Globe Aware volunteers may not be surprised to learn that five out of the six biggest six US airlines have raised their checked bag fees since January 2024. Here are the reasons why.
By Jay L. Zagorsky
March 28, 2024
CNN
Five out of the six biggest US airlines have raised their checked bag fees since January 2024.
Take American Airlines. In 2023, it cost $30 to check a standard bag in with the airline; today, as of March 2024, it costs $40 at a US airport – a whopping 33% increase.
News from Romania for our Globe Aware volunteers planning travel in Europe. Airports in Sofia and Bucharest on Sunday removed passport checkpoints for those departing to or arriving from most European Union member states as Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen open-travel zone.
By Reuters
March 31, 2024
SOFIA, March 31 (Reuters) – Airports in Sofia and Bucharest on Sunday removed passport check points for those departing to or arriving from most European Union member states as Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen open-travel zone.
The two countries reached an agreement late last year to join Europe’s free-travel area by air and sea after Austria opposed full membership, including land crossings, saying Romania and Bulgaria needed to do more to prevent illegal immigration.
The Oscars are coming up in a few weeks, and here are some of the best travel movies to celebrate! Do our Globe Aware volunteers recognize any of these movies, and do you have more to add!?
By Gary Leff
February 18, 2024
View From The Wing
The best travel movies ever made is a mix of life up in the air (the art of traveling) and life on the ground (human drama unfolding in interesting places around the globe). The list of best movies about travel weighs heavily towards planes and airports but I’ve also given some thought to being in an unfamiliar place and growing as a person because of the places you’ve been.
For our extra adventurous Globe Aware volunteers who want to continue their time at a volunteer vacation destination, here are some of the most exciting events travelers can participate in for 2024.
Sitting back and spectating doesn’t always cut it. These 10 experiences — for 2024 and beyond — will get you flying, partying, painting, swimming, dancing and racing.
BY NORA WALLAYA
DECEMBER 20, 2023
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
One of the most rewarding ways to plan a trip is by building it around a specific event connected to a deep interest or passion. Taking part in something meaningful on your travels creates a unique connection with a destination that can lead to memories that will last a lifetime. Whether it’s testing your athletic derring-do in an ultra-marathon in Peru or whipping out your spray cans at a graffiti festival in Bristol, we’ve rounded up some of the most exciting events for you to participate in for 2024.
The travel industry is gearing up for 2024 to be the busiest year for travel ever, according to Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy, a website that tracks travel trends. Here are some excellent tips for Globe Aware volunteers to follow before booking!
CBS MORNINGS
BY ANALISA NOVAK
DECEMBER 28, 2023
The travel industry is gearing up for 2024 to be the busiest year for travel ever, according to Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy, a website that tracks travel trends.
“You know, just since Thanksgiving, 2.9 million people went through the TSA screening. And with the economy potentially not being as bad as we thought, people are feeling confident, so its going to be a busy year for travel,” Kelly told “CBS Mornings.”
Fireworks and champagne might be common worldwide, but have our Globe Aware volunteers heard of these other New Year’s traditions?
By Chris Ciolli, Jessie Beck
December 15, 2023
AFAR
Although much of the world festively rings in the new year each December 31, we don’t all celebrate the same way. In the United States, we all know the traditions: the ball drop at Times Square, sharing a kiss with a loved one at the stroke of midnight, and countless amounts of fireworks. But elsewhere around the globe, traditions can include everything from giving your house a thorough cleaning to cracking open a fresh pomegranate.
From Spain to Japan, read on to learn about 14 different New Year’s Eve celebrations around the globe.
These 25 places offer ample opportunities for conscientious, sustainable exploration—exactly what Globe Aware travelers who care are seeking right now. We even have three available programs in the locations mentioned on the list!
The 25 most exciting places around the world to visit next
From a British city reimagining its industrial past and a laid-back Kenyan island free of cars to the best place in North America to see the total solar eclipse, our 25 picks for where to go next year have several traits in common: Each is an awe-inspiring, joy-inducing destination where human connection and creativity define the travel experience. These 25 places (listed in no particular order) offer ample opportunities for conscientious, sustainable exploration—exactly what AFAR’s travelers who care are seeking right now. Cheers to a year of getting out there.
Globe Aware volunteers are well aware that traveling during the holiday season is chaotic! But going in prepared can make your journey as smooth and stress-free as possible. Take a deep breath in and read on for a few holiday travel tips for the busiest time of year.
Advice from globe-trotting editors, flight attendants, and industry experts who have seen and survived it all.
Oh, to have a time machine so we could tell our past selves about the challenges—and triumphs!—that came on the road as traveling parents. We would warn against bringing giant suitcases and Play-Doh on the plane; remember how many new friends were made in playgrounds around the world; and recall that there are worse things in life than a crying baby. Thankfully, we’ve learned from our mistakes and come here with family travel tips, tricks, and a whole lot of encouragement for those heading out on the road with younger travelers. This list is never going to be complete or exhaustive—every kid is different. For families traveling with children with disabilities, it’s also encouraging to see the advancements being made to make travel more accessible—and hopefully, ultimately, a bit easier and more fun for everyone.
Not many Globe Aware volunteers may know it, but this program location has made a name for itself as a popular place for filming kitschy Christmas classics. Find out where!
The country has featured in several Netflix Christmas films already
By Ryan Gray
Nov 5, 2023
The Sun
CHRISTMAS is just around the corner, which means it’s almost time to curl up in front of the TV and watch cheesy festive films.
If you’re planning on doing that this winter, there’s a good chance you’ll end up seeing lots of scenes shot in a surprising European destination.
With 2024 just around the corner, Globe Aware volunteers have probably noticed that travel publications are releasing list after list on where to travel next year. But what about the world’s most exciting places to visit in 2024? Find out what they are!
From places with prehistoric stories to hot spring havens, this list is sure to provide you with some fresh ideas
By Liv Kelly
November 1, 2023
TimeOut
With 2024 just around the corner, travel publications are releasing list after list on where to travel next year. We’ve covered the most budget-friendly, most underrated and top trending destinations – but what about the world’s most exciting places to visit in 2024?
