We’ve written recently about the rambunctiousness in Istanbul and the potential impact on tourism. Now, it looks like protest-fever has spread to Brazil. Last night, more than 1 million people protested in the streets all across the country, raising questions about whether or not you want to be traveling there right now. The protests were generally peaceful, although there was some rock-throwing and an estimated 40 people were injured. Keep an eye on this situation.
As the summer travel season gets into full swing, there is a gnawing fear among would-be British travelers. Expat Health’s Bryony Ashcroft reports on a new study that finds that Brits’ greatest travel fear is ending up in a foreign hospital. Maybe they just need better travel insurance?
The Skytrax World Airline Awards have been announced, and global travelers have spoken. They say that Emirates Airline is the best in the world. The awards are voted on by 18.2 million passengers in 160 countries around the world, judging airlines on everything from cleanliness, to the quality of the in-flight food and entertainment.
When you’re not on Emirates, flying can be a frustrating, stress-inducing experience. Airline rules generally seem to have no basis whatsoever in logic. The Wall Street Journal’s Scott McCartney ponders the absurdity of how airlines operate, and wonders what the world would be like if it were run like an airline.
Speaking of absurdities, some countries have some crazy laws on the books that you should be aware of. At Huffington Post, Lisa Miller runs down 10 loony laws you don’t want to run afoul of.
A new study suggests that India would be wise to institute a sweeping HIV testing program. The New York Times’ Donald McNeil reports that the study shows that even though India has a population of 800 million sexually active adults, it would still be cost effective to test all of them every five years.
As someone who’s headed to Paris in a couple weeks, I’m glad to see this. At CNN, James Durston reports that the Paris Tourism Board and the Paris Chamber of Commerce have teamed up to introduce a “charm manual” to school the locals on how to be polite to foreign visitors. Tres bien!
The idea of climbing Mt. Everest is very intriguing to me, except for the fact that it’s so cold and the air is so thin. But a new app could be just the ticket to help me overcome these challenges. New York Times travel blogger Elaine Glusac has the details on the new Mt. Everest 3D app.
And, finally, sometimes things just don’t go your way. Gadling’s Libby Zay reports that a recent United flight from London to San Francisco apparently ran out of toilet paper. May this never happen to the flight you’re on.
