Curaçao is having a moment… this southern Caribbean country has just broken its yearly record for tourist numbers, and it shows no signs of slowing down since it’s adding even more reasons to visit this year.
Curaçao has long been a popular tourist destination for American travelers, with a record-breaking 90,000 Americans visiting the country last year. The most popular month to visit is July, while travelers give themselves an average 7 days to explore this colorful paradise.
With 35 spectacular beaches, diverse heritage, and stunning European architecture, Curaçao is proving to be an attractive destination for tourists. The island offers unrivaled natural beauty to explore, especially for divers and adventurers.
Below are 5 reasons that will make your decision even easier to choose this remarkable island for a vacation (or to work from):
1) Additional Direct Flights Are Being Added To Curaçao
JetBlue has just added two more weekly flights to Curaçao International Airport from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) starting in April. Currently, JFK only has 3 non-stop flights per week, but with this addition, there will now be five. The flight time is under 6 hours and will depart from New York at 8 am.
Other non-stop flights depart from Miami, Newark, and Charlotte, which are serviced by United and American Airlines a few times a week.
The highly anticipated Sandals Royal opened last year, which was a big driver in attracting new tourists to the island. The luxury resort is situated in the southern part of the island on a 3,000-acre property and contains an infinity pool, which is also the brand’s first-ever bi-level pool that overlooks the crystal blue ocean.
The resort houses eight restaurants, three gourmet food trucks, and 13 bars, so you’ll have plenty to choose from for your food and beverage service. Two of the suite categories offer butler services, and select suites also have access to convertible MINI Coopers to take a drive around the island.
The New Zoëtry Curaçao Resort & Spa
The second resort that opened in 2022, attracting an influx of tourists, is the luxurious boutique resort Zoëtry Curaçao, which is part of the World of Hyatt. Surrounded by the luscious Curaçao nature and a private, white-sanded beach, the resort features three restaurants and bars, a café, and a tennis court.
The resort is an all-inclusive experience that incorporates everything you need for your stay, such as endless dining and drinks, personal services, elevated amenities, and personalized experiences.
Curaçao North Sea Jazz Festival
A festival for all ages and considered one of the best parties of the year, this popular music festival is back after a two-year hiatus and will be bringing together all genres of music – not just jazz.
Big names have played during this festival, such as John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and Mariah Carey, so you’ll want to check the line-up when it’s announced to see if one of your favorites will be performing. The festival will be taking place from August 31 – September 2, a time when it is traditionally held to stimulate tourism for the low season.
Curaçao Carnival
You might be surprised to hear that Curaçao holds the Caribbean’s largest and longest Carnival celebrations. This month-long event that goes until late February is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets and turns the streets into colorful and vibrant displays with music pumping throughout.
One of the best attractions is the Marcha di Despedida on the eve of Ash Wednesday, which concludes the festival and has a captivating display of floats parading through Curaçao. King Momo, a “villain” made of straw that represents sins, bad luck, and infertility, is burned at midnight to end the festival.
Tumba Festival is also a popular attraction for the Carnival and is one of the biggest musical events on the island that brings together a list of talented local musicians, performers, and composers for a four-day event.
When you picture crystal-clear blue waters, white sand beaches, quaint historic towns, and stunning natural scenery, which European country comes to mind?
Maybe you answered Italy, Greece, or Croatia.
Albania may not have come to mind at all, but this Balkan country is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe that offers all of the above and more.
Here’s why Albania should be on your bucket list this year:
1) Incredible Beaches
One of the top reasons to visit Albania this summer is for its amazing beaches.
Located on the Adriatic Sea, Albania’s beaches are among the best-kept secrets in Europe. While they are widely visited by locals and tourists from other Balkan countries, Albania’s beaches are still largely off the radar for most other tourists.
However, they are some of the best beaches in Europe, with white sand beaches and clear turquoise-blue waters.
Sarande is a resort town known for its beach parties and nightlife, while Ksamil and Borsh Beach are known for their stunning natural beauty.
2) A Cool Capital City
Albania’s capital city Tirana is extremely cool, hip, and funky. It’s a hodgepodge of striking architecture, a mixture of modern design and Communist-era buildings.
The city was named the European Youth Capital of 2022 because of its rapid growth and its youthful, vibrant spirit. Tirana is a city that’s constantly in flux and changing by the day.
There are so many reasons to visit Tirana, and this city offers something for everyone, including foodies, history fanatics, and party lovers.
3) Quaint Historic Towns
Although Tirana is a great city to visit, the real charm of Albania lies in its quaint historic towns.
Berat, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most striking historic towns in the country due to its nickname of “The City of a Thousand Windows.”
Gjirokastra is another beautiful ancient town that is known as “The City of a Thousand Steps” due to its many stone stairs and hilly landscape.
4) Affordable Prices
One of the best parts of Albania is how affordable it is. It’s a great destination for budget travelers, or luxury travelers who want to travel in style in a destination where their money goes much further.
While many popular destinations in Europe, such as Italy, France, and Greece are extremely pricy, countries in the Balkan region can be shocking cheap, and Albania is among the cheapest of all.
Even other once-affordable Balkan countries like Croatia are experiencing skyrocketing prices this year, making Albania a refreshing alternative.
5) Friendly People
One of the biggest highlights of all in Albania is the people. Albanians are extremely friendly and hospitable.
You’ll be blown away by the level of hospitality that is shown by Albanians. Even if there’s a bit of a language barrier (English is not widely spoken, especially among the older generations in Albania), people will go out of their way to help you in any way that they can.
Unlike some other European destinations like Italy that are flooded with American tourists, Albania has not experienced much of that yet, and you don’t have to worry about being scammed or ripped off.
6) Relaxed Visa Rules
Albania is an emerging destination for digital nomads in Europe because of its sunny climate, affordable prices, great places to base yourself, and relaxed visa rules.
It’s one of the few countries in Europe that still offers long stays for American travelers hoping to reset their Schengen visas after nearby Croatia joined the Schengen Zone.
If you’ve been planning a trip to Disney World, Orlando this year, one of Disney World’s executives has just shared some of the best tips for saving money for the upcoming spring and summer seasons.
For the past 15 months, Disney World has been celebrating its 50th anniversary, with many of its festivities continuing up until March 31, 2023. With less than 3 months left of its celebration plans, the attraction has announced a list of savings to entice visitors to its many resorts after the official celebrations conclude.
2023 is still an important year for Walt Disney, as the entertainment company will be marking its 100th anniversary since being founded in 1923. The celebrations will be mainly focused at Disneyland Resort, but will eventually move to Disney World later in the year.
There are plenty of reasons to add Disney World to your 2023 destination list, from its latest attraction Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to popular favorites like Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and the revived Fantasmic!
Highlights coming to Disney World in 2023 will also include Tron Lightcycle Run, one of the fastest new rides, and a new family-style barbecue restaurant called Woody’s Roundup Rodeo BBQ in Toy Story Land.
Keep in mind that the cost to visit Disney World will vary based on which of the four parks you want to visit. Animal Kingdom is the lowest-priced park costing between $109 and $159, while Magic Kingdom is the most expensive park, costing between $124 and $189, and it’s best to reserve your tickets as soon as possible.
Lesley Harris, Communications Manager at Walt Disney World Resort has offered some of the best ways to save this year (and also don’t forget to check out our other tips for saving money here):
Save Up To 25% On Rooms At Select Disney Resort Hotels
If you want your magical stay to extend into the evening and beyond, a stay at one of Disney’s Resort hotels will give you the same friendly service and storytelling as its theme parks. Disney is offering the following discounts during select time periods on a limited number of its rooms.
April 10 through July 10, 2023: save up to 25% on stays at 15 select Disney Resort hotels during most nights
March 1 through March 31, 2023: save up to 20% at select 15 Disney Resort hotels during most nights
Resorts include: Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s BoardWalk Villas, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Additional discounts also apply to other Disney Resort hotels during certain dates. You can see the full list of resorts and savings here.
$750 Dining Promo Card With Special Offer
Guests visiting Disney World who book a non-discounted 5-night, 4-day vacation package at either a Disney Deluxe Resort or a Disney Deluxe Villa Resort with a theme park ticket will receive up to a $750 Dining promo card ($150 Per Room, Per Night).
The dining card can be redeemed across the resorts, from the Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Park to Satu’li Canteen, a fast-casual restaurant at Pandora – The World of Avatar. The gifted dollar value is dependent on which Disney Resort hotel that you stay at, and ranges from $50 to $150 per room, per night, for a maximum of 5 nights.
The offer is only available for guests booking between the following dates:
July 1 to July 10, 2023
August 1 to September 14, 2023.
You can see the full list of resorts that the dining promo card applies to here.
Spend Extra Time In Parks With Disney Resort Hotel Stays
Guests who stay at a Disney Resort hotel also receive special perks and additional time in the parks, such as a 30-minute early entry ahead of the public, while Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort guests get to enjoy extended evening hours on special evenings across select parks.
The costs associated with travel to Europe have risen absurdly as a result of the economic crisis, the ongoing pandemic, and lately the war in Ukraine. Visitors are feeling the pinch irrespective of their country of choice, whether it’s West or East, and adding to their owes, a popular sunny hotspot has seen prices skyrocket more than usual at the turn of the year.
Since January 1, Croatia has undergone profound changes that will dictate the its future as a tourist destination in the coming months. Besides joining the Schengen Area, Europe’s border-free zone, the Adriatic hub has dropped the kuna, the historical Hravastki currency, and adopted the euro: the latest nation to fully integrate into the European Single Market.
It may be true Croatia has been getting progressively more expensive in recent years, but the latest events seem to have aggravated the trend:
Croatia’s Euroization Is Leading To Major Price Hikes
Nearly ten years into being in the EU, which it joined in 2013, Croatia has ascended into both the Schengen Area and the Eurozone, two select intra-EU groups it had not qualified for membership up until recently. From now on, traveling to the Dalmatian coast, travelers will notice two things are different than before: first, there’s a lack of border checks.
Having officially joined Schengen, a customs territory comprising 26 other countries, Croatia has abolished passport control and border formalities with all European states that are signatory to the treaty, such as Hungary and Slovenia, which it borders to the north. Effectively, this means any travel between these countries is treated as a domestic journey.
Secondly, there’s the issue of currency. Kunas are no longer a valid payment method in Croatia, following its induction into Europe’s monetary union. Although many hoped the price of items would merely be converted from kunas into euros, at the defunct currency’s exchange rate at the time of ‘Euroization’, this is not what happened:
The cost of living in Croatia has scaled vertiginously from January 1, as the stronger euro suddenly pushed the weaker kuna out of the market, and products, services, and transactions within the country were ‘Euroized’. Regrettably, both the transition period, which was bound to be challenging, and the EU-wide inflation have not helped ease the burden.
The market has been preparing for the swap for a number of years, adjusting prices to keep them in line with Eurozone countries, and in turn making travel to Croatia costlier than it once was in the pre-EU era, but contrary to earlier predictions, the price hikes were much more brutal than expected – sometimes, by 10 to 15 percent.
Croatia Is No Longer A Cheap ‘Eastern’ European Country To Visit
The financial strain is of course felt on a larger scale by middle-income Croatian families, but tourists were also affected: according to Economy Minister Davor Filipovic, inflation currently stands at 13.5 percent, with biggest hikes recorded across food products and non-alcoholic beverages, though other sectors were hit just as hard.
The Minister noted retail chains have been unashamedly trying to ‘deceive’ consumers by rounding fares to the nearest ten, or well above that. Needless to say, restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, and tourist attractions could see either slight, or significant increases in prices moving forward. In sum, Croatia is no longer a cheaper alternative to Spain or Italy.
The fact that 1,738 violations of the law on euro adoption were registered in only five days is not a good prospect, either. In order to keep prices from spiraling out of control, and protect Croats and tourists from abusive rates, the Minister was quoted saying ‘all options are on the table’, including black lists and a freeze on prices ‘on a wide array of products’.
If they’re looking for destinations where their tourist dollars will stretch the furthest in summer, Americans should perhaps consider going off-path and exploring lesser-known countries in Southeastern Europe where rates are notably lower than those of Croatia, or other overpriced Mediterranean destinations, such as Albania, Romania and Bulgaria.
Frontier Airlines just released the details of its GoWild! Pass, a new all-you-can-fly annual subscription. For just $599, the GoWild! Pass lets you fly an unlimited number of flights to any of Frontier’s destinations in the United States, including Puerto Rico, for a whole year.
Frontier is a popular low-cost airline in the United States, and they’ve generated a lot of buzz with this announcement.
But is the GoWild! Pass actually worth it?
Here’s everything you need to know about this new flight subscription and whether it’s worth the $599 price tag or not.
What To Know About The Frontier GoWild! Pass
The GoWild! Pass offers travelers unlimited flights on Frontier Airlines flights within the United States.
Right now, the pass is priced at $599, but this is a special introductory price that won’t last long. The normal cost of the pass (and the annual renewal rate) is $1,999.
If you want to lock in the current $599 price, you’ll want to purchase the pass as soon as possible.
Flights Must Be Booked The Day Before Departure
This is one really important thing to note. With the GoWild! Pass, you can only book flights the day before departure.
Flights will come available to be booked one day in advance, and that’s as early as you’ll be able to confirm your flight.
Although the GoWild! Pass allows you to fly on over 300 days out of the year, there are a significant number of blackout dates.
In 2023, flights cannot be booked for the following dates: May 25, 26, 29; June 29, 30; July 1-5, 8, 9; August 31; September 1, 4; October 5, 6, 9; November 18, 22, 24-27; December 16, 17, 22-24, 26-31.
You Still Have To Pay Taxes And Fees
While the GoWild! Pass is only $599 and you’ll only pay a fare of $0.01 per flight that you book, you’re still responsible for the full amount of taxes and fees on your fare.
How much will taxes and fees be on Frontier flights booked with the annual pass? According to an inquiry from The Points Guy, these will start at $14.60 per flight for flights booked with the GoWild! Pass.
It Only Covers Flights In The United States
Frontier is known for its low-cost routes that connect cities in the United States with destinations like Mexico, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.
But unfortunately, you won’t be able to jet off the to islands with the Frontier GoWild! Pass.
It’s limited to destinations in the United States only (however, this does include Puerto Rico).
So Is The GoWild! Pass Really Worth It?
The Frontier GoWild! Pass is worth it for some travelers, but certainly not everyone.
It mostly makes sense for frequent flyers who have the ability to book last-minute flights.
Barry Biffle, the CEO of Frontier Airlines, stated, “If you’re thinking about traveling at least once a month, this makes sense for you. If you’re willing to travel once a week, this is a no-brainer.”
For people who only fly once or twice a year, the GoWild! Pass definitely does not make sense, and you’d be better off purchasing individual tickets.
However, for frequent travelers with a lot of flexibility (such as remote workers, digital nomads, and retirees), the GoWild! Pass can be worth it.
It’s also worth noting that this only applies to the current introductory price of $599 per year.
Once the price is increased to $1,999, it will be really hard to justify the Frontier GoWild! Pass as a worthwhile purchase for anyone.
But right now, it’s possible to make the most out of the pass for one year. Since you can cancel at any time, the GoWild! Pass could be a great way to save money if you plan to travel a lot in 2023.
Popular online travel company Tripadvisor has released the latest Travelers’ Choice awards for the top trending destinations in the world, and the results may surprise you. As the world threw off the shackles of the pandemic this year and started traveling again, many travelers decided to take those bucket-list trips they had been dreaming about for years.
As a result, many destinations that may not necessarily come to mind have grown significantly in popularity. Further, travelers have acknowledged their love of these destinations by leaving many glowing reviews for each.
Below are the top 10 most loved destinations in the world this year.
10) Santorini, Greece
About The Area
One of the most iconic destinations out there. Even if you’ve never heard of Santorini, chances are you’ve seen pictures. Harboring some of the most Insta-worthy views in the Cyclades, Santorini is a gorgeous island with picturesque villages overlooking the stunning Aegean Sea. Visitors enjoy exploring ruins like Ancient Thera and watching the sunset in Oia, the most visited village in Santorini.
How To Get There
Nearly all travelers visiting Santorini from outside Europe will find themselves flying into Santorini National Airport via a connecting flight out of another European hub. In fact, if traveling from the U.S., it’s most likely that you will have at least 2 connecting flights, as there are only a few U.S. airports that offer routes with only 1 stop (JFK, BDL, and BOS)
Another popular way to see the area is via cruise ship. Many European cruises will stop near the Old Port of Fira, where passengers can transfer from their ship to Skala Pier. Once on land, travelers can reach the top of the cliff to get into the town via cable car, mule ride, or hiking up the 580 steps to the top.
Goreme is a Turkish town in the Cappadocia region of Turkey and is another Instagram-perfect location that has grown in popularity this year. Without a doubt, one of the most popular things to do in the area is to take a hot air balloon ride to admire the rock formations known as fairy chimneys from above. Another favorite of locals and travelers alike is the Goreme Open-Air Museum, which houses remnants of churches carved out of stone.
How To Get There
The closest airport to Goreme is Kayseri Airport, about an hour from Goreme. There aren’t many direct connections in Europe, and most travelers will find themselves taking connecting flights. Americans have no direct routes, but there are several routes that only require 1 stop (IAD, BWI, PHL, JFK, EWR, and BOS)
The easiest way to get to Goreme from the airport would be a direct connection via taxi or prearranged pickup. However, bus routes are available as well.
Average Costs (*Prices based on closest available data, Kayseri, Turkey)
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $10.75
Pint of Domestic Beer: $1.88
8) Arusha, Tanzania
About The Area
Arusha itself is typically not the intended final stop for travelers heading to this Tanzanian city, many have other destinations in mind. In fact, most travelers headed to Arusha are doing so to participate in a Safari since Arusha is a common starting point for the Northern Safari Circuit in Tanzania. Elephants, buffalo, leopards, and lions await eager adventure-seekers on a safari in this beautiful region of Africa.
How To Get There
Most travelers will fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport and taxi into Arusha, which is about a 45-minute drive away. There are a few direct connections out of Europe, but Americans must make at least one connection. U.S. airports with only one connection include ORD, DTW, IAD, PHL, EWR, JFK, and BOS.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $25.73
Pint of Domestic Beer: $0.86
7) Natal, Brazil
About The Area
Natal is the capital city of Rio Grande do Norte, and is home to incredible beaches, museums, shopping centers, and sand dunes. Natal is among the best destinations for those who love the sun, sand, and outdoors. Travelers enjoy taking dune buggy rides at Dunas de Genipabu and snorkeling in Parrachos de Maracajau.
How To Get There
Natal does have its own airport, but there aren’t many direct connections to it. Those flying out of Lisbon can enjoy the only direct connection out of Europe. Those coming from the states will have to make at least one connection from one of the following airports; BOS, EWR, JFK, IAD, ORD, ATL, MCO, FLL, MIA, DFW, or IAH.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $17.82
Pint of Domestic Beer: $1.03
6) Ibiza, Spain
About The Area
Ibiza is one of those destinations that is known as a party island but is also home to gorgeous beaches for a relaxing day in the sun. The capital, Ibiza Town, is home to a UNESCO world heritage site listed fortress, and its Old Town dates back over 2,500 years. If you want to party, make sure to visit in the summer when DJs like David Guetta show up for performances you won’t forget.
How To Get There
Londoners can enjoy a direct flight to Ibiza that will only take about 2.5 hours, and there are many other European cities with direct connections. Americans will have to make at least one connection and can do so from BOS, BDL, JFK, EWR, PHL, and IAD with just one stop.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $87.82
Pint of Domestic Beer: $4.65
5) Dubrovnik, Croatia
About The Area
Dubrovnik rests in southern Croatia on the Adriatic Sea. It is known for its awe-inspiring Old Town and impressive sea walls from the 16th century. Nicknamed the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most picturesque areas in the Mediterranean. Everyone visiting Dubrovnik must walk the city walls at least once for breathtaking views of the city and sea.
How To Get There
Europeans can enjoy a wealth of direct connections to Dubrovnik Airport, but Americans have only one direct connection that flies out of EWR and takes about 9 hours.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $68.46
Pint of Domestic Beer: $4.11
4) Tulum, Mexico
About The Area
Tulum is a favorite destination for many Americans and is a wonderful city to visit in the Mexican Caribbean. Home to ancient Mayan ruins, gorgeous beaches, and other-worldly cenotes, Tulum is an excellent destination for those looking for a taste of everything while enjoying the perks of an all-inclusive resort.
How To Get There
Until the Tulum Airport or the Maya Train is finally completed, travelers must fly to a nearby airport and drive to Tulum. This most likely means flying into Cancun International Airport and booking a transport service to Tulum for a drive of about 1.5 to 2 hours. Cancun airport is exceptionally well-connected to the U.S., with dozens of direct flight options. Europe also has a fair amount of direct connections, proving the Mexican Caribbean is popular worldwide.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $36.23
Pint of Domestic Beer: $2.33
3) Rhodes, Greece
About The Area
Rhodes itself is a world heritage site and was declared a World Heritage City by UNESCO in 1988. It is home to the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The version you see today is a modern remake, but the site remains the same. Travelers enjoy visiting the Old Town, which is an extensive and well-preserved medieval town. You’ll feel like you’ve time-traveled walking through these ancient streets.
How To Get There
European travelers have many options for direct flights to Rhodes. Once again, however, Americans aren’t so lucky. Americans hoping for only one connection will have to fly out of JFK, BDL, or BOS. It is also possible to catch a ferry from other areas in Greece or Turkey.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $46.49
Pint of Domestic Beer: $3.62
2) Cairo, Egypt
About The Area
Without a doubt, one of the most popular things to do for tourists in Cairo is to take a day trip to see The Great Pyramid of Giza, the oldest of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Cairo is a fantastic destination full of far-reaching historical significance, and there is no other place quite like it.
How To Get There
Europe is well-connected to Cairo, with most major cities offering direct connections. If traveling from the U.S., the only direct flights are from IAD and JFK.
3 Course Meal for Two at Mid-Range Restaurant: $20.47
Pint of Domestic Beer: $1.64
1) Mallorca, Spain
About The Area
Mallorca is an island off the coast of Spain, home to incredible beaches with beautiful turquoise waters. Visitors enjoy spending days in the sand, exploring famous caves like Cova del Drach, and visiting small towns like Soller, which can be reached by taking a wooden train through the scenic Sierra Alfabia mountain range.
How To Get There
Once again, Europeans have many options for direct connections to Mallorca. Multiple cities in nearly every European country have direct flights to the island, a testament to its popularity. Americans will have to catch connecting flights from all but one U.S. airport. EWR is the only U.S. airport with a direct flight to Mallorca.
Looking for the best destination in Mexico to visit this Christmas? Travel Off Path has gathered six of the best places to go in Mexico during the month of December for a memorable Christmas getaway.
When many people think of going to Mexico at Christmas, they envision a warm-weather escape where they can sip a piña colada on the beach.
And it’s certainly true that Mexico is the perfect destination for escaping the cold and celebrating Christmas at the beach. But Mexico is also a great destination if you’re looking for a more traditional “Christmasy” vacation.
You’ll find that Christmas trees, holiday lights, and unique Mexican holiday traditions like candlelight professionals and elaborate nativity scenes await you in some of the destinations on this list.
Whether you’re looking for a sunny beach vacation or a festive vacation where you can experience Mexico’s unique culture and holiday traditions, here are the best places to go.
1. Mexico City
Mexico City turns into a Christmas wonderland during the month of December, with so many exciting festivities and celebrations.
From a giant Christmas tree and ice skating rink in the Zocalo to Las Posadas, a traditional celebration held from December 16th to December 24th, there’s plenty going on during the holidays in Mexico City.
It’s a very festive atmosphere, with lots of music, fireworks, processionals, holiday food, and traditions.
If you want to celebrate Christmas in Mexico at the beach, Cancun is one of the top destinations to visit.
This popular city on the Yucatán Peninsula boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the country, with white sandy shores and crystal-clear blue waters.
At Christmas, you’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate in Cancun, with tons of resorts, shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife. You can also see more traditional Christmas celebrations in Cancun, like nacimientos, which are elaborate nativity scenes.
3. San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a small city in Mexico’s central highlands that is known for its beautiful colonial-era architecture, thriving art scene, and cultural festivals.
This city goes all out for Christmas, with lights, decorations, candlelight processionals, and other festivities. Noche Buena, or Christmas Eve, is one of the biggest celebration days of the Christmas season.
For Christmas Eve dinner, the custom is to have bacalao (salted cod), although since San Miguel de Allende is an American expat hub, you’ll find many restaurants and hotels serving an American-style Christmas dinner too.
4. Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a great destination in Mexico for stunning beaches, luxury resorts, and great dining. Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, this is one of the most popular beach destinations in the country.
There are few better places to spend Christmas in Mexico than Puerto Vallarta if you’re looking for a place to unwind, relax, and enjoy the holidays.
5. Oaxaca
Oaxaca is a city in Mexico that is best known for its elaborate Day of the Dead festivities at the beginning of November.
So it’s no surprise that this city also gets decked out for Christmas, with lights, decorations, and celebrations all month long. You’ll see lots of calendas and posadas in Oaxaca, which are traditional Christmas processionals the whole city participates in.
6. Los Cabos
Los Cabos is one of the most beautiful beach destinations on Mexico’s Pacific Coast.
This is the perfect place to spend Christmas if you’re looking for great beaches, fabulous resorts, and water sports and activities like boating, diving, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and more.
With temperatures “cooling down” to a comfortable 70 to 75 degrees in December, this is the perfect warm-weather getaway for Christmas.
It seems the soaring cost of travel is no match for Sin City’s appeal. While many believed the entertainment capital would suffer heavy losses amid the cost of living crisis, when purchasing power and travel demand inevitably drop, Las Vegas has never been hotter, both figuratively and literally, being named the happiest city to vacation in the U.S. this year.
Recently, we have received reports of hidden hotel fees skyrocketing, as well as other price hikes across a number of venues as the busy destination struggled to come to terms with a surge in arrival figures, and the unstable economy. Even then, the entertainment capital far exceeded expectations, with tourism increasing by a surprising 37% in 2022 alone.
Now, Club Med has an explanation for all this Vegas love, which hasn’t faded in the slightest in spite of a turbulent year:
How Have Experts Come To This Conclusion?
Club Med is a travel operator known for offering luxury all-inclusive vacations around the world. Yearly, they reveal the world’s ‘Top 10 Happiest Holiday Destinations’, based on metrics that travelers normally take into account when planning a trip. Yes, ‘happy’ isn’t just an abstract idea: according to Club Med, it can be measured.
One of them is ‘safety levels’. As the group states, the lower crime rates are, the more ‘at ease’ tourists feel when traveling. Notably, security has been a cause of concern for Americans visiting a number of places in Mexico lately, with some major cities south of the border deemed risky destinations, including Guanajuato and Guadalajara.
Now more than ever, travelers are acting with caution. Other than the crime and safety indexes, important factors considered for the survey were:
Pollution Index
Cost of domestic beers*
Number of outdoor activities per 100,000 population
Number of day trips per 100,000 population
Number of spa and wellness centers per 100,000 population
LGBTQ+ friendliness
Overall happiness score
*0.5L draught in a restaurant
Conducting the research, Med Club resorted to ‘multiple sources’, compiling data on 50 of the most visited destinations globally. For instance, their pollution, crime and cost of beer data can be traced back to Numbeo, while Tripadvisor provided the ratio for outdoor activities, day trips and availability of wellness centers.
Lastly, Nomadlist is referenced for information on the happiness levels of individual cities and their openness to diversity – namely, how well LGBTQ+ travelers are perceived, and whether there are sexually-diverse activities and events. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Las Vegas ranked at number two within the top ten – the highest-charting in the U.S. and North America.
With an index of 73.7/100 among surveyed U.S. destinations, and 67.1/100 in the international ranking, Vegas faces off heavy competition from places like New Orleans, Washington and Nashville domestically, as well as Barcelona (Spain) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) globally. In case you were wondering, this is why Sin City remains at the top of its game:
Vegas Love Is At An All-Time High
Vegas is simply the place to be if you’re looking for unique experiences, one of the most important items assessed on this research. Considering other data from Hostelworld, which concluded that, in a post-pandemic world, 74 per cent of travelers are favoring natural world experiences, we can definitely see why Vegas is still such a strong name.
Not only it is a global hub known for the opulence of its top-rated luxury hotels lining the iconic Vegas Strip, and lively nightlife, it is the official gateway into the Nevada wilderness. As Club Med affirms, there are over 40 outdoor activities listed in Vegas and the surrounding zones, explaining its popularity among both partygoers and nature lovers.
Within close proximity to the Grand Canyon National Park, it serves as a hub for millions of adventurers seeking to explore America’s desolate, most famous landscape. Some of the tours visitors can book through Tripadvisor include:
Deluxe helicopters tours of the Grand Canyon
7-day VIP tours of the Grand Canyon
Kayak tours of the Emerald Cove
Mojave Desert day trip
Antelope Canyon
Primm Valley and Hidden Valley
On the safety front, Club Med mentions it has a ‘high safety score’, corroborating other findings that the Nevada jewel is, indeed, a ‘low risk’ destination. Unlike these other five vacation spots, where the risk of getting scammed is substantially higher, you’ll be under no particularly high threat from robbers strolling Downtown Vegas.
Lastly, Vegas is an LGBTQ+ haven, featuring countless inclusive bars, clubs, and even gay resorts. It is also home to some of the nation’s most sought-after live attractions: stars like Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, widely recognized as gay icons, all had, or still have concert residencies in the city.
Perfect for all traveler profiles, Vegas is without a question the happiest vacation destination in America, and this far outweighs its biggest weakness: low affordability. Even then, we find it unlikely those dreaming of a Vegas adventure, and carefully planning it, are doing so on a super strict budget.
After all, this is a city synonymous with splurging.
The Top 10 Happiest Destinations In North America
Las Vegas, Nevada
New Orleans, Louisana
Vancouver (Canada)
San Francisco, California
Washington, D.C.
Los Angeles, California
Portland, Oregon
Toronto (Canada)
Halifax (Canada)
Nashville, Tennessee
Top 10 Happiest Destinations In The World
Bali, Indonesia
Las Vegas, United States
New Orleans, United States
Barcelona, Spain
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Budapest, Hungary
Vancouver, Canada
San Francisco, United States
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
More information on the list and its methodology can be found here.
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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
If You’re Unsure About The Value Of Airport Lounges, Read On
Airports are a nightmare at the best of times, but this year’s chaos is unprecedented. If you’ve fought your way through the security line, ventured the length and breadth of the departures lounges, and tried to work next to a screaming baby, you may have glanced longingly at one of the airport lounges dotted around the airport.
Once seen as a symbol of luxury and inaccessible to the masses, lounges are springing up everywhere. Some airports have well over ten lounges, with many accessible to anyone willing to pay.
But are they worth the hype? We say, without a doubt, yes. At least in most cases. Here’s why you should consider getting lounge access on your next trip, especially this year.
1. They’re a much-needed dose of peace
The biggest benefit of any lounge, even a busy one, is the peace they offer. Departure lounges are chaotic. The worst of every human comes out in an airport, and fusing that with a long travel day, hunger, money, and impatience is never a good environment to be in before your flight.
Even if a lounge is a little busier, most make the effort to offer comfortable seating, further away from other passengers than the uncomfortable pews clustered around the departure gates. The people in the lounge are there for the same reason, peace, so there’s almost no chance of someone blaring their music, shouting down their phone, and even the parents with the crying kid are far more apathetic to the setting.
Relaxing before a flight is a luxury you should experience at least once.
2. There’s free food
Do we have to say much more? Many of the lounges are buffet style, so you can dig in as much as you’d like. Think about it, the more you eat, the further that entry fee goes.
But don’t be the person who drinks too much free booze. They don’t get let back in.
3. It might actually save you money
Depending on your travel day habits, paying for a lounge might actually end up cheaper than spending a few hours in the terminal.
If you’re on a long connection, you might be tempted to grab lunch, maybe a snack and a drink later, and of course, the obligatory airport alcoholic beverage, which can quickly rack up a bill. Airport food was inflated long before everything else was. Many lounges offer free food and even alcohol, which could end up a steal for you. If you have to pay $25 for a lounge stay, you’ve seriously upgraded for at least the same cost.
4. Working is far easier
If you’re traveling for work, a lounge should be a no-brainer. Even if you’ve prepared yourself with a fully charged laptop, departure lounge wifi can be brutal, your concentration levels have to be amazing, and you’re going to be working from your lap.
Lounges usually have work space, so you can get the feeling of a desk setup and almost always offer free wifi that functions separately from the outside connection. Taking a business call is possible in some, and even if you’re still stuck with your knees for a desk, at least you’re probably sitting on a nice comfy sofa.
5. If you’re a regular traveler you’re missing out
If you travel more than four or five times a year, you’re probably losing money. If it’s international travel, you’re definitely losing money. A combination of food and snack costs over the course of a year comfortably adds up to the cost of a subscription to a lounge app.
Priority Pass, one of the most comprehensive apps, has memberships starting at $99 and gives the user access to a multitude of lounges usually unavailable to most or at a higher price point. If you’re hopping on a flight every week, the full membership is still worth it in experience alone.
Airlines with membership programs also offer some amazing options, so if you’re loyal to a certain carrier, check out what they have available.
6. It could literally be free
Many credit cards, especially airline cards, include access to their lounges when flying with the same carrier. If you’re not taking advantage of this brilliant opportunity, you’re missing out. If you don’t have a card that grants you access to lounges, take a look at a few that offer the benefit. These will typically have fees, but if you’re already paying for another card with similar costs, it might be worth the switch.
Capital One, Chase, and Amex all have their own lounges dotted around the world for their top customers. The Amex Platinum Card, for example, offers free access for every cardholder at their Centurion lounges, which are often some of the best. It also grants free access to Priority Pass, so if there’s no Centurion, you’re still covered.
When is it not useful?
It’s all fine and well pushing you to pay for a lounge, but it’s just as important to know when it’s not worth it.
If you just really need some peace, go for it. But if you’re on a short domestic flight, you’re not flying often, and you’re unlikely to be eating very much during your time in the airport, just suck it up and give it a miss.
It’s great to have a comfortable place to hang out, but is it really worth $25 before your two hour flight home? Just hang on and get into bed.
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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
If you’re planning on going on a sunny break this January, you may want to set aside some money right away, as waiting to book until it’s winter may prove a bigger issue than it once was(especially if you’re on a budget amid the pandemic-led global recession).
Trust us when we say that, this year, winter travel will be a luxury many will not be able to afford unless they get ahead of the curve.
Traveling is getting increasingly expensive. Largely due to the ongoing economic crisis and high inflation, it is far more challenging for the average American to go on a vacation today, whether domestically or internationally, as the costs keep piling up. This is why, now more than ever, booking early is keyto avoid paying exorbitant fees.
Here is what the most recent data show us:
The Cost Of Travel Continues To Rise Along With Inflation
According to respected deal-finder website Hopper, post-summer airfares will be 17% higher than they were in 2019. This number that may not sound too alarming, but it should not be underestimated, as it can surely affect the plans of budget travelers, particularly families, who will be paying $143 more on each ticket purchased throughout the season.
That is, of course, a rough estimate and most importantly, a nationwide average. As we have seen with New York lately, some cities will be feeling the sting harder than others: in the busy Eastern Coast hub, some international routes are up by as much as 62%, making it the most expensive U.S. city for air travel by a large margin.
Prices will continue oscillating throughout winter, and according to experts, those who are planning to travel during during the period are best advised to start looking for deals now. Scott Keyes from Scott’s Cheap Flights is one of those encouraging vacationers to ‘look ahead to those winter holiday flights’.
For Keyes, customers risk seeing further price hikes the longer they wait to book, especially when inflation, coupled with the overwhelming pent-up demand for travel, keeps causing the cost of travel to skyrocket. He then proceeded: ‘When are swimsuits on sale? In the winter. When are coats on sale? In the summer. It’s the same idea with winter holiday flights‘.
The Longer You Wait, The Harder It Will Be On Your Wallet
Furthermore, a joint study by CWT, a travel management company, and the Global Business Travel Association, travelers should expect airfares to continue on an upward trend for the remainder of 2022 and into 2023. This seems to corroborate other data suggesting travel will get steadily costlier in winter, following a brief reduction in the fall.
This new projection, which focuses mainly on business travel, but still offers an insight into air travel trends, estimates that 2022 will see a 48.5% increase in prices overall, compared to previous years. Additionally, 2023 will rise by 8.5%, totaling a staggering 57% for the post-Covid era compared to previous years.
In other dispiriting news, it’s not just more expensive tickets that need to be taken into account:
Hotel Fares Are 33% More Expensive In The US
Hotels and tourist accommodation in general will be another decisive factor. CWT is predicting hotel rates to be 18.5% more expensive this year, and another 8.2% in the next, for a combined 26.7%. To put it simply, those looking for rooms at the last minute will pay the highest possible rate due to the cumulative inflation.
In the popular winter hotspot of Miami, hotel stays already cost 55.6% more in April and May than they did compared to the same period in 2019, being the worst-affected domestic destination out of all the surveyed markets. In the wider U.S., a 33% uptick was noted. As assessed by the CWT, ‘the cost of labor, food and beverage, and energy are all going to drive hotel rates up‘.
So yes: if you’re dreaming of that beautiful all-inclusive in early January, or simply making plans to visit family over Christmas now that most social restrictions have been axed, you better make a reservation immediately. Luckily, there is an incredible tool that makes finding international flights for under $200 much easier.
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