The Plitvice Lakes National Park hides many secrets and beauties waiting to be discovered. One of these hidden beauties is the Upper Lakes. This magical area with as many as 12 lakes is a true wonder of nature that captivates with its uniqueness and beauty. Unlike the Lower Lakes, which have a limestone base and are located in a canyon, the Upper Lakes stretch over a shallower dolomite base, … [Read more...]
Air Canada Changes Seat Selection Policy at Check-In
It appears that Air Canada has made some changes to the way passengers booked on specific fares can select seats upon check-in. It seems that travellers who’ve booked an Economy (Basic) or Economy (Standard) fare can no longer select a Standard seat for free at check-in. Rather, Air Canada will now automatically assign a seat upon check-in, and passengers need to pay to change to a different … [Read more...]
Monster growth! The cruise boom at Carnival continues with debut of another new ship
Make that five new ships for Carnival Cruise Line in just 18 months. On Thursday, the world’s second-biggest cruise brand welcomed cruisers aboard yet another new vessel, the 4,126-passenger Carnival Firenze, for the first time in Long Beach, California. The 135,156-ton ship debuts just four months after Carnival unveiled the even bigger 5,374-passenger … [Read more...]
Assigned seats? Extra legroom? Southwest mulls changing its famous open seating
Southwest Airlines is considering making major changes to its seating process. The airline is researching “transformational options” surrounding its storied single-class, open-cabin format, CEO Bob Jordan said Thursday, as the airline seeks to form new streams of revenue and boost existing ones. Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for … [Read more...]
Your first look at Lufthansa’s Allegris aircraft, with new seating in all cabins and a shock in first class
Seven years after it was first announced, the wait is finally over.Lufthansa's first aircraft equipped with the carrier's new "Allegris" cabin has landed, with new seats in all classes. TPG got a sneak peek Thursday in Munich.The inaugural flight featuring the new Lufthansa cabin is scheduled to depart Wednesday from Munich Airport (MUC) to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Canada. Service … [Read more...]
6 Best British Rivers for Wildlife Lovers
Embark on an adventurous journey along the best British rivers, discovering diverse wildlife wonders along the way, from the well-known Thames to Northern England’s River Derwent. Do you have a passion for travel and wildlife? If so, exploring the rivers of Britain might be your ticket to a wildlife-filled adventure. From the waters of the Cam to the flow of the Thames, the rivers of the UK offer … [Read more...]
Hyatt’s Mr & Mrs Smith hotels get dynamic pricing: Here’s what you need to know
In 2023, Hyatt acquired Mr & Mrs Smith hotels — a portfolio comprising more than 700 luxury and boutique hotels. This exciting new partnership adds 20-plus countries, including Fiji, Namibia and the British Virgin Islands, to Hyatt's global portfolio.On Wednesday, the independent properties began being integrated into World of Hyatt's network, meaning travelers can start redeeming Hyatt points … [Read more...]
New Details on the U.S.’s Automatic Refunds Rule for Airlines
Skift Take Skift has learned that any significant delay or cancellation, regardless of the reason, qualifies for an automatic refund as part of the Department of Transportation’s new consumer protection rules for the airline industry. Meghna Maharishi After the Biden administration announced it would crack down on junk fees and require automatic refunds, it was … [Read more...]
Tips for Students Planning an RV Trip on a College Budget
Read the article to discover money-saving tips for college students planning an epic RV adventure without breaking the bank. As a college student, finding affordable ways to travel and explore can be a challenge. However, an RV trip can be an excellent option for those seeking adventure on a budget. Renting or purchasing a used RV and hitting the open road offers freedom, flexibility, and … [Read more...]
Hoping for a Paris Olympics Boost? Accor Expects Only a Small Bump
Skift Take Isn't hosting the Olympics supposed to be a gold mine for hotels? Not for France, at least. Accor warned that it didn't expect a "massive financial uplift" from Paris hosting the Summer Olympic Games. Sean O'Neill Accor, the Paris-based hotel operator, earns about a fifth of its revenue from France. So analysts have been eyeing possible impacts from Paris … [Read more...]
San Francisco To Welcome Pandas and More Flights From China
Skift Take San Francisco has experienced a rocky rebound since the pandemic, but promises of pandas and planes may uplift the city’s tourism. Elizabeth Casolo San Francisco is gearing up to greet more visitors from China, starting with a pair of pandas. Mayor London Breed returned from China over the weekend, bringing news of how China intends to send pandas to … [Read more...]
Capital One miles: How to earn, redeem and transfer rewards
Transferable credit card rewards are especially valuable because of the many ways you can redeem them. You might be familiar with rewards like Chase Ultimate Rewards points and American Express Membership Rewards points. But, another transferable reward currency that can offer significant value to some travelers is Capital One miles. Capital One miles are … [Read more...]
Klook Plans Partnership with Thailand as the Country Skyrockets in Popularity
Skift Take Thailand remains a strong destination post Covid. Tour operators are flocking to the country and playing a significant role in how travel evolves. Jesse Chase-Lubitz Klook, a leading platform for travel experiences in Asia, signed a letter of intent with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to boost experiences in the country. The company is hoping to double … [Read more...]
Northern lights cruises: A guide to chasing the aurora borealis at sea
Witnessing the elusive northern lights flickering across the sky might cause you to gasp because it's actually that cool. The colorful ribbons of green look like something from outer space — and they are. Auroras appear when charged particles collide with Earth's atmosphere.Seeing the ethereal display, also known as the aurora borealis, is a bucket-list experience for many travelers. Cruise ships … [Read more...]
A complete travel photography gear guide
We’re often asked about the gear we take on our travels. In response, we have written a detailed and complete travel photography gear guide I have been involved in film or photography throughout the course of my career: initially as a camera operator, video editor and AV engineer, later as a teacher in digital media, and now as a travel writer. I’ve published photography in a … [Read more...]
TPG’s favorite points hotels on the beach in Mexico
When it comes to a world-class beach location, Mexico is always the obvious choice. Why wouldn't it be? With close proximity to the U.S. and an abundance of flights to every corner of the country, U.S. travelers are never more than a four-hour flight away from somewhere in Mexico. But proximity is only the tip of the iceberg. Add to that spectacular beaches, dynamic cuisine and some of the best … [Read more...]
IndiGo Takes Next Step in Reaching Global Ambitions – Will It Work?
Skift Take India’s largest airline has taken the next logical step in its growth story by ordering a sizeable number of widebody aircraft. Combined with the A321XLR, the A350-900 will give the airline the ability to connect people from India to the world. Ajay Awtaney, Skift IndiGo, which operates on the no-frills philosophy, has perfected its model of keeping costs … [Read more...]
Queen of the Skies: How you can still use points and miles to fly the Boeing 747
Often called the Queen of the Skies, the Boeing 747 took its first test flight in 1969. Over the years, the aircraft transformed air travel and ushered in the jet age. The original wide-body jet, the 747 could fly farther and faster than any commercial passenger aircraft. The most recent version, the 747-8, has a range of 9,300 miles and carries around 400 passengers in a typical three-class … [Read more...]
Amex Aeroplan Reserve Status Offer: Earn Extra eUpgrades and SQM
Air Canada and American Express have brought back a special offer for the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, which exclusively targets members with Aeroplan Elite Status. With the Amex Aeroplan Status Offer, elite members who are approved for a new card and earn 20,000 Aeroplan points between April 25 and July 31, 2024 will earn an additional 20 eUpgrades and 15,000 Status Qualifying Miles … [Read more...]
IndiGo Places First-Ever Order For Widebody Aircraft With 30 Airbus A350s
Skift Take Despite having the largest market share in India and a fleet size of 350 jets, the low-cost carrier has only operated narrow-body aircraft. Bulbul Dhawan Indian budget carrier IndiGo has placed its first-ever order for widebody aircraft, with an order of 30 Airbus A350-900 jets. The move is expected to help expand IndiGo’s international network to … [Read more...]