Discover the Surprising Tourist Tax Hike Coming to This Popular Destination in 2024!

This week in travel news: An ancient Italian site, a hefty European tourist tax and a bunch of bears in Alaska all got bigger.

Amsterdam vs. overtourism

Amsterdam is poised to surpass its own record for having the highest "tourist tax" in Europe, and potentially the world, next year, as indicated by a budget report unveiled by the city administration. The document states, "The tourist tax will be raised even higher to finance additional expenditures, thereby ensuring that visitors make a more substantial contribution to the city."

The fee for cruise ship day visitors will increase from 8 to 11 euros, or $8.50 to $11.60, while the nightly fee included in hotel room prices will rise to 12.5% of the room rate. Amsterdam has been proactively addressing overtourism by implementing strategies such as discouraging undesirable visitors and limiting cruise arrivals. The city has also been working towards discouraging individuals seeking sex and drugs from visiting.

Grin and bear it

This year's Fat Bear Week champion, 128 Grazer.

F. Jimenez/NPA Photo

The winner of the highly anticipated annual Fat Bear Week is 128 Grazer, a mother bear who emerged victorious in the contest organized by Alaska's Katmai National Park & Preserve. The event aims to captivate the public's interest in anticipation of the bear hibernation season and concluded on October 10, with Grazer holding a significant lead over the runner-up bear, 32 Chunk.

According to the park, Grazer frequently takes initiative by confronting and launching attacks against significantly larger bears, including large and dominant adult males. She will return next year to protect her reign as the queen of the salmon.

La dolce vita

What's more delightful than having a house in Italy? Possessing not just one, but two houses in Italy.

Jeffrey Pfefferle and Leon McNaught, a couple from Britain and America, made the decision to purchase a house priced at one euro in the charming town of Mussomeli in Sicily, inspired by an article they came across on CNN Travel.

Four years later, they own two homes and are highlighted in a CNN Travel profile.

According to Pfefferle, their acquisition extends beyond mere living spaces. "It's about the people and the community," he explains. "When someone is in need, they are always there. It's truly astonishing. In Mussomeli, there is a renewed sense of looking out for one another, reminiscent of the way things used to be."

Train times

The countrys state-owned rail system says that intelligent robots were part of the building process. This is Chinas first overwater bullet train.

Pink palace

The Hawa Mahal, also called the Palace of the Winds, is situated in Jaipur, an Indian city. Constructed in 1799 and currently a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it stands out as one of India's most famous structures and a beloved destination for tourists.

Norbert Eisele-Hein/imageBROKER/Shutterstock

The Hawa Mahal, an iconic Indian structure, is situated within the expansive City Palace complex in the heart of Jaipur. The monument, overseen by Indian authorities, draws approximately 1 million visitors annually.

The Palace of Winds is adorned with 953 intricate louvred windows. Their purpose? To provide a discreet vantage point for the women of the royal family to observe bustling street views and processions incognito.

Elena Odareeva/Adobe Stock

In Hindi, the word "hawa" translates to wind and "mahal" translates to palace, making the name incredibly apt. The design is cleverly based on the Venturi effect, which causes air to accelerate and pressure to decrease when passing through a constricted passage. The windows feature intricate lattices that evenly disperse and distribute the airflow.

As per palace guide Sanjay Sharma, the floors are divided based on the seasons. "Certain floors are adorned with stained glass windows, while others are open," he explains.

Вера/Adobe Stock

Architect Kavita Jain describes the Hawa Mahal as a remarkable engineering accomplishment, utilizing visually pleasing elements to establish a cozy microclimate suitable for the queens to relish their recreation.

Nested within the grand Palace of Winds lies a captivating inner courtyard. To truly immerse oneself in its refreshing aura, venture into the City Palace of Jaipur, positioned at the periphery of the palace premises.

Lola Fdez. Nogales/Adobe Stock

Architect Jain asserts that, unlike the Hawa Mahal, a faceless glass skyscraper in a concrete jungle will not be etched in people's memory 200 years from now.

India's stunning Hawa Mahal

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The Hawa Mahal isnt just one of Indias most beautiful buildings - it was also way ahead of its time in terms of sustainability.

The Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, was completed in 1799. Standing at a height of 87 feet, it boasts 953 intricately crafted louvered windows. Its design took inspiration from Krishnas crown.

Today, the Jaipur palace holds the prestigious title of being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its architectural concept aimed to ensure natural ventilation, allowing cool air to flow effortlessly.

If you're considering a trip to India, don't forget to pack a sun hat to shield yourself from the country's scorching weather. CNN Underscored, a CNN-owned website specializing in product reviews, has curated a selection of top-quality sun hats that are easily packable and won't lose their shape in your suitcase.

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