
Ireland is always calling to actor Kathy St. George
Advertisement
Do you prefer booking trips through a travel agent or on your own?
We usually plan trips on our own, but I'll use a travel agent sometimes for help with negotiated rates, amenities, and local intel that the general public doesn't have access to. I use a virtuoso agent named Holly Hauser with Largay Travel.
Get Starting Point
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
Thoughts on an 'unplugged' vacation?
That sounds positively heavenly to me. Peace, quiet, and open air. Daily massages. Lots of beautiful gardens, a swimming pool or ocean, delicious meals, and a good script.
Advertisement
What has been your worst vacation experience?
Hmm … I can't think of one.
What is your favorite childhood travel memory?
The whole family piling into my dad's station wagon and heading up to our 'camp' in Warner, N.H. We had a cottage on Diamond Lake, and we made so many happy memories there: Campfires, boating, swimming with our cousins across the pond, reading, relaxing, playing Chinese checkers, sleeping in our bunk beds, and waking up to the sound of mom singing and dad cooking home fries and bacon. Bliss.
Advertisement
Do you vacation to relax, to learn, or for the adventure of it all?
All of the above.
What book do you plan on bringing with you to read on your next vacation?
'Everything Was Possible: The Birth of the Musical Follies,' by Ted Chapin.
If you could travel with one famous person/celebrity, who would it be?
Eugene Levy. We've been watching his show on Apple TV, 'The Reluctant Traveler.'
What is the best gift to give a traveler?
Apple AirTags.
What is your go-to snack for a flight or a road trip?
A big Fuji apple, cheese sticks, baby carrots, and a wheat germ cookie.
What is the coolest souvenir you've picked up on a vacation?
A piece of Tyrone House, County Galway, the ancestral home of the St. Georges. I also have a beautiful wooden plaque from Neuschwanstein [in Germany], a small stuffed camel figurine that I bought in Morocco, and Matryoshka dolls from Russia.
What is your favorite app/website for travel?
I like to shop around. There are so many out there.
What has travel taught you?
To be in the moment. To open my heart and mind to new experiences. To practice gratitude.
What is your best travel tip?
An eye mask and noise-canceling headphones.
Juliet Pennington can be reached at
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNBC
a day ago
- CNBC
Safer to stay home? European firms rethink travel policy over U.S. border control concerns
Some European companies are growing wary about sending their employees to the U.S. It comes amid volatile policymaking by the Trump administration, more stringent immigration checks, and an uptick in reports of detentions and deportations. Some businesses CNBC spoke to, in areas including engineering and accounting, stressed that their work trips to the U.S. continued unabated. But others, usually in more politically sensitive fields, flagged employee welfare concerns. Their responses ranged from issuing new travel guidance — such as advising workers to bring wiped electronic devices or entering the U.S. via Canada — to encouraging attendance at U.S. events or conferences online where possible. Business travel is a significant revenue source for the U.S. economy. According to a report published by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) last year, total spend in the sector generated a total $421 billion and $119 billion in tax revenue in 2022, the most recent year in which full data was available. That came from an estimated 429.9 million business trips supporting 6 million jobs. Business travel is also a key revenue-maker for the aviation industry, generating between 50% and 75% of profit for airlines in many cases. In a survey of 900 global travel buyers conducted by GBTA in April, 29% said they expected a decline in business travel volume at their companies in 2025 as a result of U.S. policy across both travel and tariffs. The survey also found a decline in overall optimism in the sector. Any chilling effect would also come with international tourism expected to be dented this year, costing $12.5 billion in spending, due to negative perceptions of trade and immigration policy. Border control and foreign visas have been highly charged issues since President Donald Trump took office in January, with reports of tourists being held in detention centres for long periods. The White House pledged in January that all foreigners seeking to enter the U.S. would be "vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible." Relations between the U.S. administration and the academic community have also soured, following moves to pause international student visa issuance and "aggressively revoke" visas for Chinese students, as well as the detention of some foreign students on apparently political grounds. "We're hearing some international travellers have expressed unease about visiting the U.S. due to increased visa scrutiny, social media monitoring, and incidents of detention or deportation despite valid documents," said Prashray Kala, a partner at management consultancy Everest Group. "Those with a visible online footprint are more cautious, especially with the 'Catch and Revoke' policy enhancing surveillance," Kala said. Announced April 30, this policy means that anyone with a U.S. visa will lose their immigration status after one strike for any violation of U.S. law, regardless of severity. One European fund manager who frequently travels to the U.S. for business said he was concerned immigration authorities at airports could hinder his travel plans due to a change in political attitude, rather than policy. "Business travel on an ESTA [visa] is no longer what it used to be", the fund manager said. The head of an international non-government organization with headquarters in London told CNBC that they had devised a new travel protocol for the U.S. The policy goes beyond their usual requirements for information about an employee's movements and contact details, into issues around physical and information security. The NGO produces investigative reports into topics spanning climate change, corporate malpractice and corruption. Employees CNBC spoke to for this story requested anonymity to be able to discuss internal workplace matters. "On one level for us as an organization, that shouldn't really require us to break into a sweat, we do that for lots of places that our staff travel to," the NGO chief executive said. "But from a personal perspective, this is very illuminating — in a not very pleasant way — because these are the sorts of things I think about when I travel to, say, China or Azerbaijan, autocratic regimes. The idea that we would have to apply that approach to travel to the U.S. is something which would never have occurred to me until just a few months ago." Examples include taking "burner" phones or computers only used for the trip, and preparing employees for scenarios in which they are aggressively questioned about their travel intentions or things they have published online, they said. Separately, an academic researcher at a university in Switzerland told CNBC that they had been provided with guidance to ideally travel into the U.S. via Canada where possible, or to attend conferences virtually to avoid any visa complications. They noted that some of their colleagues were still making trips to the U.S. without incident, but others had been questioned at the border for longer, and some had decided not to attend summer academic conferences stateside. Visiting programs to U.S. universities have been particularly affected and even put on hold, they added. All of those CNBC spoke to across a range of industries agreed that the prevailing climate around U.S. travel was one of uncertainty. "There is, of course, a risk of overreacting to this ... ploughing more of our time and resources into preparing for this than actual, tangible risk warrants," the NGO chief said. "There's always this question of how you separate out the outright bluster from what might be substantive and might actually be acted on. I think probably this time around, we take more of the bluster seriously."


Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Finding the Best China eSIM for Your Next Trip
Traveling to China today means staying connected — not just for convenience, but for daily essentials. From ordering food to booking rides to navigating with maps and translation apps, reliable mobile data is a must. And the easiest way to secure that data is with an eSIM. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best China eSIM for your needs? In this guide, we'll explore what to look for when selecting an eSIM for travel in mainland China and why MicroEsim offers one of the most reliable solutions for international travelers. China has one of the most advanced mobile networks in the world. 5G coverage is extensive, and major cities are fully connected. However, setting up service as a foreigner isn't always simple — especially if you don't speak Mandarin or want to avoid lengthy registration processes. That's where eSIMs come in. With an eSIM, you can: Activate service before you arrive Skip local SIM card shops Start using data as soon as you land Manage plans easily through your device Choosing the best China eSIM ensures that your connection is stable, fast, and ready for essential apps and services. Not all eSIMs are created equal. When searching for the best China eSIM, keep the following factors in mind: Network access : Does the eSIM connect you to major Chinese networks like China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom? : Does the eSIM connect you to major Chinese networks like China Mobile, China Unicom, or China Telecom? Speed : Look for eSIMs that support 4G/5G in key cities and tourist hubs. : Look for eSIMs that support 4G/5G in key cities and tourist hubs. Data plans : Are there flexible options for short trips, long stays, or heavy data users? : Are there flexible options for short trips, long stays, or heavy data users? Ease of activation : Can you install and activate the eSIM with just a QR code? : Can you install and activate the eSIM with just a QR code? Transparency: Are the terms clear — with no hidden fees or throttled speeds? A trustworthy provider will check all these boxes. If you want a proven solution, MicroEsim's China eSIM stands out for a few key reasons: Strong Local Partnerships — MicroEsim connects with Tier 1 networks in China, ensuring fast and reliable data. Instant Activation — You can install your eSIM and go live in minutes. Flexible Plans — Whether you're visiting for a few days or a month, you'll find a plan that fits. Competitive Pricing — No inflated tourist rates or confusing pricing models. Trusted by Travelers — Many consider it among the best China eSIM solutions based on user reviews and repeat customers. Setting up the best China eSIM is easy: Visit MicroEsim Select the Mainland China eSIM plan that fits your trip Complete your purchase Receive your eSIM QR code by email Install the eSIM on your phone Activate and enjoy full connectivity as soon as you arrive in China It's that simple — no waiting in line, no language barrier, no hassle. With international travel to China growing again, demand for seamless connectivity is at an all-time high. Choosing the best China eSIM will save you time, ensure reliable data access, and make your trip smoother from start to finish. For most travelers, MicroEsim is a clear choice — offering one of the best China eSIM products on the market today. If staying connected in China matters to you, don't leave it to chance — get your eSIM before you fly. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


San Francisco Chronicle
2 days ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
AP PHOTOS: Dragon boats thunder through Hong Kong waters to mark ancient Chinese festival
HONG KONG (AP) — Throngs of people flocked to southern Hong Kong on Saturday to watch the iconic dragon boat races, a highlight of a Chinese festival with over 2,000 years of history. Following their drummers' rhythm, crews powered their dragon boats through the water in unison, racing to become the first to reach the finish line. Residents and tourists cheered for them. The origin of the Dragon Boat Festival, also known as 'Tuen Ng' in Cantonese, is linked to various legends. But the most well-known story is about commemorating a patriotic and righteous official in ancient times who drowned himself after falling out of favor with his leader and seeing his kingdom decline. According to the lore, villagers rushed out to the river with boats to search for his body, and threw rice dumplings into the river to prevent fish from eating it. Hence, dragon boating and eating rice dumplings have become the festival's traditions. The festival is also celebrated in mainland China and Taiwan, alongside countries like Singapore and Malaysia that have a large Chinese diaspora. Residents gathered to watch dragon boat races held along the northern section of the Grand Canal in Tongzhou, on the outskirts of Beijing. In Hong Kong, a standard boat seats 20 paddlers. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.