Holidays
No passports needed: Singapore launches biometric immigration processing at Changi Airport
From Monday, some passengers arriving in Singapore’s Changi Airport won’t need to show their passports to clear immigration. As part of a trial, Singapore residents arriving in Terminal 3 who use the lanes designated for the country’s new “token-less clearance” program can enter the country using eye and facial biometric processing, rather than passports, according […]
Read More
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” […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
She spent four months in France and Spain on a $6,000 budget
In 2023, Rowena Hennigan came to a difficult but necessary conclusion — she needed an extended break from work. Hennigan was dealing with disrupted sleep, anxiety, brain fog — all normal symptoms of menopause – but it was wreaking havoc on her work and her mental health. She said she tried exercise, a new diet, […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
Packing your bags for Paris? Here’s what to expect from a visit this summer
During the six years that I was lucky enough to live in the center of Paris, I learned a lot about the ups and downs that come with being a Parisienne. I would move back in a heartbeat. But I also feel for international visitors who arrive with a romantic vision of beautiful perfection, only […]
Read More
A new Raffles hotel opened in India’s ‘Pink City.’ Here’s what it looks like inside
The iconic Raffles hotel brand announced the opening of Raffles Jaipur on July 8 — the second to open in the Indian subcontinent. The first, Raffles Udaipur, opened in 2021. Both hotels are in Rajasthan, a northwestern Indian state known for its stunning forts and historical palaces, like the Hawa Mahal. Jaipur, the capital city […]
Read More
Protests will ‘absolutely’ spread if European cities don’t address overtourism, says UNESCO official
Protests in Spain will spread if European officials fail to address mass tourism’s negative effect on the lives of residents, UNESCO’s Peter Debrine told “Squawk Box Asia” on Monday. “It’s turning into a very volatile situation,” said UNESCO’s senior project officer for sustainable tourism. “Civil society coming and trying to make change is very important, […]
Read More
Barcelona protesters throw goods and spray travelers with h2o although shouting ‘tourists go home’
Mass tourism difficulties hit fever pitch in Barcelona on Saturday as protesters threw things and sprayed travelers with water guns and canned beverages, when shouting “tourists go house.” The protesters — indignant about the city’s very long-standing challenges with overtourism — used thick law enforcement-design tape to block resort entrances and sidewalk cafes in the […]
Read More
The sting of an Airbnb rejection: Hosts explain why they transform down all types of vacationers
When a girl in her early twenties requested to ebook Vicky Borman’s one-bed room Heritage-detailed cottage in the English village of St Neots very last summertime, some thing failed to experience appropriate. The consumer had no evaluations on her Airbnb profile, so Borman, who has ‘Superhost’ position on the platform, took to social media to […]
Read More