Susmita Baral

Travel + Leisure

I've Planned Trips Around Great Restaurants Before—but This Culinary Tour Through Vietnam Changed the Way I Think About Food Travel

By: Susmita Baral

Some people travel to collect passport stamps. Others chase famous landmarks or postcard-perfect beaches. I chase unforgettable meals.

Travel + Leisure

This City Was Just Named No. 1 in the World—and It Has Cobblestone Streets, World-class Food, and a Thriving Arts Scene

By: Susmita Baral

Discover top hotels, attractions, and eateries as you plan a memorable trip to San Miguel de Allende, voted the No. 1 city worldwide yet again.

AOL, Inc.

I’ve Planned Trips Around Great Restaurants Before—but This Culinary Tour Through Vietnam Changed the Way I Think About Food Travel

By: Susmita Baral

From Hanoi’s legendary egg coffee to Vespa food tours in Ho Chi Minh City, every meal revealed another layer of Vietnam’s culture and history.

AOL, Inc.

This Hidden Gem in Europe Has 120 Stunning Blue Lakes and 14,000 Islands

By: Susmita Baral

Susmita Baral Finland is known for many things—its sauna culture, Lapland , and the northern lights . But one claim to record-setting fame is that it has the world's longest lake coastline.

Travel + Leisure

This All-inclusive Luxury Sleeper Train Was Just Named the No. 1 Rail Journey in the World—Here’s What the Trip Is Really Like

By: Susmita Baral

A three-day journey aboard Belmond’s Andean Explorer revealed remote landscapes, Lake Titicaca, and some of Peru’s most unforgettable scenery.

Travel + Leisure

This Historic Waterfront Hotel on New York's Shelter Island Feels Like Summer in a Bygone Era

By: Susmita Baral

The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages offers a mix of charming guest rooms and standalone cottages with stunning Peconic Bay views.

Travel + Leisure

Getting to the Cook Islands Just Became Easier Thanks to a New Airline Partnership—and I Tried the Route Myself

By: Susmita Baral

Air Tahiti Nui and Air Tahiti now let travelers book eligible flights on a single itinerary, simplifying the journey to one of the South Pacific's most remote destinations.

Travel + Leisure

I Traveled to Iceland for a Total Solar Eclipse Hidden by Clouds—Here's Why I'd Do It All Over Again

By: Susmita Baral

Seeing the Northern Lights has long been near the top of my travel wish list. Despite two trips to Iceland , I'd never been lucky enough to see them.

AOL, Inc.

A Luxury Hotel Concierge Reveals the Florence Attractions Tourists Overlook—and Where Locals Really Go Instead

By: Susmita Baral

Susmita Baral As the capital of Tuscany and the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence has no shortage of world-famous landmarks.

Successful Meetings

Hotels to Watch: 10 Properties Opening in 2021

By: Susmita Baral

The U.S. hotel industry has been hit hard by the global pandemic, but the pipeline still is packed with exciting projects.