A Round-up of the Latest Travel News

Stay informed and up to date about what’s new in the world of travel. Each week I’ll provide you with a quick summary and links to the latest travel news.

Here’s the news this for this week:

1. Civil Unrest Continues in Hong Kong

This past week, protesters’ actions shut down some of the subway stations in Hong Kong. On Aug. 14th, the US State Department upgraded its Hong Kong Travel Advisory to a Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution advisory for travelers to the area. If you have plans to travel to the area you are advised to monitor the situation and avoid protest areas. To receive updates from the US Department of State enroll in the STEP program, and follow the US Consulate General Hong Kong on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to monitor your flight status if flying into or out of Hong Kong.

UPDATE: This past weekend protests turned violent once again. This time a police officer fired a live shot into the air, and water cannons were used against the protesters. Sunday, Aug. 25th, was one of the most violent of the protests to date. For your own safety, please monitor the latest travel news if your plans include travel to Hong Kong.

2. United Airlines Announces New Flights

If you’re planning a winter trip to Curacao, you’ll be happy to know, United Airlines announced a new weekly non-stop flight between the island and Newark beginning on Dec. 7th of this year.  These seasonal Saturday flights are scheduled (pending government approval) to depart Newark at 8:33 am arriving in Curacao at 2:30 pm; returning from Curacao at 3:30 pm landing in Newark at 7:35 pm. Those of you heading to Cape Town, South Africa will be happy to know that the first ever non-stop flight from Newark will begin on Dec. 15th of this year.

3. Top 100 Hotels in the World

I always look forward to Travel + Leisure magazine’s release of their World’s Best Awards survey results. This list is of the Top 100 Hotels in the World; selected by travelers to be the best of the best. I have not stayed in any of the hotels on this year’s list, but as I am planning an African safari in the future, there are a lot of hotels on this list to consider.

4. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

For all you Star Wars fans out there, a new land inside Disney’s Hollywood Studio opens this Thursday, Aug. 29th. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge features two attractions, food and beverage sales and a marketplace. It is the first land within a Disney Park designed to integrate with the Play Disney Parks Mobile App increasing engagement with the land and enhancing the experience.

Disney guests will traverse the corridors of a Star Destroyer and join an epic battle between the First Order and the Resistance – including a faceoff with Kylo Ren – when Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance opens Dec. 5, 2019, at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Jan. 17, 2020, at Disneyland Resort in California. At 14 acres each, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland, now open, and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, opening Aug. 29, 2019, is Disney’s largest single-themed land expansion ever. (Disney Parks)

There you have it, this week’s round-up. Have you downloaded your free vacation planning guide? You can request it at the end of my blog post: How to Plan a Vacation Five Easy Steps.

Anything else you’d like to add? I’d love to hear from you!