As of today, new rules are in effect if you want to travel between the United States and Canada or Mexico. Basically, you must have with you a valid passport or a special driver’s license with you when crossing the border. This is the last step in a gradual increase in border crossing rules. Recommendations after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 were made to increase border security, and this is the last measure to be enacted.
Public opinion is split on the issue. Some feel it will cause unnecessary headaches at the border. Others find it dangerous that it had taken this long for security measures to be put in place. Read more…
The number of confirmed cases of H1N1 swine flu rose Friday from 257 to 331. European countries are now expressing concern that the illness is spreading in that area, as opposed to being contained to only those who have recently traveled to Mexico. Mexico and the United States are the only two countries to report deaths from the flu.
The reaction worldwide has been extreme. Japanese sumo wrestlers are being dealt antibacterial soap and face masks, while travelers through the Hong Kong airport must sign a declaration of health to enter the country. Hundreds of American schools are closed, and even a White House employee contracted the disease while on a tour in Mexico, though he and his family have since recovered.
Many things are unclear about the disease, most importantly how quickly it will spread and how serious the pandemic might become. While American infectious disease experts continue to work in emergency mode, some worry the fear over swine flu has been blown out of proportion. Every year, between 75 and 150 children die of flu, and many of them had been healthy prior to falling ill. Read more…
Whether it’s culture, skiing, the beach or just some crazy parties you’re seeking, Spring Break is the time to unwind. Check out this list of the hottest places to visit on spring break this year:
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dominican Republic
Gulf Coast
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Koh Phangan, Thailand
Lake Havasu, Arizona
Miami
Montreal
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
San Diego
Check out WatchMojo’s suggestions for Spring Break destinations:
Looking at a monument is like an historical study in itself: many of these structures and sculptures have survived for many years. Here is a list of ten monuments you should check out, if you get the chance:
Check out WatchMojo’s profile of the Washington Monument:
In light of recent events in both Thailand and Mumbai, here is a list of the most dangerous places in the world:
I have enough trouble trying to figure out what to tip in my own country - I can’t even begin to describe the issues I have when traveling and this problem arises. Fortunately, here is a guide to tipping around the world:
Restaurants: 15% to 20%, with 20% being the norm at high-end restaurants.
Taxis: 15%, or round up to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: $1 per bag, but at luxury hotels such as Four Seasons properties, $2 to $5 per bag is the norm.
Hotel Concierge: $3 to $5 for a simple service, such as arranging airport transportation. For a more complicated request, such as a hard-to-score reservation, tip $20 and up.
Restaurants: Service charges are included in most meals, but add another 5% to 10%. If no service charge is included, add 15% to the bill.
Taxis: 10%.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag (or about 1.50 euros)
Hotel Concierge: $2 is enough for easy requests, but this amount should increase to $30 or more for special requests, such as getting an after-hours tour of the Louvre.
Asia: Japan, China and Hong Kong
Restaurants: In Japan, it’s considered an insult to tip for anything. In China, 3% is the norm, and in Hong Kong, 10% to 15%, if it’s not already included in the bill.
Taxis: In China, no tip is necessary. In Hong Kong, round up to the next dollar.
Hotel Porters: $2 to $3 per bag at high-end hotels.
Hotel Concierge: $3 to $5 for basic requests such as dinner reservations. Incrementally increase the amount based on the complexity of your request.
Restaurants: If it’s factored in, leave a few dollars extra. If not, leave 10%.
Taxis: It is not necessary to tip.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for easy tasks and up to $20 for more intricate requests, such as arranging Mumbai’s top jeweler, Neelam Kothari, to bring her latest collection to your hotel room for a private viewing.
Africa (Major cities such as Cape Town or Nairobi)
Restaurants: In most cases, gratuity is already factored in. If not, 10% is the norm.
Taxis: 10% in major cities.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for simple tasks. Increase the amount based on the complexity of the request, but usually there’s no need to exceed $20.
Restaurants: For fine dining, 10% to 15% is acceptable. Otherwise, a service charge is almost always included.
Taxis: Round up the fare to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $2 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: $2 for each basic task, such as arranging transportation, and up to $50 for harder requests, such as scoring tickets to a sold-out opera at Sydney Opera House.
Restaurants: There is no tipping in Argentina. Otherwise, if it’s not already included, leave 10%.
Taxis: Round up the fare to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: Nothing is required for basic requests such as dinner reservations, but you can leave $10 or more for trickier tasks, such as getting a private tour of one of the several wineries just outside of Santiago.
Restaurants: 10% to 15% is expected.
Taxis: Round up to the next dollar amount.
Hotel Porters: The equivalent of $1 per bag.
Hotel Concierge: For simple tasks, $2 per request is enough. For more complicated ones, increase incrementally based on the task–up to $20.
The train can be a great way to travel - you can just sit back, relax, have a drink and watch the scenery pass by. Sometimes, the train ride can be a trip in itself. Here’s a list of some of the best train trips in North America:
Empire Builder: Glacier National Park
Copper Canyon Train: Mexico
Coast Starlight: The American West Coast
Princess Rail Tours: Alaska
Canyonlands: The American Southwest
Rocky Mountaineer: Canada
Adirondack: New York City to Montreal
Downeaster: The American Northeast
Skunk Train: California
Crescent Train: New York City to New Orleans
Here is a list of the world’s next great cities and powerhouses, based on factors such as economic and commercial environment and quality of life:
10. Shenzhen, China
9. Bangkok, Thailand
8. Warsaw, Poland
7. Mexico City, Mexico
6. Guangzhou, China
5. Santiago, Chile
4. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. Budapest, Hungary
2. Beijing, China
1. Shanghai, China
With All Hallow’s Eve fast approaching, you may be in the mood to creep yourself out. If that is the case, here is a list of the creepiest places in the world. Boo!
1. Mummy Museum, Guanajuato, Mexico
2. St. Michan’s Church, Dublin, Ireland
3. Catacombs of Paris, France
4. Old Jewish Cemetery, Prague, Czech Republic
5. San Bernardino Ossuary, Milan, Italy
6. Bhangarh, India
7. Dia de los Muertos Celebration, Oaxaca, Mexico
8. Sedlec Ossuary, near Kunta Hora, Czech Republic
9. Feng-Du “Ghost City,” China
10. Pere Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France
11. Bran Castle (aka Dracula’s Castle), Romania
12. Fremantle Prison, Australia
13. Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh, Scotland
14. Rose Great Hall House, Montego Bay, Jamaica
15. La Recoleta Cemetery, Buenos Aires, Argentina
16. Manchac Swamp, Louisiana, United States
17. Haunted Well of Himeji Castle, Japan
18. Ballygally Castle, Ireland
19. Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia
20. Capuchin Crypt, Rome, Italy
21. Raynham Hall, Norfolk, England
22. The Chase Vault at Christ Church, Barbados
23. The Hellfire Tunnels and Caves, West Wycombe, England
24. Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town, South Africa
25. Old Changi Hospital, Singapore
26. Salem, Massachusetts, United States
27. Ossuary in Hallstatt, Austria
28. The Stanley Hotel, Estes Park, Colorado, United States
29. Valley of the Kings, Egypt
30. New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
31. Bell Witch Cave, Tennessee, United States
There’s nothing worse than getting to the beach, only to see that it’s so crowded you can barely find a spot to spread your towel. (Well, there are worse things: you are at the beach, after all!) But, if this seems like a fate worse than death, check out this list of beaches from around the world that you won’t have to share:
Bai Dai Beach, Phu Quoc, Vietnam Read more…
Wildcat Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore, California Read more…
Los Frailes, Ecuador Read more…
Pink Beach, Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda Read more…
Playa Medina, Venezuela Read more…
Poles Bay, Kea, Greece Read more…
Cayo Costa, Florida Read more…
Plage Blanche, Morocco Read more…
Porat Beach, Bisevo, Croatia Read more…
Majahuitas Cove, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Read more…
Store Beach, Sydney, Australia Read more…
Polihua Beach, Lanai, Hawaii Read more…
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