Blogs

photos | Airbus Industries


by Fly News


The final purchase prices paid by airlines for additions to their fleets are among the commercial aviation industry's most closely guarded secrets. The big two manufacturers, Airbus and Boeing, do publish annual lists of what are called book prices, but it's no secret that no carriers end up paying these published numbers.

The factors that come into play when determining the final prices are various, including the number of aircraft in the order; the hi

Katja Schulz

Panama is a Central America country small in size but big in offerings and heart, including history, culture, food, beaches, and ecotourism. This time I'm highlighting one singular spot rich in the last category. Welcome to Soberanía National Park!

Straddling two of the ten provinces that make up the country, and super convenient to reach as it's just outside capital Panama City, this jungly, 220-square-kilometre (55,000-acre) spread is home to many species of tropical flora and fau

photos: GreatTibetTour.com



With the increasing development of Tibet tourism, more and more people choose this exotic land - a once mysterious "Shangri-La" existing in isolation for nearly 14 centuries - as their dream destination. People who've visited the country or have some knowledge of it know that it is a religious society where Buddhism had been integrated with the life of many Tibetans, affecting local behavior including not just praying but other life activities such as cooking and b

The gemlike Church of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is known to Petersburgers as the Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood - or even just the Church on the Blood - as it marks the spot where Czer Alexander II was fatally wounded in an assassination attempt on March 1, 1881. It was co-designed by Alfred Parland, a Scottish-German architect, and Archimandrite Ignaty, who presided over the Russian Orthodox Church at the time. Following decades of abuse and neglect during the Soviet era, pa

Freddie/Wikipedia

Although historic Route 66, from 1926 to 1985 the USA's "Mother Road," its small-r route is still an iconic road trip which stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles, covering a total distance of 2,448 miles long. Ever since I can remember, my biggest dream was to travel this route, and I recently did. My journey began in Chicago - the third largest city in the United States. Before I set off on the legendary Route 66, I spent a fantastic week exploring the city, an international

The shining and smoothly flowing holy Ganges, the chants of prayers coming from the ghats, the music of the river that touches you soul, the scenic charm that rejuvenates your mind and body, and the adventure sports that give you the high. At the foothills of the Himalayans in Uttarakhand state, Rishikesh is known as an ancient city holy to Hindus, but thanks to its location it has also become a go-to place for adventure junkies and backpackers in the recent years - for many, a perfect blend of

FatCamera

courtesy of Christopher Elliott

When Robert Herbst's nonstop flight from New York to Raleigh, North Carolina, turned into a one-stop, he got worried. When American Airlines assured him he could make a connection at Washington's Reagan National Airport in just 30 minutes, he got very worried.

Herbst, a wellness expert from Westchester, New York, is one of a growing number of minimum connection time skeptics.

Minimum connection times, defined as the shortest interval required to tran

Though it is often vaguely described as stretching from anywhere just north of Brisbane to Fraser Island, the essential Sunshine Coast of Queensland runs between Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north. Each of the small towns along the way, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach, has its own individuality. But perhaps the most upmarket and attractive is Noosa Heads, situated on a peninsula bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the east and north and Lake Weyba to the west. Across

Mathurin

South Africa's capital is positively afroth these days in creativity and the arts, and one of its premier epicentres is Maboneng Precinct. Centred on Fox and Kruger Streets, a quick cab ride east from Johannesburg's Sandton business district and overlapping Jeppestown, another creative neighbourhood, this once shabby, no-go inner-city district has since the middle of the last decade been reinvigorated and made "cool" by artists, hipsters, and entrepreneurs, à la Brooklyn's Williamsburg,

Hayfield Manor is an elegant boutique hotel near the city center of Cork. When you combine a spectacular attraction like Blarney Castle with an extraordinary hotel like Hayfield Manor, you have brewed up a "must do" itinerary while visiting the Emerald Isle.

"Leave the hectic pace of city life and enter the tranquil country-garden setting of a magnificent manor house."

The circular drive of Hayfield Manor is reminiscent of grand houses everywhere - and in the axis of the driveway you will find an

Are you planning an extended vacation or business trip? If your travels are going to take you out of town for weeks to months at a time, it's crucial to make sure your house is properly prepared for your long absence. Here are some guidelines to ensure that your home is protected against plumbing issues, appliance malfunctions and more while you are away.

Set Your Thermostat

If your long-term travel is planned for next winter, you'll need to make sure that your thermostat is set to at least 55 de

photos | David Paul Appell

One of the downsides of tourism development, say critics, is its impact on the environment, particularly natural habitats. But in recent years, we’ve seen a growing number of initiatives to minimize its effects – for example, recycling, solar power, and other green practices, in addition to hiring biologists and other scientists to restore and even oversee development in ways beneficial to local environments. On a recent trip to the Dominican Republic’s premier reso

Although white sandy beaches are not the first thing that may pop into your head when you think of northern Vietnam, several in Halong Bay - reknowned for its spectacular scenery - definitely are on par with some of the gorgeous strands of the south! There are three beaches within walking distance of town on the bay's largest island, Cat Ba. They are named Cat Co 1, 2, and 3, and it's very easy to find them as they are essentially all on the same road. On all of them you may have to pay to use

Southern California's Temecula Wine Review Council, of which I am a member, recently gathered for a food pairing and wine tasting of two red wines, Zinfandel and Gamay Noir, from two wine regions, Lodi in northern California and Willamette Valley in Oregon. 

2015 Earthquake Zinfandel, Michael David Winery, Lodi AVA - $25

Fifth generation Lodi wine grape growers, Michael and David Philips, founded Michael David Winery 90 miles east of San Francisco, in 1984. This family-run winery uses sustainabl

alexsl


Increasing your occupancy rate should not be an expensive task. Most companies try to use SEO freelance consultants in an attempt to build up their search visibility, and while this works to some extent, in today's competitive digital marketing sector within the travel industry, it is unlikely that you are going to overtake the likes of Airbnb or Agoda in the search-engine rankings. 

Of course, local SEO is going to work to some extent because your hotel, property management business

A.Savin


We all identify Agra with the Taj Mahal. But this city of 1.6 million in Uttar Pradesh state noted for its monumental buildings of 16th and 17th century when it was the capital of the Muslim Mughal (aka Mogul) Empire is far more than that. For example, here are five things that make Agra an extraordinary place to visit beyong to the Taj:

• Agra boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: in addition to the Taj, there is also the mid-16th-century Agra Fort, a 38-hectare walled city (above

The Arab world's most famous capital of glitz in the desert is full of man-made wonders surrounded by dramatic dunes and great beaches. And with all the breathless chatter about towers such as the Burj Al-Arab and Burj Al-Khalifa; the Dubai Mall and other luxury shopping wonderlands; and controversial mega-developments like the controversial Palm Islands, other amazing attractions sometimes get comparatively less attention. One example is the Dubai Marina, a canal city already established for s

photos | © Turismo de Asturias

by Miguel Martínez Rabanal


Today on the feast day of St. James it's worth noting that the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James), the famed mediaeval pilgrimage route from Paris down to Galicia's capital Santiago de Compostela, is famous for not just its spirituality but its history, culture, and pristine nature, making it one of the world's most popular hiking routes.

The verdant principality of Asturias, right next door to Galicia, is home to the single longest

anyaberkut


courtesy of Christopher Elliott

This past spring, researchers from Wichita State University and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University released the 2019 edition of the closely-watched U.S. Airline Quality Ratings (AQR). The team responsible for the ratings sat down for an exclusive conversation with me to explain what the scores mean, and their airline secrets may help you have a smoother flight this year.

In case you missed it, the 2018 Airline Quality Rating showed Delta Air Line

Located at the very top of the United Kingdom, Scotland is home to some truly remarkable treasures. Whether you want to explore the picturesque capital city of Edinburgh, or you’d prefer to get outdoors and discover more of the Scottish Highlands’ landscapes, Scotland really does have something to offer everyone. Here are eight reasons to visit:

Edinburgh’s Unique Charm

The Scottish capital city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. It’s home to an abundance of intrigu