Popular Travel Destinations Implementing New Entry Fees and Increased Prices for 2024
Explore the latest in travel trends: Romantic tales of vacations starting and concluding in iconic cities like Paris and London, unexpected travel mishaps in Thailand and China, and an insight into the rising costs amidst the surge in tourist arrivals.
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This week in travel news, read about vacation love stories that started and ended in Paris or London, aviation mishaps in Thailand and China, and find out why prices are going up as tourist numbers rise.
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More and more tourist hot spots are introducing visitor caps and entry fees to prevent overcrowding - and, whaddya know, it gives their coffers a little boost, too.
Visitors climbing Japan's famous Mount Fuji will now encounter a new $13 charge, in addition to the recent 70% price hike for tourist rail passes in the country. Despite this, the weak yen still makes it a great time for international travelers to check off this bucket-list experience.
In Seville, Spain, those looking to visit the ornate Plaza de España square will soon need to pay an entry fee. Meanwhile, the Louvre art museum in Paris, known for housing the iconic Mona Lisa, has increased ticket prices by almost a third in preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics this summer.
Walt Disney World Resort in Florida has already announced higher park ticket prices for next year. Some of the lowest single-day, single-park ticket prices have increased by $10 for 2025. It’s not just Europe and Asia, either.
Love and loss in London and Paris
Back in 1984, a young Italian girl had a date planned with a guy she met on a flight to London. Unfortunately, he didn't show up when she waited for him in Trafalgar Square. Luckily, she spotted an American boy reading "Romeo and Juliet" by the bronze lions – and he turned out to be her future husband.
Fast forward to 2011, a woman from London visited Paris for the first time with her boyfriend. Under the Eiffel Tower, her heart was broken. But ten years later, she decided to move on and write her own happy ending.
Aviation incidents
This week at a Bangkok airport, authorities discovered 87 animals, including a parrot, a tamarin monkey, and an endangered red panda, hidden in luggage. The individuals responsible for this smuggling attempt were planning to transport these animals to Mumbai.
In China, a flight was delayed for over four hours because a passenger threw coins into the engine. This is not the first time such incidents have occurred in China, with people tossing coins for "good luck" in recent years.
On a United Airlines flight, passengers experienced a frightening moment as one of the plane's engines caught fire midair. The sight of flames outside their windows caused panic, leading the plane to make an emergency landing in Houston.
La dolce vita
An Australian woman moved to Lazio, Italy, and bought a palazzo for $130,000. She was looking for a fresh start - and so was her ex-husband. Here’s what happened next.
An Arizona couple decided to make the southern Italian region of Basilicata their new home and start a new life after being fed up with the high cost of living in the United States. CNN recently caught up with them to see if their risk paid off.
If you're also dreaming of living abroad and embarking on a similar adventure, a great starting point is to improve your foreign language skills. To help you with that, here are the top language-learning apps for 2024, tested and recommended by our partners at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations guide owned by CNN.
Smell you later
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Visitors flock to see and smell this stinking flower bloom
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The "corpse flower" is known for its unique smell, described by some as garlic or sweaty feet, and others as rotten flesh or portable toilet. Only a select few have the opportunity to experience this aroma, as it can take over ten years for the flower to bloom and it only lasts for 24 to 48 hours.
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Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the diverse aspects of travel, from romantic encounters and aviation incidents to the rising costs and environmental concerns associated with tourism. It sheds light on the challenges faced by popular destinations as they grapple with overcrowding and implement measures to preserve their attractions while generating revenue. The discussion on the "corpse flower" emphasizes the allure of unique natural experiences, while the section on language learning apps provides practical advice for those aspiring to live and travel abroad.
Overall, the article offers a comprehensive glimpse into the world of travel, addressing both its joys and challenges. It encourages readers to embrace new experiences, respect the environment, and explore different cultures. By showcasing both the positive and negative aspects of travel, the article aims to provide a well-rounded perspective on this multifaceted industry.
