AAA has released their annual travel predictions for the 4th of July holiday (spanning July 1-5 this year) and based on consumer feedback, the agency believes this is set to be the 2nd busiest 4th of July holiday ever. The busiest was 2019, which saw 48.9 million travelers. This year, that number is set to be 47.7 million…not too far off. AAA also states that driving is by far the most popular form of transportation this year, with 91% of those surveyed saying they will be hitting the roads instead of the sky. But for anyone hoping to escape the…
Author: Keith Langston
According to various sources, including Deadline, both Disneyland in California and Walt Disney World in Florida will be dropping their mask mandates on Thursday, February 17th. This move comes just a week after Universal Studios in Florida lifted its mask mandate for guests (Universal Studios in LA is still currently requiring masks per Los Angeles County rules.) The parks claim that unvaccinated visitors still need to wear a mask, but obviously, the unvaccinated don’t care about rules and will never admit they’re unvaccinated, and Disney parks don’t check for proof of vaccination before entry, so essentially, the mask policy is…
As more and more people get the COVID-19 vaccine, they are also planning their summer vacations. However, as stated earlier this month, it’s likely that the US will never reach herd immunity (we need 80% vaccinated, whereas currently only has 50% of people are fully-vaccinated, and the rates of newly-vaccinated Americans have almost completely stalled). This means that certain areas, especially more conservative areas in states that are refusing the vaccine, will continue to see localized COVID-19 outbreaks. And as the virus is allowed to continue its spread, it will also continue to evolve, meaning that, unfortunately, COVID might be…
Editor’s Note: As of 1/31/2020 it has been reported that American Airlines is suspending all flights to mainland China, while United and Delta are suspending flights starting February 6th. This is a dramatic step to curb the outbreak of a virus that now has almost 10,000 cases of infection worldwide. The good news here though is that the mortality rate of the Wuhan coronavirus is still relatively low, at only 2.2%. Earlier this week, as a result of the coronavirus, United Airlines announced that it will be reducing its number of flights between the US and China, and British Airways and American Airlines soon…
Today, Virgin Voyages announced that its first ship, the Scarlet Lady, has passed its sea trials. This means that the ship has now traveled in the open ocean and has been tested in a variety of weather and sea conditions, and has been certified safe and sound. Richard Branson was there to share in the excitement as the Scarlet Lady returned to port after testing. To further add to the excitement, Virgin Voyages has just released a new video, giving the public their first glimpse of the new cruise ship. In the video, Branson discusses what he believed cruise ships were…
Heavy rains and flash floods have devastated the Australian state of New South Whales these last two weeks. And while the floods themselves have been troublesome, they’ve created an unexpected effect…millions of spiders have escaped their natural homes in search of dry land. And the driest places many of these spiders have been able to find have been people’s houses. Residents of the Sydney area are finding swarms and swarms of spiders clinging to their walls, hiding in their garages, and seeking refuge from the flooded areas they normally call home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4L5tZHwdLHY Making matters worse is the number of highly-venomous…
Today, WorldPride NYC announced a new art endeavor titled The World Mural Project. The project will have various artists (both LGBTQ+ as well as allies) paint 50 murals across all five boroughs for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising! The goal of the murals is to highlight the experience of being LGBTQ+, with the hopes that these paintings can initiate engaging conversations about diversity, inclusion, and equality. For centuries, art has been a way for people to express themselves and has also proved to be a valuable tool for exposing others to new ideas and cultures. Art is one…
It’s been announced that New York City will put on a special Japan Parade to honor Japan Day on Saturday, May 14th starting at 1P.M. According to a release, the parade is intended to strengthen solidarity amongst New York’s Japanese-American population and to show that New York and Japan have a special kinship. Plus, This year marks the 150th anniversary of the US introducing baseball to Japan and the 150th anniversary of the Japanese mission to the United States. The parade’s inaugural Grand Marshall will be none other than Star Trek star and activist, George Takei. Starting on Manhattan’s Upper West…
In our previous post, we talked about how Shanghai Disney was able to reopen on May 11, and that it could provide a blueprint for America’s Disney parks to follow. Yesterday, it was announced that Disney World will reopen. On July 11, Magic Kingdon and Animal Kingdom will reopen. On July 15, Epcot and Hollywood Studios will reopen. After the success of Shanghai Disney’s reopening scheme, Disney World will require a few things to ensure the safety of everyone: ~ Guests must wear a face mask ~ Guests will have their temperature checked before entering the park ~ There will…
A great travel outfit starts with the perfect pair of underwear. When we travel, we want our clothes to feel comfortable, yet stylish, and that includes our underwear. From the airport, to the plane, to the hotel, and off to dinner, travelers need underwear that’s breathable and comfortable, but also attractive, because you never know when your pants might come off. Luckily, there are some great brands out there making underwear that’s all of the above. Whether you’re jet-setting to Europe or hiking Yellowstone with your buddies, these undies will keep you going through whatever your adventure brings. Brighton…
The stunning island nation of Malta has announced a new campaign to help people around the globe stay inspired throughout the coronavirus pandemic. The country’s new campaign, Dream Malta Now…Visit Later is determined to inspire and uplift everyone who is affected by the global shutdown. The initiative aims at letting people know that though travel isn’t currently possible, dreaming of your next destination is. Malta launched their campaign with a new video that showcases the island’s beauty and history. From crystal clear waters to radiant sunshine and ancient buildings, the very sight of the Maltese archipelago is sure to bring…
As we’ve previously reported, flying on an airplane where everyone is wearing a mask and the middle seats are blocked has resulted in very few COVID-19 exposures on airlines. Studies show that with an airplane’s advanced filtration systems, the air is constantly being purified, so as long as someone isn’t directly next to you, the chance of their moisture particles making it to you was surprisingly slim. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has started “coming to a close” (as some believe it is), airlines have gotten restless and have begun removing many of the safety measures in place. One such…
Stoli Vodka has partnered with the Key West Business Guild to announce the return of the world’s largest annual LGBTQ bartender competition, the Stoli Key West Cocktail Classic. The competition kicked off on Wednesday, March 6, in Dallas. From there, the competition criss-crosses the country, going everywhere from Dayton, Ohio, to Washington D.C. to find America’s best LGBT bartenders. This year’s theme will be “Visibility: Making It Loud and Clear,” aligning with Stoli’s new brand campaign. To make everything even more interesting, the participants will be judged not only on their Stoli-based cocktails, but each bartender must also use an element of…
Some would argue that few places on this planet beat Southeast Asia for its beauty, its culture, and its cuisines. Others would claim that no place could possibly top Southeast Asia (abbreviated by some as S.E.A). What everyone agrees upon is that this exciting part of the world is a must to experience. One of the most notable reasons why people love traveling to this region is the food. Hailed by many as the best in the world, the cuisines of Southeast Asia all have their unique touches, but they share the use of tropical herbs and produce, the mixing…
It’s been recently announced that Italy is hoping to reopen to Americans sometime this summer. According to Travel Pulse, Italy’s Foreign Minister, Luigi Di Maio, stated, “We’re working on overcoming the ‘mini quarantine’ for anyone from European countries, the U.K. and Israel, if they’ll be equipped with a negative swab, vaccination certificate or if they’ve been cured of the past 6 months. Same thing for the United States, where COVID free flights will be enhanced, and in June we aim to overcome the ‘mini quarantine’ on arrival.” To enter, visitors will need to apply for the “Green Pass”. This can be…
Auckland, New Zealand is one of the most beautiful and dynamic cities I have ever had the privilege to live in. It’s like if you mixed San Francisco with Hawaii. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city (though not its capital). In fact, Auckland has about 1/4 of the entire population of the county, causing Kiwis to nickname Aucklanders as JAFAs (Just Another F****** Aucklander). Much like America’s New York/Los Angeles debate, or Australia’s Sydney/Melbourne debate, Auckland is always in contention with Wellington as to which city is truly the cultural hub of New Zealand coolness. Personally, I vote for Auckland. And…
Austrian Airlines is the latest airline (joining others, like Lufthansa) demanding that a comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy replace travel bans and entry quarantines. In a statement, Austrian Airlines CEO von Hoensbroech stated, “The freedom to travel is an important cornerstone of our modern-day society which should not be curtailed in the long term. Whoever is healthy and not infected should also be allowed to travel…” Various airlines sent a letter to US Vice President Mike Pence and Ylva Johansson, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner, demanding that a cost-effective, efficient testing plan be established so that travel between the European continent and…
This Valentine’s Day, South African Airways is helping you give the gift of an exciting adventure to your loved one. The airline just released a new deal on tickets bought before February 19, 2020. Roundtrip flights from JFK and DC to Cape Town start at only $829 USD. Roundtrip flights from JFK to Johannesburg start at only $879 USD. You can make your South Africa journey thrilling, romantic, or both! From a hot air balloon ride over wine country to luxurious safaris and sailing around the Cape of Good Hope, the country offers everything you need for a great vacation. Todd…
The world has many famous island destinations, but these storied getaways are also home to crowds of tourist. Some have experienced the impacts of overtourism, and many of them are extremely expensive. So, why not avoid the crowds and high prices and head to some of the world’s lesser-known islands instead. These destinations are gorgeous, full of opportunity, and are guaranteed to offer a lifetime of memories. Here are five islands you need to check out! Norfolk Island Norfolk Island is a weird little place. Located between Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, the island is actually an Australian…
Vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, Neapolitan – Ah yes, the classics. For the adventurous among us, there’s always new and exciting Ben and Jerry’s flavors to be savored and enjoyed, but what happens when Cherry Garcia is no longer thrilling enough? What happens when you want to live on the wild side…when you start craving something bizarre, unknown, and potentially even a little morbid? Well my friends, then you’ve stumbled upon the right list. I proudly present, the craziest ice cream flavors from around the world. By Keith David Langston CICADA Gather ’round everyone, and I shall tell you a little…