5 Essential Tips to Survive Long-Haul Flights

Swimming in the ocean, lake or river, forest walks, mountain hikes, bike rides, but also long car journeys or flights – vacations are ultimately a combination of activities and situations we’re not necessarily used to. And these might require some advice, often simple and even common sense, to ensure everything goes smoothly each time. Today, let’s focus on something relevant for those who have or will have a long flight ahead – transatlantic or even longer. Five tips to physically prepare yourself for such journeys. Creating your own environment 1- Adjust your sleep schedule: long-haul flights mean, unless you’re flying … Read more

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

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

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

India and Bhutan Are Building a Railway Connection—Here’s What It Means for Travelers

"Bumthang, Bhutan aA June 27, 2012: Three young Buddhist monks peer out from a monastery window at a local festival in the Bumthang Valley of Bhutan."

Sure, this news won’t revolutionize the travel world or even the transportation industry, but the fact remains that by the end of the decade, you’ll be able to take a train between India and Bhutan. A project that’s been in the works for over twenty years… Two Cross-Border Lines in the Pipeline Two railway lines—with potentially more to follow—will connect Kokrajhar (India) to Gelephu (Bhutan) and Banarhat (India) to Samtse (Bhutan). These aren’t exactly household names, but these towns sit on opposite sides of the border between the two countries, in the Assam and Bengal regions on the Indian side, … Read more

Why Graz, Austria’s Hidden Second City, Should Be Your Next Fall Getaway

Classic view of the historic city of Graz with main square and famous Grazer clock tower in the background sitting on top of Schlossberg hill, Styria, Austria

Vienna, the Tyrolean Alps, and perhaps Salzburg with its Mozart connections—these are the places typically associated with Austria. Yet the country offers much more, and when it comes to cities, Graz is far too often overlooked. As Austria’s second-largest city after Vienna, Graz truly shines in autumn. Where is Graz? Home to 300,000 residents, Graz sits in southeastern Austria in the state of Styria, just a few miles from the Slovenian border and about two hours by road from Vienna. Here you’ll find Austria’s plains (or nearly so), foreshadowing what nearby Hungary calls the puszta—vast flat expanses of wild grassland … Read more

India Introduces Digital Arrival Card: What Travelers Need to Know Before Their Trip

Keeping up with travel news isn’t always easy—important updates can slip through the cracks, especially when it comes to entry requirements. That’s why we’re bringing back this recent development that could affect your upcoming trip to India. Going Digital Like Everyone Else We’ve all seen it happening: paper documents are gradually disappearing in favor of digital alternatives, and entry formalities are no exception. More and more countries are making the switch, and India has just joined the club by replacing its traditional paper arrival form with a new digital system called the e-Arrival Card. Like the old paper form, this … Read more

Airbus vs Boeing: When Trade Threats Trump Product Quality

Boeing plane

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

Night Trains in Europe: Why These Romantic Routes May Not Survive 2025

Night Train

Since their recent revival, night trains have been making a comeback across France and Europe. However, while the initiative seems admirable, it’s not necessarily proving successful. At least not on certain routes like Paris-Berlin and Paris-Vienna where these two services, launched just recently, may not make it through the year. A Return to Grace Let’s look back at the history. After experiencing strong development and reaching their peak between the 1930s and 1970s, night train services gradually declined in France and Europe, facing competition from high-speed trains, cars, and especially budget airlines for longer journeys. But in recent years, both … Read more

You may be hearing about it more and more, but what exactly is ‘suitcase gambling’?

Suitcase Gambling

Here’s a look at a travel trend you might have heard of but aren’t quite sure what it’s all about: “suitcase gambling”. It’s another one of those expressions, like “extreme day trips”, “dupe destinations”, and “Spring break”, that has made its way over from the English-speaking world. So, what exactly is it? A Gamble for Better or Worse We all remember lucky bags, don’t we? For some, it might even bring back fond memories of those large paper cones filled with toys and sweets that kids used to get from bakeries and local shops. You never knew what you were … Read more

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

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