Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.
11.09.2024 - 17:54 / cntraveler.com
Daytime Bangkok is an industrial opera—flashing tuks-tuks, hectic motorbikes, and dogged taxis whizz by the end of a side street, creating a soundtrack of car horns and engines, which then layer onto an Adele playlist blasting out of one of the many gay bars along Silom Soi 4 road. But hidden at the very end, where the noise of the traffic becomes a dull hum, is the Stranger Bar, its black facade bleeding into the other buildings on either side. Come nightfall, a quick metamorphosis begins—it's nondescript no more as the crowds funnel in, waiting for the night’s five drag acts to dazzle inside the bar-cum-threater.
Clad in catsuits and ball gowns, bodysuits, and bejeweled bikinis, anything goes here for the performers and 350-plus patrons. They gravitate toward the silver-curtained stage, where the MC, Miss M Stranger Fox (also known as Chakgai Jermkwan, a former Drag Race Thailand contestant), introduces each act.
“Positivity always brings people in,” shares Jermkwan, who opened the bar 13 years ago with Irish husband Sean L'Estrange. The couple, who legally married in the United States, take a brief reprieve from setting up for the night’s show and, sinking into black leather armchairs, explain how Thailand has always been somewhat inclusive and appealing to LGBTQ+ locals and tourists for that reason. “If you dress like a drag queen walking around [the skytrain], it's no problem,” says Jermkwan who, at 5 p.m., has yet to transform into Miss M.
As Thailand moves closer to legalizing same-sex marriage—something that’s set to be finalized this year—that’s only going to make Thailand more of a leader in the region and appealing to travelers.
Since its opening after the pandemic, Stranger Bar has become a staple on Silom Soi 4, one of Bangkok's most renowned gayborhoods.
“Same-sex marriage really cements everything for me and for other people in terms of permanent, clear, cemented evidence of acceptance,” says Thai-American Robert Conner, an LGBTQ+ activist known for his work with the Human Rights Campaign, explaining why now more than ever people should be putting Thailand atop their “must-visit” lists. “Never in my life have I seen so many pride events in Thailand.”
The year begins with the iconic White Party, Thailand's largest gay New Year’s dance festival, which sees some 30,000 people descend on Bangkok for four days of themed partying across two locations. 2025’s theme is Techtopia, and all-white must be worn for the main event.
Pride in June is now, of course, the most celebrated moment. The celebration returned to Bangkok in 2022, after a hiatus of almost 16 years due to conservative political leadership and a lack of national coordination. “They didn't know the power of the pink dollar [at that
Norway is the latest country to gain visa-free access to China.
As the summer travel season comes to a close, many travelers are getting a jumpstart on next summer's travel planning. British Airways recently revealed it will operate its highest number of flights from North America to London in the summer of 2025, which will make it easier than ever for travelers to fly across the pond. The carrier will increase the volume of flights by 28 extra flights per week, bringing the total from North America to London to over 400. British Airways offers 26 direct routes from different United States cities to London.
From fiery birch, elm and sugar maple in the Great Lakes to sunset-hued beech and oak in the southern Appalachians to glowing sumac and cottonwoods along the Mississippi, the forests of the Midwest flaunt some of the most vivid fall colors in the United States.
Villa Vie Residences' highly anticipated residential around-the-world cruise has been delayed yet again from its original May target date, it told waiting customers on Monday.
Norwegian citizens will no longer need a visa to enter China for visits up to 15 days. The policy shift sees China place Norway in a select group of nations as part of a wider relaxation of visa rules for inbound visitors.
Seabourn will have two ships sailing in Asia in late 2024 and 2025.
My quest for a long-term partner while on the road has not yet proved successful, but it has always come with adventure.
Sep 9, 2024 • 5 min read
China was a booming opportunity when United Airlines launched flights to Chengdu a decade ago.
As the summer travel season winds down, travelers can take advantage of fall travel deals as a jumpstart for their next vacation. Norse Atlantic Airways, a discount European airline, recently revealed dozens of flight deals on flights from the United States to Europe throughout the rest of 2024 and early 2025 as part of a September Sale. The sale extends to several top tourist destinations in Europe including Athens, Berlin, London, and Rome, all for less than $200 one-way. Travelers can purchase the fare sale tickets between today and September 12, however the tickets are sold in limited quantities, which means the sale could end sooner. Best of all, the discounts are available in Norse’s Economy Light cabin, which, as of September 2, will also include a standard carry-on bag. The cabin class previously had a fee for carry-on bags, or required the purchase of a higher class of fare. In addition to Economy Light, Norse offers Economy Classic which includes a meal service and standard checked bag, and Economy Flextra which includes priority boarding and is a refundable fare. Travel + Leisure spotted dozens of one-way flight deals available including:
Matthew Upchurch was born into a world of travel. His father, one of the founders of the United States Tour Operators Association, was a pioneer in the luxury travel industry. He established the first timeshare in Acapulco and was a pioneer in retrofitting motor coaches with air-conditioning for safaris in India and Africa. “I feel incredibly blessed that I was born into this industry, into the world of travel and tourism,” said Upchurch.
In July 2022, I fulfilled my lifelong dream of moving to Europe.