News

Nicolas Cage vows never to watch the movie where he plays himself because it's 'too much of a whacked-out trip' - even for him

Cage plays a version of himself who's asked by a wealthy man to play his most iconic characters for him in "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent."

The Mysterious History of a $256 Million Mansion With Ties to the Titanic

Lynnewood Hall has been owned by the Korean church since 1996.

A brand new hotel has opened in City Walk

Prices start from just Dhs199 per night… We’re never short of staycation options here in Dubai, and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon as another hotel has just opened its doors. Found in City Walk Dubai, Rove City Walk is located close to the Coca Cola Arena. The 566-room property offers an […]

Malaysian holiday island opens as tourism restarts

Visitors flocked to the Malaysian island of Langkawi Thursday as it became the country's first holiday hotspot to reopen after a coronavirus lockdown that has hammered the vital tourism industry. The island began welcoming visitors Thursday, with water cannons firing over the first plane to land at its airport.

Which countries are on the UK's green, amber and red travel lists?

Abu Dhabi updates travel green list, adds Indonesia

The revised list includes a total of 56 destinations

Magical and empty places: a wildlife safari holiday in Scotland

I’m standing on one of the most magical and unusual spots in the Highlands, on an island in the middle of a loch. Of course there’s nothing unusual in itself about that – there are hundreds of such Scottish islands – but this particular one, Eilean Sùbhainn, is large enough to have a miniature loch of its own at its centre, which itself has an island on it, like a series of Russian dolls. As might be expected, the “island on a loch on an island...

Philippines to lift travel ban on 10 countries including UAE and Oman

The travel ban will be lifted on September 6, although foreign tourists are still not permitted to enter the country

Saudi Arabia to lift travel ban on UAE, Argentina and South Africa

The travel ban will be lifted at 11am on Wednesday, September 8

Molise, Italy – the answer to your holiday dreams

Feel like your perfect holiday destination doesn’t exist? It’s a growing problem, with pre-pandemic issues about overtourism mixing with post-Covid wariness of cities and crowded beaches. The answer could be Molise, a region that doesn’t even exist for most Italians (it’s the one usually missed out by people asked to name all 20) and whose non-existence – “ Il Molise non esiste” – has become a meme, a hashtag and the subject of thousands of...

Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages Is Making Waves in the Travel Industry — Here's What He Has to Say About It

Virgin Voyages is finally setting sail on its MerMaiden Voyage next month, and we got to take a look inside the cruise line’s first ship, Scarlet Lady, and speak to Richard Branson and Tom McAlpin, president and CEO, about what sets this company apart.

Here’s why a vaccine mandate for international travel could be on the way

The White House’s top infectious disease expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci, made waves after saying he would support a vaccine mandate for domestic air travel. “I would support that if you want to get on a plane and travel with other people that you should be vaccinated,” Fauci told theSkimm last week. (Fauci slightly walked back …

Why this is the year of solo travel — and how I do it as a woman of color

Some of my most formative travel experiences have come from flying solo. There’s something empowering about exploring a new country entirely on your own, trusting your instincts and making friends along your journey. Over the past year, planning travel with friends and family has been increasingly difficult due to ever-changing testing and vaccination guidelines. Sometimes, …

My Alpine trail running adventure holiday in Switzerland

‘Freedom. That’s what you’re chasing in the mountains.” I was hurrying along a slope below Mont Fort in Verbier to keep pace with Emily Vaudan, a trail running guide for new activity company Bee Heidi, and I kept stopping, trying to run but distracted by the views. Every so often, she paused to shout encouragement – and a bit of life philosophy – as I gingerly picked my way over scree and shoogly stones that could easily snap an ankle. Mont...

Staycation review: SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences

Does SLS Dubai live up to its sky-high expectations? It’s unlikely that SLS Dubai has escaped your notice. The 75-storey hotel debuted in Dubai back in April, and has been the talk of the town ever since, thanks to its sky-high infinity pool, larger-than-life brand personality, and restaurants that don’t know the meaning of a […]

UK travel update: Turkey among eight countries removed from red list

Turkey, Egypt and Pakistan are among the eight countries set to be removed from the UK's red list for travellers from abroad, the government announced on Friday. Restrictions will also be lifted from September 22 on the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Oman, Bangladesh and Kenya. UK travel: green, amber and red list countries The announcement was made by UK Tr...

Emirates to fly A380 superjumbo to 19 cities this autumn

Travellers planning to head off on holiday this autumn will be able to fly from Dubai on the world's largest passenger jet to more than 19 cities around the world. Emirates is operating its double-decker jumbo to several destinations throughout September and October. Istanbul is the latest destination to be added to the Emirates A380 network. On Oc...

These Stores Are Open on Christmas Eve for Last-Minute Holiday Shopping

Check out the hours for Walmart, Home Depot, Costco, and more!

Share a tip about a small city in Spain to win a £200 holiday voucher

We’d love to hear about your favourite city in Spain. We’d like to steer away from the huge draws like Seville and Valencia, and focus on smaller characterful gems that dot the country – places like Burgos with its medieval architecture, Mérida and its Roman buildings or Santander’s amazing seafood. Tell us what you saw and did that made it special – maybe it was a lovely place to stay, a brilliant family restaurant, the architecture or a local...

The US recorded 3 times as many COVID-19 cases on Labor Day this year as it did during the holiday in 2020

The hike in recorded cases - an undercount - came as the TSA said 5.2 million travelers passed through its checkpoints from Saturday through Monday.

This Luxury Resort Just Opened a 'Cinderella Room' — and It's Ibiza's Most Magical Shopping Experience

Want to rent a high-fashion gown for an unforgettable night? You can at Six Senses Ibiza.

This Members-only Travel Club Is Full of Insider Secrets — Here's How to Apply

Read reviews from like-minded travelers, discuss tips and tricks, save your favorite places, and more.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z Are Reportedly Paying $4 Million a Week to Vacation on This Megayacht

It's rumored that Jeff Bezos owns the massive yacht.

Why You Should Book Your Rental Car Before Anything Else This Holiday Season

Kayak data shows rental car prices are about to spike yet again.

These Are the Best Houses on Season Two of Netflix's "The World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals"

The hosts of the show share their favorite dwellings from the new season.

Saudi National Day 2021: Holiday for public, private sectors announced

Saudi Arabia will celebrate its 91st annual National Day on September 23, commemorating the birth of the modern Saudi nation… National Day is just around the corner, and that means we are getting a long weekend. Saad Al-Hammad, a spokesman of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD), announced on Twitter that Thursday, […]

County Down, and around: a car-free trip to Bangor, Northern Ireland

The board wobbles again. I drop back into a kneeling position and shake my head ruefully at Adam, the instructor. Even standing up from the ground on dry land is quite a business these days; I am not at all confident I can do it on the water. Paddleboarding (SUP) is one of the world’s fastest growing water sports and so – perhaps unwisely – I’ve decided to give it a go. I’m taking part in a paddleboarding picnic (or SUP-nic) off the coast of...

Hotel and airline elite status extensions stretching into 2023 — Full list of extensions and promos

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. We’ve seen a lot of airlines and hotel chains adjust their loyalty programs in the last year and a half. Nearly every major program announced elite status extensions in 2020. However, some are taking things a step further by also reducing the qualification …

UK travel update: England changes won't help UAE fully vaccinated travellers

The UK confirmed an overhaul of its Covid travel rules for England to abolish the traffic light system for international travel from October 4, allowing travellers from 17 new countries and territories to enter under rules for the fully vaccinated. James Cleverly, a Foreign Office minister, acknowledged the UK was working with the UAE to resolve th...

Kuwait Airways resumes direct flights to New York

Flights will be operated once a week between the two destinations

Inside Rove Expo 2020, the only hotel at 'the world's greatest show' in Dubai

The only hotel at the Expo 2020 Dubai site is gearing up for its official opening in just over two weeks. Rove Expo 2020 will open to the public on October 1, the same date that the “world's greatest show” will welcome guests for the first time. Stepping into the lobby of the property, it's obvious it's a social hotel with open-plan dining, soundpr...

A perfect homecoming: Excellent views and service at Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston

As we deplaned the aircraft, I was ready to race through Boston Logan Airport (BOS) so we could quickly make our way to the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street. We were in town for a heritage tour of the historic North End, but, as we made our way from the gate through the airport, past …

I took a 52-hour train ride from Chicago to California. Here are 10 of the best parts of the trip.

I took a days-long Amtrak Zephyr ride from Chicago to California as a solo traveler. Here are highlights, from three-course dinners to stunning views.

Saudi Lifts Travel Ban on UAE and Other Countries

Saudi Arabia announced on Tuesday it will lift the travel ban on UAE, South Africa and Argentina on Wednesday morning.The Saudi Ministry of Interior said the lifting of restrictions at the country's land, sea and airports will come into place at 11:00 am (local time) on Wednesday.Saudi also allo

Etihad Airways Updates 'Verified to Travel' Service

Abu Dhabi-based airline, Etihad Airways, has upgraded its Verified to Fly service offered on its website.The service allows passengers to upload and check that they have all their relevant Covid-19 documentation before their flightAll guests will receive an email informing them of the documents

Travel industry ‘likely to offer UK holidaymakers free Covid tests’

A travel industry expert has predicted that many tour operators and travel companies will start to offer free Covid tests to holidaymakers. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy the PC Agency, made his comments as travel company On the Beach announced that it would begin to offer free Covid tests in an industry first. The tour operator said it decided to hand out free antigen and PCR tests after a study revealed that the price of...

18 promotions that will make your next hotel stay more rewarding

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information. An easy and rewarding way to ramp up the number of points you earn when traveling is to register for the various promotions put out by hotel loyalty programs. But keeping track of the latest hotel bonuses can be difficult — especially if …

Video, pics: Inside the only hotel onsite at Expo 2020 Dubai

Located adjacent to Al Wasl Plaza, Rove Expo 2020 features 331 rooms and suites

Saudi Arabia ends travel suspension from UAE, South Africa and Argentina

The directives will take effect from 11am on Wednesday, 8 September 2021… Saudi Arabia will lift travel restrictions on three countries, including the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and Argentina, from 11am tomorrow (Wednesday, September 8). An official source at the Ministry of Interior said it has decided to lift the suspension of entry to […]

PCR tests for travel likely to be needed 'for years'

Follow the latest updates on the Covid-19 pandemic An air travel industry executive has predicted that passengers are likely to need to take PCR tests for years, and called on governments to pay for them. Covid-19 testing also needs to get faster and countries should agree on a uniform system so passengers can move more easily across borders, said ...

This Saadiyat beach resort has got some very special deals for residents

Including great rates on All Inclusive holidays… The benefits of being a UAE resident are clearly laid out on the table. No income tax, year-round sunshine, a world-class dining scene, and similarly international spec facilities for culture, sport and miscellaneous fun times. Compltely exclusive That’s enough to keep Abu Dhabi in the upper leagues of […]

Gingerbread Kit Kats Are Coming This Holiday Season And We Tried Them Early

They're worth ALL the hype.

10 Tricks To Pay Less for Hotel Bookings

Your chance to get the cheapest hotel room reservation has become easy with these simple tricks. Here are the most prominent ways to book hotel rooms at cheap rates.We will look at ways to search and find the best hotel reservation site, in addition to the tricks that contribute significantly to obt

The Ultimate Relaxation Holiday in Innsbruck

We need to keep our mental health in check because everything else is temporary which is why it's necessary to take some time off to breathe in and unwind. Try to find your true peace of mind by travelling to green destinations such as Innsbruck in Austria. Located at the heart of the Alps, the

Abu Dhabi carrier Etihad upgrades its Verified to Fly service

The service allows passengers to upload and check that they have all their relevant Covid-19 documentation in place prior to their flight

French Women Love This Haircare Brand — and It Makes Travel Sizes of Its Best-selling Products

The conditioner “reduces brassiness, promotes shine and a feeling of silkiness.”

British Airways Just Flew Its First Carbon Neutral Passenger Flight

The flight was operated on an Airbus A320neo, which the airline said burns 20% less fuel, and had lighter seats, lighter catering carts, and digital flight manuals and inflight magazines to reduce weight.

There’s still time for a summer staycation at Rixos Bab Al Bahr

Sponsored: UAE residents can enjoy 20 per cent off the best rate… The 2021 summer is reaching its finale, but the deals aren’t done, as Rixos Bab Al Bahr is extending its residents’ offer until September 30, 2021. Guests can enjoy a fun-filled, all-inclusive staycation in Ras Al Khaimah at the Al Marjan Island-based hotel, […]

The difference between CDC and State Department travel warnings

Throughout much of 2020 and 2021, you’ve probably noticed increased travel warnings issued by the U.S. government, cautioning Americans who traveling abroad during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. But exactly what do these warnings mean and how much weight should be placed on them? For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up …

The 5 most Instagrammable travel hotspots in Saudi Arabia

With travel back on the cards between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, there’s another destination open for quarantine-free travel. Known as the last frontier of travel, Saudi Arabia spans a whopping 2.15 million square kilometres making it almost nine times the size of the UK. Given its vastness, the kingdom has a wide variety of things to see, places to...