The Best Time to Visit - Page 5 of 29 -

The Silent Killer: When an African Lake Claimed 1,700 Lives 40 Years Ago

January 7, 2026 by Ben

On the evening of 21 August 1986, Lake Nyos, a seemingly tranquil crater lake in north-west Cameroon, released a deadly surge of between 100,000 and 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. This dense gas cloud swept down the surrounding hillsides at nearly 50 kilometres per hour, suffocating 1,746 people and almost 3,000 head of livestock within a 25-kilometre radius. Victims died in their sleep, without a sound or a flame. While houses and vegetation remained eerily untouched, the tragedy revealed a rare and terrifying geological phenomenon to the world: the limnic eruption. How gas builds up at the bottom of a … Read more

Chinese New Year: It’s almost that time of year again…

January 4, 2026 by Ben

Cute smiling little 2 - 3 years old Asian toddler baby boy child in traditional red Chinese costume celebrating Chinese New Year with Chinese lion dance in Bangkok, Lunar New Year celebration concept

Chinese New Year is the most significant event in the Chinese calendar. Far more than just a public holiday, it is a season of renewal, family reunions, and a deep-rooted celebration of ancient traditions. Unlike the Gregorian New Year on 1st January, the date shifts every year according to the lunar cycle, typically falling between late January and February. For 2026, the festivities are set to kick off on Tuesday, 17 February. Weeks of festivities and ceremonies The celebrations aren’t limited to a single day. In fact, they officially span three weeks, with preparations beginning a good week before the … Read more

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

January 2, 2026 by Ben

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

December 29, 2025 by Ben

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!

December 27, 2025 by Ben

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

December 26, 2025 by Ben

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”?

December 21, 2025 by Ben

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!

December 5, 2025 by Ben

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

December 4, 2025 by Ben

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!

December 3, 2025 by Ben

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