* BREXIT AND AMERICAN TRAVEL (Washington Post). What does Britain's vote to leave the European Union mean for American travelers? Cheaper prices throughout Britain (at least for now). Amid the uncertainty following the vote, the British pound has taken a dive, resulting in the lowest exchange rate against the dollar in about 30 years. Frommer's editorial director Pauline Frommer says, "That will mean that our dollars will go further for meals and attractions when visiting Britain. But there could be savings on hotels, too."
Frommer's founder (and Pauline's father) Arthur Frommer, meanwhile, laments the loss of European unity and warns that lines to enter Britain may eventually get longer, since travelers from EU states will have to wait along with the rest of us instead of passing through customs with British citizens.
* BREXIT AND AIR TRAVEL (CNN Money). Britain's exit from the EU could also affect the continent's cheap and easy air travel. For 20 years, airlines based in European Union countries have been free to fly anywhere within that single market, resulting in more flights and lower fares. Now it's unclear whether the same rules will apply, which is one reason why British airline stocks have fallen—some by as much as 20%. If the uncertainty lingers and no deal is reached to keep the skies open, you can expect fares to go higher.
* BEWARE OF FAKE MONKS IN NYC (ABC News). According to New York City Buddhist leaders, men in orange robes claiming to be Buddhist monks are approaching tourists at popular attractions like the High Line elevated park and Times Square. Handing out shiny medallions and offering greetings of peace, the men ask for donations to help build a temple in Thailand, then get persistent and aggressive if they're turned down. The Buddhist Council of New York is trying to get the word out that the men appear to have no affiliation with any Buddhist temple. As one of the council's Facebook posts put it, "This is a scam."
* "POSHTELS" COME TO THE US (USA Today). A new breed of posh hostels—or "poshtels"—have begun appearing in the United States after gaining popularity in Europe. Far from the old image of hostels as rundown, cramped, and uncomfortable, poshtels from brands such as Freehand and Generator feel more like boutique hotels at super-cheap prices. Rates for shared rooms can be as low as $25 a night, with many properties offering private rooms as well as free WiFi, breakfast, planned activities, and sometimes even swimming pools. So far, the properties tend to attract travelers in their 20s and early 30s drawn to the low prices as well as the sort of social interaction among people of diverse backgrounds that hostels promote.
That's all we've got for now. Check back throughout the week for fresh updates.
* BEWARE OF FAKE MONKS IN NYC (ABC News). According to New York City Buddhist leaders, men in orange robes claiming to be Buddhist monks are approaching tourists at popular attractions like the High Line elevated park and Times Square. Handing out shiny medallions and offering greetings of peace, the men ask for donations to help build a temple in Thailand, then get persistent and aggressive if they're turned down. The Buddhist Council of New York is trying to get the word out that the men appear to have no affiliation with any Buddhist temple. As one of the council's Facebook posts put it, "This is a scam."
* "POSHTELS" COME TO THE US (USA Today). A new breed of posh hostels—or "poshtels"—have begun appearing in the United States after gaining popularity in Europe. Far from the old image of hostels as rundown, cramped, and uncomfortable, poshtels from brands such as Freehand and Generator feel more like boutique hotels at super-cheap prices. Rates for shared rooms can be as low as $25 a night, with many properties offering private rooms as well as free WiFi, breakfast, planned activities, and sometimes even swimming pools. So far, the properties tend to attract travelers in their 20s and early 30s drawn to the low prices as well as the sort of social interaction among people of diverse backgrounds that hostels promote.
That's all we've got for now. Check back throughout the week for fresh updates.
