Tag: Track

This Gorgeous Island In Spain Is On Track To Become One Of The Top Destinations This Year

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 14 seconds ago

Home to world-renowned cities like Madrid and Barcelona, blessed with year-round warmer weather and boasting endless miles of coastline, it’s no wonder Spain is one of the top destinations for Americans flying across the pond.

The entire country is a hotspot for tourism, from the culturally-charged north-westernmost provinces to the resort-dominated Costa del Sol, but one island in particular seems to be fueling tourism growth the most (and stealing the hearts of visiting Americans).

How does eating heladitos as you walk down a palm-lined boardwalk, swimming in turquoise waters, and exploring postcard-ready medieval towns sound for a vacation?

Mallorca Is A Major Force Behind Spain’s Tourism Boom

According to Spain’s AIReF, the entity responsible for GDP-related stats, the Balearic island of Mallorca is a huge contributor to Spain’s tourism rebound, with the local economy (mostly tourism-based) having grown 3.2% in 2023, above the national average of 2%.

In total, it hosted 11.6 million tourists last year, a growing number of which are Americans, who have enjoyed nonstop flights to the paradisaical island since 2022; this year, it could break all-time records, as flight frequency from key markets increases and demand soars.

Racing for the number one spot in Spain, it challenges Malaga and nearby Marbella, voted a top destination this year, the tropical Canary Islands, Barcelona, famous for its Gaudí heritage and soon-to-be-finished Sagrada Familia Basilica.

Still, with so many destinations in Spain to choose from, you may be wondering why it’s Mallorca where they’re headed.

What Makes Mallorca So Special?

The largest island of a Mediterranean archipelago known as the Balearics, and the seventh-largest in this sea, Mallorca has been inhabited since at least the 3rd millennium BC, and though it is primarily a leisure destination in the modern age, it is a cultural site of the first order.

A Beautiful Ancient Capital

Its beautiful, compact capital of Palma de Mallorca concentrates a number of historical landmarks, from a fortified cathedral, to Bellver (one of Europe’s last-surviving circular castles), to the monumental Royal Palace of La Almudaina, to the UNESCO-listed, Gothic Silk Exchange.

Similarly to other settlements in Palma, the cityscape is ochre-hued, giving it an enticing ancient flair, and there are several Mallorcan restaurants and traditional tapa bars serving cheap tintos and flavorful tidbits to satisfy the food connoisseur in you.

Magaluf Is The European Cancun

Palma’s true charm, however, lies in its unique combination of European, Old World charm and modern resort strips: a short 23-minute drive from the capital, straddling a section of the Bay of Palma where the sea is crystal-clear, Magaluf is where you’ll find your perfect all-inclusive stay.

Nestled in a Caribbean-style development zone, with tourist-friendly facilities and hotel complexes distributed along a sandy coast, it is where Germans and Brits flock into for their sunny getaways irrespective of season; it is, as we like to call it, the European Cancun.

The overnight average at Magaluf Beach resorts is only $123 ahead of the peak season, top Expedia picks including Hotel Spa Flamboyan Caribe, Leonardo Royal Hotel Mallorca, and the VIP, adults-only Ibero Star Selection Jardín del Sol Suites, at an entry-level rate of $314.

Scenic Coastal Scenes

Magaluf may be Mallorca’s ‘Cancun’, but you should bear in mind there is a whole island to be discovered, from highly-developed beach zones to unspoiled fishing villages with origins lost to time, not to mention a verdant, hilly hinterland dotted with charming historic towns.

Encompassing Palma’s tallest peak and unique geological formations, the Tramuntana Range is a sustainable tourism center rich in biodiversity, while the northwestern edge of the island is best known for its scenic coastal drives and charming port towns.

No visit to Mallorca is complete without Port de Sóller, popular for its historic tramway and imposing Romanesque-Gothic church, the stone-built settlements of Deià, Fornalutx, and Valldemossa, with their narrow streets and terracotta roofs, or the medieval Port of Pollença (and all its pristine calas).

Mallorca Is An Affordable European Getaway

When it comes to prices, Mallorca is incredibly affordable by Mediterranean standards, as a one-week stay will set you back by $1,045 per person, including accommodation, meals and transportation between different municipalities.

Most of the food served in restaurants is locally-sourced, and thanks to Palma’s fertile terrain and balmy climate, there is an abundance of tropical fruit and vegetables and freshly-caught seafood in markets; the cost of living outside resort towns is pretty low, too.

On average, restaurant menus in Palma are half the price of New York’s, with prices for inexpensive meals in local eateries set at $14, and more elaborate, three-course dinners for two people in mid-range spots costing $53.87, or the equivalent in euros.

Nonstop U.S. Flights Returning This Year

Furthermore, there will be an increase in capacity for United’s New York-Palma flights this year, proving demand keeps growing among Americans: starting May 25, the carrier will operate a 240-seat Boeing 767-400 ER on this route, 26 more than last year’s.

In the wake of United’s success, American Airlines is also planning on operating this Transatlantic route at some point this year, with flights from Miami to Palma expected to be announced soon, though at the time of writing, no further details have been unveiled.

With nonstop flights returning, and as many as three weekly flights scheduled, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from late May through September 25, not to mention a frequency increase for intra-Europe low-cost flights, we expect Palma to become one of the top destinations in 2024.

Read More:

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans Starting At $10 Per Week

How To Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

[ad_2]

Source link

February 21, 2024
This Trendy Croatian Island Is On Track To Become The Next Ibiza
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Have you also been dreaming of a balmy Southern European summer, with that youthful atmosphere, amazing culture, and of course, postcard-ready swimming spots with medieval castles for view just begging to be explored?

Ibiza may sound like the most obvious pick, with its azure waters and year-round events, but if you’re looking for a Mediterranean island that can be both quaint when it’s sunny out, and bustling with activity when night falls, perhaps you should consider this lesser-known Croatian island instead:

Is Hvar Bound To Become Europe’s Party Island?

Hvar is a small offshore Adriatic settlement that’s often touted as the ‘next Ibiza’.

Similarly to the famous Spanish island, it has a historic capital sitting at the bottom of a heavily-fortified citadel, where most of the action is centered, scenic beaches, and a rural hinterland.

Unlike Ibiza, however, Hvar is much smaller.

While Spain’s Balearic island covers an area of 221 square miles, jam-packed with luxurious enclaves, danceterias, and leisure centers, Hvar is only 42 miles long, though the tourist offer is by no means limited.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Hvar Town has a burgeoning party scene, with numerous bars, beach clubs, and all-night discos to pick from.

One of the island’s trendiest, Carpe Diem, is open from 9 AM to 2 PM, operating as an upscale restaurant and cocktail dar by day and as a club by night.

The Veneranda Club is also a favorite among locals and tourists alike. A short 2km walk from downtown Hvar, it hosts techno parties and DJ sets led by household names like Tom Novy, Norman Doray, and Dirty Dutch.

Other nightlife spots include the atmospheric Nautica disco, Hula Hula, a well-frequented oceanfront beach bar with an energetic crowd and thrilling music, and Central Park Club, highly sought-after among live music and jazz lovers.

If you’d rather hit a local bar for a chill night instead, whether you’re alone or joined by friends, then the Atelier (most commonly known as Archie’s Bar) is where you should be headed.

The friendly staff will make sure you feel welcome, and we’re sure you’ll enjoy the creative cocktails on the menu.

Hvar Is One Of The Most Beautiful Islands On The Adriatic

When it comes to beaches, the top-rated ones on Google are:
- Pokonji dol Beach, a sandy crescent just outside Hvar Town
- Strand Mekićevica, a quieter bay with heavenly-blue seas
- Žukova, a pebbly cove bounded by turquoise waters tourists
- Jagodna, a lesser-known, paradisaical spot only 2.6km away from the town of Sveta Nedjelja
- Bonji Beach, a development zone lined by resorts offering access to the Adriatic
Whether you’re basing yourself in Hvar Town or staying farther away in a more secluded area, accommodation options are varied, from budget guesthouses to luxurious private villas and oceanfront wellness retreats.

June rates for the newly-opened Hotel Moeesy, Blue & Green Oasis average USD $4,000 weekly, while more modest B&B stays range between USD $550 and USD $1,745 when booked in advance through Booking.com.

Although it is smaller and not necessarily cheaper than Ibiza now that Croatia has joined the Eurozone – quite the contrary – Hvar is still a gem worth exploring, if not for the beaches and nightlife, then for its inestimable cultural wealth.

An Underrated Cultural Destination

Though it’s been inhabited since prehistoric times, it only flourished as an Adriatic port under Greek control in 384 BC, when Pharos, now called Stari Grad (Serbo-Crotian for Old Town), was founded.

The Greeks were responsible for laying out the well-structured agricultural divisions of the Sari Glad Plain, which is still visible to this day and listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Other points of interest on the island include the Fortress of Petar Hektorović, the Franciscan Monastery, St Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Tvrdava Fortress towering over Hvar Town.

The closest airport to Hvar is located on the neighboring island of Brač, though it hosts only a handful of domestic flights and chartered international flights from smaller European hubs over the summer.

The easiest way to get to Hvar is by flying in via Split, the largest city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast and the second-busiest airport in Croatia after Zagreb International.

From Split, a fast-ferry to Hvar Town takes just over an hour and costs on average of USD $10. Ferries remain operational year-round, linking the island to the Croatian mainland, though frequency is usually higher over summer, with daily service and more competitive fares.

Important Changes Travelers Should Know Ahead Of Flying To Croatia

If you’re flying to Croatia this summer, you should know the country has recently adopted the Euro, which has led to an increase in prices in touristy spots like Hvar, Split, and Dubrovnik.

Additionally, it ascended to the borderless Schengen Area. When traveling between a fellow European country signatory to the Schengen Treaty and any Croatian airport, you will no longer have to undergo border control.

Arriving from outside the Schengen Area, such as flying direct from the U.S. to Croatia, you will need to present yourself before border officers in order to get an entry stamp.

It is also worth reminding that, since Croatia joined Schengen, any visits to other Schengen countries count towards your 90-day visa limit as an American or Canadian national traveling in Croatia.

You are only allowed to remain in Schengen for 90 days out of any 180-day period.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
[ad_2]

Source link
May 20, 2023
American Travelers Will Have Fast Track Entry When Visiting France This Summer
[ad_1]
Share The Article

Last Updated 55 mins ago

Traveling abroad for summer 2022 will be much more challenging than initially expected, as countries struggle to keep up with a rising travel demand and staff shortages. Still, some destinations are better prepared than others, and are even simplifying entry for foreigners. This is the case with France, where Americans now enjoy fast track entry.

Although many travelers are not even aware of this, France allows a number of foreign nationals to cross its borders without thorough checks – including U.S. citizens. While this policy has been around for some time, it was not until recently that it gained traction, as airports in Europe become overwhelmingly busy post-Covid:

Americans Can Enter France Without Speaking To A Border Agent

If you’re a regular traveler in the Old Continent, you may be familiar with the layout of European airports. Usually when landing in Europe, passengers have to stand in one out of two lines: the Europeans’ or the third country nationals’. Anyone who does not hold a passport from an European Union (EU) or EU-associated country is considered a third country national.

Naturally, U.S., Canada, Australia and UK passport holders are all considered third country nationals, as they are not EU citizens. With the exception of Brits, who only left the EU recently, these travelers had been for years subject to long wait times until speaking to a border agent, who would then assess whether they would be allowed into France or not.

This is a very common procedure when traveling abroad, as it is a border agent’s job to verify the intentions of a traveler when visiting a country, and whether they meet certain criteria, including financial requirements. As EU citizens have the right to move freely in Europe, they are not subject to these checks and have always been eligible to use eGates.

In France, they are part of an automated border control system called Parafe, which helps French authorities keep track of border crossings to and from France from outside the borderless Schengen Area. These ‘Eletronic Gates’ ensure faster entry when crossing EU borders, as passengers simply have to scan their passport to be allowed in.

Surprisingly, France now allows select non-EU nationalities to scan their way into the country. In order to benefit from Parafe, and cross into France without speaking to a border agent first, travelers must simply be aged 18 years and older, and hold a valid biometric passport from one of the below countries:
- EU nations
- EEA nations (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway)
- Switzerland
- Andorra
- Monaco
- San Marino
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Japan
- South Korea
This means that, even though they are not Europeans, Americans can still use eGates traveling to France at designated entry poins. More specifically, they are eligible for fast-track entry in 7 international airports, including the busy Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport and Orly, which both serve Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille and Nice.

U.S. passport holders can also use automated eGates on at least 4 of France’s international train stations, mainly on United Kingdom-France routes. Those are Gare du Nord, in Paris, St Pancras International, on the British side of the border, the Terminal de Coquelles in France, and the Folkstone Terminal in England.

How To Use An eGate In 4 Quick Steps

When using an eGate, travelers are advsied to follow these steps:
- Remove glasses, scarves, hats and face masks
- Place the passport photo page on the electronic reader
- Stand on the footprints indicated on the floor
- Look at the camera in front of you until the facial recognition process is complete
If you’re successful, after a minute or two, the gates of France – and Europe on an extent – will open for you.

Despite More Relaxed Entry Controls, Schengen Area Rules Have Not Changed

Even though Americans are now guaranteed faster entry into France, this does not mean the rule is replicated in other European countries. With the exception of the UK, which also allows U.S. citizens to use eGates, we still have not heard of other European nations granting Americans (and Canadians on an extent) the privilege.

Whenever traveling to France, Americans are again reminded that, even though they may no longer be required to see a border officer at specific entry points, they can only remain in the country (and the Schengen Area as a whole) for 90 days out of every 180-day period. For that purpose, the Parafe system will keep a record of both entry and exit dates.

When caught overstaying, depending on the length of the illegal stay, Americans risk being fined, detained, or even banned from traveling to Europe for a few years. Any visit to the Schengen Area, which include France and 25 other countries, however short, counts towards your 90-days-out-of-every-180 limit.

If in doubt, always use the official Schengen Calculator.

Is France Open For Tourism Right Now?

Right now, France is open to Americans holding a valid Covid certification, and mainly those who are fully immunized. It is not yet part of the group of European countries that have completely removed entry requirements ahead of summer, but it has progressively eased restrictions over the last few months.

Once in France, travelers are no longer required to wear face coverings indoors or outdoors, including in planes, and the Covid-era Pass sanitaire, France’s controversial vaccine passport, is also not in use. Right now, your main concern traveling to France is the rapid spread of monkeypox and the increasing risk of travel disruption due to understaffed airports.

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

These Are Your Top Underrated Summer Travel Destinations In Europe For 2022

Americans Flying To The UK Risk Long Delays At Border And Flight Cancellations

The Top 5 Most Affordable Summer Destinations In Europe For 2022

Hotel Prices Across Europe Surging To Record Highs

↓ Join the community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
[ad_2]

Source link
June 8, 2022