Travel - The Best Time to Visit

Is Antarctica Already Too Crowded? Tourism Boom Threatens the White Continent

September 24, 2025 by Ben

“The tourism boom in Antarctica is accelerating the melting of the white continent” – these are the terms in which the international scientific community is raising alarms about the number of visitors Antarctica receives year after year. And even though we’re still far from the overtourism now seen almost everywhere on the planet, this influx is beginning to cause concern. Over 100,000 Visitors The latest figures tell the story. While fewer than 40,000 people traveled to Antarctica annually during the previous decade, for the 2024-2025 season, 118,000 made the journey, with half being North Americans. This boom is primarily due … Read more

Major Cyberattack Brings Three of Europe’s Busiest Airports to Their Knees

September 20, 2025 by Ben

London, England - September 1, 2015: Heathrow Terminal 5 is an airport terminal at Heathrow Airport serving the UK city of London. Opened in 2008, the main building in the complex is the largest free-standing structure in the United

Brussels, Berlin, and London Heathrow experienced severe operational disruptions this Saturday, September 20th, after a cyberattack targeted check-in and boarding systems provided by American company Collins Aerospace. The incident, which began Friday evening, forced several major airport platforms to switch to manual procedures, causing cascading flight delays and cancellations. The cyber attack specifically targeted Collins Aerospace’s MUSE software, a subsidiary of defense conglomerate RTX (formerly Raytheon Technologies). This system manages electronic passenger check-in and baggage drop-off at numerous airports across Europe. Faced with the inability to use automated terminals, ground crews had to revert to paper check-in procedures, multiplying wait … Read more

This Country Just Made Vaping Even More Expensive – And the Penalties Are Shocking

September 17, 2025 by Ben

“What’s accepted here might not be accepted there” – this is perhaps the most important thing to remember when traveling abroad if you want to avoid a world of trouble. Every country and society has its own rules and prohibitions, meaning that situations that are more or less acceptable back home won’t always be viewed the same way elsewhere. Sometimes even for things as seemingly harmless as e-cigarettes… Among the World’s Most Restrictive Legislation We know that Singapore doesn’t mess around, and that prohibitions – along with their accompanying penalties – are numerous there, even for things that pose no problem … Read more

The Rise of “Extreme Day Trips”: Why Travelers Are Flying Abroad for Just One Day

September 12, 2025 by Ben

We hear about it regularly (or almost), but what exactly are “extreme day trips”? There are things we hear about more or less regularly without knowing—or having forgotten—what they actually mean. Today we’re taking a closer look at a phenomenon that’s gaining traction in certain circles, though not yet among the general public, known as “extreme day trips.” So what does this mean exactly? International Travel in Under 24 Hours Let’s start by understanding this expression “extreme day trips,” which we could simply translate as “lightning trips.” Because that’s exactly what it is—the idea of flying abroad for just one … Read more

Airbus A320 Set to Dethrone Boeing 737 as World’s Best-Selling Aircraft by Year-End

August 27, 2025 by Ben

While this news might seem of limited interest to the general public, in the aviation world, it marks a turning point—even a “revolution.” The Airbus A320 is on track to become the world’s best-selling aircraft by the end of the year. 12,175 Boeing vs 12,153 Airbus Until now, the Boeing 737 has been the most commercially successful aircraft in the history of civil aviation since its launch in the 1960s, with over 12,000 units sold. However, it looks like it will be dethroned by year-end by the Airbus A320, the European aircraft manufacturer’s flagship model that has now become the … Read more

The Global Cruise Fleet is About to Explode: 60 New Ships Set to Transform Ocean Travel

August 18, 2025 by Ben

As we regularly discuss, the cruise industry is experiencing robust growth with encouraging prospects for the coming years, and even more cruise passengers expected than we see today. This surge is driving cruise lines to invest heavily in new vessels to meet the growing demand. Sixty Projects Over the Next Decade We recently covered MSC Cruises’ massive $3.8 billion contract with Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire for two new ships scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030. While this project remains one of the most significant in terms of scale, it’s far from the only one. Not all projects … Read more

Mexico to Hit Cruise Passengers with New Entry Fees Starting This Summer

August 17, 2025 by Ben

Among the numerous ports of call offered by cruise lines sailing the Caribbean, Mexico stands out with its stunning Riviera Maya stretching from Cancun to the Belize border. This destination offers travelers the chance to enjoy spectacular beaches, dive around Cozumel Island, or embark on excursions to discover pre-Columbian sites like Tulum, the Puuc Route, or Chichen Itza. However, starting this summer, cruise passengers disembarking in Mexico will have to pay higher entry fees to enjoy all these attractions. Over 7 Million Cruise Passengers Annually With annual visitor numbers more than doubling over the past two decades to exceed 7 … Read more

How Do Airplane Toilets Actually Work? The Surprising Aviation Engineering Behind Your Mid-Flight Bathroom Break

August 16, 2025 by Ben

It’s a question that might seem odd, but every passenger has probably wondered about it during a flight: How do airplane toilets actually work? Advanced Technology at 35,000 Feet Like everything in aviation, the toilet system aboard aircraft involves advanced technology where nothing is left to chance. Weight considerations alone are crucial, given the water requirements and waste volume for flights carrying sometimes hundreds of passengers. If there’s one thing aircraft manufacturers and airlines constantly battle against, it’s excess weight and the additional costs it brings, including increased fuel consumption. That’s why airplane toilets are nothing like the ones in … Read more

Malta, Iceland, and the Netherlands Top the Charts as Safest LGBT+ Travel Destinations

August 12, 2025 by Ben

Staying informed about travel news can be overwhelming, especially when important developments might slip through the cracks. That’s why we regularly revisit recent stories that deserve a spotlight, bringing you updates on topics that matter to travelers worldwide. Europe and Canada Lead the Way These findings come from a comprehensive survey conducted this year at ITB Berlin, Europe’s largest tourism trade fair. The study examined the safest and least safe destinations for LGBT+ travelers, using criteria that encompassed everything from legal frameworks and laws to real-life experiences shared by both residents and visitors. The goal was to identify the best … Read more

Hidden Airplane Rules That Could Land You in Trouble

August 6, 2025 by Ben

Think you know all the rules on board an aircraft? Think again. Beyond the obvious prohibitions like smoking or using your mobile phone, certain practices could land you with a hefty fine, or worse. Here are three lesser-known restrictions that could turn your next flight into a legal nightmare. Opening your miniature whisky bottle bought at duty-free The rule that devastates gin and tonic enthusiasts You’ve purchased a miniature vodka bottle at duty-free, convinced you can jazz up your orange juice during the flight? Bad idea. The regulation is crystal clear: passengers are prohibited from consuming alcohol on board an … Read more