However, recognizing and naming the atmospheric conditions that create these illusions and understanding their definitions can be like rain capturing dust in the air, bringing it to settle on the ground. As the illusionary conditions fade with knowledge, shifting focus from the horizon reveals an oasis of funding opportunities present all along.

And now, for some jargon-clearing rain and more myth-dispelling wisdom from award-winning travel influencer and expert behind the travel and lifestyle brand Packs Light — Gabby Beckford.

Here is everything you will learn on this page:

• Travel Grants, Scholarships, Fellowships — Defined
• Travel Funding Opportunities
• Travel Funding Myths and Misconceptions
• Travel Cost Myths and Misconceptions

You love your pet; you love to travel — I don’t have to tell you these two passions can clash. I’ve been there, renting the only pet-friendly hotel in town because it’s the only option, certainly not out of appeal. Of course, it’s miles from the closest dog park. Finding a pet-friendly eatery nearby that you also want to eat at? Forget about it!

In a country like the U.S., seemingly dominated by travel enthusiasts and pet lovers alike, those of us who travel with our four-legged companions often find ourselves frustrated by the limited availability of establishments that accept pets nationwide.

More to Read: Top 15 Pet-Friendly Resorts in the U.S.

Suppose instead of boarding your pup, you decide to find the most pet-friendly city in the U.S. for your next travel destination — that’s a dedicated pet parent right there. But how to measure “friendliness?”

Alas, as with all great burning abstract questions — a data-driven approach can help us find the answer. Even better, working like a dog, I found the cities for you!

Here are some jump links to help you navigate this page:

• Map: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit
• Roster: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit
• Table: Top 20 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit
• Methodology

Roster: Top 10 Pet-Friendly Cities in the US to Visit

By harnessing data from the national tourism office, prioritizing U.S. tourist hotspots, manually collecting pet-friendly hotel, Airbnb, restaurant, park and store data and applying a 13-metric statistical analysis, I could gauge the overall pet-friendliness for the 100 most visited U.S. cities — not to say I’m putting on the dog or anything.

Additionally, I measured the “acceptance” of local populations toward traveling pets, the concentration of pet-friendly establishments in each city, and pet-friendly lodging costs. Everything from highly-rated hotels to off-leash dog parks went into my normalized, weighted, indexed, logarithmically transformed scoring system that answers the question, “Which U.S. cities roll out the red carpet for our beloved four-legged companions?”

This question was like herding dogs, but the result? A travel destination where it’s guaranteed to be raining cats and dogs. (If your dog doesn’t find this “punny,” I suggest you stop reading now.)

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Methodology

Independence: I conducted this research impartially, but we may earn commissions from links on this page.

Selection Criteria: Cities were selected based on the top 100 U.S. MSA destinations for overseas tourists using data from the National Travel and Tourism Office (NTTO) Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT) for Q2 2022-Q1 2023.

Data Points:

1. Pet-Friendly Hotels (Booking.com): Data collected during 7/25/23-7/26/23 MDT, focusing on total pet-friendly locations and those with 8/10+ reviews.
2. Pet-Friendly Airbnb Rentals (Airbnb): Data extracted between 11 AM-12:25 PM 7/27/23. Filters included entire places, Superhosts, and essential amenities. Metrics included total locations and average pricing.
3. Pet-Friendly Restaurants (Tripadvisor): Filtered for establishments that have a dog-friendly feature.
4. Off-Leash Dog Parks & Stores (BringFido): Only within city limits.

Analysis:

• Data Normalization: Pet-friendly amenities were normalized using per capita and square mile calculations.
• Logarithmic Transformation: A logarithmic transformation was applied to the data to counteract city size and population biases, ensuring fair comparisons across cities of different scales.
• Scoring:
  • Pet Acceptance Level: Captures a city’s acceptance of pets; establishments per capita.
  • Pet Density Index: Gauges concentration of pet-friendly spots; establishments per sq mile.
  • Pet-Friendly City Score: Combines the two scores above for a comprehensive view.
    • Airbnb Prices: Factored into the final score without per capita/square mile calculations. Weighed at 13.5%.
  • Final Weights: I weighed scores to a 10-point system. Key metrics include Hotels (15.14%), Highly-Rated Hotels (12.98%), Airbnbs (15.14%), Restaurants (15.14%), Dog Parks (15.14%), Pet-Friendly Stores (12.98%), and Airbnb Price (13.50%).

Replicability: All raw data is publicly available. For questions, email noah@tripstodiscover.com. [Google Sheets link] contains the gathered data and calculations minus proprietary info. Please credit if sharing.

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This modestly priced adventure was Cook’s opening act in the travel sector he would revolutionize, setting the stage for the global phenomenon that is the tourism industry today.

Similarly, the groundbreaking Artificial Intelligence (AI) model, GPT-4, developed by OpenAI, holds the potential to script a parallel transformation of the travel sector. Just as Cook pioneered hundreds on an unprecedented journey, so too does AI have the capacity to guide travelers into new realms of exploration.

Online travel platforms utilize GPT-4 to create custom travel itineraries, locate deals, and offer destination insights, heralding a new AI-driven travel revolution reminiscent of Cook’s industry-transforming work during the Industrial Revolution. This disruption to traditional norms and total reshaping of travel experiences could redefine tourism entirely, suggesting a future in which the industry isn’t just influenced but wholly defined by AI.

This article provides an overview of the potential impact of AI in the travel industry. Here is a breakdown of everything you will learn on this page:

• AI in the Context of Travel
• AI Integrates Into Your Travels
• AI Transforms Your Travel Planning
• AI and Your Concerns as a Traveler
• AI is Planning Your Travel Anyway

Also, check out my latest AI travel planning FAQ to see if using AI to plan your next trip is a good idea.

*Note: You need to inspect each shell before dropping it into your bag, as it is illegal to take live shells from the beach.

Phoenix, Arizona, far from the bustling culinary capitals of New York or San Francisco, is the unexpected location of a rising star in fine dining. Nestled in the mesmerizing desert landscapes, Kai Restaurant, a beacon of gastronomic brilliance, is breaking boundaries, earning high praise and prestigious recognition in a groundbreaking study of the nation’s finest dining establishments.

Kai Restaurant, elegantly set in the tranquil backdrop of Wild Horse Pass, is lauded by experts for its seamless fusion of Native American traditions with international culinary influences.

This haven of culinary excellence, recognized with 5-Star honors from Forbes Travel Guide and a perfect Five-Diamond rating from the American Automobile Association (AAA), has defied expectations, securing its spot among the top ten award-winning dining establishments in the United States.

“In form and function, Kai Restaurant’s menu is unlike any you’ve seen before,” according to Forbes.

Part of a more extensive study analyzing top-rated Michelin Guide and Forbes star-rated and AAA Diamond award winners, Kai Restaurant scored a remarkable 4.71 out of 5 Customer Review Score based on a statistically weighted analysis of over 800 reviews. The weighted analysis considers the review score and the total number of reviews for each restaurant on Google and TripAdvisor. Even when Kai was subject to a weighted analysis, its slender review tally is so overwhelmingly positive that it outshines countless award-winning restaurants with a significantly higher number of reviews. Kai’s unparalleled review score propelled it to the crème de la crème of Michelin, Forbes, and AAA award-winning restaurants.

Credit: Kai

The second analysis in our more extensive study was a qualitative review sentiment analysis conducted by using natural language processing to analyze customer reviews and explore the feelings, emotions and nuanced points of view expressed by patrons of Kai Restaurant. This analysis provides valuable insights into the overall sensation surrounding the restaurant’s dining experiences.

The sentiment analysis of Kai’s latest reviews reveals a tapestry of effusive praise. Guests describe their experiences as “exceptional” and “one-of-a-kind,” highlighting the restaurant’s ability to captivate and enthrall. Patrons describe the harmonious and intimate ambiance, set against the backdrop of Wild Horse Pass, as adding an extra layer of enchantment to every meal. Even though reservations can be tricky, according to the analysis, Kai’s impeccable, exquisitely plated and presented creations continue to command spotlights from culinary experts and customers alike.

In a world where culinary excellence often seems synonymous with bustling metropolises, Kai Restaurant in Phoenix, Arizona, stands tall as a testament to the power of exceptional cuisine in unexpected places. By seamlessly blending Native American traditions with global inspirations, Kai has crafted a dining experience that transcends geographical boundaries and leaves a lasting impression on all who enjoy dining there. So, if you find yourself in the heart of the desert, prepare to be whisked away on a gastronomic adventure like no other at Kai Restaurant.

Editor’s Note: Kai will be closed during the Summer of 2023 from July 2nd through August 15th. 
Website: Kai Restaurant
Address: 5594 W Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85048

Discover the best award-winning U.S. restaurants that captivate culinary experts and customers alike. In a comprehensive two-part analysis of 64 highest-ranking restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide, Forbes Travel Guide, and American Automobile Association (AAA) Diamond Awards, I bring you the country’s 10 highest customer-rated award-winning restaurants.

Through statistical and qualitative review sentiment analysis, I uncovered the most exalted experiences and highest-praised features that set these restaurants apart. My investigation even found the most commonly leveled criticisms of these gastronomic behemoths. Join me in delving into this epicurean journey as we explore the culinary prowess behind these crowned dining destinations.

Here is everything you will learn on this page:

• Fun Facts: Award-Winning Restaurants
• Roster: The 10 Best U.S. Award-Winning Restaurants
• Visualizations: The Best U.S. Michelin, Forbes, and AAA Restaurants
• Methodology

Fun Facts: Award-Winning Restaurants

• Gourmet Grand Slam: 10 U.S. restaurants scored what I call a Gourmet Grand Slam 🏆 for acing all three guides; four are also fan favorites!
• Michelin Magic: Michelin Star restaurants top all other award-winning gastronomies, clinching the highest ratings, averaging 4.5 on TripAdvisor and Google.
• Full House: All ten restaurants are AAA Diamonds, seven are Forbes Star-Rated, and just four are Michelin-Starred.
• King California: California is home to 23% of all U.S. Michelin, Forbes, and AAA top-rated restaurants, surpassing New York by two establishments.
• Chef Star Power: Charleston restaurant’s Chef Cindy Wolf has the highest Chef Star Power, with the most mentions by name in customer reviews.
• Happiest Customers: Victoria & Albert’s customers are most content, placing #1 in customer ratings and boasting an unmatched proportion of positive reviews.
• Consistently Excellent: #1 for review count, Le Bernardin, with 6,354 Google and TripAdvisor reviews, boasts a 4.72 review score demonstrating supreme consistency.

Roster: The 10 Best U.S. Award-Winning Restaurants

This article utilizes two types of analysis to evaluate 3-Star Michelin, Five-Star Forbes, and AAA Five-Diamond-designated restaurants — a statistical and qualitative review sentiment analysis. The statistical analysis examines customer review counts and ratings from Google and TripAdvisor to calculate a weighted score I call the Customer Review Score. On the other hand, the qualitative review sentiment analysis of the restaurants with the highest Customer Review Scores extracts feelings, emotions, and nuanced points of view from customer reviews through natural language processing. Combined, these two analyses provide a powerful understanding of customer satisfaction and a holistic evaluation of the highest-rated establishments in the country.

While being featured on multiple guides did not grant restaurants additional points, we acknowledge and celebrate those that appear on Michelin, Forbes, and AAA guides simultaneously by recognizing them as a Gourmet Grand Slam 🏆.

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Visualizations: The Best U.S. Michelin, Forbes, and AAA-Rated Restaurants

Here is a table and a map of the ten highest customer-rated award-winning restaurants in the U.S.

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Methodology

Independent: My data analysis research is conducted with independence and impartiality to ensure the integrity of the findings. My research is editorially independent, but Trips to Discover may earn a commission for any purchases made through links on this page.

Preliminary Research: I gathered a list of restaurants in the U.S. from the 2023 AAA Five Diamond Restaurant Awards list, the 2023 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant Award Winners, and the 2023 list of 3-Star Michelin Restaurants. Between all three award systems, 64 unique restaurants remained. I sought to explore which of these restaurants, acknowledged by experts as the best, are the favorites among customers who dine there.

Data Extraction: These rankings are based on an analysis of 87,171 restaurant reviews for the 64 restaurants between Google and TripAdvisor. Google and TripAdvisor review scores and rating counts for all 64 restaurants were collected on 5/11/23 (4:05-4:43 PM MT) and 5/15/23 (10:05-10:30 AM MT), respectively. At the same time, I extracted the food, service, value, and atmosphere ratings on TripAdvisor and factored into my analysis.

Statistical Analysis Techniques: I used a proprietary ranking formula that, at its core, uses a weighted score analysis using a Bayesian average rating method to weigh each restaurant’s number of TripAdvisor and Google reviews against its average TripAdvisor and Google score separately. I call this the Lox Score in honor of the study it was first created for. We collected and utilized over 87,000 reviews between the 64 restaurants. Scores are on a 5-point scale. I then combined the TripAdvisor (40%) and Google (40%) Lox Scores with the TripAdvisor food (11%), service (3%), value (3%), and atmosphere (3%) scores into one weighted average “Customer Review Score” (CRS) also on a 5-point scale. My rankings are based on the ten restaurants, out of 64 total, with the highest CRS scores.

Qualitative Review Sentiment Analysis: Individual restaurant descriptions were created through qualitative review sentiment analysis using text mining methods and natural language processing. I used Outscrapper, a data-scrapping tool, to gather the most recent 50 customer reviews for each restaurant from Google and TripAdvisor. I used GPT-4 to conduct a qualitative review sentiment analysis of the 50 latest reviews for each restaurant focusing on various perspectives such as what sets the restaurant apart for customers, shared benefits and drawbacks for patrons, and essential decision-making factors for those who choose to dine there. All AI-generated analyses were thoroughly cross-checked for accuracy. Then I wrote the ultimate qualitative summary for each restaurant based on the information contained in the AI-generated qualitative review sentiment analysis.

Replicability: All the data used for this project is publicly available for study replication. The 64 restaurants are on the AAA, Forbes, and Michelin websites. All 64 restaurants are located on Google Maps and TripAdvisor, where you can identify review scores, counts and food, service, value and atmosphere ratings.

Contact Us: If you need assistance building a similar project or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at noah@tripstodiscover.com, and I can walk you through the process.

Data: You can download the data behind my analysis, including all 64 Michelin, AAA, or Forbes top-rated restaurants with their Google and TripAdvisor review scores and numbers at the time of this analysis, including our statistical calculations here in Google Sheets. This workbook also contains the other six Gourmet Grand Slams (top-rated by Michelin, Forbes, and AAA). You will additionally find the 500 restaurant review samples used for my sentiment analysis in that workbook without personally identifying information. I have also removed all proprietary calculations from the books. You can view the raw GPT qualitative sentiment analysis based on these 500 reviews here in Google Docs; however, I am choosing to withhold the valuable and meticulously crafted GPT prompts used to create these analyses. Please feel free to use or share this data with whoever may find this helpful — I ask that your purposes are noncommercial and that you link back to this page so I can receive proper credit for my work.

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Not sure which part of the East Coast to hit up first? We’ve rounded up all of the best road trips.

No matter what you’re looking for, we think you’ll agree that these Vrbo properties are some of the coolest you’ll find in the U.S., from the wilds of Alaska and the exotic shores of Hawaii to charming New England.

These misconceptions could not be further from the truth and require some serious busting. So we spoke with Gabby Beckford, award-winning travel influencer and expert behind Packs Light, about common travel myths that aren’t true.

Here is everything you will find debunked on this page:

• Solo Travel Myths and Misconceptions
• Solo Female Travel Myths and Misconceptions
• Solo Black Female Travel Myths and Misconceptions
• About Our Expert: Gabby Beckford

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From surfing lessons and scuba diving to hiking and food tours, a trip to Waikiki offers the chance to immerse yourself in the natural beauty and cultural richness of Hawaii from the moment you step foot on the sand. Not sure where to start? Read on for the top things to do in Waikiki, Hawaii.

From the white sand of Saint-Tropez to the picturesque backdrops of Latvia, there’s something for every adventurous beachgoer out there. Visitors to these natural getaways are often astounded by their beauty and diversity, and the lack of tourists often means they’re far quieter than traditional ‘clothed’ beaches.

Looking to hit up a nude beach and not sure where to go? Read on for all of the best nude beaches around the world.

Between the glamorous beaches attached to towns with bars and nightclubs to hidden gems in the harder-to-reach locations, you’ve got a stunning mix of places to swim, sunbathe, and lounge. These are the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast to fully feel this region’s Mediterranean charm while taking a nice dip in the sea.

Keep in mind, “Best Caribbean Resorts for Singles” doesn’t necessarily mean unpartnered travelers hoping to meet someone while on vacation. It also refers to those who prefer traveling alone and aren’t necessarily looking to hook up. These properties are all welcoming to single guests, ensuring that you’ll have an unforgettable time even if you don’t bring a special someone to share it with. At some, you won’t even have to pay a single supplement.