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Frommer’s 15 best places to travel in 2023

Americans have gotten bigger. Airplane seats have gotten smaller. That pairing has led to a debate over whether the FAA should redefine its definition of seat safety.

President Joe Biden announced a proposal that aims to add a dose of transparency to the process of booking travel.

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Europe risks ‘chaos’ at airports without coordinated vaccine certificate rollout, travel groups warn, more travel news.

Portugal and Spain imposed new restrictions on U.K. visitors amid concern about the coronavirus delta variant as Germany pushed for a more coordinated European Union response to try to limit the strain taking hold in the bloc.

Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight from New Orleans to Dallas earlier this month had no idea what they were about to witness. A veteran in need. Another ready to help.

EU health officials predicted Wednesday that the delta variant will make up 90% of all cases across the bloc by the end of August.

Vaccinated Defense Department personnel and other Americans living in Germany can obtain free digital coronavirus vaccination certificates and use them to travel in the European Union, where new cases are falling and many countries are reopening for visitors.

As restrictions on nonessential travel across the U.S.-Canada land border enter their 16th month this week, pressure is rising on both sides for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Joe Biden to crack it open — even a little — or to provide something, anything, about what a reopening plan might look like.

Travelers from the U.S. or any of the other seven countries, regions and territories allowed into Germany again must have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus at least 14 days before arrival, Interior Ministry spokeswoman Alina Vick told Stars and Stripes.

Here are some reasons Paris might look and feel different than you remember.

All 27 EU member states will accept, “unconditionally,” all those who are vaccinated with inoculations approved by the European Medicine Agency.

There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned “rug flop,” where carpet vendors literally roll out the red carpet for service members stationed in Bahrain.

If you’re in England and looking to get someone a present that’s memorable, unique and includes a little bit of you, head to Langham Glass in Fakenham.

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Top 10 Travel Destinations for An Astronomy Geek

From the world’s biggest telescopes to isolated islands, here are some of the best places to explore the cosmos

Natasha Geiling

Mauna Kea Observatory—Hawaii, USA

13,796 feet above sea-level and isolated in the Pacific Ocean, the observatories at Mauna Kea on Hawaii's Big Island offer some of the most pristine star-gazing conditions in the world. Tourists can visit the summit, but officials suggest stopping at the Visitor's Center, located at 9,200 feet, before continuing onward (both to check weather conditions and acclimate to the elevation).

Every night of the year, from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Mauna Kea offers stargazing and star tours to visitors, with telescopes available for amateur astronomers. It's completely free, and you don't need a reservation to participate.

(Part of our special report on Life in the Cosmos )

Very Large Array—Socorro, New Mexico, USA

Fans of the movie  Contact will recognize the Very Large Array , a massive radio telescope facitilty located  50 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico. The site is open for self-guided tours from 8:30 am to sunset. On the first Saturday of each month, the facility holds free guided tours at 11:00 am, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. No reservations are required for the guided tours, which run 30 minutes.

Royal Observatory, Greenwich—London, U.K.

Home of the prime meridian, the Royal Observatory, Greenwich played a major role in the history of astronomy and navigation. Before the observatory was built, the grounds housed important buildings in English history dating all the way back to William I (the Tudors lived in Greenwich Castle, which was built on the same land as the Observatory).

The Royal Observatory and Planetarium features a museum with a wide variety of exhibits (including a number about astronomical navigation techniques), as well as London's only planetarium. 

Cerro Paranal—Atacama Desert, Chile

Chile's Atacama Desert offers some of the most ideal stargazing conditions in the word: dry weather, cloudless skies, high altitude and little to no light pollution. To experience the best this stargazing oasis has to offer, check out the Paranal Observatory, located on the mountain of Cerro Paranal. 

Operated by the European Southern Observatory, Paranal is home to The Very Large Telescope, a grouping of four  very large telescopes (over 320 inches in diameter).

Guided tours of the observatory are offered to the public, without charge, every Saturday. Space is limited, so reservations are required. 

Kitt Peak National Observatory—Arizona, USA

The American Southwest offers some of the best stargazing conditions in the United States—and perhaps none are more choice than Kitt Peak , a national observatory southwest of Tuscon, Arizona. Kitt Peak is home to the world's largest collection of optical telescopes, and offers guided tours daily at 10 am, 11:30 am and 1:30 pm. There are also nightly stargazing activities for those looking to peer at the cosmos through clear southwestern skies.

Griffith Observatory—Los Angeles, CA, USA

Sure, Los Angeles' polluted skies might not offer the best stargazing conditions, but a visit to the Griffith Observatory is as much about the history of Los Angeless as it is about the stars. The Griffith Observatory was donated to the city of Los Angeles in 1896; its first exhibit, in 1935, was the  Foucault pendulum . It was also the location of two important scenes in  Rebel Without a Cause .

The Griffith Observatory is open to visitors Tuesday through Sunday. 

South African Astronomical Observatory—Sutherland, South Africa

At nearly 6,000 feet above sea level sits the South African Astronomical Observatory , or SAAO, an observatory famous for its pristine sky conditions due to altitude and minimal air pollution. Located about 230 miles inland from the South Atlantic Ocean, the SAAO offers visitors a chance to tour their facilities and see telescopes that have been in operation since the 1970s.

Visitors must call ahead and reserve space on a tour—the observatory offers two during the day, one fully guided (for 40 South African rands, or about $3.70) and one self-guided (for about $2.80). Night tours are also available Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, during which visitors can look at the night sky through telescopes 14" and 16" in diameter (larger than what most amateurs would have the opportunity to use.) Visitors cannot see any of the research telescopes during night tours, however. 

Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory—Florence, Italy

If the hills of the Arcetri region of Florence were good enough for astronomy's ultimate bad boy (Galileo, maybe you've heard of him), then a visit to the Arectri Astrophysical Observatory, located in the very same hills where Galileo spent the last years of his life, should be good enough for you too. Arcetri Observatory doesn't boast the massive telescopes of Kitt Peak or radio technology like the Very Large Array, but it offers a chance to step back in time to a historic period in astronomy.

Daytime visits to the observatory are reserved for student groups, but nighttime visits are available for casual tourists. On Saturday evenings, the observatory holds an " Open Observatory ," where groups of up to 5 visitors are welcome to explore the observatory and grounds.

Teide National Park—Island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

In 2013, the Starlight Foundation, which works to preserve clear night skies, named Teide National Park, located on the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands, both a "Starlight Reserve" and a "Starlight Tourist Destination," thanks to its pristine night skies and ideal stargazing conditions. Laws exist on the island to control light pollution and flight pathways, in order to ensure perfect stargazing for visitors and astronomers alike. 

Tenerife is the site of  Starmus , a unique event that combines astronomy, art and culture. This year, Starmus will take place September 22-27. 

Tenerife is also home to one of the world's most advanced observatories, the Teide Observatory. Interested travelers can schedule visits (for a minimum of 15 people) by contacting the observatory . 

Hayden Planetarium—New York City, USA

It's an unfortunate reality for star lovers that it can't be perfect weather all the time—sometimes its cloud and rainy, thwarting chances of a perfect starry night. For times like that, head to the Hayden Planetarium in New York City. Here, you can take in an IMAX or Space Show, or check out one of the Rose Center for Earth and Space's four exhibits: the Cullman Hall of the Universe, the Big Bang Theater (which features a show about the Big Bang), the Heilbrunn Cosmic Pathway and the Scales of the Universe. 

Tickets to the Rose Center for Earth and Space and the planetarium must be bought through the American Musem of Natural History ; general admission tickets start at $22 and offer access to the Natural History Museum as well as the space exhibits.

(Part of our special report on  Life in the Cosmos )

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Natasha Geiling | | READ MORE

Natasha Geiling is an online reporter for Smithsonian magazine.

‘The Greatest Hits’ Changed How These Stars Listen to Music

MIXTAPE MISTAKE

Stars Lucy Boynton and Justin H. Min haven’t looked at their playlists the same way since appearing in Hulu’s moving new time-travel drama.

Coleman Spilde

Entertainment Critic

Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/Getty Images/Searchlight Pictures

There are few distinctly human biological experiences more frustrating than wanting to cry but being unable to make the tears flow. We can feel the sadness in the core of our being, and our minds are trapped in the dense, impenetrable fog of our feelings, tumbling around our brains like a sneaker in the dryer. And yet, the tears just will not fall. If you’re like me, you remedy this nagging sensation by putting on your noise-canceling headphones, drawing the curtains, and pressing play on “ Fingertips ” by Lana Del Rey. The crying begins, the catharsis takes hold, and it becomes almost too easy to sit and stew in that all-consuming grief. Sitting in this sadness can be such a relief that we start to crave it.

Lucy Boynton, star of The Greatest Hits —a new romantic drama streaming on Hulu now—understands this all too well. “I’ve become much more mindful of not wallowing [in the way music makes me feel],” Boynton told The Daily Beast’s Obsessed recently. The effect of music on her mood is something that she says she’s noticed much more often after wrapping this film, which is all about the power that music has to sway our emotions—whether in a positive or negative direction, or some volatile space in the middle.

Lucy Boynton and Justin H. Min.

Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images

In the film, a young woman named Harriet (Boynton) is stuck in her grief over her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet), whom she lost two years prior in a tragic car accident. In her anguish, Harriet discovers that she can briefly time-travel back to moments that she and Max shared whenever she hears a song that was playing when they were together. This could easily be a corny gimmick for the film to hook itself onto, but instead, The Greatest Hits conjures plenty of emotional resonance by exploring how deeply humans tie music to their experiences, and how it impacts our ability to feel and to grieve.

This sonic time-traveling is Harriet’s gift, as well as her curse. It allows her to see the love of her life one more time, at least for the length of a song. But ultimately, these strange occurrences keep her from moving on, derailing her life and career entirely. “It’s so much easier than we give credit to. We get pulled back [in time], stay tethered to those memories, and hold onto those things as superior to present tense,” Boynton told me over the phone. “I think it’s a human trait to do that.”

While the film is an accessible, crowd-pleasing romance, it’s also a stirring meditation on the non-linear process of grieving, and how complicated it can be to allow ourselves to move forward. Both Boynton and her costar Justin H. Min, who plays Harriet’s love interest David—whom she meets in a loss support group, where he shows up to try to process his grief surrounding his parents’ death—found themselves deeply affected by writer-director Ned Benson’s slyly moving script. In interviews with The Daily Beast’s Obsessed, Boynton and Min told us all about their relationship to grieving, how they use music to process their emotions, why it’s so easy to stay planted in the joy of the past, and the beauty that comes with moving forward.

Lucy Boynton and Justin H. Min in The Greatest Hits .

Searchlight Pictures

This movie is one of the most original time-travel stories in years, primarily because the film is initially reluctant to call what Harriet is experiencing time travel. I have to imagine that’s something that attracted you to the script.

Boynton : When I first read the script, I saw time travel and I assumed it would be a kind of sci-fi movie, and then I found exactly what you said to be true. I use music in the same way Harriet does. I think we all do. The film is about how easy it is to get locked into a sense of nostalgia or sentimentality, and that’s a human trait to do that—not necessarily just for rose-tinted parts of your life, but just as you grow older, and re-analyze, and understand parts of your life more, and cherish people and moments. It’s so much easier than we give credit to, to get pulled back and stay tethered to that. What this film teaches you is that you’re not dishonoring something by moving forward. And that was such a vital lesson to learn from the script. I found it such a unique way to explore that message and such a hopeful way of looking at it.

Min : [Getting] the script was very timely, because I was grieving the loss of someone I knew very well. As I was experiencing that, I was handed this movie that explores grief, music, and moving on. It felt very pertinent to me, I think that’s one of the beautiful things about what I get to do: I explore these kinds of things through my work. Things I might be going through in my own life, I can experience a sense of catharsis and healing as I work through the material.

When Harriet returns to these moments in the past during her life with Max, she’s not immediately concerned with trying to save him—she typically begins an interaction just by enjoying her time with him. Lucy, what is it like to convey that emotional balance of seeing someone you love but knowing that it won’t last?

Boynton : It’s a tricky line to walk, and it’s heartbreaking. We all have that fantasy—especially when we’ve lost someone—about getting more time, this stolen time with someone we loved. It started as such a gift for Harriet. It healed the heartbreak, in a way, because it meant she didn’t have to face it. She could play a record and go back and have those cherished moments with Max again, and sit in this past tense. [But] it’s something that becomes her greatest obstacle. It prevents her from staying connected to the people around her.

You realize you’re not growing in that. What was previously a medicine for the pain starts to make the injury much worse. It’s a devastating thing to recognize. There is no such thing as repeating past times; whether you like it or not, you are still tumbling forward. The resistance makes it more painful.

Justin, just like Lucy, your character also has to straddle this loss while attempting to welcome something back into his life. David is similarly trying to cope with both the loss of his parents and their business that he inherited, where he’s keeping their memory alive.

Min : It was a real balancing act. As an actor, I try to balance that, but also in the head of the character, David’s trying to figure that out as well. He wants to move on, he wants to move forward, but he’s still weighed down by the grief over his parents. It physically manifests itself by keeping the antique shop. Harriet is someone who takes him into the present, and brings him out of his head. That’s often what grief does to us. It keeps us in our head, in our thoughts, in sadness. Sometimes you meet people in your life, or have circumstances in your life, that pull you out of your head and into your body. It’s the beauty of these experiences that Harriet and David have together [that does this]. The silent disco they go to, the Bears in Space party—these are things that bring them into the present tense.

The film’s premise is that something like a song—and the memory we attach to it—can be enough to take us right back to that place in time. Are either of you prone to letting your music dictate the mood? For me, if I hear the wrong song on shuffle, the day is a wash.

Min : [ Laughs. ] Absolutely. It’s interesting, because I feel like I use music in both scenarios. In one case, I use it to bring me out of a particular mood. For instance, if I’m feeling sad, some songs cheer me up and bring me back to moments in time when I was so happy, free, and joyful. And then there are other times you just want to sit in whatever feeling you’re processing. So you use an amplification of that through music.

I think it’s good to be a little bit masochistic in that way. It’s a necessary part of life.

Boynton : I didn’t notice until doing this movie that I use music in the very same way that Harriet does. All my playlists are so tethered to a time in my life, or the person who first played it to me. Or, the context of the song is just as vital—and just as at the [forefront of my mind]—as the song itself. I’ve become much more mindful of not wallowing, of not trying to stay there.

Lucy Boynton and Justin H. Min

Are there any songs in particular that are go-tos to do this for you?

Boynton : Oh my god, so many.

Min : I mean, I have playlists that are just like, “Feels.”

Boynton : From my childhood, a mixture of the Spice Girls and the Beatles, a real healthy combo of those. And then, the song that I—I have this one song on repeat all the time—it’s called “Saying Goodbye” by Ondara . That song just reminds me of being in London, in summer, in such a specific place and time. So again, trying not to overplay that one and relive that too much, but it’s definitely my current guilty pleasure.

That’s always a tricky line to walk: not overplaying, knowing that you could very easily cross that line.

Boynton : I’m guilty of just having songs on a loop. Play it till the end of time.

The Greatest Hits is so steeped in Los Angeles music and festival culture. And as we wade through the muck of our carefree early 20s, so many people find that their dreams get sidelined by the events of life, which is exactly what happens to Harriet after she loses Max, and to David after he loses his parents. Did either of you experience this? My life is not how I anticipated it would look even five years ago.

Min : Oh my gosh, absolutely. I feel like I have an existential crisis every six months. It’s just a consequence of getting older. I think when you hit these specific junctures in your life—when you feel like your identity is changing, your values are changing—you’re forced to reckon with what exactly you want to do, who you want to be, and how you want to live. That ever-evolving process is the beauty of life, and the journey that we all go on. When we’re younger, we think we’re waiting to arrive somewhere, at a destination. The older you get, you realize you’re never arriving. It’s always an ongoing journey, always an ongoing process.

I love how poetic that is. And I’m also glad to know I’m not the only one who has an existential crisis every six months.

Boynton : Honestly? It’s the greatest freedom reaching an age that I had put so much weight of anticipation and expectation on. [ Boynton turned 30 in January .] When I was in my late teens, I had a checklist of where I wanted to be at 25 and then 30, and then the closer you get to that age, you realize how old you thought 30 was when you were 17—rude! But you totally didn’t give yourself grace for life to happen.

That has been the greatest privilege. All of the people I’ve met unexpectedly, all of the things that have happened that have been a surprise, have been the greatest gifts, whether that is teaching yourself to do something difficult, or just some piece of kismet landing in your lap. I think that’s what is so unaccounted for in terms of planning. The older I get, the happier and calmer I am, because I’ve let go of that strict idea of expectations in myself… The advice I got from my mom all my life is, “The older you get, the better it gets,” and you don’t believe that in your late teens because you’re told that youth is the greatest currency. It lasts a lot longer than anyone gives you warning for.

I feel younger now than I did when I was 17 or 18.

Boynton : ABSOLUTELY . And god, you don’t hold yourself to such strict expectations! Everything just gets better and freer.

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Stars and Travel: North America

Stars. Wherever you travel they are a constant in your night sky — perhaps hard to see because city lights (or house lights, or highway lights) are bright, perhaps hard to see in the brightness of a full moon. Still, stars are present. Travelers ancient and modern have relied on star positions to navigate. Poets, writers, artists, musicians ancient and modern have relied on the stars to inspire and tell stories. Families, ancient and modern, have enjoyed looking up at the stars at night, and wondering, and telling their own stories.

Many parts of the world are lit up at night, more than you may realize until you start looking for stars. People have begun realizing, though, that peace and connection to be found from looking up at dark skies is worth keeping, and celebrating. There are discoveries science is still making about stars and connections to human history that are still being found across the world and are still being explored, too.

To that end, parks, reserves, wilderness areas and communities across the world are making commitments to honor, celebrate, and preserve dark sky areas.

Consider these places in North America which will well reward visit to explore the stars:

North Frontenac in southern Ontario, Canada. Just a few hours away from Ottawa and from the border with New York State, North Frontenac has the darkest skies in southern Ontario. Near the township of Plevna there’s a dark sky observation area where you can set up telescopes, and amateur astronomers often conduct activities.

The Stephen C. Foster State Park near Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in southeastern Georgia, in the United States. Because the surrounding refuge area is mostly protected swamp land there’s little development in the area, leading to some of the darkest skies in the eastern United States.

The town of Bon Accord in Alberta, Canada. This town near Edmonton has chosen dark sky preservation to enhance the lives of its own residents and to attract visitors to the area. In applying for recognition by the International Dark Sky Association “The Town wants to affirm permanently its commitment to preserving the night sky for generations of children and stargazers to come,” town representatives said.

Many parks in the western US, including Arches, the Grand Canyon, and Chaco, are recognized by the IDA. Many which do not as yet have that designation are good places to seek dark skies also. A number of parks in western Canada are recognized as dark sky reserves or parks. In the US and in Canada, national and regional parks which don’t hold the dark sky designation still make good places to stargaze.

One such place is Cape Breton Highlands in Nova Scotia, where mountain and forest meet sea. There are towns in this part of Nova Scotia, but there are acres of forest as well, leading to dark skies above. In the prairies near the Saskatchewan-Montana border Grasslands is a Parks Canada site known for its dark skies. In Saint John’s, Newfoundland, the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada has recognized Irving Park as an urban sky park for its reduction of light which allows observation of the sky in the city.

Mont-Mégantic, the world’s first International Dark Sky Reserve,. is in Quebec, about one hundred twenty miles east of Montreal, near the town of Sherbrooke. Sherbrooke and the reserve’s thirty four other communities have worked out outdoor lighting regulations to help control and restrict the increase of light pollution in the area. In doing this, the reserve offers ideas for other areas seeking ways for urban and rural co operation to recognize and preserve dark skies.

It’s true that many of the places named as dark sky areas are in or nearby wilderness where there’s little incentive for development and light bearing activities. The Everglades in Florida is one such area. There are dark skies to be seen in the Great Smoky Mountains and along the Blue Ridge in the eastern US, and in Indiana along the shores of Lake Michigan, as well as high in the Rockies and the Sangre de Cristos in the west.

There are places to experience dark skies and the beauty of stars in the dark of night the world over. In coming weeks I’ll be telling you a bit about several places to go star gazing in Scotland and in Ireland, and in other places across the world.

You do not have to travel far to see the stars, though. Turn off the lights, or find a dark hill, or the water’s edge, or if you are in the midst of the town or city, hold your hands up to shade the light, and give your eyes a few moments to adjust. You will see the stars. Perhaps, at this time of year (I am writing this in December) you will also think of those scholars and travelers centuries ago who saw a star in the east, and followed it.

Music to go along: Straw Against the Chill, sung by Kathy Mattea. She has recorded this on her album Joy for Christmas Day.

Photographs by Jakub Gorajek, Jeremy Thomas, P Eshtiagi, and Kerry Dexter. Thank you for respecting copyright.

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About the author.

Kerry Dexter

Kerry Dexter is one of six writers who contribute to Perceptive Travel’s blog. You will often find her writing about places, events, and people connected with music, history, and the arts in Europe and North America. You may find more of Kerry's work at her site Music Road as well as in Wandering Educators, National Geographic Traveler, Ireland and the Americas, and other places online and in print.

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All you need to know about hotel star ratings

When you’re looking for the perfect place to stay, using the hotel star rating system is key. Hotel stars indicate a hotel’s cleanliness, quality, level of services, and amenities.

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, it can be time-consuming to wade through all the options and find the best hotel for your needs — and that’s where hotel stars come in. Here’s everything you need to know about this rating system.

In this post

What do hotel stars mean, the most common hotel star rating systems, no stars vs 1-star vs 2-stars.

• 2- star vs 3-star hotels

3-star vs 4-star hotel

5-star vs 4-star hotel.

• Limitations

Star ratings FAQ

Hotel stars indicate a hotel’s quality. In general, hotels can receive a rating of one to five stars , with a one-star rating being the lowest quality, or most basic, and a five-star rating being the highest quality. Star ratings are helpful to set expectations and make people feel more confident that they know what type of hotel they’re booking. If you want to determine what makes a great hotel (or a subpar one), using this rating system can be beneficial.

It’s important to note here, though, that there is no universal rating system — rather, there are various evaluating bodies. Hotel stars are awarded by independent organizations, travel sites, and tourism authorities. Some of these evaluating bodies have their own star ratings (you may see that a certain travel site only awards hotels up to three stars, for example). For this reason, you could see the same hotel rated as a 3-, 4-, or 5-star hotel, depending on the site you’re using.

There are a few common hotel star rating systems that travelers should know. These include AAA Diamond Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide, and Michelin Guide (although there are many more). Though they may differ slightly, in general, these rating systems award hotels on a one- to five-star basis. Some of the main criteria that’s used to award stars include the quality of the property’s facilities, the level of service, and the type of features and amenities that are available to guests.

“No star” hotels are hotels that have not received an official star rating. These are sometimes just below one-star hotels, and sometimes they’re boutique hotels that have opted not to have a star rating because they offer such an individualized experience.

Expect the most basic accommodations at a 1-star hotel. That’s not to say that this type of hotel will be unclean or unsafe — it just indicates that a property has no frills in the form of extra amenities or services. One-star hotels generally have a bed and a bathroom, and that’s about it. Rooms may not have a TV or other amenities. These properties also don’t guarantee daily cleaning or 24-hour reception. Hostels and backpacker motel rooms fall into this category.

2-star hotels are a step up from one-star hotels in that they likely offer a few amenities, such as daily housekeeping, 24-hour reception, and a phone or TV in the room. Some 2-star hotels provide a continental breakfast. Examples of common 2-star hotels include budget chain motels like Comfort Inn and La Quinta. Both 1- and 2-star hotels are the most cost-effective hotel options.

2-star vs 3-star hotel

3-star hotels offer a blend of affordability and more upscale comfort. Guest rooms have quality bedding; rooms are spacious and equipped with a desk, closet, flat-screen TV, and coffeemaker.

The main difference between a 2-star and a 3-star is the amenities provided. Whereas 2-star hotels don’t have much in the way of amenities, you can bet that a 3-star hotel will have a fitness center, business-friendly amenities (such as conference rooms), and likely a pool and on-site dining options.

3-star hotels also tend to be more conveniently located than lesser-star hotels. Often, you’ll find them in urban areas, near major tourist attractions and restaurants. Expect to have 24-hour reception and good customer service. A few examples of 3-star hotels are Holiday Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, and Hampton Inn.

A 4-star hotel is considered luxury lodging. Guest rooms are noticeably more spacious, with top-quality linens, pillowtop mattresses, bathrobes, slippers, minibars, and upscale toiletries, plus equipped kitchens. There are more services offered: concierges, 24-hour room service, and car valet services are commonplace. In terms of on-property amenities, these likely include signature spas, indoor and outdoor pools, sizable fitness centers, and fine dining on-site.

Because you’re meant to be able to get everything you need at a 4-star hotel (from food to activities), these types of hotels are usually located near beaches, major cities, or other tourist destinations. You’ll also likely notice that everything from the decor to the grounds is immaculately maintained. Lobbies are larger, and Wi-Fi is as speedy as it gets.

When it comes to a 3-star vs 4-star hotel, the main difference is that 3-star hotels are more geared toward comfort whereas 4-star hotels aim to provide a luxury experience. You won’t find a signature spa, customized fitness class, or multiple pools at most 3-star hotels but you will at a 4-star hotel.

The other difference is that staff generally provide more personalized service at 4-star properties. A couple examples of these types of hotels include Westin by Marriott and Omni Hotels and Resorts.

5-star properties are the best you can get. At these hotels, attention to detail is unparalleled, and the customer service is very personalized. The amenities list is long. Guests can take advantage of a spa with personal trainers, gourmet restaurants, a dedicated concierge, saunas and steam rooms, live entertainment, and more.

5-star properties are also beautifully decorated and maintained, and often located in architecturally historic buildings. As you might expect, rooms come with designer linens and furnishings. The bedding is supremely comfortable, and in-room amenities will likely include spacious hot tubs, luxurious robes and slippers, an electric safe, and kitchenettes. The Ritz-Carlton and the Four Seasons are two popular examples of 5-star hotels.

Regarding a 5-star vs 4-star hotel, the biggest difference is that 5-star hotels are really geared toward the wealthiest clientele. You can expect everything to be extravagant, from the on-property amenities to the lobby. Staff are trained to be at the beck and call of all guests, providing extra-personalized services.

Star rating limitations

While the star rating system provides a good window into the level of services, amenities, and quality you can expect from a given hotel, there are some limitations to this. Because of the sheer number of companies and travel sites that award stars, it can occasionally be tough to find a universal (or near-universal) opinion on a hotel’s rating. It’s also important to note that these ratings don’t necessarily capture factors like general ambiance and individual preference . Because of this, you’ll want to use the other tools at your disposal in addition to the star rating system.

For instance, KAYAK’s hotel pages offer a ton of useful information for travelers looking for the best hotel for their needs. Simply navigate to the property you’re researching, and you’ll be able to read in-depth reviews , view the hotel’s location, and see a comprehensive list of amenities.

Finding the perfect hotel can be challenging, considering how many options there are to pick from. Hotel stars are helpful when it comes to setting travelers’ expectations and providing insight into a property’s standards and services. That said, hotel stars should also be viewed as a starting point. To make the most informed decision about a hotel utilize tools like the KAYAK hotel class filter. You will find it on the top left of the search results page and by selecting the hotel class you want, you will see the available hotels appear. Booking the best hotel just got a whole lot easier.

How many stars can a hotel get?

Generally, the max hotel rating is 5-stars (though some authorities have rating systems that only go up to 3-stars). A greater number corresponds to a greater level of luxury. That said, there are official and unofficial star ratings, and any hotel can say that it’s a 3-, 4-, or 5-star property. Officially, the ratings go up to 5, but unofficially, some hotels call themselves “7-star” properties to indicate a high level of luxury.

What does a 7-star hotel mean?

“7-star” hotels aren’t officially a thing in terms of the star rating system, but you may hear this phrase used to describe certain 5-star hotels that are considered over-the-top luxurious. A few examples of the kind of next-level luxury that might earn a hotel “7-stars” include extravagant amenities and services like butlers, private cinemas, your own rooftop terrace, and fine dining (just to name a few). Some examples include The AYANA Villas Bali , where guests receive a three-course Floataway Champagne Brunch in the pool, and the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah , which offers guests 17 types of pillows (yes, you read that right) to choose from.

What are amenities?

Hotel amenities are in-room “extras” and on-property services and common areas. The higher the star rating, the more amenities you can expect to find. These vary by hotel, but you can count on some similarities. For example, 1- and 2-star hotels have very basic in-room amenities, like air conditioning, a TV, and Wi-Fi. At the other end of the spectrum, 4- and 5-star hotels have opulent in-room amenities that include gourmet coffee, high-end luxury toiletries, and a sleeker-than-normal TV with free streaming options. Hotels with higher star ratings also have a range of on-property amenities. These can include valet parking, state-of-the-art fitness centers, indoor/outdoor swimming pools, dining, and spas.

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100+ Stellar Stargazing Quotes to Brighten Your Night

In this Article

A dark sky full of twinkling stars is one of Mother Nature’s most impressive works of art. Let these 100+ stellar stargazing quotes motivate you to plan a stargazing adventure and inspire your photo and Instagram captions.

Stars have long been a source of inspiration and wonder. From ancient civilizations, which used the stars for navigation and timekeeping, to modern-day star gazers who continue to study and marvel at the vastness of the universe, the heavens above have awed humanity since the beginning of time.

These thought-provoking and inspiring quotes about stargazing have been gathered from some of history’s greatest minds, including poets, scientists, philosophers, and astronauts. Whether you admire the night skies through a sophisticated telescope or with your naked eye, I hope you will find them as brilliant as the North Star on a clear night under a new moon.

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Inspirational Star Quotes

“Even if you miss, you’ll still land among the stars.” – Norman Vincent Peale, American Protestant clergyman

“Working together, tiny stars light the universe. That’s the power of teamwork.” – Unknown

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious. And however difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.” – Stephen Hawking, English theoretical physicist and author

“It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.“ – William Shakespeare, English playwright, poet, and actor

“Each star is a mirror reflecting the truth inside you.“ – Aberjhani, American historian and novelist

“There wouldn’t be a sky full of stars if we were all meant to wish on the same one.” – Frances Clark, American pianist

“Look at the stars. See their beauty. And in that beauty, see yourself.“ – Draya Mooney, author

“So let us then try to climb the mountain, not by stepping on what is below us, but to pull us up at what is above us, for my part at the stars.” — M. C. Escher, Dutch graphic artist

“Let the waters settle and you will see the moon and the stars mirrored in your own being.” — Rumi, Islamic philosopher

“Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars.” — Max Ehrmann, American writer, poet, and attorney

“Those are the same stars, and that is the same moon, that look down upon your brothers and sisters, and which they see as they look up to them, though they are ever so far away from us, and each other.” – Sojourner Truth, American abolitionist

“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor

“It’s the kind of kiss that inspires stars to climb into the sky and light up the world.” – Tahereh Mafi, American author

“No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.” – Helen Keller, American author and disability rights advocate

Dreamy Star Quotes

“For my part, I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.“ – Vincent Van Gogh , Dutch Post-Impressionist painter

“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.“ – Theodore Roosevelt, American conservationist and 26th president of the United States

“Gaze up at the stars knowing that I see the same sky and wish the same sweet dreams.” — Elizabeth Barrett Browning, English poet

“Oft in the tranquil hour of night, When stars illume the sky, I gaze upon each orb of light, And wish that thou wert by.” — George Linley, English verse writer and musical composer

“How lovely are the portals of the night, when stars come out to watch the daylight die.” – Thomas Cole, American landscape painter

“Between two worlds life hovers like a star, twixt night and morn, upon the horizon’s verge.” – Lord Byron, English poet

“May all the stars hang bright above her dwelling, Silent as though they watched the sleeping earth!” – Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet, philosopher, and theologian

“There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.” – William Cullen Bryant, American poet, journalist, and editor

“If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years how man would marvel and stare.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer, philosopher, and abolitionist

“At night, when the sky is full of stars and the sea is still you get the wonderful sensation that you are floating in space.” – Natalie Wood, American actress

“You cannot look up at the night sky on the Planet Earth and not wonder what it’s like to be up there amongst the stars. And I always look up at the moon and see it as the single most romantic place within the cosmos.” – Tom Hanks, American actor

“A poet is a man who puts up a ladder to a star and climbs it while playing a violin.” – Edmond de Goncourt, French author

“A sky full of stars, and he was staring at her.” – Atticus, anonymous poet

Quotes About Reaching for the Stars

“The desire to reach for the stars is ambitious. The desire to reach hearts is wise.” — Maya Angelou, American writer and civil rights activist

“Prometheus is reaching out for the stars with an empty grin on his face.” – Arthur Koestler, Hungarian-born author and journalist

“This is the result of six billion years of evolution. Tonight, we have given the lie to gravity. We have reached for the stars.” – Ray Bradbury, American author and screenwriter

“Of all tools, an observatory is the most sublime. . . . What is so good in a college as an observatory? The sublime attaches to the door and to the first stair you ascent, that this is the road to the stars.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer, philosopher, and abolitionist

“Even if we never reach the stars by our own efforts, in the millions of years that lie ahead it is almost certain that the stars will come to us.” – Arthur C. Clarke

“Drag me to the moon, to catch a star and seize its brilliance as I’m swept up in amorphous dust.” – Bradley Chicho

“I’m a dreamer. I have to dream and reach for the stars, and if I miss a star then I grab a handful of clouds.” – Mike Tyson

“Stretching his hand up to reach the stars, too often man forgets the flowers at his feet.” – Jeremy Bentham

“ Second star to the right and straight on ‘til the morning.” – Peter Pan

Star Quotes That Make You Think

“You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

“I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars.“ – Augustine “Og” Mandino

“The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.” – Carl Sagan, American astronomer and astrophysicist

“Just as the water reflects the stars and the moon, the body reflects the mind and soul.” — Rumi, Islamic philosopher

“I know the stars are my home. I learned about them, needed them for survival in terms of navigation. I know where I am when I look up at the sky. I know where I am when I look up at the Moon; it’s not just some abstract romantic idea, it’s something very real to me. See, I’ve expanded my home.” – Gene Cernan, American engineer and astronaut

“I like to consider myself a star – a star, that when you look in the sky, it’s always there. And on a clear night… a shooting star comes by, and you get a little thrill, and you make a little wish. You need both types of stars, the shooting and the constant stars. The heavens include them all.” – James Belushi, American actor

“I have loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.” — Sarah Williams, English poet and novelist

“One of the great things about stargazing is that it’s immediately at hand for so many people. You know, you could get into scuba diving or bird watching, but the stars are always up there.” – Tim Ferriss, American entrepreneur, investor, and author

“I love the stars. Because they can’t say anything. I love the stars. Because they do not judge anyone.” – Natsuki Takaya, Japanese artist

“Sitting back in the evening, stargazing, and stroking your dog, is an infallible remedy.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson, American writer, philosopher, and abolitionist

“The stars are the landmarks of the universe.“ — Sir John Frederick William Herschel, English mathematician and astronomer

“Maybe that’s what life is…a wink of the eye and winking stars.“ – Jack Kerouac, American novelist and poet

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.“ – J.R.R. Tolkien in The Lord of the Rings

“We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our souls, and nitrogen in our brains, 93% stardust, with souls made of flames, we are all just stars that have people’s names.“ — Nikita Gill, British-Indian poet, playwright, and illustrator

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” — Martin Luther King Jr., American Baptist minister and civil rights activist

“New stars offer to the mind a phenomenon more surprising, and less explicable, than almost any other in the science of astronomy.” – George Adams, American jazz musician

“May all the stars hang bright above her dwelling, Silent as though they watched the sleeping earth!” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge, English poet, philosopher, and theologian

“It’s dazzling, but the light is from tens of thousands of years ago. Maybe the star doesn’t even exist anymore. Yet sometimes that light seems more real to me than anything.” — Haruki Murakami, Japanese writer

“If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.” — Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali writer, philosopher, and painter

“If people looked at the stars each night, they’d live a lot differently. When you look into infinity, you realize that there are more important things than what people do all day.” – Bill Watterson, American cartoonist

“I have long thought that anyone who does not regularly – or ever – gaze up and see the wonder and glory of a dark night sky filled with countless stars loses a sense of their fundamental connectedness to the universe.” — Brian Greene, American theoretical physicist and mathematician

“The contemplation of celestial things will make a man both speak and think more sublimely and magnificently when he descends to human affairs.” — Marcus Tullius Cicero, Roman statesman and philosopher

“Unknowingly, we plow the dust of stars, blown about us by the wind, and drink the universe in a glass of rain.” – Ihab Hassan, Egyptian-American writer

“A philosopher once asked, ‘Are we human because we gaze at the stars, or do we gaze at them because we are human?’ Pointless, really … ’Do the stars gaze back?’ Now that’s a question.” – Neil Gaiman, English author

“I would spend hours and hours gazing at the stars and wondering, what’s out there? Sometimes I wondered if maybe there was another girl like me on another planet someplace gazing at the stars and thinking about the same things.” – Anousheh Ansari, Iranian-American engineer and spaceflight participant

“In the night of death, hope sees a star, and listening love can hear the rustle of a wing.” – Robert Green Ingersoll, American lawyer, writer, and orator

“When we contemplate the whole globe as one great dewdrop, striped and dotted with continents and islands, flying through space with other stars all singing and shining together as one, the whole universe appears as an infinite storm of beauty.” – John Muir, Scottish-American naturalist

“What Is Love? I have met in the streets a very poor young man who was in love. His hat was old, his coat worn, the water passed through his shoes and the stars through his soul.” – Victor Hugo, French writer

“What is the good of your stars and trees, your sunrise and the wind, if they do not enter into our daily lives?” – E. M. Forster, English author

“It shows you exactly how a star is formed; nothing else can be so pretty! A cluster of vapor, the cream of the milky way, a sort of celestial cheese, churned into light.” — Benjamin Disraeli, British politician

Inspiring Night Sky Captions for Instagram

• A certain darkness is needed to see the stars
• Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.
• As darkness descends, gaze at the sky – stars shimmer like confetti for your soul
• Baby, you’re a star
• Be humble, for you are made of earth. Be noble, for you are made of stars.
• Catch me under the stars
• Close your eyes and open your mind
• ‘Cause in a sky full of stars, I think I saw you
• Cuddle, stargaze, and chill
• Dancing light, we’re made of starlight
• Do you see a falling star?
• Dreaming upward with my favorite stargazing partner
• Drinking in a moonlit night
• Enjoying a star-studded evening
• Eyes on the stars
• Getting lost in the stars
• Go out and paint the stars
• How long will I love you? As long as stars are above.
• I just need a little space
• I love you more than all the stars in the sky
• I wanna sit on the rooftop with someone at 3 am, just gazing at the stars
• If you can point out a constellation, I will be impressed
• If you need a stargazing partner, I’m right here
• If you’ll be my star, I’ll be your sky
• I’ve loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night
• Keep calm and look at the stars
• Keep calm and wish upon a star
• Keeping my feet on the ground while gazing at the stars
• Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
• Let the stars be your guide
• Let’s grab a blanket, run away, and watch the stars
• Look at the stars, see how they shine for you
• Maybe I belong among the stars
• More stars than Hollywood
• Mother Nature doesn’t need a filter
• My favorite place to be is under the stars
• Never stop looking up
• No sight is more provocative of awe than is the night sky
• OK, Mother Nature, you didn’t need to flex that hard
• Over the moon for you
• Pick a flower on Earth and you move the farthest star
• Sending this selfie to NASA because we’re a couple of stars
• Shine like the stars
• Shoot for the stars
• Snuggled under a blanket of stars
• Space is lit
• Stars are little holes in the floor of heaven
• The darkest nights produce the brightest star
• The stars are the street lights of eternity
• Tonight was out of this world
• Under a sky full of stars, you’re the brightest light in my life
• Watching for shooting stars
• We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars
• We are all stars, and we deserve to twinkle
• We look up at the stars and each see different things
• We’ll be counting stars
• What a bright idea
• When it rains, look for rainbows. When it’s dark, look for stars.
• When life knocks you down, roll over and look at the stars
• Wish list: gaze at the stars with you
• Wishing upon a star
• You and I were written in the stars
• You’re a brand new sky to hang the stars upon tonight
• You’re an ever-present star in my life
• You’re a sky full of stars
• You’re never too old to wish upon a star
• You must be my lucky star, ‘cause you shine on me wherever you are

What’s Your Favorite Stargazing Quote?

Is there a star-studded quote missing from this list? What stargazing quote do you love most? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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With extensive first-hand travel experience, Stars N Skyes Travel is the unbeatable choice for your next adventure. Whether you're looking for a solo trip, a romantic getaway, or a family memory in the making, I have packages to fit your needs. With each new client, I'm committed to providing personalized, truthful, and accessible service. And with a passion for the job, I'll make it a fun experience from start to finish. All that you have to do is sit back, relax, and trust that I've got you. …

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I have booked multiple trips with Stars N Skyes Travel, but COVID canceled them. Just got home for Montego Bay and I have to say I'm so glad I've already got another trip in the que with Stars N Skyes! Nita ensured that EVERY single detail of our trip was covered.... Including advice on how to expedite my passport so that I didn't miss the trip! I've never met a travel agent who is so knowledgeable about all aspects of the travel industry. She can make suggestions for any desire you have because she's done it for me! I'm a loyal client and will continually with her agency to book travel!

See all photos from Lakinsha P. for Stars N Skyes Travel

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Feb 28, 2022

Ahhhhh I a just seeing this! Thank you soooooo much for your kind words. I truly enjoy seeing your photos and excitement on your journey. Cheers to the next adventure!

Unfortunately, my experience with Nita of Stars N Skyes Travel was less than ideal. I had high expectations after being recommended by a repeat client but I did not receive the same level of service and care that was expected based on the recommendation. I will spare the details but I would not recommend this travel agency and will not be using them again

Jun 21, 2021

Hello Elyse. Thank you for taking the time to write a review of my service because this gives me an opportunity to publicly address your concerns and to improve with new clients. I am grateful to your mother for referring you and so many others to our agency. She has been a huge supporter for years and I do not take her referrals for granted. I try to go above and beyond with referrals, however in your situation a schedule change by Delta Airlines is beyond my control. I understand that you were upset that you were not notified by me of the schedule change and you were upset that you had to hold for hours with Delta Airlines. Unfortunately we were not notified as well so there was no way for me to get ahead of the situation. The airlines are having a hard time right now and we are not out of the woods yet with the issues that the pandemic has caused within the travel industry. You contacted Delta directly yourself to cancel your first vacation booked with us without notifying us. Therefore I assumed that you were comfortable with dealing directly with the airline. Hold times are extreme right now so you speaking directly with them was the fastest way to resolve the issue. Both of your attempts to book with our agency have been during a pandemic. Therefore, it could appear to you that you did not get the level of service from us that you desired. We are operating in unprecedented times so what you experienced is not typical. Regardless, I want to thank you for your business and for at least giving an agency that your mother referred a try. I hope that you enjoyed your vacation and wish you nothing but the best in your future travels.

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2023 Stars N Skyes Travel Awarded Silver Magellan By Travel Weekly for Solo Travel Community Involvement

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Tokyo’s Coolest Neighborhood Just Got Its First Five-star Hotel — Here’s a Look Inside

Dreamed up by visionary Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, the Tokyo Edition, Ginza is the first true five-star hotel in the neighborhood.

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Accessibility and sustainability, how to get the most value out of your stay.

Nikolas Koenig

With high-fashion flagships, blinged-out boutiques, and sleek showrooms, glitzy Ginza has a long-held reputation as the centerpiece of Tokyo’s upmarket shopping scene and its premier dining destination. Now, it’s home to one of the city's hottest new hotels, which has already become the place to be for those in the know. 

Neighboring Cartier, Bulgari, and Tiffany & Co., The Tokyo Edition, Ginza is the first actual five-star hotel befitting this admired address. Shortly after opening in November 2023, I made the 86-room, 14-floor hideaway my home base for a short stay, allowing me to get up close and personal with not only the affluent area but also the city’s insider cool crowd, who have already made this hotel a hangout hotspot.

Kengo Kuma and Associates are responsible for the design, which is the first draw. The Tokyo-based studio is the hometown hero behind the Japan National Stadium (built for the 2020 Summer Olympics), as well as the Edition’s first arrival in the capital, the Tokyo Edition, Toranomon , which debuted in 2020.

While the 206-room Toranomon location is the undisputed head turner with all the bells and whistles, the smaller and more private Ginza hideout is the understated sibling, letting its prime location do most of the talking. 

“Ginza’s shopping and entertainment history goes back to the Meiji Period, meaning that it was virtually a meeting point between cultures of the West and Japan,” says Kuma. “There are countless people’s memories and stories in this district, and I wanted to reflect them in the new hotel.”

Many of Tokyo’s big-brand luxury international hotels can feel out of touch with the local neighborhood, occupying the topmost floors of tall towers, but the low-slung, boutique-minded Tokyo Edition, Ginza blends in with the surroundings, with a street-level connection care of a ground-floor lobby just off the famed shopping street, Chuo-dori. “We aimed to provide a dramatic space in an intimate-feeling building,” says Kuma. Each morning of my stay, I walk out the door and right into the action, into an unending stream of serious shoppers and Tokyoites. I like feeling close to the ground and part of the city instead of looking down on it.

From the outside, opaque white curtains drape the windows, delivering an intriguing air of exclusivity, and living ferns add a biophilic touch. Upon seeing the new build from the rear of a taxi, I got a palpable sense of anticipation — we always want to see what’s behind the curtain. With a metal latticed façade, the color of the building seems to change with the light of the day.

"We applied extruded material made of aluminum for the exterior. The color is not printed; instead, the material itself has developed it," says Kuma. "The natural brilliance of the metal and subtle change of the color reflecting the environment was designed to enhance the character of Ginza."

“In Ginza, shops basically face the street and people often live in the upstairs of the buildings. It’s an interesting feature for a commercial area, and we created such an atmosphere in the hotel,” Kuma says.

While the exterior is cool and commercial, the inside is a chic, atmospheric gathering space for the global glitterati. When I first entered the hotel and peeked behind the curtains, I found a double-height lobby, visually dazzling, sleek, and sexy, with a white scissor staircase connecting the lobby to the mezzanine-level Punch Room bar. Off the lobby, the elevator vestibule is drenched in a buzzy hot pink neon light. After a few nights at the property, I see that this pink lightbox and the structural staircase are two influencer photo spots, but go beyond the lobby, and there’s even more to enjoy. 

Here’s a full look inside the Edition Tokyo, Ginza.

The Tokyo Edition, Ginza

• The eye-catching high-gloss exterior and ultra-swanky interiors have created a new social-media-friendly spot with a VIP air designed to be photographed.
• Pared-back, white-and-walnut rooms feel very of the moment with only-in-Tokyo touches like belted yukata robes, cast-iron teapots, and fashion-forward, black-and-white photographs by Japanese photographer Takay.
• If you want to stay in the double-beating heart of Ginza, there’s no better hotel.
• With Sophie, a modern brasserie dressed in shades of chartreuse, and three bars including a constantly busy lobby bar; the retro, clubby Punch Room; and a rooftop natural wine bar, the Edition Tokyo Ginza has no shortage of places to play.

The hotel’s 86 guestrooms are classic Edition — minimalist in chocolatey walnut wood and swathes of polar white. In their simple, practical design, they almost feel like upmarket ship cabins and are considered reasonably large by Tokyo hotel measurements. (Bonus points for being practically noiseless.) High-end touches include green-veined marble basins; minibars stuffed with Japanese treats (yuzu soda, rice crackers, and yokan jelly candy, plus free teas and coffee); and faux-fur throws, a signature of Edition’s co-founder — and Studio 54 creator — Ian Schrager. Dyson hair tools are available on request for all rooms and come standard in spacious, corner-set Premiere Suites, of which there are nine, and in the penthouse, which spreads across 1,237 square feet. 

There’s not much by way of views, but that’s not what this hotel is about — it’s all about location, location, location. It doesn’t get more Ginza than this, and the best view you’ll get is over the Louis Vuitton store.

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The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza

What the Tokyo Edition, Ginza lacks in views and amenities it makes up for in vibes. The hotel draws an in-the-know, cultured crowd, especially at Punch Room (another Edition Hotels signature), with J-pop-spinning DJs and communal cocktails served with ladles from silver punch bowls. Tokyo-based graphic designer Asuka Watanabe charmingly illustrates the menu, and cocktails include creative additions like Aomori apples (called the best apple in the world), umeboshi plum, and kinako (roasted soy flour).

Located on the 14th floor, the hotel’s lone restaurant, Sophie, serves brasserie-style European fare with Japanese ingredients (see: wagyu strip steak au poivre and glistening crudo of market fish). Breakfast comprises a small buffet across the bar top and made-to-order dishes like French toast topped in red bean paste and dusted with matcha and eggs benny on brioche.

The ground-floor lobby bar has 24 seats and seems to be busy at all times of the day. In the morning, there’s cake and coffee, but come evening, it’s all craft beer and champagne. 

“Despite strict regulations for the height of the buildings in this district, we created a rooftop with greenery overlooking the town,” says Kuma, and an al fresco natural wine bar — the first of its kind in Ginza — is coming soon to the hotel’s lushly landscaped rooftop.

Besides a slightly claustrophobic one-room 24-hour gym with less than a handful of Technogym machines, there is little by way of amenities; however, guests can use the pool, tricked-out gym, and spa at Edition’s Toranomon location, which you must book in advance. (This is also the place to go for the spectacular views of Tokyo Tower and Azabudai Hills’ new JP Mori Tower, the tallest in the country at just over 1,082 feet.) 

The concierge at The Edition Tokyo, Ginza, can help with local suggestions and bookings; however, to secure availability, they recommend submitting restaurant requests up to three months in advance.  

Water comes in chic Edition-branded paper cartons, and there are few single-use plastics at the hotel. Rooms are outfitted with full-sized Le Labo toiletries, which are available for purchase should you fall in love with the custom black tea scent as I did. Towels are only changed if left on the floor, and bedsheets are changed upon request to save water.

Accessible rooms are available for guests with limited mobility. 

Right off of Chuo-dori, essentially Tokyo's Champs-Élysées, the hotel is within walking distance of endless high-end shops and global flagships, including Mikimoto, Uniqlo, Muji, and the Kengo Kuma-designed Tiffany & Co., plus, shopping complexes Ginza Six and Tokyu Plaza.

The restaurant scene is also booming. According to the hotel, 34 of Tokyo’s 183 Michelin-starred restaurants list a Ginza postcode. There are also plenty of intimate izakayas (tavern-like drinking dens) down Ginza’s alleyways, like those around Corridor Street under the railway tracks. The Tsukiji fish market is also within walking distance.

Parking is available, but a car is unnecessary, and the Ginza-Itchome Station is about a two-minute walk away.

As the hotel is part of Marriott International, there are often offers for Marriott Bonvoy members (it’s free to join). From now until May 28, 2024, members save 5% and get 10,000 extra points . Also, keep an eye on the hotel’s special offers page.

‘The Greatest Hits’: Save your time

A time-travel romance falls victim to generic characters and clunky dialogue.

You know how a pop song from a moment in your past can bring that moment back to life in colors, smells, memories and emotions? “The Greatest Hits” takes that idea and literalizes it right into the ground.

The film is one of those romantic fantasies that enlists time travel as the primary obstacle keeping two people from getting together. Make that one of the obstacles; the others in “The Greatest Hits” are the heroine’s growing collection of vinyl records and her habit of wearing noise-canceling headphones wherever she goes. The course of true love never did run smooth.

Harriet (Lucy Boynton) is mourning the loss of her boyfriend Max (David Corenswet) in a car crash that also delivered a bonk to her noggin that allows her to whoosh back in time — but only when she hears a song that triggers a moment the couple had together. Thus the headphones; otherwise, the tunes streaming from supermarket speakers and other people’s car radios would have her constantly yo-yoing back and forth between then and now. The records she’s obsessively collecting are an effort to find the one song that might give her a chance to alter events and keep Max alive.

Does any of this make sense? Of course not. Time-travel romantic fantasy movies never make sense, and when they’re done right, that’s the source of their idiot charm. 2006’s “The Lake House,” which involves Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock and a magic mailbox, is a personal gold standard in this regard.

Complicating matters is that Harriet has met a cute guy at a grief counseling support group — that sentence alone announces we’re in Los Angeles — and is hesitant to open up and tell him about the whole trying-to-change-the-flow-of-history thing. David, who has lost both parents to either separate illnesses or just plain carelessness, is played by Justin H. Min, a likable actor who was the sensitive android of the little-seen “After Yang” (2022), a movie that you would be strongly advised to watch instead of this one.

What would it take to make “The Greatest Hits” work? For one thing, a music-rights budget that allowed for songs an average filmgoer might recognize, rather than tracks from the back 40 of Spotify or a disco remix of Roxy Music’s “To Turn You On.” For another, a script that avoids dialogue clunkers like “There’s a reason that in some languages, the word for love and the word for suffering is the same.” (I Googled it — didn’t find any.) Shopworn supporting stereotypes like the heroine’s sassy gay Black friend (Austin Crute) don’t help.

The prime offender, though, is writer-director Ned Benson’s inability to create three-dimensional characters, or even believable two-dimensional ones. Harriet is apparently a record producer, but we only know that from one dated reference to Alan Parsons and a brief scene of her telling singer Nelly Furtado to “add a little more compression on the drums”; otherwise, she’s an attractive blank space that Boynton strains too hard to fill in. The dead boyfriend, Max, is even more generic — a genial himbo with all the flavor of a catalogue model.

Benson made a stir with his debut, a three-film project called “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” (2014) that looked at a relationship from his, her and their points of view. His belated follow-up, by contrast, has barely enough personality for one. But he gets points for including the dreadful Kars4Kids jingle as one of the audio jogs that sends Harriet tumbling back in time — for a brief moment, the rest of “The Greatest Hits” seems much less irritating in comparison.

PG-13. Streaming on Hulu. Drug use, strong language and suggestive material. 94 minutes.

Ty Burr is the author of the movie recommendation newsletter Ty Burr’s Watch List at tyburrswatchlist.com .

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The unmissable addition to Disneyland’s Star Tours ride? Space whales

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Disneyland’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue has proved to be one of the theme park’s most versatile attractions.

Though perhaps no longer the groundbreaking technological marvel that it was when it debuted in 1987, the flight simulator ride has shifted with the franchise, withstanding cultural trends and aligning with whichever version of “Star Wars” is popular at the moment — or in need of a marketing boost.

The latest update to Star Tours brings the ride into the Disney+ era, with nods to series such as “The Mandalorian,” “Ahsoka” and “Andor.” More noteworthy, at least for Disneyland guests, is that the centerpiece of the latest upgrades is a scene that provides a slight tonal shift for the attraction, one focused, albeit briefly, on slowing down and giving so-called starspeeder riders a look at one of “Star Wars’” more majestic creatures. Star Tours will now rocket guests straight to a moment that boasts a close-up with the purrgil, essentially large, mysterious space whales that move with a galactic grace.

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For the 3-D attraction, its a moment that provides a breather. The motion simulator lingers for a few seconds, and our makeshift animatronic captain, the golden droid C-3PO, turns to face riders. C-3PO shifts into tour guide mode, appearing in awe of the purrgil and commenting on how serene the animals are.

“This will be different from other sequences, to have a moment,” said Tom Fitzgerald, a senior creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, the company’s secretive arm devoted to theme park attractions, when asked about taking a patient approach to the scene. “You don’t get many moments. It’s so compact. But it’s a moment to let people look at the beauty of this, and the 3-D gives you the scale of those creatures.”

The additions to Star Tours are arguably the centerpiece of Disneyland’s all-things-”Star Wars” promotion Season of the Force , which debuted this past weekend and runs through June 2. The “Star Wars” festival also sees new droids making their way to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge through the duration of the event, as well as the return of Space Mountain overlay Hyperspace Mountain and a new free scavenger hunt that aims to get players to pay close attention to the minute details of Galaxy’s Edge.

Fitzgerald has been with Star Tours since the ride’s beginning, and oversaw the latest Star Tours additions, which further deviate the attraction from any strict “Star Wars” timeline and instead focus it on being a sort of “greatest hits” for the brand. The purrgil scene also features Rosario Dawson’s Ahsoka Tano and the character’s svelte, fast-rotating starship above the planet of Seatos. Tano’s ship inspired Imagineers to see if they could add some new tricks to the attraction, mainly in the way the simulator can move. When Tano’s vessel twists and spins, for instance, the starspeeder attempts to mimic it, endeavoring to create the feeling of a 360-barrel roll. At other times, the starspeeder glides among the purrgil.

Key to Star Tours’ longevity, and what makes it the rare motion simulator that doesn’t feel rooted in the 1980s, is its ability to create new sensations via its movements. The ride now has more than 250 storyline variations, and when adding to the attraction, Imagineers are looking for ways to heighten the contrast among its various scenes, both tonally and in its maneuvers. Though Star Tours is typically randomized — for the foreseeable future, and definitely throughout Disneyland’s spring Season of the Force promotion — all riders are guaranteed to visit the new location and receive an early-flight transmission from one of the recently added characters.

“How do we make each of the places we go have a different color palette?” says Fitzgerald, who then recalls different “Star Wars” planets that can be featured in the attraction’s random programming. “Mustafar is all lava. Kashyyyk is all green jungle. So they feel very different when you get the combos. And then motion-based. Could we do a barrel roll? That’s the fun of doing it, and programming it and trying it. And we needed something else. What have we not done? So with the purrgils, what if we do skiing through the tentacles? We had never done that. So those are the two big motion changes.”

The attraction is also livened up by appearances from Dawnson’s Tano, Diego Luna’s Cassian Andor and a masked Din Djarin from “The Mandalorian.” While the latter is played and portrayed by Pedro Pascal on the Disney+ series, many have noted that the Djarin on “Star Tours” features a slightly different vocal cadence than Pascal, and an Imagineering spokesperson says the company is not revealing its voice actors for the attraction. Nevertheless, “The Mandalorian” moment features some comic relief — and clever 3-D usage — courtesy of Grogu, colloquially refered to as “baby Yoda,” and his penchant to use Force powers to toy with and eat frogs.

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The three appear as transmissions that help define the suddenly urgent narrative of Star Tours. “Each one is different,” Fitzgerald says. “Mando and Grogu we played for comedy. And Andor is mysterious. You don’t see his face. You see this thing coming toward you. Is that a friend or foe? And then he pulls his hood and the music changes.” Tano, meanwhile, arrives like an old friend who knows C-3PO and fellow droid R2D2. Riders are advised to pay close attention to the opening cinematic in a ship’s hangar, as there is a new randomized opening that features Tano in a lightsaber battle with Stormtroopers.

As for why the new additions perhaps lean a bit more heavily on “Ahsoka,” as it is that series that features the planet of Seatos and the purrgil, Fitzgerald had a simple answer: yes, it’s the space whales.

With access to early scripts from Lucasfilm, Fitzgerald says he singled out the purrgil scenes. “Reading about that, not knowing what they looked like initially, I was going, that’s going to be really cool.” And, at least for a few seconds, relatively calming.

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Todd Martens joined the Los Angeles Times in 2007 and covers a mix of interactive entertainment (video games) and pop music. Previously, Martens reported on the music business for Billboard Magazine. He has contributed to numerous books, including “The Big Lebowski: An Illustrated, Annotated History of the Greatest Cult Film of All Time.” He continues to torture himself by rooting for the Chicago Cubs and, while he likes dogs, he is more of a cat person.

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Is it safe to look at a total solar eclipse? What to know about glasses, proper viewing

If you have your eyewear to take in monday's eclipse, here are some last-minute things to consider to ensure you're good to go..

The much-anticipated solar eclipse will finally enshroud thousands of miles of North America today in its long, narrow shadow. By now, those who plan to witness it should have their plans in place .

Travel has been completed. Schedules have been coordinated around the anticipated moment of totality. And proper eyewear is, of course, in your possession. Right?

We at USA TODAY have published no shortage of articles guiding you away from scam eclipse glasses and to the safest, most reliable options – some of which were even free. But if you need a last-minute refresher – or a crash course to catch you up on a topic you entirely missed – we're happy to oblige.

If you don't have your eclipse glasses by now, it may be too late. But some vendors, including Warby Parker , and even public libraries, have offered eclipse glasses giveaways , so be sure to check your local area before the historic event rolls into town.

And if you do have your eyewear to take in Monday's eclipse – the last one of these incredible astronomical events in North America for 20 years – here are some last-minute things to consider to ensure you're in good shape.

Solar eclipse 2024 live updates: See latest weather forecast, what time it hits your area

Can you go blind by looking at the solar eclipse?

Staring at the sun is  unlikely to completely blind you , but its powerful rays can still burn and  damage your retinas if you don't take proper safety precautions to view  solar eclipses .

That's why eyewear is recommended if you plan to look up at the sun Monday to witness the solar eclipse, which most of the country will be able to experience in some way.

In the face of the sun's powerful rays, regular sunglasses made of cheap plastic and polycarbonate material just aren't going to cut it. Astronomers and other experts instead emphasize that skygazers intent on viewing the upcoming total solar eclipse do so with  specialized eyewear  crafted to  protect their sensitive retinas  from permanent damage.

Even viewing any part of the bright sun through camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes without a specialized solar filter  could instantly cause severe eye injury , according to the American Astronomical Society.

Often made with a polyester film coated in aluminum, the glasses are highly specialized . Compared to regular sunglasses, proper eclipse glasses are 100,000 times darker to block nearly all visible, infrared and ultraviolet light and protect our sensitive retinas when looking skyward.

As another point of safety, don't look up while driving , please.

How to know when it's safe to view the eclipse without glasses

A  total solar eclipse  offers the unique opportunity for skygazers to  witness the spectacular astral display  with the naked eye – but only when the time is right.

Hundreds of cities in  13 states are along the path of totality  for the eclipse, which will move across North America from southwest to northeast . When the moon moves completely in front of the sun and blocks its light for a brief period of time, you'll know it's safe to fully take in the dazzling display.

That moment is what is called "totality," whereby uncharacteristic darkness falls and all but the sun's outermost layer known as its corona makes a rare appearance to us here on Earth,  according to NASA .

How to make sure your eclipse glasses aren't fake

In the rush to acquire  some coveted eclipse glasses  before April 8 , you may have inadvertently fallen victim to the  fakes and imitators proliferating online retailers .

While plenty of legitimate certified eyewear was widely available – and may still be – less-scrupulous manufacturers try all sorts of methods and tricks to get your attention and make you believe the product you're about to buy is the real deal.

For instance, many vendors began making the grand (and entirely made-up) claim that their products are endorsed by NASA.

As the space agency  reiterated to USA TODAY , NASA highly recommended that skygazers get a pair of certified eclipse glasses before the total solar eclipse  charts a 115-mile-wide path of totality  blanketing much of North America in  uncharacteristic darkness . But it does not approve  any particular brand of solar viewers, despite what many vendors may claim.

The responsibility of guiding American consumers to the safest eclipse glasses is largely left to the American Astronomical Society.

The organization maintains  a curated list of approved vendors  of solar eclipse glasses that it updated to give priority to North American manufacturers ahead of the total solar eclipse. Products you purchase that are listed on that site are guaranteed to be  in compliance with  the highest international safety standards.

Those standards are set by the International Organization for Standardization, which only vouches for solar eclipse glasses that are dark and strong enough to filter out a certain amount of the sun's harmful light.

The astronomical society also provides some  helpful tips  for how to spot counterfeit glasses.

No eclipse glasses? Welding lenses, pinhole projectors among alternative viewers

While certified solar eclipse glasses are the preferred method for viewing the eclipse, alternative methods do exist that don't necessarily sacrifice one's safety.

Many people, particularly blue-collar workers, may be tempted to turn to those welding lenses they have sitting in their workshop.

But beware: The most common welding goggles and helmets aren't typically strong enough to adequately withstand the sun's powerful rays and protect your vulnerable eyes.

Any welding lenses weaker than a Shade 12 filter – a number that indicates the level of protection offered – just aren't going to cut it when it comes to gazing upward in anticipation of the moon blocking all but the sun's outermost layer.

It's also not too late to buy some welding lenses, which Tractor Supply is promoting for sale at its 282 stores along the path of totality as a viable option for viewing the eclipse.

Another simple method is to create your own pinhole projector to project the sun onto a nearby surface. The American Astronomical Society offers helpful  instructions  to set them up.

And one final note: As you make your eclipse-viewing plans,  these interactive maps  should help you chart the time and duration for when totality would occur in cities along the path.

Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

More From Forbes

Travel style tips from ‘queer eye’ star tan france.

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France is at home in the kitchen or the dressing room.

As Queer Eye ’s fashion expert, Tan France built a reputation on the Netflix reboot for giving transformational makeovers, possessing sharp style sensibilities and leading a relentless campaign for people to French tuck their shirts.

Forbes Travel Guide caught up with France as the Fab Five shoots season nine in Las Vegas , and the Emmy winner revealed that he’s working on his first scripted role. He couldn’t say more about the project, other than it will debut this summer, but he did share plane outfit tips, the two travel destinations he visits on repeat and why castmate Antoni Porowski may have some competition in the kitchen.

What should travelers wear for a long-haul flight while still looking chic?

Here’s my take: I don’t get dressed up. I just wear the nicest version of travel clothes I can find. I like to keep it really slick and just wear all one color. I kind of fall into a rotation where a couple months at a time, I will wear a certain color palette. Right now, I’m in my camel era.

I have these Guest in Residence camel pants that you could liken to pajama pants, but they’re solid. They’re cashmere. They feel gorgeous. And they look dressy enough where I could see Gigi [Hadid, the luxury knitwear brand’s founder] in her heels wearing these. They’re very chic. And then I wear a camel-colored T-shirt that is from Uniqlo and a camel sweater. Those things combined create a really sophisticated look.

Sometimes, I’ll put a large black overcoat over it, a duster coat that comes down to almost my ankles. Then as the flight gets cooler, I’ve got layers I can take off. And no matter how many layers I take off, I still look chic underneath. And that’s my that’s my tip in general, when layering: Don’t forget that the layers underneath aren’t just there for comfort. You may need to take off the outer layers, and you still want to look sophisticated, like you’ve got a full look underneath.

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When considering essential fashion pieces, aside from the little black dress, what’s an item that should be in every woman’s wardrobe?

Any leather jacket that works for you. And this doesn’t have to be leather. It could be a vegan leather. Something that you can dress up or dress down very easily. My go-to is a moto jacket and has been for 25 years. That is the thing you can add to your rotation to help you have your own vibe.

What’s a fashion item that you’re obsessed with right now?

Gold jewelry. It doesn’t have to be real — it can be costume. I have plenty of costume jewelry. My castmates on any show I’ve ever done call me the “Persian Prince” because my hands and wrists are typically stacked in gold jewelry. I just think it’s the most beautiful way to dress up a look.

Even if I’m just in my travel outfit, which is, as I said, a pair of very nondescript pants, a simple tee and a sweater, I throw on all of the jewelry, and it looks very intentional that this is the way I dial up my look. As opposed to the “it” bag or shoe, get jewelry that you can build up or take away, so you’ve got minimal or maximalist looks that make it clear that this is very uniquely you. That’s all in how you style that gold jewelry.

France has gotten to know Vegas well.

You’re shooting season nine of Queer Eye in Vegas. Have you discovered any spots there?

I went to a place called Lotus of Siam . I had one of the best Thai meals in my life. We’ve been told by so many people that that was the place to go. They weren’t wrong — it was gorgeous. We had a lot of Thai food in Vegas. It has been wonderful.

There is a boutique that we’re shopping at within the next couple of weeks. It’s called Vasari , and their offering is amazing.

What are some of your favorite travel destinations?

These two places I’ve now been multiple times because they are my favorites. People and my friends say, “Well, there could be other places that will be your favorite.” I know there’s much more to discover, however, I’m a creature of habit. Once I find something I love, I stick with that.

The first one is Iceland . I love Iceland so desperately. I think it’s beautiful, and the landscape is like no other place. The people are so kind. The crime rate is so low, so I feel so safe. And I just find the food wonderful. I love how isolated it is — I feel like I’m on another planet.

I like Reykjavik very much, but what we like is doing the Golden Circle. My favorite thing to do is not book a hotel for the first or the last night, and then drive around, and when we find a place we love, we get a hotel.

Iceland is No. 1, [tied with] Japan. I love Tokyo so much. I went last month for a quick trip and that was my fourth time there. I love Tokyo, I love Kyoto — those are the two places I’ve visited in Japan.

It is truly my favorite place on earth. I love everything about it. I think that it’s so peaceful and the people are so incredibly civilized. I love that culture. I just think it’s magical and light years ahead of the rest of us.

Are there any places that you still want to visit?

Seoul , Korea, that’s my next one. I love Asia so much and Seoul has been on my list for a while. I was going to go last month. I choose my own wardrobe for Queer Eye , but I only have two and a half to three days to shop. So, I went to a place where I knew I could get everything I needed, which is why I went to Tokyo. I wanted to go to Seoul instead. But I want to leave that for when I have a week and Rob [my husband] can join me as well, which is hard right now because we have two very young children, a 2-year-old and a 10-month-old. And so we’re going to wait a couple of years so we can experience it together.

When you travel, what do you use as your carry-on?

I use a brand called Away , and then I will also carry a backpack. For my trip to Japan, I only took carry-on. I can fit three looks on a carry-on and another couple of share options, like tops so I can rotate. I will rewear a pant and a shoe.

I also like a waterproof toiletry bag that was gifted to me by Byredo . I use it as my Dopp kit and fill it with these stackable, refillable containers that take up little space and put moisturizer, night cream, face wash and eye cream in those.

France’s culinary sanctuary.

You recently documented building your dream Tudor-style house in Salt Lake City on the video series Home at Last with Tan France . When unveiling the kitchen, you said, “This L’Atelier stove — I’ve dreamt of having something like this for about 20 years.” Why did you covet this range?

It feels so grand. It feels like the person I desperately wanted to be, which is chic, sophisticated and just so bold. I always dreamt of being the kind of person who had a focal point in the kitchen like this because, for me, it just oozes sophistication. And I’m such a keen cook, that it’s the most practical range for me.

I have friends over for most Thanksgivings and Christmases, and I was always having to really figure out timing for everything I’m cooking. I know that’s a problem that most people experience, but because I’m such a keen cook, I wanted to finally get to a point in life where I could arrive by having a much larger stove. And that’s what I have now.

We moved in a week before Thanksgiving and we did a Thanksgiving and then a Friendsgiving meal, I was able to fully utilize both of the ovens in that stove. That week really solidified why the L’Atelier was so important to me.

What is your dish to cook on the range?

For the stovetop, many things, but in particular, a dish called daal . It’s a South Asian version of comfort food. It’s lentils. The West would liken it to soup, but it’s very thick. That is my favorite thing to make, it’s my husband’s favorite meal and it’s my son’s favorite Indian meal. I make it in large batches — I can also freeze it. This gives me the space to be able to make enough for 20 meals, which is wild.

And then for the oven, I love to make a chocolate cake — in particular, Ina Garten’s chocolate cake that I tweaked, so now it’s a ginger chocolate cake. It’s my favorite thing to bake.

Salt Lake City takes the cake — literally — for France.

When out-of-town guests visit you in Salt Lake City, where do you like to take them?

There’s a bakery that I love, Tulie . They do the best bakes in Salt Lake for sure, but some of the best things I’ve had in the United States. They do a wonderful job, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a Salt Lake local. When it comes to baked goods, I don’t give credit if they’re not formidable, and they really are.

There’s an Indian restaurant that I really like called Mumbai House . That is wonderful.

And then I like taking them on hikes. I’m very outdoorsy. We hike something called the Bonneville Shoreline . And then there’s a place called Antelope Island , which is about a 20-minute to half-an-hour drive out of Salt Lake, and it’s gorgeous, magical, and there’s an island that has a bunch of antelope and mountains to climb. It’s surrounded by the Great Salt Lake.

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Christmas gift guide to Moscow surroundings

Visitors from America and Western Europe might be surprised to discover that Russia celebrates Christmas on January 7th. That’s because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar. After the end of the Soviet Union, some Russians have begun celebrating Christmas on December 25 in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. But many Russians still observe the tradition of fasting on January 6th, breaking the fast with a large feast on Christmas Eve after the first star has appeared in the sky.

During the Soviet era, Christmas and religious traditions were banned in Russia. Santa Claus was replaced by Ded Moroz, or, Grandfather Frost, an old man with a long white beard who would bring gifts to children on New Year’s instead of Christmas. According to Russian tradition, Ded Moroz is accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka, the Snowmaiden, who helps him on his journey to give presents to children.

Although the tradition of having a Christmas tree, known as a yolka in Russian, was also banned during Soviet times, Russians got around this by having New Year’s trees from which they hung homemade decorations. Today, the restrictions of the Soviet Union have faded into history, and during the Christmas season visitors to Russia can even purchase Christmas ornaments in the shape of matryoshka dolls, or religious icons that depict nativity scenes.

Heading counterclockwise around the Golden Ring this holiday season, northeast of Moscow, your first stop will most likely be the city of Vladimir, home to some of Russia’s most striking churches and cathedrals. The Vladimir region is known for its fine crystal. Stop by the Crystal, Lacquer Miniatures, and Embroidery Museum ( 2 Bolshaya Moskovskaya ) for an overview of traditional crafts before visiting the gift shop in the museum to browse the crystal selection. Vladimir Chic ( 2 Dvoryanskaya ) also sells local glass and crystal work.

Typical souvenirs are also for sale in Vladimir’s old town, especially by the Golden Gate, a triumphal arch and defensive tower that is one of the last-remaining parts of the wall that once surrounded ancient Vladimir and a sure stop on any tour of the Golden Ring.

Just 63 kilometers from Vladimir lays the nearby city of Gus-Khrustalny , the ‘Crystal Goose,’ also home to a rich glass and crystal making tradition. You can visit the glassmaking factory in Gus-Khrustalny and buy gifts ranging from plates and vases to decanters, or visit the outlet store back in Moscow ( 4 Ilyinka ) just east of the Kremlin.

North of Vladimir, you’ll arrive in Suzdal, one of the Golden Ring route’s more tranquil towns. Suzdal boasts a number of small bazaars and stands outside the main tourist sites where visitors can purchase local honey mead, called medovukha, along with traditional crafts, like a pair valenki, or Russian woolen boots, which make an ideal Christmas gift for friends and family back home. The shopping stands outside Suzdal’s Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life ( Ul. Pushkarskaya ) are also highly recommended. Market Square ( Torgovaya Pl ) houses a number of shops where visitors can search for arts and crafts.

Following the Golden Ring north of Suzdal, many tours will stop in the city of Kostroma, a former trading outpost on the immense Volga River. One of the city’s highlights is the Museum of Linen and Birchbark ( 38 Tereshkova ), where visitors can view exhibits on traditional Russian crafts woven from flax and bark. A gift shop in the basement sells tablecloths, napkins, baskets, linen dolls, and traditional clothing typical of the region.

South from Kostroma, stop in the city of Rostov-Veliky for enamel jewelry, a craft which allows artists to produce small paintings on metal that are then fired to produce a thin glaze over the image. Rostov became famous for its tradition of enamel work. Today, visitors can purchase rings, earrings, bracelets, brooches, and jewelry boxes in the gift shop of the Rostov Enamel factory ( 3 Borisoglebskoye Highway ).

While you’re in Rostov, visit the House of Crafts ( 16 Vtoraya Tolstovskaya Naberezhnaya ) for local pottery and the Souvenirs shop ( 5 Ul. Kamennyi Most ) for ushanka hats—Russian fur caps with earflaps—paintings, and samovars for tea lovers.

The last two stops on a tour of the Golden Ring are the cities of Pereslavl-Zalesskiy and Sergiev Posad. Pereslavl is most famous for its embroidery work, available at the Art Salon ( 12 Ul. Sovetskaya ) along with souvenirs made of wood and stone. Nearby Sergiev Posad is considered the place where Russia’s matryoshka dolls were first invented, and was the chief production center of the dolls before Soviet times. Visit the city’s Toy Museum ( 123 Pr. Krasny Armii ) to get a better sense of the birthplace of one of Russia’s most recognizable toys, then head over to the market alongside the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius—one of the city’s most important sites—to load up on matryoshka dolls, painted eggs, and icons before going home.

If you’ll be in the Golden Ring during New Years, the city of Vladimir hosts an impressive Christmas fair, with an iceskating rink and performances by local artists, in the main square ( Sobornaya Pl ). In most other Golden Ring cities you’ll find similar events in the center square as Christmas nears.

Most shops and markets in the Golden Ring are open year round. If you’re coming to Russia for a short period of time, whether in winter or summer, consider a trip to this stunning part of the country, and bring an extra bag if you plan to go shopping for Christmas gifts.

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Russian Aviation

Doug Alberg visited Monino in July 1999 . He has several galleries of his pictures from that visit.

Western tourists are becoming regular visitors to Star City , the Russian Cosmonauts Training Centre.

Andrew Juniper hosts the where you will find a collection of profiles of some of the more modern Russian military aircraft.

Books about Russian aviation available from

Mig : Fifty Years of Secret Aircraft Design by R. A. Beliakov

Send a message to Brian .

Edited July 3, 1998.