Latest news with #MelanieFish
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Forbes
When To Book This Summer's Trending Destinations For A Good Deal
This summer, destinations like Zürich, Basel and Tbilisi are on the rise where temperatures are usually cooler. Travelers are set to embrace a mix of familiar favourites and rising hotspots in Europe and beyond this summer, according to the Summer Travel Outlook released by Expedia. While destinations like Paris, Mallorca, and New York continue to dominate searches, Sardinia holidays are booming and long-haul trending destinations such as Sapporo, Nha Trang and Cairns are piquing the interest of holidaymakers seeking new adventures during the off-season. This summer, destinations like Zürich, Basel and Tbilisi are on the rise where temperatures are usually cooler, says Melanie Fish, spokesperson for Expedia. Rising costs also have travelers searching for ways to stretch their travel budget, and the Summer Outlook shows that sandwiching the summer is the key—flight prices are lower in June, and the least busy time to travel is late August. Twin-centre holidays: travelers can look to multi-stop adventures to make the most of their summer holidays. Rome and Sardinia offer the perfect mix of cultural exploration and Mediterranean relaxation, with Alghero and Olbia (both +90% in searches) providing stunning coastal escapes after a few days spent discovering the ancient Roman ruins. Summer of football: Switzerland is also gaining popularity due to being the host of a major European football cup, drawing visitors to Zürich and Basel. Expedia Group's latest research also revealed that 44% of sports fans travel internationally for events. Rome and Sardinia offer the perfect mix of cultural exploration and Mediterranean relaxation Emerging long-haul escapes: destinations further afield are capturing the attention of travelers this summer with Nha Trang, Vietnam (+160%) known for its pristine beaches and world-class diving spots rising in popularity. Cairns, Australia (+155%) is trending due to its proximity to the Great Barrier Reef, where travelers can experience its magical underwater world. Tbilisi in Georgia (+145%) is emerging as a cultural hotspot, offering affordable luxury, historic charm, and a thriving foodie scene. Meanwhile, Rio de Janeiro (+135%) is drawing visitors with its famous beaches, vibrant nightlife, and lively Festa Junina celebrations happening in June. Popular city breaks: city breaks continue to dominate summer travel plans, with Paris, Barcelona, Amsterdam and Dublin being on the popular destinations list. Paris remains the ultimate romantic getaway, with its timeless architecture and café culture. Barcelona offers a blend of beach relaxation and cultural hotspots, while Amsterdam's canals and nightlife keep it high on travel wish lists. Dublin's lively pub scene and rich history make it an enduring favourite. Mallorca's mix of golden beaches, charming old towns, and lively resorts makes it a versatile pick. Short-haul island getaways: sunseekers are heading to classic Mediterranean destinations for their summer holidays, with Mallorca and Ibiza leading the way. Mallorca's mix of golden beaches, charming old towns, and lively resorts makes it a versatile pick, while Ibiza remains a top choice for those looking to experience upscale beach clubs, luxury hotels, and its legendary electronic music scene. Expedia has also calculated the best dates to fly over the summer. The cheapest dates are between 8 and 12 June, while the most expensive period is between 19 and 26 July. To avoid the crowds, travel between 27 and 31 August, and avoid the busiest time between 20 June and 25 July. According to Expedia's 2025 Air Hacks Report, booking your flight on a Sunday can save you up to 22% of the airfare cost, compared to booking on a Friday. As for hotels, you'll find the best deals between 13 and 24 June, while prices peak between 9 and 10 August. Accommodation fills up between 6 and 20 June, while quieter dates are between 17 and 31 August.
USA Today
29-04-2025
- USA Today
New rules, bigger crowds and soaring temps: How to survive your 2025 European vacation
New rules, bigger crowds and soaring temps: How to survive your 2025 European vacation Show Caption Hide Caption How to prepare for a long-haul flight to Europe: Top tips Looking for to explore Europe? These essential tips can make for a smooth flight across the pond. Americans traveling to the UK now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Passports must have at least six months validity remaining for entry into many European countries. European travel is expected to remain popular this summer, potentially increasing crowds. Travelers should prepare for hot weather and consider booking activities during cooler times of day. According to the European Travel Commission, 37% of U.S. travelers plan to take a European vacation in 2025. I'm one of them, heading off on a Mediterranean cruise this summer with family friends to celebrate our teens' high school graduations. It's been a minute since I've been to Europe, and there's obviously a lot going on in the world these days. So, I reached out to some experts to find out what American families need to know if they're going to Europe this summer. 1. There's a new entry requirement for the United Kingdom All American travelers now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. It's not hard to do: You fill out an online form and pay a £16 (about $21.43) fee. But you have to do it in advance of arrival. 'It does take about three days for the application to get processed,' says Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. 'So that is what matters the most about it.' The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), originally set to launch in 2025, has now been delayed until 2026. So, while you don't have to worry about it this year, Americans traveling to Europe starting in the last quarter of 2026 will need to apply for an ETIAS authorization before travel. 2. Your passport can't be close to its expiration date This isn't anything new. But it's something that continues to trip up travelers. 'Please check the expiration dates on your passports,' says Melanie Fish, travel expert for Expedia Group. 'There are several countries that just will not even let you enter if your passport is within six months of expiring. Every single year I know someone who gets to the airport and is turned away because their passport is still valid, but it's going to expire in a couple of months and they can't get on the plane.' Many European countries adhere to this policy. BEST OF EUROPE: 11 best places to go in Europe for a family vacation 3. Summer will still bring the crowds Because people tend to book international trips well in advance, any economic concerns that have developed recently among American travelers probably won't have a big impact on summer travel to Europe. 'We are still generally seeing a lot of demand,' says French. 'In 2024, we saw tourism in the EU exceed the 2023 record by about 2%. It's this ongoing amount of growth, and we generally expect that to still be the case.' A decrease in travel to the U.S. by international visitors in response to recent moves by the Trump Administration could also lead to increased crowds in Europe. 'When people are thinking of alternative places to spend their holiday that are not the U.S., perhaps Western Europe goes higher up on the list,' says Sarah Kopit, editor-in-chief of travel industry news and market research company Skift. If you're trying to check off some bucket-list sights, expect crowds. But you can balance that by taking detours throughout your trip to less popular spots. 'Tourist attractions are called tourist attractions because they attract tourists, and they attract tourists because they're amazing,' says Fish. 'We want to go to Paris and see the sights. But then maybe we want to spend a couple of days in Champagne country and take a detour to towns outside the city.' Over-tourism fees could continue popping up to try to counteract crowds, but the collection and enforcement of these fees can sometimes be confusing. 'The Internet is your friend here,' says Fish. 'None of these over-tourism fees are prohibitive to taking a trip to Europe, but they are fees you need to be aware of. For that reason, I would do a little bit of studying before I go, because I don't want someone telling me there's a fee that's not real. I want to know what's actually required of me.' 4. It's likely going to be hot The last few summers in Europe have been scorchers, and this summer will likely bring more of the same. 'There's no reason to think that 2025 won't be hotter than 2024,' says Kopit. 'And Europe, unlike other countries that have been dealing with extreme heat for quite some time, doesn't have a lot of its infrastructure set up with air-conditioning that some other places, including the U.S., do.' So if AC is a must, check that any hotels you book have it. And be smart about planning your sightseeing. 'Book tickets in advance for those things you know you're going to want to see, and book them for first thing in the morning or later in the evening to skip the heat,' says Fish. 'And don't overpack your day. If you don't build in frequent gelato breaks during your days wandering around Florence, you're doing it wrong.' SKIP THE LINES: Europe without the crowds? Travelers say these are the best crowd-free spots 5. A "Plan B" might be more important than ever We've been bombarded with news every day lately here in the U.S., and many of those headlines are already having or could have impacts on international travel. 'Being informed, more than ever before, is very important right now,' says Tania Swasbrook, co-founder of luxury travel firm Vgari Lifestyle, a Virtuoso Agency. 'Be active, not passive. Be active in researching information. Be active in protecting yourself and your family, not just being 'Off we go.'' She recommends having backup plans for everything from your flights to your daily travel itinerary. 'Download as many apps as you can,' she says. 'Have the airline app of the airline you're traveling on, not just the one you booked it on. You could have booked on American, but British Airways is operating the flight. You have to be in the know — or have a travel advisor.' 6. If you're a considerate traveler, you should still get a warm welcome Folks living outside the U.S. may have opinions about recent doings by the Trump Administration. But that's not expected to translate to how Europeans view American travelers at this point. 'I can say with confidence that my friends overseas are not confusing American tourists with anything they're reading in the news about the American government,' says Fish. 'It's always true that locals are excited to welcome visitors who are respectful and curious.' The usual words of wisdom about international travel still apply today. 'Be respectful of other people's cultures,' says Kopit. 'Know where you're going and what the norms are, and be respectful when you're a guest in someone else's country.' What Americans need to know before visiting Europe this summer originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
New rules, bigger crowds and soaring temps: How to survive your 2025 European vacation
According to the European Travel Commission, 37% of U.S. travelers plan to take a European vacation in 2025. I'm one of them, heading off on a Mediterranean cruise this summer with family friends to celebrate our teens' high school graduations. It's been a minute since I've been to Europe, and there's obviously a lot going on in the world these days. So, I reached out to some experts to find out what American families need to know if they're going to Europe this summer. All American travelers now need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. It's not hard to do: You fill out an online form and pay a £16 (about $21.43) fee. But you have to do it in advance of arrival. 'It does take about three days for the application to get processed,' says Sally French, travel expert at NerdWallet and co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. 'So that is what matters the most about it.' The new European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS), originally set to launch in 2025, has now been delayed until 2026. So, while you don't have to worry about it this year, Americans traveling to Europe starting in the last quarter of 2026 will need to apply for an ETIAS authorization before travel. This isn't anything new. But it's something that continues to trip up travelers. 'Please check the expiration dates on your passports,' says Melanie Fish, travel expert for Expedia Group. 'There are several countries that just will not even let you enter if your passport is within six months of expiring. Every single year I know someone who gets to the airport and is turned away because their passport is still valid, but it's going to expire in a couple of months and they can't get on the plane.' Many European countries adhere to this policy. BEST OF EUROPE: 11 best places to go in Europe for a family vacation Because people tend to book international trips well in advance, any economic concerns that have developed recently among American travelers probably won't have a big impact on summer travel to Europe. 'We are still generally seeing a lot of demand,' says French. 'In 2024, we saw tourism in the EU exceed the 2023 record by about 2%. It's this ongoing amount of growth, and we generally expect that to still be the case.' A decrease in travel to the U.S. by international visitors in response to recent moves by the Trump Administration could also lead to increased crowds in Europe. 'When people are thinking of alternative places to spend their holiday that are not the U.S., perhaps Western Europe goes higher up on the list,' says Sarah Kopit, editor-in-chief of travel industry news and market research company Skift. If you're trying to check off some bucket-list sights, expect crowds. But you can balance that by taking detours throughout your trip to less popular spots. 'Tourist attractions are called tourist attractions because they attract tourists, and they attract tourists because they're amazing,' says Fish. 'We want to go to Paris and see the sights. But then maybe we want to spend a couple of days in Champagne country and take a detour to towns outside the city.' Over-tourism fees could continue popping up to try to counteract crowds, but the collection and enforcement of these fees can sometimes be confusing. 'The Internet is your friend here,' says Fish. 'None of these over-tourism fees are prohibitive to taking a trip to Europe, but they are fees you need to be aware of. For that reason, I would do a little bit of studying before I go, because I don't want someone telling me there's a fee that's not real. I want to know what's actually required of me.' The last few summers in Europe have been scorchers, and this summer will likely bring more of the same. 'There's no reason to think that 2025 won't be hotter than 2024,' says Kopit. 'And Europe, unlike other countries that have been dealing with extreme heat for quite some time, doesn't have a lot of its infrastructure set up with air-conditioning that some other places, including the U.S., do.' So if AC is a must, check that any hotels you book have it. And be smart about planning your sightseeing. 'Book tickets in advance for those things you know you're going to want to see, and book them for first thing in the morning or later in the evening to skip the heat,' says Fish. 'And don't overpack your day. If you don't build in frequent gelato breaks during your days wandering around Florence, you're doing it wrong.' SKIP THE LINES: Europe without the crowds? Travelers say these are the best crowd-free spots We've been bombarded with news every day lately here in the U.S., and many of those headlines are already having or could have impacts on international travel. 'Being informed, more than ever before, is very important right now,' says Tania Swasbrook, co-founder of luxury travel firm Vgari Lifestyle, a Virtuoso Agency. 'Be active, not passive. Be active in researching information. Be active in protecting yourself and your family, not just being 'Off we go.'' She recommends having backup plans for everything from your flights to your daily travel itinerary. 'Download as many apps as you can,' she says. 'Have the airline app of the airline you're traveling on, not just the one you booked it on. You could have booked on American, but British Airways is operating the flight. You have to be in the know — or have a travel advisor.' Folks living outside the U.S. may have opinions about recent doings by the Trump Administration. But that's not expected to translate to how Europeans view American travelers at this point. 'I can say with confidence that my friends overseas are not confusing American tourists with anything they're reading in the news about the American government,' says Fish. 'It's always true that locals are excited to welcome visitors who are respectful and curious.' The usual words of wisdom about international travel still apply today. 'Be respectful of other people's cultures,' says Kopit. 'Know where you're going and what the norms are, and be respectful when you're a guest in someone else's country.' What Americans need to know before visiting Europe this summer originally appeared on 12 best all-inclusive resorts for families in 2025 101 fresh family vacation ideas for the best trip ever (2025 update) 15 best guided tour companies for global adventures in 2025 7 kid-friendly European river cruises to consider in 2025 This European beach destination looks and feels like the Mediterranean, but it's way more affordable The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 6 things Americans should know before taking off to Europe this summer
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pope's funeral could spur tourism spike among Americans headed to Rome
Pope Francis' funeral could be a boon for airlines but a pain for travelers. As the late pontiff lies in state in St. Peter's Basilica before his funeral at St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday, April 26, Americans are searching for flights to pay their respects in person. Flight searches to Rome surged 250% in the three days following Pope Francis' death on Monday, compared with searches over the same period in 2024, according to travel booking site Searches for lodging in Rome through the fare aggregator have also shot up 35% for the same dates, compared to the same period a year ago. While U.S. residents largely account for the burst in demand for travel to Rome, global searches from other countries are also up 125% for the week, according to Expedia. "I can't think of any other event that has caused a sudden spike in travel searches like this," Expedia travel expert Melanie Fish told CBS MoneyWatch. "And it's not only flight searches. It's accommodation searches, too, and it's clear why because of the travel dates." Scott Keyes, founder and CEO of flight deals website said search interest in travel to Rome for April 21-23 has nearly tripled since the pope's death, compared with the three previous days. For tourists thinking of booking a jaunt to Italy, the bad news is that the surge in demand for fights to Rome is driving up airfares, according to For flights from the U.S. to Rome departing between April 22-25 and returning April 27-30, airfares are up about 33% compared to flight prices in the days leading up to Pope Francis' death. Fish noted that ticket prices typically rise closest to the travel date, and Expedia is expecting prices for flights to Rome to rise as Friday approaches. That's in part because airlines can't immediately add more capacity despite increased demand, she noted. "So what you'll likely see is crowded flights and prices spiking today and tomorrow." Sneak peek: The Detective's Wife St. Louis woman says family decimated by cancer after living near toxic creek for decades 48% of teens between 13-17 feel social media is harmful to kids their age, Pew Research study finds
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canadians Are Rethinking U.S. Travel Amid Politics, Tariffs, and Border Scrutiny—and It Could Cost America Billions
The once-bustling border crossings between Canada and the United States have seen a slowdown in recent months, as Canadians are increasingly opting to stay home or explore alternative destinations. Growing unease about America's political climate, the rise of invasive border searches, and the weak CAD dollar have all contributed to this growing trend. (As a Canadian travel journalist and broadcaster, I've found the current sentiment across media outlets tends to be the same: we don't promote U.S. travel.) Many point to the recent tariffs on Canadian goods as the breaking point, creating frustration and resentment among citizens who view these taxes as both unnecessarily punitive and damaging. This economic sting has turned what has historically been a friendly relationship into a politically charged decision in many Canadian households. This tension, along with visible, heated political divisions in American news and social media, has many Canadians rethinking their travels, whether it be a routine cross-border Target shopping runs or vacation planning. Canadian airlines—such as Air Canada, WestJet and Porter—are rerouting previously American bound aircrafts to Canadian destinations, and even shelving Canadian-U.S. routes due to a lack of demand. (Canadian Flair Airlines terminated its flights to Nashville; Air Canada and Air Transat reduced flights to the U.S.; and Sunwing Airlines ended all flights to the U.S., to name a few.) 'We are mindful of the overall sentiment of travelers as it relates to U.S. tariffs," Edmond Eldebs, the chief commercial officer of Porter Airlines, told Travel + Leisure. 'Our goal is to fly where our customers want to travel, and this is a moment when Canada is at the top of many people's list. We are adding routes and increasing flights in regions across the country to meet this demand.' Small American border towns that depend on Canadian shoppers have reported customer drops of near 43 percent, and popular Florida vacation rentals note a surprising number of last-minute cancellations from northern visitors. According to the U.S. Travel Association (USTA), the U.S. states that see the most Canadian travelers are Florida, California, Nevada, New York, and Texas. Canadians make up the biggest group of international visitors to the U.S. and spent $20.5 billion in 2024, which supported some 140,000 American jobs, reports the USTA. What's more, just a 10 percent dip in Canadian travel could impact 14,000 jobs and result in a loss of $2.1 billion. Travel experts believe this isn't just a temporary blip, and signals Canadians deliberately choosing destinations where they feel more valued and their business appreciated. 'Canadian travelers are increasingly interested in summer travel to destinations like Europe, Japan and beach getaways such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic,' Melanie Fish, the head of Expedia Brand Group's public relations, told T+L. 'We've also seen Canadian travelers rediscovering the charm of their own country, leading to a renewed interest in domestic travel. Popular destinations searched on Expedia include Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto, with top trending spots being Tofino, St. John's, Nanaimo, and Gaspésie." For many Canadians, this will be a summer of indulging in our own beautiful country, from British Columbia's majestic Rocky Mountains to the enticing beaches of Nova Scotia's sparkling Atlantic coast. Related | The 21 Most Beautiful Places in Canada | Learn More Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
