Monthly Archives: July 2025

Favela Santa Marta

Visiting Favela Santa Marta In this post, I share my experience of visiting favela Santa Marta in Rio, Brazil As the ground moves further and further away, the Christ Redeemer statue appears in all its towering glory, the bay comes into view and the blue of the Atlantic ocean glistens in the distance. I travel […]

Hilton’s Tapestry Collection Debuts in Northern Ireland

Hilton has announced the opening of The Marcus Portrush, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, marking the brand’s debut in Northern Ireland. Set along the North Atlantic coastline, Portrush is known for its beaches, rich heritage, and old-world architecture.  The 80-room hotel is inspired by the fictional character Marcus, a comic-book-style adventurer. Illustrations from Marcus’s journeys adorn […]

Emerald Cruises Unveils 2027–2028 Yacht Collection

Emerald Cruises has announced that its 2027–2028 yacht cruising collection is available now. The new season introduces 25 brand-new voyages, including the inaugural Mediterranean sailing of Emerald Raiya, and the line’s return to Central America after a successful 2024 season. With 170 departures across four luxury yachts and visits to more than 200 ports in […]

G Adventures Relaunches Sri Lanka Sailing Itinerary

G Adventures is dropping anchor once again in Sri Lanka as it relaunches its popular sailing adventures along the island’s southern coastline. Combining adventure and relaxation, the trips offer a completely different way to explore the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean“. With first departures in December, the seven-day “Sri Lanka Sailing—South Coast” trip can also […]

Amex GBT Predicts Modest Car Rental Price Increase for the U.S.

American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has released its annual forecast of global car rental prices. The Ground Monitor 2025-26 forecasts slight rate increases, staying broadly in line with inflation across most regions. Global rental car prices started to stabilize last year following a period of upheaval; demand and supply began to find equilibrium […]

Study Reveals Airlines and Airports With the Worst Summer Delays

Upgraded Points recently analyzed Bureau of Transportation Statistics data on flight delay rates, average wait times, cancellation percentages, and tarmac delays in June through August to determine which hubs and carriers cause the most summertime disruptions. “Summer travel comes with a unique set of challenges, namely airport traffic congestion and summer storms, but some airports and airlines […]

Questex Acquires Two Brands in Operational Real Estate Sector

Questex — the parent company of Luxury Travel Advisor, Travel Agent Central and Meeting Spotlight as well as ULTRA, CMITE and GMITE — is making a major move into the affordable housing and multifamily real estate markets. The company announced this week it has acquired the event and media assets of Affordable Housing Finance and Multifamily Executive, marking […]

Celebrity Cruises Unveils Four New Spaces Onboard Celebrity Xcel

Celebrity Cruises has revealed four new venues onboard its latest ship Celebrity Xcel. New experiences include an enhanced poolside experience, an arcade lounge and new spa experiences. Plus, Celebrity’s first-ever Celebrity Flagship Store will offer guests a range of custom mementos. The Celebrity Pool Club sets a new standard for all-day, all-night poolside experiences. A […]

Exodus Adventure Travels Unveils New Tours for 2026

Exodus Adventure Travels has announced its new tours with departures starting in 2026, offering immersive experiences across Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Europe. From cycling South Africa’s legendary Garden Route to exploring the rainforests of South America, the new itineraries available to book now reflect travelers’ growing desire for deeper, more meaningful exploration—whether on two […]

EVA Air Launches Upgraded Premium Economy Class in the United States

EVA Air, the world’s first airline to introduce Premium Economy Class in 1992, is set to debut its all-new fourth-generation Premium Economy in the United States this fall. Launching on October 3, the redesigned cabin will make its U.S. premiere on the inaugural flight of EVA Air’s new Taipei–Dallas Fort Worth route. The new Dallas-Fort […]