Celebrity Vacation Homes, Private Island Rentals And Other Travel News

Vacation Like a Star At These 6 Celebrity Homes

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DAN KULLBERG VILLA TREVILLE

Want to live like a celebrity this summer—or at least travel like one? Across Europe, glamorous properties that once belonged to the rich and famous (and in some cases, still do) are available as rentals. From Sting's villa in Italy to Julia Child's cottage in France, here are six celebrity homes for an A-list vacation.

This Airline Is Going To Weigh Passengers Before Boarding

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getty

How would you like to start your summer vacation by stepping on a scale? Through July 2, Air New Zealand is conducting a survey to measure the average weight of passengers and their baggage on international flights out of Auckland International Airport. The country's civil aviation authority requires weight surveys to be performed every five years to reassess the weight load and distribution for all flights. At check-in, travelers are asked to stand on a digital scale while their luggage is placed on a different scale. The data is then submitted to the survey anonymously and hidden from check-in agents. In 2003, a survey of 15,000 people by New Zealand's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) determined the average weight of passengers and their carry-on baggage was 85.4 kilograms—or about 188 pounds. Based on those findings, the CAA was able to determine a "standard weight" and calculate how many passengers a large plane can carry.

8 Stunning Private Islands to Rent

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Getty

Travelers who want to live out their Castaway fantasies dream of renting a private island, many of which can accommodate other people—in case you get lonely. From Richard Branson's Necker Island in the Caribbean to Laucala in Fiji, here are some of the most stunning private islands you can rent.

Travel Wise

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getty

Need to renew your U.S. passport soon? Stop reading this and start filling out the forms. Officially, it takes 10 to 13 weeks to process a passport application, according to the State Department. But travelers have reported the actual times are closer to 15 to 18 weeks once you factor in the mail service. (For expedited passports, it's 7 to 9 weeks.) Here's what to do if you need a last-minute passport.

Inside Daniel Boulud's Blue Box Café at Tiffany's Flagship Store

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Tiffany & Co.

Fancy a breakfast at Tiffany's? How about a late lunch? Last month, Tiffany & Co. hosted a celebration for the reopening of its recently renovated flagship store in New York. Among the new offerings is a culinary gem—Blue Box Café by Daniel Boulud. The restaurant features all-day menu that includes afternoon tea—all of which will no doubt be Instagram-worthy.