Adventure Awaits, But First…

Here’s some of the latest

• Marriott and IHG are looking to expand their presence in Europe but not how you would expect. Instead of expanding through new construction which would take far more time and jumping through increased regulation, these two hotel giants will look to purchase existing properties. Marriott is looking to purchase nearly 100 hotels focusing mostly in Italy, Britain, and Spain. IHG just inked a 30 year deal with Germany’s largest family run hospitality groups.

• The Department of Transportation has installed new rules for airlines addressing a long standing issue for travelers. Most importantly, airlines will now be required to provide cash refunds to customers instead of those insulting travel vouchers for seriously delayed flights or canceled flights. This move also requires airlines to better disclose fees for baggage.

• European cities are continuing their fight against overtourism. Amsterdam has announced that the city will no longer allow new hotel construction unless another closes. The city is also limiting the number of visitors who can stay at the city’s hotels limiting hotels to 20 million overnight stays. Venice has begun charging tourists a 5 USD entrance fee to enter the city as officials believe the city can not withstand the shear number of visitors.

Global Trivia!

Which country has the oldest flag?

Try this, Not that

Overtourism is really becoming a problem for many sites around the world. Here are some suggestions for sites that I think are worth visiting so we can give their counterpart a break

Angkor Wat

It is no secret how mystifying the legendary temple is, with over 2 million tourists flocking here to place their eyes on the site. Officials have made attempts to preserve the ancient site but it is difficult with the shear volume of visitors. Here are some potential alternatives that will still fill you with awe.

 Beng Mealea is near the Angkor Wat site and contains plenty of its own ruins but not nearly as intact as Angkor Wat. Sambor Prei Kuk features a series of brick temples that pre-date the Angkorian settlements.

What does breakfast look like around the world?

England - This one is a no brainer. The traditional english breakfast is a staple and offers a wide variety of tastes to start your day. The combination of items can vary depending on person or region but the standard is usually bacon, eggs, tomato, mushrooms, sausage, beans, and toast.

Costa Rica - The base of any good Costa Rican breakfast begins with Gallo Pinto (my personal favorite). The name of the rice and bean dish translates to spotted rooster which many say the dish resembles. Gallo Pinto goes great with eggs, avocado, and a little bit of cheese.

Myanmar - Soup for breakfast? Absolutely. In Myanmar they serve up Mohinga for breakfast which is so popular its even the national dish. This soup has a fish based broth served with rice noodles, lemongrass, ginger, onions, and other other spices.

Mexico - This is another famous dish served at brunch spots all around. Chilaquiles is a simple dish but it goes a long way. Typically served with eggs and beans over tortillas.

If you loved these and want to see more breakfast dishes from around the world check it out here.

Travel Trends

In a survey from American Express, 89% of respondents are using travel hacks such as traveling during off-peak times or using credit card points to pay for travel.

Cooler the better. A travel company stated that 82% of its clients are opting for cooler places for their vacation stays.

No second chances. In a survey, 51% of customers stated they would no longer go to a destination or use a brand after a negative experience.

Trivia Answer:

D) Denmark! Their flag is the oldest continuously used flag in the world which was established back in 1625

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