travel blog

The House is set to vote Thursday on a stopgap funding bill that would avert a shutdown this weekend by punting a pair of funding deadlines later into March. House Republicans are also set to meet for the first time in weeks and will discuss how to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year — a months-long battle that has divided the Congress and been among Speaker Mike Johnson's (R-La.) biggest headaches. Also on Thursday, President Biden and former President Trump are set to make dueling trips to the U.S.-Mexico border as immigration remains a top issue on the campaign trail. Follow along with live updates below: For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. View comments

Andi Cross is a growth strategist, divemaster, founder of impact consultancy WILDPALM and Edges of Earth expedition lead. getty When planning a vacation, the journey for many travelers usually begins with research. They sift through recommendations to find destinations and activities that align with their interests. Whether it's immersing themselves in the vibrant life of major cities or seeking solitude in remote wildernesses without a signal, the quest for "fun factors" is diverse. One's exploration might start with conversations in social circles, stumbling upon intriguing content online or finally acting on a destination they've long contemplated but have been waiting for the perfect moment to pursue. As travelers delve deeper into planning, focusing on narrowing down their options becomes crucial. For many, it's imperative that the tour operators or accommodations they select come highly recommended with positive ratings and reviews. This dilige...

Feb. 27 (UPI) -- With the 2024 Summer Olympics just a few months away, travelers are already buying plane tickets to Paris and booking hotels in France in preparation for the 33rd Olympic games. On Tuesday, travel marketing platform Sojern released its latest travel data associated with the games, which run from July 26 to Aug. 11, 2024. As of 2023, Paris has caught up to pre-pandemic tourism numbers, according to the study and visitors started booking trips to France in November of 2023, when tickets for the 2024 Olympic Games first went on sale. "For the period of the Olympic Games in 2024, flight bookings, not just searches, to Paris are up 125% compared to the same travel period last year," the report reads. The first round of ticket sales for the 2024 Olympics was drawn by lottery and quickly sold out. In November, organizers released more than 400,000 tickets to the public. The Sojern report also found that a majority of travelers are "planning to leave Paris the...

Forget urban air taxis . A new class of Regional Air Mobility (RAM) aircraft promises to be the next wave of transport, replacing helicopters and even commuter trains. While most electric air taxis have ranges that work well for short hops in urban settings, these vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) are designed as regional commuters that can use existing airports, while "vertiports" are being built to create transportation hubs. RAM offers the vast potential to increase accessibility and affordability of intra- and interstate travel, especially for more rural and remote communities that have been historically overlooked. In the United States, 30 major airports currently accommodate 70 percent of travelers, while the other 30 percent is split among 5,000 regional airports. But this new class of aircraft could make it possible to reach the smaller, more remote airports more cost efficiently. Here are the nine top RAM Aircraft, with many coming to an airport near you i...

Turkey's Belek region combines great golf courses and luxury all-inclusive resorts with beautiful ... [+] Mediterranean coastline. This is the 36-hole Cullinan Links resort. Go Türkiye Last year a record number of Americans visited Turkey (or Türkiye, the new official national name). This was no coincidence. At a time when travel to many popular destinations in Europe has become much more expensive, in some cases prohibitively so, Türkiye remains a fantastic value proposition. While prices are very affordable, the country is rich in culture, history and touristic sites, with delicious Mediterranean cuisine, and even great wines. Türkiye is also much easier to get to than many people realize, and now even easier, with more non-stop flights from more U.S. cities than ever before. On top of that, last month (January 2024) they dropped the E-Visa requirement for North Americans, saving a step and another fifty bucks. Türkiye's premier tournament venue, the 36-hole Anta...

Europe's economic growth engine is clearly sputtering, but that isn't getting in the way of one of its citizens' favorite past times — globe-trotting. "Germans are often regarded as the world champions of travel," senior Deutsche Bank economist Eric Heymann tells clients in a note on Thursday. Citing the country's balance of payment data, he said Germans spent a record €96 billion ($104 billion) on travel services abroad, both for business and pleasure, in 2023. That's 15% higher than prepandemic levels in 2019 in nominal terms, making up for losses during COVID 19. While rising prices have probably helped boost this number, Heymann said the number is still "remarkable." That's as Germany finds itself in a bit of a rut. Citing "troubled waters" for the eurozone's biggest economy, the government cut its growth forecast to 0.2% for 2024 from 1.3% — the economy shrank 0.3% ...

Click here to view the video The lake-effect machine is in full gear in southern Ontario this weekend. Widespread snow squall warnings are in effect east of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, as well as for portions of the Niagara Peninsula and the Kingston and Cornwall areas. There are also winter weather travel advisories for parts of the Niagara region and areas along the Lake Erie shores. DON'T MISS: Record warmth melts Great Lakes ice to historic February lows Just a reminder that snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably. Changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow. image20 Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Calm conditions can give way a sudden whiteout in a matter of seconds when driving at highway speeds. On Sunday morning, localized whiteouts are forecast east of Georgian Bay as frontal squalls kick up along...

It may be snowy and cold in Northeast Ohio, but that doesn't mean it's too soon to gear up for golf season, and those looking for new gear, fun experiences, and even taking a trip to warmer weather to get some golf in earlier can do all that and more at the Cleveland Golf and Travel Show at the I-X Center.

Spring break is around the corner, with summer vacation plans on the horizon after that. While you make your travel plans, there's one one tip that could be worth considering when finalizing an itinerary: adding a stopover flight. At no extra charge, travelers can book what's called a stopover ticket to get an extra leg of the journey in another destination. Cari Elizabeth told "GMA" she took advantage of a stopover ticket on a trip last year. "When we were going to book our flights for Europe, we saw that it was possible to stay in the cities that we had a connection through," she recalled. "And of course, we wanted to take advantage of that because who doesn't want to go to an extra city for free?" Elizabeth said she booked her travel through the Flying Blue loyalty program via Air France and KLM to get the extra leg of her trip in Paris. Many carriers like Tap, Iceland Air, Emirates, and Hawaiian Airlines all offer stopovers on their flight...

Residents of the United Kingdom and visitors should have an even easier time traveling between London and the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh by the end of this year, as a new high-speed rail service between the two cities is expected to debut . Taking a train from one city to the other usually takes passengers around 5.5 hours, with the journey occasionally being completed in as little as 4.5 hours. The new high-speed rail, operated by LNER, will slash those times, completing the trip in just over four hours. On the way, it will make only two stops at Newcastle and York. One train will run per hour. Fare prices have yet to be announced. The trip "will be quicker, or at least as quick, door-to-door, as if you had been traveling by air," LNER's managing director David Horne said , per Euronews. The service is aiming to launch in December 2024. "It's good news," Euronews observed . That's true not just for travelers in the UK but for the planet as well....

Roads and highways could be impassable at times on Tuesday with heavy snow and strong wind gusts in the forecast. Tuesday nor'easter: Latest storm timeline, expected snow totals, maps, threats Boston 25 Meteorologist Shiri Spear said in her latest forecast that some of the worst travel conditions will be between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. "Travel during that timeframe is going to be very difficult -- between blowing snow, heavy falling snow, and of course snow accumulation on the ground as well," Spear said. The nor'easter will bring the potential for up to 2 inches of snowfall per hour during its peak. Winter storm warning issued in parts of Mass. for significant snow on Tuesday "Poor visibility and blowing wind is going to contribute to just snow all over the place," Spear explained. The storm is expected to wind down by the late afternoon or early evening. "We'll get some evening improvements out there, but cleanup is still going to be underway," Spe...

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Planning an Airbnb vacation but worried about the host's strict cancellation policy? Trip disruptions like flight delays or rental issues can quickly derail the best-laid plans. But Airbnb offers travel insurance to safeguard your stay. Adding this optional insurance during booking reimburses you if problems covered by your policy disrupt your trip. To determine if Airbnb travel insurance is worth it, you'll need to know the details of how it works, what it costs, how to cancel the policy and how to file a claim if needed. Does Travel Insurance Cover Airbnb? Travel insurance policies generally cover your Airbnb, and similar rentals, the same way they cover a hotel stay. As long as your Airbnb booking is paid in advance and nonrefundable, a comprehensive travel insurance policy will reimbur...

A scuba diver explores a colorful coral reef full of fish and sea life. getty Wellness in travel is nothing new, but certain adventure activities—like scuba diving—are getting their turn in the spotlight. "Scuba divers benefit from a boost of vitamin D, become more conscious of their breath, enhance their fitness levels, improve their quality of sleep, and become connected with a like-minded community," says Julie Andersen Global Senior Director of Brand for PADI Worldwide. Andersen explains how diving in salt water can improve your health. Scuba diving has a plethora of health benefits. getty Saltwater Rejuvenates You Thanks to the high magnesium levels in saltwater, being in or near the ocean will help regulate your muscles and nerve functionality, moderate blood sugar levels and improve your sleep. Magnesium is a critical element in our bodies, and one many people are deficient in. Salt water has many benefits for the skin. getty Saltwater Improves Yo...

Leonardo Morgatto, CEO of Tabas by Blueground, at his basement warehouse in São Paulo. He says Tabas ... [+] by Blueground's Brazilian apartments take security precautions that ensure renters can feel safe. Christopher Elliott When you rent an apartment from Tabas by Blueground in São Paulo, get ready to be screened. First, you'll fill out forms with your home address and other personal data. Next, you'll have to send the company an image of your passport. Then they'll need a selfie with you and your passport. A selfie? Yes, a selfie. "We need to make sure it's really you," explains Leonardo Morgatto, a CEO of Tabas by Blueground , a company that specializes in furnished rentals. Morgatto says the company then runs a background check to make sure you're not a security risk. It's not just for the apartment's owners, who want to make sure they're getting well-behaved guests. The other guests want to know they're in a sa...

"For some people, the idea of setting aside 3,000 yuan (£330; $432) to go home to see family, after you take into account train tickets, clothing and gifts, can be an economic burden," says Zak Dychtwald , founder of Young China Group, a market insights and management consulting firm. "And you want to return home triumphantly, rather than with your tail between your legs." 'I want to give my parents face' Not every young millennial is avoiding the trip home – yet they aren't all travelling with open arms.  Yu Meiling, a 29-year-old freelance product manager in the eastern city of Hangzhou, will return to her ancestral village with her husband. She is doing the usual, time-consuming preparations: stuffing red envelopes with 1,000 yuan (£110; $140) each for her mum, dad and younger sister. The couple will also buy wine and cigarettes as gifts to other relatives, as per tradition. Yet expectations – and financial burdens – are weighing on her this y...

Hong Kong CNN  —  Heavy snow and rain is forecast to hit central and eastern China in the coming days, threatening travel plans for hundreds of millions of Chinese workers heading home for the Lunar New Year. Also known as the Spring Festival, the Lunar New Year holiday traditionally sees the nation pause as migrant workers pile onto trains, planes and buses to go home to see their family. Forecasters warn the extreme winter weather could cause mass disruption, with state broadcaster CCTV predicting the "most complex weather" since early 2008, when heavy snow affected more than 67 million people. However, Xu Jun, chief forecaster from the Central Meteorological Observatory, told CCTV the forecast snowfall won't be as heavy or widespread as that experienced around the holiday season 16 years ago. ...

A travel blogger has revealed why travellers should avoid airport charging stations. In a resurfaced TikTok from 2023, a traveller under the handle @travelpiratesus warned people that airport charging ports are a cybersecurity risk. "Do not put your phone in those, do not charge your phone there. You will regret it," she confessed. She mentioned the FBI had previously warned people about airport charging stations, adding that cyber-attacks can be achieved through a USB charging port with a data connection function.