Tagged: istanbul

Turkey Drops Visa Requirement for North Americans, Granting Free Entry

In a flash of good news that got lost in the shuffle of holiday celebrations and grim headlines, one of the most exciting destinations in Europe has decided to stop charging Americans…

“If It Is Not Closed, It Will Collapse”: Converted Hagia Sophia Is Now Crowded and Crumbling

The Hagia Sophia, Istanbul's iconic cathedral-turned-mosque-turned-museum-turned-mosque, will begin charging foreign tourists an entrance fee starting January 15, 2024, Turkish…

Cruise Lines Continue to Cancel Stops in Turkey

Cruise lines—including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, and Celebrity Cruises—continue to cancel stops in Istanbul and other Turkish cities, substituting days at sea or calls…

21 New UNESCO World Heritage Sites Announced

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee added 21 sites to its World Heritage List during the group's annual meeting in Istanbul last week (a meeting that had to be cut short because of…

Turkey Tourism, Airbnb in Cuba, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Here's what's happening today in the world of travel.* BILL TO TIGHTEN AIRPORT SECURITY AND SPEED UP LINES GETS THE GO-AHEAD (Washington Post). A bipartisan aviation bill designed to…

Turkey's Tourism Woes

The number of American travelers visiting Turkey dropped by more than 20% in the first five months of 2016 compared to last year, following terrorist attacks in Ankara last fall and…

Bill to Tighten Airport Security and Speed Up Lines Gets the Go-Ahead

A bipartisan aviation bill designed to heighten airport security measures while shortening security lines was approved by the transportation committees in both houses of Congress on…

In China You Can Use Uber to Get a Hot Air Balloon

Uber China is introducing a new service called Uber+Travel that will let you use the car-hailing app to request rides on boats as well as hot air balloons. The company has tried out…

US Airports Tighten Security After Istanbul Attack

If you're passing through an airport this weekend, expect huge crowds and heightened security measures. The crowds are due to the July Fourth holiday, of course. The heightened…

Istanbul Airport Attack, Cuban Tourism, and More: Today's Travel Briefing

Here's what's happening today in the world of travel.* DEADLY SUICIDE BOMBINGS AT ISTANBUL AIRPORT (Huffington Post). Three suicide bombers attacked Istanbul Ataturk Airport last…

Deadly Suicide Bombings at Istanbul Airport

Three suicide bombers attacked Istanbul Ataturk Airport last night, killing at least 41 people and injuring more than 230. According to Turkish officials, police shot at the…

We've Told You Where to Go in 2014, But Which Destinations Were Most Searched in 2013? The Answers May Surprise You

Let me start this blog by stating that there's no evidence that the number of searches for a destination will translate into more visits for said destination. But it is a fascinating…

A Nightmarish Incident on a Recent Cruise May Cause Vacationers to Rethink Buying Insurance Directly from the Cruise Line

By now, you likely have heard the story of elderly couple who were put off an Azamara Cruise ship in a small town in Turkey, when the 89-year-old husband fell and broke his hip.…

Park of the Week: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial

An engineering marvel that is, I think, unique in shape and function, the Gateway Arch that anchors the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial in St. Louis is breathtaking in its…

Easter Getaways With Kid Appeal

With Easter just around the corner, kid-friendly resorts are rolling back prices and adding bunny-themed events for the holiday weekend. Here are eight resorts with special…

Slope Specs: Glacial Challenges at Early Season Favorite Les Diablerets

Les Diablerets (pronounced lay dee-AH-blur-ay) is part of a ski region that includes the linked villages of Villars and Gryon in Switzerland. Of the three, which are skiable on a…

Grand Expectations: Travel with Grandma & Grandpa Still Rocks

There is no better way to bond with your grandchildren than to share the experience of travel. Inter-generational travel creates memories that will last a lifetime and your adventures…

National Parks: Virtual Visits, Access, Heritage, Sailing and Music

The National Park Service has embraced digital media and is bringing National Parks to your laptop and iPod. Hundreds of short audio and video programs are now available on National…

7 House Rental Agencies That Make Disney Feel Like Home

In most guidebooks, the home rental option is relegated to a single box or a few wan paragraphs. That makes zero sense to me. For value, renting a home is quite simply the best way to…