Travel in Latvia

Japan has been knocked off the top spot for the world’s most powerful passport for the first time in five years.

Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, February 24. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.

Singapore has unseated Japan as the country with the most powerful passport, based on the latest International Air Transport Association data that shows the most ease of access to other countries for travelers. 

There’s no shortage of new airlines servicing North America right now: Norwegian, WOW, Primera, XL Airways, Level, Flair, and Joon have recently sprung up or expanded. But none of these new carriers is based in the U.S.

The European train pass system Eurail (formerly known as Eurorail) has completely overhauled its passes for 2019. The new options are, overall, a major improvement for rail travelers, including lower prices, new country inclusions, and new routes including added island ferries.

Travel to Europe is going to get slightly more complicated in 2021. Starting that year, visitors from the U.S. will need to get an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before entering countries in the Schengen zone. According to the delegation of the European Union to the U.S., the measure is not a Europe visa, but an authorization that “will enable us to get more comprehensive information from travelers coming from visa-exempt, third-country [nations] arriving at the Schengen external borders.”

Most destinations that claim to be off the beaten track are all talk. You turn up to find the secret beach is carpeted in beach towels and that all the undiscovered cafés have actually been discovered by several tour groups. But this list is a little different.

If you're the kind of traveller that seeks out new and unusual accommodation, allow us to present some really far out suggestions. From ice hotels to underwater boltholes, here's some of our favourite wacky hotels around the world, taken from Make The Most Of Your Time On Earth .

Medieval yet modern, the intriguing national capitals of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania make some of the best small-city breaks in Europe. United by geography and a common history, yet proudly unique, they combine tightly packed, picturesque old towns with first-class museums, hip neighbourhoods, stylish bars and a burgeoning food scene. As all three countries celebrate 100 years of independence in 2018, here is our first-timer's guide to the highlights of Tallinn, Rīga and Vilnius.

It's Latvia’s boisterous capital to which most visitors are attracted. However, to experience the true spirit of Latvia you’ll need to head into the spectacularly unspoiled countryside with its lakes, forests and sandy beaches. Here is our pick of the best things to do in Latvia.

Europe has it all: sprawling cities and quaint villages; boulevards, promenades and railways; mountains, beaches and lakes. Some places will be exactly how you imagined. Others will surprise, with their under-the-radar nature or statement-making modern architecture. Whether you're planning to see it all or explore the hidden corners of the continent, these are our top 15 tips for backpacking through Europe.

Like most countries in the Schengen area, Norway is easy to travel to if you’re from a country within the EU or EEA. If you live elsewhere, your dream trip to the land of the fjords, Vikings and northern lights could take a little more planning and may require a tourist visa.