Travel News

According to the EU, manually stamping passports “takes time…and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers.” Many visitors view passport stamps as badges of distinction because they provide a sentimental paper trail of their travels. But when entering the Schengen Area, they might soon become obsolete. With the new automated Entry/Exit System (EES), which is scheduled to be live in November 2023, non-EU visitors will be registered digitally without the use of physical stamps. According to a statement from the European Commission’s department for Migration and Home Affairs, “EES will replace the current system of manually stamping passports, which is time-consuming, does not provide reliable data on border crossings, and does not allow a systematic detection of overstayers.” The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is what, exactly? The EES will be an automated IT system for tracking foreigners with short-stay visas or visa exemptions who are travelling from third-countries. The system will record a person’s identity, kind of travel document, biometric information (fingerprints and facial pictures), as well as the time and location of entrance and leave, each time they pass through an EU external border. It will also keep track of entrance denials. Self-service kiosks and automated border controls are intended to speed up the passenger experience while enhancing security in the EU. However, the airline industry and a number of nations have warned that if the system is introduced without adequate planning, there may be some teething issues. It was supposed to debut in 2022, but delays until May 2023 and then until November prevented that from happening. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be used by travellers having visa-free access to the Schengen Area to get travel authorization. Once the EES is operational, this will be launched in stages. Before the EES launches, passport stamps are still necessary. Brits have been told that after Brexit, they would need passport stamps to leave and enter the Schengen Zone. This serves as evidence that they have not exceeded their 90-day visa-free cap for any 180-day term. For some people who love to travel, it has even turned out to be a little benefit of leaving the EU. It normally occurs automatically at security. SOURCE – euronews

Here is everything you need to know because we did the research for you. This year, traveller numbers have virtually returned to pre-pandemic levels, which has boosted popular tourism destinations that suffered during COVID-19 restrictions and closures. However, some well-known tourist destinations are already worried that overtourism-related issues will recur. Due to this, some decided to enact a “tourist tax” in 2022, while others want to do it this year. But if you’ve travelled abroad, chances are you’ve already paid one of the many tourist taxes that are already in place. Since it is occasionally incorporated into airline tickets or the taxes you pay at your hotel, you may not have ever noticed it. Here is all the information you want about the nations whose entry fees you must pay since we did the research for you. In 2023, Barcelona will raise its tourism tax. The mayor of Barcelona has announced an increase in the tourist fee for the next two years. The regional tourist tax and an additional city-wide levy have both been required on visitors to the Catalan capital since 2012. The municipal charge has now been increased, according to local officials. Visitors will have to pay €2.75 as of April 1, 2023. On April 1, 2024, there will be a second increase, bringing the cost up to €3.25. Visitors staying in authorised tourist accommodations are subject to the levy. The city’s infrastructure, including upgrades to the roads, bus services, and escalators, would be paid for with the revenues, according to the council. In 2023, Valencia will start charging a visitor fee. The city of Valencia has declared that it would impose a tourist tax on visitors who stay in any sort of lodging in the area, including hotels, hostels, residences, and camping grounds. At the end of 2023 or the beginning of 2024, it will take effect. Depending on the lodging they select, visitors will be required to pay between 50 cents and €2 each night for up to seven nights. According to the authorities, the charge would support the tourist industry’s sustainable growth in the area. Additionally, the money will be used to build more affordable housing for locals in tourist areas. Thailand will start charging visitors by the end of 2022. At the end of this year, Thailand will reportedly start charging tourists 300 Baht (about $8). According to the head of Thailand’s Tourism Authority, a portion of the cost would “be used to take care of tourists” because there have been instances where their health insurance hasn’t covered them. Additionally, it will assist in funding the expansion of popular tourist destinations like Bangkok’s Grand Palace. In 2023, Venice will enact a visitor charge. Venetian authorities may soon start charging visitors starting in the summer of 2023. In August, the Italian daily La Stampa stated that several mechanisms, including an online booking system, have been suggested to regulate the number of tourists. But additional measures, such as a fee to enter the city, must be taken to reduce the population. Depending on whether it is low season or peak season, the proposed fee would range from €3 to €10. In 2023, the EU will enact a tourist visa. Non-EU nationals, such as Americans, Australians, Britons, and other visitors from outside the Schengen region, will have to submit a €7 application by November 2023 in order to enter. No money is required for those who are over 70 or under the age of 18. These are all the nations where there is already an entrance tax for tourists. For a number of reasons, there are already tourist fees in existence in many nations. Some people believe it has to do with attempting to reduce the number of visitors and avoid overtourism. Others see it as a kind of visitor fee for sustainability. These levies provide funding for maintaining tourism infrastructure and safeguarding natural resources. Austria In Austria, there is a province-specific overnight lodging tax that you must pay. You’ll pay an additional 3.02 percent per person on the hotel bill in Vienna or Salzburg. Other names for the tourist levy include Berherbergungsbeiträge and Tourismusgesetz. Belgium For each night you stay in Belgium, the tourist tax is also charged on your lodging. Sometimes the price is included in the hotel room rate, but some hotels separate the cost and add it as an extra charge, so you should carefully review your statement. There is a fee for each room in Antwerp and Bruges. The cost in Brussels varies according to the size and star grade of the hotel. It typically costs €7.50. Bhutan Bhutan’s tax is astronomically high in compared to most other nations’ visitor levies, which hover around €20. Most international visitors pay a minimum daily charge of $250 (€228) per person per day during peak season and a little less during low season. However, it includes a lot, such as lodging, local transportation, a guide, meals, and entrance fees. Bulgaria In Bulgaria, overnight stays are subject to a tourist charge. It is extremely inexpensive and ranges up to about €1.50 depending on the neighbourhood and hotel category. Jamaican Islands Most Caribbean islands charge departure fees or add tourist taxes to the price of hotels. The following destinations charge visitors in some way: Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands. The Bahamas charge a fee of €13, while Antigua and Barbuda charge €45. Croatia 2019 saw an increase in the tourist tax in Croatia. However, the higher rate only applies during the summer’s busy season. Each visitor pays around 10 kuna (€1.33) each night. Prague Republic Only when visiting Prague, the nation’s capital, do visitors to the Czech Republic need to pay a tourist charge. It is extremely little (less than €1) and paid per person, each night, for a maximum

Low-cost railroads are competing with low-cost flights, but without the carbon emissions. Many environmentally concerned tourists experience flying guilt, yet they still find it difficult to say no to really inexpensive airfares. According to a 2021 research by the UK consumer organisation Which?, trains on common routes generate six times fewer emissions than aeroplanes but are 49% more expensive. The government provides billions of euros in subsidies to maintain this pricing advantage, which keeps aircraft in the air. But things are changing. New lines are being opened by budget train operators all throughout Europe. It’s also timely because short-haul aircraft will no longer be allowed in France starting in 2022, which would increase the need for affordable trains. They provide inexpensive, basic fares, much like low-cost airlines. They do not contribute to global warming, unlike low-cost aeroplanes. To learn everything, continue reading. Which European rail lines provide affordable travel? By using a few straightforward strategies, it’s feasible to get affordable rail fares on practically every European route. Even on premium trains, you may get a great discount if you book in advance and outside of peak hours. Additionally, governments are implementing a number of programmes to promote rail travel. Spain recently provided free tickets on a number of lines, while Germany just renewed its affordable regional transit ticket. In a programme that was announced earlier this week, the EU is giving 35,000 young people free rail passes. However, there are also more and more train companies who specifically promote themselves as “budget” options. Their branding frequently resembles that of budget airlines like Wizz Air—bright colours, strong fonts, and memorable names with fewer than three syllables. It’s wise to check before you travel because, like these airlines, they may have luggage restrictions and surcharges for extras like charging stations. France’s greatest affordable rail company is Ouigo. The low-cost, high-speed Ouigo trains connect Paris with important towns including Lyon, Aix, Marseille, Cannes, Nice, Nimes, Montpellier, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Rennes, Angers, Nantes, and Strasbourg. Ouigo was founded as the SNCF’s budget branch. How much do Ouigo rail tickets cost in France? When purchased in advance, tickets cost as little as €10, however they might cost substantially more on the day of departure. In March, the average cost of a ticket between Paris and Lyon is €65, according to the airline search engine Skyscanner. The cost of a flight from Paris to Marseille is €39. On both of these routes, Ouigo offers more affordable rates, beginning at €10. Does Ouigo impose additional luggage fees? Like a low-cost airline, Ouigo does charge an additional fee for extras, such as €2 for a seat with a power outlet. One piece of luggage, including handles and wheels, must not exceed 36 x 27 x 15 cm or 55 x 35 x 25 cm. There are no limitations on weight. Cheap trains in Spain: Avlo, offering ‘Basic’ yet affordable alternatives The low-cost division of Spanish rail company Renfe is called Avlo. They operate high-speed routes between Madrid, Zaragoza, and Barcelona at a speed of 300 km/h. The starting price for these services is €7, or €5 for those under the age of 14. The basic fee is the only class offered. Tickets for the low-cost service between Madrid and Andalusia have recently been made available by Renfe, with pricing beginning at €7 and service beginning on June 1. The first two trains each day, leaving early in the morning and returning in the afternoon, will run between Seville and Madrid and Malaga and Madrid on Avlo’s first service to Andalusia. These trains are far less expensive than flying. The average cost of a flight between the two largest cities in Spain is between €30 and €60. Does Avlo impose additional baggage fees? Passengers on the Avlo are permitted one piece of hand luggage with maximum dimensions of 36x27x25 cm and no weight restriction, as well as one cabin bag with maximum dimensions of 55x35x25 cm. Additional baggage may be purchased for €10 at the register or €15 at the train station. Cheap trains in Spain Iryo for frequent transportation between major cities Privately owned low-cost Spanish carrier Iryo faces up against Renfe. At the end of March of this year, the company launched its services between Madrid and Andalusia. Routes from Madrid and Barcelona are also available. Similar to Avlo, it takes around two hours and thirty minutes to travel between Seville and Madrid on an Iryo high-speed train. However, with four services per day from early in the morning to late at night, their trains provide more options. Starting at about €18, there are four different ticket classes from which to pick, depending on your budget. There are no restrictions on adjustments to any of the prices. Does Iryo impose additional baggage fees? As long as they fit in the area given and don’t obstruct security procedures on board the train, Iryo travellers are permitted to bring up to three pieces of luggage at no additional cost. Two of these items may have a maximum combined size of 85x55x35cm, and one of these items may be hand baggage with a maximum combined size of 36x27x15cm. Italy’s low-cost trains: Italo guidelines for fast, affordable solutions In Italy, a private enterprise that competes with the government-run rail operator runs the Italo trains. It runs extremely affordable train choices. Starting at €10.90, one may travel from Florence to Rome and from Milan to Venice. For these options, the typical flight in March costs about €45. You will need to pay €19.90 for tickets from Milan to Rome and from Rome to Venice. In contrast, a flight in March would often cost between $20 and $30. Does Italo impose additional baggage fees? There is no restriction on the quantity or size of the bags you can bring on board; they are included in the price of your ticket. Train service between London and Edinburgh: Lumo can assist with flight remorse Lumo exhorts tourists to choose a rail trip in order to

According to Chris Lanckbeen, many customers now have a fresh passion for travel after going through lockdowns that made it practically difficult to travel internationally. As a result, there is a trend where many individuals are travelling more frequently and for longer periods of time. You’re not the only one who has been itching to travel like never before. Due to lockdowns that made foreign travel practically impossible, many customers now have a renewed zeal for travel, which is fueling a trend whereby many individuals are travelling for longer periods of time and more frequently. What phenomena is this? Retaliation travel. The number of individuals packing their bags and travelling the world increased dramatically in 2022. According to data from ACI Europe, as more nations opened their borders to tourists in the first half of 2022, passenger volumes at European airports increased by over 250%. SOURCE – euronews

I left on a motorbike in June 2022 for a 10,650-mile, six-week journey from Tennessee to Alaska and back, just taking my GPS and phone. Despite the horror stories of cancelled and delayed flights, the ride marked the beginning of a year of research-related travel, and I couldn’t be happier. People were travelling pretty much wherever I visited, even in the farthest reaches of the Yukon and British Columbia. The fact that so many of the trailers being towed were new suggests that their owners had just recently purchased them. People appear to be just as eager to leave after yet another miserable pandemic winter. But why do we even go on vacation? What draws people to the open road? I research experiences that straddle the three disciplines of religion, psychology, and culture. In addition, I’m fascinated with travel’s intractable paradoxes: In order to slow down and be present, many of us travel quickly to our destinations. We may also care about the environment, yet we still leave carbon footprints. In the end, a lot of individuals want to come back changed. Travel is sometimes seen as what anthropologists refer to as a “rite of passage”: planned rituals in which people leave their familiar environments, go through change, and then come back revitalised or “reborn.” However, travellers are not only thinking about themselves. In my most recent book, “Just Travelling: God, Leaving Home, and a Spirituality for the Road,” I make the case that the drive to travel may be a characteristic that defines humanity. But doing so is a privilege, and one that the host communities may have to pay for. Scholars and the tourism industry are both becoming more and more interested in ethical travel, which limits the harm that tourists cause to the areas and people they visit. The media constantly bombards travellers with suggestions and allures on where to go and what to do. However, the “why” and “how” of transformative, ethical travel necessitate greater discernment in order to achieve their more profound objectives. As I conducted research for my book, I examined travel narratives found in sacred texts as well as the findings of psychologists, sociologists, ethicists, economists, and tourism experts. I contend that meaningful travel is better understood as a six-phase practise built on fundamental human experiences rather than as a three-stage rite. Similar to how adventures twist and turn, these stages might recur and overlap over the same voyage. A group of six individuals are seated and conversing on a fence with hills in the backdrop while wearing brightly coloured clothing. On June 17, 2022, tourists are seated on street seats in Dharmsala, India. By Ashwini Bhatia for AP 1. Considering Travelling starts well before travel as we plan and conduct study. However, anticipation is more than just planning. It’s appropriately referred to as “voorpret” in Dutch, which means “the pleasure before.” Even when it comes to bias, how and what individuals expect in a certain scenario has the capacity to influence how they really feel about it. According to psychological studies, for instance, children’s prejudice towards their own group might be lessened when they expect increased cooperation across groups. However, phenomenology, a branch of philosophy that examines human experience and consciousness, emphasises that anticipation is also “empty”: our conscious intentions and expectations of what’s to come could be realised or dashed by a future moment. Travellers should strive to have an open mind to ambiguity and even disappointment in light of that. 2. Departure Deep emotions connected to our earliest separation experiences might be reawakened by leaving. The attachment patterns that psychologists examine in young children influence how secure people feel in their relationships as adults. These encounters may also have an impact on a person’s comfort level while venturing out and travelling away from home. Before the relief and joy of leaving, some travellers sense exhilaration, while others hesitate or feel guilty. Anxiety may be managed by being mindful of the various stages of travel. 3. Submission Travellers have little control over their route: a flight is cancelled, a car breaks down, the forecast calls for sunlight, yet it pours nonstop for days. They have to give up to the uncertainty to some extent. In contemporary Western societies, “surrendering” is typically seen negatively—as flying a white flag. But as a therapeutic idea, surrendering aids individuals in letting go of stifling habits, finding a sense of wholeness, and sharing togetherness. The perfectionist overcomes her fear of failing by realising that an altered plan doesn’t necessarily result in a less enjoyable trip. When getting care from strangers, a person with a strong sense of independence becomes more vulnerable. In reality, according to certain psychological theories, the ego yearns for emancipation via surrender—letting down its protective walls and ceasing to try to control one’s environment. Accepting that perspective might make it easier for travellers to deal with the possibility that things might not go as planned. 4. Gathering The invitation to meet, the fourth stage of travelling, is to rediscover oneself and others. Cross-cultural communication is more challenging due to each culture’s engrained traditions and “rules of recognition,” which are all unconscious. Travellers may have prejudices about certain people, places, or things that are conscious or unconscious, while hosts may have stereotypes about how wealthy, illiterate, and exploitable travellers are. Travellers must be aware of activities that might aggravate encounters in order to go past such prejudices, such as adhering to clothing requirements or understanding what topics to avoid during conversations. The effects of colonisation are still felt in many areas of the world, which makes it more difficult for individuals to interact in genuine ways. Westerners’ opinions of non-white populations as exotic, frightening, and inferior are still influenced by colonial perspectives. Starting to break down these barriers calls for a mindset known as cultural humility, which goes beyond “cultural competence,” or merely being aware of other cultures. Travellers who are culturally humble can say things such, “I don’t know,” “Please help me

Sicily, an Italian island, contains a hamlet whose distinctive design has made it popular online. The little town of Centuripe is well-known for its numerous Roman ruins and unique old sculptures, but a drone shot from the air has unveiled its unique shape—an amazing likeness to a human with extended arms. Pio Andrea Peri, a photographer and drone pilot, discovered his hometown’s peculiar appearance on Google Earth and decided to use his drone to verify it. He started capturing pictures while flying his drone as high as he could over the town. To his amazement, it displayed a human shape. However, Peri reportedly had to combine several images to fit the entire village due to the limitations of his drone. Two larger building sections that appear to be ‘arms’ and ‘legs’ are visible in aerial photographs, while a fifth, shorter stretch appears to be the ‘head’. He claimed, “It was a difficult shot to create. “Due to the drone’s height restriction, I had to take multiple shots.” Peri took the pictures in 2021, and they have subsequently reappeared on social media, where many users have been astounded by how much the settlement resembles a human being. Some people who are gazing down from above may see a guy lying down, while others may just see a starfish. Who are you? What do you notice keeping an eye on Centuripe? Alongside one of his aerial photos, he posed a question to his Instagram followers. One person said, “Wow, this town has such an amazing shape.” I adore this! I picture a guy enjoying the earth in freedom!” another wrote. In the meanwhile, a local praised the photographer’s work. “We are pleased that a master like you gave Centuripe some publicity. Beautiful images,” someone wrote. Others called the form of the settlement “crazy”, “incredible” and “cool”. Would love to observe how they move about. One road may be seen circling the perimeter. Very interesting,” a user on Facebook commented. Another person remarked, “I’m on my way from the right arm, should be to the left arm in about an hour or so.” Another said, “There’s a town shaped like a person in a country shaped like a boot.” While many people were astounded by Peri’s images, some claimed he had altered them. “The strange form of this settlement astounded the entire globe. Many people didn’t believe it to be true and thought I had drawn the picture on the computer, Pio told the Daily Mail. But after discovering the truth through a Google Earth search, many of them personally apologised for what they had said. I’m pleased with my work and the images; as a self-taught individual, I have a lot of faith in what I do. He described the challenges involved in producing the final picture. “I manually layered roughly 18 shots in post-production, which required two hours of editing. I’m delighted with the outcome. The mayor of the community at the time asked photographer Peri to host a picture display. With a population of roughly 5000, the historic town of Centuripe is situated on a hill at a height of about 730 metres above sea level. With its narrow, winding lanes that descend to terraced dwellings, the town’s current form and design are thought to date to the sixteenth century. According to rumours, the lovely passageways were built for moving animals. Giuseppe Garibaldi, an Italian commander, referred to Centuripe as “the balcony of Sicily” because of its prominent location. The renowned Mt. Etna, one of the planet’s most active volcanoes, as well as expansive vistas of the surrounding countryside are both visible from the town’s highest point. SOURCE – news.com.au

This summer, Disneyland will temporarily shut down a number of its most well-known attractions as the California theme park undertakes renovations. A Disneyland representative told Travel + Leisure that the three rides Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Alice in Wonderland will be shutting down. On June 5, all of the rides will close, and visitors are urged to ‘check back for updates’. The precise date of their reopening is not yet known. Details about the California’s Disneyland’s Peter Pan’s Flight ride Disneyland Resort courtesy of Paul Hiffmeyer These attractions are found in Fantasyland, a section of the original Disneyland Park that also houses It’s a Small World and Dumbo the Flying Elephant as well as other beloved rides. The park’s original opening day rides from 1955, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Peter Pan’s Flight, are still in operation. Of course, they have since been upgraded with fresh visual effects, and in 1983, Toad Hall was added to the original façade of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. In the park, the Alice in Wonderland ride debuted for the first time in 1958. It also underwent restorations, with new lighting and special effects added in 2014, replacing the original painted cut-outs with 3D characters in 1984. At the California theme park Disneyland, a visitor rides the Alice in Wonderland ride. Using Getty Images, Bing Guan/Bloomberg What will alter as a result of the renovations was unclear. Along with the traditional rides, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is also scheduled to close on June 5 for renovations. In Disney’s California Adventure Park, that ride can be found. Disney does occasionally shut down attractions, such as the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which will return at the beginning of June. On May 31, Splash Mountain at Disneyland will likewise close while undergoing a thorough refurbishment to become Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Similar to this, the Florida theme park Walt Disney World closed the attraction in January. Disneyland anticipates opening the rollercoaster in the latter half of 2024. SOURCE – travelandleisure

Thanks to the James Beard Foundation, baseball fans can eat on the field this summer at three renowned ballparks across the nation. According to the foundation’s “Stadium Chef Series” organisers, the special dinner events will be held at Chicago’s Wrigley Field, Boston’s Fenway Park and Minneapolis’ Target Field. Highly regarded regional and nominated chefs will be featured at each dinner, which will also serve as a fundraiser for the James Beard Foundation’s “Good Food for Good” initiative. In 2022, the inaugural installment of the “Stadium Chef Series” debuted at Wrigley Field. James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said, “We are delighted to partner once again on the ‘Stadium Chef Series’ that celebrates the two great American pastimes of food culture and sports — and look forward to showcasing incredible, local culinary talent at the iconic Wrigley Field, Target Field and Fenway Park ballparks.” “These are genuinely exceptional, unforgettable events.” Diners will be treated to a cocktail greeting with complimentary appetisers, a four-course, family-style supper at centre field, and the opportunity to snap memorable pictures on the field in Chicago. Chefs from a number of neighbourhood eateries, including Prairie Grass Cafe, HaiSous, and Birrieria Zaragoza, will contribute to the menu. Matthias Merges, David Burns, Djibril Webb, Chris Pandel, Ricki Ramirez, Sarah Stegner, Lamar Moore, Thai Dang, Jonathan Zaragoza, and Vince Bugtong are all chefs on the roster. The occasions will occur on June 4 in Chicago, June 25 in Minneapolis, and September 29 in Boston. On May 4, tickets for the Wrigley Field event will be available for purchase online, with prices beginning at $500 per person. The availability of tickets for the other stadiums will be revealed later. SOURCE – travelandleisure

Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32.

Contrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of “de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum” (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, “Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..”, comes from a line in section 1.10.32.