Travel in county Gem

Airport lounges, often synonymous with respite from the bustling terminals, do not typically top the list of exciting travel experiences. Yet, the American Express Centurion Lounge Network, now commemorating its 10th anniversary, has successfully infused a sense of adventure and exclusivity into this oft-overlooked aspect of travel. Through a decade of meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to providing premium experiences, these lounges have transformed mundane waiting times into opportunities for discovery and indulgence. How? Well, there are several hidden gems sprinkled throughout the various lounges that you've likely never noticed or known about before. Here are a few.

Looking for the best places to travel in Europe? So is the rest of the world.

Located on Spain’s Mediterranean coast to the south of Valencia, Villajoyosa has been named the “Best Hidden Gem in Europe 2024,” according to European Best Destinations, which has just published one of the most anticipated lists of the year. The best secret destinations in Europe is a ranking that recognizes hidden corners, spots far from the crowds, beautiful villages lost in time, and places where some of Europe’s natural beauty can be experienced by simply taking a short walk.

Aerial view of Guanajuato, Mexico. (Photo Credit: Juan Antonio Oseguera)

Egypt’s Minister for Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Issa, will be attending this year’s WTM to unveil updates to the country’s ambitious national tourism strategy. Egypt’s tourism strategy aims to achieve rapid growth in the sector. The country has already received more than 7 million tourists during the first half of 2023, the highest level in Egypt’s history.

In the 1790s, what had been the small fishing port of Hastings in East Sussex blossomed into a popular seaside resort and today it’s one of England’s favorite coastal towns. With its pebbly beach and black wooden fishing huts, the imposing castle on the cliffs and a charming cobblestoned old town, Hastings offers a mix of old-world allure and modern experiences and it’s a town of surprises. Hastings is the birthplace of television. TV’s inventor, John Logie Baird, conducted experiments in his lodgings on Queen Street, which resulted in the world’s first television in 1925. The shingle beach, the Stade, is home to Europe's largest fleet of beach-launched fishing boats with the freshest seafood on sale daily from small huts.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a city on the rise; so much so that it just joined our Readers’ Choice Awards list of the best big cities in the US, ranking third—just behind San Diego and Chicago. Long considered nearby Chicago's little sibling, Milwaukee has finally come into its own by growing amongst younger people for its affordability over the Second City, allowing people to buy homes and rent better apartments. Not to mention the growing restaurant scene, new infrastructure increasing walkability, and enough city amenities for the Midwest gem to truly feel desirable—it’s no longer just a small town. And with so many local colleges and a venerated art museum, there is strong curiosity and willingness to embrace the new.

There are cities, there are capitals and then there is Cairo.

Monaco’s high season is bookended by two of the French Riviera’s ritziest events: the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show. Super yachts and fast cars are two of the principality’s defining features, but there’s much more to Monaco than you’d expect from the world’s second-smallest state, which is about the same size as Central Park.

Choosing a destination can be a difficult decision when you’re looking to maximize your travel budget. By choosing a destination with a favorable exchange rate and strong U.S. dollar, you can make the most of every penny spent in 2019.