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Global Travel Under Pressure: How the Iran Conflict is Reshaping Bookings and Airfares

March 18, 2026 by Ben

The sky reflected on modern glass skyscrapers and the sea as seen from the Palm Dubai. The buildings in the photo are located in Dubai Marina

The joint Israeli-American strikes against Iran in late February 2026 have triggered immediate and profound disruption across the travel sector. Within days, the industry has come under dual pressure: a collapse in bookings for numerous destinations far beyond the Middle East, and a surge in fuel surcharges as airlines begin to pass rising costs onto passengers. The partial closure of regional airspace and escalating tensions around the Strait of Hormuz—a vital artery for global oil supplies—have destabilised a market that, until mid-February, was performing strongly. The long-awaited opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo had recently propelled Egypt … Read more

Tracking air traffic in real-time? It’s easier than you think…

March 11, 2026 by Ben

Munich, Germany - July 30, 2014: Close-up of the flightradar24.com website on Internet Explorer.

At a time when global travel often feels a little unpredictable, more and more people are looking to keep a “close eye” on live flight activity across the globe. Whether out of necessity or pure curiosity, several specialised tools have been around for a while to help you do just that. One of the most reliable and well-known is Flightradar24, which has been a staple for aviation enthusiasts since its launch in 2007. How does it work? In simple terms, you could think of it as “Google Maps for the sky.” It is a proven global flight tracking service that … Read more

Now the World’s Tallest Church

March 4, 2026 by Ben

October 30, 2025: The Basilica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, aka Sagrada Familia, located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It isdesi gned by the the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi.

On 20 February 2026, a crane hoisted the final section of the cross atop the Tower of Jesus Christ, crowning the Sagrada Família. The operation, delayed by a week due to high winds, took place before hundreds of onlookers gathered around the Barcelona basilica. With the installation of this 17-metre-high cross—crafted from glass and white enamelled ceramic—the Sagrada Família now reaches a height of 172.5 metres, officially becoming the tallest religious building in the world. The basilica takes the title from Ulm Minster in Germany, the previous record-holder. Already the tallest building in Barcelona, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece remains intentionally shorter … Read more

All Flights Suspended to and from Dubai

March 1, 2026 by Ben

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - December 26, 2012: Emirates Airbus A380 landed at Dubai Airport. Airport is home for Emirates airline and is major aviation hub in the Middle East.

Dubai has halted all flight operations at its two primary hubs, Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) – Al Maktoum International, according to the city’s airport authority. Dubai International is consistently ranked among the world’s busiest aviation hubs, handling between 2,000 and 2,500 arrivals and departures daily, according to flight tracking and booking service Skyscanner. An official statement from the Emirati authorities reads: Dubai Airports confirms that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice. Passengers must not travel to the airport and are advised … Read more

Mexico: Travel Safety Update Following the Death of “El Mencho”

February 26, 2026 by Ben

Mexico City, Mexico - January 26, 2019: Pedestrians on the famous Madero Walking Street in the Historic Center of Mexico City, Mexico.

The elimination of Nemesio Oseguera, known as “El Mencho” and founder of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), during a military operation in Jalisco on 22 February 2026, has sparked a wave of unprecedented retaliatory violence across Mexico. Within hours, over 250 roadblocks were erected across twenty Mexican states, accompanied by the torching of vehicles and businesses. Provisional reports confirm at least 73 fatalities, including 25 members of the National Guard. In response, the Mexican army has deployed 10,000 troops to the west of the country in an attempt to restore order. For the tens of thousands of holidaymakers in … Read more

Changes on the Horizon for St. Peter’s Basilica

February 22, 2026 by Ben

Rome, Italy - December 31, 2016: St. Peter's Basilica facade in Rome, Italy. St. Peter's is the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world.

It is Rome, yet not quite. The Vatican, home to the iconic St. Peter’s Basilica, is set to undergo a series of updates this year to mark a significant milestone in its history. Four Centuries of History To celebrate its 400th anniversary, St. Peter’s Basilica is embracing the modern era. Visitors can look forward to a blend of technological innovations and the opening of brand-new spaces. One of the most anticipated changes is the opening of full public access to the roof terrace. This will feature a new permanent exhibition detailing the building’s history, alongside a dedicated “rooftop café”—a welcome … Read more

Algeria: One of the “Top Destinations to Watch” in 2026

February 20, 2026 by Ben

Remains of Cuicul village in Djemila town, archaeological area rich in well-preserved Berber-Roman ruins in North Africa, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sétif, Algeria.

The African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) has released its annual industry trends report, positioning Algeria at the forefront of African destinations to watch this year. Alongside Angola, the country is highlighted as one of two “off-the-beaten-track” African locations seeing a significant surge in interest from international travellers. This recognition follows a strong performance in 2024, when Algeria welcomed over 3.5 million foreign visitors—a 10% increase compared to 2023. Saharan tourism has been particularly buoyant, with more than 22,700 international tourists venturing into the southern regions. The publishing world is also taking note. In 2026, Lonely Planet is releasing a … Read more

Train travel is coming to the United Arab Emirates

February 18, 2026 by Ben

DUBAI, UAE - NOVEMBER 18: Dubai Metro as world's longest fully automated metro network (75 km) on November 18, 2012, Dubai, UAE.

It’s easy to forget that you can’t simply hop on a train everywhere in the world—and that doesn’t just apply to tiny nations. In fact, there are about thirty countries where rail travel remains off the cards, either because the tracks are reserved strictly for freight or because a network simply doesn’t exist, as is the case in Iceland. That’s why whenever a country decides to open up passenger rail, it’s big news for train enthusiasts. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the next to join the club, and the project is shaping up to be quite an adventure. A … Read more

Capri: The End of the Road (Almost) for Large Group Tours

February 15, 2026 by Ben

Capri Italy Oct 12, 2025 View of the ferry docks and the town of Marina Grande on the picturesque island of Capri in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy

If there is one island in the Bay of Naples world-renowned for its beauty and the dolce vita, it is undoubtedly Capri. As you might expect, visitor numbers skyrocket during peak season—to the point where local authorities have (finally) decided that, starting this year, it’s time for some ground rules. Managing the Crowds It’s official: from next summer, organised groups of more than 40 people will be banned from Capri. The move is designed to better manage the influx of tourists, which on certain days sees over 50,000 visitors descending upon an island of barely 10 $km^2$ with just 13,000 … Read more

Already in crisis, Cuban tourism sinks further following latest US decisions

February 11, 2026 by Ben

Cuban flag hanging on a door in Trinidad, Cuba

Not long ago, we discussed the precarious state of tourism in Cuba and its rather gloomy outlook within a deeply complex local and international context. Despite the dark clouds, a glimmer of hope remained—a sense that the endless downward spiral triggered years ago by a multitude of factors might finally stabilise. However, the latest measures taken by the Trump administration against the island suggest the exact opposite. In fact, things look set to get much worse. A deliberate attempt to suffocate While relations between Cuba and the US have been strained for decades, Washington’s recent decisions mark a significant escalation … Read more