Travel News to Know - May 30
And an important reminder!
Good morning!
Heading to the beach this weekend. Not sure if it’s actually warm enough to swim yet, but eager to get Italian summer underway.
Where are you traveling this summer? Let me in the comments or respond to this email and I’ll try to tailor the next few posts.
Reminder: The Monday and Wednesday newsletters will be for paid subscribers starting Monday. The newsletter will be $7 a month or $70 a year. I wanted to have a separate rate for those who subscribe only to the Monday newsletter and those who subscribe to both, but it’s not possible at this point to only pay for certain sections on Substack. I hope that changes soon. For now, if you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll get both posts. But if you are not at all interested in travel with kids content, you can follow these steps to opt out of those emails. And if you were a paid subscriber previously, you’ll be charged on Monday unless you unsubscribe, FYI.
Newsletters like this one on whether you should move abroad, an eater’s guide to Puglia, this guide to Tunisia with children, or what you need to know about flying RyanAir with a baby take time. With paid subscriptions, I’m excited for more interviews, more be a better traveler guides, and more in-depth reporting.
Plus, paid subscribers will have access to an ask me anything chat, where you can ask for travel and food recommendations, personal questions—really whatever you want. I’ll open the chat for questions the last week of each month, and answer them all the first week. Other perks include occasional discount codes and giveaways, and of course my appreciation for supporting my work.
The Friday post, with links and travel news, will remain free.
Travel news to know
Last week, we talked about tourism tanking in the U.S. It continues to decline. Here’s what that means for tourist hubs across the U.S.
Climate change and over tourism converge in Athens, one of the hottest and most crowded cities in Europe and getting worse on both accounts all the time. Read how the city plans to manage the heat this summer. And, “managing overtourism doesn’t mean throwing the backpacker out with the bathwater.”
Meanwhile, Greenland is far from crowded, and new direct flights from the U.S. are viewed with excitement and a little bit of trepidation (at least according to this NYT article). Related: Real Men Steal Countries.
It could get easier to travel across Europe by train. Deutsche Bahn says it is working on a new platform that will enable booking international journeys. Currently, when traveling between countries you often have to book with each country’s rail line. But a new data-sharing system will enable European operators access to each other’s ticketing systems. Related: Germany-based FlixTrain plans to expand across Europe and has ordered 65 new high-speed trains.
Don’t stand up before your flight is officially over and the seatbelt sign is off. Especially in Turkey, where the country’s aviation authority plans to implement a $70 fine for doing so.
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of free checked bags. It will now cost $35 for the first bag and $45 for the second. There are a few exceptions for loyalty and credit card members.
Another day, another incredible discovery in Egypt. I’ve said it a dozen times and I’ll likely say it a hundred more. If you want your mind blown, visit Egypt.
The happiest city in the U.S. is also the most visited.
One very easy way to be a better traveler? Don’t steal Roman artifacts and carry them around on a scooter!
Weekend Reading
“When future generations read about Gaza with horror and wonder how the western world, with all its moral superiority, its rule-based order and its focus on international human rights law, allowed a livestreamed genocide to happen, what will you say? When future generations learn that, for 19 months, we woke up every morning to videos of children being burned alive – bombed with weapons that the US taxpayer helped pay for and the western world helped justify – will you be able to say that you spoke up?”
How to visit Venice without driving the locals crazy. Related: Be a Better Traveler in Venice.
Read, eat, drink
Subscribe: My friend Livia thinks deeply about things, including travel. I never leave a conversation with her without rethinking something or feeling inspired. So I’m very excited that she’s launched a Substack to share her musings on travel and culture (plus she’s an amazing travel photographer). And after reading about Genoa, I need to plan a trip!
Read: Just finished Bel Canto. An old book that I can’t believe I’d never read, as I love her other novels.
Cook: Rang in unofficial summer over Memorial Day with this spaghetti al limone plus grilled salmon and vegetables.
Drink: Summer is also liscio spritz season! Dry white wine (or sometimes prosecco), sparkling water, and a slice of lemon. Refreshing and low alcohol.
There’s a spritz and bowl of spaghetti alle vongole calling my name. Thanks for reading and see you next week!
- Rebecca 💛
I’m heading to Athens and Crete with quick stops in Santorini (my dad insists) and potentially Hydra throughout the second half of September! Hoping the crowds will have calmed down. Would love any guidance you may have. :)
PS. Happy to see you back in my inbox!
Enjoy your beach weekend! (and spritz bianco's and vongole) I may venture over to Lido for the same.