All roads lead to Rome, but what about the roads in the city center? The Eternal City has long been heralded as a mesmerizing contradiction of amazing archaeological sites and beautiful landscapes with nightmare congestion. The city of Rome aims to change all of that or, at least the area surrounding the Roman Forum, by upgrading the very epicenter with a vast pedestrian-friendly archaeological walk. The walkway will help tourists easily navigate some of the city’s best historical sites. At an April 2 press conference, the mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, announced the winners of a new archaeological ..read more

I’m writing this dispatch from a plane returning to New York City after a whirlwind three days in Dublin.  JetBlue’s inaugural flight 841 to Ireland took off from JFK International Airport on March 13 (841 refers to the year the Vikings took up residence in Dublin) to much festive fanfare. The ribbon cutting was presided over by JetBlue’s CEO, several executives and ground crew, reps from Tourism Ireland, a troupe of young Irish dancers, live musicians, and a former US Representative. Mint condition After all that hoopla it was time to board JetBlue’s A321Neo aircraft. JetBlue seated me i ..read more

Japan is set to limit visitors at some popular attractions so that sites don't suffer from overtourism. Here's what you need to know. Japan’s enduring popularity for overseas visitors is bringing consequences as the country seeks to balance the benefits of tourism and the impact on the areas visited, particularly at iconic destinations.  Recently, tourists have been banned from certain private streets in Kyoto’s famous historic Gion district, traditionally home to the teahouses where geisha (geiko) and maiko (apprentice geiko) performers work, largely due to antisocial behaviour ..read more

Starting in August, the tourism administration for the Galápagos Islands will raise fees charged to visitors to its national park from US$100 to $200. The increase is intended to offset the effects of the higher number of tourist arrivals the islands have seen in recent years. Overtourism poses a unique threat to isolate island ecosystems © John Sullivan / Alamy Stock Photo Tiny islands in vast oceans are incredibly fragile environments – and are also tourist magnets. And for good reason. The Galápagos in particular have an ecological uniqueness unmatched anywhere else on Earth, from animal s ..read more

If there’s one distinctive aspect of Spanish culture that stands out to tourists, it’s the tendency for activities, particularly dining, to occur later than in many countries. Restaurants in Spain typically don’t open until around 8pm, and even then, they don’t fill up properly until around 9pm. In fact, it’s not unusual for dinners to extend to midnight and beyond. There’s no word for "evening" in Spanish, and the tarde (afternoon) can last until 6 or 7pm when it’s unheard of to be out for dinner. It has been that way for a long time but recently, Spain’s Second Vice President and Labor ..read more

Irish people are famously very friendly and easygoing, yet certain behaviors are sure to rankle.  As thousands of visitors prepare to flock to Ireland from all over the world for St Patrick’s Day, locals are asking visitors to stop one of the more dubious tourist traditions: groping the breasts on the city's Molly Malone statue. Located on Suffolk Street in the heart of the capital, the figure depicts the fictional fishmonger and heroine of the well-known song of the same name with the chorus "Crying, 'Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh.'" Singer Tilly Cripwell, who regu ..read more

Driven by a blend of romanticism, climate consciousness and a desire for slow travel, night trains are gaining popularity across Europe. Recent months have seen notable expansions in this area, including the introduction of the Night Jet service connecting Munich, Germany to La Spezia, Italy—positioning travelers within touching distance of the scenic Cinque Terra through a short connection. Additionally, a Euronight train now runs from Zürich to Zagreb, and the European Sleeper service links Brussels to Berlin, offering a connection to London via the Eurostar. Now, the European Sleeper servic ..read more

Plaza de España is one of the most-visited attractions in Spain. Situated in Seville, the nation's fourth-largest city, the plaza's striking blend of Renaissance and Moorish architectural styles has made it a recognizable landmark, even appearing in films like "Star Wars" and "Lawrence of Arabia." Seville has plenty of architectural marvels worth shouting about, including the cathedral, the Real Alcázar, and the winding alleys of the Jewish quarter (Santa Cruz). But Plaza de España shines brightly as one of the city's main attractions. Built for the World Fair in 1929, it sits within the sceni ..read more

Spending time on Hawaii’s gorgeous beaches or traipsing through its vibrant forests could cost travelers just a little more in the future. Joining other nations struggling with the heavy burden of over-tourism, Hawaii’s governor, Josh Green, proposed a $25 climate fee on tourists. The bill, HB206 is currently in committee in Hawaii’s legislature.  What lawmakers call the green fee, or visitor impact fee, is intended to raise funds to help protect beaches, prevent wildfires and offset the repercussions of nearly 10 million visitors per year. Hawaii’s population hovers at 1.6 million, meani ..read more

If working remotely in Japan for six months as a digital nomad sounds like your idea of heaven, we have some good news. Whether you want to get cosy in a tiny Tokyo apartment, go full Totoro in an old house in the countryside or something in between, Japan's new digital nomad visa program is the perfect way to do it on your terms. Lonely Planet's resident Japan expert John Walton digs into what we know so far. The details of Japan’s 90-day digital nomad visa are still somewhat fluid since most of the information available is coming from social media posts by Imaeda Soichiro by Japan ..read more