I will only ever travel to Japan using Airbnb for a very unusual reason

Internet is very important when English speakers travel to Japan because of the language barrier. International data plans can be prohibitively expensive. Most Airbnb listings in Japan include a “pocket Wi-Fi” device that provides unlimited data and can be brought anywhere. Internet can feel like a necessity for a foreigner in Japan. English is a …

Hotels are giving housekeepers ‘panic buttons’ they can use if they feel threatened by a guest

Hotels are starting to give their housekeepers “panic buttons” that allow them to immediately report guests who make unwanted contact or advances. The panic buttons have been or are set to be introduced on a wide scale in New York City, Seattle, and Chicago. Workers’ rights advocates have paid particular attention to hotel employees. As …

Why airplane windows have tiny holes

If you’ve ever sat in the window seat on a flight, you’ve probably noticed the tiny hole at the bottom of the window. We asked the FAA why it’s there, and they assured us it’s totally safe. Here’s why there are tiny holes in airplane windows. Following is a transcript of the video. Why airplane …

New York’s oldest restaurant is so iconic, George Washington celebrated winning the Revolutionary War there — here’s what it’s like

Fraunces Tavern in New York’s Financial District is the city’s oldest restaurant by far, dating back to the 1700s. First built in 1719 and having served as the stage for some of American history’s greatest figures like George Washington, Samuel Adams, and Paul Revere, the restaurant exudes history from every wooden bench. There are tributes …

20 stunning photos of unreal landscapes, incredible animals, and mesmerizing underwater scenes

This week National Geographic announced the winners of their annual Nature Photographer of the Year Contest. Judges chose winners and honorable mentions from 11,000 entries. The four different catagories included: aerials, landscapes, wildlife, and underwater — and a people’s choice award was also announced within each. The grand-prize winning photo of an orangutan crossing a …

Take a look inside an abandoned $35M Communist monument

There’s an abandoned monument in Bulgaria filled with communist propaganda. Construction cost the equivalent of $35 million today. Earlier this year, a group of adventurers visited the monument and documented their experience on YouTube at “Exploring the Unbeaten Path.” Following is a transcript of the video. Welcome to Buzludzha Monument — a historical monument built …

An underwater volcano has made a mysterious new island in the South Pacific — and NASA satellites captured the amazing process

Hawaii isn’t the only series of islands formed from underwater volcanic eruptions. In 2014, a massive eruption formed the new island of Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai. But there’s something about this island that has scientists stumped. Following is a transcript of the video. Watch a brand new island form. You’re watching the evolution of a brand …

I visited the quirky sandwich shop that beat out fine-dining joints to be named the best new restaurant in America — here’s what it’s like

Bon Appétit named the sandwich joint Turkey and the Wolf the best new restaurant in the US in 2017. The decision to elevate the quirky, low-budget concept over other restaurants created some controversy. Turkey and the Wolf is filled with ’90s nostalgia, cheap cocktails, and an incredible fried bologna sandwich. When Bon Appétit announced its …

Major airlines are taking on the biggest threat to their business — and it’s great for consumers

Low-cost carriers accounted for 28% of all passengers traffic in 2016. It’s a percentage that’s still growing. The rise of low-cost carriers has disrupted an industry traditionally dominated by major legacy carriers. These major airlines are now fighting back with low-cost options of their own. The availability of more low-cost flights is ultimately better for …

Delta has a new baggage fee that’s going to annoy tons of passengers

Delta Air Lines will now charge $60 for checked baggage on select international flights. The fee applies to basic economy fares for flights between the US and Europe or North Africa. Basic economy passengers previously received an allowance of one free checked bag. This week, Delta Air Lines updated its basic economy travel policy with …

Inside Emirates’ new first class suites with virtual windows and NASA-inspired seats

Emirates has a new cabin in its Boeing 777-300ER. Wonder what it’s like? Zach Honig flew first class and got a first-hand look. Now, you don’t have to pay first-class prices to see what it’s like inside. Following is a transcript of the video. Zach Honig, editor at “The Points Guy,” flew first class in …

The 10 most luxurious first class cabins in the world

Airlines are slowly moving away from pricey first class suites. But the ones that remain offer palatial settings and stunning luxury. Every year, Skytrax names the airlines with the best first-class offerings. Airlines from Asia dominate the list. First class is slowly, but surely going the way of the dodo. The palatial luxury suites that …

Airlines will begin banning smart luggage in 2018

Airlines are starting to announce policies to ban smart luggage that includes non-removable lithium ion batteries on their flights. The first bans are set to go into effect on Jan. 15. American Airlines, Delta, and Alaska Airlines have announced bans so far. United and Southwest are expected to do so soon. The future of luggage …

The 10 best business class airlines in the world

Every year Skytrax names the airlines with the best business class offerings. Airlines are moving away from costly first-class cabins replacing them with more plush business class products. As a result, business class is becoming more and more luxurious. The top 10 are dominated by airlines from Asia. Every year, leading aviation consumer website Skytrax …

Starbucks opened a super-sized gourmet location in China — here’s what it looks like (SBUX)

Starbucks opened a new super-sized Roastery in Shanghai on Tuesday. The location is 30,000 square feet and serves gourmet, nitrogen-infused drinks and food baked in-house. The Roastery is a window into Starbucks’ future as the coffee chain attempts to bolster its premium image. Starbucks has opened a stunning location in China that is 300 times …

This glass cabin in Sweden takes you closer to nature

Sweden is offering the best way to relax and unwind… by staying in a glass cabin! This cabin is located on a private Swedish island and offers canoeing, swimming, and fishing. Following is a transcript of the video. This cabin brings you closer to nature. It’s called the 72-hour cabin. The cabin is on a …

Inside New York City’s most festive bar, where they spend more than $60,000 a year getting ready for Christmas

Rolf’s German Restaurant is known for its over-the-top Christmas decorations. By December, lines wrap around the block, and the place gets packed with locals and tourists. They spend $60,000 on lights and ornaments. When it comes to getting in the Christmas spirit, no one does it quite like Rolf’s German Restaurant in New York City’s …

The best photos of Europe that National Geographic has taken in its 125-year history

National Geographic revolutionized photography and the photo essay. The magazine’s photographers, who are sometimes armed with up to nine different cameras and 500 rolls of film for a single assignment, have captured the world with tack-sharp images. More than 200 photos from the past 125 years are featured in the new book “National Geographic: Around …

10 up-and-coming destinations you should visit for the holidays

American Express Travel looked at flight-booking data and found the 10 destinations with the greatest increase in bookings during this year’s fourth quarter. Some appeal to those who like the cold and others to those who want to escape it, but each offers unique cultural experiences. Many will allow travelers to break out of their …

21 stunning portraits that just won one of the most prestigious awards in the industry

This year, 2,423 photographers from 66 countries submitted entries to the prestigious portrait contest hosted by the National Portrait Gallery in London. Since 1993, the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize has awarded and celebrated photographers at every level, including amateurs, emerging photographers, and seasoned professionals. 59 images from a total of 5,717 entries were recognized …

A decision you make months before a trip determines how much money you’ll be able to save

Scott Keyes of Scott’s Cheap Flights often gets reader questions about how to save money on travel. Most people make it impossible to save significant amounts of money on airfare by being rigid about their destination and dates. The only truly effective way to find cheap airfare is to be flexible. Everyone wants to travel …

The 10 most Instagrammed cities in the world in 2017

After seven years in business, Instagram’s global community of 800 million users are still snapping and posting away. On Wednesday, the company released their 2017 Year in Review, which takes a look at what content floated above the rest, including the most-liked posts, top hashtags, and most-used filters. Below, take a look at the cities …

JetBlue will sell you select round-trip tickets for $98 (JBLU)

JetBlue is having a two-day flash sale. Round-trip flights are available for as low as $98. Tickets must be purchased by midnight on Wednesday. JetBlue is having one heck of a sale. On Tuesday, JetBlue launched a special two-day sale with one-way tickets available for as low as $49. As a result, certain round-trip tickets …

10 massive New Year’s Eve parties that are worth traveling for

New Year’s Eve is a time for parties around the world. While Times Square’s ball drop is the United States’ signature celebration, there are plenty of others worth attending. Some are in big cities like Hong Kong and Barcelona, and others are in less prominent destinations like Valparaiso and Reykjavik. New Year’s Eve is one …

The easiest way to trick an airline into charging you less for your flight

Scott Keyes of Scott’s Cheap Flights has traveled around the world. Here’s his trick for paying what the locals pay when flying out of the country. Following is a transcript of the video. Scott Keyes: My name is Scott Keyes. I’m the CEO and co-founder of Scott’s Cheap Flights. Let’s say you’re looking to go …

Bali airport closed, flights cancelled for a second day after massive volcanic eruptions

Bali’s Denpasar Airport will remain closed on Tuesday. The airport will be closed for a further 24 hours, until 7am local time on Wednesday when conditions will be reassessed again, the spokesman for the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management said. Flights in and out of Bali were cancelled on Monday, following volcanic eruptions over …

Why planes don’t fly during a volcanic eruption

The main airport on the Indonesia island of Bali will remain closed until Tuesday. It a precautionary precaution after the eruption of Mount Agung sent ash plumes 20,000 feet into the air. Ash clouds wreak havoc on modern airliners and their jet engines. On Monday, Indonesian authorities shut down the main airport on the Island …