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☆ American tourist arrested in Japan for allegedly defacing Tokyo shrine gate
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-15 | by ( Junko Ogura | Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A 65-year-old American tourist has been arrested in Japan for allegedly carving letters into a torii gate at a Tokyo shrine. The suspect, Steve Lee Hayes, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of property damage, a Tokyo Metropolitan Police spokesperson told CNN. Police said the man allegedly defaced the pillar of a shrine gate in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward on Tuesday, “carving the alphabet with his fingernails.”According to public broadcaster NHK, five letters – believed to be the tourist’s family name – were allegedly etched into a gate pillar at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine. Located adjacent to the city’s sprawling Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine first opened in 1920 and was dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken. A closeup image of scratches on a torii gate at Meiji Shrine, taken on November 14, 2024.

Persons: Steve Lee Hayes, –, Emperor Meiji, Shoken, Yuichi Yamazaki Organizations: CNN, Tokyo Metropolitan Police, Police, NHK, . Police, Meiji, Mount Fuji, UNESCO Locations: Japan, Tokyo, Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, Meiji, AFP, Kesennuma, Nara

☆ Sabae: The ‘eyeglasses capital’ of Japan
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Milly Chan | Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Among them is the small city of Sabae, in Fukui prefecture, about a 3.5-hour train ride from Tokyo. An eyeglasses sculpture in Sabae, Japan. Fukui prefecture has four stations on the extended Shinkansen line – Awara Onsen Station, Fukui Station, Echizen-Takefu Station and Tsuruga Station. (Travelers can hop on a separate train from Fukui Station for the 15-minute ride to Sabae.) GI15702993/iStockphoto/Getty ImagesIn addition to being home to the eyeglasses capital of Japan, Fukui prefecture is filled with well-preserved ancient architecture, historic sites and temples, as well as newer attractions, including Nishiyama Zoo, famed for its red pandas.

Persons: Buddhika Weerasinghe, Sabae, Takeshi Yamae, “, ”, Futa Nagao, Takeshi, Sabae’s, It’s, There’s, sakura, Soto, you’re Organizations: CNN, CNN —, Bloomberg, Getty, Boston Club, Sabae’s Megane, Asahi Shimbun, Fukui, Takefu, Tsuruga, Nishiyama Zoo, Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum, Soto Zen, Food, Museum Locations: Sabae, Fukui prefecture, Tokyo, Japan, Honshu, Fukui, Japan’s Hokuriku, Toyama, Niigata, Ishikawa, Kyoto, Echizen, Maruoka, Tojinbo, Mikata, Wakasa, Tsuruga

☆ Qantas apologizes after R-rated film plays on every screen during Sydney-Tokyo flight
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-07 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Things got unexpectedly racy onboard a recent Qantas flight when an R-rated film was played on all the aircraft’s screens. In its statement, Qantas said crew initially attempted to fix the screens for customers who did not want to watch the movie. The airline said cabin crew apologized to passengers, “particularly those who had complained about the content” and will follow up with them. “The movie was clearly not suitable to play for the whole flight and we sincerely apologize to customers for this experience,” said a Qantas spokesperson. We are reviewing how the movie was selected.”CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misidentified the movie’s star.

Persons: ”, Dakota Johnson, Sean Penn Organizations: CNN, Qantas, US Motion Pictures Locations: Sydney

☆ Why Thailand is making it easier for travelers to stay longer
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-28 | by ( Karla Cripps | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The popular Southeast Asia destination recently introduced a new five-year visa targeted at remote workers and other travelers looking to stay in the kingdom for extended periods. According to a statement issued by the Thai prime minister’s office, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) will allow eligible travelers a period of stay up to 180 days per visit, on a multiple-entry basis, within five years. Thailand certainly isn’t alone in its desire to bring travelers in for longer periods. “A global trend we have observed throughout the post-Covid-19 period has been that travelers are staying at destinations for longer,” he says. “These measures will likely enhance the appeal of Thailand for long-term visitors, potentially increasing these proportions over time.”

Persons: It’s, it’s, ”, Gary Bowerman, ” Bowerman, “ You’ve, Olivier Ponti, Ponti, “ Organizations: Bangkok CNN, Muay, Thailand Visa, CNN, ” Locations: Bangkok, Phuket, Muay Thai, Thailand, Southeast Asia, Thai, Asia, –, Asia Pacific

☆ What is Canada Day and how is it celebrated? The answer is more complicated than some might think
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-01 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Meanwhile, the July 1 holiday to commemorate Canada’s Confederation became official in 1879, and was originally called Dominion Day. The late Queen Elizabeth II, seen here joining the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa in 1997, visited Canada 22 times during her reign. Some early Dominion Day celebrations featured a ‘Dominion Salute’ of one gun for each province. Cole Burston/Getty ImagesIt wasn’t until 1982 that Dominion Day officially became Canada Day. For more information on the event, visit the official Canada Day website.

Persons: Matthew Hayday, don’t, ”, Hill, Mark Horton, Forrest, –, ’ ”, Queen Elizabeth II, Carlo Allegri, “, King, Cole Burston, Hayday Organizations: CNN, Canada, Canadian Forces, Department, Ontario’s Guelph University, Royal Canadian Air Force, Independence, Canada’s, Dominion, British North America, United Province of, “, Archives, Toronto Globe, Globe, Ottawa, of Canada, National Capital Locations: Canada, Vancouver, Toronto, Charlottetown, Ottawa, British, United Province, United Province of Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Independence, AFP, Canadian, United States, Union, “, American, ”, LeBreton

☆ World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-06 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Any doubts that Spain remains the fine dining center of the world may just have evaporated with the revealing of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2024 list. As for the event’s host country, the US had two restaurants on this year’s 50 Best list. Three restaurants from Tokyo were awarded, with eatery Sézanne (voted Asia’s best restaurant in 2024) ranking the highest in the Japanese capital, at 15. Restaurants can only win the top prize once, after which they’re entered into a separate “Best of the Best” program. The world’s 50 best restaurants 20241.

Persons: –, Barcelona’s, it’s, Oriol Castro, Eduard Xatruch, El, Victor Arguinzoniz, Paris, Bruno Verjus, Diverxo –, Lima’s, Gaggan Anand, York City’s Atomix, SingleThread, they’re, Osteria Francescana, Asador, Don Julio, Quique, São, Tim Raue, Jane, Le, Schloss, Hiša Franko Organizations: CNN, Wynn, Sézanne, Restaurants Academy, of, Trèsind Locations: Spain, Las Vegas, Spanish, Bilbao, Peruvian, Mexico, North America, Mexico City, Vegas, Paris, Bangkok, Thai, York, Healdsburg, California’s Sonoma Valley, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Noma, Copenhagen, London, Modena, Italy, Mirazur, Menton, France, of Lima , Peru, Disfrutar, Barcelona, Madrid, Lima, Peru, New York City, Quintonil, Denmark, Thailand, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Dubai, UAE, Japan, England, Sangro, Steirereck, Vienna, Austria, Suhring, Odette, Singapore, Bogotá, Colombia, São Paulo, Brazil, Santiago, Chile, Berlin, Germany, Belcanto, Lisbon, Portugal, Rosetta, Frantzén, Stockholm, Sweden, Antwerp, Belgium, Rio de Janeiro, Sorn, Piazza, Alba, Le Du, Ikoyi, Seoul, South Korea, , California, Switzerland, Kobarid, Slovenia, Cape Town , South Africa

☆ Indian airline IndiGo gives female travelers option to choose seats next to other women
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —One of India’s biggest airlines has just launched a new feature that allows female travelers to see where other women are sitting when selecting seats for their flights. According to a statement sent to CNN, low-cost carrier IndiGo Airlines is offering the feature on a pilot basis to female passengers checking in for their flights online. The carrier, founded in 2006, operates more than 2,000 domestic and international flights per day in India. Though the airline didn’t specify a reason for giving women the option of seeing where other females are seated, assaults against women and children during commercial flights are reported regularly all over the world. “Typically, men are the perpetrators, and women and unaccompanied minors are the victims.”

Persons: IndiGo, ” Organizations: CNN, India’s, IndiGo Airlines, ” CNN Locations: India

☆ Bette Nash, American Airlines: World’s longest-serving flight attendant, dies at 88
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Bette Nash, holder of the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant, has died at the age of 88, according to statements from American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. “She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant. Fly high, Bette.”The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the union representing flight attendants in the United States, posted its own tribute to Nash on Facebook. She started in 1957 and held the Guinness World Record for longest-serving flight attendant. CNN Bette Nash (third from left) — "I wanted to be a flight attendant from the time I got on the first airplane," says Nash.

Persons: Bette Nash, “, Bette, Nash, ”, pic.twitter.com, Boston Logan, CNN Bette Nash, Guinness, Dina Rudick, ‘ Organizations: CNN, Guinness, American Airlines, Association of Professional, Airlines, Professional, Facebook, Eastern Airlines, Reagan Washington National, Reagan National, TWA, CNN Technological, Canadian Colonial Airways, Hulton, “, ABC News, Boston Globe Locations: United States, Washington ,, Reagan, Washington

☆ Khon in Bangkok: Inside Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, passionate performers keep a masked art form alive
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Karla Cripps | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But one of the best places to experience an authentic Khon performance is Bangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. Among the performers tasked with playing that role at Sala Chalermkrung is 34-year-old Thanet Pakwisath, who has been practicing Khon for more than 20 years. “And I believe that other performers here at Sala Chalermkrung would have the same belief.”But like many of his colleagues, he fears for its fate. I want everyone to help – both Thai people and foreigners.”Sala Chalermkrung: A living museumBangkok’s Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theater has its own fascinating back story. But from the late 1970s, visitors to Sala Chalermkrung began to decline.

Persons: Ling ”, Khon, Sala, Apassara, khon, Karla Cripps, Hanuman, “, ”, “ Khon, Hanuman Thanet, Sala Charlermkrung, Mark Phillips, ” Sala, King Prajadhipok, Sala Chalermkrung Organizations: CNN, Bangkok CNN, Suvarnabhumi International, Heritage, Chalermkrung, Khon, Royal, Sala Chalermkrung, Sala Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Khon, Thai, Sala, –, Sala Chalermkrung, Thanet, “, Charoenkrung, Phra Nakhon District

☆ The Vietage: New luxury train route in Vietnam offers stunning coastal views, afternoon tea
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The first “The Vietage by Anantara” luxury train carriage launched in 2020 – a six-hour journey connecting Da Nang and Quy Nhon. Courtesy Anantara“The main difference is that the new route connecting Nha Trang and Quy Nhon passes through many more coastal areas than the journey between Da Nang and Quy Nhon,” says Jones. For the six-hour journeys between Da Nang and Quy Nhon, passengers are served a pre-ordered three-course gourmet meal. The Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route includes an afternoon tea set. The original route departs from Da Nang Train Station at 8 a.m., arriving at Quy Nhon’s Dieu Tri Station at 2:03 p.m.

Persons: –, Kate Jones, ”, Jones Organizations: CNN, Dieu Tri Train Station Locations: Vietnam, Na Trang, Da Nang, Quy, Nha Trang, Trang, Thevietagetrain.com, Dieu Tri, Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon’s Dieu Tri, Southeast Asia

☆ US Air Force team airlifts critically ill passenger from Carnival Venezia in open Atlantic waters
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A US Air Force rescue team airlifted a civilian passenger needing urgent medical care this past weekend from a Carnival cruise ship that was hundreds of miles out in open Atlantic waters. The dramatic May 4 medical rescue involved three helicopter air-to-air refuelings to reach the Carnival Venezia, according to a news release from the 920th Rescue Wing. The mission was carried out by two HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, two HC-130J Combat King II aircraft and two teams of rescuers. When the aircraft arrived, rescuers were hoisted down from the helicopters and began preparing the patient for transport, the release said. Neither the 920th Rescue Wing nor the cruise line had further information about the patient’s condition or where he was taken for treatment.

Persons: ”, Dylan Gann, CNN’s Karla Cripps Organizations: CNN, US Air Force, Carnival Venezia, 920th Rescue Wing, Venezia, Patrick Space Force, HC, 130J, King, HH, U.S . Department of Defense, 920th, Wing, 301st Rescue Squadron, ” Carnival, CNN Travel, Air Force, US Coast Guard Locations: New York City, Bahamas, Caribbean, Florida, New York

☆ Why mango sticky rice is one of Thailand’s most beloved summer dishes
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-16 | by ( Karla Cripps | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Better known to the rest of the world as mango sticky rice, it’s a deceptively simple dish. And few have perfected that balance as well as 63-year-old Varee Jeensuwan, the undeniable queen of mango sticky rice in Bangkok. In 2022, she performed at the Coachella music festival in California and ended her show by digging into a bowl of mango sticky rice. K Panich has been dishing out mango sticky rice since 1932. According to R-Haan co-owner/chef Chumpol Jangprai, there’s evidence suggesting mango sticky rice has been around since Thailand’s late Ayutthaya period (1351-1767), with references to the dish found in the centuries to follow.

Persons: Mae Varee, “, Bangkok's Mae Varee, Lauren DeCicca, Rong, ”, Nam Dok Mai, Chiang Rai, Milli, Panich, Pongpat, – it’s, Bib, Khun Nan, Mai, it’s, It’s, Haan, Chumpol Jangprai, Rama V’s Organizations: CNN, Bangkok CNN, Coachella, Haan Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Bangkok’s, Thonglor, Mae, Bangkok's, province’s Bangkhla, Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi province, “, nieow, Thailand’s, Suratthani, China , Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, California

☆ Songkran 2024: Celebrating Thailand’s annual New Year festival
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —On the surface, Thailand’s annual Songkran festival appears to be just one great big water fight. Pipad Krajaejun, a history lecturer at Bangkok’s Thammasat University, says it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the water fights became such a key part of the festival. (We’ll share more on the water fights below.) Some towns limit the water fights to one day, so be sure to check ahead if you’re planning to join the battles. Soe Zeya Tun/ReutersAmong the highlights of the festival is the Maha Songkran Parade, which will happen on April 11.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, that’s, ”, Songkran, Boonserm Satraphai, Pipad, “, Soe Zeya Tun, University’s Pipad, Nam, Chalinee Thirasupa, MBK, Lauren DeCicca, John S Lander, it’s, CNN Travel’s Karla Cripps, she’s Organizations: CNN, Thailand CNN, UNESCO, Heritage, Bangkok’s Thammasat University, CNN Travel, ”, Thailand’s Tourism Authority, of, Reuters, Central Department, Thai Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, it’s, Chiang Mai, Thailand's, Khao San, Chiang, Old City, Pipad, Chiangmai, Thailand’s, Ratchadamnoen, Lanna, San

☆ Asia’s 50 best restaurants for 2024 revealed
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —After losing the number one spot to Bangkok in 2023, Tokyo has reclaimed its crown as the city with the top eatery in the region at the annual Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Awards, which were announced in Seoul, South Korea on Tuesday evening. The list – part of the global “World’s 50 Best” brand – is compiled by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, which is made up of more than 300 food critics, writers, chefs and restaurateurs, all selected for their knowledge of Asia’s restaurant scene. Though Singapore didn’t have any restaurants in the top five, nine of its venues made the top 50 list – more than any other city. Courtesy The World's 50 BestThe “Asia’s Best Female Chef” award went to Pichaya ‘Pam’ Soontornyanakij, owner of Bangkok restaurant Potong, which came in at 17 on this year’s list. Mineko Kato of restaurant Faro in Tokyo won the Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award and Kevin Lu of Logy, in Taipei, was voted Asia’s Best Sommelier.

Persons: Daniel Calvert, Calvert, “, ”, Sézanne, I’ve, we’d, Gaggan, Seroja, Gaggan Anand, Thitid “, Sühring, Le Du –, Ton, Bangkok –, Odette, Pichaya, Pam ’ Soontornyanakij, Ton’s Nusara, Mineko Kato, Kevin Lu, Logy, Sung Anh, Mosu, Danny Yip, Hong, Le, Fu, Hui, Samrub, Villa, Ling Long, Ando, Les Amis, Baan, Goh, Anan, Tam’s Organizations: CNN, Marunouchi, Restaurants Academy, Hospitality, Toyo, Meta, Studio, Bund Locations: Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, South Korea, Japan, France’s Champagne, Maronouchi, Asia, ”, Kolkata, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thai, ” Singapore, Faro, Taipei, Nusara, Suhring, Osaka, Odette, Sorn, Le Du, Potong, Shanghai, Logy, Masque, Mumbai, Manila, Delhi, Seroja, Taichung, Taiwan, Mume, Wakayama, Lolla, Avartana, Chennai, India, Fukuoka, Jakarta, Kyoto, Anan Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Macao

☆ Project Sunrise: Aircraft delays push back launch date for Qantas’ record-breaking flights
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Travelers who were hoping to experience Qantas’ long-awaited, record-breaking ‘Project Sunrise’ flights next year will have to be a bit more patient. Project Sunrise: Australian airline Qantas is gearing up to launch its ultra long-haul "Project Sunrise" flights between Australia and New York City and London. Qantas Business Suites: For the first time, Qantas will add a sliding door to its business class seats for added privacy. The layout includes six first class seats in a 1-1-1 configuration, 52 business class seats in 1-2-1, 40 premium economy seats in 2-4-2 and 140 economy seats in 3-3-3. Business class suites will be 42 inches wide with 25-inch-wide chairs that can be reclined into a two-meter bed.

Persons: ” Christian Scherer, – Organizations: CNN — Travelers, Qantas, Airbus, Sydney, Reuters, CNN, Sunrise, Civil Aviation Safety Authority, Boeing, Australian, Qantas Qantas, Singapore Airlines ’, JFK Locations: Australia, New York, London, Singapore, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Sri Lanka, New York City, Singapore Airlines ’ Singapore, JFK

☆ Canadian arrested for allegedly opening plane door, deploying evacuation slide in Thailand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Kocha Olarn | Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Bangkok CNN —A Canadian man has been arrested in the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai after he allegedly opened the door on a commercial plane and triggered the evacuation slide prior to takeoff. According to a statement issued by the Chiang Mai International Airport, the incident took place on the night of February 7. The Airbus A320 was unable to be immediately moved, temporarily preventing other flights from taking off and landing, said the statement. Chiang Mai officials say 2,295 passengers were affected by the February 7 incident. Police said they were unaware of the suspect’s motive for opening the door, but noted he appeared stressed and was difficult to communicate with.

Persons: Bangkok CNN —, Chiang Mai, Chiang, “, ”, Ronnakorn Chalermsanyakorn, Manuschai, Wong Sai Heung Organizations: Bangkok CNN, Chiang Mai International Airport, Thai Airways, Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi, Airbus, Airways, Chiang Mai International Airport Thai Airways, Chiang Mai Police, CNN, Police, Psychiatric, Canadian Embassy Locations: Bangkok, Thai, Chiang Mai, Thailand

☆ Mazaalai International Snow and Ice Festival: Mongolia event sets Guinness World Record
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The inaugural Mazaalai International Snow and Ice Festival, which kicked off on January 14, takes place till January 28 at Sky Resort, a golf and ski resort on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar. A further 52 ice Mazaalai statues were erected at the festival to represent the 52 Gobi bears that remain in the wild. Ministry of Culture/Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Government of MongoliaThere’s also a 56.4-meter-long snow and ice sculpture with a large ice skating rink. On January 17, the festival hosted the Mazaalai International Ice Competition, featuring 24 artists from six countries including China, Thailand, France, Russia, the US and Mongolia. Culture Minister Chinbat said the new Mazaalai International Snow and Ice Festival is part of the government’s goal to welcome one million international tourists per year to Mongolia.

Persons: CNN —, Nomin Chinbat, whooshing, Mongolia There’s, Chinbat Organizations: CNN, Sky, Guinness, of Culture, Ministry of Environment, Tourism, Ice, Culture, World Bank Locations: Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar, Government, China, Thailand, France, Russia, United States

But as with many popular winter ski destinations right now, this resort town in Indian-administered Kashmir is facing a snow shortage due to unseasonably dry weather, disappointing both travelers and tourism operators. Tauseef Mustafa/AFP/Getty ImagesDespite the lack of snow, a staff member of the Gulmarg Ski Resort reached by phone who did not wish to be named told CNN Travel their hotels have been experiencing very high occupancy rates in recent days. This is definitely affecting the tourism sector.”Tourists learn to ski on a gentle Gulmarg slope in February 2021. “What would they do here without the snow?”‘The demand is still there’Tourists visit the Gulmarg Ski Resort on January 10, 2024. So the loss of snow (will also be) compensated.”Yaqoob notes that the snowfall season in Gulmarg is traditionally from November to February-March.

Persons: Tauseef Mustafa, Asif Ahmad Bhat, “, ”, ’ Bhat, Sahil Ahmed Lone, Yawar Nazir, he’s, Lone, they’ve, Nasir Kachroo, Gulmarg –, Raja, it’s Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, ”, El Nino Locations: Gulmarg, Indian, Kashmir, Srinagar, India, Pakistan, AFP, “, Leh, Ladakh, Uttarakhand

☆ Best travel destinations to visit in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-01 | by ( Cnn Travel Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +32 min

cdwheatley/iStockphoto/Getty Images Angola: Beyond the capital city of Luanda, pictured, Angola has some jaw-droppingly spectacular scenery and cultural treats. David ChiaFF/Alamy Stock Photo Mérida, Mexico: Yucatán state's capital city showcases a blend of Mayan and colonial heritage. Pavel Tochinsky/The Image Bank RF/Getty Images Morocco: This North African country is home to nine UNESCO sites, including the historic city of Meknes, pictured. Panama City is also the only world capital with a tropical rainforest within its city limits. And a historic city forever entwined with the famed Camino de Santiago.

Persons: you’d, Tengguo Wu, Gabriele Thielmann, Turkey's, Gary Ennis, Matevz, Bill Bachman, Christian Kober, Gonzalo Azumendi, David ChiaFF, Pavel Tochinsky, Terry Kelly, Raul Rodriguez, iStock, Anton Petrus, –, — Karla Cripps Turkey’s, — Barry Neild, Mana Kaasik, — Maureen O’Hare, — Maggie Hiufu Wong, Deb Snelson, Glen Arbor, Marnie Hunter, — Forrest Brown, — Forrest Brown Angola Cristo, Eric Lafforgue, it’s, King, Eric Carr, John’s, Saint John, New Brunswick —, —, Tuul, Bruno Morandi, — Julia Buckley, Groenewald, Alamy, — Lilit Marcus, Alexander the Great, Philip II of Macedon, — JB, Bogdan Lazar, — Tamara Hardingham, Gill, Hercules, Francesca, Lazarus, ”, David Casanova, Megan Sequeira Casanova, “, Kuka y Naranjo, medina, Gordon Sinclair, Yvette Cardozo, — FB, Pierce Ingram, Stefan Tomic, Fujairah, who’ve, Samarkand —, It’s Organizations: CNN, United, CNN Travel, Getty Images, Town, Getty, Northwest, Saint, New Brunswick Tourism, UNESCO, Heritage, Alamy, Parque Nacional Volcán Barú, Galicia, Tercera Orden, Parque, Bank, Wakulla Springs, Texas, United Arab Emirates, AP, Rock, of Culture, Estonian National Museum, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest Michigan, Bear, Farm, Riders, Lubango, — BN Saint John, Canada Tourists, St, Saint John City Market, Historic, Saint John Arts Centre, Carnegie, Carnegie Library, — KC, Korea, Folk, Netflix, South Korea, Adriatic, Nacional Glaciares, Australian Sea Lions, Panama, Spain Santiago de, Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Islas, Camino, Mexico People, YouTube, US State Department, Morocco, Regis Hotels, Resorts, — FB Texas, Travel Texas, Krause, Gruene, Fujairah, Icefjord, FS, Tuul, ” Locations: United States, Sumba, Indonesia Sumba, Indonesia, Bali, Getty Images Tartu, Estonia, Tartu —, European, Tainan, Taiwan, Northwest Michigan, Traverse City, Lake Michigan, iStockphoto, Western Balkans, Culebra , Puerto Rico, Flamenco, Culebra, cdwheatley, Angola, Luanda, , New Brunswick, Fundy, New Brunswick, New Brunswick Tourism South Korea, Korea Albania, Albania, Chile, mauritius, Western Australia, Greece, Macedonia, American, Panama, Spain, Camino, Santiago, St, John's, Mexico, Parque Hidalgo, Morocco, Meknes, Florida, Spicewood, Anton, Greenland, Denmark, AP Uzbekistan, Bukhara, Indonesian, Sumela, Turkey's, — Barry Neild Tartu, Estonia Tartu, of Culture Tartu, Tartu, “, Baltics, — Maureen O’Hare Tainan, Taiwan Tainan, Taipei, — Maggie Hiufu Wong Northwest, Lake, Traverse, Leland, Glen, perusing, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia, transdinarica.com, —, Puerto Rico, It’s, — Forrest Brown Angola, Lubango, Barra, Cabo Ledo, — BN Saint John , New Brunswick, Canada, Hopewell, Newfoundland, Saint, Canada’s, Korea Andong, South Korea, Sanga, Korea, Seoul, Busan, Andong, Albania Albania, Berat, Montenegro, Vlorë, Gjirokastër, — Julia Buckley Chile, Atacama, Patagonia, Coral Coast, Geraldton, — Lilit Marcus Macedonia, Thessaloniki, Greece's, Hemis, Athens, Vergina, Veria, Naousa, Greece’s, Thrace, Philippi, Kavala, Panama . Panama City, Gill Galicia, Spain Santiago, Spain Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Galicia’s, Santiago de Compostela, Cabo, Fisterra, Galicia —, Singapore, John’s, Paseo, Montejo, Mérida, Yucatán, getaways, there’s, Marrakech, Rabat, Fes, Resorts Morocco, Wakulla, Ginnie, Fredericksburg, Texas, Marble Falls, Meanderers, New Braunfels, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Wadi, Nuuk, Ilulissat, West, FS Uzbekistan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan, China, India, Khiva, Uzbek, Sentob, Tashkent

☆ Icon of the Seas: World’s biggest cruise ship delivered to Royal Caribbean
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The world’s biggest cruise ship is now in the hands of its new owner, with Royal Caribbean accepting delivery of the 1,198-foot Icon of the Seas this week. Royal Caribbean says Icon of the Seas is the cruise line’s first ship that can be powered by liquefied natural gas and will have the first waste-to-energy plant at sea. “Images of Royal Caribbean’s ships have often elicited strong responses,” cruise expert Stewart Chiron told CNN Travel when questioned about the reaction in August. The current “world’s largest cruise ship” title holder is another vessel in the Royal Caribbean fleet, Wonder of the Seas, which made its inaugural voyage in 2022. Slightly smaller than Icon of the Seas, it stretches 1,188 feet in length and has 18 decks to explore.

Persons: That’s, it’s, ”, Jason Liberty, Stewart Chiron, “, Jacopo Prisco Organizations: CNN, Royal, Meyer, Royal Caribbean Group, CNN Travel, Royal Caribbean Locations: Royal Caribbean, Meyer Turku, Turku, Finland, Miami , Florida, Caribbean, “, Cadiz, Spain, Florida, –

☆ Singapore’s Changi Airport fully reopens Terminal 2 following huge expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Singapore’s Changi Airport has fully reopened Terminal 2 following a massive 3.5-year expansion project. But it was the introduction of some previously unheard-of amenities that really got the world’s travelers to take notice. Changi Airport Terminal 3 – which now has a 12-meter-high mega slide and a butterfly garden – entered the picture in 2008. Featuring a dramatic, doughnut-shaped exterior framed in steel and glass, the 135,700-square-meter space is a multi-use complex that connects three of Changi Airport’s four terminals. Meanwhile, airport officials have already revealed plans for Terminal 5, which is expected to open to travelers in the mid-2030s.

Persons: ”, Lye, Tang, Li Bai’s, Li Bai, Nam Kee, what’s Organizations: CNN, Group’s, Lotte, Harry’s, CNN Singapore Changi Airport, Hamad International Airport, Changi, HSBC Locations: Changi, Lye Teck, Singapore, Doha, Qatar, Forest

☆ Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport: Cambodia’s newest and biggest airport opens to commercial flights
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cambodia’s newest and biggest airport opened to commercial operations in the province of Siem Reap in the country’s northwest this week. The China-funded Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is now the main gateway to one of the country’s most popular tourist sites, the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Complex. Using the International Air Transport Association-designated code SAI, it replaces Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which first opened in 1932 and is only a few kilometers away from the Angkor complex. Located in Siem Reap province, the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park is one of Cambodia's most famous sites. The country is on track to receive approximately 4.5 to five million international tourists by the end of this year, says the ministry.

Persons: Ashit Desai, Angkor Thom Organizations: CNN, UNESCO, Thailand’s Bangkok Airways, International Air Transport Association, SAI, Initiative, REP, Economic, Office, Embassy, Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group, Construction, Getty, Cambodia’s Ministry, Tourism Locations: Siem Reap, China, Angkor, Siem, Cambodia, Southeast Asia, Khmer, Angkor Wat

☆ Inside Japan Airlines’ new A350-1000 aircraft
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Japan Airlines (JAL) has done just that, this week unveiling the interiors of its high-tech new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, “which will become the airline’s new flagship for international service after nearly 20 years,” the carrier says in a statement. Business-class cabinsAn aerial view of the new business-class seats. Japan AirlinesThe JAL 777-300ER jets currently serving JAL’s long-haul flights have 49 business-class seats. Premium and economy cabinsThe new JAL premium economy seats have privacy partitions and electronic leg rests. Japan AirlinesA common question among travelers: is it worth paying the extra for premium economy?

Persons: ”, here’s, Safran, CNN Travel’s Francesca Street, what’s, There’s, “ Organizations: CNN, Japan Airlines, JAL, Airbus, ”, they’ve, Japan, Boeing Locations: Tokyo, Haneda, New York, JFK, Hamburg, Germany, Japan Airlines

What is the Naadam festival? “Naadam means ‘games’ in the Mongolian language and it includes three main competitions, Mongolian wrestling, archery and horse racing,” he explains. The Naadam games took place virtually for two years, from 2020-2021, because of the pandemic. Kyodo/APIn addition to the major festivities held in Ulaanbaatar, there are Naadam games – of different scales – held across Mongolia in the countryside. A female archer strikes a pose at a small Naadam festival at the Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia's Gobi Desert in 2019.

Persons: Genghis Khan, Here’s, Naadam, It’s, ”, “ Naadam, Genghis, Barry Lewis, –, Yesunge, Tessa Chan, Alison Wright, David, Goliath, Wu Hong Organizations: CNN, Manly Games, Nomadic Expeditions, “, UNESCO, Intangible, Heritage, Humanity, South China Morning, Mongolian Government, Mongolian, Mongolia, Archery, Kyodo, AP, Archery Field, Shutterstock Locations: Mongolia, gers, Mongol, Ulaanbaatar, Uliastai, Western Mongolia, South, Mongolian, Australia, New Zealand, Ulaanbataar

☆ Famed luxury train is returning to Southeast Asia with two new routes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Karla Cripps | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

In February 2024, The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train will launch two seasonal return-trip journeys out of Singapore that take in the landscapes of its northern neighbor, Malaysia. These routes mark the brand’s official return to Southeast Asia after being forced to cease operations during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train's open-air observation carriage. BelmondAccording to Belmond, operator of the train, the 15 signature green- and cream-colored carriages, once a familiar site for train spotters in the region, have been restyled. Travelers familiar with the luxury train’s long-established presence in Southeast Asia might be asking: why isn’t it traveling up through Thailand to Bangkok?

Persons: George Town, Belmond, ” Organizations: CNN, Oriental Express, Oriental, State, Presidential, Travelers, Orient, CNN Travel Locations: Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia, Singapore’s Woodlands, Penang, Langkawi, Taman, Pullman, Kuala Lumpur, Malay Culture, Alor Setar, George, Malaysian, Thailand, Bangkok, Venice, Kanchanaburi, Thailand’s

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