada Offer Incredible Aurora Viewing and a Deeper Cultural Connection
Pair of photos from Yowie shop, one showing a portrait of the owner and one showing details of goods on display
Philadelphia's Coolest New Hotel Is Now Open — With Incredible Local Art and a Gorgeous Boutique
Rows in a farm filed at Salinas with the Kind Traveler
This Socially Conscious Booking Platform Helped Me Take a Vacation That Gave Back to the Local Community — Here's How
Michelle and Mo Mekone of Mo's Crib at their warehouse
This Sustainable, Stylish South African Home Decor Brand Is Now Available in the U.S.
Elephants crossing the Luanwa River in Zambia
As a Black American Who Had Never Been on Safari, I Had Doubts — but a Trip to Zambia Changed My Mind
Sheila Johnson
Salamander Resorts Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary This Year — Here's How Owner Sheila Johnson Built a Hotel Empire
Towering sequoia trees in Seuqoia National Park near Visalia, California
My Son Has Autism, and These Are 7 Trips I Recommend for Neurodiverse Families
Pair of photos from Hidden Gem shop in the Hamptons, one showing a portrait of the owners, and one showing home goods
A Guide to Black-owned Businesses in the Hamptons
the mirrored façade of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, reflecting the city's skyline
How Rotterdam Became a Model for Sustainability
Illustration of woman sunbathing in nature with mobility crutches
How I Explore America's National Parks As a Disabled Traveler
Jeff Jenkins goes rappelling at "The Box", a rugged canyon in Socorro, N.M., to challenge his fear of heights.
This 'Chubby' Content Creator Has Redefined Travel for All Body Types — and His New TV Show Is About to Inspire the World
A man surfing in the ocean
People of Color Have Often Been Left Out of Adventure Travel — Here Are 4 Organizations Trying to Change That
Pa'rus trail autumn colors rustic fence Zion National Park Utah
10 Wheelchair-friendly Trails Through the Country's Best National Parks
Kayaks escort the canoe out to sea
Meet the Woman Who Canoed 2,400 Miles From Hawaii to Tahiti in 17 Days — and the Others Carrying Celestial Navigation Into the Future
Rocky Mountain National Park's Dream Lake recovering from a long Colorado winterBrad McGinley Photography
How I Deal With Stereotypes, Judgment, and Prying Questions As a Queer Traveler
Illustration of a mom, dad, and child
These Hotels and Airports Are Going Above and Beyond to Support Neurodiverse Families
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Preserve
Guerneville Is Considered the Fire Island of Northern California Wine Country
Sunset at Port Hueneme pier in Oxnard California United States
10 Wheelchair-accessible Beaches in the U.S. — Including Sandy Shores in California, Virginia, and Florida
View of the train and lighthouse at Morgan's Wonderland
This 'Ultra-accessible' Theme Park in Texas Was Created so Guests of All Abilities Could Have Fun Together
The Australian flag and Australian Aboriginal flag fly side-by-side at Bondi Beach, Sydney in early summer. This image was taken on a windy day in the late afternoon.
Exploring What It Means to Be an Aboriginal Australian Today
Anthony and Marlie Love, a Black couple, on vacation
These TikTok Creators Rate Destinations Based on How Comfortable They Feel 'Traveling While Black'
Adirondack chairs on a lawn at Cavallo Point
12 LGBTQ+-friendly Resorts in the U.S. and Caribbean for a Fun and Inclusive Getaway
A woman's hand on a colorful woven textile
This Kuwaiti Craft Is on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage List — and You Can Buy Directly From the Bedouin Women Who Practice It
The Sensory Guide outside the Ford Drive School at Legoland Florida
These Certified Autism Resorts Offer Inclusive Programming for Neurodiverse Guests
Two men standing on a balcony overlooking a large party on a cruise ship
8 LGBTQ+ Cruises to Book for Incredible Itineraries and Inclusive Fun
An airport waiting room where mother and son are standing by the airport window
What I've Learned From Traveling With My Teen on the Autism Spectrum
Aerial view of Amangiri and Valley View from Mesa
This Luxury Utah Resort Is Highlighting Indigenous Artists' Works With a Gorgeous Pop-up Exhibit
A leopard lays in grass
This Wilderness Course in South Africa Teaches Real Ranger Skills — Like How to Safely, Respectfully Track Leopards
The Pride parade in Guadalajara, Mexico
This Mexican Destination Is One of the Most Progressive in Latin America Thanks to Its Game-changing LGBTQ+ Initiatives
Scenic view of Horseshoe Bend against star field at night
Why I Went to Arizona's Horseshoe Bend to Come to Terms With My Daughter’s Passing
Lamar Shambley with a group of teen study-abroad students
This Teacher Hopes to Changes Lives With a New Study Abroad Program for Teens of Color
Castle Hotel at the LEGOLAND California Resort
Every U.S. Legoland Resort Is Now a Certified Autism Center — With Sensory Guides, Quiet Rooms, and Planning Resources
Guadalajara, Mexico, at dusk
3 Trailblazing Destinations Changing Travel for the Better
A woman standing outside of a store with shopping bags
This Online Tool Helps Travelers Find Small Businesses in Diverse Communities Across 35 States
A woman and child look at dinosaur exhibits in the Arizona Museum of Natural History
These 2 Accessibility Initiatives Will Change the Way You Think About Travel