Italy is ready to welcome vaccinated tourists — and it’s aiming to do so before the rest of the European Union. Following Tuesday’s Group of 20 (G20) meeting of tourism ministers, Italian prime minister Mario Draghi announced that the country will be introducing a pass to allow in visitors who meet the criteria in a few weeks. “Let us not wait until mid-June for the EU pass,” Draghi said, according to Skift....
In April, Facebook brought its users the ability to connect face-to-face in virtual group meetings via Messenger Rooms. At the time, we thought it was cool enough that people could connect and share with up to 50 people right from the Facebook or the Messenger app, but now the service is getting even cooler thanks to its newly-introduced 360-degree virtual “travel” experiences. On Friday, Messenger launched a new set of backgrounds people may use within Messenger Rooms....
New York City is gearing up for World Pride 2019, starting with the subways. New York City is hosting this year’s World Pride Day, which is a particular honor for the city since this year is also the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. Now, according to ABC 7, the MTA is paying homage to Pride with specially decorated Pride Trains and Metrocards. On Friday, June 14, the MTA unveiled five trains along the 1 Line, which runs between the Bronx and Lower Manhattan, which have each of their 10 cars decorated with Pride flag decals in the shape of a heart, according to ABC 7....
In 1981, Butch Stewart purchased the Bay Roc Hotel near Jamaica’s Montego Bay airport. He didn’t know much about the property, except that it had a fantastic beach. And from there, he built Sandals Montego Bay, the first all-inclusive couples resort in Jamaica. At the time, Stewart was told that his resort wouldn’t last two months on the island. Forty years later, it is the birthplace of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), which now includes 19 resorts across the Caribbean....
The Arctic Circle may have reported its highest temperature on record over the weekend. During a heatwave and a prolonged period of wildfires in eastern Siberia, the remote town of Verkhoyansk reported a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit on June 20. If confirmed, it would be the highest-ever recorded temperature in the Arctic Circle, according to The Associated Press. A team from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) will investigate the temperature report and verify its record-worthiness....
San Diego has a lot to offer tourists, with beautiful beaches, world-class dining and nightlife, and one of the country’s best zoos. The California destination also has one major (but oft-neglected) selling point: its international airport is located extremely close to the city center. By staying at one of the many hotels near the San Diego airport, you can experience the best of the city without having to choose between airport proximity and a downtown location....
Though just about everything under the sun now has a seasonal pumpkin-flavored variety, craft breweries were among the first (and best) to tackle this autumnal taste. There’s just nothing better to drink at a bonfire, or after a long day of apple picking, or if you morning pumpkin coffee didn’t quite scratch your seasonal itch. Most of the brews Travel + Leisure sampled were ales, but there’s still a wonderful variety, with saisons, stouts, and plenty of other flavor profiles stepping up to make some truly delicious pumpkin beers....
If you truly want to know how the “other half” lives, the Maldives is an excellent destination for your next trip. A tropical paradise that’s a little more far-flung than Hawaii, the Maldives offers soft, white sands, bright blue waters, and a perfect place to unplug and truly relax while soaking in the sun. Not to mention, 2020 proved that it’s also an excellent place to have a socially-distanced vacation....
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidance over the weekend for Americans traveling internationally, recommending they get tested for the coronavirus at three different times. The agency recommended travelers get tested with a viral test one to three days before their international flight, and then again one to three days before returning back to the U.S. Travelers should delay their travel if they have not yet received the results of the test....
Learning a new skill is quickly becoming the most popular way for people to spend their extra time while stuck at home. As more and more people are going into quarantine in an effort to combat the global coronavirus outbreak, many are also looking for good outlets for all their extra time and energy. This is doubly true for students who now have to continue their education at home while schools are closed....
The Hunter Greenhouse, a stunning Airbnb located in the tranquil woods in the midst of the Catskills, is inviting travelers to stay and take a break from the world. Courtesy of Airbnb The home, situated some two hours north of New York City, is “a place to slow down, indulge in personal nostalgia, drink a glass (or two) of wine, and let your mind disconnect and wander,” the homeowners describe. They also note it’s “a place designed for friends and family....
The Ikon Pass, which features all-access skiing at dozens of resorts throughout the world, went on sale Thursday for the 2021/2022 season, the company told Travel + Leisure. The pass, launched in 2018 and including 44 different mountains, costs $999 for adults 23 and older, and less for children. Pass holders get unlimited access to skiing and snowboarding at more than a dozen Alterra Mountain Company resorts as well as up to seven days each at mountains throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand....
Your dream mansion could be all yours, as long as you don’t mind some unconventional roommates. Loftus Hall, which is considered one of the most haunted houses in Ireland, is now up for sale, Time Out reported. The current owners are asking for €2.5 million ($2.89 million USD) for the palatial, 27,000-square-foot home, plus 63 acres of land (including a private beach). ©VisitNewRoss Located near the town of Wexford, the building, besides being a truly historic and beautiful home, is also the source of many scary stories over the centuries, according to Time Out....
Have you ever squeezed yourself into your coach seat, only to sit and wonder how life would be at the front of the plane? Well, people who have flown first class are happy to tell you about their experiences. An AskReddit thread asked some lucky travelers for the best perks of flying first class, and they jumped at the chance to share. The Newest First Class Perk Is Not Having to See Another Human Being on Your Flight...
On the outskirts of Toulouse, France, a mechanical mythical creature is waking from its slumber. The Minotaur stands 45 feet tall. Its chest rises and falls with each breath, steam streaming from its nostrils. Its eyelids flutter open to reveal two icy blue irises. It steps forward onto the tarmac — a runway that once helmed the French aviation company Aéropostale’s operations. Where a trailblazing aviation giant once stood, literal giants now stand....
Star Wars fans might not be able to visit a galaxy far, far away, but they can flock to this futuristic hostel in Iceland, according to Lonely Planet. Courtesy of Galaxy Pod Hostel Located in Reykjavík, Iceland, the Galaxy Pod Hostel offers minimal, space-themed pods for guests visiting the city. After all, if Baby Yoda can have a floating baby carriage, why can’t we? Each self-contained pod includes a comfortable twin- or queen-sized bed, reading lights, hangers, mirrors, a secure locker, a privacy curtain, doors, charging stations, and mood lighting that looks like it’s straight out of the Star Wars films and TV shows....
Much like the perfect carry-on bag or the most comfortable pair of walking shoes, finding the best razor to travel with can be downright difficult. Typically, your only choices are to pack an affordable disposable option (that doesn’t provide the smoothest shave and can easily nick your skin) or run the risk of ruining your expensive at-home razor by throwing it in your suitcase and getting it confiscated by airport security — or worse, leaving it behind in your hotel room....
Since most of us are staying at home to help curb the spread of the coronavirus, running around a city on a scavenger hunt isn’t possible right now. But that doesn’t mean a scavenger hunt is completely out of the question — it just means we need to get creative with how we do it. Luckily, the professionals are here to help: City scavenger hunt company Let’s Roam just launched Roam From Home, a set of in-home activities and scavenger hunts that are fitting for couples, families, or friends....
Check Their Vaccinations It’s important to be up-to-date on immunizations, says Nicole Cohen, associate chief for science for the CDC’s division of Global Migration & Quarantine. In some countries, kids can be exposed to diseases like polio and typhoid fever. Check with your doctor or a travel clinic to see which additional vaccinations are recommended. Assess the Risk A single statistic—the infant mortality rate—can tell you how vigilant you need to be about such matters as auto safety and infectious diseases, says Karl Neumann, a pediatrician who specializes in travel medicine....
The United States has extended its land border closure with Canada and Mexico for non-essential travel until at least Oct. 21, according to White House officials. The closure, which has been in place since March 2020, and has been extended on a monthly basis since, comes as Canada opened its borders to fully vaccinated U.S. tourists in August, allowing them to arrive by both land and air. Travelers heading north must be vaccinated at least two weeks before their trip, get tested before going, and upload their documents to the ArriveCAN app or website....
