From feel-good travel stories to airline updates to cruise news, here are quick travel tidbits to inform and inspire.  

Hotels Light Up for Hope

Despite a decrease in bookings, hotels around the world are finding ways to keep our spirits up. The Venetian in Las Vegas has temporarily closed, but the facade is lit with the word “love." Throughout April, Marriott International properties across Asia Pacific have lit up more than 270 of its locations with the words “love” or “hope” or even a heart-shape. Walt Disney World's Contemporary Resort has illuminated some of its rooms in the shape of a heart, and its sister property Bay Lake Tower sports a giant Mickey head.

Buy Now, Stay Later 

For those who are itching to book travel, there are great deals to be found. The Buy Now, Stay Later initiative allows you to purchase hotel bonds for $100 that are worth $150 at booking. This helps out housekeepers, bartenders, concierges, front desk staff, and everyone who keeps the hotel running. We also have our own deals that you can purchase now to travel when you’re ready. Check them out here.

National Park Week is Happening Right Now

National Park Week runs now through April 26, and this year's celebration is going digital. Each day of the week has a theme like Military Monday or Transportation Tuesday. We’re celebrating at ShermansTravel, too – we’ve created a gorgeous slideshow to help determine which national park is right for you. Plus make sure you check out these 10 underrated national parks with fewer crowds. 

Is it the End of the Middle Seat? 

It turns out that that there may be a way to social distance on an airplane. Italian firm Aviointeriors released a rendering of two designs that will (almost) eliminate the dreaded middle seat. The “Janus” seat – named after the two-faced Roman god – has a front-to-back arrangement (often seen in a variation in business class), where the aisle and window seat face one direction and the middle faces backward; a plastic shield adds an added level of safety. 

Feel Good News

We love this video: A charity in Venice is delivering food via gondolas to help elders and families who are unable to access food. And United Airlines packed food for the needy: One of its employees who typically handles luggage has gathered a team in the cargo facility at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport to assemble food boxes for those affected by the coronavirus.