Travel

Beyond weddings: Celebrations at the Marco 2024 embrace all milestones

Marking its 18th anniversary, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu hosts its signature event, “Celebrations at the Marco,” in the hotel’s majestic grand ballroom. This unique event brings together over 40 trusted event suppliers for a two-day extravaganza from May 18 to 19, 2024, offering a one-of-a-kind experience for all attendees. We thought that everybody in life has to celebrate something. In the past, it was always like a wedding fair, and I think we...

Gorgeous Oregon coast hotel with no TVs or WiFi that encourages guests to read its enormous selection of books and enjoy ocean views is sold to new owners who hint they'll modernize it

The Sylvia Beach Hotel in Newport captured local attention thanks to its picturesque Pacific Ocean views and literary theme - which extended to a total ban on TVs and Wi-Fi.

Castle tearoom to reopen after nearly two years

The council admitted the search for new operators had not been 'as quick as we would have liked'.

South Korea-based Aero K Launches Direct Flights from Manila to Cheongju

Good news for nature travelers.

10 national parks you should visit in 2024

There are 63 national parks scattered around the US, each with its own unique beauty. If you're a fan of nature and wildlife, here are ten that you can't miss.

Mountain song: PHL Pavilion brings the aura of Banahaw to the Biennale

VENICE, Italy — Well, I stand up next to a mountain… Contemporary art often does not reveal itself on first meeting, much like an enigmatic lover. Usually, a conceptual piece or space is felt first before it is even understood. If you go around the Philippine Pavilion’s current exhibition titled “Sa kabila ng tabing lamang sa panahong ito/Waiting just behind the curtain of this age” (curated by Carlos Quijon Jr., featuring artworks by Mark...

Spitfire Women: Blue plaque unveiled for WW2 pilot

Freydis Sharland was also British Air Racing Champion and a trailblazer for women in aviation.

Lawmaker wants tourist sites made accessible to PWDs, seniors

MANILA, Philippines — To boost the country’s tourism, House Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar wants tourist destinations to be accessible to senior citizens and people with disabilities (PWDs). In House Bill 10349 or the proposed PWD and Senior Citizen-Friendly Tourism Sites Act, Villar urged the government to engage in accessible tourism practices to encourage more individuals to travel and explore the country’s tourist sites....

The mysterious beauty of ancient Maya monuments

The ancient Maya civilization left behind it a remarkable architectural legacy, a collection of fabulous must-see monuments found in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Browse the gallery and visit some of Central America's most outstanding archaeological sites.

What is There to Do in Switzerland?

This might just be your sign to go ahead and finally tick one of the world’s most beautiful countries off your travel bucket list.

What happens when councils take control of buses?

More people are using buses in Reading where they are publicly-owned - will others towns follow?

American town torn apart in 400-year dispute over historic landmark

A 400-year-old dam in Ipswich, Massachusetts is causing a stir in a small town with a long history.

This sweet family legacy is now 29 years old

Spotted in cities across Nueva Ecija and Pampanga, Edna's Cakeland is a sweet spot, a place where the smell freshly baked bread and the sight of beautifully decorated cakes evoke a sense of warmth and nostalgia. Edna’s Cakeland CEO Anna Gonzales (rightmost) opens the bakery’s newest branch together with her partner Justin Cuyugan and her parents and Edna’s Cakeland founders Edna and Herminio Gonzales (center). The family-owned bakery is...

The risky allure of WiFi Money: private jets, sports cars, and ruined investors

A motley crew of Instagram-obsessed, hustle-culture influencers made millions. In their wake, they left a trail of lawsuits and financial devastation.

The Best Luggage of 2024 Worth Investing In Before Jetting Off

Remember how hard it was to roll the creaking wheels of your old luggage through the entire airport during spring vacay? Don't suffer through that again; instead, invest in these high-quality pieces.

Palace declares special holidays

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has declared May 21 a special non-working day in Malabon City for the commemoration of its 425th founding anniversary. It also declared May 30 a special non-working day in Escalante City, Negros Occidental for the celebration of the Manlambus Festival. The declaration of special holidays in the cities of Malabon and Escalante were specified in Proclamations 548 and 549, both signed by Executive Secretary Lucas...

Vatican tightens Church rules for probing the ‘supernatural’

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican sharpened its rules for investigating supernatural events such as visions of Christ or the Virgin Mary, acknowledging on Friday that overactive imaginations and outright “lying” risked harming the faithful. The new norms allow for a more “prudent” interpretation of events that generally avoids declaring them outright a supernatural event. They were published by the Holy See’s powerful Dicastery for the Doctrine of the...

The 10 holiday destinations most used by cybercriminals to trick Brits

Experts from McAfee have revealed the 10 holiday destinations most used by cybercriminals to entice unsuspecting British holidaymakers.

Qantas Will Fly Direct from Manila to Brisbane This Year

This is the first time in 10 years the airline will fly this route.

Taiwan and China: different views across the strait

Standing on the shore of Taiwan's Kinmen island, Taiwanese tourists snap photos of the skyline of China's Xiamen city that is clearly visible across the sliver of water separating them. As Taiwan's president-elect Lai Ching-te, a staunch defender of Taiwan's sovereignty, prepares to take office on Monday, Taiwanese visitors to Kinmen hope he can avoid a conflict.

Cruise stomach bug issue not new, passengers say

People who travelled on previous Ventura cruises say the company is "downplaying" the situation.

The Grande Dames of country music

Two Tickets to Greece review – a holiday you may want to cut short

The closest of schoolfriends in 1989, despite their wildly contrasting personalities, risk-averse introvert Blandine (Olivia Côte) and gobby showoff Magalie (Laure Calamy) fell out spectacularly (full details are hazy, but it involved a boy) and lost touch. Now, thanks to the adult son of Blandine, who worries that his divorced mother is in danger of closing herself off from the world, the pair are reunited and find themselves embarking on the...

PAL sets sights on India flights

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights to India to capture the emerging demand for connections to South Asia. PAL president and chief operating officer Stanley Ng told reporters the airline is considering to mount Manila flights to India as soon as it gets out of the supply crunch that it is dealing with. The carrier aims to snare the Philippine demand for South Asian...

Monthlong World Cocktail Day celebration

May is a truly festive month. Aside from Labor Day, May the 4th Be With You, Cinco de Mayo, and my gorgeous sister Goldee’s birthday on the 30th, we also celebrated World Cocktail Day last May 13. Of course the hotel industry would not allow World Cocktail Day to be celebrated for just a day. So Admiral Hotel—along with MGallery bars around the world—is celebrating World Cocktail Day for a whole month or until June 13th! Admiral Hotel is a...

Come Holy Spirit

In our recent pilgrimage, we had an octogenarian pilgrim who was hard of walking. Often he would be left behind, or would not go down the bus, and missed a lot of activities. I bought him a simple cane. At first, he was reluctant to use it, but soon, he tried it, and he liked it! And we all liked it, too, because we saw him happy and strong, joining us in our activities, smiling at everyone as we went along. A Pentecost moment! —————- Happy...

Luxent Hotel says farewell to summer with staycation deals

SUMMER may be winding down, but the deals at Luxent Hotel are just heating up. Don't miss the chance to experience luxurious comfort and exciting amenities before the season ends. For a limited time only, book a stay and make the most of the perks. Start the day with an International Buffet breakfast for two and savor delectable dishes at all Luxent Hotel's dining outlets with a special 10-percent discount. Take a dip and soak up the city views...

15 Tips for You to Surf Through Thailand’s Songkran Festival

Thailand, known for its beautiful beaches, delicious food, rich culture, and friendly people, has one festivity that draws tourists from all over the world—Songkran. Also known as Thai New Year, it is the country’s most vibrant and energetic festival, celebrated annually from April 13 to 15. It is a festival mixed with tradition, merrymaking, and

Virgin Trains targets West Coast in return to rail

Virgin Group has applied for a licence to run trains on the route it lost to Avanti in 2019.

The greatest discoveries and advancements in the history of astronomy

For as long as humans have walked the Earth, the great endless sky and the countless stars that fill it have left us in a state of awe-inspired wonderment. Similarly, the study and exploration of space have been a priority for humankind for millennia. From the ancient Assyrians and Greeks, to the greatest minds of the Renaissance, and up to the billionaire space explorers of the 21st century, incredible amounts of time and effort have gone into better understanding our celestial surroundings. And yet, despite all of the great strides that have been made to understand the great beyond, it's estimated that 95% of the universe is still undiscovered. Click through the gallery to learn about some of the greatest discoveries of astronomy and our universe.

Incredible places from Greek mythology you can visit today

There are plenty of places you can go to find beautiful beaches, party islands, mouthwatering cuisine, and sunny skies. But very few of them combine all these things with mesmerizing remnants of the ancient world and mythology. Dipped in ancient history, Greece is one of the very few countries that combine all of these with a dream destination for anyone interested in mythology. Click on for a selection of real locations that were center stage for many famous Greek myths.

The best new camping and glampsites around the UK, from festival vibes to no-frills meadows

Festival vibe, Bedfordshire Wild Canvas, one of the recent wave of pop-up campsites with a festival vibe, has a host of new additions for its fifth outing this summer. The campsite makes the most of its riverside setting on the Turvey House Estate near Bedford. It has a new wellness area, the Nest, with direct river access (BYO paddleboard!) plus a yoga yurt, a mobile sauna, a treatment tent for massages and free early-morning activities from...

Heading north? Here are 5 food places to visit when in La Union

Going on a trip to La Union soon? Aside from its well-loved tourist attractions, the province is also home to a variety of must-try restaurants. From refreshing drinks to fulfilling meals, here are some food places you should check out. —JCB, GMA Integrated News This article Heading north? Here are 5 food places to visit when in La Union was originally published in GMA News Online.

California's new 'Honest Pricing Law' will require cruise lines to be transparent about fees

California's "Honest Pricing Law" makes it illegal to advertise prices for goods or services that don't include all the required fees or charges.

The future NAIA

A world-class Ninoy Aquino International Airport is soon to become a reality following the takeover of the airport by the San Miguel Corp.-led consortium by Sept. 14 this year, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista. In an interview before he had to leave for Singapore Friday night to accompany his wife for a medical check-up, Secretary Bautista gave the assurance that the takeover would proceed as scheduled by September, even as...

Credit Cards in the Philippines with Airport Lounge Access

Does your credit card have airport lounge access?

Best places to live in the US revealed

Out of all 50 states, and an estimated 35,000 cities and towns in the country, a town in the Garden State has been crowned the best place to live in the U.S.

French town apologises for not flying Union Jack in D-Day decorations

Pictures from previous years show flag bunting depicting all the nations involved in the Allied resistance to the Nazis adorning the streets of the charming town of Carentan.

Russia showcases food products in Harbin

HARBIN, China – The rich aroma of coffee brought visitors to a corner of the eighth China-Russia Expo exhibition area in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where Russian cream cakes are on display in the cake bar of the Alyonka Cafe. "It is the first cafe that we opened on China's mainland, where consumers are already familiar with the Alyonka chocolate brand," said Evgeny Bazhov, general manager of United Confectionery (Uniconf) China...

The world's top places to visit in 2024

The holiday season brings with it thoughts of travel, a Christmas vacation perhaps, or somewhere memorable to chime in the New Year. But where in the world are the coolest, hotly-tipped places to visit in 2024? Click through and check out these top destinations, referenced by Travel + Leisure as the most popular places to go in 2024.

Dead Olive Ridley sea turtle found in Quezon

LUCENA CITY — An Olive Ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), locally known as “pawikan,” was found dead along the coast of Tayabas Bay in Agdangan, Quezon on Friday, May 17. “The marine turtle had wounds around the neck area, signs of another victim of stationary fish traps sunk into the bottom of the bay,” Jay Lim, project officer of Tanggol Kalikasan (TK), a public interest law office that advocates environmental protection, posted on his...

Airbnb hosts are bracing for an unpredictable summer

To beat the competition, short-term-rental owners are turning to direct bookings and influencer stays to lure guests and make money off summer travel.

Amazon's Hidden Outlet Is Filled With Summer Travel Must-Haves—Up to 65% Off

Including discounted bags, suitcases, and accessories, starting at $5.

Going cash-lite for more agile travels

Some people spend their weekends or long breaks curled up in their beds, reading a new book off the shelf or watching a cozy film while nestled under a warm blanket. But 28-year-old Mef Marzan has other plans. During her much-awaited time off from work, she travels to places that provide her comfort and leave her in awe, a stark contrast to her buzzing life as a manager and communications professional. “Nothing comes close to being transported...

The Secret iPhone Feature That Lets You Take Stunning Long-Exposure Photos

Use Live Photos to take gorgeous long-exposure shots, with no extra apps or equipment needed.

'Maldives what?': Saudi fashionistas attempt beach rebrand

Saudi designer Tima Abid got her start at a time when fashion shows were taboo and tourism, apart from religious pilgrimages, was almost nonexistent in the Gulf kingdom. Taking in preparations for Abid's show, Saudi designer Alanoud Badr of Lady Fozaza compared the kingdom favourably to a more established island locale.

Swiss village bids to introduce Venice-style entry fee for tourists

Lauterbrunnen in the Bernese Oberland has seen a surge in tourism in the warmer months, with some visitors only staying for a day and contributing little to the economy.

How wild swimming puts you at risk of a raft of waterborne diseases

It sounded like good news for wild swimmers. Last week, 27 new river bathing sites were added to the map of the UK's coastal and inland waterways deemed safe for use.

First crewed flight of Boeing Starliner postponed again

WASHINGTON, United States — The first crewed launch of Boeing’s Starliner to the International Space Station has been delayed again due to a technical issue, NASA said Friday. The launch in Florida was scheduled for Tuesday but NASA said it is now planned for May 25 to allow teams to further assess a helium leak linked to the service module, which sits on top of the rocket. Earlier this month, a Starliner launch was postponed just hours before...

Beyond Machu Picchu and Cancun: Latin American wonders for a dream vacation