The Best Time to Visit -

Singapore Becomes First Country to Add This Fee to Every Flight — And It Could Spread Worldwide

November 17, 2025 by Ben

street view of singapore with Masjid Sultan

The measure is set to launch in one year, in October 2026, and will be a “world first.” Singapore plans to add a surcharge to all passengers departing from its airport. The goal? To better finance the development and use of sustainable aviation fuels, commonly known as SAF, which should eventually power aircraft from all airlines to limit the environmental impact of civil aviation. Carbon Neutrality by 2050 This means that everyone flying out of Singapore (excluding transit passengers) from October 1, 2026, will have to pay slightly more for their ticket to feed a special fund. This fund will … Read more

EU Just Banned Travel Agencies From Organizing Trips to Russia – Here’s What That Means for Travelers

November 17, 2025 by Ben

blessed basil cathedral and Statue of Minin and Pozharsky in Moscow

Here’s a development that flew under the radar, yet marks a significant shift in European travel policy. The European Union has officially prohibited travel agencies in member countries from organizing both group and individual trips to Russia. Fines and Even Prison Time Three years after the war in Ukraine began, and as part of the latest round of sanctions against Russia implemented last October, the EU decided to ban all travel agencies registered within its territory from offering trips to the country. Contrary to what you might think, tourism to the Russian Federation continues, including visitors from European countries. While … Read more

Is Tourism Really the Golden Ticket? The Surprising Truth About Travel’s Boom

November 16, 2025 by Ben

Happy woman and her boyfriend taking selfie with cell phone while traveling together.

Maybe it sounds a bit “simplistic” as a statement, but it’s not necessarily wrong either. Global tourism is actually doing pretty well—in fact, remarkably well—lately, according to the “Global Travel Report,” which provides a comprehensive annual overview and highlights current trends in the industry. Outpacing the Global Economy in Coming Years To grasp just how robust tourism is, you only need to look at projections for the next decade. With 3.5% annual growth—both in expected traveler numbers and revenue—the tourism industry is set to outpace the global economy by a full percentage point. Pretty impressive when you consider that the … Read more

Why Mauritius Should Be Your Top Winter Escape: 8 Compelling Reasons You Haven’t Considered

November 15, 2025 by Ben

Tropical beach resort with lounge chairs and umbrellas in Mauritius

Not long ago, we highlighted “15 destinations with genuinely pleasant winter weather,” and Mauritius made that coveted list. If you’re still on the fence about visiting this island paradise during the colder months, here are some additional reasons that might just seal the deal… Exceptional Natural Beauty Mauritius is renowned for its exceptional natural landscape offering a breathtaking diversity of scenery. With its turquoise lagoons, golden sand beaches, waterfalls, volcanic craters, and vast expanses of subtropical forest, the island attracts numerous visitors seeking unspoiled natural beauty. Beyond these landscapes, Mauritius is also home to remarkably rich wildlife, including over a … Read more

South America’s First High-Speed Train Will Connect Rio and São Paulo in Under 2 Hours by 2032

November 13, 2025 by Ben

Octavio Frias de Oliveira Bridge, or Ponte Estaiada, in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Finally, South America was the only continent without high-speed rail lines on its territory. But that’s about to change with this next-generation bullet train set to connect Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil, by 2032. 260 Miles in 1 Hour 45 Minutes This will mark a historic first for this part of the continent with a long-studied project that will link Brazil’s two largest metropolises. A potential network extension to other distant cities is also on the table, particularly Campinas, about 62 miles from São Paulo, which remains a major economic hub for the region. But initially, the focus … Read more

Argentina Now Requires Proof of Health Insurance – Here’s What You Need to Know Before You Go

November 12, 2025 by Ben

Buenos Aires, Argentina - December 21, 2022: Tango dancers performing at a restaurant stage along streets of the Caminito district in Buenos Aires Argentina

While not a widespread practice globally, requiring proof of health insurance isn’t entirely uncommon either. Since this summer, travelers heading to Argentina must now show evidence of valid health coverage as part of their entry requirements. Mandatory Coverage – Or Face Denial of Entry The requirement gradually came into effect on July 1st. Since that date, all foreign visitors—whether tourists or traveling under other statuses—must present valid health insurance or medical assistance coverage for their entire stay upon arrival, regardless of whether they enter by land, air, or sea. Failure to provide this documentation can result in being denied entry … Read more

This Swiss Hotel Chain’s “All You Can Sleep” Pass Lets You Stay Unlimited Nights for One Fixed Price – Here’s the Catch

November 11, 2025 by Ben

Woman wakes up in a country house or hotel with panoramic windows in pine forest raised her hands yawning. Good morning and recreation on nature concept

There are travel trends we hear about from time to time without really understanding – or remembering – what they actually mean. Today, we’re diving into another English-language phenomenon. After “extreme day trips,” “dupe destinations,” “Spring break,” and several others, here’s a concept that, while it doesn’t originate from English-speaking countries this time but rather from Switzerland, has chosen an English term to define itself: “All you can sleep.” Which is… what exactly? The Same Concept as “All You Can Eat” “All you can eat” – that probably rings a bell. It’s the formula offered at certain restaurants where, for … Read more

How a Tiny Caribbean Island Struck Gold in the AI Boom

November 10, 2025 by Ben

It’s a remarkable story tied to the evolution of our 21st-century society, where the Internet and now Artificial Intelligence have taken on enormous significance. Where the Web and AI have transformed the destiny of the tiny Caribbean island of Anguilla. After .tv Came .ai You probably know that every website has what’s called a domain name or address that allows you to access it. This typically consists of one part defining the owner or brand (for example, “nytimes”), and another called a suffix for geolocation (like .uk for the United Kingdom) or the type of activity of the site in … Read more

Portugal Sweeps 2025 World Travel Awards: What Makes Europe’s Tourism Champion So Irresistible?

November 9, 2025 by Ben

Scenic view of the city of Porto in Portugal in warm winter sunset light with boats and Douro river in foreground

With 28 awards at the 32nd European World Travel Awards ceremony in Sardinia on October 22, Portugal emerged as the overwhelming winner of the 2025 edition. This landslide victory firmly reinstates the country as Europe’s tourism powerhouse. Reclaiming the Crown After a One-Year Hiatus Portugal has regained its coveted title of Europe’s Leading Destination, which it had to surrender to Greece in 2024. This seventh victory since 2017 marks a powerful comeback against competition from twelve nations including France, Italy, and Germany. The Portuguese government hasn’t hidden its satisfaction: this recognition validates their strategy to elevate tourism to a major … Read more

U.S. Government Shutdown Now Grounding Thousands of Flights Daily—What Travelers Need to Know

November 8, 2025 by Ben

It’s easy to forget about that infamous “shutdown” that has been paralyzing the U.S. government since early October. With multiple repercussions and consequences affecting the proper functioning of the state, it’s indirectly impacting tourism and now, critically, air travel. Case in point: starting today, thousands of flights are being suspended across the United States. Quick reminder: What exactly is a “shutdown”? A shutdown, in its political and economic definition as used in the USA, refers to the immediate closure of government services and the unpaid furlough of all non-essential federal employees—that’s hundreds of thousands of people critical to the state’s … Read more