Tag: World Travel

How to Get Cheap Wi-Fi Abroad

mywebspot cheap wifi abroad 1600

For now us Brits have the benefit of free data roaming within the EU, but it’s not always enough to take the sting out of our holiday Wi-Fi costs. If you’re holidaying outside Europe, you’ve already gone over your data allowance, or your party has tablets and laptops without data SIMs, many hotels and resorts still charge extortionate fees for what is usually slow- and time-limited Wi-Fi access.

MyWebspot is a 4G-rental service that has the power to change this. You pay a daily charge for a mobile Wi-Fi router that you can use in more than 100 countries, which can be shipped directly to your resort along with a pre-paid envelope into which you can simply pop the device and drop it in a post box on your way home.

The service offers ‘unlimited’ 4G LTE data, which can be shared with up to five users via the supplied mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. It has a daily fair-usage policy, which means once you go over the limit your bandwidth drops to an almost unusable 256kbps, but the allowances are generous in most parts of the world (as outlined in the table below).

 

Pricing is dependent on the location of your trip, but the most expensive option that covers worldwide use is €9.90/£8.92/US$11.48 per day. In most European holiday locations you’ll pay either €7.90/£7.12/$9.16 (France, Spain, Italy) or €8.90/£8.02/$10.32 (Germany, UK) per day, and can check the exact pricing on the site.

At first glance this seems rather expensive, but take into account that once you have gone over your phone’s data limit the charges for extra data can be insane and quickly rack up – Vodafone, for example, charges £6.50 for each additional 250MB if you don’t amend your plan.

You should note that delivery- and return charges are not free if you are unable to take advantage of one of the pick-up locations at Madrid, Barcelona and Paris airports or 18,000 locations in France. Within Europe it’s €4.90/£4.42/$5.68 for standard delivery/returns (48 hours) and €14.90/£13.43/$17.27 for express delivery (24 hours), but elsewhere in the world standard delivery/returns costs €9.90/£8.92/$11.48.

How to use MyWebspot

The idea of having a device shipped out to you at your holiday destination might seem offputting: what if you can’t figure out how to use it, what if it’s rubbish? How will you even know where to send it?

Fortunately, MyWebspot could not be simpler to use, and if necessary it can be delivered to your home address before you leave (the option we chose). It is the same device as that used by GlocalMe, a service that allows you to purchase data on a PAYG basis abroad (reviewed here), which meant it was instantly familiar to us.

It is a mobile Wi-Fi router that comes completely ready to go, along with a carry case that includes a local Micro-USB charger and lanyard. Once fully charged (which can take up to 3.5 hours) the battery lasts eight hours, which is plenty of pool time, and it still works while charging when you’re back in your room.

We found the device could get rather warm (not too hot to touch) while charging, but there is a definite element of you’re only renting this thing so it’s not your responsibility. Don’t be too careless, however, because you’ll be charged €180 if you fail to return the device (€90 if you’ve added insurance for damage or loss).

You turn on the MyWebspot device using its power button, and it will automatically connect to a local 4G LTE network, offering theoretical download speeds up to 100Mbps and uploads up to 40Mbps (shared when more than one device is connected). In our tests south of Lake Garda we found an average download speed of 33.5Mbps, and upload speed of 26.8Mbps.

If this is the first time using it then it may take a couple of minutes to connect, but in general connection is fairly rapid – or at least that was our experience when testing in Italy last week.

There are three LED icons on the front: Wi-Fi, signal strength and Battery. As soon as the Wi-Fi icon is lit it’s ready to go, and you can pick up the 802.11b/g/n network it creates on your phone, tablet or laptop as you would any other Wi-Fi router. The SSID and password can be found printed on a label on the back.

We were surprised by just how easy the MyWebspot was to pick up and use. Indeed, we spent the first five minutes looking for some sort of companion app that we assumed would be necessary for tracking usage, but there is none. This is good and bad: ideal for simplicity, but being able to track usage would be useful when you have five people using the connection to stream YouTube videos and Netflix movies.

Of course, there are some steps you can take to reduce Wi-Fi usage abroad, such as turning off photo backup services such as Google Photos and iCloud, downloading Netflix or YouTubeshows before you leave home, and using free local Wi-Fi where it is available.

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 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.

14 Incredible Places to Visit If You Need Peace and Relaxation

Slide 1 of 15: Halong Bay, Vietnam

Halong Bay, Vietnam

Slide 2 of 15: You can find dozens of beautiful beaches in Hawaii, but Lumahai is particularly special for travelers who want to get away from it all. This white sand beach is ideal for lounging in the sun, or for experienced surfers to catch some waves. It’s not recommended for swimming, however, due to the strong undertow.

Lumahai Beach, Kauai, Hawaii

You can find dozens of beautiful beaches in Hawaii, but Lumahai is particularly special for travelers who want to get away from it all. This white sand beach is ideal for lounging in the sun, or for experienced surfers to catch some waves. It’s not recommended for swimming, however, due to the strong undertow.

Slide 3 of 15: What could be more idyllic than strolling the cape, exploring lighthouses? This town is the home of the Cape Elizabeth Light (or Two Lights lighthouse) that has been active since 1874. Other than the interesting history and classic New England architecture, Cape Elizabeth is also one of the best places to get juicy lobster.

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

What could be more idyllic than strolling the cape, exploring lighthouses? This town is the home of the Cape Elizabeth Light (or Two Lights lighthouse) that has been active since 1874. Other than the interesting history and classic New England architecture, Cape Elizabeth is also one of the best places to get juicy lobster.

Slide 4 of 15: Banff National Park is chock full of amazing scenery and crystalline lakes, but Lake Louise might be best (and most relaxing) of them all. Campers and hikers alike can settle by its perfectly blue waters and gaze at mountain views that seem almost too pristine to be real — luckily, it is. And it’s quite possibly the perfect, relaxing vacation for lovers of the great outdoors.

Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

Banff National Park is chock full of amazing scenery and crystalline lakes, but Lake Louise might be best (and most relaxing) of them all. Campers and hikers alike can settle by its perfectly blue waters and gaze at mountain views that seem almost too pristine to be real — luckily, it is. And it’s quite possibly the perfect, relaxing vacation for lovers of the great outdoors.

Slide 5 of 15: Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, Rio Celeste is known for its vividly blue color, almost unlike any other waterfall in the world. The bright coloring is actually a reaction of the volcanic chemicals in the water, but against the tropical backdrop and rushing waves, it looks practically magical.

Rio Celeste Falls, Costa Rica

Located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, Rio Celeste is known for its vividly blue color, almost unlike any other waterfall in the world. The bright coloring is actually a reaction of the volcanic chemicals in the water, but against the tropical backdrop and rushing waves, it looks practically magical.

Slide 6 of 15: Anglophiles will find paradise in East Sussex. Rolling green hills and a close proximity to the English channel make Seven Sisters the quintessential English countryside that you’ve only ever read about in a Victorian novel. You’ll also find picturesque white chalk cliffs if you decide to take a stroll there.

Seven Sisters, East Sussex, England

Anglophiles will find paradise in East Sussex. Rolling green hills and a close proximity to the English channel make Seven Sisters the quintessential English countryside that you’ve only ever read about in a Victorian novel. You’ll also find picturesque white chalk cliffs if you decide to take a stroll there.

Slide 7 of 15: Nordfjord is one of the top destinations in Norway thanks to its breathtaking views. Visitors can take a long, slow pleasure cruise along the fjord and see a wide array of sights including glaciers, mountains, and the open sea — all in just a two hour trip. It’s a perfect place for anyone who wants to get back to nature.

Nordfjord, Norway

Nordfjord is one of the top destinations in Norway thanks to its breathtaking views. Visitors can take a long, slow pleasure cruise along the fjord and see a wide array of sights including glaciers, mountains, and the open sea — all in just a two hour trip. It’s a perfect place for anyone who wants to get back to nature.

Slide 8 of 15: Blue Lagoon is by far the most popular tourist destination that Iceland has to offer. This geothermal spa is located in a lava field and attached to a world-renowned resort, where you can soak in the warm waters even when the temperatures are freezing outside. On clear nights, during certain parts of the year, you can even see the Northern Lights as you soak.

 

Navagio Beach, Greece

Navagio means “shipwreck,” and it was once thought to be a hotspot for smugglers, but you won’t find a lot of wreckage these days. Instead, you’ll find crystal blue water and pristine sands. One of the largest of the Ionian Islands, its rugged but serene beaches are gorgeous enough to make anyone scrolling through your Instagram swoon with envy.

Slide 11 of 15: Whitehaven is known as one of Australia’s best beaches and it’s easy to see why. The pure white, silica sand and emerald waters make this place look almost too good to be true for travelers looking for some R&R. If you go north to Hill Inlet, you’ll see an mesmerizing swirl of white and blue, created by shifting sands and water.

Whitehaven Beach, Australia

Whitehaven is known as one of Australia’s best beaches and it’s easy to see why. The pure white, silica sand and emerald waters make this place look almost too good to be true for travelers looking for some R&R. If you go north to Hill Inlet, you’ll see an mesmerizing swirl of white and blue, created by shifting sands and water.

Slide 12 of 15: Wild animals may not be everyone’s idea of relaxation, but adventurers in need of some repose can journey to this remote safari camp that not only offers safaris, birdwatching, and views of natural wildlife, but also some luxurious accommodations, including a Wellbeing Space with a pool, spa, and dining areas.

13/15 SLIDES © jokoleo/Getty Images

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

Get your Instagram followers ready, because they’re about to see a lot of sunset pictures if you go to this beautiful beach in Bali. Beyond enjoying the relaxed, coastal living that travelers have come to expect from a trip to Bali, capturing the colorful sunset (or sunrise) along the shallow waters of Sanur is a must.

Slide 14 of 15: Peace and quiet don’t begin to describe the beauty of Ise Jingu, a grand Shinto shrine dedicated to the Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Even though it’s a widely known tourist attraction, the shrine complex manages to maintain its tranquility. It is one of the holiest places in the Japan, and people often go there to revere its beautiful architecture, natural scenery, and historical significance.
 

Ise Jingu, Japan

Peace and quiet don’t begin to describe the beauty of Ise Jingu, a grand Shinto shrine dedicated to the Japanese goddess Amaterasu. Even though it’s a widely known tourist attraction, the shrine complex manages to maintain its tranquility. It is one of the holiest places in the Japan, and people often go there to revere its beautiful architecture, natural scenery, and historical significance.

Slide 15 of 15: If you’re looking for serene blue and green waters, look no further. Halong Bay is most popular with boat lovers who want to spend some days on the water, or perhaps exploring the limestone islands and rainforests. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since it’s home to dozens of species of plants and animals.

 

Halong Bay, Vietnam

If you’re looking for serene blue and green waters, look no further. Halong Bay is most popular with boat lovers who want to spend some days on the water, or perhaps exploring the limestone islands and rainforests. The area is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since it’s home to dozens of species of plants and animals.

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
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