Travel

What is culture shock, and how can you deal with it?

Whether you're a tourist or moving somewhere unfamiliar to study, work, or retire, you are at risk of suffering from culture shock. But what is culture shock, exactly? How does it manifest, when, what are the symptoms, and what can you do about it? In this gallery, you'll find the answers to these and many other questions. Click on for more.

Mexican authorities confirm missing U.S., Australian tourists have died

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Family members of three tourists who went missing in northern Mexico last month have identified their bodies, the state prosecutor's office in Baja California said in a statement on Sunday. The remains of Australian brothers Callum, 33, and Jake Robinson, 30, and American Carter Rhoad, 30, were found in a well earlier this week in what authorities are treating as a murder

Celebrating Filipino roots, embracing beauty in simplicity

FAIRFIELD by Marriott Cebu offers an experience that is straightforward yet filled with the warmth of Cebuano hospitality. Opening its doors in December 2023, Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mandaue City marks as the first Fairfield brand in the Philippines, offering balance seekers and working professionals with an accommodation that matches diverse needs. The team behind Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mandaue City extends the warmth of Cebuano...

Council to 'eliminate' punctuation mark on signs

A North Yorkshire resident says the punctuation changes risk "everything going downhill".

Searching for the remote: Hidden US travel destinations

Are you looking for a vacation without the crowds, or somewhere to go that your neighbor's never heard of? As we all know, there's more to the US than just Los Angeles, New York City, and the Grand Canyon. The locations in this gallery may not be as well known, but they're just as breathtaking. Browse the gallery and seek out these natural and man-made treasures just waiting to be explored.

Snakes almost on a plane: TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants

MIAMI (AP) — Airport security officers in Miami found a slithering surprise last week — a bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's pants. According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint. The post included a photo of two small snakes that were found in what appeared to be a sunglasses bag. TSA...

NHCP, DLSU-Dasmariñas collaborate for cultural heritage celebration

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite: The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) together with the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas (DLSU-D) celebrate "ALAB: Ani ng Lahi at Bayan 2024," DLSU- D's Cultural Heritage Week from May 6 to 10, 2024. The event aims to be a vibrant celebration of the richness of Filipino culture and history that shape the Philippines, illuminating various traditions, customs and stories that contribute to the foundation...

Blinken to travel to Guatemala on Tuesday, US State Dept says

(Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Guatemala on Tuesday to lead a delegation to the a ministerial meeting of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, the State Department said on Sunday. Blinken will meet with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo and other leaders to discuss enforcement, migration management and refugee integration, State Department

Disney World theme parks are becoming remote working hotspots

Writers, techies, and social media workers are just some of those heading down to Orlando and sharing their experiences online.

‘Eurail pass’ for Asean air travel

In a bid to shine the spotlight on other tourist destinations in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), the Asean Business Advisory Council (BAC) has teamed up with budget airlines to help travelers explore hidden gems in all corners of the region. The Asean-BAC brings into focus intra-regional tourism as an engine of growth toward a more prosperous bloc. Nazir Rasak, chair of the Asean-BAC of Malaysia, says there’s a collective...

Migrants pitch dozens of tents along the banks of Dublin's Grand Canal

Photos show the blue tents lined up along a stretch of the canal near the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street.

Camping warning as numbers increase at beauty spot

The narrow South Gare Road becomes congested with mobile homes and caravans at busy times.

'My children cling to me as dogs raid graves near our shelter'

In a tent yards from a cemetery, Rehab Abu Daqqa tries to shield her seven children from Rafah's horrors.

I left San Francisco and moved to LA. Here are the 5 worst things about leaving the Bay Area.

This artist left San Francisco and moved to LA. She says her new city feels socially distant and she misses the diversity, culture, and support in SF.

Manx Wildlife Trust seeks for new woodland rangers

The posts will be key in developing and looking after new Manx woodlands, conservationists say.

Singapore's Gardens by the Bay Launches an Aurora Borealis Installation

No visa is needed to see this aurora borealis.

Museum spotlights ancient Egypt beyond the mummies

Curators showcase environment of the ancient Nile Valley in a new display.

Qantas passengers to receive up to $450 after major blunder

Qantas will pay millions of dollars in compensation to passengers after reaching an agreement with the ACCC to settle a lawsuit against the airline for selling seats on flights that had already been cancelled.

Anne Hathaway's house in The Idea of You is available to rent

Travelers who are hoping to stay in the cozy house featured in the new Anne Hathaway film can plan their trip today.

Mexico tourist train an environmental ‘nightmare,’ activists say

SOLIDARIDAD, Mexico — In a cave in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, where nature has sculpted a subterranean landscape of stunning beauty, thick steel columns supporting a controversial new tourist railway intrude into a delicate ecosystem. The Yucatan Peninsula boasts an estimated 2,400 of these caverns and sinkholes, which are known as cenotes and are a major attraction for tourists who swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters that fill some of...

What's next for Boeing Starliner after its 1st crew flight test?

Astronauts will board a Boeing Starliner spacecraft for the 1st ISS test flight no earlier than May 6. Boeing says it's already working on first operational mission Starliner-1 for 2025.

Exploring Palawan in Comfort: A Review of Cherry Bus Palawan

El Nido’s turquoise waters and postcard-perfect islands beckon travelers worldwide. But the journey itself can be an adventure, especially with the right transportation. Enter Cherry Bus Palawan, a luxury bus service promising to whisk you away to paradise in comfort and style. LionhearTV recently had the pleasure of experiencing this firsthand, and here’s why you

Cebu City planners call for stricter building rules in protected areas

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City’s top planners want stricter rules for building in protected areas, especially the Cebu City Protected Landscape (CCPL). Architect Joseph Michael “Yumi” Espina, head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO), said via the Sugboanon Channel that the Protected Areas Management Board (PAMB) needs to review their rules for construction in the protected landscape. “That is what is happening now in our CCPL,...

Commune with nature in Northern Samar

CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR—There is more to see in this province than the rock formation on Biri Island that was used as a backdrop of a 1990s movie. Northern Samar is so rich in natural wonders that it has a wide variety of tourist spots that cater to all kinds of tourists. “Name it and we have it,” said Ma. Josette Doctor, the province’s tourism officer. Northern Samar is bounded by the Pacific Ocean and San Bernardino Strait, which makes the...

Qantas will pay up to about $79 million to resolve claims it sold tickets for canceled flights

Qantas Airways agreed to pay approximately 20 million Australian dollars to more than 86,000 customers who were sold tickets to canceled flights.

Europe’s best beach holidays: Arcachon, France

The Bay of Arcachon, on the south-west coast of France, is a happy place. It must be, because I’ve been visiting it with my family nearly every year for the past 15 years. We usually rent a small apartment in Arcachon town for four or five days, but such is the draw that we have been known to make a two-hour drive just to spend the day there when we’ve been in that part of the world. Everything about it speaks of summer joy: the promenade...

SNP holiday lets chaos is scaring off tourists, says Airbnb

The $100billion global accommodation firm says tourists are shunning Scotland because of the Scottish Government's holiday rental red tape shambles.

Southwest Airlines Problems Paint Worrying Picture for Other Companies

A ripple effect is taking place in the aviation industry thanks to historic problems at Boeing.

Boracay favorite Nonie's unveils first branch in Metro Manila

Nonie's — a beloved culinary destination in Boracay Island known for its commitment to locally sourced, sustainably produced Filipino-inspired cuisine — has opened its newest location at Molito Lifestyle Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. 7 Tuna Tataki Grain Bowl 8 Sparkling Blue Ternate Lemonade Chicken Pork Adobo Nonie’s moves forward from the laidback island life of Boracay to the hustle of Metro Manila. This expansion marks a significant...

DENR bans use of piped water for golf courses

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has prohibited golf courses in Metro Manila and nearby areas from using piped water from Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water amid the continued drop in the water level of Angat Dam. In an interview with select reporters including The STAR, Environment Undersecretary Carlos David said that the latest DENR bulletin, which was released last Friday, directed...

I took a 20-minute ferry ride from Europe to Asia for $1. I was shocked I didn't see more tourists on board.

I wanted to visit Europe and Asia during a trip to Istanbul with my kids. The best way to do it was a $1 commuter ferry with great views of the city.

Everything We Know About the 2024 Met Gala’s Theme, Dress Code, and Guests

The dress code is “The Garden of Time.”

Bean there, done that

"Initially, we just wanted to offer a tranquil place where people can unwind and enjoy their coffee. But when we realized the potential for foot traffic given our café's scenic location, we saw the opportunity to turn it into a lucrative business by expanding our product line." DARAGA, Albay: Dubbed the "second-largest consumer of coffee in Asia," the Philippines, without a doubt, is a country of coffee aficionados. Whether it is an instant...

The new W Hotel Sydney makes a splash on the waterfront

The new W Hotel Sydney makes a splash on the waterfront - As Marriot Bonvoy’s largest ever W hotel lands in Sydney, Jonathan Samuels discovers that it stands for both Wow... and Wacky

Young travelers drive surge in global demand for ‘experiential’ tourism

Often, stepping into a new country brings forth a wave of emotions: relief over temporarily getting a break from work or school, or anxiety over having to navigate a new environment and a language barrier. But perhaps the most prominent feeling is excitement over having to go to places long idling in organized itineraries. City tours featuring iconic tourist attractions were once mandatory for travelers, as these offered a glimpse of the history...

My 15-year-old son and I live in both France and the US. We're more active In France, but appreciate the slower pace of the South.

My son and I spend half the year in France and the other half in the United States. Here are the parenting similarities and differences.

Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

A story about an annual swimming race being cancelled was among our most read in Berkshire.

Thai divers seek to take on ‘ghost gear’ threatening marine life

PHUKET, Thailand — Beneath the surface of the turquoise waters off a beach on Thailand’s holiday island of Phuket, divers laboriously collect abandoned fishing gear, much of it made from plastic, that is tangled on coral and trapping sea life. This discarded or lost fishing equipment is known locally as “ghost gear” and is a growing problem […]

The Beatle who never was

LIVERPOOL — It was supposed to be the usual one and a half-hour, hop-on, hop-off ride on a double-deck bus taking tourists around this English port city. The itinerary included stops at Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, two subjects of Beatles songs with pass-throughs of the homes where John Lennon and Paul McCartney grew up. What made the trip interesting was guide Chris Hough’s historical anecdotes not just on the Beatles but also on the city....

Make trips exciting this 2024 with Megaworld Hotels and Resorts

MEGAWORLD Hotels and Resorts (MHR), the Philippines' largest hotel operator, is offering awesome discounts in this year's biggest International Travel Fair, happening at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu on May 3 to 5. Stay at the Boracay Newcoast's Belmont Hotel Boracay and enjoy the township's exclusive stretch of powdery white sand beaches with high-speed internet. For those craving for a party, opt for Savoy Hotel Boracay, where they'll find the...

Can cherished former hostel be saved from ruin?

Many people have happy memories of Viewhill House youth hostel which was destroyed by fire in 2007.

This will be the largest city in the world with 500 million inhabitants

Madonna attracts 1.6 million to free concert at Brazil’s Copacabana beach

RIO DE JANEIRO — More than a million people thronged Brazil’s Copacabana beach for a free Madonna concert on Saturday, braving the heat to see the end of her “Celebration” world tour. The sand and oceanfront boulevard around Rio de Janeiro’s famed beach were filled for several blocks by a crowd the city estimated at 1.6 million. Many had been there […]

Parents of US, Australian tourists presumed killed in Mexico to try identifying bodies

By Raul Cortes and Lizbeth Diaz MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The parents of an American and two Australian surfers presumed to have been killed in northern Mexico have arrived in the country and will try to identify the dead bodies believed to be their children, a Mexican regional official said on Sunday. Authorities in the Baja California state are conducting forensic tests on three corpses they

Sandara Park jams to 'In or Out,' 'Festival' while touring Pagsanjan Falls

Sandara Park once again proved that she is the most fun tour guide! For the second episode of her vlog series “It’s More Fun with Dara Tour” in the Philippines, the K-pop idol brought her fellow 2NE1 member Minzy to Pagsanjan Falls in Laguna, which is her favorite adventure for beginners. While sailing along the river, Minzy was surprised to see how many Filipino tourists as well as their tour guides recognized Sandara and greeted her. Dara then...

Your vacation was ruined, and the company apologized — with a heartfelt note written by ChatGPT

Using generative AI to write apologetic responses is a taboo topic in the travel industry, which prides itself on personal service.

Hong Kong's Underrated Destinations Take the Spotlight in Under Parallel Skies

Here's how you can go on a guided tour of the filming locations.

Win the ultimate golf trip to Las Vegas or choose $40,000 in cash

The Lucky Golfer is giving away the ultimate golf trip to Las Vegas for four people and the prize includes accomodation at the famous MGM Grand and golf games at the best courses in the area

Sweetens Cove, the top public course in Tennessee, to close all summer

Sweetens Cove, Golfweek's No. 1-rated public-access golf course in Tennessee, announced Sunday it will be closed all of June, July and August this year. In a social media post announcing the move Sunday, the course owners explained ho

What would a £40m Greene King brewery mean for a town?

Greene King calls time on its base of more than 200 years in Bury St Edmunds.