The Rise of the “Private Stopover”: The New Frontier of Cruising

Labadee, Haiti - MAY 01, 2018: People enjoying sunny day on beach at island Labadee in Haiti on may 1, 2018

In the world of tour operators and cruise giants, there are generally two ways to win over the public. You can either take them to existing, well-known landmarks where they’ll share the experience with every other tourist, or you can build an entirely new destination from scratch—complete with custom infrastructure and attractions—exclusively for your own guests. It’s a trend that is rapidly gaining steam, with more and more cruise lines now making these private enclaves the centrepiece of their itineraries. A Growing Trend Whether in the Caribbean for North American holidaymakers or across the Mediterranean for the European market, cruise … Read more

London to Debut Its First Self-Driving Taxis by Summer 2026

London's taxis and red buses front of big ben on a cloudy day, selective focus

It’s official: by the first half of 2026, London will welcome its very first autonomous taxis. This marks a major milestone as the UK capital becomes the first city in Europe to roll out the technology, with Swiss cities expected to follow suit shortly after. The end of the road for the iconic Black Cab? While they only truly entered public service in 2023, “robotaxis”—or driverless cars—are rapidly gaining momentum globally, capturing the interest of governments and municipalities alike. Until now, the US and China were the only nations to have fully taken the plunge. However, 2026 will see this … Read more

Artificial Intelligence takes to the slopes!

People lifting on ski-lift in winter sunny the mountains detail.

With AI now a fixture in almost every aspect of our lives, it was only a matter of time before it made its way onto the ski slopes. This is particularly true for resorts, which—both in France and abroad—are increasingly turning to smart technology to better manage their ski areas, infrastructure, and guest services. An increasingly essential technology Admittedly, skiing might not be the first industry that comes to mind when you think of AI, and its impact isn’t always obvious to the casual holidaymaker. However, AI is now working behind the scenes to improve your skiing experience, enhance safety, … Read more

It’s “Official”: This Famous Roman Landmark Will No Longer Be Free Starting January

Beautiful sunset in Rome in orange, pink, purple and purple colors – a view of the landmarks and ancient architecture in the city center from the roof of the historic building

It has been a topic of debate for two years, but the decision is now official: Rome’s world-famous Trevi Fountain will require a paid entry fee starting January 7th. €2 up close, free from afar… Between battling over-tourism, protecting heritage sites, and generating much-needed revenue, substantial tourist taxes and entry fees for major landmarks are becoming the norm worldwide—particularly in Italy. Following the introduction of a 400-person capacity limit, access to the iconic Trevi Fountain will now cost €2 per person from January 7th, 2026. This comes almost two years after the measure was first proposed by local authorities. The … Read more

We hear about them more and more these days, but what exactly are “Smart Airports”?

Businessman suit passenger use self driving chcek-in robots assistant for ticket and accompany them to their gate at international airport.

There are certain buzzwords that crop up regularly, yet we often don’t know—or have simply forgotten—what they actually mean. Today, we’re looking at a term that is set to redefine air travel: the Smart Airport. This new breed of terminal is likely to become the standard for all of us within just a few years. The airport of tomorrow Put simply, a smart airport is one that harnesses cutting-edge technology—starting with Artificial Intelligence and biometrics—to make the journey smoother, safer, and more efficient. The ultimate goal is to transform a place often perceived as stressful into a connected, automated experience, … Read more

Tips for Visiting the Sahara: Don’t Forget to Wrap Up!

Morocco. Sand dunes of Sahara desert

If you’re planning a trip to the Sahara—be it in Morocco, Tunisia, or the South of Algeria—now is the ideal time to go. The most favourable period for a visit runs from October to mid-April, when daytime temperatures are bearable. However, this doesn’t stop the nights from remaining bitterly cold! A Paradox for Many Visitors It might seem baffling. When you’re in the Sahara, or indeed any desert area around the globe, you can be sweltering during the day, only for the exact opposite to happen once night falls. Temperatures plummet to freezing levels, potentially reaching as low as 10°F … Read more

Brazil Unveils Latin America’s Longest Marked Trail

Path to Amazon River through the jungle

Not long ago, we were telling you about what is set to become Europe’s, if not the world’s, largest walking loop in Portugal. Now, it’s Brazil’s turn to launch what is officially the longest marked trail in Latin America. Timed for Belém’s COP30 The trail, officially named the Trilha Amazônia Atlântica, was unveiled a few weeks ago to coincide with Belém’s COP30 climate summit. This “Amazonia Atlantic Trail,” as its name translates, is a lengthy, marked walking route located in the state of Pará. Stretching for a total of 468 kilometres, the route begins in the historic centre of Belém … Read more

Calling All Pokémon Fans: Tokyo is the Destination!

Some things leave a lasting mark across generations, and the famous Pokémon are undeniably one of them. So much so, in fact, that these peculiar creatures are about to get their very own dedicated theme park in the city of Tokyo. An Immersive Experience While the Pokémon universe has never had an exclusive, dedicated site—just zones within more general parks—that’s all about to change very soon. Indeed, the “PokePark Kanto” is set to be inaugurated in early 2026, specifically on February 5th. This will be a 2.6-hectare site entirely dedicated to them in the west of the Japanese capital, featuring … Read more

The World’s Highest Hotel is Here—And Yes, It’s in Dubai

Dubai, UAE - october 22, 2024: skyscrapers Dubai Marina, Ciel Tower, Cayan Tower, DAMAC Heights, Princess Tower

We recently mentioned the Las Vegas hotel-casino that reportedly offers the most expensive suite in the world: US$100,000 per night for 850 square metres spread across two storeys in a setting that many agree isn’t always in the best taste. But we digress… That was a record in hospitality, but it has recently been eclipsed by another—less pricey yet even more colossal. The city of Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, has just inaugurated the world’s tallest hotel. 82 Storeys and 377 Metres High It was in mid-November that Dubai opened the Ciel Dubai Marina, which will now hold the … Read more

US National Park Entry Fees to Soar for Non-Residents

Family standing next to Thor's Hammer hoodoo on top of mountain looking at beautiful view. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA

We had almost forgotten about the measure, given that the news cycle from the Trump Administration is constantly flooded with various announcements about anything and everything. But the fact remains: the entry price for US National Parks is set to increase for foreigners starting next year. And by an even larger margin than anticipated, it turns out… Pass Price Trebles It was this week that US authorities officially announced the future access prices for the (63) National Parks and Reserves for foreign tourists. From 1st January 2026, the annual “America the Beautiful” pass will jump from US$80 to US$250 per … Read more