America - The Best Time to Visit

This Caribbean Island Chain Just Became the Region’s Fastest-Growing Destination (And You’ve Probably Never Heard of It)

October 28, 2025 by Ben

Bright and colorful image of Bequia. Palm trees at the water, blue sky and white clouds, boats in the harbor of Port Elisabeth. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

When most people think of the Caribbean, their minds immediately go to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, or perhaps the well-trodden beaches of popular resort destinations. But there’s an archipelago in this part of the world that’s quietly becoming one of the region’s hottest tourist spots—and chances are, you haven’t given it much thought. That destination? Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Where Exactly is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines? Nestled between Saint Lucia to the north and Grenada to the south, Saint Vincent sits in the Lesser Antilles chain of islands. This island nation of barely 100,000 inhabitants consists of … Read more

Why Guadeloupe Attracts 20% More Visitors Than Martinique—Despite Being Sister Islands

October 24, 2025 by Ben

Pain du Sucre Rock, Terre-de-Haut, Iles des Saintes, Les Saintes, Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles, Caribbean.

Both French Caribbean islands show similar tourism figures, but Guadeloupe maintains roughly a 20% lead over neighboring Martinique. Structural and situational differences favor the Butterfly Island. From social tensions to living costs and geography, several factors explain these differing perceptions. Recent statistics reveal a narrowing gap. In 2024, Martinique attracted about one million visitors, while Guadeloupe welcomed 1.2 million. Both destinations fluctuate year to year, with close performance levels. Martinique’s 2024-2025 high season brought nearly 989,000 travelers between December and April—slightly down from 2023 but better than initial fears following autumn’s social unrest. Guadeloupe is progressing despite 2024’s difficulties, with … Read more

Hawaii to Hit Tourists with New Climate Tax: Your Paradise Vacation Just Got More Expensive

October 16, 2025 by Ben

Street view on Luluku Road at Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, USA against cloudy sky

Climate change and its devastating effects are now impacting every corner of the globe, prompting more countries, regions, and cities to implement new taxes or increase existing ones. These funds are earmarked for combating climate phenomena and developing protection or rehabilitation programs. Starting next year, your dream Hawaiian getaway is about to cost significantly more. $100 Million Annual Target Through Tourism Fees Future visitors to Hawaii could soon face accommodation taxes of up to 14% during their stay in the archipelago. Currently taxed at 10.25%, with an additional 3% in certain counties of the 50th state, short-term accommodations including hotels, … Read more

The Only Way to See Peru’s Giant Desert Drawings is From a Plane – Here’s What You Need to Know

October 10, 2025 by Ben

Tree geoglyph, Nazca mysterious lines and geoglyphs aerial view, landmark in Peru

Peru’s Nazca Desert draws 300,000 visitors annually to witness monumental geoglyphs that remain invisible from ground level. This peculiarity transforms an arid plateau in southern Peru into a playground for Cessnas and wild theories. The figures span 174 square miles between the towns of Nazca and Palpa, 250 miles south of Lima. UNESCO classified the site in 1994, but protection remains challenging against urban development and occasional looters. The Nazca people carved these lines between 500 BC and 500 AD, never able to admire their work in its entirety. An irony that still fuels debate. Flight Tours: The Only Way … Read more

Could a “Golden Passport” Be Your Ticket to Living Abroad?

October 5, 2025 by Ben

A elegant family on a city break vacation enjoys the panoramic view over the skyline of Dubai, UAE

…assuming, of course, you have the financial means. Long established and widely practiced, the “golden passport” system allows people to relocate abroad relatively easily, bypassing many of the usual hurdles that others face when making such a move. Here’s what you need to know… What exactly is a “Golden Passport”? A “golden passport” refers to a special program that allows you to reside in—and even relatively easily obtain citizenship of—a country through investment alone. Often you can retain your original nationality too, if you wish. There’s also a similar option called a “Golden Visa,” which grants long-term residence permits, with … Read more

US Government Shutdown: What American Travelers Need to Know Right Now

October 4, 2025 by Ben

A bison stands in front of Mount Moran, north of Jackson Hole Wyoming

Sure, it’s not the first time this has happened, but still. It matters because what Americans call a “shutdown” – beyond its implications for the country and its citizens – can also affect tourists visiting or planning to visit the US. And since October 1st, the United States has once again entered a shutdown period. 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 furloughing without pay of all non-essential federal employees – tens of thousands of people critical to the … Read more

Airbus vs Boeing: When Trade Threats Trump Product Quality

September 30, 2025 by Ben

Not so long ago, we discussed what increasingly looked like Airbus’s dominance over its rival Boeing. The European aircraft manufacturer saw orders skyrocketing – for instance at the last Paris Air Show – while the American giant struggled with multiple setbacks, including the troubled 737 Max. But that was before. Before the blackmail that America and its increasingly mob-like president are now trying to impose on the entire world… Not necessarily a winning bet… The Tariff Weapon As we know, the United States has implemented its infamous tariff surcharges on virtually everything entering American soil from abroad. The stated goal? … Read more

Less Than a Week to Get Your US ESTA Before Price Doubles

September 27, 2025 by Ben

New York City Midtown with Empire State Building at Amazing Sunset

The increase had been on the cards for a while, originally scheduled for 2026. But things have moved faster than expected, and US authorities have officially announced that the new ESTA pricing will take effect at the end of September. Nearly Double the Price! This is part of the budgetary reforms passed by the Trump Administration to boost revenue. The cost of the ESTA, or Electronic System for Travel Authorization, will jump from the current $21 to $40 on September 30 – a nearly 100% increase. This change could further impact tourism numbers, which have already declined since the new … Read more

This Revolutionary Cruise Terminal Shows What the Future of Cruising Looks Like

September 25, 2025 by Ben

We’ve mentioned it several times before: the cruise industry is thriving, with more ships sailing the world’s oceans than ever and a passenger base that continues to grow. The 40 million cruise passenger milestone could be reached this year, or at least by 2026—a record! This is thanks in part to the revolution and innovations that began after the end of COVID. A Continuous “Renewal” Like every other tourism sector, the cruise industry also had its concerns about the future coming out of the pandemic. Perhaps even more so than others, given that a cruise means spending time in a … Read more

Why Costa Rica Should (or Shouldn’t) Be Your Next Adventure Destination

September 23, 2025 by Ben

Choosing a travel destination isn’t always straightforward. Between sometimes conflicting opinions from fellow travelers, our current desires and budget constraints, travel documentaries and advertisements we’ve seen, not to mention the positive or negative impressions we might have formed, making a decision can be challenging. That’s why we’re taking you through the main arguments that might convince you to visit a particular place… or not. Today, we’re exploring Costa Rica. The compelling reasons to go Minimal entry requirements Costa Rica has long prioritized tourism, making entry formalities remarkably simple for most visitors, with authorized stay durations significantly extended for many nationalities. … Read more