Travel News & Advice – November 15, 2024

Hotel rooms inspired by Wicked. New York Hilton Midtown hotel is collaborating with Universal Pictures to create a one-of-a-kind suite inspired by the Broadway show and upcoming movie, Wicked.

Canned air? In Lake Como, they’re selling cans of the local air for people to take home as a souvenir. Now, I’ve heard everything!

Bye bye baby. A video of a man holding a baby on an airplane has gone viral as the baby says “bye bye” to each passenger while they disembark. It’s time for all airlines to have a “bye bye baby” on every flight, don’t you think? (But I guess child labor laws would be a problem.)

Wouldn’t you love a “bye bye baby” on your flight? (Stock photo)

Hyatt Place breakfast. Hyatt Place hotels are testing how guests react to paying for breakfast. Right now, breakfast is free at these properties, but that might change in the future. To that, we say BOO!

Gunfire in the air. A Spirit Airlines flight and a JetBlue flight were shot by gang gunfire while flying through Port-au-Prince airport in Haiti. No one was hurt, but the FAA in the US suspended air travel through that airport until Monday, and JetBlue’s spokesperson says that airline has suspended flights to and from Haiti until at least December 2.

Apple AirTag news. Apple has added a new feature to its Apple AirTags (I’m a big fan of these), which allows you to share its location with others, including an airline. This could help people be reunited with lost bags much sooner.

Gladiator. Photo by Barskefranck.

Fulfill your gladiator fantasy! Airbnb is offering a gladiator experience with costumes in Rome’s Colosseum May 7 and 8, 2025. Book it quick!

Overcrowding strikes again. This time, Pompeii, Italy is set to restrict the number of visitors who want to see the fragile ruins there.

New Chase airport lounges. I like JFK’s Chase Sapphire lounge. Now, they’re planning to open more lounges, but it won’t be easy to get into them. There’s already a new one in Phoenix, and one opens in San Diego in early December. Others will open soon in Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. But you have to have a Chase Sapphire Reserve, JP Morgan Reserve, or Ritz-Carlton branded credit card to enter. Others might get one free pass a year. After that, you might be able to get access, but it will cost you $75. (I have yet to see a lounge worth that much.)

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Melanie Votaw is the Publisher and Executive Travel Writer of LuxuryWeb Magazine. She has visited more than 50 countries on 6 continents and written for such magazines as Executive Travel, Just Luxe, Business Insider, South China Morning Post, Travel Mindset, and more. She is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association, New York Travel Writers Association, and International Travel Writers Alliance. Melanie's photography has won awards, and she has also written 43 nonfiction books as either the author or ghostwriter.

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