Spain Raises Airport Taxes

by Sean McLachlan on


The government of Spain has announced that it is raising airport taxes.

The amount of the increase depends on the airport, with the average being 18.9 percent. Taxes at the two busiest airports, however, will more than double. Madrid’s Barajas airport will increase from 6.95 euros to 14.44 ($8.64 to $17.94). Barcelona’s El Prat airport will go from 6.12 euros to 13.44 ($7.60 to $16.70).

Ryanair and Vueling have already passed the extra fee onto their passengers. Other airlines have yet to decide how to respond. The tax is retrospective for those who booked before July 2, 2012, and are traveling from July 1 onwards.

Spain is one of the most troubled economies of the Eurozone. It has recently been granted up to 100 billion euros ($124 billion) in bailouts for its banks and the government is planning harsh austerity measures in order to balance the books. With summer tourist season kicking into high gear, the increased tax will bring in tens of millions in much-needed funds, assuming it doesn’t turn away too many tourists.

[Photo of Madrid’s Barajas airport courtesy Andres Rueda]

Hotel News We Noted: July 6, 2012

by McLean Robbins on




Greetings, friends. Here’s to hoping that everyone in a hotel tonight is there because they are enjoying an extended Fourth of July vacation, and not because they’re still without power from last weekend’s storms or Colorado’s devastating wildfires. It seems like the end of the world might be nigh after all – so this week, in addition to your standard Hotel News We Noted on openings, trends and new developments, we’ve got a special Mayan package at one of our favorite resorts.

If you have news, tips or comments, please feel free to drop us a line via email.

Resort We Want to Visit: NIYAMA Per AQUUM
Dying for a trip to the Maldives? Sure, so are we. If you suddenly find yourself on the other side of the world, be sure to check out NIYAMA, the area’s newest resort, featuring the world’s first underwater music club, a 24-hour spa, a coral adoption program, tribal cooking over hot rock grills and in-room delis for midnight snacking. Sounds amazing, right? If any of those perks aren’t your thing, the Per AQUUM brand also has a polo estate in Dubai and another property in the Maldives, Huvafen Fushi.Hotel Opening: Dorset Square, London
We’ve seen a whole slew of London openings over the past few months as the city scurries to ready itself for the upcoming Olympics. The latest luxury hotel is Dorset Square, part of the same ownership team that brought us the Convent Garden Hotel in London and also New York’s Crosby Street hotel. Officially opened as of June 18, the totally renovated property has 38 individually designed rooms and suites, many of which look over a private garden that was originally the site of a cricket field. Rooms start at just 150 euro, which means we’re definitely putting this new property on our list of hotels to explore next time we’re across the pond.

Cool Perks, Hot Days: Trump SoHo
In addition to chic interiors designed by Ivana and a spa we can’t help but love (it has New York City’s first authentic Hammam), Trump SoHo has raised the bar yet again with cool summer amenities for its pool goers. Lounge at the Bar d’Eau with one of the hotel’s Kindle Touch devices, which feature a glare-proof screen and come stocked with books and magazines like Forbes and Shape. Hmm, we wonder if “50 Shades of Grey” is on there too. While you’re lounging, cool off with a glass of the new Moet Ice Imperial, the first Champagne designed to be enjoyed over ice and a new European import.

It’s the End of the World As We Know It: Mayan Spa Rituals at Rosewood Mayakoba
Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico, is celebrating the planned Mayan calendar end on December 21, 2012, with new spa treatments. The Mayan Equinox Ritual starts with a traditional Mexican sauna experience called the Temazcal, followed by burning incense and a wrap and mask using jade, gold and silver. They are also offering a New Moon Treatment for new mothers, using ingredients like rose, apricot and honey, as well a Garden Detoxifying Ritual, said to help purify the body, mind and soul. It’s basically a high-end mud wrap, but it does sound quite decadent. The best part? All of these treatments come with a silver pendant with your name engraved in Mayan. Just watch out – these treatments start at $400, so while it may not be the end of the world after December 21, it might be the end of the money in your wallet.


Want to know about more Mayan-themed specials? Jessica Festa wrote a great roundup earlier this year.

Stockholm Hotel Allows Guests To Pay For Rooms With Artwork

by Jessica Festa on

Are you short on cash but want to travel? Maybe you should consider traveling to Sweden for your next vacation. Beginning this month, the Clarion Hotel in Stockholm is allowing guests to pay for their hotel with artwork instead of money.

The program began because the general manager’s grandfather was an artist. In honor of him, the hotel has decided to pay tribute to creativity. For guests who submit a piece of art, they will be allowed to stay two nights free.

Unsure if your art will pass the hotel’s requirements? It will.

“Who are we to be judgmental about art?” explains Tess Mattisson, the hotel’s marketing manager. “Accommodation is what we know and we’re happy to provide it. Everyone is welcome here, from young and upcoming artists to those that are already established.”

All works must fit on an A4 piece of paper, and be signed by the artist. Pieces should be presented upon arrival to the hotel. If you’re interested in submitting a piece, click here.

[Photo via Jessie on a Journey]

Survey Shows Travelers’ Top Dream Destinations And Experiences

by Jessica Festa on

Do you ever wonder how your travel dreams compare to those of others? To help find out where people most desire to travel to, Virtuoso Life Magazine conducted a “Travel Dreams” survey, polling over 5,000 people between January 5 to March 31, 2012. Some of their findings include:

Top Dream Destinations:

1. Australia
2. Italy
3. New Zealand
4. South Africa
5. French Polynesia

Top Trips Of A Lifetime:

1. Setting sail for a world cruise
2. Calling on all seven continents
3. Sailing the Mediterranean on a private yacht
4. Visiting all Seven New Wonders of the World
5. Photographing “the big five” on an African safariMost Wanted Island Escapes:

1. Hawaiian Islands
2. Greek Islands
3. Galapagos Islands
4. Fiji
5. French Polynesia

River Cruises That Capture Your Imagination:

1. French wine country canal
2. Danube
3. Amazon
4. Nile
5. Rhine

Most Romantic Cities:

1. Paris
2. Venice
3. Santorini
4. Rome
5. New York City

Top Family Getaways:

1. Hawaiian Islands
2. Italy
3. Caribbean
4. Galapagos Islands
5. Alaska

What’s your dream travel experience?

Search For Amelia Earhart Begins In South Pacific

by Kraig Becker on

In the beginning of June we told you about new research that seemed to indicate that famous aviator Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan not only survived a crash in the South Pacific back in 1937, but also made numerous attempts to radio for help. Armed with those findings a search team launched an expedition earlier this week with the aim of exploring the tiny atoll that they believe was the final resting place for the duo.

Earhart and Noonan went missing on July 2, 1937, while attempting to circumnavigate the planet by airplane. When they last made radio contact they were searching for Howland Island where they were planning on refueling for their flight across the Pacific. They never arrived at Howland and what exactly became of them remains a mystery to this day.

Historians and scientists have theorized that Earhart’s Lockheed Electra actually went down on a tiny atoll known as Nikumaroro, where she and Noonan proceeded to send radio messages for several days before the ocean claimed their aircraft. It is that small island, which is part of the nation of Kiribati, that this most recent search party is now en route.

When they arrive the team will use a robotic submersible to search for the missing airplane in the waters just off Nikumaroro and they’ll comb the island itself for more clues to Earhart and Noonan’s ultimate fate. A recent excursion to the atoll discovered an old jar of freckle cream that was consistent with the brand that Earhart used and researchers are hoping to discover similar clues this time out. They feel that if they find definitive evidence that the island was Earhart and Noonan’s last resting place it can help solve one of the most enduring mysteries of the 20th century.

The expedition is expected to last approximately 26 days, with ten of those days dedicated to the search itself. The team departed from Honolulu on Tuesday and should arrive on site some time next week. After that, we’ll all have to wait to see if they discover anything of interest.