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☆ She fell in ‘love at first sight’ with an Italian stranger. Within days they were talking about marriage
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +20 min

“Italian Guy No. 2, so that I could have a friend to hang out with in Italy…”Ambika didn’t really expect Italian Guy No. Italian Guy No. And that’s how, a couple of weeks later, Ambika found herself cooking pasta at the Neapolitan home of Italian Guy No. And as Ambika fell slightly in love with Naples, she also fell all the more in love with Marco.

Persons: Ambika Mathur, Emily, Ambika, ”, Emily flit, Emily ”, she’d, “, Guy No, ” Ambika, Italian Guy No, Italy …, Ambika didn’t, hadn’t, Italian Guy, Guy, Marco Di Fiore —, ” Marco, Marco, Ambika Mathur's, Marco Di Fiore, “ Marco, Riva superyacht, Brigitte Bardot’s, ’ ”, Ambika Ambika, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi, ‘, Marco’s, ‘ Marco, —, Ambika’s, it’s, Michelangelo, Marco —, Ambika can’t, I’m, he’s, ” “, It’s Organizations: CNN, Netflix, CNN Travel, Italian, LAX, Porsche, Marco, ” Locations: Paris, California, Los Angeles, Milan, Italy, Amalfi Coast, Italian, Naples, Amalfi, Neapolitan, It’s, Borgo, Posillipo, Napoli, Conca, Salerno, Rome, United States, Malibu, Beverly Hills, Orange County, SoCal, LA, San Diego, ”, Southern California, Praiano, Amafi, Massa Lubrense, Sorrento, “, India

☆ Lisbon residents call for vote on restricting vacation rentals
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-11 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

But as overall monthly overnight stays in Portugal reached an all time high in August, some Lisbon residents are becoming frustrated by the impact of ballooning tourism on local quality of life. Following protests in September about the city’s housing market, thousands of people living in the Portuguese capital have signed a petition demanding a clampdown on Lisbon vacation rentals. The group behind the petition, the Referendum Movement for Housing (MRH), is seeking to eradicate the almost 20,000 short term vacation rentals in Lisbon residential blocks, hoping to free up housing opportunities for locals. CNN Travel has reached out to Airbnb for comment about the Lisbon referendum petition. Changing the Lisbon tourist industryFreitas stresses a successful referendum wouldn’t eliminate Lisbon tourist lets altogether, but prevent them from “existing in houses registered for residential use.” Landlords would also be prohibited from establishing new vacation rentals in residential buildings in the future.

Persons: Luisa Freitas, Jorge Castellanos, Freitas, “, ”, there’s, Airbnb, —, she’s Organizations: CNN, Housing, ”, CNN Travel, Getty, Barcelona, European Union, Lisbon Locations: Lisbon, Portugal, ” Lisbon, Augusta, Comercio, Baixa

☆ Her wife died and she went on a cruise. Then she met a fellow passenger who changed her life forever
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-08 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +27 min

“But Bobbi didn’t.”At the end of the 10-day cruise, Tam disembarked thinking how Bobbi was very different from their ex-husband. Tam & Bobbi WatermanAlmost 1,000 miles apart, Tam and Bobbi stayed in touch via instant messages and social media updates. Tam & Bobbi WatermanAs Bobbi started living authentically in 2023, she and Tam also started preparing for the trip of a lifetime. So when they learned about Royal Caribbean’s Ultimate World Cruise, a nine-month long world cruise setting sail in December 2023, the couple jumped at the chance. “That was the hardest thing on the world cruise, because my passport was my old name and my old gender.

Persons: Bobbi Waterman, Bobbi, Bobbi didn’t, didn’t, Tam Asbury, Tam, ” Bobbi, —, ” Tam, “ I’d, ”, they’d, “, I’d, Tam couldn’t, Bobbi hadn’t, ’ ”, “ Bobbi, Tam didn’t, We’ve, They’ve, who’d, “ Tam, ’ Tam, ‘, she’d, Tam’s, Bobbi’s, ” Tam’s, Tam Waterman, Bobby, ‘ You’re, ’ I’d, Bobbi Waterman Bobbi, NASA —, ’ ” Bobbi, She’d, “ I’ve, stepgranddaughters, she’s, You’ve, Bobbi Waterman “, you’ve, nothing’s, Tam marveled, ” They’re, there’s, ” “ Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, NASA, ”, Skype, Amsterdam’s, Royal, Melbourne Airport, New Zealand, eBay, YouTube, Mount Fuji Locations: Fiji, American, Florida, Australia, Pacific, Melbourne, “, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Budapest, Hungary, Paris, Europe, London, Northern, Bobbi, Sydney, Perth, New, Connecticut, Alaska, Bobbi’s, Boulder , Colorado, Hawaii, America, Tam of Florida, Bobbi’s Florida, Mexico, Tam, Japan, Antarctica, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Grenada, Spain, Portugal

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☆ She connected on Instagram with a guy who lived on the other side of the world. Then they decided to meet up
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-25 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

She enjoyed seeing snippets of Sunil’s life – flashes of him going out with friends, cooking, working out. “I decided I wanted to book a trip to come to India and meet my friend,” she recalls. Amanda didn’t reply right away. There were more than a few raised eyebrows — many of her loved ones worried things had moved too quickly, that Amanda didn’t really know Sunil. “The pandemic was really, really bad here.”Amid this fear and uncertainty, Amanda and Sunil hunkered down with each other and their dog.

Persons: Amanda Boyce, Sunil Rajput’s, Amanda, Sunil, “, ” Amanda, ”, Sunil wasn’t, she’d, ’, —, Sunil —, Amanda wasn’t, Amanda didn’t, I’m, ’ ”, Amanda’s, Sunil — they’d, Sunil Rajput, Amanda Boyce “, I’d, “ Sunil, ” Sunil, we’ll, Amanda Boyce Amanda, ‘, I’ll, “ I’ve, he’d, Here's Amanda, don’t, Sunil hunkered, “ That’s, ’ Sunil, everything’s, We’re, it’s, they’re, you’re Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Indira Gandhi International Airport, ” Locations: Brisbane, Australia, India, Sunil, Sunil — Chandigarh, Chandigarh, Instagram, Delhi, Thailand, Bangkok, Canada, Chandigarh –

☆ Prague bans bar crawls to discourage ‘drunk’ tourists
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Prague, a city as famous for its beer as its historic architecture, is set to ban late-night bar crawls, seeking to end its reputation as a party destination. Prague’s deputy mayor, Jiri Pospisil, said the city wants to discourage tourists who come “for a short time only to get drunk” in favor of “a more cultured, wealthier tourist,” according to the AFP news agency. The news, announced on Monday, follows complaints from residents in Prague 1, the city’s historic district – home to the UNESCO-protected Old Town Square, Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge – over noise caused by rowdy pub crawls. Prague joins many cities across Europe that have been pushing back against tourists in recent months. Officials in Venice, Italy recently limited tour group sizes to 25 people and banned megaphones, while Barcelona’s mayor plans to end apartment rentals for tourists by 2028.

Persons: Jiri Pospisil, Zdenek Hrib, Charles, Vaclav Starek, Starek, ” Simon Old, ” Organizations: CNN —, AFP, UNESCO, Czech Association of Hotels, Brits, stags, ”, CNN Travel Locations: CNN — Prague, Czech, Prague, Europe, Venice, Italy

☆ He told his mother there was ‘no way’ he’d meet someone in Australia. Then he fell in love at first sight
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +27 min

“Then, later on, when we left, she was like, ‘Oh, so you like him,’” recalls Wati. “But a week later, we decided to get together on a Saturday, and we spent most of the day together,” recalls Mike. “He’d mail them to me in these little padded envelopes,” recalls Wati. “Eventually, I was able to figure out how to get some credit for doing a paper at Melbourne University in January 1989,” recalls Mike. “She would stay for about a month or a little bit more,” recalls Wati.

Persons: Mike Grossman, Mike “, Mike, ”, There’s, “, —, he’d, I’d, ” Mike, bode, Melbourne’s Monash, Wati, Yanti, Michael, nudging, ’ ”, Wati Grossman, ” Wati, Paul, Gauguin, Andrew Lloyd Webber, I’m, They’d, “ Wati, Khan ’ —, we’re, He’d, who’d, Wati’s, Boston, they’d, Wati —, Kevin Costner’s, we’d, it’s, Wati Grossman —, Levis Strauss, Alex, Talia, Mike’s, Grossman, We’ve, he’s, they’re, we’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Harvard Law School, Melbourne’s, National Gallery of Victoria, Star Trek, “, Australian Broadcasting Commission, Facebook, “ Technology, Sony, Radio, Melbourne University, Wati, Washington DC, New, Melbourne Botanic Gardens, Harvard Memorial Church, Harvard Memorial, Fashion Institute of Technology, Levis Strauss and Company Locations: Australia, Melbourne, Boston, California, San Francisco, American, Indonesian Australian, Indonesia, “, Wati, Radio Australia, Christmastime, New York City, Washington, New York, Botanic, United States, Hotel, Sydney, Sydney “, Silicon Valley, In California

☆ She explores the world ‘until it’s ugly.’ The internet is obsessed
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-09 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

She doesn’t talk much – other than to declare what she sees “not ugly” or “ugly.” Her eyes widen and her forehead furrows depending on what she sees. Her Google Earth videos were born out of her desire to explore the globe, within the constraints of her lifestyle as a Londoner in her early 20s. Exploring the globeGupta posted her first “exploring every country until it’s ugly” video this past summer, on her TikTok and Instagram. (She goes by @natooooooosh on both platforms)Pretty quickly, Gupta’s videos were inundated with likes, views and comments. Natasha GuptaThe idea of exploring the world via Google Earth or Google Street View in the name of art and/or internet content – isn’t new.

Persons: Natasha Gupta, Gupta, ”, It’s, Gupta’s, “, ” Gupta, –, Jay Fujiwara, – Gupta, “ I’m, she’s, you’re, She’s, Natasha Gupta Gupta, “ It’s, London . Gupta, ’ Organizations: CNN, Google Locations: France, Philippines, Japan, England, London, Australia, Italy, New York, Ohio, Bulgaria, Poland, Milan

☆ She’s obsessed with baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng. So she flew across the world to see her
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-06 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —When baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng appeared on Molly Swindall’s social media feed for the first time, it was love at first sight. Soon, the baby hippo was an internet sensation, a status cemented last week when Moo Deng became the subject of a skit on Saturday Night Live. Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP/Getty ImagesOnce Swindall committed to flying to Thailand to see Moo Deng, she knew she had to go ASAP. Others were confused, assuming Moo Deng was a music artist or a long-distance partner. It’s been very, very fun to be able to connect with all these different people over it.”Since her Moo Deng adventure, Swindall’s follower count has ballooned, with one Moo Deng TikTok garnering over 5 million views.

Persons: Deng, Molly, Swindall, She’s, Moo Deng, Moo, “, ”, I’m, Lillian Suwanrumpha, Swindell, ’ Swindall, Molly Swindall Swindall, Taylor Swift, Taylor, “ They’re, Swift, Moo Deng ” –, ” Swindall, Moo Dang, it’d, Swindall’s, she’s, it’s, It’s, Moo Deng TikTok, that’s, Molly Swindall, “ I’m, There’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Getty, Swindall, Washington Post, Melbourne Locations: Khao, Thailand, New, AFP, New York, London, Amsterdam, Bangkok, TikTok, Melbourne, Australia

☆ ‘World’s coolest’ neighborhood for 2024 named by Time Out
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-25 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

That’s the premise behind global listing guide Time Out’s latest roundup of the “world’s coolest” neighborhoods. “Our bookshop is 19 years old and we have seen the neighborhood change a lot and that’s so great,” owner Nadia Champesme told CNN Travel. “This is the neighborhood where everything happens,” Dijon told CNN Travel, adding the cultural diversity of Notre-Dame Du Mont helps make it special. Interestingly, Principe Real, in Lisbon appears on Time Out’s list at number 8, six years after appearing in the list in 2018. “There’s no rule against a neighborhood appearing multiple times,” Grace Beard, travel editor at Time Out, told CNN Travel.

Persons: there’s, Axelle Poittevin, Thomas Benayoun, Dame Du Mont, Nadia Champesme, Notre, Mont, ” Marie Dijon, ” Dijon, Stokes, Alex Egge, Stokes Croft, Paul’s, St Paul’s, ” Egge, “, ” Grace Beard, Dame du, Kerns Organizations: CNN, Notre, Dame, CNN Travel, Bristol, Principe Real Locations: Marseille, France, Mers Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco, Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia, Kerns, Portland , Oregon, Paul’s, Bristol, England, Principe, Lisbon, Seoul, South Korea, Portland, USA, Chippendale, Sydney, Australia, Portugal, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Windsor, Melbourne

☆ Her teenage summer crush unexpectedly came back into her life. ‘I felt like I was reconnecting with my best friend’
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-13 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +19 min

He remembers the way she walked down the beach, recalls noticing her immediately, wanting to talk to her. “We’d download songs and listen to the album at the same time,” recalls Vlad. “The emotion was really, really intense. Iga OlszakWhile Vlad and Iga were together in Germany, they talked about the potential of Iga visiting Vlad in the US. “He created that space for me where it felt really good and I finally felt okay to say the truth,” she says.

Persons: Iga Olszak, Vlad Dimovski, Iga, Vlad, “, Skotina, ”, ” Vlad, ” Iga, …, wasn’t, –, that’s, ’ ”, Vlad’s, She’d, he’d, Iga –, weren’t, they’d, Olszak, I’d, who’d, ”, “ I’d, Will, ’ ” Vlad, Luca, Klara, They're, – he’d, “ I’m, we’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, “, Facebook Locations: Skotina, Greece, Poland, North Macedonia, Mount Olympus, Iga, Germany, Chicago, Republic of Macedonia, Europe, Bielefeld, “, Florida, Macedonia, pouting

☆ Carnival cruise ship collides with iceberg
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-11 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The words “Titanic moment” are possibly the last thing you want to hear on a boat – but that was the phrase used by one passenger on board the Carnival Spirit cruise ship last week, after the vessel unexpectedly struck an iceberg. Videos of the incident circulated on social media in the aftermath, as multiple passengers filmed the moment the ship collided with the iceberg. The Carnival Spirit finished its seven-day Alaska cruise on Tuesday without interruption, returning to Seattle, Washington. Alaska’s waters are also known as some of the most challenging for cruise ships to navigate. “Today’s cruise ships are specifically built to sail a number of different waters,” Gray Faust told CNN Travel.

Persons: Cassandra Goskie, ”, Singhal, there’s, John Herring, “, Chris Gray Faust, ” Gray Faust Organizations: CNN, Cruise, Carnival, CNN Travel, Spirit, Sun Locations: Tracy Arm, , Alaska, Juneau, Alaska, Seattle , Washington

☆ The viral nine-month cruise is ending. Here’s what it was really like on board
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +21 min

Preparing for the endJoe and Audrey Martucci say they are grateful for the nine-month cruise experience, but at times they found the schedule tiring. A trip of a lifetimeGen Z traveler Little Rat Brain says Antarctica, pictured here, was her world cruise highlight. Little Rat Brain, passenger on board the nine-month cruiseThe TikTok-famous passengers are now considering how to pivot their online presences. “I don’t think anything’s ever going to have the virality of the nine-month cruise,” Fletcher says. “I’m not really sure if it will ever occur again,” agrees Little Rat Brain.

Persons: Royal, –, Angie Linderman, Linderman, Ale Kenney, Shannon Marie Lake, Anthony McWilliams –, Joe, Audrey Martucci, Joe Martucci, Bobbi Waterman, Tam, Julian Mendoza, Daniele Salvatore Arbisi, “, they’re, ”, Beth Anne Fletcher, ’ Fletcher wasn’t, you’re, ” Fletcher, Joe Martucci didn’t, TikTok, ” Oosthuizen, … ” LRB, itineraries, LRB, there’s, someone’s, Anthony McWilliams, Amike, Oosthuizen, Drake, ’ ”, McWilliams, y’all, Anthony Antoine McWilliams Fletcher, Fletcher, “ Beth Anne’s, Audrey, Shannon Lake, ” McWilliams, “ We’re, it’s, “ Truman, Brandee, aunties, It’s, ’, can’t, “ I’m, influencer Marc Sebastian, Sebastian, they’ve, ” LRB, ” Linderman, haven’t, There’s, Princess Cruises –, she’s, “ Everything’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Royal, NASA, Seas, New York City, MSC Cruises, Princess Cruises, Vie Locations: Royal Caribbean, Miami, Shannon, American, British, South Africa, Halifax, Canada, Southampton, “, California, China, New York, LA, Antarctica, India, Portofino, Italy, Iguazu, ”, Caribbean, Belfast , Northern Ireland

☆ She met a man on a rooftop bar on her first night in Paris. Her life changed forever
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-06 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +28 min

A series of fortuitous eventsWhen the train arrived in Paris, Erin and her seat neighbor went their separate ways, and Erin figured she’d never see him again. It’s called the Generator, and it has a great rooftop bar.’ And I love rooftop bars, so I remembered that.”Erin returned to the US, and she quickly lost touch with her train friend. Jordan figured the reviews were decent, the prices OK – and the rooftop bar looked appealing. “Then, that night, there was a party, an organized event on the rooftop,” Erin recalls. By then, fall had arrived, and Jordan’s summer stint at the rooftop bar was ending.

Persons: Erin Tridle, Erin, She’d, “ I’m, ”, she’d, “, we’ve, ‘ I’m, It’s, ” Erin, ’ ” Erin, Jordan, Frenchman who’d, ’ ”, Erin didn’t, ‘, ” Jordan, ‘ Let’s, ’ ” Jordan, he’d, – he’d, you’re, hesitating, we’ll, it’s, Jordan couldn’t, let’s, – Jordan wasn’t, Erin couldn’t, “ He’d, “ Jordan, Milian, hadn’t, Jordan –, ’, Anthony Bourdain’s, Anthony Bourdain, ’ Erin Tridle, She’ll, Jordan’s Covid, Erin’s, I’d, Nika Gunchak Erin, Jordan’s, – she’d, Paris, He’s, he’s, Frenchman, Jordan upended, Erin “, Jordan “, Sebastián, “ There’s, I’m Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Jordan, Omicron, Eiffel Locations: Paris, of Versailles, Europe, Los Angeles, Sacre, America, France, Caribbean, Australia, Paris ”, “, ”, Seine, Milan, French, Nice, Sebastián, Spain’s Basque, United States, Erin, LA, ‘, 8th, ’, American, TikTok

☆ She got back in touch with a vacation fling from over 15 years ago. What happened next was unexpected
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

Alex and Ola met in a crowded bar and stayed up all night together on the island. Alex didn’t even know Ola was married – he didn’t post much, and he wasn’t on her radar anymore. To their mutual surprise, the connection Alex and Ola felt that night on the beach in Ko Phi Phi returned right away. In the fall, Alex met Ola’s children, who she immediately loved. Alexandra NelkeA year after she moved to Sweden, Alex and Ola bought a house together in Malmö, Sweden.

Persons: Alex Nelke, Ola Forsmark, he’s, ” Alex, you’re, Alex, ” Ola, Ola, kickstarted, ”, didn’t, Alex reconnecting, “, Alexandra Nelke, Alex didn’t, –, She’d, ’, Berlin Ola, Alexandra Nelke Alex, ‘ Life’s, Ola’s, Wolfgang —, “ I’ve, I’ve, she’s, they’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Ko Phi Phi, Phi Phi, Facebook Locations: Thailand, Ola, Ko, Germany, London, Swedish, Asia, Bali, America, Sweden, Berlin, “, Malmö

☆ He’d been single all his life. Then he fell in love with a stranger on vacation
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

When Yasmine invited her to join the road trip across Turkey, Sema happily accepted. “I knew nothing about them.”And then, when she was introduced to Kenneth, Sema also felt an instant connection to him. Kenneth Wayne HarlOver the next few days, as Kenneth, Sema and their friends Jason and Yasmin drove across Turkey, Kenneth and Sema grew closer. Kenneth and Sema spent the rest of the ferry crossing basking in the glow of each other’s affection. “In Urfa, the four of us attended a dinner and traditional dance performance in the evening,” recalls Kenneth.

Persons: Kenneth Harl, Sema, “, Kenneth, ” Kenneth, Jason, Yasmine, ”, Nemrut, She’d, – she’d, hadn’t, ” Sema, –, Kenneth Wayne Harl, Yasmin, Nemrut Dağ, Kenneth wasn’t, Jason – who’d, ‘, ’, ’ ”, ” Jason, – you’re, it’d, it’s, Kenneth Wayne Harl Kenneth, They’d, Ken, who’d, you’re, ” “, hasn’t, “ I’m, he’d, We’ve, I’m, He’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Tulane University, Tulane, UNESCO, Heritage, Sema, Skype, American Research Institute, London, ” Locations: Malatya, Turkey, New Orleans, Izmit, Jason, Urfa, Harran, Sema, Nemrut, United States, Istanbul, Büyük Ada, ’, Ankara, Paris, India, France, Hurricane

☆ She hit it off with the guy she met at the bar on vacation. Then he sent her an unexpected text message
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-02 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

And then, on her second night in Rome, Skyler crossed paths with Giuseppe Morisani in a busy bar. As soon as he met Skyler, Giuseppe started daydreaming about showing her around his home region and – most importantly – introducing her to his mother. He just had one complaint: the lack of Calabrian olive oil. In time, this first spark of an idea became EXAU Olive Oil – a successful olive oil company operated by Giuseppe and Skyler. “I wouldn’t have started EXAU, our olive oil company, if we hadn’t met just that day… I just feel happy.

Persons: Giuseppe Morisani, Skyler Mapes, She’d, Giuseppe, “, ” Skyler, Skyler couldn’t, ”, Skyler, she’d, ‘, Giuseppe didn’t, Skyler didn’t, Giuseppe –, –, Giuseppe gushed, who’d, he’d, Calabria Skyler, Giuseppe’s, we’d, didn’t, Giuseppe Morisani Skyler, ” “, ” Giuseppe, Skyler hadn’t, Giuseppe couldn’t, Oprah Winfrey, Olive, we’re, Skyler’s, they’ve, hadn’t, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Google, CNN Travel, Familia, Fine Arts, Forbes, Olive Oil, US Locations: Rome, Calabria, Barcelona, Spain, Europe, Italy, Calabria –, California, Amsterdam, Netherlands, United States, San Francisco, ”, Southern Italy, Texas

☆ She couldn’t stop thinking about the guy she met at the Athens Olympics. Then a message from him changed her life
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-26 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +26 min

So I thought, ‘Let me see if I can go to the Athens Olympics. An unexpected opportunityOmaira got to watch the final dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the Athens 2004 Olympic Games on August 13, 2004. And then Omaira was off to work at the shooting center, where the Games’ shooting events were held. But while Omaira was cultivating a pretty heady crush, Dimitris didn’t really have time to engage with his potential feelings. Omaira GillThis year marks 20 years since Omaira and Dimitris crossed paths at the Athens Olympics.

Persons: CNN — Omaira Gill, ” Omaira, ‘ I’m, ’, –, Omaira, ’ ”, … ’, “, ”, Omaira didn’t, “ I’d, David Gray MD, she’d, ’ Omaira Gill, Dimitris Athanasiou, Dimitris, ‘, they’re, ” Dimitris, ” Dimitris ’, hadn’t, Dimitris who’d, he’d, Dimtiris, Dimitris didn’t, Dimitris quizzed, “ Will, She’d, I’m, … ’ ”, couldn’t, didn’t, “ You’ve, Dimitris ’, that’s, we’d, Omaira Gill, Paulo Coelho, “ Omaira, ” Here's Dimitris, Omaira Gill Omaira, Hermes, Dimitiris, Hector, Orion, they’ll, “ Hermes, We’re, Dimitris – Organizations: CNN, Olympic, CNN Travel, Athens, “, ‘ Volunteers, Uni, Reuters, Olympics, Olympic Games, Paralympic, MSN, Omaira, ”, Athens Olympics, Stade de France, Disneyland Locations: Athens, Greece, Birmingham, United Kingdom, London, inbox, Omaira, Pakistan, India, Paris, Disneyland Paris, Europe

☆ She felt lost when she became a widow in her 20s. Then she signed up to grief camp
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-21 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +23 min

“Being a widow in my 20s, I don’t have as many people around me who relate to that grief experience. Six months since she’d signed up for grief camp. Being a widow in my 20s, I don’t have as many people around me who relate to that grief experience. She wrote a piece called “Grief Camp is My Happy Place,” for her Substack, describing her experiences. “I think a lot of people hear ‘grief camp’ and think it’s going to be sad all the time.

Persons: Mackenzie Galloway, Cole, ”, ” Galloway, Megan, Cole’s, Camps, ’, Cole scrolled, Galloway, Cole wasn’t, Lindsay Lohan, – Galloway, She’d, “, she’d, –, ‘, ’ ”, Equinunk, “ Mac ”, “ Mackenzie, they’ve, they’d, doesn’t, I’ll, who’d, she’s, Megan –, “ Joy, Jesse Moss, Moss, you’re, Michelle Cove, won’t, Chappell, Chappell Roan, Megan isn’t, Cole didn’t, It’s, that’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, New Yorker, New, Galloway, Experience Camps Locations: Galloway, New, US, Kansas, ”, New York City, Equinunk , Pennsylvania, Cole, New York, Pennsylvania, Equinunk, Blue, Mackenzie

☆ They fell in love on vacation but went their separate ways. Four years later, he called her out of the blue
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-12 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +16 min

“When he gave me his card, he didn’t really have time to talk to me because he had to catch the bus. Susan and Tom GiulianiFor Susan and Tom, timing seemed to have finally aligned. “He arranged for the ring to be put on top of my dessert after dinner at the castle,” recalls Susan. Susan and Tom GiulianiToday, Susan and Tom are retired and living in New Jersey, focused on family and travels. They can’t imagine a world in which they didn’t cross paths in Ireland, didn’t spot one another in JFK airport, didn’t reconnect four years later.

Persons: they’d, Tom Giuliani, Susan Hall, Tom, Susan, Sue, ”, Susan didn’t, “, –, Ireland Tom, I’d, Tom –, ” Susan, Durty, Tom chatted, ” Tom, he’d, we’ll, “ I’ll, I’ll, didn’t, Tom couldn’t, ’ ”, ” Susan –, she’d, Susan hesitated, Susan –, who’d, Tom – she’d, He’s, ” “, they're, ’, Marvin Gaye, Susan Giuliani –, Evan, Paige, Nelly’s, Susan couldn’t, They’re, they’ll, Instagram, Susan …, you’re Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, “, Dublin Airport, Shannon, JFK, ” Locations: Ireland, Dromoland , County Clare, Ireland’s, Bunratty, County Clare, Europe, sips, American, ”, Dublin, JFK, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Irish, London, Scotland, Culcreuch, Loch Lomond, Las Vegas

☆ She invited a stranger to join her on vacation in Italy. ‘It went from zero to 100, really, really quick’
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-05 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +25 min

“I was like, ‘Okay, let’s see what the guys look like in Vienna,’” Carter recalls. “If I’m going to meet up with this guy, I should FaceTime him to make sure he’s real,” she thought. “I was thinking, ‘This is either going to go really good or really bad,’” Carter recalls. “It went from zero to 100, really, really quick, in terms of comfort. And either I’m going to have to move here, or he’s going to have to move to America.

Persons: CNN — Carter Leathers, Italy –, Carter, Max Ratzenböck, ” Carter, Max, she’d, ’, “, ‘ I’m, ’ ”, whiling, ”, ’ ” Carter, I’d, it’s, I’m, Bumble, Max swiped, Max couldn’t, ” Max, Carter Ratzenböck Carter, Florence –, he’d, “ I’m, We’d, you’re, Carter’s, –, Pretty, Max's, Carter Ratzenböck, Florence’s, ” Here's Carter, marveling, He’s, they’d, ‘ We’re, They’d, Alex Katz, Austria who’d, “ It’s, “ I’ve, Max’s, ” Carter didn’t, Europe – she’d, Carter –, serendipitously, Max it’s, Max – Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Austrian, Opera House, Schönbrunn, Ferris, Viennese Opera, Vienna, Intelligence, ”, America Locations: Florence, Italy, Sacramento , California, Europe, California, Rome, Vienna, Austria, Austrian, Tuscany, Italian, Ponte Vecchio, osterias, ”, “, America, Sacramento, San Francisco, Napa Valley, Monterey, Paris, accilimatize, Ponte

☆ His wife died. Then he unexpectedly found a second chance at love on vacation
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

“This was no normal train,” John recalls. Back home in the UK, John thought about Judy fondly from time to time. In the UK, John’s friends loved it when this glamorous American woman visited town. John Nears and Judy CurtisAs John and Judy haven’t been able to meet this year, they’ve both been spending time reflecting on past adventures. Thinking back on his life, John says he feels inordinately lucky to have enjoyed two great love stories.

Persons: John’s, Pam, “, ” John, John, Chris, marveling, Judy Curtis, Judy Malody, Judy, they’d, John –, ”, –, “ I’d, Coast –, Judy Curtis Judy, John she’d, she’d, ‘, ’ ”, Jack, She’d, “ Judy, Judy Curtis John, Madeira’s, who’d, Peru –, “ John, It’s, Judy doesn’t, he’s, “ We’ve, ’ John, Judy Curtis It’s, Cunard Queen Mary, she’s, “ It’s, Judy haven’t, they’ve, ” John’s, you’ve, who’ve, Pam’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Orient Express, Coast, San Diego International, San Diego, ”, “, Health Locations: South America, England, Bolivia, Peru –, Cusco, Puno, “, Peru, San Diego , California, New York, California, West Coast, United States, East Coast, San Diego, Madeira, Funchal, Istanbul, Turkey, British, ”, Antarctica, Yosmite , California, Iceland, Kenya, Tanzania

☆ Icon of the Seas: Fire breaks out on world’s largest cruise ship
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Crew on board the world’s largest cruise ship, the Icon of the Seas, were called on to tackle a fire this week as the gigantic vessel was berthed in a port in Mexico. The Royal Caribbean spokesperson confirmed crew members controlled the blaze, explaining all crew are trained to handle such situations. Social media users on an Icon of the Seas Facebook group spoke of minor disruption to their day, but proceedings were quickly back to normal. The $2-billion Icon of the Seas made headlines when the vessel launched earlier this year, with its seven swimming pools – including a record-breaking 17,000-square-foot water park. In March, a fire broke out on a Carnival Cruise Lines ship, with footage captured by a passenger of the ship’s tail ablaze.

Organizations: CNN, Royal Caribbean, CNN Travel, Seas Facebook, Cruise, Royal Locations: Mexico, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Royal Caribbean

☆ She got on a flight to visit her boyfriend. Then she kissed a stranger she met on the plane
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-21 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

An airplane encounterAmy and Mike met on March 23, 2006, on an airplane about to depart Los Angeles International Airport. But then Mike apologized – half jokingly, half sincere – for ruining Amy’s flight. First in the coffee line, and later as they walked through the airport, Amy and Mike continued chatting. Mike didn’t want Amy to leave, but Amy wasn’t going to abandon a great career opportunity. Later this year, Amy and Mike hope to take their kids to Japan – an 11 hour plus flight from LAX.

Persons: Amy Osmun, she’d, Mike Gilberstadt, They’d, Amy, Mike, “, ”, wasn’t, Mike couldn’t, dietician, She’d, sauntering, Mike —, –, Mike –, Mike’s, I’d, he’d, Amy marveled, Mike didn’t, Amy wasn’t, ” He’s, Amy Gilberstadt “, Valentine, Amy Gilberstadt, ” Amy, “ I’d, I’ve, I’m, “ You’re, Barbies, ‘ I’ve, ” “, Amy’s, “ We’re, they're, Kelli Gase, they’ve Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Los Angeles International Airport, California State University, Amsterdam Schipol Airport, LAX, Scotland, TiVo, . Locations: Amsterdam’s, Scotland, Greece, Southern California, Amsterdam, California, Mike’s, Orange County, San Diego, Venice, Italy, Ireland, Hong Kong, India, Japan, China, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, United Kingdom, Alaska, Vermont

☆ New airplane business class seat design has huge 45-inch TV screen
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The two aviation powerhouses recently joined forces to reimagine the future of airplane TV and movie-viewing, via a swanky concept called MAYA. MAYA, which stands for “Most Advanced Yet Achievable,” is an ergonomic business class seat that comes equipped with an Astrova Curve 45-inch ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition OLED display. Collins Aerospace/Panasonic AvionicsThe screen syncs up with passengers’ personal devices, offering an impressive headphone-less audio system. Collins Aerospace/Panasonic AvionicsNot only is MAYA’s curved screen three times larger than classic business class seat options, Panasonic also envisages the seat offering an Ultra-Widescreen CinemaScope (21:9) display – a screen format more commonly found in cinemas. With that in mind, Masson calls the screen the “cinematic centerpiece” of MAYA’s design, but stresses the screen’s not only designed for movies.

Persons: you’ve, Andrew Masson, ” Collins, Masson, “, ” Organizations: CNN, Collins Aerospace, Panasonic, Panasonic Avionics, Aircraft Interiors, AIX, CNN Travel Locations: Hamburg, Germany

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