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Last Updated 24 hours ago

Who’s up for an adventure?

Typically, winter travelers stay close to home for winter sun and save up for a big summer trip, but why wait?!

Life is short. Sometimes you just gotta say fu…

Fun is calling. Yeah, that’s what I was gonna say.

The world is a big place, but it seems a lot smaller when there are nonstop flights to far-flung destinations.

Good news for Americans is one of the most exciting new routes was just launched to an incredible warm weather city in ‘the land down under’.

While it might be tempting to explore Melbourne’s buzzing streets or pose in front of Sydney’s world-famous Opera House, there’s another Australian city deserving of a seat at the table with 3 nonstops routes from the U.S.

Brisbane: One Of Australia’s Coolest Cities

Ever heard of Brisbane? Let’s refresh your memory.

If you’re like me, one of the most famous Aussies was a childhood hero of mine.

You know who I’m talking about, the Crocodile Hunter himself, Steve Irwin. Just north of Brisbane was Steve’s playground for all his thrilling animal encounters.

His parents founded Beerwah Reptile Park, where he was practically raised, is now the world famous Australia Zoo, home to 1,200 animals and counting.

Say what you want about zoos, but this one has to be the exception to any hesitations as you won’t be able to withhold your enthusiasm for wildlife in typical Irwin fashion.

Tip: the zoo offers day tours from Brisbane every day at 9am.

That being said, the zoo is not the only reason to jet off to Brisbane – it’s truly an awesome city to explore, especially when it’s 85 degrees here and freezing back home.

Here in Brisbane, the outdoors seem to come alive, whether perusing trendy neighborhoods and enjoying a coffee under a shaded patio, to going for a swim at the man-made urban oasis, Streets Beach (free admission!).

And that’s just within the cityscape. Brisbane is best explored as a region rather than staying within arm’s reach of the pretty skyline.

Come hungry, pack your swimwear and hiking shoes, and you’re sure to have an unforgettable trip discovering Aussie’s paradises, such as Nudgee Beach, Suttons Beach, and D’Aguilar National Park.

Jaw-Dropping Coastlines & Kangaroos On The Beach

Brisbane is set on prime real estate with its own set of beautiful beaches but also within 2 hours of both Sunshine Coast to the north and slightly closer Gold Coast to the south.

Within Brisbane, visitors will love hitting up Suttons and Nudgee as I just highlighted, but also Shorncliffe Beach lined with fish ‘n chip eateries and the reddish sands of Redcliffe Beach as well.

There are too many to name, but what may be most enticing is a trip to Brisbane’s numerous islands, which may fly under the radar.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a trip to Australia without kangaroo sightings – but why not level up with said sightings on the beach?

Bribie Island is home to unbounded Eastern Grey kangaroos, among other wildlife.

Just try to avoid getting into a boxing match as seen on some viral TikTok clips albeit you probably stand a better chance than whatever the world just witnessed watching Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson…what was that?!

For more tame wildlife sightings, head to North Stradbroke Island by ferry from Cleveland for out-of-this-world beaches and whale sightings.

For more insight on Brisbane’s top islands, check out Australia’s official tourism page here.

Reaching Brisbane From The U.S.

The West Coast had a monopoly on Brisbane’s direct flights, but yippy ki yay, there’s a new sheriff in town.

Dallas has entered the chat, launching the Lone Star State’s most exciting new route on October 26th.

Now that the new flight has commenced, all of America top dogs fly to Brisbane nonstop – Delta, United, and the latest to the party, American, who also just announced 2 new routes to Italy as well.

Here is the full rundown for Brisbane – U.S. flights:

• Los Angeles: United flies from LAX on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday on a 13 hour 25 minute flight
• San Francisco: Delta flies from SFO excluding Monday and Thursday on a 13 hour 5 minute flight
• Dallas: American flies out of DFW every day at 9:40am on a 14 hour 55 minute flight

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Last Updated 9 mins ago

There’s no shortage of paradises to choose from for digital nomads to pack their bags and jet off to, but there’s one more to add to the list, with a new airport expected to put this coastal gem on the map.

The Mediterranean is teeming with blue-water shores and laid-back communities embracing the nomad lifestyle, but not all of them can be crowned the best of Europe.

Fortune just released their list of ‘Best European Cities for Digital Nomads 2024′ and the top dog was a real surprise.

Albania has seen an influx of digital nomads since issuing an unofficial digital nomad visa in 2022, but many have opted to plant roots in the capital city, Tirana, among other quaint beach towns.

One is an absolute stunner, Vlorë. But we’ll go with the English version, Vlora, so I don’t have to keep inputting those weird dots.

Where In The World Is Vlora?

Vlora is Albania’s third largest city, located along pristine shores overlooking the Bay of Vlorë (those pesky dots again!), a passage almost a straight line from Italy’s trendiest escape, Lecce.

But this side of the passage will soon be Albania’s trendiest escape as the country continues to gain steam, largely in part to more hidden gems such as Vlora being uncovered.

This resort town is oozing potential as there are already ample upscale accommodations to enjoy for a serene vacation, but more notably, apartments can easily be scored for $400 per month.

Surrounded by more turquoise than a Santa Fe necklace, this delightful town is truly postcard-perfect when lounging at one of many idyllic beaches once you’re free from unnecessary Zoom calls.

According to TripAdvisor, these are Vlora’s top 3 beaches to scope out:

1. Gjipe Beach
2. Dhermi Beach
3. Pulabardha Beach

Being a rather large city, Vlore is decked out with charming Old Town cafes as well as co-working spaces, such as top-rated CoWorkingVlora, just a few blocks from the scenic Lungomare promenade.

While there’s already been an uptick in remote workers flocking here, expect even more cushy amenities to pop up once Vlora’s highly anticipated new airport opens.

Vlora’s New Airport Opens In March 2025

It’s important to note not all of Albania is well-developed. In other words, the backroads should be left to the pros.

Reaching Vlora will be so much easier come March 2025 when the new airport is slated to take flight for the first time.

Albania’s flagship carrier, Air Albania is leading the charge and you can surely expect other suitors as well.

Heck, if Ryanair is launching flights to Dakhla, Western Sahara of all places, don’t you think Vlora is on their radar?

For now, the easiest way to reach Vlora is by bus from Tirana, which is a well-connected city as Albania’s hype has soared.

For a more adventure option, you could also fly into Corfu or various Italian ports (Bari, Brindisi, and Lecce, as previously stated) and take a ferry.

Although, the more reasonable avenue may be simply to wait on more news regarding Vlora’s new flights.

Albania’s Digital Nomad Appeal

Albania as a whole is a great blend of cultural experiences, cheap living, and unbounded natural beauty. Oh, and the food is pretty top notch too comparable to Greek’s most notable dishes.

There are a multitude of reasons for general travelers to visit, but digital nomads can soak up the most benefits here.

Albania’s nomad-catered ‘Unique Permit’ was a nice selling point for remote workers, but what you may not know is you don’t need a visa at all up to one year.

That’s right; American tourists can stay within Albania’s border up to 12 months without the hassle of bureaucratic paperwork – just a stamp and you’re good to go.

The Unique Permit is a straightforward application process and offers nomads the options to stay up to 5 years.

Narrowing down to Vlora; there’s no better place to call home.

With $400 apartments, comfortable co-working spaces, and delightful cafes in one of Europe’s most underrated Old Town districts, your day-to-day backdrop couldn’t be more enchanting when perusing timeless streets or enjoying a beach day.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

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Last Updated 1 min ago

Cancun may have the all-inclusive hotels, Puerto Vallarta the golden sand beaches, and there’s truly no beating Cabo’s wellness tourism scene, but this season, it’s Veracruz that’s stealing the limelight in Mexico as one of the country’s fastest-growing destinations.

Located on the Gulf Coast, it was formerly one of the most popular beach getaways in the country before slowly fading into the background, as the Mexican Caribbean and the Pacific resort hubs soared in popularity, but it’s now making an unlikely comeback.

As stated by Iván Martínez Olvera, Veracruz has broken a series of tourism records this year, with a 100% increase in the number of visitors, and an even-more impressive 470% growth in regional tourism investment and development.

Figures aside, this means tourists are flocking back to Veracruz after years of just blatantly ignoring it, and it’s time we looked into the reasons why.

Veracruz Is One Of The Cultural Capitals Of Mexico!

First of all, it may have something to do with the fact that Veracruz is one of the most culturally-significant cities in the country, as it is Mexico’s oldest and largest port, founded as early as the 16th century by the Spanish.

It has an architectural wealth to rival Mexico City and Merida, with a landmark-packed historic center playing host to grand plazas, left virtually untouched since the Europeans first settled the area, beautiful churches and pedestrian-friendly lanes.

Think the monumental Castle of San Juan de Ulúa, a European-style fortress guarding the entrance to the harbor, the Municipal Palace, dating as far back as the year 1608, or the historical Venustiano Carranza Lighthouse, a neoclassical building with a palatial design.

The whitewashed Cathedral of Veracruz, finished in 1731, is yet another of Veracruz’ top attractions, distinguished by its five naves, richly-decorated cupola, clad in tiles extracted from Puebla, a fellow colonial gem of Mexico, and a crystal candelabra-lit interior.

Sandy Beaches For Miles On End…

Aside from the obvious historical value, Veracruz straddles the bright-blue Gulf of Mexico, with the local malecón (the popular Mexican word for boardwalk) stretching for several long miles from the colonial center, all the way into the fringe areas of town.

It offers breathtaking ocean vistas, and the taco and tamales stalls, souvenir shops, and laid-back restaurants make it an incredibly lively area to stroll day and night, and if it’s unspoiled beaches you’re looking for, look no further than these:

• Playa de Chachalacas, a peaceful sandy strip hugged by the warm waters of the Gulf, with tall dunes and limited development along the shoreline
• Costa Esmeralda, an off-path beach strip lined with tall palm trees, with beachfront stays starting at a shockingly-cheap $52
• Playa Martí, a short drive from the city center, with clean sand and serene waters, often preferred by families with small children
• Playa Mocambo, one of the best-equipped beaches near Veracruz, boasting a wide range of amenities, from spas to camping areas to tourist-friendly restaurants
• Isla Sacrificios, an islet lying just off the city harbor surrounded by a colorful coral reef, with a handful of white-sand beaches

How Actually Cheap Is Veracruz To Visit?

If you’re wondering how much cheaper Veracruz is compared to other Mexican beach hotspots, we don’t have an exact average to present you, but we can say it’s for sure on the more economical side, especially when paired with Cancun:

It’s not yet been converted into a resort haven for Americans and other gringos arriving from abroad, and the majority of the clientele remains Mexican families escaping the overpriced, jam-packed Caribbean and Pacific coasts, so prices tend to reflect the local purchasing power.

Out of the seven 5-star hotels listed on Booking.com, Gran Hotel Diligencias on the Veracruz boardwalk is the most affordable this season, with double room rates set at $64, while the pool-featuring, beach-facing Camino Real Veracruz is a moderately-priced $129.

The most expensive option is Grand Fiesta Americana Veracruz, where a king-size deluxe room will set you back by $212 per night: with 2 pools, 3 restaurants, a fitness center, poolside bar, private beach access, and airport shuttle included, it’s the closest one to a Cancun-style stay.

Nonstop flights to trendy Veracruz are available from 2 U.S. airports this winter, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston Intercontinental, respectively with American Eagle and United Airlines, with one-way fares averaging $249 for the former and $317 for the latter.

When it comes to safety, the Gulf city is among the least-dangerous destinations south of the border, officially ranking as a Level 2 destination in the U.S. State Department Advisory, on a par with Cancun and Los Cabos, and having ‘moderate’ levels of crime as seen on Numbeo.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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Last Updated 2 years ago

Delta Airlines CEO, Ed Bastian, has suggested air fares will increase by up to 30% in the summer months. With rising fuel costs, rising demand, and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic—travelers are witnessing rising air fares in the United States and the rest of the world. 

When speaking to investors, Ed Bastian said: “We expect pricing this summer to be up probably somewhere between 25% and 30% on average,”

He added: “We’ve never seen anything of that scale.”

According to statistics, airfares in the United States are up by 25% in the previous 12 months. In fact, airfares jumped by a staggering 16.8% in April alone. 

So what should travelers do? Read on to find out!

What Has Delta Airlines Said and How Will It Affect Travelers? 

Delta Airlines has predicted its revenue in Q2 will be back to pre-pandemic levels for the first time, even with fewer flights than in 2019. They expect their revenue to be up 8% more than previously expected. 

So this is good news for the airlines, right? 

Sure.

But it’s not great for travelers like me and you. 

The rising fuel costs are due to soar up to 22% above 2018 levels on a per-seat basis, which is more severe than the mid-April forecast of 17%. In addition, many airlines are contending with staff shortages that sometimes require higher worker pay.

As a result, Delta Airlines are raising flight prices to make up for the increased fuel costs.

Although thousands of travelers are complaining about the rising airfares on social media, many airline executives are reluctant to say it’ll deter travelers from traveling this year.

Speaking at the same event, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, said: “It you’re worried about pricing destroying demand, you are betting against history,” 

He suggests air fares are only back to where they were in 2014 after adjusting for inflation. 

Helane Becker, Senior Research Analyst at Cowen, told Bloomberg TV on Monday: “We’re worried about September and what happens in the fall. Avgas prices are going up and up. Airlines are finding labor costs are going up, fuel costs are going up, airport costs are going up. They are facing huge inflationary pressures and need to raise ticket prices and at some point, the consumer is going to say ‘okay, we’ve done our travel, and we’re done, we cannot (afford) to fly again,”

What About International Travel? 

For the most part, the increased domestic demand in the United States is driving the rise in flight prices. Although some Americans are traveling overseas after the COVID-19 pandemic—numbers are still down on pre-pandemic levels.

Therefore, international airfares purchased in the United States remain down on pre-pandemic levels. 

So travelers can still find excellent deals of flights to Europe, South America, and even the Caribbean or Mexico.

Americans looking to travel within Europe will face the same issues with flight prices. According to Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary, flight prices in Europe may increase to a “high single-digit per cent.”

He said: “It seems to us that there will be higher prices into that peak summer period because there’s so much demand for the beaches of Europe and those price rises going to continue,”

The Fast Travel Rebound: How This Affects Travelers

Travel has returned back to pre-pandemic levels within North America in 2022, which is faster than many economists and travel experts expected.

In turn, this has enabled airlines to raise prices for travelers. 

However, despite the sharp rebound, travelers are witnessing enormous waiting times and issues at airports due to airlines failing to prepare for the massive travel rebound. 

There is also a massive shortage in pilots in the United States. Delta Airlines recently trimmed its summer schedule by up to 3% to enable more time between flights and a smoother service in light of the recent issues. 

Final Thoughts 

Don’t let the rise in prices put you off traveling in 2022. There are still excellent flight deals out there—especially to Mexico and Europe. 

Yes, flights are skyrocketing in the United States. But with the world finally reopening, now might be the best time to travel overseas.

Flight Cancelled? Refund Polices Of Major U.S. Airlines

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

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