3 Surprising European Cities Breaking All-Time Visitor Records

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As summer slowly approaches, you’ve likely already scoured the interwebs for travel deals to some of the world’s top destinations. So they say…

The past few years have seen travelers scoping out the lesser-known rather than following the crowds to places so publicized it feels like we’ve already been.

For example, can you believe I’ve never been to Cancun? It’s true. As an American, some people find that hard to fathom, even more so when they discover I’ve been to 16 other destinations in Mexico.

Tourists visiting vibrant plaza in Brussels, Belgium

As for Europe, it took me 34 years to finally go to Paris, and I still haven’t been to Barcelona or Rome.

But enough about me. It’s become clear as day more travelers in general are scratching their travel itch beyond the norm, helping certain destinations to break tourism records in the process.

In fact, we at Travel Off Path are encouraging travelers to go, well, off-path this summer, instead of the household names we all think we’re supposed to visit.

If you need a little push to help you decide where to go, these 3 surprising European cities are breaking all-time visitor records:

Katowice, Poland

Sprawling cityscape of Katowice, Poland

Let’s get the awkwardness out of the way. There’s nothing worse than reading a word over and over without knowing how to pronounce it.

Katowice is pronounced Kah-toh-VEE-tseh. Yeah…surprised me too.

Regardless, Katowice is a vibrant Polish city attracting a record number of travelers, on track for 7 million, which would beat out the previous record of 6.4 million.

Home to captivating museums, trendy neighborhoods, timeless plazas, purposeful green spaces, and thrilling festivals held throughout the year, Katowice is a well-balanced mix of old and new with something for everyone, but the biggest draw is how cheap it is.

You can easily find a 4-star hotel in the $60 range, if not cheaper. Check Mercure Katowice Centrum.

Mariacka pedestrian street and Virgin Mary church in Katowice, Poland

Located in the Silesia region, which also touches Czech Republic and Germany, you’ll find a distinct cuisine here beyond the typical meat platters you might envision indulging in when visiting Poland.

A couple of must-try eats are kluski śląskie (dumplings) and modra kapusta (braised cabbage), and there’s no better place than always-buzzing Mariacka Street.

Katowice isn’t just a foodie destination for adventurous palettes; it’s one of the best destinations to learn more about world history with easy gateways to fascinating sites and landmarks, such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (an hour away; free admission)

Brussels, Belgium

Vibrant street in Brussels

Brussels is a city we all know the name, but likely haven’t been. At least that’s the way it used to be…

Over 10 million travelers now step foot into Brussels’ wondrous cityscape with possibly even more for 2025.

Belgium’s capital is making a name for itself with award-winning restaurants taking over the food scene and has become one of Europe’s easiest cities to reach, even for Americans.

Even more enticing is a majority of residents speak english, making your travels easier to navigate.

Don’t be like me and just point and awkwardly mimic what you want. But hey, at least “waffle” seems to be a pretty universal word anyway.

Grand Place in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels offers U.S. travelers 6 direct flights from major American airports and there’s seemingly a new train to/from Brussels launching every month to a notable European city.

Once here, you’ll find an impressive array of world-class museums, grand palaces, and stunningly beautiful architecture, and perhaps best all, Brussels super easy to explore since public transit only costs about $2.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Not every traveler is up for a winter wonderland trip of a lifetime, but if you fit the bill, there’s no better place than Rovaniemi, Finland, the official ‘hometown’ of the man, the myth, the legend, and who very disappointedly turned out to be my parents — Santa Claus.

Santa's Village in Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi has garnered newfound fame through the rise of viral social media videos with epic visuals of Northern Lights, real-life reindeer, and believe it or not, Santa’s Village, including a post office for Santa’s letters, and in the spirit of Christmas cheer, it’s always free to enter.

It’s truly a one-of-a-kind city, but it’s become such a draw that the airport is having to undergo an extensive makeover before next winter’s booming season.

Rovaniemi may be the most visited, but it’s beautiful in summer too, especially for those who don’t want to pack more layers than the Michelin man.

You will want to pack a sleep mask, though. Instead of Northern Lights and endless snow, experience the Midnight Sun this summer, where the sun refuses to set, creating never-ending bright days and golden “nights”.

Northern Lights in Rovaniemi, Finland in winter

Good news is Rovaniemi summers sees consistent days of 65 -72 degree weather, which is a practically scorching for the Arctic Circle.

Regardless of weather, a Finnish staple are saunas. No, not the ones bothers to wipe down at your local gym. When visiting Rovaniemi, make sure to hit up a lakeside sauna, a truly enjoyable experience to rejuvenate amongst some of the Arctic’s most astounding scenery.

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Move Over Maldives! This Paradise Island With White Sand Beaches Is Breaking Tourism Records

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When you think of remote tropical islands surrounded by turquoise seas and home to luxury all-inclusive resorts, the Maldives are probably at the top of your head.

Known precisely for being less accessible than all your usual Caribbean hotspots—thus, more exclusive—the Indian Ocean country is seen by many as the ultimate sunny getaway:

People will save up for years to spend a single week lounging on its paradisaical beaches.

But what if we told there’s an even more offbeat Maldives dupe that’s not as expensive, and despite its relative anonymity, at least among Americans, has been rising fast in popularity lately?

Aerial View Of A Pier In Salt Island, Cape Verde

The Maldives Alternative You’ve Never Even Heard About

Last year, the lesser-known island-nation of Cape Verde, lying off the coast of West Africa, has set new tourism records, hosting over 1.2 million guests.

Though it may not seem like much, this is a country that, similarly to the Maldives, only has about 522,000 inhabitants.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the country, you should know Cape Verde comprises 10 main islands, scattered loosely in an archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean.

Its official language is Portuguese, by virtue of having been a Portuguese colony, and its culture is largely informed by a mix of Southern European, West African, and even Brazilian influences.

Let’s talk islands:

Young Woman Resting On A Beach In Sal, Cape Verde

An Island-Hopping Paradise

The Maldives comparisons likely arise from the island of Sal (Portuguese for Salt), a paradisaical gem surrounded by the turquoise-most seas you’ve ever seen, and where powdered-sugar, white sands extend for miles on end.

Sal is primarily a resort destination, with its hotel-lined beachfront and plethora of beaches.

Staying in the main town, Santa Maria, a small village by any means, with a laid-back atmosphere and a big choice of seafood restaurants, you should expect to pay between $40 (for a one-bedroom holiday rental apartment), and $201 (for an all-inclusive hotel like Meliá).

As you might have noticed, even a luxurious beach getaway in Cape Verde, or Sal specifically, is unlikely to hurt your wallet, with the average price of hotels set at $133, compared to the Maldives’ much-pricier $234.

Crystal Clear Seas In Cape Verde, West Africa

On top of accommodation, food in Cape Verde is generally affordable: ordering cachupa, a hearty stew of corn, beans, veggies and meat, from a local eatery will cost you around 550 Cape Verdean escudos, or approximately $5.51, while a pint of beer is an equally-cheap $3—3.76.

Granted, you won’t find the latter’s stunning rustic villas built on the water, connected by wooden pathways, but if it’s simply sunshine and relaxation you’re after, not the photo ops, it leaves nothing to be desired.

Cape Verde Is More Diverse Than The Maldives

Plus, Cape Verde offers a lot more diversity than the Maldives ever could.

Colorful Traditional Houses In Boa Vista, Cape Verde

The Maldives has many more islands, yet they’re largely similar in nature: they all have pristine beaches, vibrant-colored coral reefs, and crystalline seas. Unless you’ve booked yourself a resort with a wide range of amenities, it gets boring after a day or two.

Over in Cape Verde, the beaches of Sal, as dreamy as they may be, are not the only attraction around here:

For desert-like landscapes and even more secluded sandy beaches, Boa Vista is an offbeat island catering primarily to wellness-seekers and home to a limited number of guesthouses.

Staying in a single room at the privately-managed B&B Salinas, in Sal Rei, only a few steps from the beach, will run you up a mere $34-a-night.

Hiking Path Through The Mountains Of Santo Antao, Cape Verde

In Santo Antão, the scenery is dramatically different: the sand-filled plains give way to towering, lush green mountains, traversed with hiking trails that lead to quaint, centuries-old villages that have barely seen the passing of time.

In short, it’s a nature lover’s paradise, and if you’ve ever been to Madeira, in Portugal, and ended up falling in love with it, you’ll feel no different towards its little brother.

Volcanic Landscapes & Colonial Architecture

Brava, on the other hand, has a bit of both worlds: it boasts pristine coves bathed by crystal-clear seas, rugged coastal drives, and flower-clad hills—it’s no wonder it’s called Island of Flowers.

Young Woman Taking Pictures In Santo Antao, Cape Verde

Fogo (Portuguese for ‘fire’) has surreal volcanic landscapes, including a still-very-active Pico do Fogo, low hills dotted with colonial-era coffee plantations, and black-sand beaches (São Filipe Beach, a short drive from the namesake town, is particularly scenic).

Finally, for the culture buffs among us, you’ll find a beautifully-preserved colonial-era capital in Praia, located on Santiago Island: the Old Town, or Cidade Velha, is a petite version of Lisbon without the crowds, and the local food scene is simply unparalleled.

For Portuguese-inspired sweets, you should pay the hugely-popular Pão de Açucar bakery a visit (best pastel de nata we’ve ever tried outside Portugal).

Aerial View Of Praia, Cape Verde

For the all-you-can-eat Brazilian-style barbecue, Churrascaria Pirata is a no-frills rodizio restaurant featuring a variety of grilled meats.

Finally, if you’re craving a taste of native cuisine, don’t miss out on the traditional Kaza Katxupa, which features a signature corn soup and freshly caught fish doused in West African spices.

Is Cape Verde Cheaper & Easier To Get To Than The Maldives?

It can be, but only if you play it smart.

Much like the Maldives, getting to Cape Verde from the United States can be a bit tricky, not exactly because it is incredibly remote (not at all), but due to the absence of direct flights.

a plane taking off against blue skies in florida keys

In the case of the Maldives, flights can take anywhere from 18 to a whopping 30 hours, depending on your U.S. departure point, and involve connections in one or more countries in Asia or the Middle East.

In the case of Cape Verde, it is in fact way more accessible, especially if you’re flying from the East Coast.

Once again, it lies off the coast of West Africa, and if you flew a straight line from any island Cape Verde, all the way across the Atlantic, you’d end up somewhere like Puerto Rico, or even Central America.

America may not have nonstop flights to Cape Verde, but once you get to Europe, a multitude of options are laid out before you:

Traveler Holding USA Passport At Airport

Remember, Cape Verde is an up-and-coming sunny getaway for Europeans, and numerous European airlines offer cheap flights to the islands of Santiago and Sal from as little as $212 one-way.

Flying from New York to Paris (Charles de Gaulle), or Lisbon (LIS), two of the best-connected hubs for flying to Cape Verde, you can then change flights, either to Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) in Sal, or Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI) in Praia.

It’s been a tricky world to navigate now that entry rules are tightening across the board, but the good news is, Cape Verde continues to welcome Americans visa-free, so long as they’re visiting as tourists, and for not longer than 30 days.

Make sure you bring a valid passport with enough blank pages, and proof of outbound or return tickets in order to ensure a smooth border control experience.

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Stunning Nature & Charming Coastal Towns: This Lesser Known Region Of Spain Is Breaking Tourism Records

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While you’re likely to be well-familiarized with the likes of Barcelona, Mallorca, and Gran Canaria, we’re pretty sure you haven’t heard of Asturias, or if you did, you promptly brushed it aside as it’s not, you know, your usual beach hotspot.

Gross mistake.

As it turns out, Asturias is currently one of the fastest-rising Spanish destinations in popularity, recording a 17% uptick in visitors this winter alone even though it’s the low season and being expected to host a record number of guests throughout 2025.

Gijon Coastal City In Asturias, Spain

Now that we’ve piqued your curiosity, what is Asturias all about, and why is everyone suddenly this interested in an offbeat, largely rural region in the much-underrated North of Spain?

Discovering Spain’s Hidden Gem

Officially called the Principality of Asturias, this is a historically significant region in northwest Spain characterized by its dramatic coastline, interspersed with sandy beaches and tall sea cliffs, mountainous hinterland, and medieval heritage.

Asturias was one of a handful of regions in the Iberian Peninsula––which includes Spain and Portugal––not to have fallen under Muslim control during the Arab takeover of Spain, which lasted for over 7 centuries.

Sanctuary Of Covadonga, Asturias, Spain

As a result, it’s retained a distinct culture from that of the rest of the country: for instance, it’s still a principality, as the name indicates, with Felipe VI currently bearing the title of Prince of Asturias, and for many centuries, it was considered Spain’s last true Christian stronghold.

Until, of course, the country was reclaimed by the Christians, and this leads us to our first stop on this journey around Asturias:

What Has Asturias Got To Offer?

Visit The Regional Capital
Oviedo Cathedral At Sunrise In Asturias, Spain

The regional capital is Oviedo, a mid-size city dating back to the Middle Ages, home to the monumental Oviedo Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Gothic monuments in Northern Spain, picturesque plazas bordered by restaurants, and many museums.

The 9th century Iglesia de Santa María del Naranco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in recognition of its intact state for a Romanesque structure that is ancient, while Plaza del Fontán has its own traditional market.

Santa Maria del Naranco In Oviedo, Spain

If you’re an art geek, the Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias, located in Oviedo, has a vast collection of European pieces ranging from the Spanish Middle Ages to 20th century Flemish, and for the best fabada in town, make sure you book a table at Taberna Salcedo.

Asturian cuisine is one of the tastiest and most diverse in Spain, and from its white-bean-based dishes to pork shoulder (locally known as llacón), to the usual Northerly chorizo and the hearty Asturian stew, Oviedo’s food scene will not disappoint you.

Swim In Asturias Beaches
Panoramic View Of A Beach Zone In Asturias, Spain

As beautiful as Oviedo may be, you’ll want to head to the Asturian seaside to truly take in the region’s most authentic culture: unfolding along an azure Atlantic for roughly 250 miles, it is lined with vibrant port cities, quaint fishing towns, and picture-perfect beaches.

Let’s start with the main coastal city in Asturias, as well as its largest one, at that (yep, larger even than Oviedo).

From spring, when it’s warm enough, Gijón is the perfect mix of beaches and culture, with its centrally-located Playa de San Lorenzo being hugged by the crystal-clear seas of the Bay of Biscay, and the colorful harbor houses that have barely seen the passing of time.

Playa Del Silencio Near Cudillero, In Asturias, Spain

Over in Llanes, a laid-back seaside resort, you’ll find an unspoiled Playa de Guadamía, nestled between cliffs, and if you’re driving out to Playa de Griega, near the small settlement of Colunga, you’ll get the chance to see fossilized tracks left by dinosaurs.

Then there’s Gulpiyuri a unique inland swimming site near a flooded sinkhole, said to be the smallest beach in the world and a well-frequented Playa de Torimbia, straddling the ocean for what seems like endless miles.

While we’re still on the coast, it’s time to tour Asturias’ prettiest seaside settlements:

Cudillero Town In Asturias, Spain
Check Out These Postcard-Ready Villages

Some of the prettiest small towns in Asturias include Cudillero, a quaint village on the Bay of Biscay and a perfect photo op for tourists thanks to its colorful houses, narrow streets, and a marina filled with fishing boats.

Luarca is just as pretty, with a well-preserved center dating back centuries and its fair share of unruffled sandy beaches (not to mention a landmark lighthouse), but if attending the world’s oldest canoe festival happens to be on your bucket list, it’s Ribadesella where you should be headed:

Ribadesella In Asturias, Spain

It hosts the annual Descent of the Villaviciosa River, taking place in early August this year, not to mention it has a charming historic center packed with family-run eateries (it’s a bit out of town, but don’t sleep on Meson Sidreria‘s pochopo).

Now that you’ve had your fair share of Instagrammable corners and colorful harbors, ready to put your hiking boots on?

Climb To The Very Top Of Asturias
Picos De Europa In Asturias, Spain

For the hiking enthusiast amongst us, you’ll be thrilled to learn Asturias is one of Europe’s top hiking hotspots, largely due to its Picos de Europa, which cuts through its undeveloped terrain and provides sanctuary for a variety of wildlife.

Brown bears, wolves, eagles, you name it.

It’s also littered with skiing stations for winter, but we’d argue it’s far more beautiful to visit from spring onward when the peaks are clad in lush green, the birds are out, and all footpaths and trails are again accessible.

When the time comes, you’ll be able to join thousands of pilgrims on their way up the peaks to the Sanctuary of Covadonga: Asturias was, for many centuries, Spain’s last Christian outpost, remember?

Chapel Built Into A Cave In The Sanctuary Of Covadonga In Picos De Europa, Asturias, Spain

We should probably mention this sanctuary, perched atop a prominent hill, surrounded by the snow-dusted elevations of Picos de Europa, provided the background for the first battle of the Reconquista, the period relating to the Christian reconquest of Spain.

Other than holding sentimental and religious value for Christian Spaniards, it is famous for its tiny chapel built into a cave with a lake underneath.

For more breathtaking natural scenery, head next to the Somiedo National Park, where many more hiking opportunities and deep-turquoise, high-elevation lakes await, and Las Ubiñas-La Mesa Natural Park, the second largest mountain range in Asturias.

Asturias Is Cheaper Than Other Parts Of Spain

Finally, just how Expensive Is Asturias?

Luarca Village In Asturias, Spain

As it is yet to be engulfed by tourism in the way Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, or the Canaries have, Asturias continues to offer visitors a justly-priced alternative to Spain’s beach hotspots.

Believe it or not, booking a standard double room in an Ibis in central Oviedo will set you back by $37-a-night, while the average price of a meal in an inexpensive local restaurant––frequented by Asturians themselves––is $15.47, according to Numbeo.

If you’re keen on hiking the Picos de Europa, Cangas de Onís is the base you’re looking for: a small town nestled in a valley, where some of the most popular trails start from, it has a 5-arched, ancient Roman bridge over a crystalline river, and it’s a safe haven itself for the park’s golden eagles.

Roman Bridge At Cangas De Onis In Asturias, Spain

The Puente Romano guesthouse, only a few steps from the Roman bridge, costs $41 per night.

Staying by the seaside instead? A private room at the seafront Hostel Gijón Centro, within walking distance of San Lorenzo Beach and the lively port, averages $41 again.

Are Rising Temperatures Aiding Asturian Tourism?

As El Comercio notes, the popularity of the Principality can be attributed not only to its overlooked cultural value and breathtaking nature but also to the rising temperatures seen across Spain.

Picturesque Lakeside Church Of Niembru In Asturias, Spain

You see, Asturias is Spain, indeed, but with a different flavor of it: it’s in the North, it’s very mountainous, and most importantly, it isn’t on the receiving end of the scorching heatwaves emanating from North Africa, like Malaga or Barcelona are.

The fact it is not a Mediterranean destination has, in fact, played in its favor, as its coast has a temperate climate in summer, rarely reaching unpleasant highs of over 86.0°F, and the mountains are always cooler, irrespective of the season.

If you can’t bear the Southern European heat, you should know weather-wise, Asturias more closely resembles Northwestern Spain or even Southern England (in the warmer months).

How To Visit Asturias From The U.S.

Asturias Countryside In The North Of Spain
Americans Can Fly Nonstop To The North Of Spain Starting This Year!

Beginning this year, Americans can fly nonstop to Bilbao, the largest city in the neighboring Basque Country, for the first time ever.

The Basque Country is just as fascinating and underrated a part of Spain to discover, yet if you’re intent on reaching Asturias on your next getaway, which we wouldn’t blame you for after seeing all it has to offer, you can land in Basque, and then make your way west to Asturias.

The driving distance from Bilbao to Oviedo is roughly 3 hours, and you’ll be passing by some of the most spectacular scenery both in Basque Country and in Asturias in between.

Forest Trail In Asturias, Spain

Alternatively, you have more flight options landing in Madrid, where high-speed trains to Asturias (namely Oviedo or Gijon) are available from as cheap as $17 one-way.

If landing elsewhere in Spain or Europe, you can fly to Asturias Airport, located 9 miles from Avilés, 24 miles from Gijon, and 29 miles from Oviedo.

Flights are offered from many European hubs that host transatlantic flights, and Americans can get to them nonstop, such as Frankfurt and Munich in Germany, Lisbon in Portugal, London (Gatwick) in England, and Paris (Orly) in France.

Low-cost airlines such as Volotea and Vueling service some of these routes, with tickets starting from a shockingly-cheap $17.

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Delta Says Flights Will See Record Breaking Price Increases This Summer Up To 30 Percent

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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,”

Ryanair Airplane Boeing 737-800

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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