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In a massive shift for South American travel, Venezuela has officially modernized its entry process by introducing a mandatory electronic visa (eVisa) system.

This digital system allows U.S. citizens to apply for tourist and business visas online, eliminating the need to visit a physical consulate.

This development coincides with a landmark update from the U.S. State Department. In January 2026, the U.S. began a phased resumption of embassy operations in Caracas.

This was followed on March 19, 2026, by a downgrade of the national travel advisory to Level 3: Reconsider Travel, officially moving Venezuela out of the “Do Not Travel” category for the first time in years.

The New eVisa: What You Need To Know

As of April 6, 2026, the mandatory in-person interview is gone, and Venezuela’s entry requirements are shifting.

The new 100% digital system is mandatory for all U.S. nationals seeking Tourist and Business visas.

• Official Portal: All applications must be submitted through the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE) website.
• Approval & Delivery: Once approved, the visa is delivered via email. There is no longer a need for physical passport stamps or mailing your passport to third-country consulates.
• The “Convenience Tax”: While the process is easier, it comes with a price hike. The fee has been increased to $180 USD (up from the previous $60).
• Processing Time: Expect a window of 15–30 days for approval.
• Strict Enforcement: Venezuela does not offer visas upon arrival. Entering without a valid eVisa can lead to immediate detention or expulsion.

Never miss a travel change, check your destination’s entry requirements here.

Why Visit Venezuela in 2026?

With the new ease of entry and a downgraded travel advisory, adventurous travelers are looking at Venezuela for the first time in a decade.

Despite its challenges, the country remains home to some of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders on the planet:

• Angel Falls: The world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall, dropping nearly 1 kilometer from the Auyán-tepui mountain.
• Los Roques: A pristine Caribbean archipelago offering turquoise waters and white sand beaches that remain virtually untouched by mass tourism.
• Mount Roraima: The famous tabletop mountain that looks like a prehistoric “lost world.”
• The Catatumbo Lightning: A unique atmospheric phenomenon over Lake Maracaibo that produces nearly continuous lightning light shows.

Navigating the Reality: What Has Changed (and What Hasn’t)

While the resumption of phased embassy operations in Caracas is a huge step forward, the reality of traveling to Venezuela in 2026 remains complex.

• Embassy Presence: While operations are resuming in Caracas, they are limited. Routine consular services remain suspended, and most emergency services for Americans are still routed through the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia. The U.S. government has an extremely limited ability to help citizens outside of the capital city.

The “Level 4” Zones: Despite the national Level 3 rating, several areas are strictly Level 4: Do Not Travel. This includes:

• Anything within 20 miles of the Colombian border due to crime and kidnapping.
• The states of Amazonas, Apure, and Tachira due to terrorism risks.
• Rural areas in Bolivar and Aragua due to violent crime.

• Infrastructure & Health: The healthcare system is in a state of recovery but remains fragile. Travelers should bring their own supplies of prescription and over-the-counter medicines.

• Cash is King: While the U.S. dollar is widely accepted, ATMs in Venezuela do not accept U.S. debit or credit cards. You must bring enough clean, un-torn cash to cover your entire stay.

• Safety Protocols: The State Department still recommends that Americans avoid displaying signs of wealth (expensive watches or jewelry) and avoid nighttime travel between cities or to the international airport. Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is considered mandatory for anyone making this trip in 2026.
• Stay up to date: To make sure you never miss an entry requirement change for Venezuela, be sure to check here before you start planning your trip.

Direct Flights Resume: American Airlines Leads the Way

Reconnecting the two nations further, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Homeland Security officially rescinded the 2019 flight ban in mid-April 2026.

• First Carrier Back: American Airlines (operated by its subsidiary Envoy Air) is the first U.S. carrier to return.
• Launch Date: Nonstop service between Miami (MIA) and Caracas (CCS) officially resumes on April 30, 2026.
• Daily Service: The airline is launching with a daily frequency using Embraer 175 dual-class aircraft.
• Flight Times: Flights depart Miami at 10:16 a.m. and return from Caracas at 2:40 p.m., restoring a direct 3-hour path that previously required multi-stop connections through Bogotá or Panama City.

Travel Safe!

Venezuela is “reopening,” but it is doing so with a significant asterisk.

For the experienced traveler who can navigate the new eVisa system and prepare for limited consular support, it offers a rare chance to see a nation in a historic state of transition.

However, it remains a destination where “reconsidering travel” and meticulous safety planning are the keys to a successful journey.

To apply for the visa, use the official Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPPRE) website here.

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For all the digital nomads out there who’ve grown disillusioned with Europe’s overly bureaucratic pathways to residency, or are tired of waiting for Mexico to finally drop that remote work visa, one of the fastest-rising expat hubs in Asia just dropped its own DNV.

A tropical island south of India, surrounded by the beautiful Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is rolling out a Digital Nomad Visa with some of the easiest requirements we’ve seen yet.

No impossible-to-achieve financial thresholds, none of the usual truckload of documents, and definitely not intrusive vetting checks and biometric hoops: Sri Lanka is making it (almost) hassle-free for Western nomads to relocate.

You Earn Over $2,000 A Month? You’re In!

With a few caveats…

According to Sri Lanka’s own Department of Immigration and Emigration (Residence Visa Division), a Digital Nomad Visa category has been created to attract foreign nationals who wish to ‘live and work remotely from Sri Lanka while serving clients or companies based outside of the country’.

Before we discuss specificities, let’s get to the meat of it already.

In order to live in the sun-drenched country, you must satisfy the following list of requirements:

• Be a freelancer, own a business not registered in Sri Lanka, or be employed by a company based abroad
• Have a minimum monthly income of $2,000 USD*
• Take out health insurance covering the length of your stay
• Have a suitable accommodation for the duration of your stay (e.g. an Airbnb rental)
• Refrain from engaging in politics or disruptive activities while in the country**
• Provide proof of a clean criminal record from your home country

*If bringing family, or more than two dependents along, the amount increases by $500 per added person.

**Not sure about you, but you won’t catch me in the nearest Greta Thunberg rally anytime soon, so it sounds good enough to me.

The main thing here, other than proving to Sri Lankan authorities you’re of good character and not a public agitator, of course, is meeting the financial requirement of $2,000. Most nomads earn in USD cash in way more than that monthly, so that’s effectively a non-issue.

For comparison purposes, European DNVs, or even some Latin American ones expect nomads to provide proof of income of over $4,000–⁠$5,000, or even much-higher.

Other than the gruelling application process, that’s usually the main barrier for aspiring regular expats who aren’t tech moguls or social media giants.

Everything Else You Need To Know About The Visa

Based on what we know so far, anyway…

The visa is valid for 1 year initially, though it can be renewed annually for an unlimited number of years, provided the initial conditions for obtaining the visa are still met.

The procedure is quite straightforward, too:

• Fill out the visa application form
• Write a Request Letter
• Provide a photocopy of your passport (it must be valid for at least 6 months)*
• Two recent passport-sized pictures
• A Medical Clearance Report
• A Police Clearance Certificate (not older than 3 months)
• International Health Insurance that covers medical care in Sri Lanka
• Recommendation from the Ministry of Digital Economy*

*When bringing dependents, a marriage certificate for the spouse and birth certificates of the children are required

**This part is unclear, but we will know more details once the first applications are in. The system has been live for less than 2 days by now.

How To Apply For The Sri Lanka Digital Nomad Visa

Here’s how the process itself unravels:

• Submit the required documentation to the Department of Immigration and Emigration (Residence Visa Division)
• Wait for the documents to be evaluated for eligibility and compliance*
• Once approved, the visa endorsement will be issued on the applicant’s passport**

*Wait times have not been divulged.

**Sri Lankan authorities are yet to make clear whether this is a fully-online procedure, or whether contacting Sri Lankan missions abroad, and shipping your passport is required for issuing the visa.

As far as renewals go, they have revealed that, in order to be entertained for visa extensions, applicants must submit proof of Tax registration via the Inland Revenue Department. Yep, from my understanding of the official statement, you won’t be fully exempt from paying taxes while in the country.

Given that you must take out health insurance and fully support yourself and dependents, we’ll be assuming it’s not significant. More clarification is needed, and we’ll be sure to report back on it in due time once we know more.

What You Can And Can’t Do With This Visa

On the other hand, as a Sri Lankan DNV holder, you’re entitled to:

• You can stay in Sri Lanka while your visa is valid
• Open and maintain bank accounts in the country
• Enter into property rental or lease agreements
• Enroll your children in international / private schools
• Participate in co-working spaces, ICT programs, and tourism-related events organized by the government or private sector entities

At the same time, you are expressly prohibited from:

• Engaging in local employment within Sri Lanka
• Participating in political activities as a non-citizen

The statement also reads that changes in employment, income, or the status of dependents must be notified to the Department of Immigration and Emigration within 30 days.

Any violation of these conditions will result in the ‘immediate’ cancellation of the visa, and depending on the severity of the case, further legal action.

Why Choose Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the most affordable countries to be based as a Digital Nomad:

As seen on Nomads.com, a crowd-sourced platform tracking digital nomad trends worldwide, monthly living costs average from a mere $663 to $1,304. That’s rent alone in your average mid-size U.S. or European city!

The Sri Lankan capital Colombo is likely where a majority of expats will be headed: it has the best infrastructure, country-wide connectivity, and English is more widely spoken thanks to its thriving global community.

Other promising hubs include Weligama, a beach town known for its laid-back atmosphere and golden-sand beaches, and Kandy, an equally gorgeous city that combines Buddhist heritage and coastal relaxation.

Read more about Sri Lanka—and start planning your move—here.

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As we’ve officially turned the page to June, chances are you’ve already scoped out some awesome vacation options for yourself and loved ones.

What you might’ve missed is quite possibly the most affordable new flight to the Caribbean.

This will be a popular budget airline’s only flight offered to a pristine island packed with lavish resorts, postcard beaches, and its biggest claim to fame, wild flamingos!

With summer in full swing, there’s no better time to make use of your passport for a vacation you’ll never forget. Our writers have been and loved it!

Best of all, with supply and demand typically driving sky-high airfare, promotional offers for this exciting new flight launch are incredibly affordable.

Frontier Airlines is offering one-way flights as low as $109 this summer to celebrate the addition of beautiful Aruba to their international network, already including Nassau, Cancun, and Montego Bay, to name a few.

Frontier’s New (And Only) Flight To Aruba

Budget airlines have been all over the map, not just whizzing through the skies. The industry is shifting with traveler-friendly bag policies, modern amenities, and more legroom (if you can swing the upgrade fees).

Despite United’s CEO Scott Kirby predicting the demise of low-cost carriers, Frontier is still going strong and the proof is in the pudding with new routes being launched.

The inaugural flight already took off last week. There’s no word if it’s a seasonal flight, but seems to be on the books through the rest of 2025.

Travelers can depart weekly on Saturdays from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) with a straight shot to Queen Beatrix International Airport in Oranjestad (AUA).

As mentioned, booking now is a steal of a deal. One-way fares are as low as $109, but must be booked by 11:59 pm Eastern time on June 9, 2025.

Blackout dates are:

• Select days Aug. 19, 2025, through Nov. 19, 2025
• specifically Sep. 1, 2025

The Caribbean’s Surging Island! Welcome To Aruba

A few months ago, we covered Aruba’s record-breaking hot streak. The island nation hugging the no-go zones of Venezuela and perhaps the Caribbean’s trendiest vacation spot, Curacao, has been a bright spot for the region as it’s unquestionably safe, largely affordable, and downright gorgeous from the vibrant cityscape of Aruba’s capital, Oranjested, and numerous beaches wrapping the island.

Aruba welcomed over 3 million visitors in 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down this year, especially since it’s welcoming new flights.

Beaches couldn’t be prettier here, and that’s obviously one of the main draws. There’s no place like Flamingo Beach, where you guessed it…is the beach home to about a dozen flamingos wandering the coast, but you will need an access pass as the beach is privately owned.

Beyond Aruba’s most unique beach, you’ll find other stunners like Baby Beach and Arashi Beach; both equally great for snorkeling in crystal-clear waters.

Another cool spot is Conchi Natural Pool, a fun spot to wade in the waters of a natural pool. Just know seas can be rough at times!

Want a true hidden gem, though? Aruba may be known for flamingos but they say “birds of a feather flock together”, right?

Check out the Aruba Ostrich Farm, fun for all ages with tours, savory bistro, and bar. Admission is $15.

Posh Resorts & Homey Bed & Breakfasts: Where To Stay In Aruba

While airfare is certainly the most affordable factor when traveling to Aruba, grand stays and down-home inns won’t typically break the bank either unless you’re insistent on 5-star luxury.

Take the Caribbean Palm Village Resort, for example. You can score a tropical stay for only $94 per night in July.

Prefer something cozy? Check out Wonders – Boutique Hotel Aruba for a dollar more at $95 per night.

Arubans are known for their welcoming hospitality, so don’t shy away from a laundry list of homey bed & breakfast stays either.

Give Mammaloe’s Aruba – Bed & Breakfast a go in Aruba’s lesser-known countryside or top-rated Aloe B&B in the city — both hovering around the $100 mark.

Ready For Your Trip? Check The Latest Entry Requirements For Your Destination Here

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I’m a huge fan of low-cost airlines.

Ultra-low-cost carriers may not offer any frills, but they do give us the opportunity to explore new destinations on a very tight budget.

Frontier has demonstrated this perfectly this week by offering flights on its newest routes for as little as $29!  

Frontier is officially the fastest-growing airline in Atlanta thanks to a huge expansion that has seen departures increase from the hub by 40% year on year.  

Much more interestingly, this means that they’ve added new flights to new destinations from Atlanta. And these two overseas hotspots stand out from the crowd.  

New Flight From Atlanta to Aruba 

From May 24, Frontier will introduce a new weekly service from Atlanta to Oranjestad in Aruba. This will operate every Saturday throughout the summer months.  

The advertised rates for this route are ‘from $69’ each way, so how much will flights really cost?  

The cost of a return, nonstop flight for one traveler flying on June 14 and returning on June 21 is $309.

This is for a basic fare ticket which doesn’t include a carry on bag, checked bag, or the option to choose your own seat.  

If you want to add these extras then, as is the case with most low-cost airlines, these will be subject to an extra charge.  

Why Visit Aruba?  

There’s so much to love about Aruba. It is famed for its stunningly beautiful beaches, abundance of water sports, hiking in Arikok National Park, and laid-back vibes.  

Oranjestad is the main arrival point for visitors to Aruba, but its more than just a transport hub, it’s well worth exploring in its own right.

The city is famed for its brightly colored Dutch architecture and is a cultural melting pot of delicious foods and fun nightlife.  

It’s worth noting that Oranjestad is Aruba’s largest city as well as the main port of the island, so don’t be surprised to find that the streets are almost always busy and bustling with tourists.  

Want to get away to somewhere a little quieter? Head to the island’s western coast where the waters are warm and calm, but you’ll find fewer tourists here. Rodger’s Beach and Druif Beach are considered the two best beaches on this side of the island.  

New Flight From Atlanta to Honduras
 

From June 12, Frontier will add a new flight from Atlanta to San Pedro Sula, Honduras, to its schedule.  

This flight will operate three times a week, giving you more flexibility with the duration of your vacation. Frontier is advertising rates starting ‘from $59’ on this route.  

The cost of a return, nonstop flight for one traveler flying on June 17 and returning on June 24 is currently $243.  

Like the flight to Aruba, this is based on a basic fare ticket, but it’s worth noting that if you do want to take a carry on bag and to have the ability to choose your own seat then you can upgrade to the Economy Bundle for an additional $58. This includes carry on luggage and seat selection, but doesn’t include hold luggage.  

Why Visit San Pedro Sula?  

San Pedro Sula is located in the North of Honduas and is considered one of the country’s main transport hubs, acting a gateway to more obvious tourist attractions.

From here Copan, the Caribbean Coast, and the Bay Islands are all easily accessible.  

One of the closest beaches to San Pedro Sula and one of the best spots for travelers is the vast sands of Tela. Tela is famed for boasting the best beaches in Honduras and is an incredible scuba diving destination.  

Other attractions in Tela include the Lancetilla Botanical Garden, which is home to rare plant species from around the world, and the protected Punta Sal National Park, which is home to mangroves and coral reefs.  

While there’s so much to see and do, Tela is a great place to relax and unwind.

 

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If you want to spend your spring break sunbathing on a stunning tropical beach, then Southwest has got you covered, especially if you live in or around Nashville!  

The airline has launched two brand new flights from Nashville to tropical beach destinations just in time for the start of spring. Both flights will launch on March 8 and are seasonal flights that won’t run in the winter months.  

The destinations?

You can now choose to fly from Nashville to either Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic or Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.  

Here’s everything you need to know about these new flight routes.  

Brand New Options From Nashville  

From March 8 2025 you can fly nonstop between Nashville and Punta Cana as well as Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos.

Initially, these nonstop flights will only operate on Saturdays, meaning that you will be able to take week-long vacations in the sun, but you can’t use these flights to plan shorter getaways.  

Southwest already offers a nonstop route from Nashville to Cancun, but these two new routes will give people in the area even more convenient options for their next international vacation.  

The all-important question when any new international service is launched is how much will it cost! Both of these flight routes are already available to book on the Southwest Airlines website.  

Firs,t I looked at the prices for a nonstop return flight from Nashville to Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos. These flights are from Saturday, March 22 – Saturday, March 29, shortly after this new route launches.  

The outbound flight currently costs $582, and the inbound flight currently costs $543. Meaning the total round-trip flight cost would be $1,124, including taxes and fees.  

If you’d rather enjoy the complete relaxation offered by island life then I also looked at the price for tickets between Nashville and Punta Cana. This must be the more popular route because economy tickets were sold out for the March dates I looked at above.  

These prices are based on flights from Saturday, April 5 – Saturday, April 12. The outbound flight currently costs $454 and the inbound flight currently costs $632.

This means the total round-trip flight cost would be $1,086, including taxes and fees.  

The ticket prices for these two new flight routes are very similar, so ticket price needn’t be a factor in which destination you choose.  

It’s worth noting that these prices are based on a ‘Wanna Get Away’ ticket, which is the cheapest economy flight ticket offered by Southwest Airlines.

This ticket is non-refundable, and you will also have to pay extra to select your seats. But two bags are included for free with all Southwest tickets.   

Punta Cana or Los Cabos?  

If you’re an international globe trotter, then you might be able to visit Los Cabos and Punta Cana this year. But if you only have the time (and the cash!) to visit one of these destinations, which one is best for you?

Both destinations are tropical paradises with spectacular white sand beaches.  

But while the landscapes in Punta Cana are fringed with palm trees and tropical jungle, you’ll find desert views (and the dry desert climate to go with it) in Los Cabos.  

Both destinations are blessed with excellent all-inclusive resorts, but if you’re on a tight budget, you’re likely to find a wider range of budget accommodations and restaurants in Punta Cana than you will in Los Cabos.

Los Cabos is a famously luxurious and high-end destination, so this is a better option if you’re looking for opulence at any price.  

Looking to party the night away? Punta Cana should be your first choice. The nightlife here is incredibly vibrant. There are plenty of nightlife options and a lively party atmosphere in the town.  

By contrast, the nightlife in Los Cabos focuses on chic rooftop lounges and high-end restaurants. Both options are a lot of fun, but Punta Cana is better suited to a younger party-ready crowd.  

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JetBlue is one of the nation’s favorite low-cost airlines, so it’s exciting to hear that they’re expanding their network with more European routes.  

JetBlue now flies transatlantic routes from New York and Boston, but it is their Boston hub that will benefit from two exciting new routes in 2025.  

Starting from May 22 next year, JetBlue will launch new nonstop routes to both Madrid and Edinburgh.

These are two incredible and culture-rich destinations that are well worth exploring!  

Here’s everything you need to know:  

Flights To Madrid And Edinburgh 

JetBlue is introducing two new flight routes.

These will depart from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and fly to either Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) in Madrid, Spain, or Edinburgh Airport (EDI) in Edinburgh, Scotland.  

Both of these routes will launch on May 22, 2025.  

JetBlue already flies a seasonal service to Edinburgh that departs from New York JFK airport, but now their passengers will have a second departure airport option to choose from.  

The route to Madrid is not only the first to the city, it’s also the first one ever that JetBlue has flown in Spain.  

Both routes are available to book now, and if you’re fast, then you might be able to take advantage of their introductory and celebratory fare rates.  

JetBlue is advertising roundtrip fares to both destinations, with prices starting from $449 right now.

Affordable Flight Deals 

To see if these prices were available, I pulled up a couple of sample routes on the JetBlue website.   

First up, a round-trip nonstop flight from Boston To Madrid.

This is based on departing from Boston on June 8 and returning on June 15, although other dates in the same month had identical prices.  

The total cost for a Blue Basic ticket (with free hand baggage but no hold luggage) is currently $943.   

If you’re more interested in the charms of summer in Scotland, then a round-trip nonstop flight from Boston to Edinburgh has similar price points.  

If you’re more interested in the charms of summer in Scotland, then a round-trip nonstop flight from Boston to Edinburgh has similar price points.

Flying on Sunday, June 8, and returning on June 15 will cost $978.

Again, this is based on a Blue Basic ticket. If you want to upgrade to a Blue fare, which gives you one hold bag, free seat selection, and no change or cancellation fee, then this will cost an additional $180.

Why Visit Madrid In The Summer 

Both of these new flight routes are seasonal summertime routes, so you may be wondering why you should visit Madrid in the summer.  

This is an architecturally beautiful city, so exploring the buildings, the incredible museums, and Europe’s largest palace should all be on your list of things to do.  

The Royale Palace in Madrid covers a whopping 135,000 square meters and boasts 3,418 rooms. It holds an incredible array of unique works of art and treasures. Standard admission costs 20 euros ($20.86) per person.  

In terms of summer-specific entertainment, you can enjoy everything from summer cinema to swimming pools. Because of the high temperatures in the summer, Madrid boasts a huge number of government-run swimming pools, so there’s always somewhere to take the plunge and cool off if the heat gets too much.  

Why Visit Edinburgh In The Summer 

Edinburgh in the summer is busy, bustling, and chaotic. But that only adds to its charm! The city is a riot of color, entertainment and fun.  

One of the very best reasons to visit the city in the summer is for the Edinburgh festival.  

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is iconic. It is the world’s largest performance arts festival, spanning 25 days with an eyewatering itinerary of events.

In 2024, it featured more than 51,446 scheduled performances of 3,746 different shows across 262 venues from 60 different countries.  

In 2025, the event will take place from August 1 – August 25, and tickets are already on sale now.  

Edinburgh is a wonderfully pretty city, and summer is a great time to explore the many gardens that you can see from the vantage point of the castle.  

You can also use the city as a base to explore the wider beauty of the Scottish countryside, with its lochs, meadows, and mountains.   

 

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If you’re craving some sunshine this winter, then there’s still time to plan your next trip.

And as one of the West Coast’s most popular airlines, Alaska Airlines is here to make that a little easier and give you new destinations to explore.  

They’ve launched the first nonstop flight from LA to La Paz, a beautiful beach destination and the largest city in the Mexican state of Baja California Sura.  

It’s an amazing city that combines turquoise waters with old-world charm and boasts beautiful resorts. And getting there has never been easier!  

Fly Nonstop From Los Angeles To La Paz  

Alaska Airlines is launching a new nonstop flight between Los Angeles and La Paz.  

This flight route will launch on November 20 and operate year-round.

Depending on the time of year, it will operate between two and three times a week, so you can either escape for a full week in the sun or take a short getaway.  

So how much will this journey cost? Flying out on Wednesday December 11 and returning on Wednesday December 18 would cost $404. That’s $269 for the outbound flight and $135 for the inbound flight.  

This price is based on the cheapest saver fare and has an outbound flight time of 2 hours 21 minutes and an inbound flight time of 2 hours 42 minutes.  

Why Visit La Paz, Mexico?  

La Paz often doesn’t get the recognition it deserves.

For many travelers, the city is nothing more than the landing point for the much better-known Cabo San Lucas resorts.

But La Paz is underrated, and should be seen as a tourist destination in its own right.

La Paz is home to world-famous beaches and some of the freshest and most delicious seafood in Mexico.  

Visit Playa El Tesoro if you’re looking for a laidback beach with incredible views and a serene atmosphere. Choose Playa El Tecolote if watersports and a vibrant vibe are what you’re looking for.  

La Paz boasts a beautiful Old Town and the 19th-century Nuestra Señora de La Paz Cathedral  dominates the city’s skyline.

The Cathedral opens from 3:30pm to 7pm on weekdays and during the day time for services at the weekends. As a working church there is no admission charge but donations are encouraged.  

La Paz overlooks the Sea of Cortez, which is a UNESCO natural world heritage site. This is a great place to snorkel and dive.  

Baja Desconocida is a renowned ecological tour company based in La Paz with a whole host of incredible tours available. At this time of year you can snorkel with whale sharks here, with prices starting from $99 per person.  

New Alaska Airlines Route From Fresno To Guadalajara 

This isn’t the only new nonstop route to Mexico that Alaska Airlines is launching this winter.

From December you can fly Alaska Airlines from Fresno to Guadalajara.  

Unlike the Los Angeles to La Paz route, the Fresno to Guadalajara route will only operate during the winter months.

It will launch on December 3 and run until February 12 of next year.  

On the bright side, this route will operate daily, meaning that you have complete freedom to spend as little time or as long as you want on your winter break in the sun.  

So how much would it cost to spend your winter vacation in Guadalajara instead of in La Paz?  

If you fly out on Saturday December 7 and return on Friday December 13 then you can expect to spend $402 for a return trip.

That’s $247 for the outbound flight and $155 for the inbound flight.  

This flight has a 3 hour 25 minute outbound flight time and a 4 hour and 4 minute inbound flight time.  

These are just two of 10 new routes that Alaska Airlines is launching this winter, with the remaining 8 routes being domestic and connecting key West Coast cities to cities in the North.  

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Ever had hopes of visiting that medieval fortress in France located on a tidal islet, oftentimes completely surrounded by water, and that puts all of Walt Disney’s dreamiest fairytale-like creations to shame?

Starting this winter, you can take a direct train from Paris all the way to Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, without complicated transfers, and without switching to a bus along the way, and if you’re wondering how much tickets will cost, that’s roughly $30 for you!

Here’s everything you need to know about Mont Saint Michel, and the magical new journey there setting off from the City of Lights:

The Storybook Place That’s Almost Too Pretty To Be Believed

Mont Saint Michel is an imposing citadel built in the Middle Ages located a half mile off France’s northwestern coast, in Normandy, distinguished for being one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval citadels still inhabited, with only 29 lucky people calling it home.

Dating back over 1,000 years, it is a national symbol of France, second in significance only to the Eiffel Tower, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting over 3 million visitors every year, despite its remoteness.

High or low tide, and come rain or come shine, Mont Saint Michel is nothing short of fascinating, with narrow cobbled alleys lined with centuries-old shops and intact half-timbered buildings, as if it were still the 15th century, and not a car in sight.

The picturesque Grande Rue (Main Street) has its fair share of storied inns and eateries: don’t leave without La Sirene‘s cheese-filled galettes, and do make sure you stop by Auberge Saint-Pierre, even if you’re not staying the night, for their fish soup.

Other must-sees include the Church of Saint Pierre, a small church located on the nether parts of the citadel, dating back to the 11th century, the ramparts and fortifications that were built to protect the township from assailants, and that can be walked on, and the magnificent abbey.

Sitting at the very top of the medieval maze, with with its easily-recognized pointy spire, the Abbey of Mont Saint Michel is the main reason why tourists make the pilgrimage here from Paris, thanks to its unique blend of Romanesque and Gothic elements, and rich History.

Also part of the UNESCO-protected zone, the tidal bay surrounding Mont Saint Michel is not to be missed, either, particularly if you’re a photography enthusiast: from the boardwalk, to the sheep farms, to the zig-zagging river, there are many stunning locations to be shot.

Oh, and if you’re hoping to optimize your time in the mount, as there’s truly so much to be seen and so little time for most, we’d strongly suggest you book this guided walking tour, with an optional ticket for the abbey, from $52.72 per person.

France is truly so much more than just Paris!

Say Goodbye To Complicated Journeys!

A whole 221 miles northwest of Paris, and some 40 miles away from the nearest major city (Rennes), getting to Mont Saint Michel has always felt like a Homeric journey if the French capital is your starting point.

If you’re not driving, which is the case for most tourists, for years the easiest way to get there from Paris had been to take the train to Rennes, in the Brittany region, and then a shuttle from the local bus station towards the mount.

There is a bridge linking the mount to the mainland, and it’s only rarely submerged during high tide.

In the unlikely event the bridge is submerged temporarily, it typically subsides within an hour, and then passage is allowed again. Just be patient!

Previously, the Rennes route could take up to 5 hours, so it’s not like you could do it as a day trip, either… unless you’re booking one of those Viator tours covering the long distance in a coach, with more time spent on the road than at your destination, proper, to the tune of $190.

Well, from December 20, getting to this icon of French History will no longer have to be this hard, nor as expensive.

SNCF, France’s national railway company, is relaunching direct service from Paris to Mont Saint Michel every weekend, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with tickets starting at only $27.34.

What can we say? The French loves their $30 trains to storybook places as much as they love reblochon cheese, and we ourselves love them for it!

This Is Still Not A Day Trip

Now, you might be wondering how exactly can there be a train from Paris to Mont Saint Michel when it is, well, located on a tidal island, and you’re quite right: the train doesn’t reach the mount, but the nearby municipality of Pontorson.

The good news is, from Pontorson it’s a short 10-minute drive to the fortress, and your $30 ticket includes the shuttle leaving straight from the Pontorson – Mont-Saint-Michel train station.

Not bad, huh, considering the next best option is paying an exorbitant amount of money on an exhausting bus excursion.

With the direct train and shuttle service, it will take you a much shorter 3h48 to make it there.

Still not our go-to destination for a day trip, but luckily, there are plenty of accommodation options in Pontorson, from as cheap as $95-a-night.

If you plan on visiting Mont Saint Michel as a day trip, the best alternative remains booking a spot on a coach tour with early morning pick up from Paris.

Train tickets from Paris (Gare Montparnasse) to Mont Saint Michel can be purchased directly at this link.

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Nothing makes the world feel smaller than an airplane.  

And every time a new nonstop international flight route is announced, exploring the world becomes a little bit easier.  

This is why it’s so exciting that United Airlines has announced the largest international expansion in its history.  

Next summer, United Airlines will fly to more destinations across the Atlantic than any other U.S. airline.

That means more than 760 flights a week to over 40 different destinations.  

And 5 of these flights will be brand new nonstop international routes that no other U.S. airline currently flies to.  

5 New International Routes From United Airlines  

The 5 new international routes from United Airlines will launch in May 2025.  

They will all depart from the United Airlines hub in Newark/New York (so this is particularly interesting news for New Yorkers).  

Those new routes will be to: Nuuk in Greenland, Palermo in Italy, Bilbao in Spain, Madeira Island in Portugal and Faro in Portugal.  

By their own metrics, these new flights will make United Airlines the largest airline in the world.  

Nuuk, Greenland 

Nuuk is the capital city of Greenland and United Airlines will fly to the city twice weekly from June 14 next year. 

Nuuk is the northernmost capital city in the world and is home to the midnight sun in the summertime.

This makes it a wonderfully unique place to visit in Europe in the summer and a contrast to the crowds and beaches of other European hot spots.  

The nonstop flight from Newark to Nuuk will be just over 4 hours long, making it a convenient and incredibly accessible journey.  

Price information for this flight route isn’t currently available.  

Palermo, Italy 

Palermo will be one of 5 destinations in Italy that United Airlines will fly to nonstop next summer.

But Palermo is the only one of these that is a United exclusive route at this point.  

This route will launch on May 21 and will be a 3 times weekly seasonal nonstop service.  

Palermo is the most popular destination in Sicily and will open up this iconic island to a whole new American audience. This new route will put Sicily’s rich history, luxurious beaches and stunning architecture at your fingertips.  

Return flights from June 20 to June 26 on this route are currently priced at $1,889 for the most restrictive, basic economy ticket.  

Bilbao, Spain 

Nonstop flights from Newark to Bilbao in Spain will launch on May 31 2024.  

A nonstop round trip flight from June 12 to June 18 on this route is currently priced at $1,027 for the most restrictive basis economy ticket.

The outbound flight has a flight time of 7 hours 30 minutes.  

Bilbao is the heart of Spain’s Basque country and an important cultural hub. One of my favorite attractions is the iconic Guggenheim Museum, and for watersports enthusiasts, the surf is epic here, too.

This isn’t the only exclusive United flight to Spain. United is also the only U.S. carrier to fly direct to Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, and Malaga.  

Madeira Island, Portugal 

United will launch the only nonstop service from the U.S. to Madeira. This flight will start on June 7 and will operate 3 times a week.  

Madeira is a stunningly beautiful island. It boasts everything a nature lover could dream of: natural pools and waterfalls, incredible beaches, and lush verdant mountains.  

Price information for this route hasn’t been released yet.  

Faro, Portugal  

United will also be the only U.S. airline serving Faro in Portugal. This flight route will start on May 16 and will fly 4 times each week.  

This means that United will have the only nonstop routes to Faro, Madeira, Porto, and Ponta Delgada, making it the most wide-reaching U.S. airline for Portuguese flights.  

Flying from June 11 to June 17 on this route will cost $1,578 if you choose the cheapest and most restrictive fare.  

Faro is a beautiful city with a charming old town and easy access to pretty beaches, giving travelers the best of both worlds in one easily accessible package.  

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Last Updated 14 mins ago

Whether it’s for the delectable cuisine, mild Mediterranean climate, or ancient heritage, Italy is on the radar of millions of Americans flying across the pond this winter, and what better way to experience one of Europe’s most beautiful countries than by train?

Train travel is seeing a resurgence across the Old Continent this year, with multiple routes launching between key destinations and even different countries, and in highly sought-after Italy, it’s no exception:

We’ve had a sleeper launch from Rome all the way to Puglia, not to mention a cross-border service linking Italy to Slovenia and Croatia, and now, a new high-speed train is set to improve links between two of the country’s top cultural hotspots.

This season, U.S. travelers can travel on a ‘red arrow’ from Naples, the capital of Southern Italy, all the way to Gorizia, an underrated gem in the North:

Everything You Need To Know About The New Train

As of September 15, tourists have been able to board Frecciarossa trains from Naples, in Campania, to Gorizia, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, without the usual train switches in transit hubs, thus linking the two very distinct, fascinating-all-the-same cities for the first time.

There are stops scheduled in Rome, Florence, Bologna and Venice, but unlike previously, travelers will no longer have to resort to multiple-train routes getting from the capital of Italy’s sun-drenched South, to the far Northeast.

Tickets for the Frecciarossa from Naples to Gorizia start from only $46 for a one-way trip, with the departure times seen below:

From Naples to Gorizia

• Naples Central – 4:09 pm
• Rome – 5:19 pm
• Florence – 7:20 pm
• Bologna Centrale – 8:01 pm
• Venice (Mestre)* – 9:37 pm
• Gorizia – 11.30 pm

*The train does not service Venezia-Santa Lucia Station, which is in the city of Venice itself; instead, it calls at Venezia-Mestre, in Mestre, the neighboring municipality, an 8-minute train ride away.

From Gorizia to Naples

• Gorizia – 6:12 am
• Venice (Mestre) – 8:40 am
• Bologna – 10:02 am
• Florence – 10:48 am
• Rome – 12:50 pm
• Naples – 2:03 pm

Though they’re part of the same country, Naples and Gorizia couldn’t be further apart if they tried––and indeed, they’re on opposite ends of the railway line:

The Chaotic, Beautiful Capital Of The Italian South

Naples is a bustling Mediterranean metropolis best known for its edgy character: there are none of the over-polished attractions built for the delight of tourists here, as you would expect to find in other picture-perfect Italian destinations.

As we have noted previously, it’s not the kind of place they’ll roll out a red carpet for visitors to walk on: tourism is very much a secondary detail in Naples, where locals unceremoniously go about their lives with ancient Roman ruins and stately piazzas for background.

That’s the beauty of it.

To some it may feel rough, what with the maze of winding streets, chipped ink on pastel facades and hanging laundry between neighboring houses, spanning impossibly-narrow alleys, but it feels authentically Southern Italy, it’s what we mean.

When in Naples, don’t forget to try their greatest culinary triumph––you guessed it, Neapolitan pizza, and La Marsadona might just have the best one––nor pay a visit to the historical ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, two well-preserved Roman settlements once buried beneath volcanic ash.

The Most Slovenian City In Italy

Gorizia, on the other hand, it’s everything you’d expect Italy not to be.

For starters, it not only lines, but spills over the border with Slovenia, being one of a handful of European municipalities administered by not one country, but two:

While the historical Gorizia, or the ‘Old Town’, as you will, lies on the Italian side, the more modern, still-charming New Town is under Slovene jurisdiction.

As you may imagine, you’re not likely to find any of Naples’ Mediterranean appeal here, even though this is, in theory, the same country––Gorizia is staunchly Central European culturally and aesthetically, and being in proximity of the Slavic world, natives have caught more than just some Slovenian lingo.

In strolling around town, you’ll find elegant 17th-century city gates, like an ornate Leopold Gate, majestic Habsburg-era palaces––read Austrian-influenced––and an almost-intact medieval core dominated by a hilltop fortress: you know, the quintessential European combo.

Gorizia’s main attractions may all fall within Italian domain, but as we pointed out before, it’s also indisputably Slovenian in character: even the name comes from a Slovene word, gorica, meaning ‘little mountain’.

As for the cuisine, it is just as Slovene-centered as it is Italian, with both your usual Štruklji (rolled dumplings) and the more mainstream pizza and pasta being served in multi-ethnic restaurants.

If you’re a foodie like us curious to see how the most Slovenian city in Italy fares in the gastronomy front, don’t miss out on Trattoria Turri: their Ljubljanska (baked cheese with steak and ham) tastes heavenly.

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