Travel Dispatch: A Peacock’s-Eye View of the Waldorf Remade

July 19, 2025

Inside the Silver Corridor at the Waldorf Astoria in New York. The hotel reopened this week after a painstaking renovation. Thea Traff for The New York Times

Dear Travel Fan,

When you think of a classic New York hotel, the Waldorf Astoria has to be on your list. But for almost eight years, the hotel, which was sold to a Chinese company in 2014, has been closed for renovation. This week it finally reopened, and we’ve got a tour of the newly gleaming space. (Meet you at the clock!)

The W.N.B.A. All-Star Game is tonight, and the Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson is once again an All Star. She recently shared her five favorite places in Vegas with us.

Last week we brought you the news that the T.S.A. was letting you keep your shoes on at security. Now there’s chatter that the restrictions on liquids may also be rethought. But how likely is that? We investigated. We also have advice on how to pack if all you’re able to take on the plane is a personal item. And our Tripped Up columnist helps out a vacationer whose debit card was hacked while they were overseas.

You may have never heard of a quincaillerie, but these charming French hardware stores carry everything from gardening tools to tiny brushes used for cleaning mushrooms. They’re a perfect place to find a quintessentially French souvenir or gift, and we’ve rounded up seven of the best to visit.

Our 36 Hours this week visits Key West, Fla., the southernmost point in the continental United States and a city known for its party spirit. And if you’re on TikTok, you may have seen reels set to a song called “Hold My Hand,” by Jess Glynne, with a British woman enthusiastically announcing, “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” in voice-over. What is going on? We explain.

And finally, if you really want to escape the heat, we’ve got suggestions for where to go skiing in South America.

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Amy Virshup

OPEN UP YOUR WORLD

Thea Traff for The New York Times

A Peacock’s-Eye View of the Waldorf Remade

Waldorf Astoria New York, one of the city’s grandest hotels, closed for renovations in 2017. After almost eight years and billions of dollars, it returns, reborn for the 21st century.

By Julie Satow

via Eleven Rio Palena Lodge

Looking for a Summer Ski Fix? Head to South America.

In Chile and Argentina, dramatic slopes, lots of snow and an unusual après ski scene await.

By Cindy Hirschfeld

A storefront with a burgundy awning is shown, with the words Quincaillerie Blondet Depuis 1912 in yellow letters. Goods are stacked out front and a child rides their bike past.

‘Quincaillerie’ Is French for ‘Hardware Store,’ but It Means So Much More

These quintessential shops are treasure chests offering a little bit of everything, and many have been run by the same family for 100 years or more.

By Caitlin Shetterly and Camille McOuat

A fishing boat in a harbor; two people are seated on the top deck. It's a slightly overcast, cloudy day.

Scott McIntyre for The New York Times

36 Hours

36 Hours in Key West

Home to one of the largest historic districts in the South, Key West has a live-and-let-live ethos that visitors can’t resist.

By Dave Seminara

Basketball Star A’ja Wilson’s 5 Favorite Places in Las Vegas

The Las Vegas Aces standout, one of the W.N.B.A.’s top players, shares her tips for places to eat, drink and chill — both on and off the Strip.

By Stef Ferrari

THE CHANGING WORLD OF TRAVEL

Four bottles are seen inside a clear plastic zippered bag, which is in a bin on a screening belt.

Getty Images

With T.S.A.’s Shoes Rule Gone, Can Liquids Really Be Next?

Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, has said that the next major airport security screening announcement could target limits on liquids. How likely is that?

By Christine Chung

An illustration of a woman with a flowery rolling suitcase punching buttons on a red-and-orange terminal at an airport, while a blue-tinged man pulls a Citi card out of her purse and peers over her shoulder. Dollar bills are flying out of his other hand.

Charlie Padgett

Tripped Up

Help! A Pickpocket Used My A.T.M. Card, and Citi Won’t Cover It.

A thief swiped a traveler’s wallet at the Barcelona airport and later used her card to take out more than $1,100 in cash. Why was her fraud claim denied?

By Seth Kugel

An illustration shows a man sitting in a cramped airline seat, focusing only on his legs, feet and hands as he slides a small bag beneath the seat in front of him.

Weston Wei

Travel 101

Traveling Ultralight: How to Pack a Personal Item

As more airlines charge for traditional carry-on bags, those who don’t want to pay need to fit everything into a tote, small duffel bag, daypack or roomy purse. Here’s how.

By Elaine Glusac

A photo depicts a white-and-blue commercial airline with "Jet2holidays" in red letters on its body, against a backdrop of blue sky.

Joan Valls/Urbanandsport, via NurPhoto, via Getty Images

What Exactly Is a Jet2 Holiday and Why Are People Talking About It?

The voice-over and soundtrack from an ad released in January 2024 have gone viral on social media a year and a half later.

By Claire Fahy

Feedback, thoughts, tips? Email the Travel desk at travel@nytimes.com.

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