The pathways are located nearly 9,700 kilometers (6,000 miles) apart but share a notable feature: they were designed for visitors to use without wearing socks or shoes.

Barefoot trails exist around the world, inviting people to get closer to nature through sounds and sensations. Feeling cool mud squish between toes, stepping on pine needles and exploring meditation caves, scent stations and dark rooms transform a routine walk into an immersive experience.

Walking shoeless on varied surfaces also may contribute to emotional well-being and overall foot health, according to podiatrists and barefoot enthusiasts.

Below, more about where and why some people are bringing themselves down to earth one step at a time.

Barefoot trails as an environmental and health movement

Theories about the benefits of going barefoot have gained popularity among runners and other athletes in recent decades, as well as with environmentalists and as an alternative mental health treatment, but the idea has been around for well over a century.

Sebastian Kneipp, a 19th century German Catholic priest and early pioneer of naturopathy, promoted nature exposure, water therapy and barefoot walking as exercise and a way to stimulate circulation and support overall health, including immune function. He recommended walking barefoot over “dew-wet grass” or snow and is said to have called shoes “foot-bending machinery.”

His philosophy inspired trails and paths across Europe, where they are sometimes known as Kneipp paths, and to a lesser extent in the United States. In Asia, reflexology trails made of stones, pebbles and grass are intended to stimulate acupressure points on the soles of the feet, a concept linked to traditional medical therapies.

Germany's Park mit allen Sinnen, which in English translates to “park with all senses,” reflects a broader focus on wellness tourism in the Black Forest, which covers more than 6,000 square kilometers (2,317 square miles) and where visitors can breath mountain air, soak in thermal baths and visit spas offering treatments that incorporate local plants and herbs.

The park charges an admission fee. Its website says that meandering barefoot over the 2 kilometer-long (1-mile-long) trail's different surfaces "is ideal for exercising your back and spine, and at the same time, it’s a perfect foot reflexology massage in the fresh air.”

Leah Williams, the owner of The Barefoot Trail park near Flagstaff, Arizona, opened a manicured trail of the same length near Route 66 two years ago after a family trip in Europe. Tickets are required, though Williams operates the park as a nonprofit charitable foundation.

Williams said her mother, who is from Germany, encouraged her to go barefoot as a child climbing trees and playing in the forests and creeks around Seattle — a practice Williams carried into adulthood and passed on to her own children. While living in the Netherlands, her family visited a barefoot trail in Belgium.

“I loved everything about it. I saw all ages, and I loved seeing older people at the park because you don’t see that here in the United States," Williams said. "I thought, ‘Wow, when I get back to the United States, I’m going to build one of these parks myself.'”

She offers educational materials for schools, summer programs and camps to children who visit the park.

“Being good stewards of nature is really our job as human beings, and we have taken 13 acres (5 hectares) of land at our park for our community enjoyment, ... for local, statewide and regional enjoyment,” Williams said, her eyes moist with emotion.

A sensory experience

Most people don't walk outside barefoot regularly, and exposing their tender feet to different textures, temperatures and types of contact can take getting used to.

“You should see people’s faces when they start walking,” Williams said, chuckling at the thought.

While many parks with barefoot trails encourage users to walk the paths sans shoes, naked feet are not required. Guests with neuropathy, diabetes or other foot conditions are welcome to keep their shoes on at the parks in Arizona and Germany.

Some barefoot trails are designed to engage multiple senses.

At Park mit allen Sinnen, a sign that reads “Please be quiet” in German identifies a spot described as a meditation cave. Inside, a long bench faces tall windows overlooking the forest, and soft music plays through hidden speakers.

Elsewhere at the park, visitors can squeeze red bulbs to release the scent of papaya or apricots, or place their hands inside a box filled with wild boar fur.

Ditching the shoes step by step around the world

Austria, Denmark, France, Hungary, Switzerland and the U.K. are among other European countries with barefoot trails. Some are meant for local residents and not tourists, so finding them can prove difficult. Searching the terms “barefoot” or “barefoot paths” in the local language might help.

In Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, some public parks have pebble trails, which are walkways with smooth stones cemented into place that can be used for reflexology and foot massage.

Similarly, there are so-called wellness parks and informal barefoot hikes on regular trails in the United States. But because of how rare they are in the U.S., Williams plans to expand the The Barefoot Trail concept elsewhere.

The foundation recently received about 8 hectares (20 acres) of land in a commercial and residential area of college town Lawrence, Kansas, to develop a park similar to the one she opened in Arizona.

“The park will be one of the components of a larger commercial space being developed,” Williams said. “It’s about integrating those natural environments into people’s daily lives and providing those safe spaces for people to enjoy.”

The film evokes Prada without being about the storied fashion house that has become synonymous with Milan. In homage, Meryl Streep and Anna Wintour both wear Prada on a current Vogue cover celebrating the film about a demanding fashion editor.

But when part of the movie was shot in Milan during fashion week last September, a Dolce & Gabbana runway show, not Prada, was the backdrop for a scene featuring Streep and Stanley Tucci.

‘’When you think of Prada, when you think of the Prada brand, you also think of Milan. This is obviously good for the fashion system,’’ said Tommaso Sacchi, Milan’s counselor for culture. “It’s a film that is good for the city.’’

Fans converge on film pop-up

That enthusiasm is spilling over to a pop-up at Milan’s main department store, where aficionados of the film and fashionistas have flocked to take selfies at a replica of fictitious fashion editor Miranda Priestly’s desk and against the backdrop of a faux Runway magazine mock-up cover.

VIPs attending the film's Italian premiere on Thursday, ahead of its global release next week, will attend a cocktail in the space.

The Rinascente CEO, Mariella Elia, said the response to the pop-up — which is announced by giant statues of the iconic red pumps outside the store — shows that people have “a desire for lightness.”

“It’s not just about buying, it’s really about reviving what fashion represents … a desire to have a stylish flair once again, a desire for joy, too — perhaps in contrast with the current economic and international moment that humanity is experiencing,’’ Elia said.

On a recent day, the space filled with people browsing limited edition T-shirts with famous phrases from the first film like, “Is there some reason my coffee isn’t here?”

Valentina Cattivelli, a professor, said she wasn’t trying to channel Priestly as she sat behind the replica of her desk. It included an inbox full of other lines from the original film, including Priestly's dismissive, “That’s all.’’

“No, I’m not so cruel in my daily life, but I appreciate her professional style and also her fashion and the taste for fashion. But not her sarcasm or cruelty, no,” Cattivelli said.

Where Prada meets the film

The Prada brand was founded a few steps away, in the stately Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery, by Miuccia Prada’s grandfather. The shopping arcade today is anchored by two Prada flagship stores.

Miuccia Prada transformed the brand into a fashion juggernaut, turning the infamous ugly chic aesthetic into must-have or must-emulate looks and accessories that bring intellectual heft to runway fashion — a theme of the original movie, which offered a peek beyond fashion-world frivolity.

“There is a close relationship between the ‘Devil Wears Prada’ franchise and Prada, because by evoking Prada from the very title, it evokes a fashion that makes you dream, a fashion that makes you feel elegant, a fashion that makes you feel good, a fashion that gives you an allure,’’ said Annarita Briganti, a fashion journalist who wrote a book about Prada for Rizzoli’s Made in Italy editions.

What sets Ghent apart is its seamless blend of history and progressiveness. The city's canals, reminiscent of Venice but far less tourist-clogged, reflect the golden light of late spring evenings, inviting leisurely boat rides or walks through Graslei and Korenlei—riverside squares lined with 16th-century guildhouses now housing queer-friendly bars and eateries. Local queer residents emphasize Ghent's "live-and-let-live"ethos, rooted in Belgium's long-standing legal protections for LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage since 2003 and anti-discrimination laws. This foundation fosters an environment where transgender people, non-binary individuals, and same-sex couples navigate daily life without fanfare, a rarity in more conservative parts of Europe.

The Heart of Queer Ghent: Emerging Scenes and Safe Spaces

Ghent’s queer scene is less about a single "neon-lit" district and more about an integrated, city-wide ethos of inclusivity. While the historic Patershol neighborhood is home to the regional LGBTQ+ center, Casa Rosa, the city’s nightlife pulses around the Vlasmarkt and Sint-Jakobs area. Here, venues like Café Charlatan serve as legendary alternative hubs for live music and diverse crowds, while dedicated bars like Kingstreet and Por Que No offer a more targeted sense of community. This low-key atmosphere thrives on events that prioritize connection over commercialization, from community workshops at the queer-run café Rokko to the Pink Walk, which explores the city's rich history of activism.

As one of the world’s most progressive nations, Belgium provides a stable foundation for Ghent’s "live-and-let-live" culture. The city’s inclusivity is most visible during the Gentse Feesten—a massive ten-day cultural festival in July that weaves queer performances and dance parties into its sprawling program of street theater and music. Unlike the massive corporate parades in larger capitals, Ghent’s queer celebrations, often held in late spring, maintain an intimate, grassroots feel. This visibility is supported by local organizations like Casa Rosa, which ensures that queer residents and visitors are a natural, woven-in part of the city’s social fabric.

Safety remains a primary draw for LGBTQ+ travelers in Ghent, where public displays of affection are generally met with indifference or acceptance. While boutique hotels like 1898 The Post offer luxurious stays in the heart of the historic center, the city’s welcoming nature extends to its culinary scene as well. Travelers can enjoy Flemish classics at renowned spots like De Superette or explore the indie boutiques of the Veldstraat and Vrijdagmarkt, where rainbow flags frequently signal a safe and supportive space.

Cultural Riches and Queer Perspectives

Ghent’s cultural depth elevates it beyond a quick stopover. The Gravensteen, a 12th-century fortress overlooking the river, provides a dramatic backdrop to a city that balances medieval history with modern inclusivity. While the castle focuses on historical weaponry, the nearby Museum of Fine Arts (MSK) actively engages with queer narratives through a specialized tour of its permanent collection. Similarly, the S.M.A.K. showcases contemporary art that often challenges traditional norms, featuring world-class Belgian artists like Berlinde de Bruyckere, whose work explores the complexities of the human form.

The city's creative evolution is best seen through its performers. Local collectives like House of Lux have transformed Ghent into a drag and performance art hub, with transgender and non-binary artists frequently headlining at the VIERNULVIER (Vooruit) arts center. This progressive spirit extends to the cinema; the Sphinx Cinema serves as a vital venue for queer culture, hosting the annual PINX film festival, which brings LGBTQIA+ stories to the big screen every January.

Ghent's flavors and social spaces are equally welcoming. You can sample cuberdons—the city’s iconic raspberry "noses"—at traditional riverside stalls before exploring the Dok Noord area. Once a rugged industrial zone, it has been revitalized into a modern hub housing the Dok Brewing Company, known for its craft beers and inclusive atmosphere. For queer expats and travelers alike, the appeal lies in this seamless integration: Ghent is a place where you can be authentically out without the need for a "performance," making it a truly effortless destination for the LGBTQ+ community.

Why Ghent is the Next Hidden Gem for Queer Travelers

Ghent's rise as a queer destination stems from its authenticity amid overtourism elsewhere. While mainstream lists spotlight Barcelona's Eixample or Lisbon's Bairro Alto, Ghent offers elbow room and depth—perfect for late-spring visits when mild weather fills streets with cyclists and outdoor markets. Accessibility is effortless: high-speed trains from Brussels take 30 minutes, and Brussels Airport connects globally. Emerging trends show a 20% uptick in LGBTQ+ bookings for Belgian secondary cities like Ghent, per regional tourism data, signaling its ascent.

For transgender travelers, Ghent excels with gender-neutral facilities in public spaces and healthcare access via progressive clinics affiliated with Ghent University Hospital. Non-binary visitors appreciate the city's fluid fashion scene, influenced by nearby Antwerp's heritage, with thrift shops in Zuid neighborhood stocking androgynous vintage finds. Families find solace in inclusive playgrounds and events like the Queer Family Picnic, hosted annually by local parent groups.

In essence, Ghent whispers welcome rather than shouting it, its canals carrying echoes of laughter from diverse gatherings. Queer travelers leave with stories of spontaneous connections at a riverside bar or a castle tour that sparked deep conversations. As Europe’s queer map expands, Ghent stands as a beacon of cultured, unpretentious joy—proving that the best destinations are those discovered, not advertised.

Every time someone talks about Mexico, you hear about the multitude of regions and identities it has. But you don't truly understand that until you actually leave Mexico City. What gets lost in the narrative is the other side of Mexico, where you'll find a creative energy that feels like nothing you'll find elsewhere. Querétaro is the gateway to all of it, and right now, the world should be paying close attention.

Querétaro was founded in 1531 through a rare alliance between Spanish colonizers and the indigenous Otomí people. It quickly grew into one of New Spain's most prosperous cities. Otomí, Tarasco, Chichimeca and Spanish communities coexisted here for centuries. In 1996, UNESCO recognized its historic center as a World Heritage Site. By the early 19th century, Queretaro served as the meeting point for the conspiracy that launched Mexico's War of Independence.

Today, the city is considered one of the most dynamic and competitive economies in Mexico. Between 2021 and 2025, 74 million travelers visited the city. This generated 103 billion Mexican dollars or $5.83 million in revenue, and an average hotel occupancy of 64%. Its rise in popularity has not gone unnoticed. When The New York Times named Querétaro as one of their unique, emerging hotspots, they cited the area's recent reputation as a destination for food and drink.

And yet, internationally, it remains largely under the radar. However, it's quietly defining itself as Central Mexico's next designated travel destination. Now is the ideal time to experience it before the rest of the world catches on.

A colonial city that outlasted its own history

Querétaro has about 1 million residents and sits in a dry, high-altitude landscape that feels nothing like the Mexico most tourists know. The historic center is walkable and compact, with mostly well-kept Spanish colonial architecture from the 18th century. Buildings more than 200 years old line the streets with hues of ochre, terracotta, blue and yellow. There are active plazas, restaurants at various price points, missions, convents and small galleries.

The city's most recognizable feature is its aqueduct, characterized by 74 stone arches stretching more than 4,000 feet. It's in the 1730s and still standing at the edge of the historic center. Its image appears on menus, murals, shop signs and souvenirs throughout the city.

On Saturday nights, the Plaza de la Independencia fills with mariachi bands and groups of dancers doing line dances to traditional songs. It's a genuinely local scene that's not designed for tourists. If you happen to be there at the right time, it's something you won't want to miss.

Due to traffic and the high cost of living in a 23-million-person metro area, residents of Mexico City have been moving to smaller cities, resulting in Querétaro's steady growth. As you'll see, both longtime residents and newcomers live in the city. What you get is a place where a cheap torta stand operates around the corner from a serious mezcal bar, where the theater scene is small but real and where people dress, as one local put it, however they feel like.

The restaurant that puts Querétaro's pantry on the plate

Casa Concheros is one of Querétaro's better-known restaurants for regional cuisine. It's a good place to work through a few dishes specific to the area. The menu leans on local ingredients and traditional preparations.

Start with the camote: a sweet potato soup with apple and goat cheese, mild and slightly sweet, better than it sounds. The tostada arriera follows, piled with nopales and steak. Then the mole de guajolote, a dark, pepper-forward dish with just a faint trace of cocoa underneath; the kind of mole that takes most of a day to make correctly. The latter is the kind that takes hours to prepare properly.

For dessert, the camote achilado returns to sweet potato, this time with dulce de leche, berries and a crumble. Finally, the guayaba sorbet, served with a pour of mezcal, is a straightforward but good way to finish the entire ensemble.

Mexico's best-kept wine secret is in the highlands

Most people don't associate Mexico with wine. The Querétaro highlands are one reason that would totally change that outdated notion. Mexican wine has advanced significantly, with some of the more intriguing work being done in this area.

The vineyards sit 5,900 to 6,500 feet above sea level, near San Juan del Río, about 31 miles south of the city. Wineries here are increasingly making good use of the natural advantages of high altitude and low nighttime temperatures, which help maintain the grapes' acidity.

Where to stay in Querétaro

Hotels in the historic center of Santiago de Querétaro reflect both the city's history and its evolving identity. Boutique properties in the historic center lean into design and locality, while larger hotels offer a more expansive, comfort-driven stay.

At Hotel Criol, the experience begins the moment you arrive, with a welcome glass of agua de pinole served in a traditional clay cup. It's a small, thoughtful detail that sets the tone. The design is clean and modern, but doesn't feel disconnected from its surroundings, and its central location makes it easy to step out and immediately be part of the city's daily life.

A different perspective comes from Grand Fiesta Americana Querétaro. Here, the focus shifts toward space and ease: larger rooms, polished service and amenities that make it a comfortable base after long days exploring. Staying in reveals how varied the city can feel, depending on where you wake up.

That approach provides a broader idea of how people are traveling. According to Hotels.com, 54% of travelers globally are embracing the "Hotel Hop" trend, which involves booking multiple hotels within a single destination to get a fuller experience. The motivation is as much practical as it is curious: about 50% want to explore different neighborhoods, while 35% look for better value throughout their stay.

The trend also relates to how trips themselves are changing. Short city breaks, event-driven travel like concerts or festivals and even "bleisure" trips are driving the shift. One in four Gen Z and millennial travelers now extend work trips into multi-stop leisure stays.

In a place like Querétaro, where the historic center, wine country and newer districts each offer something distinct, splitting time between hotels doesn't feel excessive; it's actually a great way to see the city.

Where the cheese and wine actually come from

The area around Querétaro deserves at least a day of driving. Here you'll find some of Mexico's finest artisanal goat cheese. Its production dates back to Spanish dairy farming practices brought here after colonization, and it has since been refined over the centuries.

"Querétaro is the state that receives the most visitors nationwide through wine tourism," said Tourism Secretary Adriana Vega Vázquez Mellado in an interview with The Queretaro Post. "Ultimately, we have 20 million potential customers there, whom we need to win over, and that's where we have the greatest attraction for Querétaro."

Experts at the Global Wine Tourism Organization emphasize that "Querétaro wines have made significant progress, developing their own characteristics that strengthen their prestige."

Tequisquiapan, a town about 40 miles southeast of the city, runs a Saturday market where small producers sell directly to visitors. Pair a stop there with a winery visit, and you've got a full afternoon. It's the kind of food experience that rarely shows up in Mexico travel writing, which is half the reason to do it.

The most award-winning small city in the world

San Miguel de Allende sits about 40 miles east of Querétaro, just over the border into Guanajuato state. It has spent the past several years collecting travel awards at a pace that's hard to keep up with.

Travel + Leisure named San Miguel de Allende the best city in the world for 2025, with a reader score of 93.33%, its fourth consecutive year at the top. Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Reader's Choice Awards hailed it as the best small city in the world. Expedia's Unpack '26 Destinations of the Year report placed it on its trending list, with a 30% year-over-year jump in search interest. Eventually, the awards stopped being surprising and started sounding like statistics.

The city takes its name from Ignacio Allende, a key figure in Mexico's fight for independence. At the entrance, a towering statue of him welcomes visitors. Inside the centro histórico, the streets are cobblestone, narrow and backed up with more traffic than you'd expect from a city this size; a direct consequence of its popularity. The houses run in shades of ochre, mustard, white and burnt red, with heavy wooden doors and iron-barred windows.

Everything in the city center revolves around the Jardín Principal, the main square where locals gather and street musicians play. At one end is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, a neo-Gothic church made with pink stone. Zeferino Gutiérrez, a local mason, rebuilt the church in the late 19th century, and reportedly used postcards of European cathedrals as design inspirations. The church, unsurprisingly, looks like it's from another continent, yet somehow feels like it belongs right in the city. Across the square, the house where Ignacio Allende was born is now a museum.

South of the church, Cuna de Allende is lined with galleries and boutique shops selling work from local artists and artisans. Contemporary Alebrije reinterpretations share wall space with ceramic crosses made from flowers and three-dimensional Lego portraits of ordinary Mexicans. A few blocks over, Plaza de la Soledad is quieter; worth a detour for the Temple of the Oratory of San Felipe Neri, a baroque church whose stone facade alone merits attention.

Plan your trip

Querétaro has its own international airport, with domestic connections and a growing number of U.S. routes. Buses from Mexico City's Terminal Norte take about two to two and a half hours and run frequently. San Miguel de Allende is about an hour from Querétaro by car; shared shuttles and private transfers connect the cities without much hassle.

October through April is the dry season, characterized by warm days, cool nights and reliable skies. December and January get cold after dark, while Semana Santa draws large crowds to both cities. If the latter is when you're going, book accommodation early.

With its blend of history, culture and culinary delights, Central Mexico rewards travelers who venture beyond the usual hotspots. And what better places to start than Querétaro and its equally fascinating neighbor, San Miguel de Allende?

Ksenia Prints is a food and travel writer from Montreal, Canada. She blogs over at We Travel We Bond, writing about family travel off the beaten path.

What sets Cali apart for queer visitors is its fusion of cultural depth and unpretentious inclusivity. The city pulses with salsa clubs like La Topa Tolondra and Zaperoco, where same-sex couples dance freely amid locals, creating an electric, affirming energy that feels organic rather than staged for tourists. Queer-owned cafes and bars cluster in neighborhoods like Granada and San Antonio, offering safe havens with rainbow flags subtly signaling allyship. Queer locals describe Cali as a place where "visibility is normalized, "with transgender people and non-binary individuals frequenting these spots without fanfare. This contrasts sharply with rural Colombia, where attitudes remain conservative, but Cali's urban bubble provides a progressive enclave.

Salsa Nights and Queer Nightlife: The Heartbeat of Inclusion

Cali’s nightlife is its crown jewel. Salsotecas like La Topa Tolondra and Regia in the Granada district are the true social hubs, where same-sex couples dance alongside locals without hesitation. The San Antonio hilltop remains a favorite for its bohemian cafes and 'blind-date' vibes. The Feria de Cali (Dec 25-30) now includes a dedicated Diversity Pavilion, showcasing 'Salsa Queens' and activists to a crowd of over a million. With daily budgets often under $60, Cali offers an empowering, rhythm-filled alternative to the more commercialized hubs of South America.

Cultural Riches and Natural Escapes for Mindful Exploration

Beyond nightlife, Cali's cultural tapestry enchants travelers seeking depth. The  Museo La Tertulia  showcases essential contemporary art, often featuring regional artists who explore identity. For authentic flavors, explore the  Alameda Market  for fresh arepas, lulo juices, and empanadas rooted in Afro-Colombian heritage. The  Cristo Rey  statue offers panoramic views and a hike favored by local fitness enthusiasts.Nature beckons at the  Farallones de Cali National Park , where cloud forests teem with orchids and waterfalls. Queer digital nomads frequently settle at Selina Cali, drawn by its high-speed internet and vibrant community vibe. While history blends with modern expression in the colonial  San Antonio  district, heritage seekers also take day trips to the nearby coffee town of  Sevilla  to admire its stunning mountain views.

Why Cali is the Next Queer Must-Visit

Cali's rise as a queer-friendly haven is no fluke; it's propelled by grassroots efforts like the Fundación Diversidad Sexual de Cali, which advocates for transgender rights and hosts community workshops. Pride events in June draw regional crowds, featuring salsa marathons and panels on intersectional identities, making it a hub for pan-South American LGBTQ+ networking. Compared to flashier spots like Rio or Buenos Aires, Cali's authenticity shines: no cover charges at top clubs, genuine local interactions, and a cultural richness that lingers.

For queer travelers prioritizing safety, pack light layers for the tropical climate , download salsa apps like Salsa Lovers for meetups, and connect via Facebook groups like "Gay Cali Colombia. " Direct flights from Miami ease access, positioning Cali as South America's best-kept secret. As one local queer organizer shared, "Cali doesn't just tolerate; it celebrates every beat of who you are. " With its blend of dance, diversity, and discovery, Cali invites LGBTQ+ explorers to uncover a destination where joy is inclusive and the rhythm never stops.

And yet, about two dozen women residents and visitors have found a hidden sanctuary from its bustle in a spot over a small bridge and under an ornate arch with an engraved Latin phrase “sauvegarde,” or “safe place” in English.

Nestled in a sea of yellow daffodils lies an oasis of calm and tranquility founded in 1245: the Princely Beguinage Ten Wijngaerde of Bruges.

For 22 years, Trees Dewever has called this beguinage her home. She said it provides "an overwhelming feeling of calm and I think we need that in this world.”

Her neighbor, 23-year beguinage resident Jo Verplaetsen, said the spirit of the medieval shelter is today soothing and social.

“Each day you are thankful to be here," she said.

A refuge for women from medieval to modern woes

However serene now, the beguinages emerged after the 12th century as an antidote to devastation.

Conflicts in the Middle Ages ravaged the male population, creating a glut of widows and single women who needed some kind of stability. They often chose the looser rules of the beguinages instead of stricter convents, said Michel Vanholder, a volunteer at the Grand Beguinage Church of Mechelen.

“They didn’t want to go become nuns but nevertheless they wanted to live together without men because there were not enough men to marry," he said.

Women who joined were called beguines, and while forbidden to marry while residing in the beguinages, they were allowed free egress, could own their own property and did not take religious vows of celibacy and poverty like nuns in adjacent convents.

“Women who didn’t want to become real nuns or religious could have an in-between form, becoming a beguine," said Brigitte Beernaert, who moved into the Bruges beguinage more than 20 years ago.

Women in the beguinage often worked caring for the sick and poor, but also earned money with needlework and weaving lace. Some plowed profits back into the community.

But the beguinages were at different times embraced and persecuted by the Vatican. One prominent beguine, the French Christian mystic Marguerite Porete, was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake in 1310.

Novelists Ken Follett, Charlotte Brönte and Umberto Eco have written about the beguines and their male counterparts the beghards.

Architecturally, the beguinages were designed for like-minded women to live in comfort, quiet and safety, with small gardens tucked into either easily accessible alleys or around a main square with houses facing a common courtyard. The heart of the community was almost always a chapel or church.

Today, UNESCO recognizes as world heritage sites 13 beguinages in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking northern half of Belgium.

German tourist Biata Weissbaeker who was visiting Bruges with her husband Achim said that such spaces were and remain crucial.

“Women need a place like this: a safe place that gives them the possibility to go inside themselves.”

The changing traditions of the beguinages

While the last beguine in Belgium, Marcella Pattijn, died in 2013 at the age of 92, the central tenet of the beguinage community has persevered over the past 800 years.

“Once you are in here, you are safe — that was of course literal in the Middle Ages, once you lived here, the law couldn’t take you away,” she said. “Today it’s more like a safe place for women alone.”

The beguinage of Bruges to this day still allows only women, although the grounds are now owned and maintained by the city itself, with residents renting from the city.

The beguinages of Belgium organize public activities hoping to foster community within through gardening, and outside through open houses.

A few of the Bruges residents recently planted raspberry bushes against the wall near the canal and they keep bee hives for honey. “The world is terrible for the moment, and this gives us the impression that it’s still safe here," said Beernaert. "This gives Bruges already a little bit of a small paradise, if you want. And living inside that paradise feels unbelievable.

The airline will soon open bookings for four-hour stints in the Skynest sleep pods and says they will be the first lie-flat beds for budget air travelers. Fliers will get cozy with their fellow passengers, however, so crumbs, strong perfumes and bedsharing are forbidden.

The curtained berths will be available to economy and premium economy fliers on the airline’s new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from November. The planes will service the Auckland to New York route, which is one of the world’s longest commercial flights and leaves economy passengers sitting upright for a marathon 16 to 18 hours.

Instead, travelers will have the option of a pre-booked four-hour spot in a curtained pod, with costs starting from 495 New Zealand dollars ($291) on top of the price of their economy tickets. But use of the six pods, arranged in a triple-bunk style layout between cabins, will put fliers in close proximity to others, prompting the airline to publish etiquette notes.

Passengers must refrain from snacking in the pods, which can’t be used by children or any additional visitors.

“That means solo snoozes only please, no musical nests or tag-teaming,” Air New Zealand’s website says. For those worried about cleanliness, the airline assures travelers that the pillows, blankets and sheets supplied “are all refreshed” between four-hour naps.

Fliers are also required to change into specially provided socks to enter the pod, fasten their seatbelts over their blankets and forgo dousing themselves in any smelly “perfumes or potions.” Passengers will be woken by a gentle change in lighting at the end of their four-hour stint in the bunk – or by a flight attendant, possibly less gently, if they don’t rouse in time.

Each berth is about the length of a regular bed — 80 inches or 203 cm — but the pods don’t leave headroom for sitting up and access “requires bending, kneeling, crawling, or climbing into the space,” the aircraft’s website says. The bunks are 25 inches (64 cm) wide at shoulder height, tapering to 16 inches (41 cm) at the foot of the beds.

Seats or couches that convert into beds in the sky aren’t a new offering for business and first class travelers, but Air New Zealand believes its lie-flat bunks for economy travelers will be a world first.

The offering from New Zealand’s national carrier is the latest from airlines seeking to sell seat upgrades and other add-ons to economy travelers. Air New Zealand first announced the economy beds were in development in 2020.

The airline has increased fares and cut some domestic flights from its schedule in response to increased jet fuel costs during the war in the Middle East. In March, it suspended its earnings outlook due to fuel price volatility and warned that more changes to its routes were possible.

But on one of its longest flights, travelers might finally get some shut-eye — although they should expect snoring, for which earplugs are provided, the airline said.

“Statistically, someone’s going to do it,” Air New Zealand’s website reads. “It might be you.”

Noctourism is turning nighttime into a core part of travel, as destinations and hotels create scheduled, bookable experiences that only take place after dark. Industry data shows rising demand for after-dark travel, with recent global surveys reporting that a majority of travelers now consider trips that include nighttime experiences. That shift is changing how itineraries are structured, with evening hours becoming a primary window for timed, limited-access activities rather than leftover time after a day of sightseeing.

Demand for nighttime experiences grows

Cities and tourism boards no longer treat nighttime as overflow hours. Instead, they build after-dark access into the itinerary in response to rising demand for nighttime experiences. Recent global surveys show that a majority of travelers are considering trips that include activities after sunset.

To meet that demand, destinations are introducing guided tours, scheduled activities and limited-entry experiences that extend engagement beyond peak daytime hours. Rather than simply staying open later, they design these offerings as timed experiences that give travelers a specific reason to plan around the evening.

Hotels design nighttime as a headline experience

Hotels are increasingly treating the night as a primary driver of bookings, building scheduled experiences that define the after-sunset program. These are not casual evening add-ons but curated events designed to stand on their own.

On Mexico's Riviera Maya, La Casa de la Playa stages monthly Full Moon Nights that combine ritual, culture and dining into a single program. Evenings begin with a beachside purification ceremony honoring Mayan lunar traditions and the goddess Ixchel, followed by intention-setting rituals and a six-course menu by Martha Ortiz, inspired by lunar phases and paired with Mexican wines.

At Golden Door, The Circle transforms the property's labyrinth into a purpose-built nighttime venue during a seasonal late-summer run. A 360-degree, 10-foot-high stage surrounds guests with live performances by visiting musicians, while a series of large-scale nature films by filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg play across multiple screens. The combination of music, moving imagery and open-air setting slows the pace of the evening and creates a more engaging, thoughtful experience after dark.

In Napa Valley, The Meritage Resort and Spa offers Moonlight in the Vines, a guided full-moon meditation set among the vineyards, while nearby Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa extends spa access into the evening with after-hours use of its geothermal pools.

Night tours and guided experiences reshape how cities are explored

Urban destinations are also repositioning nighttime as a primary window for exploration, with guided experiences that shift how travelers move through a place.

In Hong Kong's Wan Chai district, The Hari Hong Kong offers a private evening tour that runs for about two and a half hours, guiding guests through one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. The experience includes stops at street markets, a 140-year-old tea shop and local food vendors, along with cultural practices such as "villain hitting," a traditional form of folk ritual. Guests also ride the historic Ding Ding tram and explore nearby Causeway Bay, with the tour designed to layer history, daily life and cultural context into a single after-dark itinerary.

Entire landscapes open up after dark

Beyond scheduled events, nighttime also changes how destinations themselves are experienced, opening access to environments that are not visible during the day.

Along the Sonoma coast, bioluminescent kayak tours led by Watertreks Eco Tours offer a guided way for guests to experience this shift firsthand. Operating seasonally from summer through fall, the tours take place in the Russian River Estuary and nearby Pacific waters, where microscopic organisms called dinoflagellates emit light when disturbed. Each paddle stroke creates a glowing trail, illuminating marine life and currents in real time. The tours are timed to darker, moonless nights when visibility is strongest, turning the experience into a scheduled natural event.

At Rio Perdido, nighttime reveals a different side of a 1,500-acre reserve defined by canyon, forest and geothermal features. Guided Nature at Night Walks follow naturalists through the property as nocturnal species emerge, while canyon ziplining and evening soaks in the hot springs shift familiar daytime activities into a quieter, after-dark setting.

Nighttime becomes a core travel window

As destinations and operators expand scheduled programming, nighttime is increasingly treated as a standard part of travel rather than an afterthought. The shift is evident in broader demand trends, with recent global surveys revealing that a majority of travelers prefer itineraries that include nighttime experiences, making after-dark access a defining factor in trip planning.

Travelers are no longer filling time between daytime attractions. They are choosing when to experience a place, with nighttime now structuring the trip.

“Live music nourishes your soul and makes you feel truly alive,” says Chris Bro, host of the “Next” radio show in Maryland and a longtime fan of music festivals.

Making the most of the experience also means planning ahead for potential hazards like heat, dehydration and more, say regular festivalgoers and the medical pros who care for them.

The good news is music festivals are safer than ever, thanks to increased focus on on-site medical staff and equipment, says Matt Friedman, national medical director at CrowdRx, which provides medical care at over 20 major music festivals around the country each year.

Different festivals, different risks

Different types of festivals tend to have different types of medical emergencies, Friedman says. Much depends on the type of music, the length of the festival and the heat.

"Jazz music festivals tend have a low medical-usage rate, whereas a heavy metal event will have more blunt traumas from mosh pits and alcohol-related incidents,” he says.

Electronic dance music festivals tend to have friendly crowds, some of whom "occasionally overindulge or make poor decisions regarding stimulant drugs,” Friedman says. Classical music festivals, meanwhile, tend to have more cardiac events, given the older average age of attendees.

“You want to have fun, but it’s really important to stay aware,” says Armelle Gloaguen, a musician who attended classic festivals like Clearwater, founded by Pete Seeger, and Woodstock ’94.

“Be there for the music, not the drugs and alcohol, if you want to remember any of it. Don’t accept food or drinks from strangers, and be aware of your limits,” advises Gloaguen, who owns “Armelle for Kids,” which seeks to bridge cultures through music.

Know the rules, and download the app

Festivals' rules vary, so before you head out, check the parking situation and the list of what you can bring.

For instance, Coachella, the annual festival in Indio, California, doesn’t allow chairs, outside food or umbrellas. At Tanglewood, in western Massachusetts, attendees are welcome to bring chairs and picnics, and umbrellas are fine; they just can’t be over 6 feet across.

Download a festival's app and bring a portable phone charger.

Once there, scope out the terrain. Keep an eye out for the nearest cooling station and medical tent as you figure out where to sit.

Handling the heat

“First and foremost, we see a lot of heat-related illnesses, since temperatures in the desert can get pretty high and rise quickly,” says Julie Puzzo, assistant medical director of the emergency department at JFK Memorial Hospital, near Coachella.

“We see everything from heat cramps to heat stroke, which can be life threatening,” she says.

Hydrate consistently with electrolyte-containing beverages, she says.

Wear layers, a hat and other protective clothing, and avoid excessive alcohol. Opt for non-aerosol sunscreen, since many festival venues ban aerosol sprays.

Festivals where heat is an issue are sometimes equipped with mobile cold-water immersion tanks to cool people down quickly, Friedman says.

At multiday festivals, malnutrition can also be an issue, he says. “People are running on adrenaline for the first two days, but by day three they realize they are dehydrated and exhausted and haven’t eaten nutritious food since they arrived, and this exacerbates any other conditions they might have.”

His top safety tip: Stick with your friends so you can watch out for one another.

Leave sandals, heels and flip-flops at home

Both doctors urge attendees to wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes, since attending a festival can involve more walking that you might expect. And it’s easy to happen upon small stones or other sharp objects on the grounds.

“Trips and falls are common, and we see a lot of sprains and foot contusions,” says Friedman.

Glasses, ear plugs, maybe an inhaler

For anyone susceptible to respiratory problems, it’s a good idea to bring a backup inhaler, since dust-filled wind gusts can exacerbate breathing issues, Puzzo says.

Eye problems like corneal abrasions are not uncommon at festivals, says Friedman, who recommends bringing large sunglasses or even goggles if it’s likely to be dusty.

Outdoor venues can get buggy, too, so consider insect repellent.

Protect your ears by not standing too close to speakers, and bring earplugs, says Greta Stamper, an audiologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

“It is also helpful to take listening pauses during festivals to allow your ears an opportunity to take a break. Having some quieter moments during the day can help your ears recover,” she says.

If you notice that your hearing is muffled or your ears start ringing, your ears are telling you it's too loud, Stamper says.

And if you’re coming with kids, give them added protection with over-the-ear headphones, not just earplugs, Friedman says.

Pace yourself

“Musical festivals are a marathon, not a sprint, so be sensible and take care of yourself,” Friedman says.

As you kick back with friends, it’s easy to have a few drinks too many as the day wears on. Puzzo warns that drugs acquired at some big events might not contain what people think they do. This can be dangerous in any case, and is even more so if combined with extreme heat and alcohol.

Embrace the moment

Don't forget, though, to find joy in the music and the scene.

Enjoy the unexpected, and making connections.

“If you want to talk to your favorite musician, the most meaningful thing you can do is to thank them and talk about a specific song you love and why,” says Gloaguen.