Autumn 2024. Ten years after my first trip to Seoul in 2014, I am returning to the Republic of Korea, better known as South Korea. Not solo this time, but with Oriol, who has never been to Korea. On the itinerary: flying with Qatar Airways to Incheon via Doha, the capital Seoul, the historic city…
Tag: Russia
ANTWERP | Royal Palace on the Meir relaunched as exclusive event location
The Palace on the Meir or Paleis op de Meir, located in the heart of Antwerp’s busiest shopping street, is being relaunched as an exclusive event location. Managed by heritage organisation Herita, the historic city palace will now be available for a range of events, including conferences, networking receptions, weddings, corporate functions and pop-up catering.
Hungary to ban Budapest Pride and doing so limits freedom of assembly
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán (Fidesz) is seeking to ban Budapest Pride, arguing that it is harmful to children’s development. He has proposed a constitutional amendment to prohibit the event, stating that it is a waste of time and money. Budapest, of course, is a popular destination for qtraight and gay people alike.
There’s more than one way to enjoy a cruise
July 2024. Steve and I are cruising on the Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway class ship by Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL. Interestingly, our stay on board happened shortly after the Getaway paid a visit to the dry dock for some refurbishments. The route? Piraeus, which is the port of Athens in Greece; followed by Mykonos;…
ILGA-EUROPE | New era of coordinated attacks on foundations of Fundamental Rights, as EU bins Equal Treatment Directive
A major report published today, 18 February 2025, identifies how LGBTQIA+ people are being weaponized to erode the foundations of freedom and democracy across Europe. The report describes the changes in 2024.
Switzerland, Czechia and Belgium top railway network density in Europe
In 2023, the European Union railway network had 200,947 km of railway lines, with the highest densities being found in and around main cities and other population hubs, a Eurostat blogpost reveals.
Turkey welcomed 62 million international tourists who together spent $61 billion in 2024
July 2024. Steve and I are cruising on the Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway class ship by Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL. Interestingly, our stay on board happened shortly after the Getaway paid a visit to the dry dock for some refurbishments. The route? Piraeus, which is the port of Athens in Greece; followed by Mykonos;…
Back On Track Belgium sees recognition for night trains in new Government Agreement but questions practicalities
Sleeper train travel advocacy group Back On Track Belgium has mixed feelings regarding the new Government Agreement in Belgium. The Kingdom has now a government after some eight months since the June 2024 elections. Such a long formation period is nowadays not unusual in Belgium and in Europe.
UN WORLD TOURISM BAROMETER | International tourism recovers pre-pandemic levels in 2024
With 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded globally, 2024 marked the recovery of international tourism from the worst crisis in the sector’s history. A majority of destinations welcomed more international tourists in 2024 than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic, while visitor spending also continued to grow strongly. For 2025, more growth is predicted.
2025: Overtourism overdose?
On 1 January 2024 we wrote about how rising prices affect travel. Not only the price of flights, but also the price of activities. Pricing was a topic the year before, 2023. In 2024, conventional and social media dug into the issue of overtourism. Articles about locals protesting, Instagrammers posting about big crowds in Japan…
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