A Never-Ending New Year: How to Enjoy Lunar New Year in the US

Wish you could press rewind on your New Year’s celebration?

I’ve got a suggestion for you.

If you read my previous article differentiating the West’s New Year versus Lunar New Year, then you might be wondering about joining an alternative Lunar New Year’s celebration in the US.

Manhattan is a great place to start given New York State recently made the Chinese Lunar New Year a public school holiday. But when it comes to history and cultural impact, the most famous Lunar New Year in the US belongs to San Francisco.

But given the fact that there’s a Chinatown in pretty much every city on the planet, and the US is home to dozens of tight-knit Chinese communities, we need to dig a bit deeper.

Looking for the best ways to celebrate Chinese New Year and extend the holiday fun? Here’s your short list of the best parties in the United States.

A crash course on Lunar New Year vs. calendar New Year

In the West, our New Year is based on the Gregorian calendar, which was rolled out by a pope in the late 1500s. Up until that point, Europe was using the Julian calendar, which Julius Caesar himself set up back in 46 BCE.

The Gregorian calendar uses leap years to organize twelve months in the year. It’s used as a global standard thanks to Western Europe’s extensive colonial influence.

But the Gregorian calendar is one of dozens in use around the world. In fact, lunar calendars are much more common. These run according to the solar and/or lunar year, and are based on moon cycles; there are thirteen ‘months’ on a lunar calendar instead of twelve.

New Year in the West falls on January 1. But in terms of the Lunar New Year, the calendar starts fresh with the first new moon after twelve cycles.

That’s about as simple as I can make it. Just know that there are at least twelve lunar calendars regularly used around the world, from the Chinese calendar to the Islamic calendar to the Hindu calendar.

For the purposes of this article, we’re sticking with Chinese New Year celebrations.

Best Lunar New Year celebrations in the US

Across the United States, millions of citizens follow the lunar calendar along with the Gregorian calendar. The largest communities come from East Asia, including China, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, and Japan.

You might see these festivities listed as Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, or the Spring Festival. All three titles are talking about the same event.

Communities come together to put on live performances, such as the dragon and lion dance, along with festive parades and traditional foods. While the biggest Lunar New Year celebrations take place outside of the US, there are dozens of massive celebrations in major cities.

In February 2024, communities across the United States will be celebrating the end of the Year of Dragon and the start of the Year of the Snake (2025).

Here’s where to find the largest public Lunar New Year parties and parades in 2025:

San Francisco (held on Saturday, February 15, 2024)
New York City (held on Sunday, February 16, 2025)
Boston (TBA)
New Orleans (TBA)
Houston (held on Saturday, February 1, 2025)
Disneyland (various festivities from January 17 – February 16)
Chicago (held on Sunday, February 9, 2025)
Philadelphia (TBA)
Honolulu (held on January 25, 2025)

2025 Hotel Booking Tips: Cheapest Seasons Around the World

As someone who combs the internet looking for trusty travel advice, I know how frequently advice becomes outdated.

Thanks to technology and ever-evolving consumer trends, the latest trends and insights are hard to nail down. That being said, I tend to rely on a balance of data studies and real-life experience—but I can be a stickler about data.

Data, when misapplied, leads to faulty insights.

On the other hand, when research is targeted and mindful, data can help cut through the noise of endless travel advice to nail down some actionable tips.

I’ve found the latest data study worth taking a magnifying glass to: a study from Vio. Vio is a travel booking platform that compares prices from a range of websites, letting you shop around for the cheapest possible accommodations.

I haven’t personally used Vio—for the purpose of this article, I’m instead digging into one of their reports on finding the best value for hotel rates according to season.

Want to know the short of saving on international hotel bookings? Consider this an integral part of your 2025 travel planning guide from an industry expert.

Cheapest seasons to book hotels internationally

According to the Vio study, winter and spring are the two cheapest seasons to book international hotels.

Spring rates average out at $325 while winter rates average only $296.

While many travel sites recommend focusing on shoulder seasons like autumn and spring, the data says to stick to spring. (Or winter, if shoulder seasons aren’t your thing.)

Cheapest cities to book hotels internationally during the off-season

Let’s take this insight even further. Assuming you’re looking to plan an international trip in spring or winter to extend your savings, where should you go?

The cheapest international cities for hotel bookings in Spring are Bangkok, Thailand ($91/night), Osaka, Japan ($164/night), Kyoto, Japan ($168/night), Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba ($177/night), and Dubai, UAE ($197/night).

The cheapest international cities for hotel bookings in Winter are Niagara Falls, Canada ($104/night), Bangkok, Thailand ($111/night), Istanbul, Turkey ($131/night), Florence, Italy ($132), and Athens, Greece ($141).

*Keep in mind that winter rates don’t usually apply in December, which is one of the busiest travel months in the world. For true winter savings, stick to January and February.

Average hotel rates month by month for international hotels

Let’s assume you don’t want to be tied down to traveling in winter or spring. If that’s the case, here’s a quick overview of the best times to save big at certain destinations—across all four seasons.

Winter

Tulum, Mexico hotels drop in price by up to 60%
Florence, Italy hotels drop by up to 42%
Niagara Falls, Canada hotels drop by up to 34%
Athens, Greece hotels drop by up to 33%

Spring

Palm-Eagle Beach, Aruba hotels drop by 68%
Nassau, Bahamas hotels drop by up to 51%
Montego Bay, Jamaica hotels drop by up to 39%
Kyoto, Japan hotels drop by up to 37%

Summer

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic hotels drop by up to 34%
Paris, France hotels drop by up to 32%

2025 Travel Advisory: The Most Polluted (And Popular) Global Destinations

Every day, I wake up and check the forecast, which includes an air quality report.

I don’t know why I bother checking the air quality—it’s a bit like picking a scab in a city like Barcelona. With a bustling seaport and an airport that never sleeps, we face industrial-level air pollution daily.

While the city council (ajuntament) is working to minimize the impact of air pollution from cars, buses, and motos, it hasn’t taken a strong stance on the airport or cruise port.

Some days, the air quality report reads ‘poor’, and I spend the day needlessly stressing out about my lungs.

In reality, I don’t have much room to complain or stress. Even though Barcelona is contending with air pollution concerns brought on largely by tourism, the city’s air is much, much cleaner than other tourist hotspots around the world.

According to a study from DIPNDIVE, a scuba-travel platform, multiple tourist hubs around the world are facing intensifying air pollution challenges—and even noise pollution, too.

Using data related to number of annual tourists, average noise levels, air quality index, air pollution rates, water quality, and more, they ranked the world’s ten most polluted cities.

Despite my concerns about my current home in Barcelona, I shouldn’t worry too much. In fact, I was pretty floored to realize the US’s ‘greenest’ state, California, outperforms just about any other region in the world when it comes to air pollution.

Think you can name the world’s most popular tourist spots that have pretty serious air pollution problems?

Worst air pollution at popular tourist destinations

1. Cairo, Egypt

In terms of both noise and air pollution, Cairo comes out ahead of the competition. In fact, the study ranked their total weighted pollution score at 98—which is followed in second place by Los Angeles with a weighted score of only 51.

I think that paints a pretty solid picture of what to expect in Cairo in terms of air quality.

2. Los Angeles, USA

Welcoming just under 50 million visitors a year, I can’t say I’m surprised Los Angeles ranks second on the list. The valley retains harmful particulate matter as a result of its non-stop flights. Though LA faces almost no noise pollution, its air quality is almost just as poor as Cairo.

3. Hong Kong, China

Just like Cairo, Hong Kong struggles with its rates of air pollution and noise pollution. Unfortunately, it’s also high on the list in terms of water pollution, meaning you should avoid tap water when visiting.

4. Bangkok, Thailand

On every trip to Thailand, I’ve noticed a film of haze when heading into the airport—just like I have when flying into Los Angeles.

Though Bangkok has a significantly better air quality index than Los Angeles, its pollution is almost just as bad in terms of particulates. (More particulates = more health problems.)

5. San Diego, USA

Sail Boats with San Diego in the distance (Getty)

It’s not just the air quality you need to worry about in San Diego. This SoCal city is struggling with air quality and particulate concentrations… along with increasing rates of noise pollution and ongoing challenges with water quality.

6. Phuket, Thailand

Similar to San Diego, Phuket has a noise pollution problem. In fact, though much more rural than San Diego, Phuket’s average noise levels are almost just as high.

While Phuket’s air quality is worsening year after year, it’s not the poorest on the list. Instead, the main issue is noise pollution, followed by water quality.

7. Athens, Greece

With exceedingly high rates of air pollution in terms of both quality and particulate levels, Athens is facing ongoing challenges as a popular tourist hub. With average water quality and waste collection rates, Athens ends up on this list thanks to subpar rankings in almost every metric.

8. Cancun, Mexico

Cancun tops the list when it comes to noise pollution—it’s even louder than Cairo. In fact, compared to other locations, it has reasonably good air quality. It’s the area’s high levels of noise and concerns around water quality that make it stand out in terms of pollution.

9. Dubai, UAE

Urban skyline with with tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa (Getty)

From its air quality to its noise levels to its water quality, Dubai isn’t quite as flashy and upscale as many might think. While it’s not the worst in any of these three categories, it’s also not the best by any stretch of the imagination.

10. San Francisco, USA

San Francisco has some of the worst air quality in the United States—even worse than San Diego. However, thanks to its reasonable noise levels and relatively good water quality, San Francisco ranks last on the list.

Do You Like Wicked? You’ll Love These 3 UK Campgrounds

I remember my first time hearing about Wicked… which was also the first time I heard someone in my middle school class try to sing ‘Popular’.

For weeks, I heard the song on repeat—not from the radio, but from thespians at my school. It was a trying time. Not only am I not a fan of musicals, but the song is also notoriously difficult to sing.

Since then, I haven’t heard much about the musical—until this year’s highly anticipated film adaptation started hitting the radio waves.

Despite my initial suspicion about the entire project, I’m planning to watch the film. And I’ll probably sing ‘Popular’ for weeks on end afterward, then dress up as the Wicked Witch of the West on Halloween. (People change, what can I say?)

What does this have to do with travel, you might be wondering?

Wicked tourism of all stripes will be taking off over the next year. And that includes a few witchy-and-wonderful campgrounds in the UK that you might want to keep on your radar. Each campsite feels like a different take on the Land of Oz.

3 campgrounds in England & Scotland perfect for Wicked fans

Wighill Park Glamping (Knaresborough, England)

With little arched huts dotting a bright green forest, this unique glamping experience lets you enjoy the woodlands in a magical fashion.

Want to unwind with a drink? Make your own concoction with a cocktail kit. What about warming up after a chilly hike? There are hot tubs for your pleasure.

Glinda would approve!

But the coolest part about a stay at Wighill Park Glamping is its proximity to Mother Shipton’s Cave. According to local legend, this is the location where a soothsayer named Mary lived in the 16^th century, prophesizing events like the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Ashleigh Farm (Lincolnshire, England)

If you’re more of an Elphaba than a Glinda, then you might like Ashleigh Farm more. That’s solely based on the look of its witch’s huts, which are funky, medieval, and magically distinct.

Each comes with a comfortable bed and a wood-burning stove for added charm. In fact, upon arrival, you’ll be gifted a welcome basket full of goods from the owner’s bakery.

After that, you can unwind at your own pace, soaking up the rural vibes or taking a walk to say hello to the farm animals across the way.

Macbeth’s Hillock (Forres, Scotland)

I can’t promise Wicked references at this stay—but maybe you’ll enjoy its association with William Shakespeare. Macbeth’s Hillock gets its name from the play where Thane of Cawdor is said to encounter three witches.

In fact, both Brodie Castle and Cawdor Castle are a short drive from the campgrounds. And rather than witches, you can enjoy the campground’s sprawling wildflower meadows and ocean views. (You can even go fishing if you like.)

When the day is done, you can cozy up in one of the five wooden cabins on the grounds, each of which has its own bathroom and kitchenette.

Make 2025 Your Year of Budget Travel With These 7 Expert Tips

My travel journey started when I was fresh out of high school. Like most other college students, I was living on the bare minimum for four years straight.

During that time, I was also studying in Costa Rica, India, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia, and more. It wasn’t just a crash course in traveling on a budget; it was something I had to figure out as a student with limited funds and a voracious appetite to explore.

Today, I can splurge here and there on travel—from a nicer hotel stay to a gourmet meal. But I still tend to approach trip planning with a shoestring budget in mind, and I still do my research before finalizing my plans to look for cheaper options.

Though I’m not bound to a shoestring budget anymore, it’s instinct. One that I’m glad I have.

If you’re new to budget travel and/or want to streamline your penny-saving, then get a leg up with this list of budget travel tips. They come from financial advisors and experts, well-known backpackers and travelers, and a few hard-learned lessons.

Though this is just an introduction to budget travel, I’ve been relying on these tips with great success since I left home back in 2011.

The core tenets of budget travel

Tip #1: No, you don’t need to use points or miles

Let me start here, my fellow Americans: I do not understand the hype of using credit card rewards for travel purposes because you need to spend money to earn those savings.

Spending money to get savings is weird, roundabout logic to me… one that provides little savings with tons of fine print in the case of credit card travel rewards.

In my opinion, travelers should have a travel credit card that prevents them from paying international fees when they spend abroad—nothing more.

So, how can you save on flights, you might be asking? Opt for the lowest economy tier, take those long layovers, and give yourself a few extra days to get to and from your destination.

But know that the era of truly cheap flights is behind us.

Tip #2: Start with your hard limits in mind

It doesn’t matter if you’re budgeting for your wedding or a casual trip—you need to start with your hard limits in mind.

In the case of budget travel, I suggest letting your budget decide where you go. Some destinations are simply out of range for smaller budgets; no amount of research will change that. (More on this below.)

Once you’ve set your budget, then start with the most expensive bookings: flights and hotels. Neighborhood is a big deal here; you can usually save by staying outside of the city center. (This is a good thing, as some of the world’s coolest neighborhoods are off the tourist track.)

After lodging and transportation, tours, experiences, and tickets should be your next focus. Lastly, think about food and drinks.

Tip #3: **Flexibility really matters** in budget travel

Flexibility is your best friend when you’re planning a budget trip.

The more flexible you are, the better you’re able to take advantage of existing travel deals. Most of these are seasonal, in my experience. Certain regions offer cheaper hotel rates and flights during the offseason—but every region has a different offseason.

The idea behind staying flexible is that you can avoid the travel rush and stay away from popular areas during their busiest season.

That’s the recipe here: avoid the crowds to take advantage of the offseason when all travel prices are slashed.

Tip #4: Don’t just book private rentals—be open to hostels and hotels, too

I’ve written about hostels for adults a few times—and I’ve lived the life myself. In Umeå, Sweden, my partner and I stayed at a YMCA after booking a last-minute trip to see a World Rally Championship race outside the city.

A few months later, we booked a last-minute trip to Berlin to see one of our friends DJ at a famous club. Like Sweden, Berlin is pricey—but we saved big by booking an adult hostel. In both cases, we had great experiences.

The YMCA was state-of-the-art and cozy, while the adult hostel in Berlin was trendy and located smack in the center of a great neighborhood.

If you can’t find a hotel or Airbnb that suits your needs, get creative. Not only are more alternative lodging options opening up, but they’re cooler and more affordable than you think.

Tip #5: The biggest overspending culprits are food & taxis

Stop spending so much on taxis and food.

Public transportation is easier and more accessible in many places around the world—remember, the US is one of the most car-happy countries. Most places offer functional bus routes.

For example, my partner and I stayed in an Airbnb in a lagoon just outside of Cancun. Anytime we wanted to get to the main drag, we took the public bus available outside the Airbnb.

We didn’t speak Spanish at the time, but it didn’t take long to figure out how to ride the bus. And we weren’t the only foreigners using it.

On that same trip, we spent most of our time eating at local spots. My partner loves spicy food, so we were on the hunt for little roadside restaurants with multiple hot sauce options. These were—hands down—the best meals we had in Cancun.

Eat like a local and travel like a local for major savings… and a better trip.

Tip #6: Go for detour destinations and day trip into hotspots

If you’re a truly budget traveler, you probably don’t spend a lot of time in hyper-trendy destinations. (They’re expensive!) Or you might stay just outside of them, day-tripping into the madness as you see fit. My experience in Cancun, detailed above, reflects this type of budget approach to travel.

But off the top of my head, I’m thinking about even more popular destinations. For example, if you want to soak up Monaco (which is very expensive), you can book a budget stay just across the border in France.

Take the public bus into and out of Monaco at your leisure—and save thousands along the way. Or whichever other fancy and pricey destination has caught your eye.

Tip #7: Avoid checking bags—even for long trips

The last time I checked a bag I was moving from New York City to Barcelona. Just like opening travel rewards credit cards, I’m a little suspicious of taking large, checked bags on vacation.

The easiest way to kick off your journey as a budget traveler is to throw your large, checked suitcase off the nearest cliff. Seriously—it’s not doing you a single favor in terms of saving money.

These are my hangups:

Airlines charge an arm and a leg for checking luggage.
Lugging around a massive suitcase prevents you from taking public transportation to and from the airport.
You might be tempted to keep buying things with so much space to spare.
They’re harder to store in shared lodgings like hostels.

KOA Recs: 6 Popular Small-Town Campgrounds for 2025

Kampgrounds of America (KOA) is one of the most well-known quantities in the American camping world—sort of like the YMCA of wilderness.

In the US, the KOA is the largest company in terms of private campgrounds. Since its founding in 1962, the KOA has slowly built a network of more than 500 campgrounds across the country.

For first-time campers and kids, the KOA is a familiar (and beloved) institution.

This year, they’ve got a little something extra for campers who are patiently waiting out the winter chill. Their recent Camping Hospitality Report digs deep into 2024’s camping data, from Maine to Nebraska to SoCal.

Rather than focus solely on the biggest campgrounds in the US’s most popular National Parks and Nature Reserves, the KOA took a closer look at some of its small-town campgrounds, tallying the most popular options across the country.

If you’re planning any upcoming camping trips in Spring or Summer, keep these small-town selections on your radar. Thousands of Americans favored these lesser-known campgrounds thanks to their natural wonders, friendly atmosphere, and amenities.

Best KOA small-town campgrounds in 2025

First-time campers do well at KOA campgrounds thanks to their amenities (Getty)

Sanger, Texas

Sanger is a small town in North Texas that’s known for its historic main street and relaxing vibe. Staying at this KOA gives you access to both the town and the surrounding plains.

That makes the Sanger/Denton North KOA Journey a perfect gateway to experience the area’s rural beauty, plus the atmosphere of its charming town.

The campground is spread across 55 acres and includes RV hookups and group bookings. Plus, it also has a unique dog-training area.

Check out the Sanger/Denton Campground

Hiawassee, Georgia

Hiawassee is one of Georgia’s best rural hidden gems. This Blue Ridge Mountain town abuts Lake Chatuge, which comes alive in the warmer months with fishing, boating, waterskiing, and other adventures.

At the Hiawassee KOA Holiday Center, you can enjoy the area’s activities and general serenity of the Bald Mountains with multiple lodging options.

Choose from tent sites, RV hookups, and even deluxe cabins for your next escape.

Check out the Hiawassee KOA Holiday Campground

Sutherlin, Oregon

It’s all about that classic American summer camp feel here (though you can visit in any season).

Sutherlin is home to a famous drive-in movie theatre, which gives campers a rare way to stay entertained on the grounds. Plus, the campgrounds also offer two unique lodgings: The Griswold and the Tiny House.

As a final coup, Sutherlin is also smack in the center of Oregon’s winery country, meaning you can drink your way through your camping trip.

Check out the Sutherlin/Umpqua Valley Campground

Sweetwater, Tennessee

Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, Sweetwater is a perfect way to foray into Appalachia. Blending rugged beauty with Southern hospitality, a trip into the historic town center lets you dig into local history and customs.

But you can also disappear into nature with the area’s lush forests and winding rivers. You’re also close to the Lost Sea, the US’s largest underground lake, and a marvel to behold.

Check out the Sweetwater KOA Holiday Campground

Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Don’t want to wander too far away from the city? This Mt. Pleasant campground is just outside Charleston, offering convenience and a more structured campground.

From cozy cabins to the large pool and playground, campers aren’t fully immersing themselves in the outdoors—which bodes well for first-timers and large groups.

On top of that, Mt. Pleasant offers plenty of family fun, from mom-and-pop eateries to the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

Check out the Mount Pleasant/Charleston KOA Campground

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Similar to the Mt. Pleasant campsite, you don’t need to fully drop off the map at the Santa Fe KOA Journey.

This campsite offers cabin rentals and RV hookups, plus tons of tent site options. At the same time, campers are also close to rugged trails in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Pueblo ruins in Bandelier National Park.

Check out the Santa Fe KOA Journey Campground