Adventure travel
A tale of two travel recoveries: Japan soars, while China struggles to lure travelers back
With a plum position atop many “Best Places to Travel” lists, Japan is on track to welcome a record-breaking number of travelers in 2024. But China faces a different reality: a far slower return of international visitors. Both countries dropped Covid-related border restrictions relatively late — Japan in October 2022, and China in January 2023 […]
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‘The World’ is a luxury ship that travels the world full time — here’s how much an apartment on it costs
A floating apartment. A residential yacht. A holiday home that travels the globe. The World, a luxury liner, has many descriptions, but “cruise ship” is not one of them, said resident Jim Minarik. “The only thing that’s similar between the world and a cruise ship is they float on the water,” he said. “If our […]
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A $1.4 million vacation? Take a look inside a yacht that costs that much per week
The 255-foot superyacht Malia sold in 2023 with a price tag of $120 million. But she can be yours for a fraction of the cost: $930,000 per week. But with many large yacht charters, surcharges — for fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, onshore activities and special requests — are usually an additional 35% of the base […]
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A $1.4 million vacation? Take a look inside a yacht that costs that much per week
The 255-foot superyacht Malia sold in 2023 with a price tag of $120 million. But she can be yours for a fraction of the cost: $930,000 per week. But with many large yacht charters, surcharges — for fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, onshore activities and special requests — are usually an additional 35% of the base […]
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North Korea to reopen for international visitors, tour operators say
North Korea will resume international tourism this winter, ending a COVID-era ban on travelers, according to operators that organize trips to the country. Travel companies KTG and Koryo Tours, which organize trips to North Korea, said on Wednesday that their partners in the country had informed them about government plans to allow travel to some […]
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UNESCO uses emergency procedure to name Gaza site to both its ‘World Heritage’ and ‘In Danger’ lists
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee named a site in the Gaza Strip — Saint Hilarion Monastery, or Tell Umm Amer — to both its “World Heritage” and “World Heritage In Danger” lists in late July. The decision, made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, reflects the ancient monastery’s […]
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Trying to cut back? These 10 places are deemed the ‘best’ places for an alcohol-free trip
Years ago, the manager of a hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand told me about an unusual booking that he once received during the middle of the night. A traveler had flown his entire family via private jet from Brunei to the Thai island after learning upon landing in Brunei that it is a “dry country” […]
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I’ve been to 100 countries. I didn’t expect to want to return to these 5
I’m often asked: “What is your favorite country to visit?” For an avid adventurer, it’s a confounding question. How to distill culture, vibes, food, scenery, and all the other factors that shape the international travel experience? Identifying the nations I have explored in depth over multiple visits — popular places like Turkey, Nepal, South Africa […]
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‘Sports tourism’ is huge. But the Summer Olympics caused travel to Paris to plummet
Was it the Parisians who bluntly told travelers “do not come” to Paris during the Summer Games? Or did sky-high prices for hotel rooms, house rentals and event tickets turn travelers away? For a multitude of reasons, many people — including residents — avoided Paris in the build-up to the Olympic Games, despite prognostications […]
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How the ultra-wealthy travel in Paris
Paris boasts many luxurious five-star accommodations. At the Hotel Plaza Athénée, a single night during peak season can cost around $44,000, while a stay in the Imperial Suite at the Ritz Paris can command an astounding $70,000 per night. Hôtel de Crillon, an 18th-century palace which was converted into a luxury hotel in 1909, has […]
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