Bed bug registry. Orkin has a registry where people report on hotels and other accommodations that have had bed bugs. It’s a good idea to check it before booking your next stay: Bed Bug Registry.
Winter storms in Spain and Portugal. Southern Spain and Portugal have been riddled with numerous winter storms so far this year, prompting some floods and landslides. If you’re planning to travel there, be sure to check your destinations carefully.
Airlines are avoiding Iranian airspace. With tension between the U.S. and Iran, some airlines are suspending flights to UAE, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. If you’re planning to travel to these areas, check your flights.
Countries advising their citizens not to travel to the U.S. With ICE activity heating up around the U.S., some countries are advising their citizens to avoid visiting our shores.
Stolen crown from the Louvre to be restored. When the thieves who stole jewelry from the Louvre a few months ago were running out of the building, they dropped the crown of Empress Eugénie, the wife of Napoleon III who ruled France in the 19th century. The crown, which is worth millions, was severely damaged, and 10 diamonds that fell off of it are still missing. But the museum says it will fully restore the crown.
El Paso airspace closure. The FAA in the U.S. briefly closed the airspace around El Paso, Texas earlier this week when a party balloon was mistaken for a Mexican cartel drone. (No, that isn’t a joke.)
Record snowfall in Japan. As we have been dealing with a lot of snow, ice, and unusually cold temperatures in the U.S., northern Japan experienced record snowfall early this month. About 35 people died and many more were injured, most as they tried to clear snow from around their homes.
Other Japan news. Tourists have started to behave so badly that a cherry blossom festival near Mount Fuji has been canceled this spring. So sad!
American Airlines flight turns around. On January 31st, an international American Airlines flight from Miami to Quito, Ecuador had to turn around and return to Miami because of a passenger suffering a mental health crisis.
Trevi Fountain fee. In an effort to manage crowds, Rome is now charging tourists two Euros to access the front viewing area of the Trevi Fountain. The fee can be paid online, at museums, tourist information locations, and at the entrance to the fountain. People with disabilities and their caregivers can enter for free, as can children under age five and residents of Rome.
Lounge rule changes. American Express Centurion Lounges and Capitol One lounges are among the ones that are changing their rules and making it harder to gain entrance. This is an attempt to manage overcrowding. There are too many of these lounge changes to go into detail, so check your favorite lounge to see if you’ll be affected by any new rules.
Macau hotel rips up lobby floor. The Grand Emperor Hotel in Macau has had a lobby lined with gold bricks, but the company that owns it has decided to rip up the bricks and sell them, replacing the floor with something not quite as valuable.
Italian cuisine added to UNESCO. No entire cuisine has been given UNESCO cultural status before now. In 2025, the United Nations gave that distinction to not just a single dish (as has been their custom), but to all of Italian cuisine. Quite something – congratulations, Italy, and pass the pasta!
Madagascar cyclone. I was deeply saddened to read that the eastern portion of Madagascar suffered devastating damage from a cyclone on February 10th. I was supposed to visit the country last fall when protests broke out, followed by a military coup. This is one of the poorest countries on the planet, and they’ve been through enough.
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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