Destinations

Category Archives for Destinations.

Surprising New European Hot Destination Is Albania

by Gary Leff on August 16, 2023

Aug 16 2023

Tirana is going to feel like a European city. The northern part of the country will seem underdeveloped. It’s a highly seasonal (summer) destination located in Southeastern Europe on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. It is both relatively safe and affordable. You’ll see castles and other architecture in addition to beaches, and you’ll eat soured milk casserole and drink coffee. There are more coffee shops per capital in Albania than anywhere else in the world. Albania does seem to be having a moment.

Southwest Airlines Running $19 Flights From Maui, $1 Pet Fares As Lahaina Burns Down

by Gary Leff on August 9, 2023

Aug 09 2023

The town of Lahaina on Maui is being absolutely pummeled by fire, spurred by wind from a hurricane that passed by. Hundreds of people evacuated. Power and cell service have been down for many. A Presidential Disaster Declaration is expected. Maui lacks ICU beds and burn victims are being flown to Oahu.

Troubling: Brazil Says Americans Will Require A Visa, But The State Department Hasn’t Updated Its Website

by Gary Leff on July 18, 2023

Jul 18 2023

Brazil has said that U.S. tourists will have to obtain a visa starting October 1, since the U.S. continues to require Brazilians to obtain a visa. The country scrapped the requirement in 2019 but it’s being re-imposed as a reciprocity measure.

Brazilians Are Flying To The U.S. Just To Buy Computers, Then Flying Home

by Gary Leff on July 15, 2023

Jul 15 2023

Brazilians are flying to the U.S. to buy computers and then flying home. The cost savings on their purchases more than funds the trip. And some buy more than one, sell the second at home, making the whole thing ‘free’.

Tourist Who Defaced Rome’s Colosseum Offers The George Costanza Defense

by Gary Leff on July 5, 2023

Jul 05 2023

A tourist carved “Ivan+Haley 23” into the Roman Colosseum, the elliptical amphitheatre at the center of the city just to the east of the Roman Forum. It was completed in 80 AD under the emporer Titus.

Facing five years in jail and a $16,000 fine, 27 year old fitness instructor and British resident Ivan Dimitrov was tracked down by Italian police in England after a five day search. He has apologized, saying he didn’t realize the Colosseum was so old. Presumably if it dated only to the twelfth century the carvings would have been alright?

US Government Warns Against Travel To China

by Gary Leff on July 4, 2023

Jul 04 2023

The U.S. government is warning Americans not to travel to China over laws and practice there allowing for arbitrary detention for political reasons, and for prosecution over the contents of private emails.

New legislation went into effect July 1 allowing the government to take even greater steps. But what about Hong Kong? And transit through the airport there?

Belarus President Turns Off Plane’s Transponder Over Russian Airspace – Attempted Russia Coup Is Real

by Gary Leff on June 24, 2023

Jun 24 2023

The President of Belarus flew over Russian airspace – but his plane’s transponder was turned off until he had cleared it. Belarus is a vassal state of Putin’s regime. And Putin is facing a coup led by the boss of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin.

With Prigozhin’s forces targeting military aircraft, VIP aircraft movements taking steps not to be tracked seems… wise.

Canadian Border Officials Imprison American Airline Employee For A Week On False Drug Charges

by Gary Leff on June 21, 2023

Jun 21 2023

This was a failure of U.S. authorities – suspecting someone as a drug courier over behaving like an airline employee. It was a failure of Canadian authorities, arresting someone based on a fallible test and locking them up for a week while slow-walking a real test. And it was a failure of the passenger, who didn’t secure legal representation (though as a 22 year old kid on an airline income that’s not surprising).

Not All U.S. Passports Are Eligible To Enter Or Transit Dubai

by Gary Leff on May 14, 2023

May 14 2023

A passport with X or U as gender is ineligible for entry into or transit through the United Arab Emirates.

Americans Have Been Getting Caught Smuggling Fruit Roll-Ups Into Israel For A Strange Reason

by Gary Leff on May 6, 2023

May 06 2023

An intermittent fruit roll-ups shortage in different parts of the world has apparently been slowing building over the past couple of years, peaking in the past two months, thanks to what’s been described as a viral ‘hack’ from TikTok of wrapping up a small scoop of ice cream into the snack and eating it. The ice cream freezes the fruit roll-up and gives it a crunch.

That’s created… a black market in fruit roll-ups.

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