Which U.S. Airline Takes the Best Care of Luggage?
Posted on 03/22/2022, 7:45 AM
U.S. airlines carried about 224 million checked bags in the second half of 2021—a significant increase from the 159 million bags checked from January through June. Inevitably, the number of bags mishandled by airlines went way up, too, from just under 700,000 in the first half of 2021 to 1.25 million in the year's latter half, according to figures released by the U.S. Department of Transportation...
Canada Dumps Pre-Arrival Covid Testing for Most Travelers
Posted on 03/18/2022, 3:00 PM
So many countries are dropping Covid-19 hurdles for inbound tourists that we could fill our pages with dozens of happy announcements every day. (And in our consistently up-to-date post on entry requirements in the Caribbean and Mexico, we do.) But one announcement this week is particularly gratifying for our North American readers: As of Friday, April 1, Canada will no longer require visitors to p...
New Zealand Finally Reopening to Vaccinated Travelers
Posted on 03/16/2022, 12:00 PM
Destinations around the world are lifting mask mandates and even vaccine requirements. And now a major milestone on the way to a full reopening of travel has been reached Down Under. The government of New Zealand, which has maintained some of the world's tightest border restrictions since the start of the pandemic two years ago, announced today that vaccinated visitors from most countries, includ...
Cruise Virginia’s Longest River the 18th-Century Way
Posted on 03/15/2022, 2:30 PM
A historical means of transporting crops along the James River in Virginia will soon be used to cart tourists along the same waterway. Starting Friday, April 1, the James River Batteau Company, based in the town of Scottsville, will launch river cruises in the Morning Dew, a long, flat-bottomed wooden boat that's propelled by navigators wielding poles. From the late 18th century to about the mid...
France's "Health Pass" System for Tourism Is Officially Over
Posted on 03/14/2022, 4:00 PM
France's so-called "Health Pass" system that was introduced last August has been eliminated as of today, March 14. The system's QR code—which was required to enter the country's bars, restaurants, cultural institutions, public transport, and sports facilities—represented one of the strictest travel rules for tourists on the European continent. Because the pass could only be granted by accredited p...
U.S. Mask Mandate Extended Again on Airplanes, Transit
Posted on 03/10/2022, 11:45 AM
The Transportation Security Agency is extending the mask mandate that was set to expire on March 18. This is the third time it has been extended. The change was confirmed by multiple sources, including NBC News and ABC News. The airlines' flight attendants union had advocated for the preservation of the mask rule. "We have every expectation that the mask mandate will be extended for the near ter...
New in New York State: Tiny Houses in the Catskills & Cottages on Oneida Lake
Posted on 03/08/2022, 7:45 PM
There are two enticing new ways for vacationers to immerse themselves in the varied natural beauty of New York State. First, the recently opened A Tiny House Resort (pictured above) in the Catskill Mountains features 15 micro dwellings sprinkled across a 50-acre wooded property with hiking trails, a waterfall, a stretch of Catskill Creek, and a farm inhabited by goats, sheep, ducks, chickens, and ...
What Are the Best U.S. Cities for Cyclists?
Posted on 03/07/2022, 2:00 PM
With gas prices surging, car rentals remaining costly, and climate change nearing the point of no return due to fossil fuels, it's smarter than ever to find transportation alternatives to automobiles when we travel. In many U.S. cities, bicycles are an excellent choice. In recent years, many cities have invested in cycling infrastructure, creating dedicated and protected bike lanes. Not only ha...
Get Paid to Get Married in Rome in 2022
Posted on 03/04/2022, 5:30 PM
A lot of couples are expected to tie the knot this year—the most since 1984, according to one market research firm. Ceremonies that were postponed by the pandemic added to newly scheduled nuptials account for much of the boom. Central Italy's Lazio region, which includes Rome, is hoping to get in on the upsurge with a new promotion that offers couples a bonus of €2,000 (about $2,200) for getting m...
Throw Away the Test Kit! Hawaii Drops All Covid Entry Rules
Posted on 03/03/2022, 4:00 PM
Hawaii is ending all Covid entry restrictions for domestic visitors. On the state's official Safe Travels website, a new alert appeared this week. Framed in an orange box that usually signifies alarm, the message is actually cause for rejoicing. It reads: "At the end of the day, March 25, 2022, the Safe Travels Hawai'i program will conclude. Beginning March 26, 2022, there will be no Covid-relate...
