Europe

Netherlands: The Hague Rates Terrorism Risk as “Substantial”

Date: March 19th, 2013 |

Due to an increase in the number of violent extremists traveling to Syria, and signs of increased radicalization among youth, the threat of terrorism has increased from “limited” to “substantial,” Dutch authorities reported March 14. The U.S. Dept. of State has not issued any travel warnings for the country, but notes that, as with other [read more]

Portugal: National Airline Strike May Disrupt Travelers’ Plans

Date: March 6th, 2013 |

No Comments

On the heels of mass austerity protests that swept across Lisbon and other major cities early this month, employees of TAP, the national airline, have announced a planned strike for March 21-23. TAP operates about 180 flights per day, and though airline officials did not comment on the potential disruption for passengers, air travel in [read more]

Spain: Hundreds of Flights Cancelled Due to Iberia Strike

Date: February 20th, 2013 |

No Comments

Hundreds of flights were cancelled at Madrid’s international airport Feb. 18, the first day of a planned 15-day strike by Iberia airline workers. Riot police used force to push back thousands of protestors from the terminals, though no injuries were initially reported. Protests were held at most of the other major airports across the country. [read more]

Italy: Vatican Attractions are Cash-Only For Now

Date: January 9th, 2013 |

No Comments

The Italian central bank has shut down electronic payments in the Vatican city-state as of Jan. 1, creating even longer lines than usual as tourists count out Euros—if they have them—for museum tickets and souvenirs. During a routine inspection, officials found that the electronic payment service provider for the Vatican had never obtained proper authorization, [read more]

Italy: Sistine Chapel Tourists Will Be ‘Vacuumed & Cooled’

Date: December 26th, 2012 |

No Comments

Future visitors to the Sistine Chapel may expect to be “vacuumed and cooled” to reduce their environmental impact on the famous frescoes. Vatican officials were publicly criticized earlier this year for allowing the priceless paintings to be damaged by too many tourists. Unwilling to limit the numbers of visitors to the museum, the Vatican has [read more]

Italy:

Date: March 13th, 2013 |

No Comments

A high degree of crime occurs in and around the tourist areas of Naples. While most crime in Italy’s third-largest city is not violent, purse and camera snatching, pickpocketing and break-ins are commonplace. Criminal gangs operate efficiently in the areas that tourists tend to frequent, such as the Centro Historico, Piazza Garibaldi (the central train [read more]

Turkey: Embassy Attack Prompts Updated Travel Warning

Date: February 27th, 2013 |

No Comments

In light of the recent attack on the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and instability at the Turkish-Syrian border, the U.S. State Dept. has issued an updated travel warning. The Consulate strongly recommends that U.S. citizens avoid all border areas with Syria, and exercise extreme caution when traveling anywhere in southeastern Turkey. Travelers should stay abreast [read more]

Spain: Tomato-Tossing Festival No Longer Free

Date: January 23rd, 2013 |

No Comments

Tourists hoping to participate in La Tomatina, the infamous tomato-throwing festival held in Buñol, should arrive early and be prepared to pay for it. Citing increased security concerns and production costs, town officials have declared that the annual free-for-all will no longer be free: participants will pay an entrance fee of 10 Euros (about $13) [read more]

Serbia: Villagers Use Vampire Legend to Lure Tourists

Date: January 2nd, 2013 |

No Comments

No one has filmed a vampire trilogy there yet, but the tiny village of Zarozje, near the Bosnian border, is embracing its local vampire legend in the hope of attracting more visitors. The strategy seems to be working, as curious tourists trail in from all over the country to see a decrepit mill, supposedly haunted [read more]

Portugal: Dengue Fever on the Rise in Madeira

Date: December 26th, 2012 |

No Comments

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued an updated notice regarding dengue fever in Madeira. As of Dec. 9, more than 2,000 cases have been reported in the archipelago, and 58 of those afflicted were European tourists who had returned to their home countries. Dengue fever is a common but serious mosquito-borne illness that [read more]

Travel the World

More WTW

Monthly Archives