The Best Time to Visit - Page 9 of 29 -

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

Versailles Palace to Charge Non-European Visitors More Starting January 2026

October 23, 2025 by Ben

Versailles, France - 04 April 2025: Monument to king Louis XIV and Royal chapel of Versailles palace

In tourism as elsewhere, keeping up with important news isn’t always easy—you might miss something that could actually matter to you. That’s why we regularly revisit recent developments to bring them back into focus. Higher Prices Coming in January 2026 for Non-European Visitors While differentiated pricing based on nationality isn’t exactly groundbreaking in the tourism world, it’s actually fairly uncommon in France. Usually, when nationality-based pricing exists, it works the opposite way—offering free or reduced admission to young people and students from the European Union. But starting next January, access to one of France’s most visited sites—drawing 8 to 9 … Read more

5 Spine-Chilling Halloween Destinations in Europe You Can Still Visit This Year

October 22, 2025 by Ben

Bran, Transylvania, Romania - June 06, 2021: forest view of the medieval Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania. The famous mystical tourist attraction, the residence of the legendary Vlad the Impaler, the fairy-tale vampire of Count Dracula

Halloween falls during school break this year, making it the perfect opportunity for an extended weekend getaway to a destination that’ll send shivers down your spine. From Transylvanian castles to Celtic festivals, Europe offers places where the spirit of Halloween still lingers. Here are five experiences that’ll give you goosebumps in the best way possible. Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania Perched high in Romania’s Carpathian Mountains, Bran Castle (our featured photo) hosts a spectacular celebration every October 31st. Visitors explore the fortress completely transformed for the occasion, far from its usual austere appearance. Expect encounters with Vlad the Impaler and his … Read more

London to Launch Europe’s First Driverless Taxis in 2026: What You Need to Know

October 21, 2025 by Ben

Cockpit of driverless car driving on highway viewed from rear seat.

While their public rollout is relatively recent—dating back only to 2023—driverless taxis, also known as “robotaxis,” are rapidly gaining momentum and catching the attention of countries and cities worldwide. Although only the United States and China have truly taken the plunge with public services so far, a European nation is about to join them: the United Kingdom. Autonomous Taxis Coming to London in 2026 It will be a historic first for Europe. London is set to welcome its first autonomous taxis next year, operated by Waymo, a subsidiary of Google. Accessible through the Waymo app, the service will launch once … Read more

Singapore’s Surprising Cycling Revolution: Why This Asian City Is Racing to Build 800+ Miles of Bike Lanes

October 20, 2025 by Ben

Singapore- July 16, 2024: Building view of the Sultan Mosque and beautiful granite arches at Muscat Street in Kampong Glam, Singapore.

When you think of world-class cycling cities, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or perhaps Portland come to mind. Singapore? Not so much. Yet this Southeast Asian city-state is quietly planning one of the most ambitious urban cycling transformations on the planet. 800 Miles of Bike Paths by 2030 Traditionally, Singapore has never been synonymous with cycling culture, relying instead on its world-renowned public transportation system. But over the past fifteen years, a shift in mindset has emerged, prioritizing more eco-friendly and sustainable modes of urban transportation. Bike paths have gradually appeared throughout the metropolitan area and even extending toward neighboring Malaysia, totaling just … Read more

This Stunning Atlantic Island Peak Offers Europe’s Most Dramatic Sunrise Hike

October 19, 2025 by Ben

"Stairs to heaven" - Breathtaking view at famous mountain footpath from Pico do Arieiro to Pico Ruivo on the Portuguese Madeira island. Trekking Around the world traveling with kids concept image.

The “world at full scale” means setting off to discover our environment across five continents. An opportunity to see or revisit familiar places and other more secret spots that nevertheless share the common feature of representing the natural beauty of our planet. Today, we’re heading to the Atlantic island of Madeira to discover its summit, Pico Ruivo. A Paradise for Hiking Enthusiasts and Nature Lovers With its pleasant subtropical climate, laurel forests, and spectacular volcanic landscapes and terrain, the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira, located off the coast of Morocco, has long been a draw. First and foremost for nature lovers, … Read more

Which London Airport Should You Choose? The Complete Guide to Avoid Costly Mistakes

October 18, 2025 by Ben

travel to London, view of Tower Bridge from window of airplane, tourism

Five, or even six airports associated with a single city—is that really necessary? And what does this mean for travelers, both in terms of cost and travel time to reach the city center, depending on which airport you choose or are stuck with? Gatwick Airport This is London’s second-largest airport, and the second busiest in the UK, handling around 45 million passengers annually. With its two terminals, it hosts numerous major airlines, primarily British Airways, along with budget carriers like EasyJet and Vueling, as well as some vacation charter operators. While it offers some long-haul flights, particularly with British Airways, … Read more

Dubai Makes Bold Move: Cash Payments Could Vanish by 2026 in World’s Most Futuristic City

October 17, 2025 by Ben

A happy tourist woman in a white summer dress walks through the streets of Dubai, UAE, during her holiday time

If there’s one city on earth that consistently makes headlines for tourist innovations, it’s Dubai. This emirate metropolis increasingly shows us what tomorrow’s megacities might look like—not just through its architecture and urban planning, but through the services and facilities designed for both residents and the roughly 19-20 million tourists who visit annually. Even for something as “simple” as how we might pay for purchases… “Dubai Cashless” When it comes to innovation, Dubai goes all in. The city has decided to progressively eliminate cash payments from its territory for both locals and visitors. From paying for services of all kinds … 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

Why Isn’t Istanbul Turkey’s Capital? The Surprising Story Behind Ankara

October 15, 2025 by Ben

When it comes to travel and tourism, we all sometimes ask ourselves simple questions because we wonder why certain things we see or experience are the way they are, how they can be explained, and for what reasons. In short, why… Today, we’re looking at a major city that everyone knows by name at least, but which, oddly enough, isn’t its country’s capital. We’re talking about Istanbul and Turkey. Historical, Political and Geographic Reasons Just as New York isn’t the capital of the United States (it’s Washington DC), Sydney isn’t Australia’s (Canberra), or Rio de Janeiro for Brazil (it’s Brasília), … Read more