We previously reported on the various resorts and activities that have reopened in Las Vegas. Now, we have a more complete list of where to stay and play in Sin City. Some of the Strip’s biggest properties, like Cesar’s Palace, Treasure Island, Paris, Stratopshpere, and Wynn-Encore have also reopened. Paris, Las Vegas One of the staples of the Las Vegas strip is the giant Eiffel Tower and that glittering hot air balloon. And with international travel on hold, there’s no better way to get your Parisian fix than by visiting the famous Paris Las Vegas. Currently, the casino, bars, and…
Author: Keith Langston
The news that Las Vegas is reopening has caused a boom in the travel world. People have already started returning to Sin City to make up for lost time. But some travelers are still asking…What exactly will be open this summer? We reached out to MGM Resorts, one of Vegas’ largest hoteliers (They run not only the MGM Grand, but also the Bellagio, Aria, New York New York, Mandalay Bay, LUXOR, Excalibur, and the Mirage). The company began reopening at the start of June and has been heavily focusing on safety and sanitation to ensure guests don’t get sick. They’ve rolled…
In an extremely rare move, both conservatives and liberals in the United States have come together with bi-partisan support for conservation. The Great American Outdoors Act passed 73-25 in the Senate, with many vulnerable Republican senators voting in favor of the measure. The bill will take $900 million in oil and gas revenue and put it towards the Land and Water Conservation Fund, which is used for America’s public land. The bill will also allocate 6.5 billion dollars to much-needed improvement projects in America’s National Parks. The bill even managed to get the approval of Donald Trump, who previously fought…
This summer, many travelers are looking to escape into the great outdoors. They’ll be replacing big city outings for vacations that get them closer to nature. RVing and camping are on the rise and there has never been a better time to visit a National Park. After months of a grueling lockdown, nothing could be better than stepping out into the sounds of cascading waterfalls, the sight of soaring birds, and the magical feeling of untouched wilderness. Luckily, many lodges and campgrounds in America’s National Parks are reopening. Here are a few that you need to check out this summer.…
The World Health Organization has revised its guidelines on wearing masks and now joins many health officials around the world in recommending their usage. Previously, the WHO had said that only those who are sick or caring for someone sick should wear masks. Throughout much of the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO has been heavily criticized for not endorsing the use of masks. Many have questioned why the organization wouldn’t support the use of masks for everyone amid the mounting evidence that many people spread the virus while not showing any symptoms at all. Now, they have revised their opinions and…
IAG, the mother company of both England’s British Airways and Spain’s Iberia, has announced that it is “restructuring” its employment model. Initially, the Daily Mirror reported that the Chief Executive of IAG, Willie Walsh, stated plans to slash 12,000 cabin crew positions. The company claimed that these steps were needed to get through the coronavirus crisis that has grounded thousands of aircraft around the world. Then, the Daily Mail reported stories from BA cabin crew who shared copies of their letters from the company. Some were getting redundancy notices, letting them know that they were no longer needed at the…
Visit Florida, the tourism agency for the state, has teamed up with popular adventure publication Outside Magazine to give travelers a unique experience. Every subscriber to Outside Magazine east of the Mississippi River will have a special UV-sensitive map inside their upcoming summer issue. If opened indoors, the map looks blank, but when opened outside the UV rays from the sun reveals the map’s contents. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1A3sKGygiM&feature=emb_logo The map is aimed at showing off Florida’s great outdoors, as well as other one of a kind attractions. With many travelers looking to explore the road less traveled, this could be exactly what…
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…
Luxembourg has become the first country to offer free public transport to all. Since March 1st, 2020, the small nation has been fare-free. According to CNN, by making mass transit free the country hopes to lower the number of cars on the road. And as an added benefit, Luxembourg will also be getting cleaner air, and travelers will be getting a cheap and easy way to get around the country. Trains, trams, and busses throughout the nation have been running free of charge, and Luxembourg City’s official website even offers you tips, maps, and advice on getting around town when visiting.…
Face masks, are they helpful? Should we all be wearing them as we emerge from the Coronavirus lockdowns? Why are some people being harassed for not wearing them, while others are being assaulted for asking someone to put one on? Let’s take a look at the potential benefits and harm of wearing face masks. By Keith David Langston For starters, the World Health Organization is recommending you only wear masks if you’re showing signs of being infected. And there is limited science that has been done to prove the effectiveness of masks against COVID-19. However, some governments are starting…
While the Disneyland and Disney World resorts have opened their reservation portals online, Disney has said it won’t officially declare the re-openings yet. The company is most likely waiting to see if a dreaded “second wave” takes place. However, as of now, declining rates of the Covid-19 around the USA and the world show promise, and the company is looking to move forward. By Keith David Langston Luckily, America’s Disney parks will have a blueprint to work off of. On Monday, May 11th, Shanghai Disney reopened for the first time since closing its gates back in January. Bob Chapek, Disney’s…
Sonoma County, America’s premier wine region, just launched a new social campaign to help inspire and motivate people around the world. The county, which is constantly ranked as one of the best places to visit in North America, brought together many of their local businesses to celebrate in a virtual toast with travelers from all over the world who have visited Sonoma. Cheers! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLvryElsfWs&feature=youtu.be Todd O’Leary, vice president of marketing and communications at Sonoma County Tourism stated, “We may come from different places, and have different cultures, customs, and languages, but the act of toasting is universal. The act of raising…
Spotting wildlife on a trip is something magical. Seeing how animals live is transformative and special and makes us realize we’re not alone on this planet. But what’s really special is seeing animals that are smart, crafty, and majestic. Many say that primates are our closest relatives…but in reality, we are primates. Think about that when you visit one of the 5 crazy places to see monkeys! By Keith David Langston HOMOSASSA, FLORIDA Florida has become an unlikely home to monkeys. Back in the day, a small “resort” along the Homosassa river decided to build a wildlife attraction to…
About 25% of French adults smoke, and yet, only about 5% of patients in France hospitalized for COVID-19 are smokers. Similarly, in China, about 28% of the adult population smokes, yet only 13% of those hospitalized were smokers. By Keith David Langston Researchers believe that the answer is nicotine. It’s important to note that smoking is NOT healthy and possibly contributes to over 480,000 premature deaths per year in the US alone. With the coronavirus being especially deadly by attacking the lungs, you would think smokers would be at a higher risk. So, why are they seemingly at a lower…
Back on April 9th, Thailand banned the sale of alcohol because a major holiday, Songkran New Year was approaching and it is normally celebrated with widespread partying. The government wanted to make sure that people weren’t drawn to large gatherings fueled by alcohol. Now, almost a month later, Thailand will continue the alcohol ban through May. South Africa has also banned alcohol, but for different reasons. According to a BBC article, South Africa normally sees around 34,000 trauma cases in hospitals each week. Once South Africa implemented their coronavirus lockdown and alcohol ban, the number of trauma cases per week dropped…
The Italian island of Sicily is already planning its post-pandemic comeback. The popular travel destination, which is home to gorgeous beaches, incredible food, and numerous historical sites, is going to help pay traveler’s expenses if they visit sometime in 2020. While there is no official word yet from Italy as to when the nation will reopen, on May 4th the country is set to begin easing restrictions, paving the way for their initial reopening plan. Sicily is banking on the country being back to normal within a few a months and says that if you visit sometime in 2020 after lockdown ends,…
Widespread Covid-19 antibody testing has commenced in New York, leading to long lines and some new data. Yesterday, I went to my doctor’s office to take part in New York’s massive antibody testing initiative. I had gotten sick twice in February and had a lingering cough that lasted until the first week of April. I, like so many other New Yorkers, want to know if I have been exposed to the coronavirus and have potential immunity or partial immunity. By Keith Langston So far, there have been no conclusive studies as to whether or not antibodies for the new coronavirus provide…
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…
Finnair and Finnish airport operator Finavia met recently to discuss and plan how to make electric aircraft a viable solution to the CO2 traditional planes discharge into the atmosphere. The meeting consisted of talks and workshops to share ideas on the technical and economic hurdles that currently stand in the way of making green aircraft a reality. The two companies are not letting this hinder progress. Rather than simply discuss the issues they face, the two have dedicated to overcome them together, stating that they plan to see electric aircraft flying domestic routes in Finland by 2030. And this is no…
According to CNN, the State Department has released a letter stating that the USA will not issue or renew passports for anyone unless it’s an absolute emergency. The department’s website says that it will only be issuing passports for “life and death” scenarios, and only if the person is traveling within the next 72 hours. The website also says that you’re still welcomed to apply or renew your passport, but if you do, you should expect “significant delays” and they recommend you just wait until the pandemic is over. This means the delays they speak of will most likely be…