By Judy Newell
Mexico News
Maya Vacation Package
Riviera Maya, Mexico; 4 nights from US$645; Book by August 31, 2022.
Hilton Tulum:
Nestled in a secluded bay, this 735 room all-inclusive resort in Tulum is a natural sanctuary, situated directly on white sands and clear waters. Spend the day at their luxury spa, nine pools, 13 restaurants and bars, private beach, or family zone. The resort is located less than 30 minutes from underwater caves, amusement parks, and Tulum city center, and less than two hours from Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Vacation Highlights:
- 4 night accommodations
- Hotel transfers
- All Inclusive
Special Notes:
Bonus up to 50 percent* savings
Stay: Room with Resort View
(*The price above is for travel from October 3 – 7, 2022.)
International News
Longest Suspension Bridge Opens in Czech Resort
A pedestrian suspension bridge that is the longest such construction in the world has opened at a mountain resort in the Czech Republic.
The 2,365-foot-long bridge is built at an altitude of more than 3,610 feet above sea level. It connects two ridges of the mountains and hangs up to 312 feet above the valley below. Sky Bridge 721, as it is known, is located in the northeastern part of the country in the Kralicky Sneznik mountain range near the border with Poland, some 125 miles east of Prague.
The bridge offers unusual views for visitors who have a head for heights. Up to 500 people will be allowed to be on the bridge at any one time.
The construction took two years and cost some 200 million Czech crowns (US$8.3 million).
The previous longest such bridge is in Arouca, Portugal, and is 1,693 feet long.
Aviation News
Airships could be making a Comeback
Airships could be making a comeback in the coming years as a climate-friendly alternative for shorter routes.
Spanish regional airline Air Nostrum has announced plans to integrate the hybrid airships into its schedule, replacing some of its shorter routes and connecting towns with no airfield. It also hopes that the vehicles’ ability to land on any flat surface will offer passengers the option to land in the middle of a city instead of airports located miles outside the town center.
Nostrum has already reserved ten Airlander Hybrid Airships from British manufacturer Hybrid Air Vehicles. The partnership hopes to convert the entire fleet to full electric power by the end of the decade, offering an emission-free mode of travel for tourists.
The speed of the airships, which have not been used regularly for decades, will be capped at around 80 mph, but current trends suggest travelers are becoming more inclined to take slower methods of transport if they are both environmentally friendly and convenient.
Air New Zealand Plans Bunk Beds and Couches in Economy
- «Skynests» will be available to economy passengers flying on ultra long-haul flights by 2024 aboard Dreamliner jets.
- The airline will begin non-stop flights between Auckland and New York in September.
The airline claims it is the first carrier to put sleep pods on a plane. It is the first to offer economy passengers ‒ those paying the cheapest ticket prices ‒ the option.
Ultra long-haul flights are generally deemed to be non-stop journeys of more than 16 hours. In September, Air New Zealand will begin non-stop flights between Auckland and New York, lasting more than 17 hours, per Bloomberg.
From 2025, Qantas, its Australian challenger, plans to launch a non-stop service between Sydney, New York, and London, with journeys lasting up to 20 hours. The plans are yet to receive regulatory approval, per Traveller.
Deal of the Week
Japan & China 10-Day Tour with Air, Starting from US $499
Deal ends soon—10 Days, 2 countries, 1 low price! Hurry to book your spot on this amazing Japan and China vacation package from UTO. The US$499 per person rate includes airfare, tours, hand-picked value or premium accommodations, and trip assurance, a US$99 value.
Select from dates starting February 2023 through 2024, but don’t wait too long. At 80 percent savings and limited seating available, tours are expected to sell out quickly.
How is this possible?
UTOs local partners and local tourism associations help cover costs, making Asia more affordable while taking care of all the details for you.
What’s Included:
• Roundtrip flights to Beijing from New York or Los Angeles, returning from Tokyo (additional departure cities available)
• Hand-picked value or premium hotel accommodations
• You’ll spend 3 nights in Beijing, 1 night in Osaka, 2 nights in Kyoto, and 2 nights in Tokyo
• Flights and ground transportation between cities plus sightseeing tours with an English-speaking guide
• UTO Vacation trip assurance (regular US$99 per person), allowing you to make changes to your tour, dates, or passenger names up to 150 days prior to scheduled departure
The first 500 bookings can purchase trip extension packages that add Shanghai or more time in Tokyo for US$99. These upgrades normally cost as much as US$699.
When You Can Go:
• Depart February 2023 – December 2024
These immense savings are passed along to you. Packaging this on your own would cost over US$2,499 per person, so it’s easy to see how exciting this price is.
Note: A limited number of discounted seats are available for each departure date, and they are likely to sell out quickly. Secure your booking with a US$199 deposit.
Judy Newell, an international travel consultant for over 50 years, heads Perfect Journeys and specializes in unique travel experiences to destinations around the world. She custom designs journeys that are tailored to suit client’s interests, physical abilities, and budgets. Please contact Judy for further information on Travel News topics, Mexico, and international travel. Cell phone 415 111 8765; Vonage 949 300 3682; email at judynewell@perfectjourneys.net. Her office is in Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo.
Sources: GoGo Vacations, NBC News, The Navigator, Business Insider, Dunhill Vacations.
