The devastating wildfires that have been ripping through Maui have been mostly contained as of Thursday morning, officials told the New York Times. However, periodic flare-ups are still occurring in some areas.
25.07.2023 - 10:40 / matadornetwork.com
There are few tourism destinations out there that have avoided the scourge of high-rise condos, Quarter Pounders, and traffic lights. And if that destination happens to be our planet at its most beautiful? Forget about it.
That’s why the Cook Islands is so unbelievable. Imagine a group of islands so Eden-esque, so pristine, so undeveloped it feels like stepping back in time. Few tourists, zero chains, and something incredible around every corner — that’s the Cooks. Will you get there before the secret’s out?
Photo: Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
There’s a weekly nonstop flight direct from Los Angeles (LAX) to Rarotonga (RAR) on Air New Zealand. Once it’s safe to travel again, set that price alert and start daydreaming about how you’ll fall asleep in the air and wake up, bright and early, in undeniable paradise. Tip: Ask about upgrading your seat to a lie-flat bed to get a really good rest before landing.
Photo: Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
Rarotonga, the largest of the islands, is a dream for right-side drivers nervous about driving on the left. There’s just one main drag that circles the island, and it only takes about 45 minutes to do the 20-mile lap. What’s more, there are zero stoplights to slow you down!
Photo: David Kirkland/Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
Consider the Cooks like Hawaii was 70 years ago. Only 8,500 US travelers visit per year. If you’re looking for a little detox from American life, this is a damn good place to do it. Note: Cook Islands Māori is the local language, but most everyone speaks English.
Photo: David Kirkland/Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
Kidding! The Cook Islands is in the South Pacific, located halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii. The 15 islands can be divided into two groups: the Southern Cook Islands and the Northern Cook Islands. All in all, they’re spread out over 850,000 square miles — more than three times the size of Texas!
Photo: Pacific Resort Hotel Group
Nope, you won’t be racking up any hotel points here. Instead, you’ll wind up somewhere totally memorable and authentic. Many of the resorts are family-owned and operated, so the staff take personal pride in providing the best experience for their guests, no matter the price point. Trivia tidbit: There are zero buildings taller than a coconut tree on the islands. That means no high-rises blocking your view, wherever you decide to stay.
Photo: Cook Islands Tourism Corporation
Skip the Cook Islands if you’re the type who expects a Big Mac to be within striking distance when the lazy munchies hit — there are no international franchises to be found here. What’s the dish on what you will find? Ika mata (marinated raw fish), poke (a banana pudding-like dessert or side dish), rukau (cooked taro leaves), maniota
The devastating wildfires that have been ripping through Maui have been mostly contained as of Thursday morning, officials told the New York Times. However, periodic flare-ups are still occurring in some areas.
Large wildfires burning across the islands of Maui and Hawaii, fueled by intense winds, turned scenic beach destinations into smoky, catastrophic scenes on Wednesday. The fast-moving flames have scorched hundreds of acres, destroyed homes and businesses, and prompted a series of evacuation orders, road closures, and power and cellphone service outages. At least six people have died.
This summer's record-breaking heat has brought environmental consequences across the US, from coral bleaching in Florida to cacti toppling over in Arizona.
I was 20 years old and had J Robert Oppenheimer's house all to myself. From the porch of the small yellow cottage, four steps led down to the beach where coconut trees swooped low at the water's edge and the Evian-clear Caribbean gently lapped the sugar-white sand. Day after day, I'd hike here after work to marvel at the parrotfish, butterflyfish and hawksbill turtles that glided between the shallow coral reefs, never once seeing another soul.
This summer, Norwegian plans to fly from New York to Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, and Shannon—and for these flights, “New York” means Stewart International Airport (SWF), also called Stewart Field.
I cringe when the duty-free pitch starts at 35,000 feet, but according to a new study by HSBC, it’s the highlight of the flight for many travelers. HSBC polled thousands of flyers and found that Americans spend an average of $51.32 on in-flight purchases each time they fly, with the bulk of that splurge going to duty-free purchases ($32.53). Other top expenditures were for onboard Wi-Fi ($4.92), food ($11.68), drinks ($4.56), and alcoholic drinks ($4.76).
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on January 25, 2016 and was updated in December 2018. Please consult this article: Do You Still Need to Worry About the Zika Virus for 2019? for the latest info.
Looking for a reliable source of Brexit travel information? You’re not alone—the U.K.’s own lawmakers are still asking questions about the issue of borders and free travel after Brexit. As of January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially has left the European Union. But what’s to come still remains unclear: For the rest of the year, the U.K. will remain in a “transition” period, meaning nothing will change between now and 2021 in regards to borders and other travel-related items. Meaning, if you have a summer vacation planned to the U.K. or Europe, you shouldn’t worry about anything changing.
The complete shutdown of Primera Air and now WOW Air are examples of the reality that an airline can abruptly fail. Without notice, even a large airline can shutter, leaving some passengers stranded away from home and others responsible for out-of-pocket costs for worthless tickets.
Are your days of flying domestically using only your driver’s license numbered? They could be, if you don’t have a new type of license. As the deadline for the REAL ID Act looms, it’s vital for you to know if your current driver’s licenses doesn’t meet the new criteria.
A vacation to the Cook Islands is guaranteed to be heavy on “pinch me” moments. Made up of 15 tiny islands and atolls dotting the South Pacific waters some 2,000 miles northeast of New Zealand, the Cooks has managed to escape crowds, chains, and skyscrapers, causing many to say it feels like Hawaii — 70 years ago.
There’s only one place on Earth where you can see swimming iguanas, lava lizards, and giant tortoises: the Galápagos Islands. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, the archipelago off the shore of South America is a must-visit destination for anyone with a passion for fauna and flora, and their protection. 97 percent of the land was designated as a national park in 1959, and over 51,000 square miles of ocean around the islands have been a protected marine reserve since 1986, making for a destination where you’re a guaranteed to be immersed in nature and observe unique wildlife.