Q&A with Hannah Gruen, Administrative Assistant
I love using events as an opportunity to travel. This summer I visited Denver for a concert and enjoyed exploring the city while I was there. Events often open the door to new experiences—local restaurants, neighborhoods, museums and parks I might not have discovered otherwise. Tell us about a time you discovered a new favorite destination because you attended an event.
Share your story. Email us at [email protected]
Which European Countries Plan to Impose Tourism and Flight Taxes?
In the Sept. 26 issue of eFlyer, we covered the recent implementation of a travel tax in Iceland and a new airport tax at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in the Netherlands. We asked whether countries should be allowed to implement such taxes; one reader responded:
Countries can set their own fees. My view: either pay the charge or choose another destination. Tourists use local resources and infrastructure, and tourism creates costs as well as benefits—hotel taxes, jobs and added strain on public services.
Duane Weaver, via email
Amsterdam Bans Cruise Liners in City Center; Will Other Cities Soon Follow?
In our Aug. 6 issue of eFlyer, we covered Amsterdam’s ban on cruise ships docking in the city center and asked whether readers support similar measures elsewhere. One reader wrote in:
I’ve visited Amsterdam many times, as well as Venice and other beautiful cities overwhelmed by short-stop tourists. They disembark, shop briefly and return to the ship. What they leave behind—crowds, strain on buildings and the environment—can be significant.
With a bit more planning and restraint, people can still enjoy these treasured cities. Reducing cruise traffic—and the cheap, mass-market flights that bring “see-it-once” visitors—helps preserve what makes these places special.
As a practical tip, the train from Trieste to Venice’s center takes just over an hour and often costs €15–20. The journey across the causeway and arriving at the station beside the Grand Canal is part of the experience.
Jim Heskett, via email
Bedbug Epidemic: Is It Safe to Travel to Paris Right Now?
In our Oct. 25 issue of eFlyer, we reported on a bedbug surge in Paris and other cities, offering advice on inspecting accommodations and protecting belongings. We asked readers about their travel plans; one reader shared their recent experience:
I don’t have a trip planned, but I was in Paris for a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal. The city was exceptionally crowded—more than I’ve seen on previous visits. The bedbug reports were a concern, and I heard about incidents in some lower-cost hotels.
Thankfully, my hotel and nearby properties showed no signs of bedbugs. Still, I inspected my clothing and luggage when I returned home and washed everything as a precaution.
Marian Thompson, via email
What’s Happening on GT Blogs?
Our blogs are updated daily with behind-the-scenes accounts from the GT team. Recent posts cover sports—from a Phillies game to hockey in Chicago and a college football matchup in North Carolina—along with personal stories from staff who visited Miami, a pumpkin patch outing, culinary discoveries and a trip to Mexico City.