Also known as the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt, the Sargasso Sea is an extensive area of around 1,100 kilometers (600 nautical miles) wide and 3,200 km (1,750 nmi) long in the Atlantic Ocean.

It’s considered the largest seaweed mass on the planet and shares borders with no countries. 

Despite its calm blue waters, there have been reports of ships getting trapped in this vegetal blob when winds are strong.

In “normal” environmental conditions, the Sargasso Sea is an important marine ecosystem, key in the migration of multiple European and American species like the European eel, the American eel, and the American conger eel.

Other species, such as certain types of fish, sea turtles and crustaceans, use this “golden island” to reproduce or protect themselves from natural predators.

In an attempt to promote the creation of a “global network of marine sanctuaries under the Global Ocean Treaty,” Greenpeace found a “shocking” amount of plastic garbage in some sargassum beds when navigating the area.

In one of the floating mats, they “retrieved more than 300 pieces of plastic in just 30 minutes including bottle caps, disposable lighters, buoys, shoes, children’s toys and dozens of smaller scraps in the process of breaking down into microplastics,” reads a Greenpeace statement. 

“We saw large pieces of plastic debris tangled inside it. On closer inspection, every clump of seaweed contained a panoply of plastic pollution, from bottle caps to disposable cutlery,” stated Briony Venn, oceans campaigner for Greenpeace UK.

The main objective of this environmental organization is to press the UK government to ratify the Global Ocean Treaty and to join forces with other international governments to elect the Sargasso Sea as the first sea sanctuary in international waters.

This effort should go together with reducing single-use plastic under the Global Plastic Treaty, as per the organization.

According to scientists, plastic is now present in all oceans on the planet. This material has been found in the bodies of “44% of all seabird species, 22% of cetacean species, and in all sea turtle species,” Greenpeace says.

The post Greenpeace Finds Shocking Quantities Of Plastic In The Sargasso Sea appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Statistics show that these destinations have low levels of violent crime. However, they do have a share of phone grabbing, purse snatching, and lots of pickpocketing especially near tourist landmarks.

Data collected by insurance company Quotezone.co.uk have revealed the cities and places where more holidaymakers have fallen victim to pickpocketing.

Their research classified the most visited European destinations by the number of pickpocketing mentions in reviews of “each country’s top five tourist attractions.”

Results are somehow shocking. While many tourists will tell you that Barcelona and Paris are probably the cities with the highest number of pickpockets, it turned out that the city where most travelers have lost their belongings is actually Italy.

The impressive Colosseum, the stunning Trevi Fountain and the historical Pantheon in Rome, as well as the Duomo di Milano in Milan and the Gallerie Degli Uffizi in Florence, are the most targeted hotspots by thieves in Europe. 

Paris came in second and Barcelona came in third. Hard to hear but we all saw that coming.

“Iconic attractions like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Trevi Fountain in Rome are particularly popular with pickpockets as they can move more inconspicuously amongst larger crowds,” said Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk.

In the eyes of thieves, tourists are regarded as easy prey because most of them are not familiar with local streets, carry large amounts of cash as well as cameras and other electronic devices and are not paying too much attention while having fun.

According to Quotezone.co.uk, these are the cities and places with the highest level of pickpocketing across Europe as of April 2024. 

Tips to Avoid Pickpockets in Europe

Armed robberies in European cities are very rare but make no mistake, pickpockets are out there waiting for you to make the smallest mistake to run away with your money and belongings. Follow these steps to enjoy a safer trip and avoid inconveniences.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially at popular tourist landmarks or crowded places.
• Don’t flash your money. Don’t make yourself a target.
• Leave your jewelry and travel documents secure back in your accommodation.
• Never leave phones, purses or other personal items unattended.
• Don’t walk around with all your money and your debit and credit cards. Leave most of them in your hotel room.
• Double-check with your insurance company what is or isn’t covered in case of robbery.

The post Data Reveals 10 European Cities with the Most Pickpocketing Ahead of Summer 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Historic data revealed by the Expedia® Summer Travel Outlook show that booking your flights between 21 to 60 days before departure will help you save up to 15% on both national and international trips. 

On the other side, those who purchase their tickets more than 90 days in advance will have to pay up to 15% more for international trips.

Also, traveling during the last two weeks of August can help you save up to $265 in travel costs. Another pro-tip is that flights scheduled to depart after 3:00 pm have 50% more chances of being canceled.  

Finally, fly internationally on Mondays and domestically on Tuesdays to save even more money.

Summer 2024 Travel Trends 

Based on global data collected since last winter, Pinterest and other search engines accurately determined the most important Travel Trends for 2024. Check them out! 

Set-jetting 

According to American Express Travel, 70 percent of Gen Z and Millennial travelers are influenced by destinations featured in films.

Digital Detox

In a massively interconnected era, seems like thousands of people want to go off the grid and enjoy nature as it is.

These tourists are looking for “quiet places” to do a “digital detox” in forests, cabins in the mountains and national parks. 

Mysterious or Enigmatic

A big chunk of summer travelers will be found visiting mysterious ancient ruins, hidden gems, and abandoned or haunted places in “calming nature.”

This demographic is booking their tickets to Machu Picchu, Peru; Edinburgh, Scotland; and similar venues. 

Culture Connoisseur Travel

As per Four Season Magazine, there’s a growing number of travelers planning their holidays around sporting events, festivals, and concerts where singers like Taylor Swift make an appearance. 

Adventure Trips

Another huge number of travelers are eager to engage in adventurous trips that stimulate their minds and bodies, in which they can do scuba diving, photography and hiking.

Preferred countries include the Philippines for its unspoiled nature and Tanzania for its safaris.

Gen Z – Road Trips with Friends 

Saving is the keyword for Gen Z tourists this summer. These young travelers will hit the road with friends without too much planning. 

These kiddos are mostly heading to Jasper, Canada. 

The post Best Time To Book Your Summer 2024 Flights According to Expedia appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

As most of us know, sargassum season has just started impacting multiple destinations across the Caribbean, but not all of them.

So we have gathered a collection of the most beautiful and charming islands that have not been too affected by this phenomenon. Here is the list:

Isla Mujeres

Filled with sun-kissed beaches, turquoise waters, and magnificent reefs, this tiny island is one of Cancun’s most famous day trips.

Don’t miss the chance to visit this piece of paradise on earth if you want to engage in exciting water sports like snorkeling, scuba diving, dolphin spotting and fishing. 

Other sea activities you may be interested in include a visit to the MUSA Underwater Sculpture Museum and swimming with whale sharks. 

Isla Mujeres is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts in Quinta Roo.

This island is accessible by ferry. Take a boat in Puerto Juarez, a few minutes away from Cancun. The boats leave every 30 minutes, from 5:00 am until 9:30 pm. 

Anguilla 

American and Canadian tourists are flocking to this gem in the Caribbean, according to recent reports.

In fact, the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB) just revealed that in the first quarter of 2024, there has been an increase of 22.2 percent in arrivals compared to 2023 totals. 

Anguilla is an island full of authenticity. It may not have high-rise resorts or casinos but it offers plenty of natural blue waters and beachfront towns.

This small heaven is the place to visit if you are an adventure lover. Shipwreck discovery, snorkeling and Caribbean cuisine tasting are among the things and activities you can do in this hotspot.

Curaçao

Curaçao is a Dutch Caribbean island famous for its pristine beaches, extensive coral reefs, and abundant marine life.

This island boasts a plethora of activities that will keep you entertained all day long. Do some island exploring in the morning; swimming, diving, surfing and snorkeling in the afternoon; and go fine dining and bar hopping at night.

This island also offers world-class resorts, hotels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals carefully designed for you to forget about the clock and enjoy life in the tropics.

Curaçao is a hidden gem that is still affordable for Caribbean enthusiasts.

Grenada

Dubbed the “Spice Isle,” Grenada is probably one of the best-kept secrets in the Caribbean. 

Surrounded by clear blue waters, colorful houses, nutmeg plantations, volcanic hills and stunning nature, it’s hard not to fall in love with this place.

Located about 100 miles north of Venezuela, this island is just a 4-hour flight from Miami. 

While St. George’s, the island’s capital, boasts Georgian buildings and Fort George, the south is a place to go for luxurious accommodations and exciting nightlife.

Grenada is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, the first-ever underwater sculpture display and a really tasty strong rum!

Aruba

Also known as “The Happy Island,” Arubans will welcome you with open arms wherever you go. So get ready to feel loved and make tons of friends.

This small island hosts people from 90 nationalities, making it a real melting pot full of exotic cuisines, interesting traditions and friendly locals speaking in Papiamento, Dutch, English, Spanish and French. Crazy right?

With its vibrant palette of crystal-clear blue seas and green forests, Aruba is one of the most Instagram-worthy islands in the region.

Forget about cloudy or cold days. This Caribbean island is blessed with up to 300 sunny days per year. Its steady sunshine and pleasant climate make this destination a sough-after choice for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.

U.S. Virgin Islands

This US-overseas Caribbean territory consists of 4 big islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix,  Water Island, St. John and around 50 islets and cays. 

Although locals are American citizens, they identify themselves as Caribbean folks due to their unique culture and lifestyle. 

The U.S. Virgin Islands are the perfect destination for those who want an exotic getaway without the hassle of immigration processes.

Come visit to learn about locals’ rich history, as well as take in unspoiled beaches, turquoise waters, national park activities and stunning wildlife.

Fantastic venues you can visit include top-notch restaurants, luxury resorts, and world-class golf courses.

Also, book a tour of the incredible USVI underwater national park. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.

The post 6 Best Caribbean Islands To Visit In June 2024 (Without Seaweed) appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Unknown to many, its popularity has been steadily increasing over the last few years. According to the Anguilla Tourist Board (ATB), the island is breaking tourism records this year, the same way it did in 2023.

In the first quarter, the country welcomed 62,188 travelers accounting for a 22.2 percent increase when compared to 2023 totals, said ATB officials.

Also, tourists spending at least one night in the destination increased by 15 percent compared to 2023.

These rather positive results have been possible thanks to visitors from key tourism markets such as the United States and Canada.

So far in 2024, 41,399 American tourists have touched down in Anguilla, an increase of 32.7 percent over the same period in 2023. 

For its part, 4,689 Canadians, an increase of  22.4 percent from 2023, have also visited the country this year.

In December 2023, the country broke another record with 19,178 arrivals, an increase of 27.9 percent compared to 14,992 in the same timeframe in 2022. 

But the ambitious government of Anguilla is not fully satisfied with these numbers and wants to scale operations to a whole new level.

To accomplish this, the island’s Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA) is undergoing massive renovations, scheduled to be completed in 2025.

“This administration made a commitment to significantly modernize Anguilla’s infrastructure, for the benefit of both our visitors and importantly, our on-island community,” said Haydn Hughes, Anguilla’s Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Housing, Utilities and Tourism.

Earlier this year, the country also opened a new ferry terminal at Blowing Point as part of its new marketing strategy.

“The opening of the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal is yet another commitment fulfilled, along with the redesign of the Valley Main Road, the recent upgrades at the airport, and the development of the 20-year airport master plan,” Hughes said.

Anguilla’s economy heavily relies on luxury tourism, offshore banking and lobster fishing.

According to experts, the island’s economic growth heavily depends on foreign investment from countries like the United States, Canada, and some European nations.

Reasons Behind Anguilla’s Tourism Growth

Stacey Liburd, Director of Tourism for Anguilla, believes that these optimistic statistics are possible thanks to the support they receive from their stakeholders. 

“Tourism thrives on collaboration, and this remarkable achievement underscores the immense cooperation and backing we receive from our valued stakeholders,” she said.

According to Anguilla’s Tourist Board, the main reason behind its current success lies in the expansion of its marketing efforts in 2024, by introducing “new destination pillars and developing new markets to increase arrivals and occupancy rates while growing Anguilla’s tourism industry.”

The post This Unknown Caribbean Island Is Breaking Tourism Records In 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

This fact was evident on April 18 when a Canadian tourist named Xavier Cornier was scammed by a taxi driver identified as Eduardo G., who was working at the airport without a legal permit in a taxi labeled “Airport Taxi.”

Two security guards made the Canadian believe he wasn’t allowed to stay at Terminal 3 and that he had to move to Terminal 4, by taxi, because he also wasn’t allowed to do it on foot. They also insisted he had to pay by credit card an amount of $5. They didn’t mention that the inter-terminal shuttle service was free and operating as usual.

Cornier arrived at Terminal 4, where he was charged $528.14 Canadian dollars, twice!

After a fight in which the driver also tried to steal his belongings, two police officers forced the driver to reimburse the tourist. The driver was taken into custody a few days later but he was quickly released because Cornier didn’t press any charges.

The case has been seen by more than 6 million TikTok users who followed 6 viral videos posted by Cornier. Many of the viewers claimed they had similar experiences at this airport.

According to Alejandro García from Quequi News, efforts implemented to eradicate illegal transportation at Cancun International Airport are “a lie” because it is known that members of the National Guard as well as some politicians own many of these taxis.

“Irregular operators are underhanded and even protected by members of the corporation [National Guard] since it’s an open secret that many of these units [illegal taxis] are owned by officials and local politicians,” said García.

According to legally established airport taxi companies, illegal taxis at Cancun International Airport would be more than 900 units.

Last October, representatives of the National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transportation (Canapat) met with members of the National Guard to discuss strategies to combat illegal transportation at Cancun Airport.

“Unfortunately, these individuals create a negative reputation that spreads everywhere. I think this should be sanctioned by the National Guard or the corresponding authority. Asur must cancel concessions as a punishment for those who take advantage of tourists and don’t think how much they are affecting the destination,” said Jesús Almaguer Salazar, President of the Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres.

According to García, “the corruption chain” begins in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), the entity that authorizes the issuance of licenses without the presentation of required legal documents.

The post Mexican Media Exposes Cancun Taxi Airport Scammers’ Ties To Local Officials appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

On May 3, Tulum International Airport Felipe Carrillo Puerto (TQO) will receive its first passengers from Toronto, and on May 4, from Montreal.

“New route alert! Beginning May 3, 2024, you’ll be able to fly direct to Tulum from Toronto on Fridays and Sundays, and from May 4, 2024, direct from Montreal on Saturdays.” Air Canada said in a press release.

This is part of Air Canada’s diversification strategy for popular destinations, according to Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Revenue and Network Planning at Air Canada.

For his part, Miguel Torruco Marqués, Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism, celebrated the start of the new two routes. 

“Without connectivity, there is no tourism, and the [Toronto and Montreal] new routes to the new Tulum International Airport, which is ready to receive five million passengers, will boost the arrival of tourists from our second most important source market for international tourists.”

By summer 2024, Air Canada will be operating 520 daily flights to 120 destinations in Canada, the US, and the Caribbean, accounting for 66,000 seats, which represents an increase of 5 percent from 2023. 

Air Canada is the latest carrier flying to Tulum non-stop. On March 31, the destination welcomed its first-ever United Airlines flight from Boston, and some days later, another from Chicago. 

As of today, United transports passengers to Tulum from eight American cities.

Other airlines offering non-stop flights to Tulum include Delta, which started operations to this town on March 28 from Atlanta, and American Airlines which offers flights to Tulum from Dallas and Charlotte.

Representing Central America, Copa Airlines has been operating a Panama-Tulum route since February.

On June 13, JetBlue will fly to Tulum from New York (JFK). For its part, Spirit Airlines has announced the start of operations to Tulum from Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in the next few months.

Iberojet in Europe also plans to offer flights to Tulum from Spain and France later this year.

The post Another Major International Airline To Start Flights To Tulum On May 2 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

With more than 500 operations between arrivals and departures, Cancun International Airport is receiving over 20 daily complaints regarding mistreatment and delays, according to REPORTUR.mx. 

Common complaints include extreme wait times at immigration checkpoints (more than 2 hours), a lack of officials to process documents, missing connections and shuttle services, low-quality internet, and even extorsions perpetrated by immigration officers, according to local news outlet El Economista.   

Fed up with the mistreatment of their customers, The Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres sent a letter to Tourism Secretary Miguel Torruco, expressing “great concerns from the Quintana Roo hotel sector” regarding “situations” experienced by a rising number of travelers at Cancun International Airport, said President Jesús Almaguer in February. 

“We continue to have an increase in complaints from United States and Latin American tourists upon entering the Cancun International Airport migration area. They’ve informed us about the lack of migration officials, exaggerated times to cross the filters, and even more worrisome, the mistreatment of the Colombian market by immigration agents,” reads the letter. 

Juan Enrique Suárez Del Real Tostado, President of the Union of Tourism Secretaries (Asetur), stated they are closely monitoring the mistreatment tourists have suffered at the hands of immigration officials. He said he’d escalate matters to the Ministry of Interior to expose these facts.

“We have to give [tourists] adequate treatment. We understand that sometimes the work is so routine that it can generate a situation where we forget to provide that attention, but we are going to propose a precise system of immigration training.”

According to Suárez, airport officials have to “understand how much tourism means, but above all, the image they can generate,” he said.

But that can be a little bit late. 73 out of 115 reviews on TripAdvisor, rank Cancun International Airport as “Terrible.”

A family traveling on March 2024 said: “unorganised and long queue, not the best start to the holiday, luckily the rest of the trip made up for it…”

A group of friends also traveling in March 2024, said there were no parking slots available so they had to wait almost one hour to get off the plane: “Fourty five minute wait on the tarmac to get a gate, then 1hr to get through immigration. Emerge from baggage pick up to find a place to wait for friends arriving on a different flight. No place to sit down for however long it takes for our friends to emerge. No regard whatever for the comfort of travellers by the airport authority.”

Another family also complained about the excessive wait times at immigration: “Took us 2 hours to get through passport control, taking them initially 45 minutes to even bother putting people on the gates! A near further hour to then get through customs. Complete mayhem from start to finish, the worst airport I’ve ever passed through.”

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama has reportedly met with federal and state authorities, hotel associations and the Southeast Airport Group (ASUR) to define steps that allow them to control security and streamline the entrance of tourists at immigration checkpoints, REPORTUR.mx revealed.

The post Cancun Airport Keeps Seeing Complaints Growth About Immigration Processes appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

With its tropical beaches, vibrant atmosphere, aquatic sports, and exciting nightlife, Cancun doesn’t cease to allure travelers to its coasts.

On this occasion, Cancun has defeated Rome, Paris and Tokyo in the race for the preferred vacation getaway for Americans this year. 

Knowing that Cancun is a popular destination for Americans, you may think these results were expected, but they weren’t.

Although Mexico is the most visited country by US citizens, with more than 39.3 million tourists a year, Cancun didn’t used to be a destination Americans were eager to travel to during the unsparing summer. But things are changing.

If you are planning an escape to Cancun this year, make sure to book your tickets 21 to 60 days prior to departure.

Suggested: TOP 5 Luxury Resorts In Cancun To Visit In Summer 2024

According to Expedia, a global travel company, purchasing your flights before May 2 will help you save up to 15 percent. 

Traveling on Mondays is also 15 percent cheaper than taking off on Thursdays or Fridays, and using the window between mid to late August can save you up to $256, said the company.

Another tick to help you save even more money is landing in alternative airports such as Cozumel (CZM), Merida (MID), or Tulum (TQO).

Cancun’s key role as a business hub combined with a diverse tourism portfolio has catapulted the destination to the top most visited hotspots in the world. 

In fact, in 2022, this city was the second most visited getaway on the planet after Dubai, according to Forbes.

One of the reasons explaining this phenomenon is the growing number of flights available from multiple cities across the United States. 

Another aspect that makes Cancun so attractive is its versatility. This destination caters to both luxury and business travelers, as well as backpackers, families, couples, groups of friends, spring breakers, and even speleologists and pre-Columbian history lovers. 

Cancun is also a world-class destination for weddings as well as aquatic sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and snorkeling. Others prefer Cancun for its cutting-edge golf courses like Moon Palace, Riviera Cancun Golf Resort or Iberostar Golf Club. 

Another unique feature is its proximity to top-tier attractions such as the stunning Isla Mujeres, the majestic pyramids of Chichen Itza or the out-of-this-world Cenotes, a chain of underground freshwater wells, that can only be found in the Riviera Maya.

Last but not least, this year Cancun is seeing “unusual” low quantities of sargassum arriving at its beaches. As of today, the seaweed alert is at level two, “very low.” 

To maintain this status, the Secretary of Navy is installing 8,600 meters of anti-sargassum barriers to prevent the seaweed from reaching the beaches of Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

The post Cancun Dominates The Most Searched Destinations For Summer 2024, According To Expedia appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

Local vendors reported that by the end of January 2023, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cancun beaches were buried under tons of the rather annoying seaweed.

But this year, even spring-breakers got to spot some of the most Instagram-worthy beaches in the world completely sargassum-free.

This unexpected phenomenon has made both tourists and locals wonder if this is the start of a steady reduction of sargassum over the upcoming months or years.

According to experts, the massive seaweed in Cancun and popular other parts of Mexican Caribbean coasts is caused by environmental and human factors, including but not limited to higher water temperatures, unfavorable ocean currents and a high wind speed, as well as an excess of nutrients poured into the waters by the agricultural industry.

Although Easter passed without major incidents, top experts warn the issue hasn’t gone anywhere. 

However, despite towns such as Tulum are bracing for the arrival of insane quantities of sargassum over the next few days, data suggest this year the final ton count could be lower than in previous seasons.

Factors contributing to the apparent decline of sargassum in 2024 include changes in ocean currents and advantageous weather conditions, which have a direct impact on the quantity and distribution of the algae in the ocean.

According to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, when this algae reproduction is under control, it serves as a natural habitat for some important marine species, as well as food, shade and shelter for crabs, fish, shrimp, and turtles.

Committed to maintaining beaches pristine, the Secretary of the Navy works non-stop to trap and collect the algae right in the sea before it washes ashore, where the shallow waters of Cancun allow it to grow even bigger.

Recently, the Secretary of the Navy’s Gulf and Caribbean Oceanography Institute updated its sargassum alert category to two, “very low” from one, “low”.

Renowned beaches like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Xcacel will see increased levels of sargassum starting this week. 

The post Will There No Longer Be Sargassum On The Beaches Of Cancun In 2024? appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.