Viewers Flock To Eruption Of World’s Largest Volcano

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) — The world’s largest volcano oozed rivers of glowing lava Wednesday, drawing thousands of awestruck viewers who jammed a Hawaiian highway that could soon be covered by the flow.

Mauna Loa awoke from its 38-year slumber Sunday, causing volcanic ash and debris to drift down from the sky. A main highway linking towns on the east and west coasts of the Big Island became an impromptu viewing point, with thousands of cars jamming the highway near Volcanoes National Park.

Anne Andersen left her overnight shift as a nurse to see the spectacle Wednesday, afraid that the road would soon be closed.

“It’s Mother Nature showing us her face,” she said, as the volcano belched gas on the horizon. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Gordon Brown, a visitor from Loomis, California, could see the bright orange lava from the bedroom of his rental house. So he headed out for a close-up view with his wife.

“We just wanted … to come see this as close as we could get. And it is so bright, it just blows my mind,” Brown said.

The lava was tumbling slowly down the slope and was about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from the highway known as Saddle Road. It was not clear when, or if, it would cover the road, which runs through old lava flows.

The road bisects the island and connects the cities of Hilo and Kailua-Kona. People traveling between them would need to take a longer coastal road if Saddle Road becomes impassable, adding several hours of drive time.

Ken Hon, scientist in charge at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, said at current rate of flow, the soonest the lava would get to the road is two days, but he added that things could change.

Mauna Loa last erupted in 1984. The current eruption is its 34th since written record keeping began in 1843. Its smaller neighbor, Kilauea, has been erupting since September 2021, so visitors to the national park were being treated to the rare sight of two simultaneous eruptive events: the glow from Kilauea’s lava lake and lava from a Mauna Loa fissure.

Abel Brown, a visitor from Las Vegas, was impressed by the natural forces on display. He planned to take a close-up helicopter tour later in the day — but not too close.

“There’s a lot of fear and trepidation if you get really close to it,” Brown said. “The closer you get, the more powerful it is and the more scary it is.”

Officials were initially concerned that lava flowing down Mauna Loa would head toward the community of South Kona, but scientists later assured the public the eruption had migrated to a rift zone on the volcano’s northeast flank and wasn’t threatening communities.

The smell of volcanic gases and sulfur was thick along Saddle Road, where people watched the wide stream of lava creep closer. Clouds cleared to reveal a large plume of gas and ash rising from a vent on the mountain.

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation to allow responders to arrive quickly or limit access as needed.

Lava crossed the Mauna Loa Observatory access road Monday night and cut off power to the facility, Hon said. It could move toward the county seat of Hilo, he added, but that could take a week or longer.

Meanwhile, scientists are trying to measure the gas emitted from the eruption.

“It’s just very early in this eruption right now,” Hon said.

Dominica Named 'Best Destination To Unwind' In Lonely Planet's Best In Travel 2023

Global travel authority Lonely Planet has announced its 'Best in Travel' list for 2023 with Dominica (pronounced Dom-in-EEK-a) ranking as one of the top destinations to unwind. This is the first time Dominica has been honored as a top travel destination in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel collection. This year marks the 18th annual collection of the world's hottest destinations, and the must-have travel experiences for the year ahead. Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2023 recommends 30 must-visit locations around food, journeying, connection, learning and unwinding.

Botanical gardens in Dominica. Photo by Allen Barkus.

"We are incredibly honored to be considered as one of the top destinations to unwind by Lonely Planet's Best in Travel," said Colin Piper, Discover Dominica Authority's CEO/Director of Tourism. "This recognition is a true testament to our beautiful island and the growth in tourism we've experienced in recent years. To be recognized by such a prestigious publication as one of the top destinations to unwind solidifies our stance in maintaining the island's natural environment while still creating authentic experiences for travelers, whether seeking adventure or relaxation."

Each year, Lonely Planet's Best in Travel lists start with nominations from Lonely Planet's vast community of staff, writers, bloggers, publishing partners and more. The nominations are then whittled down by their panel of travel experts to just 30 destinations. Each is chosen for its topicality, unique experiences, 'wow' factor and its ongoing commitment to sustainability, community and diversity.

"Celebrated and recognized for its natural attractions, Dominica is often confused with the Dominican Republic, but we don't expect that to happen for much longer," said Tom Hall, Vice President of Lonely Planet. "2023 is shaping up to be an exciting year to get out and explore. With much of the world firmly on the road to recovery, travelers are looking for different locations and experiences, and we know Dominica will not disappoint."

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2023 offers a comprehensive set of itineraries aimed at helping travelers to explore the world – while following along with some seriously knowledgeable locally-based experts along the way. To learn more about this year's list, visit www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel.

For more information on Dominica, visit Dominica's official website at www.discoverdominica.com.

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa Starts To Erupt, Sending Ash Nearby

Hawaii’s Mauna Loa, the world’s largest active volcano, has started to erupt for the first time in nearly four decades, prompting volcanic ash and debris to fall nearby, authorities said Monday.

The eruption began late Sunday night in the summit caldera of the volcano on the Big Island, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Early Monday, it said lava flows were contained within the summit area and weren’t threatening nearby communities.

“However, lava flows in the summit region are visible from Kona. There is currently no indication of any migration of the eruption into a rift zone,” the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement. A rift zone is where the mountain is splitting apart, the rock is cracked and relatively weak and it’s easier for magma to emerge.

How long the volcano erupts and whether it could cause lava to flow to populated areas of the island is impossible to predict, said Miel Corbett, a USGS spokesperson.

“But I can tell you, we’re in constant communication right now with Hawaii Civil Defense, and they’re providing updates to community members,” she said.

Even though it noted there is no indication of lava exiting the summit, the civil defense agency said it has opened shelters in Kailua-Kona and Pahala because it has reports of of people self-evacuating along the South Kona coast.

“Multiple images have surfaced on social media indicating lava activity outside of the caldera. At this time, no lava migration into a rift zone has been confirmed,” according to a statement.

The USGS warned residents at risk from Mauna Loa lava flows should review their eruption preparations. Scientists had been on alert because of a recent spike in earthquakes at the summit of the volcano, which last erupted in 1984.

Portions of the Big Island were under an ashfall advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu, which said up to a quarter-inch (0.6 centimeters) of ash could accumulate in some areas.

Mauna Loa is one of five volcanoes that together make up the Big Island of Hawaii, which is the southernmost island in the Hawaiian archipelago.

Mauna Loa, rising 13,679 feet (4,169 meters) above sea level, is the much larger neighbor to Kilauea volcano, which erupted in a residential neighborhood and destroyed 700 homes in 2018. Some of its slopes are much steeper than Kilauea’s so when it erupts, its lava can flow much faster.

During a 1950 eruption, the mountain’s lava traveled 15 miles (24 kilometers) to the ocean in less than three hours.

Airbnb Has A Plan To Fix Cleaning Fees

Pretty much everyone hates Airbnb cleaning fees — those pesky charges tacked on to your vacation rental bill that supposedly cover the costs to get the place ready for the next visitors. Travelers don’t like the expense, and hosts don’t like charging them, either.

Dennis Shirshikov, an Airbnb host who owns a rental property in upstate New York, says cleaning fees are the most common complaint he gets from customers.

“We are strongly considering cutting them off,” he says.

And Shirshikov might get his way. Airbnb is set to roll out big changes that won’t end cleaning fees but could make them more transparent for customers and incentivize hosts to reduce or forgo them altogether.

WHAT AIRBNB CLEANING FEES ARE AND WHAT THEY COST

Airbnb cleaning fees are a one-time charge pocketed by hosts to cover costs such as doing laundry or scrubbing toilets between guest stays. They’re separate from the base price and are in addition to service fees or charges for optional add-ons.

A June 2022 NerdWallet analysis of 1,000 U.S. Airbnb reservations with check-in dates in 2022 or 2023 found that the median cleaning fee per listing for a one-night stay was $75.
But cleaning fees vary widely. An Airbnb spokesperson told NerdWallet that cleaning fees are on average less than 10% of the total reservation cost at properties that charge them. Meanwhile, NerdWallet’s analysis found that cleaning fees amounted to about 25% of the total price paid. In fact, almost 40% of listings had cleaning fees from 20% to 29.9% of list price.

And on a few listings, cleaning fees were higher than the nightly rate.

WHY AIRBNB CLEANING FEES ARE SO IRRITATING — AND AIRBNB’S PLAN TO FIX IT

Besides the cost, Airbnb cleaning fees can feel especially brutal simply given their presentation. Airbnb’s search page displays the nightly rate on most interfaces in big, bold lettering, masking the total price. So the total price, presented in lightly colored lettering, can be easy to overlook.

To add to the confusion, nightly rates often don’t correlate with total price anyway. One listing with a $40 nightly rate could total $90 because of a $40 cleaning fee and $10 service fee. Another listing with a $60 nightly rate could turn out cheaper — $73 total — if it has a $13 service fee and no cleaning fee. A traveler with a $50 budget might be seduced by the $40 listing, only to owe more than if they had booked the $60 listing.

But that’s set to change in December when Airbnb plans to roll out a toggle so travelers can opt for search results to display total price, including all fees . Users who don’t toggle the total price display will still see nightly rates only.

The company in November 2022 also adjusted its search algorithm to rank listings by the best total price rather than simply accounting for the nightly rate, which may sway hosts to lower or remove cleaning fees.

WHAT IF THERE WERE NO CLEANING FEES?

A minority of listings don’t charge cleaning fees. Airbnb says 45% of listings worldwide don’t charge those fees. Yet only 15% of the available listings in NerdWallet’s analysis didn’t have a cleaning fee. The disparity is partly because NerdWallet looked at only U.S. listings, while Airbnb’s number is based on listings worldwide, where the fees are less common.

Shirshikov says he’d prefer to list a final price that includes the cleaning fee for two reasons. First, he suspects guest satisfaction would increase, and second, he thinks guests would leave the place cleaner.

Airbnb has warned hosts that cleaning fees can backfire by creating unrealistic expectations of how much guests will offer to help at checkout.

“With a higher (cleaning) fee, guests may expect to just walk away from your space at checkout as they would a hotel room,” according to a memo posted to Airbnb’s website before the cleaning changes kicked in.

That’s exactly what Shirshikov has experienced.

“If they pay a cleaning fee, they sometimes leave the place looking like it’s been lived in and uncleaned for months,” he says, adding that he has returned to find food all over the floor and drinks spilled on the beds.

IF EVERYONE HATES AIRBNB CLEANING FEES, WHY STILL CHARGE THEM?

For hosts who clean the rentals themselves, the money might cover the cost of cleaning supplies. Often, that money is simply passed on to professional housekeeping services who handle the cleaning.

Sébastien Long , the founder and CEO of Texas-based short-term rental company Lodgeur, says he believes the average cleaning fee of $75 is quite low.

Considering staff wages, supplies and replacement items, Long says he estimates it costs roughly $22 to turn over a hotel room. If Airbnb hosts outsource the work, Long estimates, it could cost $175 to clean a two-bedroom apartment, including $100 for the cleaning company, $50 for laundry services and $25 for supplies, such as coffee or mini toiletry bottles.

The cleaning costs for Airbnb hosts are often higher than those for hotels because they likely can’t take advantage of economies of scale. For example, hotels have commercial-size laundry machines. Plus, listings are typically spread out geographically, so there’s the inefficiency of traveling miles between properties. And short-term rentals typically are much larger and have more space to clean (such as kitchens) than hotel rooms.

But other hosts use the fees simply as a way to squeeze more money out of travelers, clearly overcharging for cleaning fees, which is a practice Airbnb warns against.

“Aim to use the cleaning fee to cover the expense of cleaning – not to make additional money,” according to a 2021 memo from Airbnb to hosts.

And then there are the hosts who charge cleaning fees and still ask guests to clean up after themselves. That, too, will likely end soon. Along with more transparent cleaning fees, Airbnb said it also plans to require hosts to post the cleaning requirements on the listing before guests book. Guests will also be able to leave feedback on the checkout process.

Airbnb also clarified that checkout requests should be reasonable. At your next Airbnb stay, if the host is amenable to the changes, you might not have to vacuum or strip the beds. The only things you’ll have to do are turn off the lights, throw away the trash and lock the door.

For now, though, Shirshikov says he’s sticking with charging cleaning fees because he’s uncertain whether users will turn on the toggle.

“I’d want to see how many people actively turn on the full price display,” he says. “Unless guests use it, it won’t mean much for how we do pricing.”

By SALLY FRENCH of NerdWallet

Post-Pandemic Travelers Visited These 10 Countries The Most In 2022

It’s almost time to start planning your 2023 travel, and a good place to start might be with the most visited countries of 2022.

Dominican Republic topped the list as the most visited destination in 2022, according to ForwardKeys.Levente Bodo | Moment | Getty Images

Flight ticket database company, ForwardKeys, published its annual report ranking the top countries based on the amount that tourism has increased since the travel industry was impacted in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report found that a majority of the top 20 countries were mainly in Central America and the Caribbean.

According to ForwardKeys, this stat reflects the fact that many tourism-dependent countries in those regions imposed less severe COVID-19 travel restrictions and were able to maintain a steady flow of visitors even throughout the pandemic.

No. 1 most visited country in 2022: Dominican Republic

Between January 1 and October 18, 2022, the Dominican Republic welcomed 5% more visitors than it did during the same time in 2019. It was the most visited destination in the Caribbean, according to data from the World Tourism Organization.

The Dominican Republic is most known for its year-round golf courses, and some of the best luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean are in Punta Cana and La Romana.

The top 10 most visited countries in 2022

1. Dominican Republic

2. Turkey

3. Costa Rica

4. Mexico

5. Jamaica

6. Pakistan

7. Bangladesh

8. Greece

9. Egypt

10. Portugal

Turkey ranked second on the list. The country is home to Antalya, the largest city on the Turkish Riviera.

Antalya in Turkey welcomed 66% more visitors than it did during the same period in 2019, but according to the Forward Keys report, the country’s tourism levels stayed the same in 2022 as in 2019.

Costa Rica is third on the list, and like Turkey, the Central American country saw the same level of tourism in 2019 as it did in 2022. Costa Rica is most known for its amazing surfing, volcanoes, and biodiversity.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the country ranked in fourth place for the best cheap vacations in Central and South America.

Costa Rica also lends itself to a more relaxed vacation destination. The country often uses the phrase “pura vida” (pure life in English), which encompasses the country’s philosophy about living a more relaxed way of life.

The Turkish city welcomed 66% more visitors than it did during the same period in 2019, but according to the Forward Keys report, the country’s tourism levels stayed the same in 2022 as in 2019.

Costa Rica is third on the list, and like Turkey, the Central American country saw the same level of tourism in 2019 as it did in 2022. Costa Rica is most known for its amazing surfing, volcanoes, and biodiversity.

According to the U.S. News & World Report, the country ranked in fourth place for the best cheap vacations in Central and South America.

Costa Rica also lends itself to a more relaxed vacation destination. The country often uses the phrase “pura vida” (pure life in English), which encompasses the country’s philosophy about living a more relaxed way of life.

By Celia Fernandez

Hong Kong Airport Launches New Third Runway

Hong Kong’s airport on Friday officially launched a new third runway which is expected to boost the city’s status as an aviation hub.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong said about 140 flights a day are already using the new runway, which has been in operation since early July.

However, the airport is still using only two runways because its center runway was closed in July for reconfiguration.

The airport is also expanding its Terminal 2 and is building a new concourse and baggage handling system.

Work is expected to be completed by 2024, after which the airport will use all three runways, giving it more flight capacity. The entire project will cost 145 billion Hong Kong dollars ($18.5 billion), according to Jack So, chairman of the airport authority.

“The project was funded from the private market and it doesn’t involve any government money,” So said at the launch ceremony. “This proves that the international financial community, banking sector and funds are confident of Hong Kong and its airport.”

Brendan Sobie, an independent aviation analyst based in Singapore, said that when all three runways are operating, it will allow more planes to land during peak hours, thereby expanding the airport’s capacity.

“You need that capacity, that infrastructure, because you’d start losing out if others have something you don’t have,” Sobie said.

He noted that several other airports in Asia, including in Bangkok and Jakarta, are either working on a third runway or have already added one.

Hong Kong’s additional runway will also facilitate cargo growth.

The city eased pandemic travel restrictions last month, allowing inbound and outbound travel without mandatory quarantine. However, incoming travelers must have a regular COVID-19 test upon arrival.

Gone In 9 Minutes: How Celtic Gold Heist Unfolded In Germany

BERLIN (AP) — Thieves who broke into a southern German museum and stole hundreds of ancient gold coins got in and out in nine minutes without raising the alarm, officials said Wednesday, in a further sign that the heist was the work of organized criminals.

Police have launched an international hunt for the thieves and their loot, consisting of 483 Celtic coins and a lump of unworked gold that were discovered during an archeological dig near the present-day town of Manching in 1999.

Guido Limmer, the deputy head of Bavaria’s State Criminal Police Office, described how at 1:17 a.m. (0017 GMT) on Tuesday cables were cut at a telecoms hub about one kilometer (less than a mile) from the Celtic and Roman Museum in Manching, knocking out communications networks in the region.

Security systems at the museum recorded that a door was pried open at 1:26 a.m. and then how the thieves left again at 1:35 a.m., Limmer said. It was in those nine minutes that the culprits must have smashed open a display cabinet and scooped out the treasure.

Limmer said there were “parallels” between the heist in Manching and the theft of priceless jewels in Dresden and a large gold coin in Berlin in recent years. Both have been blamed on a Berlin-based crime family.

“Whether there’s a link we can’t say,” he added. “Only this much: we are in touch with colleagues to investigate all possible angles.”

Bavaria’s minister of science and arts, Markus Blume, said evidence pointed to the work of professionals.

“It’s clear that you don’t simply march into a museum and take this treasure with you,” he told public broadcaster BR. “It’s highly secured and as such there’s a suspicion that we’re rather dealing with a case of organized crime.”

Officials acknowledged, however, that there was no guard at the museum overnight.

An alarm system was deemed to provide sufficient security, said Rupert Gebhard, who heads the Bavarian State Archaeological Collection in Munich.

Gebhard said the hoard was of great value both for the local community in Manching and for archaeologists across Europe.

The bowl-shaped coins, dating back to about 100 B.C., were made from Bohemian river gold and show how the Celtic settlement at Manching had links across Europe, he said.

Gebhard estimated the value of the treasure at about 1.6 million euros ($1.65 million).

“The archaeologists hope that the coins remain in their original state and reappear again at some point,” he said, adding that they are well documented and would be hard to sell.

“The worst option, the melting down, would mean a total loss for us,” he said, noting that the material value of the gold itself would only run to about 250,000 euros at current market prices.

Gebhard said the size of the trove suggested it might have been “the war chest of a tribal chief.” It was found inside a sack buried beneath building foundations, and was the biggest such discovery made during regular archaeological excavations in Germany in the 20th century.

Limmer, the deputy police chief, said Interpol and Europol have already been alerted to the coins’ theft and a 20-strong special investigations unit, codenamed ‘Oppidum’ after the Latin term for a Celtic settlement, has been established to track down the culprits.

Marriott Bonvoy Champions Football Fandom With VIP Experiences At Super Bowl LVII

Starting today, Marriott Bonvoy Moments will offer multiple exclusive Super Bowl LVII packages that will allow members to experience Phoenix like true VIPs. These include many new experiences for 2023 highlighted by the chance to meet current players and NFL Legends, get styled by one of the most fashionable players in the NFL to walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, gain field access at Super Bowl LVII, and even attend Super Bowl LVII with stadium and suite tickets.

"Marriott Bonvoy has proudly celebrated its guests' passion for travel and football since 2016 and are excited to announce new once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Super Bowl LVII that spotlight the power of fandom," said Jackie McAllister, Vice President, Loyalty Brand & Moments Marketing at Marriott International. "Thanks to our long-time relationship with the NFL, our members can redeem points to access the biggest moments of the 2022-23 NFL season, something that no other travel program can offer."

Marriott Bonvoy Moments gives members the chance to use points earned from travel at nearly 8,200 hotels and everyday activities, such as cobrand credit card purchases, ridesharing, or food delivery, to bid for the chance to take part in exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences all over the globe. Members may redeem their points for either fixed-price experiences or use them to bid on packages through auctions.

Super Bowl LVII Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences available starting today include:

Marriott Bonvoy Moments gives members the chance to use points earned from travel at nearly 8,200 hotels and everyday activities, such as cobrand credit card purchases, ridesharing, or food delivery, to bid for the chance to take part in exclusive Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences all over the globe. Members may redeem their points for either fixed-price experiences or use them to bid on packages through auctions.

Super Bowl LVII Marriott Bonvoy Moments experiences available starting today include:

VIP Styling Session by an NFL Star and Access to The Biggest Events At Super Bowl LVII (1x package available): Experience a VIP weekend in Phoenix, starting with a one-on-one styling session leading up to Super Bowl LVII week, where one of the most fashion-forward NFL stars will help put together signature looks based on your personal style to help you get ready for all things Super Bowl LVII Weekend. This experience also includes walking the star-studded red carpet at NFL Honors, the league's annual awards show recognizing the NFL's best players, performances, and plays from 2022 along with suite tickets to Super Bowl LVII.

Pregame field access + Super Bowl LVII Stadium Suite Tickets (1x package available): Kick off this bucket list experience with the ultimate pregame access to Super Bowl LVII and enjoy the game afterward from a stadium suite.

Super Bowl LVII Stadium Suite Tickets + Postgame field access (1x package available): After watching the game from a suite, see what championship confetti looks like firsthand as you feel the turf under your feet with your postgame field access.

Super Bowl LVII Stadium Suite Tickets + Gameday Brunch (1x package available): Kick off the weekend in Phoenix with a brunch with fellow Marriott Bonvoy members to talk football. Then take in the biggest game of the year from a stadium suite.

Super Bowl LVII Upper-Level Stadium Tickets + Gameday Brunch (5x packages available): Start Super Bowl LVII weekend like a true VIP in Phoenix with a brunch with fellow Marriott Bonvoy members to talk football and get revved up for kick-off. Then take in the biggest game of the year from upper-level stadium seats.

Tickets to Courtyard House presented by Visa, exclusively for Marriott Bonvoy Visa Cardholders (150x packages available): See and be seen with some of the greatest names in the NFL at this exclusive pregame party which includes premium food, drinks, and a live, intimate performance by a soon-to-be-announced artist. Mingle with fellow football fanatics generating excitement about the upcoming game as you kick off this epic weekend in style. Members must be a Marriott Bonvoy Visa cardholder to redeem these packages.

Marriott Bonvoy has been offering its members unparalleled access to the NFL's most coveted events since 2016. To bid on one of the Super Bowl LVII experiences, or to find out what else Marriott Bonvoy Moments has to offer, visit www.Moments.MarriottBonvoy.com/

Travelore's Holiday Gifting Recommendations For 2022-23

The mother-daughter team behind New York based Bonnie & Pop has gorgeous gift boxes and baskets, filled with premium chocolates, cookies, nuts, candies, dried fruits, and other mouth-watering favorites. All it takes is one visit to http://www.bonnieandpop.com/and they’ll take care of the rest. Your festive gift box or basket will be beautifully packaged, shipped, and delivered contact-free right to their door. Enter promo code PRBONNIE at checkout and get $5 off your entire holiday order.

When visiting family and friends for the holidays, a good bottle of wine is always appreciated. We recommend wines from Trapiche Vineyards in Argentina. Wine is Argentina's national beverage. Traciche Medalla Cabernet Sauvignon is from selected vineyards in the high area of the Mendoza River and in the east region of the province of Mendoza. This wine is aged for 18 months in fine-grained French oak barrels, with areromas of ripe blueberries with spicy notes. To learn more and where to purchase, please visit: https://www.trapichewines-usa.com/

Ethically hand made crafts made by artisans in Mobasa, Kenya from the ImaniCollective are unique gifts that you should consider. Sales of these beautiful crafts support in-house childcare, food programs, English literacy and children's education. For for details and how to order, please visit: www.ImaniCollective.com.

Everyone appreciates luxury socks. All Love Sock Company Socks are made with the softest organic cotton with seamless toes and using 200 needles. This Maryland-based family owned company goes to great lengths to make sure their entire supply chain, from the growing and harvesting of the organic cotton to the final sewing and all the processes in between, are as clean and responsible as possible. Theirsocks are designed in USA and made in Europe. For more details, please visit: https://lovesockcompany.com/

Tainan, The Most Popular City For Tourists In Taiwan

The Huge LED at LOTTERIA building in Ho Chi Minh City saw the appearance of unique promotional images advertising Tainan City, Taiwan's old capital with close to 400 years of history. Ranking and overall evaluation based on search volume, SNS tags and actual visitor numbers to Tainan's tourist spots published in Tainan, and with a creativity to evoke long-awaited thoughts of traveling abroad: "Want to Travel to Truly Taiwan, Truly Tainan" as an international city promotion theme, using the high degree of attention on Taiwan and the global craze to make and share travel videos on SNS, 10 Tainan highlights with historical significance: Chikan Tower, Hsu Feng Hao, Chimei Museum, Madou Daitian Temple, Anping Tree House, Beimen Crystal Church, Sicao Green Tunnel, Dingtouer Sandbar, Jing Zhai Jiao Tile Paved Salt Fields, and Ten Drum Culture Village were selected by a professional photography team to be "Tainan's 10 Must-See Attractions" to feature lightbox and video ads; four consecutive weeks of exposure created enthusiasm and sharing in the community to become the most popular tourist city in Taiwan for sightseeing.

Tainan is known for its "Delicious delicacies that heal the soul."

The city has received recognition from the world-famous gourmet travel review magazine the Michelin Green Guide and features in this year's Bib Gourmand list of recommendations as a must-visit city for international visitors to Taiwan. CNN calls Tainan "Taiwan's capital of food." A columnist for the US Wall Street Journal recommended Tainan as a world-class food museum. Visit the city to find out why international foodies say "You haven't tried the authentic Taiwanese taste until you feast in Tainan."

Before you prepare to restart your overseas travel plans, please first visit the www.twtainan.net Travel Tainan website to plan out your itinerary. Along the way taste local snacks, Michelin-selected traditional flavors and state-banquet-level classic Taiwanese cuisine.

The Guinness Storehouse Voted The World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience For 2022

The Guinness Storehouse is officially The World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience. The Home of Guinness has been voted the global winner in this category which was announced at the 2022 World Travel Awards on 11th November in Muscat, Oman.

Now in its 29th year, the World Travel Awards acknowledges, rewards and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The Guinness Storehouse previously won the European finals in October this year and faced competition in the world finals from the Tiger Brewery, Singapore and Coors Brewery Tour, Colorado, among others.

Managing Director at Diageo Irish Brand Homes, Catherine Toolan, and Guinness Storehouse Beer Specialist, Colm O’Connor, accepted the award on behalf of the team at St. James’s Gate.

Commenting on the win, Catherine Toolan, Managing Director, said:

“I am extremely proud to accept this award on behalf of everyone at the Guinness Storehouse. It’s an incredible endorsement of the warmth, hospitality and expertise of the team who welcome thousands of visitors to the Home of Guinness each day and consistently deliver a world-class experience.

“Reflecting on the past year, we began 2022 with tight restrictions and much uncertainty on the return of international travel. Now, we are celebrating a global award for our beer tour experience and launching our ‘Welcome Home’ Christmas campaign to friends and families around the world and closer to home who will visit the Guinness Storehouse this winter.

“Despite the challenges we continue to face, there is much to be positive about and I know that the creativity and tenacity that exists within our industry will drive us all to recover and emerge stronger. Congratulations to our fellow Irish winner the Convention Centre Dublin and all those shortlisted in the awards.”

Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said:

“Congratulations to the Guinness Storehouse on being named the World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience 2022 at the World Travel Awards. It is a truly well-deserved accolade and testament to the hard work of the staff.

“Overseas visitors regularly tell us that their holiday in Ireland has surpassed their expectations and a visit to Guinness Storehouse is certainly a ‘must see’ now on everyone’s itinerary. This latest award will give Tourism Ireland another wonderful opportunity to continue to highlight Dublin and Ireland as a world-class destination.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at the Guinness Storehouse, as we welcome back our overseas visitors, coming to experience all that the Guinness Storehouse and our great city of Dublin have to offer.”

Prior to the pandemic, the Guinness Storehouse welcomed up to 1.7 million visitors per year at the Dublin-based visitor experience. Since reopening in July 2021, the Home of Guinness has been welcoming back visitors from all over the world and has become increasingly popular with domestic visitors due to its renewed focus on showcasing the best of Irish culture to all who come through the famous black gates.

In this time the Home of Guinness has collaborated with Creatives Against Covid, Other Voices, Aches, Annie Atkins, Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi and more. This Christmas will see the Guinness Storehouse partner with world renowned Irish visual artist, GRIF, who will curate a multi-media art installation, running 23rd November to 6th January, under the theme ‘Welcome Home’.

Book your visit at the World’s Leading Beer Tour Visitor Experience 2022 at www.guinnessstorehouse.com.

World's Largest Cruise Ship Saved From Scrap Yard By Disney

DISNEY has bought a massive 208,000 ton cruise liner that was destined for the scrap yard for a knocked-down price.

The sale price for the Global Dream cruise ship was reportedly $1.3 billion, but Disney got it at a reduced price as the cruiser was headed to the junk yard.

The ship, currently docked in Wismar shipyard in Germany, was owned by the now-bankrupt Genting Cruise Lines - which based operations out of Hong Kong.

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, a northern state in Germany where the ship is docked, is reported to have lost $270 million on the deal after backing up the now-bankrupt Genting Cruise Lines.

Disney said they plan to work with Meyer Werft shipbuilding company to transform the enormous cruise liner.

Meyer Werft is a Papenburg-based company that has previously worked with Disney - building the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish cruise ships.

The cruise ship is expected to be renamed and relaunched in 2025 in the United States, where it will base its operations.

Josh D'Amaro, the chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Products said: "Our cruise ships give us the unique opportunity to bring Disney magic to fans no matter where they are, and the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before.”

The new ship is expected to mirror other Disney cruise ships, featuring ''innovative Disney experiences'', ''dazzling entertainment'' and ''world-class dining'' that Disney Cruise Lines set as their standard.

"The exterior will be adorned in the iconic, Mickey Mouse-inspired colours of the fleet, complete with signature red funnels,'' Disney said.

The 208,000-gross-ton ship will be one of the first in the cruise industry to run entirely on green methanol - one of the lowest-emission fuels available.

The ship will boast 2,300 crew members and have space for 6,000 passengers in addition to its many amenities.

Despite the local German government losing money on the sale to Disney, refurbishment of the cruise liner will secure employment for former MV Werften employees and provide opportunities for other maritime industry suppliers, Disney said.

No itinerary has been released for the future luxury cruise liner, but other Disney Cruise lines sail to locations including Europe, Mexico, Canada, and the South Pacific.

Disney recently announced new vacations for guests available in Australia and New Zealand in late 2023.

There was no information about the more detailed itinerary and plans for the ship at this stage.

In Last Minute Change, No Alcohol To Be Sold At Qatar World Cup Stadiums

Just two days before the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, soccer’s world governing body FIFA confirmed that no alcohol will be sold at the eight stadiums which will host the tournament’s 64 matches.

“Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeter,” said the FIFA statement.

In September, Qatar had said it would permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match.

“There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums,” added the FIFA statement.

“Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans.”Budweiser was to sell beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each of the eight stadiums before and after each game.

Budweiser, which is one of FIFA’s partners, tweeted, “Well, this is awkward,” though the social media post was quickly deleted. The beer brand is owned by the world’s largest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev.

“The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” continued the FIFA statement.

Real Madrid Announces Plans For Theme Park In Dubai

Real Madrid has plans to launch its own theme park in Dubai.

The Spanish club announced a deal with Dubai Parks and Resorts on Thursday to build a Real Madrid theme park to be inaugurated “in the final quarter of 2023.”

The 14-time European club champion said the park will feature “Real Madrid-related attractions,” including “a museum, amusement rides and games of footballing skill” in addition to shops.

Fernando Eiroa, CEO of Dubai Holding Entertainment, told the club website: “We are delighted that Real Madrid has chosen Dubai Parks and Resorts as its partner in our quest to bring the best international entertainment brands to the region.”

Dubai Parks and Resorts runs a Legoland park and theme parks inspired by the Hollywood and Bollywood film industries.

Japan To Reopen To Cruise Ships After 2 1/2-Year Ban

Japan will lift a more than 2 1/2-year ban on international cruise ships that was imposed following a deadly coronavirus outbreak on the cruise ship Diamond Princess at the beginning of the pandemic, transport officials said Tuesday.

The Transport Ministry said cruise ship operators and port authorities’ associations have adopted anti-virus guidelines and that Japan is now ready to resume its international cruise operations while receiving foreign ships at its ports.

“Japan is now ready to start receiving international cruise ships again,” said Transport and Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito. “We will create an environment that allows tourists to enjoy their cruise without worry while in Japan.”

Exact schedule for cruise ships has not been announced. Among the first is a Japanese ship departing from Yokohama in December for Mauritius and returning in January.

Japan has barred international cruise ships since March 2020, after the outbreak on the Diamond Princess forced 3,711 passengers and crew members to quarantine on board for two weeks, during which 13 people died and more than 700 others were infected.

Japan chose to isolate the crew and passengers while keeping them on board as a way of border control, but was also criticized for turning the ship into a virus incubator.

Cruise ship operators are expected to discuss with local authorities further details about their port entry plans. Japan’s resumption of international cruise liners comes more than a year after they returned to the United States and Europe.

Under the new guidelines, all crew members must have three received three coronavirus vaccine shots while most passengers must be vaccinated at least twice. The guideline also calls for thorough ventilation, distancing and disinfecting of common areas.

Japan, after much delay compared to many other countries, reopened its borders to individual foreign tourists in October and a resumption of international cruise ship operations will further help revive the country’s tourism that has been badly hit by the pandemic.

Prior to the pandemic, more than 2.15 million cruise ship passengers visited Japan in 2019, according to the Transport and Tourism Ministry.

By MARI YAMAGUCHI

Frontier And 5 Other Airlines To Refund More Than $600 Million

Frontier Airlines and five foreign carriers have agreed to refund more than $600 million combined to travelers whose trips were canceled or significantly delayed since the start of the pandemic, federal officials said Monday.

The U.S. Department of Transportation said it also fined the same airlines more than $7 million for delaying refunds so long that they violated consumer-protection rules.

The largest U.S. airlines, which accounted for the bulk of complaints about refunds, avoided fines, and an official said no other U.S. carriers are being investigated for potential fines.

Consumers flooded the agency with thousands of complaints about their inability to get refunds when the airlines canceled huge numbers of flights after the pandemic hit the U.S. in early 2020. It was by far the leading category of complaints.

“When Americans buy a ticket on an airline, we expect to get to our destination safely, reliably and affordably, and our job at DOT is to hold airlines accountable for these expectations,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.

The department said Frontier Airlines is refunding $222 million and paying a $2.2 million civil penalty.

In a consent order, the government charged that Frontier changed its definition of a significant delay to make refunds less likely, and an online system to process credits went down for a 15-day period in 2020.

Frontier spokeswoman Jennifer de la Cruz said the Denver-based airline issued nearly $100 million in “goodwill refunds,” including to people with non-refundable tickets who canceled on their own and were not entitled to a refund under federal law.

The refunds “demonstrate Frontier’s commitment to treating our customers with fairness and flexibility,” de la Cruz said.

The Transportation Department said TAP Portugal will refund $126.5 million and pay a $1.1 million fine; Air India will pay $121.5 million in refunds and a $1.4 million penalty; Aeromexico will pay $13.6 million and a $900,000 fine; Israel’s El Al will pay $61.9 million and a $900,000 penalty; and Colombia’s Avianca will pay $76.8 million and a $750,000 fine.

“We have more enforcement actions and investigations underway and there may be more news to come by way of fines,” Buttigieg said during a call with reporters.

However, there will be no fines for other U.S. airlines because they responded “shortly after” the Transportation Department reminded them in April 2020 of their obligation to provide quick refunds, said Blane Workie, the assistant general counsel for the Transportation Department’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection.

“We do not have any pending cases against other U.S. carriers. Our remaining cases are against foreign air carriers,” Workie said on the same call with Buttigieg.

That did not satisfy consumer advocates, who said that the major U.S. airlines also violated rules around refunds — even if they took corrective steps more quickly.

“Frontier was a bad player in all this, and they deserve to be fined, and we’re glad they are paying the refunds they were supposed to pay, but we are very critical of how the DOT just seems to not want to go after the biggest fish, the ones causing the most problems,” said Bill McGee of the American Economic Liberties Project, a non-partisan group that opposes concentrated industrial power.

In 2020, United Airlines had the most refund-related complaints filed with DOT — more than 10,000 — although smaller Frontier had a higher rate of complaints. Air Canada, El Al and TAP Portugal were next, both over 5,000, followed by American Airlines and Frontier, both topping 4,000.
Air Canada agreed last year to pay $4.5 million to settle similar U.S. allegations of slow refunds and was given credit of $2.5 million for refunds. The Transportation Department initially sought $25.5 million in that case.

By DAVID KOENIG

Celebrity Cruises To Take Guests To Every Continent And Corner Of The World In 2024-2025 Season

Celebrity Cruises has announced its most ambitious season of sailings ever, with nearly 500 sailings for the 2024-2025 season that send the line's fleet of 16 relaxed luxury ships, including Celebrity AscentSM, the fourth ship in the highly acclaimed Edge SeriesⓇ, to more than 250 destinations in 70 countries. The new offerings include first-ever homeports for some of Celebrity's award-winning Edge Series ships; new year-round offerings in Europe, with new ports; new overnights and double overnights; and new experiences across the rich cultures of every region while basking in the fullness of the Celebrity cruise experience.

Year-round sailings with more than 40 different itineraries in Europe, along with overnights in 11 of the world's most popular cities from Lisbon, Portugal, to Istanbul, Turkey, and Reykjavik, Iceland; and brand-new ports of call including Pauillac (Bordeaux), France; Brindisi and Trieste, Italy; and Kavala and Volos, Greece; The Edge Series ships deployed to new regions of the world with Celebrity EdgeⓇ sailing to Alaska roundtrip from Seattle; and Celebrity ApexTM sailing from London to the Norwegian Fjords and the Arctic Circle, the latter a destination Celebrity hasn't visited since 2014

Year-round sailings from Asia, including an entire summer of sailings from Tokyo, Japan New 3-night Caribbean itineraries, complemented by sailings up to 12 nights from four departure ports - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"For our 2024/2025 season, we wanted to take our offerings to new heights - all in celebration of our fourth Edge Series ship, Celebrity Ascent, sailing its inaugural season in 2024," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "There's truly no better way to see the world's best places than on the world's best places where our guests are treated to the accommodations and amenities of a Celebrity ship - a luxury hotel, Michelin-quality dining, and a world-class luxury spa retreat all in one with the world just steps away."

A European season like no other

With seven ships, including three Edge Series ships – Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity, BeyondSM, and Celebrity Apex - Celebrity Cruises expands on its legacy of award-winning European itineraries with 153 different sailings visiting nearly 100 destinations.

For the first time ever, an Edge Series ship will homeport outside of London, with Celebrity Apex hosting more Norwegian Fjord sailings than ever before, including a new, 12-night Norwegian Fjord and Arctic Circle itinerary.

Celebrity Ascent will embark on its inaugural European season with itineraries visiting culturally rich cities throughout Spain, Italy, France and Greece; while Celebrity Beyond will embark on 10- and 11-night itineraries to Greece, Istanbul, Naples, and more.

Discover Asia

Homeporting in Tokyo (Yokohama) from April 2024 to October 2024, the newly revolutionized Celebrity MillenniumⓇ will sail 12-night itineraries, immersing guests in the physical and cultural beauty of Japan from the awe-inspiring Mt. Fuji, to the quiet temples and bamboo groves of Kyoto, with each sailing including overnight stays in Osaka. Special sailings immerse guests in the country's renowned summer festivals culture including Golden Week in May.

Following its season in Japan, Celebrity Millennium will join Celebrity SolsticeⓇ providing guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultural offerings of Southeast Asia on 11- to 14 night sailings visiting 32 destinations across Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and more from September 2024 to April 2025.

A Caribbean Vibe

For the 2024-25 season, eight Celebrity ships, including three Edge Series ships – Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, and Celebrity Apex - will offer itineraries ranging from 3-night weekend getaways to longer 12-night voyages. Itinerary offerings include:

Celebrity Ascent - making her Caribbean debut with rotating 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries, visiting the picturesque ports of St. Thomas and St. Maarten, or the historic Georgetown, Grand Cayman and the unique landscape of Labadee, Haiti, where beachside meets mountside; Celebrity Beyond - sailing 10- and 11-night itineraries to the Southern Caribbean, visiting St. George, Grenada; St. John's Antgua, St. Maarten, and more. For those looking to check off a bucket list destination, Celebrity Beyond will also take guests to see the modern marvel that is the Panama Canal; Celebrity Apex - transporting guests on a 7-night itinerary to some of the most sought-after destinations in the region including Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic; Labadee, Haiti; Key West, Bimini, Bahamas; St. Kitts, Tortola, and more;

Additional book-it list sailings include:

Celebrity Edge returning for her second season Down Under, embarking on a selection of 3- to 14-night itineraries starting October 2024 and running through April 2025. Setting sail to the Galapagos aboard one of the brand's three uniquely intimate and stunning ships – Celebrity Flora®, Celebrity Xpedition® or Celebrity Xploration® – on six or seven-night itineraries carefully curated to ensure wanderlust travelers experience all this extraordinary archipelago offers. Every sailing includes an option to extend the experience on land. Celebrity EquinoxⓇ embarking on her inaugural season in South America, including a 14-night itinerary exploring the beauty of Patagonia, Argentina and Antarctica, as well as taking in a tango show or surfing the beautiful beaches of Montevideo, Uruguay.

Celebrity EclipseⓇ making her Northeast debut, sailing to Canada and New England; Greenland and Iceland; and offering 7-night Bermuda itineraries from the New York area.

For more information on all sailings available for the 2024-25 season, guests can contact a trusted travel advisor or visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/2024-2025-cruises.

Greek Museum Displays 1st Batch Of Artworks Recouped From US

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — It’s a first symbolic step in a homecoming that will long outlast the 10-year Odyssey of ancient myth.

For decades, an important part of Greece’s cultural heritage sparkled only for the very few in a U.S. billionaire’s private collection, until a groundbreaking deal for its gradual return to Athens. Now 15 of the prehistoric masterpieces have gone on public view for the first time in a temporary display in Athens, ahead of their final return, together with the remaining 146 works, by the year 2048.

But Greek opposition politicians, and some archaeologists, say that’s too long. They say the government should have fought in court to recoup the entire collection quicker, arguing it was looted from ancient sites on Greek islands and smuggled away.

Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said the August deal — which also involved New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art — was the best possible one it could get.

“A court process is a very arduous affair that requires very strong documentation which, in most cases, we lack,” she said Tuesday at a presentation of the exhibition, which opened last week and will run for a year at the Athens Museum of Cycladic Art — itself based on a private Greek collection.

“It is an unfortunate fact that finds from illegal excavations exist all over the world,” she added. “So, whichever of these belong to Greece, our policy is to bring them back.”

Dating from 5300-2200 B.C., the artifacts were acquired by Leonard N. Stern, an 84-year-old pet supplies and real estate businessman. Most belong to the Cycladic civilization that flourished in the Cyclades islands between 3,200-2000 B.C., whose elegantly abstract but enigmatic white marble figurines inspired leading 20th century artists.

The 15 works on display in Athens are striking. One 86-centimeter (34-inch) female figurine retains eyes and eyebrows in low relief. A diminutive female figure standing on the head of a larger one is one of only three known in existence. A marble head bears traces of painted red dots on its cheeks and neck as — like later ancient Greek sculpture — many of the Cycladic figurines were initially colored.
Little is known of their original function, largely because so many of the surviving Cycladic artifacts were hastily unearthed by looters. This cheats archaeologists of the clues that a proper excavation could provide.

“When an artifact, from a broken piece of pottery to a statue, is removed from its context, the environment in which it is found, it ceases to be a piece of historic evidence and simply becomes an artwork,” Mendoni said. “The loss is immense.”

“If we accept that our past is part of our identity, objects that come from illegal excavations deprive us of a smaller or larger part of that identity,” she added.

Mendoni said Greece has increased efforts — working with other countries — to discourage the trade in looted antiquities and has observed a decline in antiquities collecting.

The 15 works will be sent to the Met, to be displayed with the rest from 2023 to 2048. The returns to Greece will start in 2033 and continue through 2048.

China Eases Some Quarantine For Travelers

Travelers arriving in China will spend less time in quarantine under changes to sweeping anti-virus controls announced Friday to reduce disruptions to the economy and society.

The announcement came as an upsurge in COVID-19 cases prompted Beijing to close parks and impose other restrictions. The country reported 10,729 new cases, and more than 5 million people were confined to their homes in the southern manufacturing hub of Guangzhou and the western megacity of Chongqing.

With the bulk of Beijing’s 21 million people undergoing near-daily testing, another 118 new cases were recorded in the sprawling city. Many city schools switched to online classes, hospitals restricted services and some shops and restaurants were shuttered with their staff taken to quarantine. Videos on social media showed people in some areas protesting or fighting with police and health workers.

“It has become normal, just like eating and sleeping,” said food service worker Yang Zheng, 39. “I think what it impacts most is kids because they need to go to school.”

Demands for testing every 24 to 48 hours are “troublesome,” said Ying Yiyang, who works in marketing.

“My life is for sure not comparable to what it was three years ago,” Ying said.

Family trips out of Beijing can be difficult if the mandatory smartphone app that keeps track of the user’s virus test status and whereabouts doesn’t show the green code that authorizes travel back to the Chinese capital, Ying said.

“I just stay in Beijing,” Ying said.

Numerous villages on the capital’s outskirts are home to blue-collar workers whose labor keeps the city running, with many living in dormitory communities. Taxi and ride-sharing drivers said they were avoiding the areas so as not to be placed in quarantine themselves.

Lockdowns in Guangzhou and elsewhere were due to end by Sunday, but authorities have repeatedly extended such restrictions with no explanation. Chinese leaders had promised on Thursday to respond to public frustration over the severe “zero-COVID” strategy that has confined millions to their homes and severely disrupted the economy.

Incoming passengers will only be quarantined for five days — rather than the previous seven — at a designated location, followed by three days of isolation at their place of residence, according to a notice from the State Council, China’s Cabinet.

It wasn’t immediately clear when or where the rules would take effect and whether they would apply to foreigners and Chinese citizens alike.

Relaxed standards will also be applied to foreign businesspeople and athletes, in what appeared to be a gradual move toward normalization.

Airlines will no longer be threatened with a two-week suspension of flights if five or more passengers test positive, the regulations said, potentially providing a major expansion of seats on such flights that have shrunk in numbers and soared in price since restrictions were imposed in 2020.

Those flying to China will only need to show a single negative test for the virus within 48 hours of traveling, the rules said. Formerly, two tests within that time period were required.

Macao will also cut its hotel quarantine period from seven days to five days, followed by three days of isolation at one’s residence, for arrivals from Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas starting from Saturday, authorities there said.

“Zero-COVID” has kept China’s infection rate relatively low but weighs on the economy and has disrupted life by shutting schools, factories and shops, or sealing neighborhoods without warning. With the new surge in cases, a growing number of areas are shutting down businesses and imposing curbs on movement. In order to enter office buildings, shopping malls and other public places, people are required to show a negative result from a virus test taken as often as once a day.

With economic growth weakening again after rebounding to 3.9% over a year earlier in the three months ending in September, forecasters had been expecting bolder steps toward reopening the country, whose borders remain largely closed.

Business groups the policies discourage foreign executives from visiting, which has prompted companies to shift investment plans to other countries. Visits from U.S. officials and lawmakers charged with maintaining the crucial trading relations amid tensions over tariffs, Taiwan and human rights have come to a virtual standstill.

Last week, access to part of the central city of Zhengzhou, home to the world’s biggest iPhone factory, was suspended after residents tested positive for the virus. Thousands of workers jumped fences and hiked along highways to escape the factory run by Taiwan’s Foxconn Technology Group. Apple Inc. later warned customers would have wait longer for deliveries of its new iPhone 14 model.

China confirmed Friday that President and ruling Communist Party leader Xi Jinping will make a rare trip abroad next week, but it has given little indication of backing off on a policy the party has closely associated with social stability and the avowed superiority of his policies.

Azamara's New 2024 And 2025 Itineraries Sailing The Tropics And Exotics Bring Four-Ship Fleet To Every Corner Of The World

Azamara – the upmarket cruise line and leader in Destination Immersion® experiences – is pleased to announce 44 new voyages for Winter 2024/2025 spanning the four corners of the world with Azamara Quest® sailing South Africa, Azamara Journey® cruising along South America, Azamara Pursuit® visiting Asia and Australia, and Azamara Onward embarking on the 2025 World Voyage. Travelers can fully immerse themselves in each destination with 171 late stays and overnights in port, allowing for ample time to connect with local culture and uncover hidden gems across the globe.

"We are very excited to bring our guests to every corner of the world aboard our four-ship fleet," says Carol Cabezas, President of Azamara. "Our smaller ships will visit unique ports and hidden gems around the world, including maiden ports in the Philippines, Fiji, Samoa, and beyond. With high demand for cruising and unique travel experiences across all regions, we look forward to continuing to immerse our guests in some of the world's most beautiful and culture-rich destinations."

Guests can take advantage of Azamara's Early Booking Benefit with the 2024 and 2025 sailings by clicking here. In North America, the offer includes 20% off select 2024 and 2025 voyages, a $300 Onboard Credit, unlimited Wi-Fi for one device, and a Premium Beverage Package for two.

Azamara Quest will embark on six back-to-back South Africa Country Intensive voyages, giving travelers the opportunity to explore South Africa at their own pace by visiting ports such as Port Elizabeth, East London, Durban, Mossel Bay and Cape Town, as well as the port of Maputo in Mozambique. Guests will have the chance to discover the country's beloved wildlife, hidden and charming beach towns, and culturally diverse cities with more time to connect with local life.

Azamara Journey will cruise along South America's most picturesque coasts, offering guests immersive experiences to dive deeper into local cultures. Travelers can venture to must-see destinations including Buenos Aires, known for its phenomenal nightlife from traditional neighborhood taverns to hidden gig venues; the historical and culinary capital of Lima to explore world-class eateries and authentic local gems; and San Antonio, famous for its Hispanic culture and Spanish colonial missions.

Azamara Pursuit will navigate Asia with two of Azamara's popular Japan Country Intensive sailings, giving guests the opportunity to delve deeper into the destination with a range of immersive excursions showcasing the local culture of each region. Azamara Pursuit will also visit Australia and New Zealand with voyages offering the chance to experience both country's unique cultures, excellent climates, and wonderful landscapes.

Azamara Onward will be sailing its 2025 World Voyage, open for booking as of today, departing from San Diego, California and visiting 37 countries before concluding in Southampton, UK. This itinerary will include 15 overnights and 31 late stays in port, giving guests more time to immerse themselves in each unique destination. World cruisers will enjoy 13 complimentary exclusive events and over $25,000 in exclusive amenities.

Maiden Ports include:

Pago Pago, American Samoa

Apia, Samoa

Nuku 'Alofa, Tonga

Lautoka, Fiji

Suva, Fiji

Puerto Princesa, Philippines

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Saint Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands

For more information, please visit www.azamara.com.

Tropical Storm Nicole Drenching Florida And Georgia

Tropical Storm Nicole hit Florida as a hurricane Thursday, washing away the remaining protections for a stretch of beachfront properties that lost their seawall during Hurricane Ian only weeks before. In Daytona Beach Shores, surging ocean water threatened the foundations of at least a dozen high-rise condos and houses.

Nicole remains a sprawling tropical storm, covering nearly the entire weather-weary state of Florida early Thursday while also reaching into Georgia and the Carolinas. Damaging winds extended as far as 450 miles (720 kilometers) from the center in some directions as Nicole turned northward over central Florida Thursday morning.

Krista Dowling Goodrich, who manages 130 rental homes in Daytona Beach Shores as director of sales and marketing at Salty Dog Vacations, witnessed the beachfront disappear behind some of the properties as evacuations were under way.

“While we were there the whole backyard just started collapsing into the ocean. It went all the way up to the house,” she said. The water also compromised the remaining land between a row of tall condominium buildings nearby, she said.

Officials in Daytona Beach Shores deemed multiple multi-story coastal residential buildings unsafe, and went door-to-door telling people to grab their possessions and leave.

“These were the tall highrises. So the people who wouldn’t leave, they were physically forcing them out because it’s not safe,” Goodrich said. “I’m concerned for the infrastructure of the area right now because once the seawalls are gone, they’re not going to just let people go back in ... there will be a lot of people displaced for a while.”

The rare November hurricane prompted officials to shut down airports and theme parks and order evacuations in areas that included former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club. Authorities warned that Nicole’s storm surge could further erode many beaches hit by Hurricane Ian in September.

Nicole made landfall near Vero Beach as a Category 1 hurricane at about 3 a.m. Thursday, more than a hundred miles south of Daytona Beach Shores, before its maximum sustained winds dropped to 60 mph (100 kph), the Miami-based center said. The storm was centered about 30 miles (50 kilometers) southeast of Orlando. It was moving west-northwest near 14 mph (22 kph).

Robbie Berg, a hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami advised people to understand that hazards from Tropical Storm Nicole “will exist across the state of Florida today.” Nicole came could briefly emerge over the northeastern corner of the Gulf of Mexico Thursday afternoon before moving over the Florida Panhandle and Georgia, he said.

The storm left south Florida sunny and calm as it moved north, but could dump as much as 6 inches (15 centimeters) of rain over Blue Ridge Mountains by Friday, the hurricane center said.

A few tornadoes were possible through early Thursday across east-central to northeast Florida, the forecasters said. Flash and urban flooding will be possible, along with renewed river rises on the St. Johns River, across the Florida Peninsula on Thursday. Heavy rainfall will spread northward into the eastern Ohio Valley, Mid-Atlantic, and New England through Saturday.

Nicole became a hurricane Wednesday evening as it slammed into Grand Bahama Island. It was the first to hit the Bahamas since Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm that devastated the archipelago in 2019.

For storm-weary Floridians, it is only the third November hurricane to hit their shores since recordkeeping began in 1853. The previous ones were the 1935 Yankee Hurricane and Hurricane Kate in 1985.

Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s club and home, was in one of the evacuation zones, built about a quarter-mile inland from the ocean. The main buildings sit on a small rise that is about 15 feet (4.6 meters) above sea level and the property has survived numerous stronger hurricanes since it was built nearly a century ago. The resort’s security office hung up Wednesday when an Associated Press reporter asked whether the club was being evacuated, and there was no sign of evacuation by Wednesday afternoon.

There is no penalty for ignoring an evacuation order, but rescue crews will not respond if it puts their members at risk.

Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort announced they likely would not open as scheduled Thursday.

Forty-five of Florida’s 67 counties were under a state of emergency declaration. President Joe Biden also approved an emergency declaration for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, ordering federal help for the tribal nation, many of whose members live on six reservations around the state. The tribe also owns the Hard Rock Cafe franchise, with several of its hotels and casinos in Nicole’s path.

At a news conference Wednesday in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that winds were the biggest concern and significant power outages could occur, but that 16,000 linemen were on standby to restore power as well as 600 guardsmen and seven search and rescue teams.

“It will affect huge parts of the state of Florida all day,” DeSantis said of the storm’s expected landing.

Almost two dozen school districts were closing schools for the storm and 15 shelters had opened along Florida’s east coast, the governor said.

Parts of Florida were devastated by Hurricane Ian, which struck as a Category 4 storm. Ian destroyed homes and damaged crops, including orange groves, across the state — damage that many are still dealing with — and sent a storm surge of up to 13 feet (4 meters) onshore, causing widespread destruction.

By TERRY SPENCER and FREIDA FRISARO

The Museum of Illusions Washington DC Opening December 13th

Tickets for the The Museum of Illusions Washington DC (925 H Street NW) are now available to purchase, starting at $23.95. Be one of the first to experience the new and exciting museum, the 40th to open globally. As the newest addition to CityCenterDC, MOIDC offers a totally original, educational and instagrammable experience to visitors of all ages. The more than 50 interactive exhibits will debut on December 13, 2022. The museum's unique hands-on experience is designed to include illusionistic rooms, optical illusions and a playroom with didactic games and puzzles. All exhibits on science, mathematics and psychology allow visitors to learn about vision, perception, and the human brain through interaction and fun.

MOIDC takes inspiration from its surroundings, featuring iconic Washingtonian throughout its more than 50 exhibits. Guests can expect to be followed by the wandering eyes of George Washington as they take in a beautiful Capitol Hill mosaic. The Museum offers an ode to the Blue Metro Line in the Reverse Room, where guests can seemingly "hang" from the subway's ceiling. The Ames Room is the perfect place to have fun with height as guests appear to grow and shrink walking from one corner to the next. The Vortex Tunnel tricks the mind and body into feeling like the ground is moving, providing the perfect backdrop for a mind-boggling social media post.

"We are thrilled to be opening the Museum of Illusions in Washington DC, providing both residents and visitors with a completely unique and immersive experience unlike anything else in the district," said Ghida Damirji, MOIDC's owner.

Before officially opening next month, visitors can catch a glimpse of what's to come at the MOIDC pop-up, moving to the Downtown Holiday Market, which opens November 18th (F Street between 7th & 9th Streets, NW), just blocks from CityCenterDC. No registration is required.

The museum will be open 10am-8pm Monday through Saturday and on Sunday, 11am-6pm. Guests are encouraged to visit MOIDC online to purchase tickets in advance and to sign up for a regular newsletter with special offers.

About Museum of Illusions

In the heart of Washington DC, The Museum of Illusions offers guests an unforgettable and mind-bending experience, testing the limits of the human brain's perception. The original concept was launched in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2015 and quickly became an iconic attraction. With locations in New York, Chicago, Paris, Madrid, Athens, Cairo, Doha, Dubai, Shanghai, New Delhi, and Toronto, MOI has been noted as one of the fastest growing educational and entertainment businesses. MOI is dedicated to showcasing mesmerizing illusions covering science, mathematics, and psychology to capture the spirit of the world, blurring the lines of reality. Learn more at https://moiwashington.com/

Greece: Airlines Cancel Flights For General Strike November 9th

Greece’s main airlines announced domestic and international flight cancellations and schedule changes for Wednesday due to labor unions for air traffic controllers and civil aviation workers participating in a nationwide general strike that day.

The 24-hour strike called by the country’s private and public sector unions is expected to shut down most services across the country and disrupt public transportation in major cities. The unions are demanding an increase to the minimum wage, which currently stands at just over 700 euros (dollars) per month for salaried workers, and lower taxes.

“Our country’s workers, both in the public and in the private sectors, are battling against the high prices that are strangling households and citizens,” ADEDY, a confederation of trade unions for civil servants, said in a statement. It said the greater cost of power, fuel and basic goods was cutting into workers’ salaries.

Aegean Airlines and its subsidiary, Olympic Air, announced 50 domestic flight cancellations and amended the schedules for another 42 flights, most of them international.

Air traffic controllers plan to take part in Wednesday’s strike by engaging in a six-hour work stoppage, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time. Members of the civil aviation unions are expected to participate in the full 24-hour strike.

In Athens, subways will operate only for about six hours, and taxis were set to stay off the streets from 6 a.m. Wednesday until Thursday morning. Unions planned to hold protest marches in the city on Wednesday morning.

Buses were to run for 12 hours starting at 9 a.m., with all early morning and late evening runs canceled. Ferries to and from the Greek islands were to remain tied up in ports from midnight Tuesday until midnight Wednesday.

Peninsula Hotels Debuts Dazzling New Istanbul Property On The Bosporus Waterfront

The Peninsula Istanbul, the newest addition to The Peninsula Hotels' portfolio of peerlessly elegant and luxurious worldwide properties, is delighted to announce that it is now accepting reservations in advance of its opening on 14 February 2023. Guests can enjoy an exclusive opening offer of €1,050 including complimentary daily breakfast for two; a €100 credit towards dining, spa and wellness; complimentary airport pick up for all suite reservations.

The waterfront property encompasses four exquisite buildings, three of which are protected historical landmarks dating to the early 1900s, each carefully renovated, set amid a quarter kilometre expanse of blooming gardens along the Bosphorus Strait – the convergence point of East and West in Türkiye's most cosmopolitan city. Guests wishing to plan a stay or an event at the stunning new hotel can now do so through their preferred travel advisor, or via The Peninsula Istanbul's website. The site showcases the property's diverse array of magnificently appointed rooms, suites, and gathering venues; its compound of graceful buildings, outdoor spaces, and its location within Galataport, a new waterfront revitalisation project featuring museums, restaurants, and boutiques in the harbour district of Karaköy is in walking distance to Galata Tower, Galata Bridge, The Hagia Sophia Mosque, The Blue Mosque, and Topkapi Palace.

"As a long-term investor, we spend many years selecting the best location for a Peninsula hotel. We are excited to expand our global presence with the opening of The Peninsula Istanbul, together with our esteemed local partners, Dogus and Bilgili. Istanbul is a dynamic multicultural city with thousands of years of history and culture, combined with a youthful and vibrant energy. We have spent a lot of time and effort to meticulously restore this beautiful property on the Bosphorus and we look forward to welcoming locals and visitors alike to experience our world-renowned Peninsula hospitality," said Clement Kwok, Managing Director and CEO of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited, owner and operator of The Peninsula Hotels.

"The opening of The Peninsula Istanbul represents a glorious new chapter for our brand, and for luxury travellers," said Peter Borer, Chief Operating Officer of The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Ltd. "With our new property, we are delighted to offer a magnificent new location that fulfils the most discerning travel dreams."

With 177 gorgeously appointed rooms starting at 40-49-sq-m/430-527-sq-ft to generous suites spread among its four waterfront buildings, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests a wide range of accommodation choices. Many will provide sweeping Bosphorus views from large windows, balconies, or private terraces; others will include direct access to the property's magnificent gardens, outdoor swimming pool, private boat dock, and stylish luxury boutiques. All will be decorated with bespoke furnishings, original art, modern Turkish design elements like wood-and-mother-of-pearl inlay, kilim-style carpets, and sumptuous bathrooms clad in Marmara marble. The 510-sq-m/5,490-sq-ft Peninsula Suite, with its own hammam, gym, and rooftop swimming pool, will be one of the most opulent and spacious suites available in the city.

The hotel's collection of special-event venues is similarly splendid. Lavish options include a grand ballroom that, when combined with its Terrace can accommodate 820 guests for a seated banquet and 1,300 for standing cocktails. In addition, the hotel offers two intimate conference rooms, VIP private dining and wine-tasting areas, and numerous alfresco spaces amid blossoming gardens overlooking the Bosphorus – all paired with state-of-the-art technology to ensure that both festive and business occasions make a stunning impression. Every venue reservation will include the impeccably attentive service of The Peninsula Istanbul's special event planners and staff.

Superlative Cuisine and Wellness Offerings

The Peninsula Istanbul will provide diners a myriad of opportunities to enjoy sublime gastronomic journeys. The hotel's featured rooftop restaurant and bar will offer sophisticated Turk-Asian cuisine and libations in several memorable dining areas for up to 350 people – including an expansive rooftop terrace with unparalleled views over the Bosphorus and hotel gardens; as well as a main dining room where the décor reflects the confluence of Asian and Turkish cultures. In keeping with cherished tradition, the hotel will also offer signature Peninsula Afternoon Tea and globally inspired fare at The Lobby restaurant, whose 260 seats occupy a dramatic, airy space, with double-height 8.4-m/ 28-ft ceilings, enormous windows, and water views from both main and mezzanine levels, which evokes its history as an early 20th-century ferry passenger terminal.

A robust line-up of relaxation, and well-being choices will also greet guests at the hotel. At the 1,675-sq-m/18,030-sq-ft Peninsula Spa and Wellness Centre, indulgent offerings will include opulent hammams – traditional Turkish steam rooms – along with a dramatically lit, 25-m indoor swimming pool, and an extensive menu of treatments to enhance well-being, beauty, and relaxation that can be enjoyed in eight private treatment rooms. Physical fitness and mindfulness classes and workshops will also be offered at the facility's state-of-the-art Fitness Centre; and a dedicated Wellness Portal provides in-room, round-the-clock access to wellness programmes like guided exercise routines, aromatherapy self-care rituals, and audio meditations. In addition, The Peninsula Istanbul features a 25-m outdoor swimming pool, set amongst the lush gardens along the Bosphorus offering guests an outdoor dining option as well as private cabanas

Unsurpassed Guest Amenities and Services

As with all Peninsula properties, The Peninsula Istanbul will offer guests the superb comfort and flawless attention to detail that are synonymous with the brand. Whether via in-room amenities like sustainable, custom-fragranced bath products and multi-lingual touchscreen control panels; inspiring, destination-specific arts programmes and cultural experiences; or global proprietary services like Peninsula Time (check-in from 6:00 am and check-out at 10:00 pm) and PenChat (access to a 24-hour digital concierge), The Peninsula Istanbul will uphold The Peninsula Hotels' enduring commitment to its guests and larger community.

For reservations, please visit www.peninsula.com