Lausanne, Where the Olympics Never End

Despite a recent agreement preventing an airport strike in Paris on 17 July, one union is still threatening to walk out in the lead up to the Olympic Games.

As Paris gears up for the Summer Olympics, the city has been a study in contrasts. Typically busy quarters like the Marais seem quieter than usual, while others, such as the areas around the Hotel de Ville and Notre Dame, hum with activity.

The Olympic Games cast an enormous spotlight on host cities, but that attention doesn’t always result in large numbers of overseas visitors.

Paris is expected to welcome 11.3 million visitors during the Olympic Games, significantly increasing its population density. This surge in visitors is spurring travel demand to international destinations, such as Italy and the United States, that harness this desire to leave crowds behind, also benefiting United Kingdom, Spain, and Greece, as well as farther destinations, such as Thailand or Japan.

Holding meetings and events at posh hotels isn't a new concept; some of the toniest hotels in the world have served as backdrops to some of the most important gatherings in history. Whether it's for negotiating peace, creating bodies of diplomacy or hosting heads of state — or certain A-list pop music chanteuses — these are some of our favorite hotels in the world with an important claim to history-making meetings.

Recently, I walked through Paris to meet a friend on the Rive Gauche. On the hour-long route from my home in Montmartre, I popped in for a croissant at a favorite boulangerie, skirted around the Palais Royal, passed the pyramid of the Louvre, crossed the Seine. Post-coffee, the walk home unfolded in reverse. I ran a few errands as I got closer to my apartment: greens and radishes at our neighborhood épicerie, a crusty and warm baguette at another boulangerie, a bottle of sparkling wine at the caviste. Pausing briefly to adjust my grip on the bags at the base of the stairs leading up to the Sacre-Cœur, I made the inevitable climb up.

You can’t go too far in travel industry circles without hearing that activities and experiences represent one of the biggest (and often untapped) opportunities for multiple businesses across the industry. 

This story about surfing in Tahiti is part of How Paris Moves, a series of dispatches about communities and social change in France through the lens of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Read more here.

Jul 19, 2024 • 5 min read

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I’ve been planning my trip to the Olympics since March 2023. I’ve spent countless hours pouring over the ticketing platform, researching the best neighborhoods to stay in Paris, figuring out the Metro, and finding any way to save money.

Hacienda Tres Ríos has been honored as the Leading Family Resort in Mexico for 2024 by the prestigious World Travel Awards. The World Travel Awards annually celebrate excellence across all key sectors of travel, tourism, and hospitality. This recognition highlights Hacienda Tres Ríos’s commitment to providing outstanding family-friendly facilities, activities, and entertainment. Located in the Riviera Maya, the resort offers exclusive access to the Tres Ríos Natural Park, along with unique experiences such as temazcal ceremonies, cooking lessons, and diverse culinary offerings. This award underscores Hacienda Tres Ríos’s dedication to delivering exceptional vacation experiences in an environmentally responsible luxury setting.