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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When the two of us entered The Spa at Four Seasons Tamarindo, past the backlit boutique items and local artisan-painted wood carvings, the place wrapped us in a feeling of tranquility. Its stone walls, earth tones, woven wall hangings and furniture made of natural materials reminded us we are part of nature’s spectrum, the abundant windows showing native plants and trees outside.
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Jul 25, 2024Executive Chef Shaun Thomson Adds Fresh Flair to Nanuku Resort Fiji
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Jul 24, 2024Global City Guidebook: Shanghai
The third-largest city in the world, Shanghai has transformed into one of the world’s most important centers for business, finance, science, culture and transportation. In fact, Shanghai is home to the first free trade zone in Mainland China. The city sits on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, and the Huangpu River flows right through the 26-million-strong city. Art Deco- and Shikumen-style buildings, museums, skyscrapers, gardens, temples and food markets fill the lively, Eastern Chinese city.
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Jul 24, 2024Delta Air Lines Struggles to Recover from Tech Outage
While most airlines successfully recovered from the worldwide technology outage caused by a software update, Delta Air Lines continues to bounce back from the issue, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded. The historic outage across Microsoft systems not only affected airlines but also hospitals and countless other businesses. Contactless payments were also impacted.
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