Soaring temperatures may signal the decline of summer holidays to the Mediterranean

As a family sat vigil over a coffin containing the body of an elderly relative, the wooded hills around their apartment building in Palermo burned from wildfires. Winds blew the blazes closer, torching cars, dumpsters, sheds and electricity poles. Then the flames licked the apartment building, forcing its inhabitants to flee.

Just when you thought the Boston vs. New York City rivalry couldn’t get any more heated, TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) released a controversial study stating that Regina Pizzeria, located in Boston’s Little Italy neighborhood, is the best pizza restaurant in the U.S.

Summer, also known as high season for travel, is almost here. And according to AAA just about everyone is poised to hit the road. The organization predicts two-thirds of what it categorizes as “leisure travelers” plan to take vacations this summer, meaning millions of Americans will be hitting the road.

AirHelp, the online service that files complaints against airlines on behalf of passengers entitled to compensation for air delays or cancellations, knows a thing or two about air travel. Because it’s hard for the average person to understand air passenger rights and pursue a legal claim when they’ve been wronged, AirHelp is always going toe-to-toe with airlines and airports—and reveals once a year which ones that treat their passengers for the better (or worse).

For the sixth year in a row, Finland has claimed the top spot in the World Happiness Report. The annual report, compiled by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, surveys residents in over 150 countries to determine which nations are the happiest.

The carpet is deep and squidgy, the striped wallpaper has a cheery jauntiness about it and you can almost smell the fresh paint emanating from the baby-blue walls, lined with an eclectic mix of art. The corridor that leads to The Dorchester’s newly renovated guest rooms surely puts a spring in your step.

Slurping on scalding roadside pho and running your fingers through mountains of silks while incense wafts from sacred pagodas, everything about Hanoi is a sensory experience. In terms of where to stay in Hanoi, the Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem) places you in the midst of markets and street food spots. If you’d rather sleep away from the roar of motorbikes, check out accommodation in Hanoi’s French Quarter or the monument-studded Ba Dinh. North of the bustling center, the tranquil West Lake (Tay Ho) district is the best area to stay in Hanoi long-term. Overflowing with character, these Hanoi Airbnbs immerse you in the Vietnamese capital.

Mexico’s colonial history is best represented in one immense and ornate building: The Mexico City Metropolitan Cathedral. It was the first cathedral to be built in the Americas by the conquering Spaniards who wanted to show their domination and that of their culture and beliefs over those of the indigenous Aztec people. And they did so by building this large religious complex near Templo Mayor, the main temple where the Aztecs used to worshipped their gods. Today, the largest and oldest cathedral in Latin America remains a symbol of religious and colonial power, but it is also an impressive piece of architecture — and it is very much worth visiting.

Staying the night in the smallest country in the world, Vatican City, would likely be a bucket-list item for many travelers if it were possible. Unfortunately, it isn’t. There are no hotels in Vatican City and you certainly can’t pitch your tent on St. Peter’s Square. However, there are hotels very, very close to the Holy See, some with unparalleled views of St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world.

Asturias and Cantabria in northern Spain are two of the country’s least-visited areas, which proved a massive draw when Rough Guides author and photographer Marta Bescos was planning her summer holiday in the time of Covid-19. The regions are blessed with some truly spectacular scenery – gorgeous national parks and soaring mountain peaks, sweeping coastal views and charming settlements – making them real unsung gems. Marta spent a full week exploring the region; below, she describes her day-by-day itinerary, so you can follow the same route – when it is safe to do so of course. Note that the UK government is currently advising against all non-essential travel to Spain; Marta lives in Spain and travelled to the region several weeks ago.

With lockdowns starting to gradually lift across Europe, travellers everywhere are looking to the future. The question on everyone’s lips: will I be able to take a summer holiday? The short answer is (probably) yes – though it might be sensible to set your sights on somewhere a bit closer to home. And it almost goes without saying that while you’re away you’ll still need to respect all government and local regulations.