Happy July from the Staff at Traveling Boy
We have designated this season to think of those who suffer from great sorry and misfortune. Here are some of our favorite charities.
MOREIgnorant Yankees: Two Fifths Of Americans Do Not Know The Official Language Of Brazil
New research has revealed that 42% of Americans do not know the official language of Brazil, with Spanish and Brazilian thought to be the most common alternatives. Nearly one in five are also unaware that French is spoken in Canada, and one in ten think Australian is a language.
These Smart Bags Comply with TSA Regulations
The Transportation Security Administration in 2018 banned smart bags with non-removable lithium batteries, but travelers don’t have to completely give up on smart luggage technology, writes Madhurima Nag. Options that will get through airport security include Kabuto Xtend Smart Carry-On Luggage, Genius Pack Supercharged Carry-On Luggage, the Salsa Deluxe Multiwheel Electronic Tag Suitcase, Samsara Smart Aluminum Suitcase and NoviConnected Smart Luggage Travel Roller by INCASE.
MOREFacial-Recognition Technology Streamlines Boarding on British Airways
British Airways has used facial-recognition technology to streamline the boarding process for more than 250,000 passengers traveling internationally from US airports. The airline worked closely with US Customs and Border Protection to implement the technology.
The future of airport travel is happening now with more than 250,000 British Airways passengers using biometric tech on international flights from the US.
MOREPassport Book vs. Passport Card: Which Do I Need?
Courtesy Ed Perkins
The U.S. State Department issues two versions of a passport: a traditional passport book vs. a passport card. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrival/departure stamps; the passport card is a one-piece credit-card-sized ID card. Which you should get, passport book vs. passport card, depends on how you plan to travel and how much you want to pay for your travel documents.
MOREMachu Picchu Pueblo Becomes the First City in Latin America to Be 100% Sustainable
Inkaterra, Peru’s leading hotel group in sustainable tourism and hotel development, has succeeded in making Machu Picchu Pueblo the first city in Latin America to manage 100% of its solid waste.
MOREStar Struck: Half of the World’s Star Rated Hotels Located in Europe
- Number of European 5-star hotels have doubled in three years
- Asia’s star is rising with almost 5.000 new star hotels in three years
- Falling stars in the United States: decline in 5-star hotels
10 Secret Beaches to Visit Before the Crowds Do
If you want a jaw-dropping shoreline without the sunburned tourists and splashing masses, head for one of these lesser-known gems that are just as dazzling — even if you’ve never heard of them.
MOREA Compact Camera that Will Crush Your Smartphone
Courtesy Caroline Morse Teel
It’s a dilemma for many travelers: You want a better photo than you can take with your smartphone, but you don’t want to lug around a big camera. Sony’s Cyber-Shot RX100 VI solves your problem by putting a high-quality camera into a tiny, pocket-sized package. Upgrade your travel pictures without adding a big camera.
Hotel Resort Fees and Other Hidden Charges
Courtesy Ed Perkins
In a big win for Britain’s consumers, the British Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has told big online travel agencies that they must include any mandatory charges like hotel “resort” fees (which are often applied by non-resort hotels in big cities, as well) in the up-front listed price. It’s ok, says CMA, for hotels to break the full price into a base charge plus a mandatory fee, but all mandatory fees must be included in the initially displayed cost.
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Overtourism Has Travel Advisors Telling Their Customers to Please Go Somewhere Else
Allan Leibowitz, Skift
Overtourism, the result of having too many visitors show up to a place at the same time, is becoming such a problem for popular destinations that both the United Nations and the European Union have recently issued guidelines to reduce tourist overcrowding.
Cheaper international airfares, the growth of the cruise market, and the emergence of cheap accommodation options such as Airbnb are fueling the overtourism phenomenon. Europe, in particular but not exclusively, is feeling the effects, with cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, and Venice struggling to cope with the huge influx of visitors.
MOREHow to Take Your Own Passport Photo
Courtesy, Caroline Morse Teel, SmarterTravel
After paying $15 to have an awkward photoshoot in the aisle of a CVS, only to have my passport photos rejected twice (once for being too dark and once for being too bright), I decided there had to be a better way to take your own passport photo. Turns out, snapping your own passport photo is easier, cheaper, and much more convenient than going to a “professional” (a.k.a., the cashier at your local drugstore). Here’s a few tips:
MOREWatch Out for These Tourist Traps in All 50 States
For better or worse, tourist traps are part of the American landscape. Countless overhyped, colorful, quirky, and sometimes downright mystifying spots draw sightseers nationwide. Whether an attraction qualifies as a tourist trap is often in the eye of the beholder, and some are still beloved by locals. Travel blogger David James of The GypsyNesters has his own test: Visitors usually leave feeling a little swindled.
MORECountries That Require Visas for Americans
The State Department’s Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management (ACS) administers the Consular Information Program, which informs the public of conditions abroad that may affect their safety and security. Country Specific Information, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings are vital parts of this program.
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Being on the ground in over 180 countries means you get the full story.
Together in Spirit – The Best Friends Animal Society
At the core of Best Friends Animal Society’s work is the dream that one day animals will no longer be killed in America’s shelters.
MOREA Letter to British Airlines from Traveling Boy’s Brom Wikstrom
Dear British Airlines,
My wife and I recently returned from a 13-hour flight from Stockholm, transferring in Heathrow and continuing home to Seattle. Flight B049. I seek clarification of issues that have caused us both a great deal of distress and hope that you can help.
MOREIndia’s First Cruise Line Arrives in Dubai
Courtesy Logistics Middle East
Karnika, the first cruise ship to be operated by Jalesh Cruises, itself the first-ever domestically owned mainstream cruise line in India, has made her maiden port call in Dubai, marking the start of her Arabian Gulf cruise season. Karnika will operate 29 cruises in total from Dubai (15 4-night roundtrip cruises, and 14 3-night roundtrip cruises).
MORE7 Things You Should Never Do on a Plane
Courtesy Caroline Costello
When flying, the following seven behaviors should be avoided at all costs.
MORELoro Parque’s World Population Clock
The Loro Parque Foundation warns that there are increasingly more inhabitants and endangered species whilst the forests and animal populations decline, based on estimates by the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
MOREMexico and the Caribbean Dominate the 10 Most Popular International Summer Destinations for American Travelers in 2019
Travel to Cancun Declines, While London and Paris Disappear from Top International Destinations List, Shows Travel Data by Allianz Global Assistance.
MORENearly One In Seven Americans Has Lied About Going On Holiday
New research has revealed that as many as 14% of Americans have lied to someone about going on holiday, with the top reasons being because they’re embarrassed, they’re wanting to seem well-traveled and they may be wanting to impress someone.
Along with one in seven lying about the destinations that they’ve travelled to, two thirds of Americans who have been on holiday have also lied about their experiences, with the weather, quality of accommodation and amount of sightseeing done found to be the most common untruths.
MOREThe 9 Worst Decisions You Can Make on a Cruise
If you know what you’re doing, cruising can be an enriching form of travel. But plenty of people swear off the big ships because of some terrible experience that ruined their first time out. To prevent yourself from becoming yet another cruise hater, take note of these rookie mistakes—and don’t make them.
MOREWhat’s New at Nevada Northern Railway in 2019
Signature Weekly Departures and Specialty Themed Events Await
It’s officially train season at Nevada Northern Railway. Nevada Northern Railway is offering train rides now through Oct. 2019. See highlights for this year along with new offerings in the release below.
MOREThe Latest for a Summer in Québec City!
There’s always a good reason to come to Québec City!
MORE11 Luxury Destinations That Are Cheaper Than You Think
Courtesy Ashley Rossi
10 Emerging Places to Visit in Europe For a Crowd-Free Vacation
Courtesy Jamie Ditaranto
As the relentless crowds flock to major tourist sites in cities like Paris and Venice, travelers need to face the truth — we’re wearing each other (and the cities we’re visiting) out. It’s a struggle common across Europe, but that doesn’t mean all of Europe has been overtaken by legions of tourists. There are plenty of exciting destinations that may not be new, but they are emerging as exciting destinations worthy of a visit. Plus, the crowds haven’t gotten to them yet.
Vipava Valley, Slovenia
10 Winter Outfit Necessities for Travel
Courtesy Caroline Morse Teel
These performance pieces will keep you warm from head to toe — but still look so good you’ll find yourself wanting to wear them no matter what the temperature.
Ministry of Supply 3D Print-Knit Sweater Dress
The Worst Seats on a Plane (and How to Avoid Them)
Courtesy Sarah Schlichter
You’re crammed into a middle seat at the back of an airplane, with neighbors encroaching on your armrests and an endless chorus of flushing sounds from the lavatory nearby. Alas, you’re stuck in one of the worst seats on a plane, and you have to ask: How did you end up here, and how can you make sure it never happens again?
Seat selection can make a huge difference in how comfortable you are in flight, especially on long international trips. I interviewed an expert to help identify the worst airplane seats and explain how you can land yourself a better spot on your next flight.
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