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Ready to plan your next winter thrills? Look no further than Iceland’s new “it” destination!

Surprisingly, Iceland is one of the easiest European countries to reach despite seeming like a fairytale land in the middle of nowhere.

With 2 Icelandic airlines serving the U.S. as well as a pair of America’s own, your bucket list dreams await.

But if you’ve held off scratching Iceland off your list, you may be late to the party since Reykavjaik, as well as some other former hidden gems, have spiked in popularity.

One city on the northern side is all the rage right now, especially as more airlines trickle in, making for convenient connections.

With frigid weather full steam ahead, Iceland may not seem like an ideal escape, but with some awe-inspiring natural phenomenons and cheap thermal spas to combat the cold, don’t sleep on visiting Iceland’s new tourism hotspot this winter.

Reykjavik Is Old News! More Travelers Are Scoping Out Akureyri

Reykjavik is a cool little city. The word “city” is a stretch since it feels more like a charming town, yet it’s Iceland’s largest “metropolis” at just a smidge under 140,000 in a nation of only 394,000 people.

More often than not, Keflavik, followed by Reykjavik, are the most common gateways into one of the world’s most otherworldly destinations to explore indescribable landscapes, stunning waterfalls, active volcanos, and possible elf sightings – well, at least to some locals who swear by it.

While spotting Will Ferrell in an open field would surely make lasting memories, in reality, more travelers are discovering the charms and wonders of Iceland’s fourth biggest city, Akureyri.

Offering more of an authentic feel than, say, Reykjavik’s Hard Rock Cafe and touristy shops, this vibrant community has so far welcomed visitors with open arms.

Honestly, that’s partly because locals know much of a trek their beloved hometown is to reach, even with easyJet set to launch a new flight from the U.K. on November 12th.

Secondly, Reykjavik isn’t a common place to witness the Northern Lights, given the light pollution, but Akureyri is more remote and a great entry point this time of year to see the skies dance green.

Akureyri’s Fabulous Northern Lights Display

Colder months = more Northern Lights. At least that’s the case for Akureyri.

Tour operators rake in the dough this time of year taking you to the best spots away from light pollution to witness Aurora Borealis put on a show.

According to Arctic Adventures, one of Akureyri’s top tour guides, the best time of year to witness this natural phenomenon is from ‘mid-September until March’.

All you have to do is pack some extra layers and let the experts do the rest.

The bad news being tour guides don’t control the weather, so you will need a bit a good fortune with a clear night.

While Arctic Adventures offers a great price at $123, it’s best to do your due diligence since Northern Light Tours is their own industry here.

For a full list of options, check Akureyri’s official tourism page.

Forget The Blue Lagoon! Visit Akureyri’s Cheaper Spas

Popular belief is Iceland is best explored by road trip.

That’s why you’ll see so many awesome photos or videos of travelers’ adventures across the country on Instagram and TikTok.

Of course, one of the most common and photo-worthy places to visit is the world-famous Blue Lagoon, often a highlight on many travelers’ road trip itineraries.

That said, the experience of relaxing in this spa’s natural thermal springs is expensive.

The cost of visiting the Blue Lagoon varies by package, but even the most affordable option doesn’t compare to what Akureyri offers.

Spas galore in Akureyri. Arguably the most popular is Forest Lagoon, holding an impressive 4.7 Google rating and only costs $50 to enter, while the Blue Lagoon is roughly $75 – $105 for the low-end Comfort option.

Another great choice is the Beer Spa, where yes, you can take a beer bath!

Or opt for another thermal bath away from the charming town’s delights.

Set along a black beach overlooking astounding open scenery, a day pass at Hauganes Hot Tubs only costs $14!

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 4 months ago

“New York City” and “affordable” don’t often belong in the same sentence. In a city that cracked down on Airbnbs, hotels have skyrocketed.

According to the New York Times, the average hotel room will run you over $300 per night – a new record. Although, a quick search shows some steals like the Eurostars Wall Street for 79% off in July.

As iconic as the ‘Big Apple’ remains today, tourists far and wide still have NYC in their scope as a premiere getaway for urban adventures ranging from incredible cuisine, world-class museums, and renowned sites in every borough.

Summer is one of the best seasons to explore New York with so many fun things to do outdoors, but the top travel hack revealed by the U.S. Sun will save you boatloads of money.

For less than a cup of coffee, you can visit the city’s top attractions and it’s so much easier than you may think.

Stop Overpaying For Boat Tours

Boat tours serve their purpose, but they’re not all they’re cracked up to be, especially some with outrageous prices.

Perhaps you can luck out by scoring a Groupon for a fun time on the water, but there’s no need to do so.

Much like my hometown of San Diego, where tourists overpay for boat tours to hit the scenic waterways of the San Diego Bay, many are disappointed to find out they could have a similar experience for less than $10 by booking the Coronado Ferry.

Saving potentially hundreds of dollars, it’s the same for NYC. Unless you want a repetitive tour guide who’s given dozens upon dozens of tourists the same spiel, then the NYC Ferry is for you as low as $4.

From Coney Island To The Statue Of Liberty: The Options Are Endless

New York City is home to 5 boroughs, unless you count Jersey City as the unofficial sixth. Any way you slice it, some of the best ways to borough-hop is by boat.

If anything, it sure beats taking the rat-filled subways! Especially since there are power outlets on-board to keep your phone ready for photos, as well as snacks and refreshments – yes, including alcohol!

The city offers daily commuters cheap NYC Ferry rides, but it’s also tourists’ best travel hack here.

Rather than fork over your paycheck for an unnecessary tour of the Statue of Liberty, you can take in the same views and awesome phot-ops aboard the ferry.

Not to mention unmatched views of the illustrious Manhattan skyline as well.

While booking a ticket is surely the most budget-friendly way to experience notoriously expensive New York City, the ferry is not solely the best alternative to Statue of Liberty tours.

Heck, perhaps the ferry’s real shining moment was when U.S. Airways’ Captain ‘Sully’ heroically landed a plane in the Hudson River, with multiple commuter ferries jumping into action.

While seeing planes in the Hudson isn’t typically on the itinerary, there are 7 routes to choose from.

You can easily visit other top attractions like Coney Island or even Rockaway Beach for a break from the hustle and bustle in the City That Never Sleeps.

Unfortunately, those visiting Coney Island won’t get to see champion Joey Chestnut scarf down wieners at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th any longer.

The NYC Ferry’s 7 Routes

These are the 7 routes the NYC Ferry offers:

• Astoria – Western Queens and Roosevelt Island 
• East River – East River to Midtown and the Financial District 
• Soundview – The Bronx and the Upper East Side to Lower Manhattan
• South Brooklyn – South Brooklyn to Midtown and the Financial District 
• St. George – Staten Island to the West Side of Manhattan, in Battery Park and Midtown West 
• Rockaway – Rockaway Beach, Sunset Park, and Lower Manhattan
• Governors Island Shuttle – *Seasonal*

It’s important to know riders can transfer at no charge from any of these routes, including the above Governor’s Island shuttle.

Better yet, travelers can also hop aboard the Staten Island Ferry – a free service offered year-round.

No matter where you go, from Wall Street to Brooklyn to Sunset Park, the NYC Ferry has grown in popularity.

It’s strongly advised to book tickets in advance, which you can do so on the official NYC Ferry App and vending machines.

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

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

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Last Updated 2 years ago

As monkeypox spreads globally, the Canadian government has issued a travel advisory for Canadians traveling overseas. The new Level 2 travel advisory suggests Canadians should practice enhanced health precautions following the emergence of monkeypox. 

The Canadian government released the travel advisory on June 7, 2022. 

The Full Details Of The Level 2 Travel Advisory 

According to the Canadian government, a Level 2 travel health notice “indicates an increased risk to travellers or certain groups of travellers (for example, pregnant women, campers, people visiting friends and relatives) and reminds them to practise enhanced health precautions.”

The Canadian government suggests all Canadians should follow these precautions:

• Use personal protective equipment—such as masks—to minimize the spread of monkeypox
• Delaying all travel until the risk is lower
• Avoiding higher-risk activities 
• Taking recommended vaccinations for some groups 
• Washing hands at all times, especially after being in close contact with some people
• Being careful if you’re attending mass gatherings or parties 
• Being aware of any symptoms, such as a new rash 

The Canadian government has issued the advisory if you’re traveling to these destinations:

• Argentina
• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Bolivia
• The Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Hungary
• Ireland
• Israel
• Italy
• Malta
• Mexico
• Morocco
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• The United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States

The Canadian government says: “During your travel, you may be subject to procedures at your destination put in place to limit the spread of monkeypox, such as isolation, should you become infected. You may have limited access to timely and appropriate health care should you become ill, and may experience delays in returning home.”

“PHAC is working closely with international, provincial, and territorial health partners to gather information on this evolving issue. Further investigations are underway to determine the likely source of infection and to limit further onward spread.”

The Canadian government says you should see a healthcare professional if you develop symptoms when you’re traveling. In addition, if you have monkeypox symptoms during the flight: “tell the flight attendant before you land or the border services officer as you enter the country.”

What Is Monkeypox?

The Canadian government states: “Monkeypox is a disease that is caused by a virus. It is regularly found in parts of Central and West Africa, where it has been re-emerging in recent years”

They suggest monkeypox can spread in three ways:

• From animals to humans
• From person to person
• Through direct contact with contaminated objects

In addition, monkeypox can spread from person to person via close contact in the following ways:

• Scabs or skin lesions (which may resemble chickenpox)
• Body fluids or blood 
• Mucosal surfaces (including eyes, mouth, throat, and rectum.)
• Contaminated clothing or linens
• Respiratory droplets (coughs and sneezes) may transmit the monkeypox virus, but scientists are still learning.

However, the Canadian government suggests that: “symptoms usually last between 14 and 28 days. Monkeypox is usually a mild, self-limited disease. In rare situations, people may become very sick and death may occur.”

They add: “Treatment for monkeypox is mainly supportive. Vaccines and medications for prevention and treatment are not commercially available at this time.”

Have Other Countries Issued Travel Advisories? 

The Canadian government isn’t the first nation to introduce a travel advisory for monkeypox. The United States issued a travel advisory due to monkeypox almost two weeks ago.

The CDC advises Americans to avoid:

• Close contact with sick people, particularly those with skin or genital lesions.
• Touching any dead or live wild animals, such as rats, squirrels, monkeys, and apes.
• Handling all materials used by monkeypox-infected individuals as they could be contaminated.

We will keep you updated on how monkeypox may affect travelers going forward. 

Read More:

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 For 2022

Romania And Hungary Launch New Digital Nomad Visas

Italy Planning To Launch A Digital Nomad Visa

Riu To Open Two New All Inclusive Resorts In Cancun This Year

Your Phone Could Be Searched When Entering Canada With New Proposed Law

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

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Last Updated 4 months ago

For better or worse, Paris is having quite a year. First, the French icon was dethroned by Istanbul as the most visited city in the world, and now they have fallen out of the top 3 entirely.

Followed by the looming Olympics as the City of Light lays down their welcome mats to the world playing host to this magnificent global event Jul 26, 2024 – Aug 11, 2024.

However, early reports are showing mixed reviews of Paris during this period.

Air France, expecting a gargantuan loss of $193 million, was quoted as saying, “International markets show a significant avoidance of Paris.”.

Taking a page out of Southwest Airline’s playbook, tourists are saying they ‘wanna get away’…or stay away for that matter.

Good news is you can, and very cheap at that. One of the main concerns tourists have visiting Paris during the Olympics is the all but guaranteed surge in pricing.

Fortunately, that doesn’t impact trains outta town, but there’s also great deals extending through fall.

Travel to these 4 underrated destinations from Paris under $30 by train:

Ditch France Entirely! Take A Short Ride To Luxembourg ($27)

Luxembourg is undeniably one of the most expensive destinations in all of Europe and also insanely beautiful.

Don’t let your travel budget deter you from visiting one of Europe’s best-kept secrets, however.

Although pricey for hotels and dining, Luxembourg is worth a splurge for a day-trip or weekend getaway and it’s more than meets the eye with small towns like Echternach, known as “Little Switzerland”.

Everybody likes free stuff, and when it comes to traveling, we all appreciate freebies even more.

Luxembourg offers free transit throughout their small nation and you don’t even need a ticket! Just hop on!

In this case, you would be arriving by train via SNCF Connect, so all you have to purchase is your ticket from Paris (Gare de l’Est) into Luxembourg, totaling 2 hours, 43 minutes after a brief stop in Metz.

Those looking to escape the crowds watching Lebron James light up the scoreboard will have to fork over anywhere from $50 – $100 during the Olympics, but can score $27 tickets various dates Sep – Oct.

Au Revoir, Nice! Hit Up The Northern Coastal Town Of Le Havre ($23)

Paris, Lyon, Nice, Cannes…none of these household names are Le Havre. You may have never heard of it and that’s okay.

The road less traveled, or in this case, the rail, is one of the best ways to explore the world.

Those looking to check out more of France and want to stay close to Paris should check out Le Havre, which is just a 2-hour and 18-minute nonstop journey.

According to Rail Europe, tickets are $27 during the Olympics and $23 in October – the perfect escape for a day trip away from crowds, especially since trains run throughout the day.

Visitors may find Le Havre is a bit quirky, but aren’t we all?

This artsy port city, blending modern architecture and well-preserved structures surviving World War II bombings, has earned itself UNESCO recognition.

Easy to explore with the city’s grid-like layout, Le Havre is full of surprises, from savory beachside seafood restaurants to eye-popping art installations.

If there’s one thing not to miss out on it’s the remarkable Saint Joseph’s Church, a feast for the eyes.

Toast To New Adventures: Visit France’s Champagne Capital ($14)

Reims is a city steeped in history, but its claim to fame is being France’s champagne capital.

We’ll toast to that!

Boasting phenomenal attractions ranging from historic to indulgent, you can visit such sites as the Gothic-style Reims Cathedral to the beautiful Abbey of Saint-Remi, both protected by UNESCO.

Of course, you can’t visit the ‘champagne capital’ without sipping some bubbly.

Feel free to pop bottles at Reims’ renowned Champagne Houses for tours and tasting.

A few of the top-rated are:

• Mumm
• Veuve Clicquot,
• Taittinger 

You can reach Reims easily from Paris (Gare de l’Est) as low as $14 during the Olympics on SNCF Connect. Oddly enough prices go up to $19 in fall.

The route takes 2 hours 11 minutes for these fares, but an express route via TGV Inoui will get you there in just 46 minutes for $26.

A Grand Tour Through Tours ($11)

Tours, France is a hidden gem in the Loire Valley and just a stone’s throw from Paris in terms of train travel.

The city is quaint, easily navigable, and underappreciated for authentic French cuisine, but the real draws are the world-class chateaux and wineries outside the city limits.

Explore more of Loire Valley and visit stunning castles like Chambord, Chenonceau, Villandry, and Amboise, each with its own unique style and backstory.

But first, you have to get to Tours. Doing so is easy aboard the direct SNCF Connect route from Paris Montparnasse station, reaching Tours in as little as 51 minutes.

Tickets are as low as $17 July 29th during the Olympics and as low as $11 September – November.

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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Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.