Author: Lauren Mulvey

Canada is offering free admission to the country’s national parks this summer between June 19 and September 7.  In this time frame, all admission fees will be waived for all travelers. This includes national parks and national marine conservation areas operated by Parks Canada, as per their official webpage.  The program also includes 25% discounts on fees for camping and overnight stays during this period. This means those who are hoping to camp, RV, or stay at local cabins and tipis can save money by booking their reservation through Parks Canada.  So if you’re hoping to dodge the dense fees…

With travel prices soaring this summer due to increases in airfare and general inflation, it may not be the best time to travel to some of your favorite European destinations, but an affordable vacation can still be had in some European countries that have retained their affordability and offer less crowded cities, more authentic cultural experiences, and breathtaking scenery. So ditch your itinerary for Greece or Italy and book a stay in one or multiple of these budget-friendly countries in the Balkans. Bosnia & Herzegovina This year Conde Nast Traveler ranked Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia & Herzegovina, the top…

Traveling with furry friends is becoming more popular these days, and frequent fliers want to know that when they bring their best friend on a trip they’ll both be comfortable. Though not all airlines allow pets in plane cabins, those who do generally only allow certain types of animals. They are typically required to be under 20 pounds, including the weight of their carrier, and are required to remain under the seat for the duration of the flight.  Travel + Leisure indicates that fliers who are bringing pets must book their pets in advance as space is limited. European airlines that allow…

The Federal Aviation Administration has announced its plans to launch a new air traffic control workforce plan meant to ease pressure on the industry caused by a long-standing staffing shortage. The new plan focuses on three central goals: modernizing the National Airspace System, expanding the agency’s aggressive hiring, and optimizing controller efficiency.  According to the FAA’s official site, the agency hopes to have fully implemented a new air traffic control system by the end of 2028. In collaboration with the Department of Transportation and technology and security company Peraton, the FAA hopes to oversee a total overhaul of the current…

The New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) presents “Flower Power,” a multidisciplinary exhibition celebrating florals and their symbolism in culture as they tie us to the natural world. The exhibition opened on May 23 and continues through October 18 in the Bronx, and it’s a perfect way to fill an afternoon, evening, or even weekend as the summer heat hits the streets of New York. According to NYBG’s site, the exhibition includes a gallery show and garden displays merging vibrant flower shows and monumental installations including paintings, photography and posters from the 1960s and ‘70s. The exhibition even features works from the…

More than 100 organizations have signed a travel advisory ahead of the FIFA World Cup which is to be hosted across 11 U.S. cities this summer. The World Cup is slated to take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico between June 11 and July 19.  “In light of the deteriorating human rights situation in the United States and in the absence of meaningful action and concrete guarantees from FIFA, host cities, or the U.S. government, the undersigned organizations are issuing this travel advisory for fans, players, journalists, and other visitors traveling to and within the United States for the June…

British Airways has decided to allow passengers to make in-flight phone calls following the recent implementation of Starlink aboard its planes. After ditching this plan initially, British Airways doubled down on allowing calls. Now, the carrier allows passengers to make calls on all flights with WiFi. According to The Independent, the new technology onboard British Airways allows for various forms of voice communication including FaceTime and WhatsApp to Zoom and Teams. Though this will give passengers more freedom to work, stay in touch with loved ones, check emails and use social media, the idea of allowing calls may make some frequent…

The U.S. Embassy in London has issued an alert warning Americans to “exercise increased caution” during visits to Jewish and American sites in the U.K. and across Europe noting “recent attacks and threats targeting Jewish and American institutions in the United Kingdom and Europe.” According to TravelPulse, the alert follows several antisemitic attacks in London and Amsterdam. One such incident was an arson strike targeting ambulances tied to a Jewish charity in London on March 23. In Amsterdam, an explosion at a Jewish school damaged the structure, but fortunately did not affect any people. The embassy is also advising that U.S.…

Those who have been perusing flight search engines to book their upcoming trips have surely noticed airline fares slowly increasing in recent months. And things aren’t necessarily looking up for travelers hoping to hit Europe for the summer months.  Projections indicate jet fuel supplies could start running short as early as mid-May for airlines offering frequent flights to Europe. TravelPulse reports airlines are struggling against “skyrocketing fuel costs tied to the war in Iran,” an issue that has affected airlines globally.  In recent months, airlines have hiked up fares via fuel surcharges and extra checked bag fees, and some airlines are…

New reports from Trip.com find that women are leading the next wave of global travel. In recent years, solo traveling and group trips among women have become increasingly popular as global destinations have mobilized to offer more friendly accommodations and protections for women traveling solo or in groups.  Trip.com released new findings on women’s movements in the travel industry in celebration of International Women’s Day in 2026. The report indicated that flight bookings for women are growing by 13% year-on-year, based on Trip.com Group’s data. The trend has seen particular growth in Southeast Asia and Indonesia, where bookings made by women…

A new mode of transport is sweeping cities across the world, making tourism greener with a futuristic look. Electric ferries have been gaining traction as a common method of transport over the last decade and they may solve more than one problem plaguing global destinations. These battery-powered boats are just one way cities around the world are working toward cleaner energy via electric transit. According to Conde Nast Traveler (CN Traveler) electric passenger ferries offer a host of benefits for local communities, including easing road congestion and making transit faster and more effective.  “An electric battery ferry is a zero-emission…

Each year, Expedia Group forecasts travel trends and observes those from the previous year with an annual report. In 2026, all trends indicate travelers are looking to have an “experience” rather than just a trip or vacation. A more distinct framing of types of travelers continues to deepen its hold on young travelers, who are often motivated by social media to communicate what kind of person they are via their travel choices.  Destinations trending right now according to the Expedia app and website’s real-time search data show that travelers are taking the roads less traveled by opting for cities and…

The East Coast offers plenty of nudist destinations for those who know where to look. In fact, this region is home to some of the country’s only LGBTQ campgrounds. Must-visit destinations include Camp OUT, a queer and trans-forward campground in the Poconos Mountains, just a 90-minute drive from both NYC and Philly. But the tents here have only just been pitched. Camp OUT only opened its doors in 2022 as an adult-only membership based retreat (with day passes available).  The whole campground is clothing optional, regular themed weekends invite new travelers for Geeks & Gaymers weekend or Camp Wrestle Fest.…

From the East Coast to the West Coast, famous gay neighborhoods in the USA have become the stomping grounds and safe spaces necessary for a thriving LGBTQ+ community, but not all queer neighborhoods are created equal. Some require a heavier wallet, and others offer a good time to anyone no matter their income. We’re highlighting some of the most and least expensive gayborhoods in the country, according to recent data from Advocate, and if you’re lucky, you can visit them all. Most Expensive Gayborhoods It’s easy to predict that the gay neighborhoods of New York and California are some of…

The U.S. Department of State has issued a worldwide security alert advising Americans to “exercise increased caution” around the world, particularly in the Middle East. The warnings indicated that U.S. diplomatic facilities and American interests abroad could be potential targets by groups supportive of Iran, according to USA Today.  “Americans abroad should follow the guidance in security alerts issued by the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate,” the advisory reads. “Groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and/or Americans throughout the world.” Travel warnings have also been issued for some Middle East…

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided to officially ban trans people from female categories in future Olympic games. The new rule “Policy on the Protection of the Female (Women’s) Category in Olympic Sport” is slated to go into effect for the next Olympic Games taking place in Los Angeles in 2028.  Eligibility for future games will require invasive one-time gene-screening sex tests for participating athletes. These are meant to “ensure fairness and protect safety, particularly in contact sports,” the IOC writes. The Committee reports they appointed a working group to examine scientific, medical and legal developments concerning the issues…

Canada has made obtaining citizenship via family history easier than ever. As of December, Canada quietly expanded citizenship by descent eligibility beyond the first generation. According to Travel + Leisure, the change is timely as many Americans are looking to obtain second passports and citizenship in other countries as the Trump Administration continues promulgating an alt-right agenda. “There’s no limit on how many generations you can go back, as long as you can prove it,” Canadian immigration consultant Cassandra Fultz told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).  In order to prove citizenship by descent, applicants must submit birth or baptismal certificates and…

Traveling HBO series “The White Lotus” lands in France for season four as an all new cast checks into the Chateau de la Messardiere in St. Tropez. Variety reports that Mike White’s hit series will shoot at a historic 19th-century castle along the French Riviera, as well as additional properties in the region and a location in Paris.  St. Tropez has garnered a reputation among the rich and famous as a hotspot for luxe vacations, yachting and partying. Plus, Vogue named the Chateau de la Messardiere one of the best hotels in the South of France. The five-star property at the…

California’s Death Valley’s famous flower blooms are back after ten years. CN Traveler reports that Death Valley in Southeastern California is now fostering the blooms of desert gold, violet sand verbena, brown-eyes primrose, grape soda lupine and more.  According to the U.S. National Park Service (NPS), this is the “best blooming event the site has seen since 2016.” The area experienced more rain than usual in 2025, leading the blooms to reemerge. In the fall, Death Valley saw 2.41 inches of rainfall, which soaked dormant seeds, washing away their protective coatings, CN reports. With many of Death Valley’s blooms being annual…

U.S. airports are not the only ones expecting hours-long security queues this year. in Europe, wait times are projected to rise as the continent continues to implement its new Entry/Exit System (EES). Though EES technically launched in October of 2025, the biometric security system has only been gradually rolling out throughout the Schengen Area. According to the BBC, it is not predicted to be fully enacted by April 10, but that date is subject to change. Biometrics collected include face and fingerprint scans, which will help border agents keep tabs on those moving into and out of the Schengen Area.…