Automatic airline refunds!: The Department of Transportation in the U.S. is instituting new rules that require airlines to give automatic refunds if a domestic flight is delayed by three hours or more or an international flight is delayed by six hours or more. The airline can offer an alternative or travel credits, but we won’t be obligated to accept them instead of a cash refund.
Baggage refunds, too!: We’ll also be refunded if airlines don’t return our checked bags within 12 hours for domestic flights and within 30 hours for international. All fees have to be clearly disclosed, too. Thanks, DOT!
Train between Las Vegas and Los Angeles: A high-speed bullet train will run between these two cities, set to launch in 2028. That will be in time for the summer Olympics in L.A. The ride will take just over two hours (at 180mph), which is almost twice as fast as driving. Can’t wait to try it out when it’s ready!
No more CLEAR?: California is proposing a bill that would outlaw the CLEAR program in airports, which allows people to “cut” the line. Airlines are fighting it.
“Smooch” Cabins?: Ummm… Deutsche Bahn in Germany has introduced two-person cabins on their trains that can be changed from transparent to frosted glass (with a push button) for more privacy, purportedly for “cuddling.” Yeah, right. At least it’s just for two passengers, so no group “cuddling” allowed.
Lake Como fee?: Like Venice, Italy’s Lake Como has suffered from over-tourism, so they’re contemplating a daytripper tax.
No pizza and ice cream in Milan after midnight: Milan may ban the sale of pizza and ice cream after midnight, requiring that restaurants not do these sales outdoors. It’s another effort to curb over-tourism and noise that disturbs residents. I don’t blame them!
Amsterdam cracking down: And Amsterdam is also fed up with over-tourism, so they’re capping overnight stays at 20 million per year and restricting the building of new hotels within the city center.
Going to Athens this summer? Speaking of over-tourism, Athens is apparently receiving a surge in tourism at the moment, so keep that in mind if you plan to visit during the busiest months.
Flying with a dog?: Enter Bark Air, a new airline that caters to passengers with dogs. They have calming treats, poop bags, and beverages during ascent and descent to ease ear issues. Currently, they fly between Westchester, NY airport and Van Nuys, California and London Stansted Airport.
Lifetime bans at Disney: People who fake disabilities to skip the line at Disneyland or Disney World will now face lifetime bans if they’re caught.
National park reservations in the U.S.: Certain national parks in the U.S. will require timed-entry reservations this summer. They are Arches National Park in Utah, Glacier National Park in Montana, Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii, Mount Rainier National Park in Washington, Yosemite National Park in California, and Zion National Park in Utah.
Are you a hunter? If you hunt, be sure to check your luggage before traveling, especially internationally. Unintentional ammo has been found in baggage and is landing U.S. tourists in jail. One man was recently sentenced to 12 years in Turks & Caicos for this.
Countries with no airports: There are just five countries that don’t have an airport. They are Vatican City, San Marino, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and Andorra.
TripAdvisor’s top 10 hotels in the world: Hotel Colline de France in Brazil, OBLU SELECT Lobigili in the Maldives, La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa in Vietnam, Adiwana Suweta in Indonesia, Iberostar Grand Packard in Cuba, Emerald Maldives Resort & Spa in the Maldives, La Siesta Classic Ma May in Vietnam, Secrets Akumal Riviera Maya in Mexico, Padma Resort Ubud in Bali Indonesia, and Sofitel Mexico City Reforma in Mexico City.
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