This 20-Year-Old Is Trying To Become The Youngest Person To Visit Every Country<\/p>\n
In Angola, Sophia Lee takes in the view during her journey to visit every country.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Sophia Lee<\/p>\n
At 20, Sophia Lee<\/a> has already been to more places than most people will visit in a lifetime. After all, the Alaska-born creator has an ambitious goal: to become the youngest person to travel to every country in the world. So far, she has visited 180 countries, leaving just 15 as she races toward a self-imposed deadline: her 21st birthday on May 17. (Technically, she has until November to break the record.) \u201cWhat inspired this journey specifically was the idea of challenging the perception of how far a young girl could travel alone,\u201d Lee told Forbes travel writer Laura Begley Bloom, \u201cwhile using travel as a platform to highlight different cultures and support women\u2019s empowerment and girls\u2019 education.\u201d <\/p>\n The World\u2019s 50 Best Beaches 2026<\/p>\n Entalula Beach in Palawan, Philippines, ranked No. 1 on the 2026 list of the best beaches in the world.<\/p>\n Getty images<\/p>\n Want to enjoy one of the planet\u2019s most extraordinary beaches this summer? The 2026 ranking from The World\u2019s 50 Best Beaches<\/a> has just been released, revealing the most beautiful and unspoiled shorelines around the globe. Beaches were evaluated by more than 1,000 travel industry professionals and influencers across a range of factors, including how unique they feel, the likelihood of encountering wildlife, ease of swimming conditions and how crowded they are. Entalula Beach in the Philippines was named the No. 1 beach in the world this year, with Fteri Beach in Greece and Wharton Beach in Australia rounding out the top three.<\/p>\n <\/a>5 Essential California Wineries For Chardonnay Lovers<\/p>\n Chateau Montelena\u2019s picturesque castle is a sight to behold.<\/p>\n Chateau Montelena<\/p>\n When it comes to white wine, chardonnay is king\u2014it\u2019s the top-selling and most-planted white varietal in California and the U.S. in general. Both Sonoma and Napa counties are renowned for their chardonnay, with the wine reflecting the styles of each region. Sonoma is brighter, younger and cooler, while Napa is richer, opulent and more structured. For chardonnay lovers looking for a wonderful grape-to-glass experience, here are Forbes Travel Guide\u2019s recommendations for the top five California wineries for chardonnay lovers.<\/a><\/p>\n This is the published version of Forbes\u2019 Passport newsletter, which offers a first-class guide to luxury travel. Click here<\/a> to get it delivered to your inbox every Friday.Travel Wise<\/p>\n Passengers going through a facial recognition verification system at the Terminal 2E of Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, France.<\/p>\n AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning a trip to Europe this year, there\u2019s one new item to add to your checklist\u2014and it\u2019s not a visa. The EU\u2019s new Entry\/Exit System (EES) went live in April. Instead of a passport stamp, Schengen Area travelers now get a digital record, which includes facial scans and fingerprints. Like any new system, it is not without its headaches and, yes, long lines. Here\u2019s how to breeze through Europe\u2019s EES border security<\/a>.<\/p>\n JW Marriott\u2019s First All-Inclusive Resort To Open This Fall<\/p>\n This project represents a natural evolution of the brand.<\/p>\n JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa<\/p>\n As luxury hotel groups embrace the all-inclusive trend, JW Marriott is preparing to open its first all-inclusive resort this September in Costa Rica. Set on 3,000 acres in northern Guanacaste, JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa<\/a> features 415 rooms (including 45 Griffin Club, an exclusive hotel-within-a-hotel experience), 11 restaurants and bars, and a 44,000-square-foot pool complex. The property will also have the first standalone JW Marriott root beer stand, a nod to J.W. Marriott Sr.\u2019s original 1927 business venture in Washington, D.C.<\/p>\n