Q&A with Hannah Gruen, Administrative Assistant
I love to use events as an excuse to travel. This summer I got to explore Denver while visiting for a concert. Tell us about a time you discovered a new favorite destination because you were there for an event.
Tell us. Email us at letters@globaltravelerusa.com
Which European Countries Plan to Impose Tourism and Flight Taxes?
In the Sept. 26 issue of eFlyer, we covered the recent implementation of a travel tax to Iceland, as well as a new airport tax at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. We asked: Do you think countries should be allowed to implement these taxes? One reader wrote in:
Countries are free to charge whatever they wish. My opinion is to pay it or avoid the location. As tourists, we use their resources and tax their infrastructures beyond the benefits they reap from tourism, hotel taxes, tourism jobs, etc.
Duane Weaver, via email
Amsterdam Bans Cruise Liners in City Center; Will Other Cities Soon Follow?
In our Aug. 6 issue of eFlyer, we wrote about Amsterdam’s recent ban on cruise ships docking in the city center. We asked: Do you agree with this ban in Amsterdam and in other cities? One reader wrote in:
I have been to Amsterdam numerous times, as well as Venice and other wonderful and beautiful cities and towns being crushed by hordes of quick stop-in tourists. They disembark, look around, buy a tee or two and get back on the boat. What the tourists don’t overwhelm, the mass of ships and buildings and structures and the environment.
With minimal effort, one can easily enjoy these jewel cities and towns. Reduce the ships and, while we’re at it, the cheap planeloads of “seen it, check it off” folks. Otherwise, what makes these places so sought-after and special will be lost.
By the way, the train from Trieste (current access point near Venice) is a little over an hour away from city center and may cost €15–20, and you get to experience the magic of crossing the causeway and stepping out of the station onto the Grand Canal in Venice.
Jim Heskett, via email
Bedbug Epidemic: Is It Safe to Travel to Paris Right Now?
In our Oct. 25 issue of eFlyer, we covered the recent bedbug invasion in Paris. We talked about other bedbug infestations across the world and provided tips on how to safely travel and check for the insects. We asked readers if they have an upcoming trip planned for Paris. One reader wrote in:
I don’t have an upcoming trip planned but I was recently in Paris for the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup. I’ve been to Paris before and have never seen the city so crowded. Of course, the bedbug situation sat in the back of my head, and during the course of my time there talking with other match goers, I heard some incidents of cheap hotels suffering from bedbugs.
Fortunately, my hotel and the other hotels nearby didn’t have any incidents. That said, I did check my clothes and other items when I got home and washed them all thoroughly to be safe.
Marian Thompson, via email
Updated daily, our blogs offer readers an inside look at the lives and travels of the GT staff. We featured blogs on sports matches, from a Phillies game to a hockey match in Chicago and a college football game in North Carolina. Other staff members detailed time in Miami, a trip to the pumpkin patch and countless culinary delights. One staff member enjoyed a trip to Mexico City.
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FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
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Insta FeedJune 2025
Jun 8, 2025Emerald Cruises Unveils 2027 Expansion
Emerald Cruises makes bigger and bolder moves in the coming years with a major expansion. The cruise line debuted two sleek new superyachts as well as the brand’s first-ever river ship on the Seine River, slated to launch in 2027. Emerald Raiya and Emerald Zara join the fleet in 2027, sailing the Seychelles, Mediterranean, Adriatic and Caribbean. Both ships will offer spacious, all-suite accommodations; an expansive Sky Deck with private cabanas and swim-up marina platform; open-air fitness area; multiple dining venues; Elements Spa; and more. Each yacht accommodates 128 guests.
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Smarter Business Travel: 12 Tips from IHG Business Edge
For small- and mid-sized businesses, travel is often a necessary part of growth — helping to strengthen client relationships, explore new markets and attend key industry events. But with rising costs and limited resources, keeping business travel efficient and budget-friendly is more important than ever.
June 2025
Jun 7, 2025Escape to Lewes, a Chill Beach Town Where Local Cocktails and Craft Beer Flow Freely
Sandwiched between the Jersey Shore and the tiny state’s on-the-beaten-path beach destinations like Rehoboth, Bethany and Dewey, Lewes is easy to miss. But it’s definitely worth more than a drive by for its calm beaches, oceanfront state park, World War II history ... and liquid culture.
Destinations / North America
Jun 6, 2025Take the Family Along for Wilderness Adventures
Imagine waking up in the morning, enjoying breakfast within a rustic lodge and looking out the windows to see grizzly bears scooping live salmon out of the river. That’s just one of the many once-in-a-lifetime tableaux you’re bound to see during a stay within Great Bear Rainforest. Even if you’re visiting for business, you’ll find plenty of pleasure to partake in during your stay; and it’s super family-friendly, so why not bring the whole crew along for the adventure?
Sponsored Content
Sail Unique with Explora Journeys
SAIL UNIQUE: A New Chapter in Luxury Ocean Travel Imagine a place where modern European elegance meets the rhythm of the sea — where time slows down, and every detail is crafted to inspire connection and quiet indulgence. This is Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle ocean brand from MSC Group created to redefine how we explore the world.
eFlyer Reviews
Jun 4, 2025Hyatt Centric Las Olas Review
Today’s Fort Lauderdale is not the one you or your older relatives experienced in college; while beachfront surf shops along Fort Lauderdale Boulevard recall that colorful Spring Break era, Las Olas Boulevard embodies the city’s recent glow-up, particularly after the pandemic. In fact, it was spring 2020 when Hyatt Centric Las Olas opened its doors and played a major role in reshaping and rethinking Fort Lauderdale as a relaxed but lively vacation or business destination.
LXR Hotels & Resorts Debuts in France
eFlyer News
Jun 4, 2025eFlyer Deals
Jun 4, 2025Celebrate Dad with Hotel Heron’s New Father’s Day Deal
In honor of Father’s Day, Hotel Heron in Alexandria, Virginia, launched the Father of All Stays offer. This one-night-only experience is ultra-luxurious and one for the books.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Marks Five Years with oneworld: Strengthening Connectivity Between USA and Africa and Expanding Global Reach
Royal Air Maroc proudly enters its fifth year as a member of the prestigious oneworld alliance. Since joining in April 2020, RAM has demonstrated resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a dynamic airline that enhanced its digital services and expanded its network. The airline plans to grow its fleet to 200 aircraft by 2037, reinforcing its global presence.
eFlyer Lead
Jun 4, 2025U.S. Dollar is Dropping in Value: Will This Impact Travel?
In late May, the U.S. dollar fell for a third day against several currencies, and it’s evident the power of the U.S. dollar is weakening, leading many Americans to wonder if this will influence travel this summer and beyond.
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