Tag: International Travel

EU to curb phone costs, set up emergency alert system

The price limits follow the EU move last year to end roaming charges for Europeans using mobile phones within the bloc—a public

The European Parliament voted Wednesday to limit prices for phone calls and text messages between EU countries and to set up an alert system during natural disasters or terror attacks.

Under the new law, which still needs formal approval from member countries, telecom firms will be barred from charging more than 19 eurocents per minute for calls and six cents per text message.

Adopted by 584 votes to 42, the price ceilings are set to take effect on May 15, 2019, after the member states informally agreed to it back in June.

“There will be no more excessive fees on intra-EU calls and text messages,” said Lambert van Nistelrooij, a Dutch member of parliament from the centre-right EPP group.

He said the price limits complement the EU move last year to end roaming charges for Europeans using mobile phones within the bloc—a public relations coup.

It meant Europeans calling, texting or using the internet when travelling in other EU nations will be charged the same as they are at home.

The measure adopted Wednesday also calls for member countries to introduce within 42 months an emergency system to send alerts by text message or mobile app to people near a natural disaster or terror attack.

“If there is an emergency situation, a warning message with instructions will be sent to all mobile phones in the geographic area of the emergency situation,” van Nistelrooij said in a statement.

He said MEPs persuaded member states to introduce the system, which will contribute to saving lives in floods, forest fires and terror attacks.

A spokesman for van Nistelrooij said the legislation is partly modelled on the Dutch example NL-Alert.

Under the system introduced in 2012, authorities can alert mobile phone users in the area of an emergency via nearby cell towers.

The spokesman said Romania and Lithuania have implemented a similar system, but many other countries rely on television or radio to disseminate alerts.

The European Emergency Number Association, a non-government organisation based in Brussels, hailed the vote.

“Take any of the large emergencies in Europe and you will realise that in most cases modern public warning was not in place,” EENA’s Benoit Vivier said.

“We have the means and the technology but we have largely failed to put them to good use. The new legislation ensures that from now on we do.”

The legislation also paved the way for investments in next generation mobile networks (5G) and very fast internet.

 

How to avoid iPhone data roaming charges abroad

Simple tips and cost-saving measures to save you from costly iPhone data roaming charges while on holiday outside the UK or EU. Plus: how do new EU regulations (and Brexit) affect you?

Simple tips and cost-saving measures to save you from costly iPhone data roaming charges while on holiday outside the UK or EU. Plus: how do new EU regulations (and Brexit) affect you?

When heading off on holiday, the last thing you need is an extra worry – but if you’re not careful about data roaming charges, you could be in for a nasty surprise when your phone bill arrives at the end of the month. In this article, we show you how to avoid roaming charges when you take an iPhone abroad.

As well as general phone-use tips, we discuss the EU roaming regulations which came into effect in June 2017, and explain how they affect your phone bill, and the differences between travelling inside and outside the EU. And we talk about Brexit, and how that affects things now and in the future.

EU regulations

Thanks to the latest incarnation of the so-called ‘Eurotariff’ EU roaming regulations, roaming regulations are a thing of the past – within the EU’s borders, at any rate. After years of work to lower roaming charges, the EU finally voted to abolish them entirely back in December 2016, and the regulation changes came into effect on 15 June 2017.

Right now, in other words, you won’t and legally cannot be charged any more for data used in (non-UK) EU countries than in the UK itself. You also cannot be charged to receive a call. The new system has been called ‘Roam like at home’.

Here’s the gist:

“Your communications (phone calls, SMS, data) made from another EU country will be covered in your national bundle: the minutes, SMS and gigabytes of data that you consume abroad in the EU will be charged or deducted from the volumes of your national tariff plan exactly as if you were at home (in the country where you live, work or study).”

Your provider is allowed to impose a ‘safeguard limit’ on roaming data, beyond which it is then allowed to levy a fee capped at €7.70/GB plus VAT (and decreasing gradually until it reaches €2.50/GB from 2022). So contact your provider, or check its site (we’ve found explanations from Plusnet, BT, GiffGaff and Virgin) to see the exact details of how it is implementing the new regulations.

There are of course some complications and caveats to bear in mind, and you should check out the European Commission FAQs page on the subject for more information (the paragraph quoted above was lifted from that page), but in essence it is pretty simple.

How to avoid iPhone data roaming charges abroad

What about Brexit?

Britain has voted to leave the EU, and Eurotariff regulations won’t apply to Britons once the Brexit process has been completed. Of course, it’s likely to be some years before that happens, so we can benefit from the lack of roaming charges for now.

It’s possible that the Brexit negotiating team will attempt to secure some kind of roaming agreement, but with so many other elements to be covered we doubt this will be a priority. We’ll update this article once we know when and under what terms the EU roaming regulations will stop applying to British citizens.

What about countries outside the EU?

Roaming charges continue to apply as before. The advice in the rest of this article, therefore, is likely to be of use to those travelling to non-EU countries.

How to avoid data roaming charges abroad

One of the easiest ways to avoid data roaming charges outside the EU is to connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible. Unless the particular Wi-Fi hotspot charges for access (you will probably have to sign in or register to access Wi-Fi of this kind, so you’ll be notified if any charges apply) you won’t be charged for downloading data over that connection.

Change your settings

Before you head off abroad, check your network settings. To do this, go to Settings > Mobile Data. Next to Mobile Data Options it will say either Roaming On or Roaming Off. If it says On and you want to make sure you don’t spend any extra cash on data while you’re abroad, tap this and then set the Data Roaming toggle to off (white).

German boy racks up over €12,000 in roaming charges on cruise ship

German boy racks up over €12,000 in roaming charges on cruise ship

 

 

 

The 12-year-old had used his phone to unwind and watch a few videos while at sea between Germany’s northern city of Kiel and Oslo.

Shortly after he came home from vacation, a hefty bill from the family’s telecommunications provider arrived. It stated that about €12,500 was due for usage of just under 500 megabytes of data while at sea.

The boy apparently connected to the cruise ship’s own phone network which connects to the internet via satellite, said Dirk Hundertmark, managing director of Norwegian cruise operator Color Line.

The network is only really intended to be used by the ship’s crew to communicate with other vessels, even though anyone can join it. Similar to aircraft, high roaming charges apply when using such networks.

Cellular phone networks in Germany can charge as much as €30 per megabyte of data downloaded through a satellite connection. At sea, the EU’s abolition of roaming charges does not apply.

 

Color Line has said that it tries to inform passengers on its website about possible roaming costs. The cruise line operator also offers wifi packages on board for certain fees.

“This is really an extreme case that the family has experienced,” said Hundertmark.

It is very rare that passengers dial into the satellite network unnoticed, the managing director added, stating that they would be informed beforehand from their provider via SMS about possible costs.

As a gesture of goodwill, the phone network has agreed to reduce the family’s bill to €5,000, reported broadcaster NDR.

But the Berlin-based family has since employed a lawyer in an attempt to take action against a bill which they consider to be “immoral.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Secret Trick That Can Save Up to 40 Percent on Cruise Ships

a group of lawn chairs sitting on top of a sandy beach

Looking for terrific value on your next—or first—cruise? It’s a simple but seriously insider tip: choose an older ship that just received a total makeover. In the past, cruise linestypically gave older ships a periodic update, bringing them in every two or three years for routine maintenance and a light refresh. But recently, a spate of major industry players have launched big renovation plans for entire classes of ships that not only upgrade their interiors and amenities for guests, but offer travelers a chance at considerably lower fares, too (not exactly by design; but older ships don’t command the same price points that newer ships do).

For years, cruise lines would send their ships into dry dock—the company’s maintenance facility—at regular intervals for a tune up. “They would invest in soft goods like new carpets, new décor, and new furniture,” says Colleen McDaniel, editor in chief at Cruise Critic. But part of what’s new in this latest trend, she says, is that they’re “reinventing entire spaces” on the ships—on a far more extensive level.

“What we’re seeing now is a reflection of cruise lines really investing in their older ships, and this is a relatively new thing,” McDaniel says. “The ‘wow’ factors traditionally reserved for new ships are now also being added to these older ships.”

Consider the 18-year-old Celebrity Summit—a middle-aged gal by cruise-ship standards—which has never looked more gorgeous. She emerged in March of this year from a 38-day, stem-to-stern transformation that gutted and rebuilt her staterooms from scratch and gave them a timeless designer look. Her once-dated restaurants and lounges are now bright, sleek, and sophisticated. Top-deck hangouts feel like swanky Manhattan rooftop bars. And all the behind-the-scenes technology, from navigational controls to Wi-Fi connectivity, is now up to the minute. Pretty timely for vacationers looking for cushy summer vacations, as she’ll sail to the Bahamas and New England through the summer.

Deals ahoy! How to compare fares

New ships will always be the industry’s brightest, shiniest objects, because they typically bring a raft load of new features. But they also command higher fares. For value-minded travelers, choosing a recently renovated older ship can be a savvy and moneywise strategy. “Sailing on a brand new ship is probably going to cost you 30 percent more, depending on the time of year and the itinerary,” says Doug Parker, founder and host of Cruise Radio. “When an older ship emerges from a big makeover in dry dock, you get a newer experience for not-a-new-ship price point.”

You see this most clearly when you compare fares for a new ship with a refurbished ship in the same cruise line; for example, revamped Celebrity Summit and four-month-old Celebrity Edge, which was just recognized on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Hot List for its ability to nab hot designer talent like Patricia Urquiola and Tom Wright. As you’d expect, Edge has more bells and whistles, including first-at-sea innovations like the multi-purpose Magic Carpet platform that slides up and down the outside of the ship (which Wright designed). But Summit suddenly feels like a new ship, and her staterooms and public areas now sport the same chic, timeless designer look inspired by Edge.

Notably for travelers, “While it is great to have an older vessel take on the look and feel of the newest fleet mates, it does not really increase prices,” says Tom Baker, president of the travel agency CruiseCenter. It’s impossible to do an exact apples-to-apples comparison on pricing, but we can look at itineraries to the same part of the world in the same month. On Edge, a 9-night Southern Caribbean cruise in November runs $1,357 per person, on average, which translates to about $151 per day. On Summit, a 7-night Southern Caribbean cruise in the same month costs just $633 per person, on average, or $90 per day.

In this case, Summit’s fares are roughly 41 percent less than Edge’s. On a 7-day cruise, that $61-per-day savings works out to $427 per person—or $854 per couple.

a large ship in a body of water: Carnival Sunshine© Danny Lehman/Courtesy Carnival Carnival Sunshine

A rising trend lifts all ships

Here’s a wider look at how major cruise lines are embracing this everything-old-is-new-again trend.

Carnival Cruise Line is creating an entirely new class of ship around older ships that have undergone total makeovers. In 2013, Carnival Destiny, then 17 years old, got a massive overhaul with all of the line’s latest upgrades. The ship was rechristened as Carnival Sunshine, the lead ship in the line’s new Sunshine class.

Now it’s time for Sunshine’s middle-aged sisters to get their own born-again makeovers. Carnival Triumph, launched in 1999, will undergo the knife and emerge as Carnival Sunriseat the end of this month. And next year, two-decades-old Carnival Victory will get rebooted as Carnival Radiance. “These two makeovers are perhaps the most extensive of any modern ships we have seen refurbished in recent years,” Baker says.

How’s this for a bargain: Upcoming 4-night Bahamian cruises on Carnival Sunrise, sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, start at just $229 per person.

Royal Caribbean is investing $1 billion in its “Royal Amplified” modernization program, which will update 10 ships over four years and introduce a wide range of new thrills and Royal Caribbean staple features. The line’s 17-year-old Navigator of the Seas just emerged from a $115-million dry-dock transformation that added new staterooms, new restaurants, a new pool deck and, for thrill seekers, two new water slides: The Blaster, the longest aqua coaster at sea, and Riptide, the industry’s only head-first mat racer slide. It also launched the world’s first blowout bar at sea, proving cruise lines are paying special attention to new amenities during renovations.

Beginning in May, Navigator will sail three- and four-night Bahamian itineraries out of Miami. Starting at $375 per person in an outside-view cabin, the four-night sailings give passengers the chance to check out Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line’s private island, which just got a $250-million transformation of its own.

Celebrity Cruises is in the early states of a $500-million fleetwide “Celebrity Revolution” upgrade that will bring massive makeovers to all the line’s older ships. Since launching Edge, Celebrity has moved at full throttle, with two older ships—Millennium and Summit—already revamped and a third, Celebrity Equinox, scheduled to enter dry dock in May. Another half-dozen Celebrity ships are slated for modernization by 2023.

Oceania Cruises is giving substantial facelifts to its Regatta-class ships as part of its $100-million “OceaniaNext” revitalization project. Staterooms, restaurants, and public areas are getting upgrades, and Martinis lounge will trade its gentleman’s club vibe for an updated, modern look. Sirena will come out of dry dock in May, followed by Regatta in September; sister ship Nautica will get her turn next summer.

Where to find savings on the high seas

New to cruising? Dip your toes in the water with a three- or four-day sailing. “If first-time cruisers are not sure they want to commit to a full week, they can pick a shorter itinerary and get a taste of cruising,” McDaniel says.

Wondering where to start? Here’s a list of this year’s most notable ship refurbishments:

February 2019

Celebrity Millennium (1999)

Following a massive refurbishment, Millennium is currently sailing in Asia. In May, the ship moves to Vancouver and offers seven-night sailings to Alaska.

March 2019

Celebrity Summit (2001)

Fresh off its major makeover, Summit is now sailing out of San Juan on six- and seven-night Caribbean itineraries. In May, the ship moves to New York and offers seven-night sailings to Bermuda.

April 2019

Carnival Sunrise (1999)

After getting a $200-million makeover, the renamed Sunrise will hop around quite a bit, sailing out of Norfolk, New York, and Fort Lauderdale with a variety of four- to seven-night itineraries to destinations such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Cuba, and various Caribbean ports of call.

May 2019

Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas (2002)

On the heels of a $115-million transformation, Navigator will sail out of Miami on three- and four-night itineraries in the Bahamas.

Celebrity Equinox (2009)

Following its own Edge-inspired revamp, 10-year-old Equinox will sail out of Fort Lauderdale and offer a variety of six- to eleven-night Caribbean itineraries.

Norwegian Joy (2017)

Though just two years old, Joy is getting around $50 million in upgrades to bring her up to par with her sister Norwegian Bliss. Beginning in May, Joy will offer seven-night Alaska cruises from Seattle this summer. At other times of the year, the ship will sail from Los Angeles to Mexico and Panama, and from Miami to the Western Caribbean.

Fall 2019

Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas, which launched in 1999 and 2009, respectively, are both slated for major renovations as part of the “Royal Amplified” program.

The 15 Best Beaches in Florida

Slide 1 of 16: From the Panhandle to the Keys, Florida has no shortage of powder-fine sand, national parks, and scenes that are both cocktail- and kid-friendly. Here, our favorite beaches in the Sunshine State. This gallery was originally published in March 2016. It has been updated with new information.

From the Panhandle to the Keys, Florida has no shortage of powder-fine sand, national parks, and scenes that are both cocktail- and kid-friendly. Here, our favorite beaches in the Sunshine State.

 

Slide 2 of 16: This Gulf Coast beach is a magnet for tykes and tots (and their parents), thanks to its clear, shallow waters, pillow-soft sands, colossal playground, and Beach Walk Promenade, ideal for bike rides, ambles, and rollerblading. Watch the kids build sandcastles and cavort across the beach. Stay for the nightly, festival-style sunset celebration at fishing Pier 60, where street performers delight as the sun paints the sky in hues of orange, yellow, and pink. Looking for where to stay while you're there? Let this list be your guide.

Clearwater Beach

This Gulf Coast beach is a magnet for tykes and tots (and their parents), thanks to its clear, shallow waters, pillow-soft sands, colossal playground, and Beach Walk Promenade, ideal for bike rides, ambles, and rollerblading. Watch the kids build sandcastles and cavort across the beach. Stay for the nightly, festival-style sunset celebration at fishing Pier 60, where street performers delight as the sun paints the sky in hues of orange, yellow, and pink. Looking for where to stay while you’re there? Let this list be your guide.
Slide 3 of 16: Beautiful people, flashy cars, and quintessential Art Deco architecture come to life along the 2.2-mile stretch of golden sand that makes up Florida’s most famous beach. The busiest—and most touristy—section runs parallel to Ocean Drive (between 5th and 11th Streets), so locals tend to hang around the quieter patches of SoFi (South of Fifth), or near the 12th Street gay beach, a sea of Speedo-clad, sculpted beach bods. The swath between 17th and 21st streets is lined with (bar-serviced) beach clubs belonging to iconic hotels like The Setai Miami Beach and Delano South Beach.

South Beach, Miami

Beautiful people, flashy cars, and quintessential Art Deco architecture come to life along the 2.2-mile stretch of golden sand that makes up Florida’s most famous beach. The busiest—and most touristy—section runs parallel to Ocean Drive (between 5th and 11th Streets), so locals tend to hang around the quieter patches of SoFi (South of Fifth), or near the 12th Street gay beach, a sea of Speedo-clad, sculpted beach bods. The swath between 17th and 21st streets is lined with (bar-serviced) beach clubs belonging to iconic hotels like The Setai Miami Beach and Delano South Beach.
Slide 4 of 16: Come to this mile-long, undeveloped beach on the southern tip of Key Biscayne for lazy days of sunbathing and epic sunsets. Consider renting a bike and exploring the trails—there’s an extensive network across the entire island with superb Miami skyline views. Also, take a peek inside the circa-1845 Cape Florida Lighthouse (South Florida’s oldest structure) and look to the horizon for a glimpse of Stiltsville, a collection of historic homes that appear to float atop Biscayne Bay.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

Come to this mile-long, undeveloped beach on the southern tip of Key Biscayne for lazy days of sunbathing and epic sunsets. Consider renting a bike and exploring the trails—there’s an extensive network across the entire island with superb Miami skyline views. Also, take a peek inside the circa-1845 Cape Florida Lighthouse (South Florida’s oldest structure) and look to the horizon for a glimpse of Stiltsville, a collection of historic homes that appear to float atop Biscayne Bay.
Slide 5 of 16: This untouched, 3.5-mile-long island feels like a giant sand bar saved for the lucky few. It dazzles with its pristine environs—vast stretches of radiantly white sands, cerulean waters, mounds of beautiful seashells, and prolific bird life. Access the island by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, or enter on foot via neighboring Clearwater Beach from the south (a major hurricane back in 1985 dredged up enough sand to create a link between Caladesi and Clearwater).

Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin

This untouched, 3.5-mile-long island feels like a giant sand bar saved for the lucky few. It dazzles with its pristine environs—vast stretches of radiantly white sands, cerulean waters, mounds of beautiful seashells, and prolific bird life. Access the island by ferry from nearby Honeymoon Island State Park, or enter on foot via neighboring Clearwater Beach from the south (a major hurricane back in 1985 dredged up enough sand to create a link between Caladesi and Clearwater).
Slide 6 of 16: Sitting at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico is a 524-acre beach park with some of the finest stretches of sand in the Florida Keys. At mile marker 37 of US-1/Overseas Highway, Bahia Honda is an essential stopping point on any road trip between Miami and Key West. There are both secluded and more trafficked spots for sunbathing and excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling. While enjoying the beach, be sure to look up: the largest intact section of Henry Flagler’s elevated overseas railroad is an eye-catcher.

Bahia Honda, Florida Keys

Sitting at the confluence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico is a 524-acre beach park with some of the finest stretches of sand in the Florida Keys. At mile marker 37 of US-1/Overseas Highway, Bahia Honda is an essential stopping point on any road trip between Miami and Key West. There are both secluded and more trafficked spots for sunbathing and excellent opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling. While enjoying the beach, be sure to look up: the largest intact section of Henry Flagler’s elevated overseas railroad is an eye-catcher.
Slide 7 of 16: The Pabst Blue Ribbon–strewn sands, Hawaiian Tropic oil slicks, and packed motels of yesteryear’s spring break capital are no longer. Nowadays, uncluttered stretches of sand, sparkling blue waters, upscale resorts, and mega-yachts are rewriting this beach’s history. Billions in economic development have gone into erasing the Where the Boys Are vibe, restructuring Fort Lauderdale Beach as an unfussy yet refined alternative to neighboring Miami’s beaches.
 

Fort Lauderdale Beach

The Pabst Blue Ribbon–strewn sands, Hawaiian Tropic oil slicks, and packed motels of yesteryear’s spring break capital are no longer. Nowadays, uncluttered stretches of sand, sparkling blue waters, upscale resorts, and mega-yachts are rewriting this beach’s history. Billions in economic development have gone into erasing the Where the Boys Are vibe, restructuring Fort Lauderdale Beach as an unfussy yet refined alternative to neighboring Miami’s beaches.
Slide 8 of 16: This incredibly wide beach along the Gulf of Mexico flaunts “the world’s finest, whitest sand”—more than 99 percent pure quartz, which keeps it cool even under blazing temps—and there’s plenty of it to go around. It’s not the drama-filled splash ground portrayed on MTV’s Siesta Key, but rather a kid-friendly expanse teeming with sand sculpture artists, hippies, and families basking in sun-drenched bliss.

Siesta Key Beach

This incredibly wide beach along the Gulf of Mexico flaunts “the world’s finest, whitest sand”—more than 99 percent pure quartz, which keeps it cool even under blazing temps—and there’s plenty of it to go around. It’s not the drama-filled splash ground portrayed on MTV’s Siesta Key, but rather a kid-friendly expanse teeming with sand sculpture artists, hippies, and families basking in sun-drenched bliss.
Slide 9 of 16: Reached exclusively by seaplane or boat, the main island of North America’s most inaccessible national park houses Fort Jefferson, a circa-1846 coastal fortress, and some mind-blowing marine life off its coast. Snorkel among seahorses, sea turtles, and rainbow-hued tropical fish; head toward the west moat wall in search of moray eels and nurse sharks. There’s limited shade and facilities, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.

 

Garden Key, Dry Tortugas National Park

Reached exclusively by seaplane or boat, the main island of North America’s most inaccessible national park houses Fort Jefferson, a circa-1846 coastal fortress, and some mind-blowing marine life off its coast. Snorkel among seahorses, sea turtles, and rainbow-hued tropical fish; head toward the west moat wall in search of moray eels and nurse sharks. There’s limited shade and facilities, so bring plenty of water and sunscreen.
Slide 10 of 16: On land, this Gulf Coast beach impresses with more than 400 acres of fine, white sands and a wildlife-rich coastal dune lake. Under the sea, snorkel or scuba dive around seven larger-than-life works at the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), the nation’s first permanent underwater sculpture exhibit—and part of South Walton’s larger artificial reef program.

 

Grayton Beach State Park, South Walton

On land, this Gulf Coast beach impresses with more than 400 acres of fine, white sands and a wildlife-rich coastal dune lake. Under the sea, snorkel or scuba dive around seven larger-than-life works at the Underwater Museum of Art (UMA), the nation’s first permanent underwater sculpture exhibit—and part of South Walton’s larger artificial reef program.
Slide 11 of 16: A raised boardwalk separates this beach from hotel-lined Collins Avenue between 21st Street and 46th Street, an area collectively referred to as Mid-Beach. With stylish hotels like the 1 Hotel South Beach, The Miami Beach EDITION and Faena Hotel Miami Beach (all 2018 Reader's Choice Award winners), this area caters to a cool crowd that considers South Beach passé. Anticipate a lounge-y vibe—day and night—with plenty of beach and pool clubs to choose from, as well as Miami’s most buzzed-about nightlife.

 

Mid-Beach, Miami

A raised boardwalk separates this beach from hotel-lined Collins Avenue between 21st Street and 46th Street, an area collectively referred to as Mid-Beach. With stylish hotels like the 1 Hotel South Beach, The Miami Beach EDITION and Faena Hotel Miami Beach (all 2018 Reader’s Choice Award winners), this area caters to a cool crowd that considers South Beach passé. Anticipate a lounge-y vibe—day and night—with plenty of beach and pool clubs to choose from, as well as Miami’s most buzzed-about nightlife.
Slide 12 of 16: Think surfing in America, and towns along the California and Hawaii coastlines quickly come to mind. But, surprise, Florida’s got game (or waves, shall we say), too. Case in point: this East Coast surfers’ paradise, which promises prolific breaks, thanks to some massive rock ledges four to five miles offshore. Hang ten or simply immerse yourself in the surf culture of this small stretch of Florida, which often receives accolades as one of the U.S.'s top surf towns.
 

New Smyrna Beach

Think surfing in America, and towns along the California and Hawaii coastlines quickly come to mind. But, surprise, Florida’s got game (or waves, shall we say), too. Case in point: this East Coast surfers’ paradise, which promises prolific breaks, thanks to some massive rock ledges four to five miles offshore. Hang ten or simply immerse yourself in the surf culture of this small stretch of Florida, which often receives accolades as one of the U.S.’s top surf towns.
Slide 13 of 16: With a whopping 1,136 acres spread across five islands, this beach park impresses with its powdery white sands, nature trails, and patchwork of mangroves, ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. It’s not uncommon to see bottlenose dolphins skirting the shoreline. Families should head to the sprawling natural tidal pool on the park’s North Beach, an ideal spot for kids to collect seashells and splash around.

 

Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde

With a whopping 1,136 acres spread across five islands, this beach park impresses with its powdery white sands, nature trails, and patchwork of mangroves, ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. It’s not uncommon to see bottlenose dolphins skirting the shoreline. Families should head to the sprawling natural tidal pool on the park’s North Beach, an ideal spot for kids to collect seashells and splash around.
Slide 14 of 16: Those who travel with their four-legged family members or simply grow giddy at the sight of dogs will love this 2.5-mile-long dog beach—the largest of its kind on the East Coast. From Beach Markers numbers 25 through 60 in northern Palm Beach County, expect paw prints of every shape and size as dogs swim, run, and frolic off-leash. Doggie bags are provided throughout, and four-legged beachgoers are expected to abide by the beach’s social code of conduct: B.O.W. (Behaved, Obedient, and Well-Socialized).

 

Jupiter Dog Beach, Jupiter

Those who travel with their four-legged family members or simply grow giddy at the sight of dogs will love this 2.5-mile-long dog beach—the largest of its kind on the East Coast. From Beach Markers numbers 25 through 60 in northern Palm Beach County, expect paw prints of every shape and size as dogs swim, run, and frolic off-leash. Doggie bags are provided throughout, and four-legged beachgoers are expected to abide by the beach’s social code of conduct: B.O.W. (Behaved, Obedient, and Well-Socialized).
Slide 15 of 16: A series of 30-foot white sand dunes underscore the natural splendor of this Florida Panhandle beach. It’s one of the most picturesque stretches of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, an exquisite patchwork of barrier islands stretching 160 miles across the Gulf of Mexico, from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle. Note that this beach park isn’t just popular with humans—it’s also a favorite nesting ground for green and loggerhead sea turtles; a popular hunting ground for dolphins; and feeding ground for brown pelicans and black skimmers.
 

Henderson Beach State Park, Destin

A series of 30-foot white sand dunes underscore the natural splendor of this Florida Panhandle beach. It’s one of the most picturesque stretches of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, an exquisite patchwork of barrier islands stretching 160 miles across the Gulf of Mexico, from Mississippi to the Florida Panhandle. Note that this beach park isn’t just popular with humans—it’s also a favorite nesting ground for green and loggerhead sea turtles; a popular hunting ground for dolphins; and feeding ground for brown pelicans and black skimmers.
Slide 16 of 16: Easily accessible off the main Sanibel-Captiva Road yet remarkably undeveloped, this family-friendly beach lacks the crowds of neighboring stretches but promises all the pastel-hued sunsets and excellent shelling for which Sanibel Island is known.

 

Bowman’s Beach, Sanibel Island

Easily accessible off the main Sanibel-Captiva Road yet remarkably undeveloped, this family-friendly beach lacks the crowds of neighboring stretches but promises all the pastel-hued sunsets and excellent shelling for which Sanibel Island is known.

The Best Airbnbs in Barcelona

Slide 1 of 8: Barcelona has a complicated relationship with Airbnb. City officials require all Airbnb and short-term vacation rental hosts to register with the city and display their permit number online (it begins with HUTB, followed by six numbers). They've also had a moratorium on new licenses since 2014, according to Quartz. In fact, Barcelona is one of the biggest cities known for limiting Airbnb's growth—but that doesn't mean you can't stay in a top-notch rental, it just means you need to do so responsibly. We've rounded up the best Airbnbs in Barcelona so you can feel like a local and stay in the midst of it all without breaking any rules. All of the rentals below have their permit numbers listed in the description and are run by Airbnb Superhosts, who each have a rating of 4.8 or above, a record of zero cancellations, and at least a 90 percent response rate, meaning they'll get back to you ASAP. Even better, some of listings are Airbnb Plus homes, which means they've been inspected by an Airbnb rep and have all the basics: An ironing board, closet and drawer space for guests, a well-lit entry, easy check-in, comfortable mattresses, a coffee maker, a bathroom free of the host's personal items, and toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, making it ideal for a first-time Airbnb guest used to hotel amenities. Buena suerte! All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Barcelona has a complicated relationship with Airbnb. City officials require all Airbnb and short-term vacation rental hosts to register with the city and display their permit number online (it begins with HUTB, followed by six numbers). They’ve also had a moratorium on new licenses since 2014, according to Quartz. In fact, Barcelona is one of the biggest cities known for limiting Airbnb’s growth—but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay in a top-notch rental, it just means you need to do so responsibly.

We’ve rounded up the best Airbnbs in Barcelona9 so you can feel like a local and stay in the midst of it all without breaking any rules. All of the rentals below have their permit numbers listed in the description and are run by Airbnb Superhosts, who each have a rating of 4.8 or above, a record of zero cancellations, and at least a 90 percent response rate, meaning they’ll get back to you ASAP. Even better, some of listings are Airbnb Plus

homes, which means they’ve been inspected by an Airbnb rep and have all the basics: An ironing board, closet and drawer space for guests, a well-lit entry, easy check-in, comfortable mattresses, a coffee maker, a bathroom free of the host’s personal items, and toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, making it ideal for a first-time Airbnb guest used to hotel amenities. Buena suerte!

Slide 2 of 8: Studio apartments are perfect for solo travelers, especially when they're under $100 a night. This 430-square-foot Airbnb Plus is steps away from Las Ramblas, giving you easy, walkable access to most of Barcelona's major sites and a mainline into the Gothic Quarter. It offers secure keyless entry, a combined washer/dryer, reliable Wi-Fi, and the dining table can easily serve as desk space for Barcelona-bound business travelers. Yes, the bedroom and the kitchen are in the same room, but for one person, there's plenty of space to spread out. Book Now: $97 per night, airbnb.com

 

For the Solo Traveler

Studio apartments are perfect for solo travelers, especially when they’re under $100 a night. This 430-square-foot Airbnb Plus is steps away from Las Ramblas, giving you easy, walkable access to most of Barcelona’s major sites and a mainline into the Gothic Quarter. It offers secure keyless entry, a combined washer/dryer, reliable Wi-Fi, and the dining table can easily serve as desk space for Barcelona-bound business travelers. Yes, the bedroom and the kitchen are in the same room, but for one person, there’s plenty of space to spread out.

Slide 3 of 8: Filled with pops of neon—and we do mean neon—green, this apartment is incredibly photogenic (plus there are floor-to-ceiling mirrors for #OOTD). But beyond its looks, the two-bedroom space has all of the amenities you'd need, from a well-stocked kitchen, air-conditioning, items for families traveling with tots like pack 'n plays and high chairs, and Wi-Fi. There's also a narrow balcony, just big enough to enjoy morning coffee on. As for the location, it's just a 10-minute walk from Bogatell beach, and 25-minute walk from La Sagrada Familia. Don't want to walk? The Bogatell Metro station is steps away. Book Now: $118 per night, airbnb.com

For the Aspiring Instagram Influencer

Filled with pops of neon—and we do mean neon—green, this apartment is incredibly photogenic (plus there are floor-to-ceiling mirrors for #OOTD). But beyond its looks, the two-bedroom space has all of the amenities you’d need, from a well-stocked kitchen, air-conditioning, items for families traveling with tots like pack ‘n plays and high chairs, and Wi-Fi. There’s also a narrow balcony, just big enough to enjoy morning coffee on. As for the location, it’s just a 10-minute walk from Bogatell beach, and 25-minute walk from La Sagrada Familia. Don’t want to walk? The Bogatell Metro station is steps away.

Slide 4 of 8: This Airbnb Plus two blocks from La Sagrada Familia offers four beds spread across three rooms (two queens and two singles), perfect for a large group heading to the city. (Bonus, two bathrooms!) Filled with light pinks and neutral tones, the home is beautifully decorated and offers a full living room and kitchen for everyone to congregate in. (There's enough space in the apartment to break off on your own, too.) Note to overpackers and those with accessibility concerns: The apartment is on the second floor and there isn't an elevator. Book Now: $259 per night, airbnb.com

For Group Trips

This Airbnb Plus two blocks from La Sagrada Familia offers four beds spread across three rooms (two queens and two singles), perfect for a large group heading to the city. (Bonus, two bathrooms!) Filled with light pinks and neutral tones, the home is beautifully decorated and offers a full living room and kitchen for everyone to congregate in. (There’s enough space in the apartment to break off on your own, too.) Note to overpackers and those with accessibility concerns: The apartment is on the second floor and there isn’t an elevator.

Slide 5 of 8: This Airbnb is actually a serviced apartment, run by vacation rental company En Ville, so you can opt for daily housekeeping if you want the feeling of a hotel (with all the perks of a three-bedroom rental and 300-square-foot terrace). Located just outside the Gothic Quarter, near Las Ramblas and Barcelona's contemporary art museum, the penthouse also comes with optional bike rentals. It takes up the entire floor, so no need to worry about running into neighbors, either. Book Now: $190 per night, airbnb.com

For the Airbnb Rookie

This Airbnb is actually a serviced apartment, run by vacation rental company En Ville, so you can opt for daily housekeeping if you want the feeling of a hotel (with all the perks of a three-bedroom rental and 300-square-foot terrace). Located just outside the Gothic Quarter, near Las Ramblas and Barcelona’s contemporary art museum, the penthouse also comes with optional bike rentals. It takes up the entire floor, so no need to worry about running into  neighbors, either.

 

Slide 6 of 8: Can we just move in to this Airbnb, please? With three stunningly designed bedrooms, each with its own bath, this home is well worth its hefty price tag, especially when you divide it among the six guests who can stay here. It also has a balcony overlooking the Eixample neighborhood that previous guests rave about in the reviews, and a deep navy dining room for entertaining. An Airbnb Plus, the light-filled apartment comes with a washer/dryer, elevator for easy access, and bathroom essentials. Book Now: $616 per night, airbnb.com

For the Big Spender

Can we just move in to this Airbnb, please? With three stunningly designed bedrooms, each with its own bath, this home is well worth its hefty price tag, especially when you divide it among the six guests who can stay here. It also has a balcony overlooking the Eixample neighborhood that previous guests rave about in the reviews, and a deep navy dining room for entertaining. An Airbnb Plus, the light-filled apartment comes with a washer/dryer, elevator for easy access, and bathroom essentials.

Slide 7 of 8: Just a 15-minute walk from the leafy Ciutadella Park, this family-friendly penthouse is in a prime location for exploring the city's historical sites and letting off steam. Best suited for families with children (note that it doesn't have a bath, only a shower), it offers one bedroom for parents and another with two single beds for children. There's also a large, 800-square-foot rooftop terrace, with space for dining and playing outside. An Airbnb Plus, it also comes with a crib on request, washer/dryer, and coffee maker so you can maintain your family routine, even on vacation. Book Now: $224 per night, airbnb.com

For the Whole Family

Just a 15-minute walk from the leafy Ciutadella Park, this family-friendly penthouse is in a prime location for exploring the city’s historical sites and letting off steam. Best suited for families with children (note that it doesn’t have a bath, only a shower), it offers one bedroom for parents and another with two single beds for children. There’s also a large, 800-square-foot rooftop terrace, with space for dining and playing outside. An Airbnb Plus, it also comes with a crib on request, washer/dryer, and coffee maker so you can maintain your family routine, even on vacation.

Slide 8 of 8: This wood-filled, two-bedroom home is well-designed and colorful on the inside, and offers a full patio for morning coffee and evening wine. But the real perk here is its location in the Gracia neighborhood, a short walk from Park Güell and a quick Metro ride to the city center (less than 10 minutes). Perfectly situated for exploration—so much so that you won't need to spend much time inside. But, since it's an Airbnb Plus, you don't have to worry when you do come back in the evenings, as everything you need, from a hair dryer to Wi-Fi to a washer/dryer, is there. Book Now: $134 per night, airbnb.com

For the Location-Obsessed

This wood-filled, two-bedroom home is well-designed and colorful on the inside, and offers a full patio for morning coffee and evening wine. But the real perk here is its location in the Gracia neighborhood, a short walk from Park Güell and a quick Metro ride to the city center (less than 10 minutes). Perfectly situated for exploration—so much so that you won’t need to spend much time inside. But, since it’s an Airbnb Plus, you don’t have to worry when you do come back in the evenings, as everything you need, from a hair dryer to Wi-Fi to a washer/dryer, is there.

What to Wear in Europe to not Look like a Tourist

a person standing in a garden

For someone living in a New York City-sized apartment, I have an inordinate amount of luggage in my possession. I’m talking multiple carry-ons (soft and hard-shelled), small backpacks, large backpacks, backpacks that transform into duffles, duffles that transform into rollaboards, and plenty of overnighters that are arguably more chic than they will ever be functional. Overkill? Maybe. But the type of luggage you choose can make or break a trip—and this girl needs options. So when Away launched its new weekender bag last week, I was eager to test it out before the summer’s slew of long weekends arrive.

The Weekender is designed with a couple of nights away in mind, but could also be stretched across a five-day trip if you’re a strategic enough packer. Essentially a larger version of The Everywhere that came out last year, it comes with lots of thoughtful details: a detachable shoulder strap; two zippered exterior pockets that are perfect for stuffing in travel documents and other essentials; three interior pockets with a wipeable, spill-proof lining; and a separate, roomy shoe compartment at the base. So far, so good.

a piece of luggage: The Weekender comes in shades of olive (pictured), cream, and black.© Fabian Ohrn/Courtesy Away The Weekender comes in shades of olive (pictured), cream, and black.

But at 4.85 pounds before you’ve even started packing, this bag is surprisingly heavy—especially considering it’s made from lightweight canvas. (For comparison, Tecovas’ leather duffel weighs five pounds.) Once loaded up with a weekend’s worth of clothes, shoes, and toiletries, it was a strain on my shoulder, making carrying it around for any considerable chunk of time feel like a bit of a chore.

There is, however, the option to rest the bag on top of your hard-shell, rollaboard suitcase, secured via a suitcase-handle sleeve. If you’re a dedicated Away fan who already owns The Carry-On, then it looks super sleek, but pairing it with a suitcase means you’d have to check a bag. (The Weekender is carry-on size, not personal item size.) And while the bag does meet most airline carry-on requirements, you’d want to place it in the overhead bin rather than slip it under the seat in front of you: It just fits if you’re flying coach, leaving very little room for you to stretch your legs out.

As with all Away bags, there are multiple color options to choose from—this time with subtle leather details. I went for the “natural canvas” shade over olive or black, mostly because it allowed me to fantasize about booking some sort of glamorous safari trip. (I’m only half-joking: given that most safari camps are only accessible by tiny propeller planes with strict luggage restrictions, a duffel like The Weekender is actually the best way to go.) It’s a lovely shade of cream, but it’s likely to be marked or stained after a couple of uses, which would make me nervous about checking it after spending $245 for the pleasure of carrying it.

Will I be slinging this bag over my shoulder the next time I schlep to airport? Probably not. I’ve sprinted through far too many departure lounges to want to deal with a heavy shoulder bag. But it sure looks lovely tucked into the trunk of a car if you’re heading upstate. Or to the beach. Or on a game drive. Or, well, pretty much anywhere else for that matter.

How to Plan a Disney Vacation: 14 Tips for Your Trip to Walt Disney World

a group of people standing in front of a building

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World isn’t quite as carefree as it used to be. Advances in technology have led to many new planning tools and resources, and even more tips and tricks for optimizing your time and money spent. You can still spontaneously roll up to the park gates and buy a ticket, but just like with any other travel destination, a little advance planning is recommended to get the most out of your vacation.

The good news is, they don’t call Disney World the most magical place on earth for nothing. You’ll be grateful for the time you spent planning in advance once you’re in the parks, whipping through lines and eating Mickey premium ice cream bars in front of Cinderella Castle.

We’ve developed a timeline to follow so you don’t miss the important details. But first, here are some Disney World-specific terms you’ll want to know.

Disney World Vocab Bank

My Disney Experience: This is the portal you’ll use to book and manage your Disney World vacation. My Disney Experience lets you see all your plans at a glance, including hotel, dining, and FastPass+ reservations, as well as reminders for shows like the Happily Ever After fireworks.

MagicBand: A wristband that serves as your key to Disney World. Your MagicBand contains your park tickets, hotel room key, FastPass+ access, and even lets you buy food and merchandise with a linked credit card. Disney hotel guests receive these as part of their stay, but they’re also available for purchase online and onsite for $14.99.

FastPass+: A complimentary reservations system that allows you to book a time slot for rides and attractions across Disney World’s four theme parks, bypassing the standby queue. You may book three experiences per day in one park, adding more once those have been redeemed. Passes are not unlimited and popular attractions will book out, sometimes months in advance.

Extra Magic Hours: Bonus hours where Disney World’s four theme parks are open to guests at Disney-affiliated hotels before and after regular operating hours. At least one park per day will open an hour early or stay open an hour past closing for resort guests.

PhotoPass: A service that stations official Disney photographers in popular photo locations across Disney World’s theme parks. Disney’s PhotoPass photographers will happily take pictures using your personal camera, so you can get some great photos of the whole family.

Six months out

  • Pick your travel dates. The parks tend to be most crowded during spring break, the Christmas holiday season and the summer months, with lulls in late January, February and in the early fall. Check Disney World’s calendar or one of the popular third-party crowd projectors like Touring Plans for events that may cause the parks to be more crowded on the weekends, like RunDisney races, which typically take place in November, January, February, and April, or seasonal events like the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival in the fall.
  • Secure your hotel reservation. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is between staying at a Disney resort hotel or off-site. Disney World has more than 25 onsite resort hotels like
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

and

Disney’s Beach Club Resort

. Guests there receive benefits like complimentary Magical Express transportation to and from the Orlando International Airport, as well as advance booking for FastPass+ and Extra Magic Hours. The latter are also available for guests at many Disney partner hotels, including the

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort

,

Four Seasons Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

,

Waldorf Astoria Orlando

, and Disney Springs resort area hotels. Staying onsite can be expensive—you’re paying for proximity and easy theme park access—but there’s almost always a deal to be found.

  • Book your dining reservations. It may seem strange to think about where you’ll want to eat six months from now, but reservations open 180 days out and peak dining times at many of Disney’s most popular restaurants, like Be Our Guest, which takes you inside the castle from Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella’s Royal Table, inside Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle, fill up months in advance.

Three to four months out

  • Decide what kind of park ticket you want. Single-day tickets start at $109 for adults (ages 10 and up) and $104 for children ages 3-9. Children under age 3 do not require an admission ticket. Tickets are cheaper per day the longer you stay—a five-day park ticket is just $83 per day. If you want to visit more than one park per day, the option to park hop adds $60 per day. Can’t decide? You can always upgrade at the park entrance or your hotel’s concierge desk—but not online.
  • Buy tickets for seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary-Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. These events take place at the Magic Kingdom on select nights during the fall. (They don’t directly correspond to the precise day of the holiday; the Halloween parties are held August through October, and the Christmas ones, November through December.) Even if you’re not planning to attend, take note—the park closes as early as 6 p.m. on these dates, meaning you can’t see the nightly fireworks show without an additional admission ticket. Epcot’s seasonal festivals, including Food & Wine or Flower & Garden, are included in park admission and don’t impact operating hours, but some parts of the event like cooking demonstrations or wine tastings require an additional fee.
  • Check each park’s hours and develop a rough idea of which ones you want to visit and which attractions are on your must-do list so you’re prepared when your FastPass+ booking window opens.

60 days out

  • Book your FastPass+ reservations. This is the most important date to remember. Guests at Disney’s onsite and partner hotels may do so 60 days before their check-in date; the service is available at 30 days for all other park visitors. Quantities are limited and popular attractions often run out weeks in advance, so if you absolutely must experience Avatar Flight of Passage (and you should), Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land, or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this is your chance to lock that in.
  • Be sure everyone in your travel party has a profile on My Disney Experience and a park ticket assigned to their account, and that all of your accounts are linked together as “friends & family” before attempting to book your FastPass+ reservations. Otherwise you’ll be frustrated when you can’t book your whole group together to meet Mickey Mouse or ride Kilimanjaro Safaris.
  • If you’re flying to Orlando and staying at a Disney World hotel, add your flight information to your reservation to book Disney’s Magical Express transportation

Mexico and the Caribbean Are the Most Popular Destinations This Summer

a large body of water with a city in the background: Mexico, Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta, Old town, Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and El Malecon boardwalk

This year, summer travel to Cancún is expected to drop by five percent — however, the stunning Mexican beachside city is still the number one most popular international summer destination for U.S. travelers in 2019, according to a new survey by Allianz Global Assistance.

Cancún took first place for the third straight year. It is joined on the top 10 list by two other Mexican destinations, San José del Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, which came in third and ninth, respectively. This year was the first that Europe favorites London and Paris were not in the top 10.

Allianz Global Assistance analyzed travel bookings planned from the end of May through beginning of September, and found that all of this year’s top international destinations are in Mexico and the Caribbean.

“Americans are staying closer to home this summer, with all top 10 international destinations in the Caribbean and Mexico for the first time,” Daniel Durazo, director of communications at Allianz Global Assistance USA, said in a statement.

Here are the top 10 international summer destinations:

  1. Cancún, Mexico
  2. Aruba Island, Aruba
  3. San José del Cabo, Mexico
  4. Nassau, Bahamas
  5. Higuey, Dominican Republic
  6. Montego Bay, Jamaica
  7. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
  8. San Juan, Puerto Rico (including in Allianz survey as international, however it is part of the U.S.
  9. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
  10. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Domestically, U.S. travelers are planning travel to Orlando and New York City, which took the number one and two domestic spots respectively. The top 10 domestic summer destinations were:

  1. Orlando
  2. New York City
  3. Seattle
  4. Las Vegas
  5. Boston
  6. Los Angeles
  7. Maui
  8. Honolulu
  9. San Francisco
  10. Portland

Cyclists travel from Paris to Ancaster in fundraiser

PARIS — For Adam Herring the annual Paris to Ancaster bike race is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving.

For Rachel Lunam-Sweeney, it’s a fun event to kick off triathlon season and gauge her overall fitness level after a long winter.

A fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Heathcare Foundation, the 26th annual edition of the spring ritual on Sunday attracted about 2,500 cyclists, who rode 40- or 70-kilometre routes that included both on- and off-road riding.

“I’ve done a lot of races over the years but this is the one I enjoy the most,” said Lunam-Sweeney, 50. “It’s a fun race and I think what I enjoy the most is the unpredictable spring weather.

“I’ve raced under sunny skies, in the rain and the snow and sleet and that’s what makes it so much fun for me.”

Lunam-Sweeney competed in the Paris to Ancaster for the first time in 2011. She was a recreational bike rider and had some friends who were competing in the race.

“I spent a couple of years at the mud chute taking photographs of them as they came through,” Lunam-Sweeney said. “After doing that, I decided that I should give it a try.

Although she missed the race in 2017 and 2018 due to personal reasons, she was back in gear on Sunday.

“This year’s Paris to Ancaster did not disappoint,” Lunam-Sweeney said. “Mother Nature delivered some beautiful sunshine, cooler temperatures, a challenging brisk north east wind and of course lots of sticky heavy mud.

“I enjoyed the new course changes but was caught off-guard by the added distance – my Garmin tracked an additional six kilometres on the 40-kilometre route.”

Although disappointed with her overall performance, Lunam-Sweeney said she got a good indication of her fitness level going into this year’s triathlon season. She is gearing up for Ironman Cozumel in Mexico in November.

“I certainly suffered out there but it was a great day filled with lots of fun and I can’t wait to return again next year.”

Like a lot of other competitors, Lunam-Sweeney, enjoys the competition but also enjoys meeting so many other like-minded individuals.

“I find it so inspiring to be around so many people who are out there riding hard and enjoying the natural surroundings,” she said.

Herring’s first time in the race was the result of a Christmas present nine years ago courtesy of his wife, Terrie.

“It ranks right up there that’s for sure,” Herring, 50, said of the gift. “She entered me in the Paris to Ancaster bike race and gave that to me was Christmas gift.

“I think she was trying to tell me to quit my whining and get moving.”

Growing up, Herring was active and really enjoyed bike riding. But, as often happens, Herring, a graduate of Paris District High School, who now lives in Burford, put physical activity aside to concentrate on work. He is the owner of his own construction company, Fortress Concrete in Cambridge.

The Christmas gift changed all of that.

“The race was fine and it reminded me of how much I enjoy biking,” Herring said. “But it was a brutal reminder of how far I had fallen in terms of my conditioning.

“I think I finished the race in 200th spot in the 40K.”

Biking has once again become an important part of his life. The last time he competed in the 40K race, Herring finished fifth.

On Sunday, Herring, a member of the Brant Cycling Club, competed in the 70-kilometre race in just under three hours.

“It was a great ride and the weather was certainly a lot better than we had expected,” he said. “They were talking about snow and it ended up being bright and sunny.”

But the result isn’t the most important part of Herring’s return to biking.

“It’s a great way to relieve stress and forget about work for awhile,” he said. “Most of what I do is mountain biking and you really need to concentrate when you’re out on your bike.

“You have to forget about everything else including work or you’re going to run into a tree.”

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