Author: Lauren Mulvey

Traveling can be pricey when you add up all you spend on accommodations, transportation, meals, and everything in between. That’s why smart travelers are always looking to score some discounts and deals that make their trips more cost-effective. Various aspects of the travel industry have introduced “discount passes” which offer access to goods and services at a bundled price. These passes cover journeys between countries in Europe at a special rate, or offer discounts for certain accommodations and activities. Transportation Passes Transportation passes are one of the most common travel bundle passes. Interrail and Eurail Passes function by partnering with…

Airbnb has moved to ban all indoor security cameras in its rental listings worldwide to take effect on April 30. The ban will include all cameras “inside listings, regardless of their location, purpose or prior disclosure.”  Because security cameras inside rental properties pose such a threat to privacy, it’s hard to believe that Airbnb has waited so long to implement this policy. Now, Airbnb says that rental hosts are “not allowed to have security cameras and recording devices that monitor any part of a listing’s interior, such as the listing’s hallway, bedroom, bathroom, living room, or guest house, even if…

The Malta Biennale, presented by the MUŻA National Museum of Art in collaboration with Heritage Malta and Arts Council Malta, is an unforgettable celebration of art, heritage, and creativity running now through May 31, 2024. Over 100 acclaimed international and local artists are displaying works at 20 esteemed heritage sites across Malta and Gozo. Mediums exhibited include painting, sculpture, video installation, and more.  The first event of its kind in Malta, it was curated by artistic director Sofia Baldi Pighi and curators Elisa Carollo and Emma Mattei with setup design by Nigel Baldacchino. A central theme of “white sea olive…

Work from homers and digital nomads can take to the sea and “work from helm” all while traveling to nine different destinations across the Mediterranean with Virgin Voyages latest offering: the Summer Season Pass. With this pass, Virgin Voyages is putting into motion Richard Branson’s belief that brilliant work is best paired with a hearty dose of fun. So bring your latest assignment, project, or hop on a meeting from your private balcony overlooking clear blue waters. This one month cruise through the Mediterranean will take place on a Virgin Voyages ship, and for those planning on working while onboard…

With overtourism affecting nearly every major destination, tourist hotspots around the world have begun introducing entrance fees and price hikes. Prices for entry to popular historical sites have increased, according to CNN. In Europe, admission to The Louvre, one of the world’s most famous art museums was increased by almost a third earlier this year. A ticket which once cost €17 will now go for €22. Increased ticket prices come just ahead of the Paris Olympics taking place this summer.  In Spain, Seville’s famous Plaza de España square may soon include an entrance fee to a once free-roaming square. This…

Short-term rentals have ruled the world of travel for nearly two decades, but after a long love affair with easy-to-use rental platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo and more, cities around the world are fed up with vacation rental culture.  Some of the most saturated cities for tourism around the world have put their foot down on the ever-growing expansion of short term rental properties, which they claim make their cities unsafe, less equitable for housing, and overcrowded.  New York City – where tens of millions of visitors seek temporary vacation housing each year –  has been subject to rises in average…

These days, many people who work remotely can allow themselves a dream lifestyle: mobilizing their lives as digital nomads. Work from your laptop and travel anywhere in the world. Spend 2 months in Europe, hop over to Asia, or enjoy winter in South America. The world is truly your oyster. American expats have long been figuring out the best places in the world to live, whether for just a few months, or for a permanent overhaul and lifestyle change. Here are some of the most popular places for expats and digital nomads to live. Lisbon, Portugal Lisbon has been a…

Visiting New York City can be one of the best experiences in someone’s life, but there are also some great places to visit close to NYC. If you’re looking for a weekend getaway, you might want to consider these small towns, all under a three hour drive from NYC. Stroudsburg, Poconos, Pennsylvania Just around two hours from NYC are the beautiful Poconos. For those seeking a mountainous outdoor escape, the Poconos boast some wonderful wildlife, nature preserves, and plenty of trails, including an arm of the Appalachian trail. Here, towns like Stroudsburg are home to decades old small businesses, great…

JetBlue and Spirit Airlines announced the termination of their $3.8 billion merger agreement after losing a federal antitrust lawsuit challenging the deal. According to the New York Times, the decision to terminate the agreement is a “big win” for the Biden administration which has sought to limit corporate consolidation.  The merger was blocked by a federal judge in January for fear it would reduce competition in the airline industry and raise ticket prices for travelers who are in need of more affordable flight pricing. The proposal for JetBlue to acquire the low-cost airline came in October of 2022 at which…

Miami Beach is officially asking spring breakers to back off their sand with a new advertisement claiming the vacation hotspot is breaking up with its college cronies by imposing new strict rules throughout the city.  For years, spring breakers from around the country have made a culture out of spending a week off from school on the sunny beaches of Florida. And for years, spots like Miami Beach have become inundated with intoxicated 20-somethings, partying, being loud, and overall, being irresponsible in public. Those who attend are infamous for making a sport out of who can be the most reckless…

Airports are not all created equal. Some are easy to navigate, comfortable to spend long layovers, and are well-equipped with all your pre- and post-flight needs. The Skytrax World Airport Awards has ranked the top airports internationally for you to fly into or out of on your next big trip. Winning the top spot for 2023 is Changi Airport in Singapore. This is one of the busiest airports in the world, accommodating around 85 million passengers a year, according to a 2019 report from Business Traveller. Changi has always been among the world’s top airports, first winning the honor of world’s…

New facial recognition technology is being tested at airports and airline headquarters around the world, and could be used when you board your next flight.  The New York Times reports facial recognition technology is being used in busy terminals at popular airports like New York City’s La Guardia. Kiosks fitted with iPads are taking photos of travelers’ faces and matching them to a photo from a government database.  Travelers who undergo this security check are not required to show a physical ID or a boarding pass to move through the airport, just their face.  Frequent travelers know that navigating an…

The wonders of Svalbard, Norway range from enchanting views of the northern lights, colorful houses amidst pure white snow, and icy adventures among amazing wildlife and frozen terrain. But here in this frigid paradise, climate change is rearing its ugly head. As the northernmost settlement in the world, Svalbard is a bucket list destination for travelers venturing to the world’s far reaches and once in a lifetime locations. In recent years, however, Svalbard has seen the effects of climate change. In fact, Svalbard’s glaciers have been melting two times faster than other areas of the Arctic, and around 5-7 times…

The travel industry is constantly evolving, changing, and trying to accommodate new generations of eager tourists looking to have once-in-a-lifetime experiences. In recent years, social media has spun a whole new web of aspiring travelers who can plan entire itineraries based on Instagram posts. Conde Nast Traveler set predictions for 2024’s travel zeitgeist that may become popular travel trends for this year and beyond. Cooler Climates With record breaking temperatures last summer, those who may have traveled to southern Europe or South America through the sweltering heat waves probably aren’t hankering for another vacation of sweltering heat, sweaty and tightly packed…

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel warning for the Bahamas, following a spike in homicides over the past month. Americans are being advised to “exercise increased caution” if traveling to the Bahamas after 18 homicides were committed over the course of January. Tourists are advised to be on high alert, specifically on the islands of New Providence and Grand Bahama where two of the most popular cities, Nassau and Freeport are located. In Nassau gang-on-gang violence has seen 18 murders committed in the “Over the Hill” area south of Shirley Street. “Violent crime, such as burglaries, armed robberies,…

According to Punxsutawney Phil, spring is coming early this year, so it’s time to start making plans for spring travel. One of the best ways to celebrate the reemergence of flowers and greenery across the U.S. is taking a trip to embrace nature. This year marvel at some of the beautiful cherry blossom trees housed in parks, gardens, and public spaces across the country. Here are some the best spots to see cherry blossoms this spring. Washington , D.C. – The National Mall We couldn’t get more obvious with this one. D.C. is home to one of the most famous…

After months of rumors, hit HBO series “The White Lotus”  has confirmed its season 3 filming location: Thailand. Season two of Mike White’s dramedy, which came out in October 2022, drove troves of tourists to the far corners of Sicily, making last season’s destination, Taormina, a hotspot in 2023. So it’s safe to say, the show’s chosen filming locations have some clout with culture seeking travelers.  According to CNN, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and HBO announced the show was scheduled to begin filming this month in Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui. The corresponding season of the show is…

When booking accommodations around the world, you’ll likely use star ratings and reviews to make your choice. Though reviews can indicate how past visitors experienced the location, stars indicate what the hotel offers, rather than the quality of an individual stay.  A hotel can be rated between one and five stars, and where a hotel falls in the hierarchy is dependent on a few central factors. The comfortability and luxury of the accommodation, the services offered, and what the property provides to elevate a guest’s stay. You may find that star ratings are not consistent across rental platforms or around…

The world’s largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas, set sail recently on its maiden commercial voyage from Miami for a seven-day island-hopping trip, but the mere existence of such a vessel is causing waves for the environmentally-conscious.  According to reports from CNBC, the Royal Caribbean ship, Icon of the Seas, cost $2 billion to build, can host 7,600 passengers, weighs 250,800 metric tons, and measures nearly 1,200 feet from bow to stern (four football fields in length). In January, Royal Caribbean Group CEO Jason Liberty called the ship the “biggest, baddest ship on the planet.”  Those who travel on…

Imagine you’re standing at the luggage carousel after a long flight. You’re eager to get to your hotel, take a shower and relax as you prepare to explore a new place. Only your luggage isn’t coming, and you soon realize your bag has been lost. Though this isn’t a frequent occurrence, those who travel often may lose their luggage once or twice. When you’ve lost your things, it makes sense for panic to set in. Here’s how to remain calm and get your stuff back. Find The Lost Luggage Desk Once you’ve waited at least 30 minutes for your bag, and…