Traveling to the World’s Top Destinations for the Holidays: Myths About Me and Meymuna Hussein-Cattan
Editor’s Note — Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter . Get news about destinations opening, inspiration for future adventures, plus the latest in aviation, food and drink, where to stay and other travel developments.
This week in travel: the world’s top destinations for festive cheer, the high-rolling lifestyle in Monaco and Italy, a bag full of knives, and the places you won’t be able to visit in 2023.
As any Who down in Whoville can tell you, the home of Christmas is inside our hearts. But if you want a guarantee that festive cheer is fully nailed, you can always take a trip to somewhere that does the season in style — such as Dresden in Germany, which is a stollen-scented wonderland from November to January.
San Fernando in the Philippines is famous for its lantern festival, and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania has an actual Live Advent Calendar.
If comfort and joy for you instead means a Wham! video extravaganza of fondue, sweaters and snow-covered peaks, then our roundup of the best ski resorts for the holidays will help you choose where to curl up by the fire.
The Reale restaurant, located in eastern Italy’s Abruzzo region, is the best in the land, but its tasting menu is vegetarian in a departure from what we know about Italian cuisine.
A restaurant in Los Angeles’ Little Ethiopia changes its menu monthly to serve dishes from the homeland of a refugee or immigrant chef. It’s the vision of Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, the daughter of Ethiopian refugees who made their home in California’s Orange County. She is one of CNN’s top 10 heroes.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-news-christmas-destinations-conscious-cuisine/index.html
What to do next? The high-rollers’ tale of life in the Palazzi dei Rolli (Emilia Romagna)
The country’s hotels are looking for novel ways to be sustainable because of the threat of rising sea levels. The leading way is a plant-based concept called Roots.
Seven out of 10 millionaires reside in Monaco, but what’s it like to live in the tiny principality where there are shady people? We spoke to residents of this elite playground.
The Italian city of Genoa, which is home to mansions like the one pictured, has palaces so wonderful that they are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here’s how the high-rollers do it in the Palazzi dei Rolli
The Emilia Romagna region of Italy has a castle, palace, village, and a lot of other things for sale that can be left over after Christmas.
One passenger in Alaska was caught carrying that in their carryon luggage, and the person had to have it pulled out of his carry-on by the Transportation Security Administration officer.
But some travelers who won’t be running into fresh legal complications are visitors to Bali , who will not be affected by Indonesia’s new laws banning extramarital sex, officials said this week.
You need a ski jacket, snow pants, goggles, helmet, gloves and many other layers as well as those important skis. CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN has selected all of the best items to buy for a trip to the slopes.
New Year’s Eve fireworks at Bangkok’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa’s Burj Plaza and Dubai’s Leeu Estates
These destinations around the world have a well-deserved reputation for traditionally throwing a great New Year’s Eve fireworks show and shindig, and they’re bouncing back from the subdued celebrations of the past two years during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The city’s tallest building, Taipei 101, is the launching pad for an unforgettable fireworks show. Prime spots to take in the event include Tiger Mountain (for distance viewing), National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and the Xinyi Commercial District, which gets quite crowded.
One of the best places in Taiwan to have a party is at Barcode, an establishment that has a large dance floor and is very close to Taipei 101.
The city of Bangkok frequently tops lists of the best nightlife cities in Asia. So of course, it’s a natural place to ring in the new year if you like crowds, bright lights, noise and revelry.
You may want to continue the celebration at one of Bangkok’s stunning bars such as Sky Beach Bangkok , the city’s highest bar, or Sirocco , also set high above the bustling streets.
As 2022 comes to a close, the Burj Khalifa holds the record for world’s tallest building (823 meters or 2,716.5 feet), and throngs gather at the footsteps to welcome a new year with an amazing fireworks show. Burj Plaza is popular with families.
Dubai is building a reputation as a major food destination , so you may wish to indulge in restaurants such as Orfali Bros , founded by three brothers from Syria, or Baku Cafe for Azerbaijani fare.
Pier has a vegetarian menu, so it’s a good choice for a place to eat. It is a great place to watch the fireworks.
South Africa has renowned vineyards around Cape Town, such as Leeu Estates. Cape Town is just entering summer.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/new-years-eve-places/index.html
New Year’s Eve fireworks in London, the London Eye, and Grand Army Plaza – a must-visit event for the ancients
For fireworks, head to Circus Maximus , the chariot-racing and entertainment venue from antiquity, for a visual show that would impress the ancient party-givers from the glory years of the Roman Empire.
That’s because New Years Eve is for the ears too. Two events take place on New Year’s Eve at Caravita, an international Catholic church, and on New Year’s Night.
The Rome Parade is a great place to party without getting too rowdy on New Year’s Day.
Stately London always provides a remarkable backdrop for New Year’s Eve fireworks , which are staged by the London Eye on the South Bank of the Thames.
Tickets for 2022 in the official staging area have already sold out, but you may be able to see the fireworks for free from hilltops such as Primrose Hill , Parliament Hill on Hampstead Heath, Greenwich Park and Alexandra Palace. You can also try to find a spot on bridges such as Millennium Bridge and Southwark Bridge.
A traditional way to greet the prospect of a new year is to settle down in one of London’s oldest pubs , such as the Old Bell Tavern , serving up adult beverages since 1670.
Times Square in Manhattan. It is synonymous with New Year’s Eve in the United States. Even if you aren’t there in person, there’s a good chance you’ve watched the famous ball drop on television. Each year since 1907, the ball has been dropped except for two years during World War II.
• After a two-year hiatus because of Covid, fireworks and fun will be back at Grand Army Plaza , which is just off Prospect Park in Brooklyn. You may need to arrive early for the best views.
• If you’re 21 or older, try your luck at Resorts World Casino , the only casino in the city limits. Near JFK Airport, there is a blow-out NYE party.
Vegas is not always hot like lucky streaks. If you’re planning on dressing warmly in winter, take into account the weather forecast and dress warmly.
What Happened in Las Vegas During the Precession of the Covid-19 Flavour: 22 Ways It Was A Very, Very Bumpy Ride Airline, Airways, and Airline Pilots
Holiday travelers in the US had a bad week. Here are some of the stories of the people caught in the raging storm. Hundreds of thousands of passengers were delayed or stranded as a result of Southwest’s meltdown. Insiders blame it on outdated tech
Southwest’s spectacular implosion was a very good example of what has been happening in the aviation industry. Here are 22 ways it’s been a very, very bumpy ride
Airline passengers, international tourists and even airplane pilots got more than a bit lively this year too, with fisticuffs, high jinks and underclad exhibitionism breaking out all over the place. Have a read here
Finally, tourism authorities also got carried away in the post-Covid fervor, throwing their efforts at creating destination campaigns that were often bizarre, misguided or, very occasionally, an inspired moment of genius.
China is fighting its biggest ever outbreak of Covid-19, having abruptly dropped its restrictions and partially reopened its borders. Inbound quarantine to the country ends January 8, meaning families will be able to reunite after nearly three years of separation.
Chinese tourists are eager to begin traveling again too, but some countries are hesitant to welcome them. The US, Italy and Japan are among the nations to have reintroduced Covid testing for travelers arriving from China and others may follow suit. Chinese state media calls the new rules “discriminatory.”
Source: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/travel-news-2023-new-hotels-train-routes/index.html
The best hotels to book in the new year : six new year’s resolutions to make New Year’s Eve better, smarter and more conscious
It’s time to take down the holiday decorations, grab your laptop and start planning your 2023 vacations. Our guide to the hottest hotels to book in the new year include luxury escapes in Dubai and Mapfre and hip hideaways in Paris and Palm Springs.
The Italian Dolomites are particularly bursting with gorgeous design hotels : Our roundup has the lowdown on where to soak, indulge, ski and apres-ski.
Those that make the cut for the UNWTO’s list of the best villages for tourism are: Chile, Ethiopia and South Korea.
In the new year, we saw a new night train running from Austria to the Italian Riviera, a new high speed line across Laos, and a cruise ship trip that ended in Africa.
Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula should be opening its 948-mile Tren Maya route by the end of the year, which will connect Caribbean resorts such as Cancun with cities and cultural sites inland.
And for the very grand traveler, there’s Orient Express La Dolce Vita. The new Accor Hotel’s 11-car train is inspired by Italian design of the 1960s and 1970s and will visit many Italian cities.
Why not spend your December 31 planning how you’ll do New Year’s Eve a whole lot better in 2023? Check out our list of top destinations to ring in the new year and then — in not unrelated news — learn what people around the world eat and drink to beat a hangover.
We should make new year’s resolutions to be better, smarter and more conscious travelers. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN, have this list of six resolutions to inspire you.