How to Travel to Libya in 2024

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

How to Travel to Libya in 2024>

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This is the most complete and up-to-date Libya travel guide available on the internet.

Libya is a surprising country indeed.

Home to Leptis Magna and Sabratha, Libya has outstanding, world-class Roman ruins, sitting on the Libyan coast.

From 1911 to 1951, the country was an Italian colony, the heritage of which is still very visible, not only in the architecture that dominates the center of Tripoli, but also in the somehow sophisticated way Libyans drink their cappuccino.

Except for a tiny part of the – today inaccessible – eastern coast, Libya is an utterly massive, barely populated desert, filled with ancient Berber, caravan towns like Gadhames, located more than 600km from Tripoli.

Today, however, Libya has become a failed state struggling to put an end to an armed conflict that has been ongoing since 2011, preventing travelers from venturing into the most off the beaten track country in the whole Mediterranean.

However, with proper planning and research, anyone can travel to Libya safely.

This guide contains endless Libya travel tips that will show you how.

In this Libya travel guide, you’ll find:

Table of Contents

Libya todaySafetyHow to get a visaTravel InsuranceIndependent travel in LibyaToursGetting inBest time to visitTop experiencesInternet & connectivityBudget & MoneyGetting aroundCultureLibyan cuisineWhere to staySolo female travelMore information

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Libya today: what is it like to travel to Libya?

In 2011, following the Arab Spring in neighbouring Tunisia and Egypt, a set of peaceful protests against an absolute Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, escalated into a bloody armed conflict between the rebels and Gaddafi’s local forces.

One year later, Gaddafi was defeated, captured, and killed, putting an end to more than 40 years of dictatorship.

For the first time ever, Libyans were able to foresee a bright, beautiful future but, unfortunately, the same people who wanted to overthrow Gaddafi, claiming to favor democracy, began to fight each other over power and wealth, dividing the country into different regions controlled by different militias.

A second civil war began, and on and off conflicts continued until the country officially split into two main regions, ruled by two different, independent Governments: West Libya, with Tripoli as the capital, and East Libya, with Benghazi as the main city.

However, in October 2020, exhausted from a pointless civil war, both Governments signed a permanent ceasefire and promised to hold elections, but they have been continuously postponed ever since.

Today, the peace agreement is still valid, but that doesn’t avoid the occasional clashes between the two Governments, and their permanent disagreements over power, like happened in May 2022.

Tourists can travel to Libya now, but your visa will only be valid for travel in the Western part of Libya because the Eastern Government doesn’t recognize it.

Update 2024: East Libya is now open and your regular tourist visa for Libya will be valid for the eastern part as well.

When visiting Libya, don’t miss the theater found in Leptis and Magna

Is it safe to travel to Libya?

By far, safety is the number 1 concern for people wanting to visit Libya, which is kind of understandable, since the media has been showing nothing but years and years of conflict.

As previously mentioned, a peace agreement was signed between both West and East Governments back in 2020 and, except for a few occasional clashes between the Government forces – where civilians are not targeted – traveling to the West part Libya is mostly safe nowadays.

All Libyans will tell you that today, traveling to Libya is completely safe and as long as the money coming from oil – Libya is an oil-rich country – keeps flowing through both East and West, it will remain so, or that’s what many locals Libyans believe.

My personal experience when I went to Libya

From Afghanistan to Syria and Iraq, one can really feel that you are in a conflict or post-war country but for some reason, not in Libya.

On the one hand, you barely see any military presence there, at least in the areas where you are allowed to travel, and that includes the capital too.

On the other hand, while destruction is prevalent in most Syrian cities’ skylines, Tripoli is pretty untouched, as were all the places we visited, except for the main avenue in Misrata, the city that suffered the most.

We saw a few buildings with bullet holes and stuff but not even 1% of what you see in Mosul or Aleppo.

Again, I just saw one tiny part of the country, and I know that in Benghazi, for example, there was a fierce battle but, from a traveling standpoint, most places in West Libya are intact, and the atmosphere seems surprisingly relaxed.

We found this building in Sabratha, an area damaged during the war

How to get a visa for Libya

SUPERUPDATE 2024!

The visa for Libya used to be one of the most difficult ones in the world, a very painful process full of uncertainties.

However, as of April 2024, the Government decided to implement an e-visa system, with which you can obtain your visa in one week.

You can apply for your e-visa here.

e-visa for Libya: FAQ

How much does the e-visa for Libya cost?

It costs 63 US dollars.

How long does the approval take, and how long is it valid for?

For now, the approval comes after 5 working days, approximately.

Once you get the approval, you have 90 days to enter Libya.

Is it 100% reliable?

In Libya, things change all the time, like nowhere else in the world.

Remember that in 2023, the Government also introduced a visa on arrival, which only lasted for 3 months.

According to our contacts in Libya, the e-visa is fully working and travelers are getting into Libya without any issues but the real question is:

Is the e-visa going to stay?

We don’t know, and nobody can’t know, because this is Libya.

Does the e-visa allow you to travel independently?

Theoretically, you can’t travel independently in Libya.

However, travel reports suggest that some travelers have tried to sneak in and our local contacts in Libya informed us that the tourist police are currently working on preventing this.

They fear, nevertheless, that if travelers keep coming without a local sponsor, they will eventually block the e-visa.

How to get a visa for Libya the old way (before the introduction of e-visa)

The following information is irrelevant now, but I prefer to keep it here, especially because the e-visa system could also disappear, meaning that going back to the old way is a possibility, because this is Libya.

This is how you used to get a Libyan visa up to March 2024.

Step 1 – Getting your Letter of Invitation (LOI)

In order to get your visa for Libya, the first thing you need to do is get a Letter of Invitation from an authorized Libya-based company.

Note that Libyan companies won’t issue an LOI unless you book a full tour of Libya with them.

How long do I have to wait to get the LOI?

The problem with Libya is that nothing is official.

They say that LOI are issued in 1 week but sometimes they don’t come until 3 weeks later and sometimes they in just 3 days.

Libya’s bureaucracy is so random.

How long is the LOI valid for?

There’s no official date but rumors say it has a 1-month validity, extendable to 3 months. Again, this is also pretty random.

Step 2 – Getting your actual visa at the embassy

Once your LOI is approved, the next step is visiting the Libyan embassy in your home country or country of residence.

The LOI will come with a 6-digit number, and it’s recommended to call the embassy in advance, telling them about your upcoming visit and the respective number.

I got my visa at the Libyan embassy in Madrid.

They told me to physically go there any day, from Monday to Wednesday, from 10am to 1pm, and these were their requirements:

Passport with more than 6 months validity2 passport photosLetter of InvitationLetter from the company you work for, stating the business reason you want to travel to Libya

Once they checked that all my documents were correct, they told me to deposit the amount of 60€ in their bank account – which I did at the nearest bank – and come back with the receipt.

When I gave them the receipt, they told me to come back after two hours to collect my visa, that’s it.

That’s for the embassy in Madrid, what about the rest of the embassies?

Requirements are pretty much the same across most embassies but, while some of them require the applicant to be physically there, others allow you to mail them all docs.

Moreover, like in Madrid, some embassies issue your visa within 2 hours, while others might take a few days.

The best way to find out is by calling your nearest embassy.

What if there’s no embassy in your home country?

Then, you can apply from an embassy of your choice, but you need to tell your local sponsor in advance.

How long is the visa valid for?

Up to September 2023, the visa was valid for 1 month, from the moment you collect it and it can’t be extended.

However, now they say that they will extend it to 3 months.

My visa for traveling to Libya

Travel insurance for Libya

Travel insurance for Libya is a real must, especially in times of pandemic, and I strongly recommend IATI Insurance because:

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Traveling to Libya as an independent traveler: is it allowed?

Not really, as mentioned in the visa section of this post.

Actually, independent travel in Libya has never been allowed, even during Gaddafi’s rule, and the reason is that, in their eyes, foreigners could always be potential spies.

With the new e-visa, things could have changed but theoretically speaking, here’s what you need to know on independent travel in Libya.

Your local guide must pick you up from immigration

Nowadays, upon arrival at the International Airport of Tripoli, even before getting your entry stamp, the authorities will put you aside, waiting for your sponsor, a representative from the company who issued your LOI – the local guide, in my case.

This person will have to go through a few formalities and only then, will you be able to enter Libya.

You will be accompanied by a local official

During my trip to Libya, I had always to be accompanied by an official who claimed to be part of the tourist police.

Along with my local guide and driver, this person stuck with us the whole time, eating with us and even staying in our hotels outside of Tripoli.

While spending the whole trip with an official might seem quite annoying – you actually have to pay for his meals and hotels – but that’s included in the total tour package – the truth is that he was a pretty nice guy who basically became one more of us.

He was unarmed, joked all the time and always tried to be helpful.

Some travelers who travel to Libya as gas consultants (fake purpose, of course) claim that they were never accompanied by such an official, but only the local guide.

Your itinerary can’t be flexible

It can’t be changed. Your itinerary will be shared with the security department before your arrival and making changes won’t be allowed.

Can you walk around Tripoli on your own

Yes, you can but this is something you must discuss with your local guide.

Two men from the tourist police who joined us for a few hours

Tours for Libya

Independent travel in Libya is not possible nowadays.

Against the Compass, however, runs tours into Libya.

Our next scheduled tour for Libya is in:

October 26th to November 1st, 2024 – APPLY NOW

January 30th to February 7th, 2025 – APPLY NOW

Learn more about our Libya tours

Best time to visit Libya

Best time to travel to Libya: November to March

The weather becomes pleasant during these months but note that temperature can drop to 0ºC in December-January, so do bring warm clothing for the freezing nights, especially in the desert areas.

Worst time to travel to Libya: June to September

In summer, Libya is too hot to enjoy.

I personally came during the last week of May and days were already utterly hot, making sightseeing very difficult. Evenings however, were good.

The coast of Libya is outstanding, pure Mediterranean

How to get to Libya

How to travel to Libya by air

The main airport in Libya is Mitiga International Airport, located 11km from the center of Tripoli.

This airport used to have plenty of connections but nowadays, you can only travel from the following cities:

TunisCairoIstanbul

I recommend coming from Tunis because there are a lot more flights, plus they are cheaper.

Which airlines fly to Libya?

Today, the only foreign airline that flies to Tripoli is Tunis Air but the problem is that it doesn’t fly there every day, only 2-3 times a week, so depending on your travel dates, it could be inconvenient.

Alternatively, Libyan Wings flies from Tunis to Tripoli every day but the problem is that you can’t book tickets online, so someone has to go to an actual Libyan Wings office and pay in cash. This is something you’ll need to arrange with your local guide or sponsor.

How to travel to Libya by land:

Libya shares a border with 5 countries.

Traveling to Libya from Tunisia

Travel reports suggest the border is open, and there are actually direct buses from Tunis to Tripoli but, besides the nearly 800km distance, border formalities will take a lot of time if you go on a bus packed with people.

Alternatively, you could head slowly to the border (the one by the coast) and cross on foot. However, if you opt for this choice, your local guide will have to pick you up from there, increasing the overall cost of your trip.

Check my Tunisia travel guide

Traveling to Libya from Egypt

This border used to be open during Gaddafi’s time but not anymore, since the Eastern part of Libya is controlled by a different faction that won’t recognize your business visa.

Check my Egypt travel guide

Traveling to Libya from Algeria, Niger, Chad and Sudan

Those borders are super closed.

The Libyan-Algerian border. If you wanted to travel to Libya from Algeria by road, know that this border is closed to foreigners

Which side am I?

Top experiences in Libya

Libya has actually a lot of touristic potential; it is no wonder that during the Gaddafi years, many tour groups used to come here.

1 – Visiting first-league Roman ruins

Leptis Magna and Sabratha are exceptional Roman sites, with no reason to envy Palmyra in Syria, or Baalbek in Lebanon, and the best thing about them is that they are built by the sea.

An epic amphitheater by the Mediterranean sea, one of the best things to check during your Libya trip

2 – Admiring the Italian Heritage in Tripoli

As in Eritrea, Italians left their footprint in Libya, leaving behind a very strong coffee culture and the most beautiful buildings in the country.

An Italian café in the center of Tripoli

3 – Experiencing the Libyan desert

Whether you are driving from town to town, or just having tea with the Tuaregs, few countries in the world have such a vast, empty desert.

The Libyan desert, less than 1-kilometer away from the Algerian border

4 – Visiting the ancient caravan city of Ghadames

Ghadames is an ancient desert town and oasis, home to an entangled and massive old city composed of hundreds of pathways, which also turns out to be a UNESCO Heritage site.

The Old Town of Gadhames

5 – Learning about the current crisis in Misrata

Misrata was one of the most affected cities during the Libyan Civil war, the legacy of which is still very visible. Today, the city features a brand-new museum about the crisis.

Internet and connectivity in Libya

As expected, Wi-Fi isn’t particularly reliable in Libya, but you can easily get a local SIM card at the airport.

I personally bought a SIM card packed with 20GB of data for just 39LYD (around 8 USD), which was more than enough for just 6 days.

Get a VPN for traveling in Libya

You should always use a VPN when you travel, especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.

Your connection will be much safer.

Moreover, you will be able to access content which is typically censored in Libya.

I recommend ExpressVPN – Extremely easy to use, fast and cheap.

Get a vpnIf you want to learn more about VPN, check: Why you need a VPN for traveling.

Budget and money: how much does it cost to travel to Libya?

In Libya, they use the Libyan Dinar (LYD) and approximately:

1 USD = 4.80 LYD

Obviously, the currency in Libya is not very stable, so do check the exact exchange rate before departure.

Can you use credit or debit cards in Libya?

No, you can’t, so do bring all your money in cash.

However, you won’t need much money because you are likely to travel to Libya on a tour, where pretty much everything is included.

In 6 days, I spent the equivalent of 30€, just for a few night meals which weren’t included in Tripoli.

Where can I exchange money?

I believe your local guide will help you with that but the main area for exchange is in a specific place in the old city of Tripoli.

How much does it cost to travel to Libya?

As mentioned, the only way to travel to Libya is by purchasing a tour, which tends to include all expenses but in any case, here’s a summary of the most typical costs:

Visa: around 65 USDRound trip flight Tunis Tripoli with Libyan Wings: €250Meal in a local restaurant: around 25-40 LYDMeal in a fancy restaurant: from 50-90LYDEspresso or cappuccino in a local coffee shop: 2 LYDEspresso or cappuccino in a fancy café: 5 LYD

The 20-dinar note features one of the buildings from Gadhames

How to get around Libya

It doesn’t really make sense to add a getting around section since you’ll be traveling from city to city by car, with your local guide but still, here are a few things to keep in mind:

Gas is extremely cheap, the second cheapest in the world after Venezuela.Despite having some of the most massive oil reserves, there’s an oil shortage, and many gas stations are virtually empty. On our way to Ghadames, we had to travel with three large cans filled with gas, since finding gas can be a gamble.The driving is bad, Libyans don’t really like to follow traffic rules, but that didn’t surprise me.The coastal road is sort of busy, but the roads leading inland are absolutely empty, only desert, and barely any cars.

Roads in Libya, on the way to Gadhames

Libya: the country, people and culture

Along with Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia and Algeria, Libya is one of the 5 countries that compose the Maghreb region.

It is the 4th largest country in Africa, and the 16th in the world, but its land is only inhabited by 6 million people, making it one of the least densely populated countries in the world.

People, the Libyans

Unlike other African countries, Libya has a pretty homogenous society.

Arabs: Most Libyans can be classified as Arabs. However, while the western part of Libya has more similarities to Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, the eastern part has more resemblance to Egypt. In fact, this cultural difference is what has left the country divided, and dictates the international agenda too, since both Governments are supported by their respective foreign counterpart.

Having lunch with my team

Berbers: Apparently, 5% of the total Libyan population are Berbers, the indigenous ethnic group in north Africa before the Arabs came. They have their own language and folklore, and usually, they have a darker skin. I found Berbers from Libya had a stronger identity than Berbers in Tunisia or Morocco, since Berber flags were seen everywhere. However, they have absolutely no problem in saying they are Libyans. On the way to Ghadames, you’ll see lots of Berber towns.

The Berber emblem, visible in all predominantly Berber areas

Language

In Libya, they speak Arabic and, like its people, while the dialect spoken in West Libya is similar to Tunisia’s, in East Libya it is similar to Egypt’s.

Do people speak English in Libya?

Not much but again, you are likely to be with a local guide the whole time, so communication shouldn’t be much of an issue.

Religion

Libyans are Sunni Muslims, but in Tripoli, you can find some churches that are frequented by the small Christian community.

Like Bashar al Assad in Syria, Muammar Gaddafi was a secular dictator who always condemned fundamentalist and religious extremists but unlike in Syria, where there’s a very significant secular society, I found the people in Libya to be extremely religious and traditional.

The few women you see in the street always wear hijab and to my surprise, many of them wore the niqab, something rarely seen in North Africa.

Local women visiting Leptis and Magna

Libyan cuisine

Food won’t be the highlight of your trip, but some of their dishes aren’t bad.

I can’t tell what’s food like in East Libya, but in West Libya, food is similar to other countries in the Maghreb.

Cous-cous is their signature meal and what I like about it is that it’s quite juicy, usually tomato-based, like in Tunisia, while in Morocco I always found it to be drier. Grilled meat with white rice is always available in most restaurants and, thanks to the Italian influence, pasta too.

In Tripoli, you can actually find many Italian restaurants, a very popular chain being Caffe di Roma, where you have a wide variety of pastas and pizzas to choose from. It’s not the best pasta ever but after a few days of just eating cous-cous, it wasn’t bad at all.

Another dish I tried was usban, a Libyan sausage filled with rice and meat, too heavy for my taste, but sort of tasty.

lcohol in Libya

Since Gaddafi came into power in 1969, Libya has been a dry country.

Being such a secular ruler, I wondered why he banned alcohol. Some Libyans believe he banned it so people would not get drunk and start talking about politics, saying bad things about the Government. That’s hard to believe, since not even Kim Jong Un does that.

Coffee in Libya

I am a big coffee drinker, especially in the morning, so whenever I visit a predominantly tea country, I always struggle, and I thought Libya would be one of those, but I was wrong.

Coffee culture in Libya is a big deal and, due to the Italian influence, they prepare it in a pretty sophisticated way, with so much love, and always with the right amount of foam.

What was even more surprising, however, is that you can also have really good coffee in more rural towns, like Ghadames for example, and even in the random villages you find along the road.

Libyan cous-cous

Where to stay in Libya

There aren’t many hotels in Libya, but there are enough to accommodate the few tourists, business people, and diplomats that visit the country.

Where to stay in Tripoli

Mid-range – Hotel Victoria – This is the preferred hotel for travelers, featuring a rooftop with excellent views to the city.

5 stars – Sheraton Hotel – Better than Victoria, of course.

Top-end – Corinthia Hotel Tripoli – The best hotel in town

Where to stay outside of Tripoli

In Gadhames: we stayed at Ghadamis Hotel, a massive hotel with traditional architecture that opened 1 or 2 years before the beginning of the war but, since it’s government-owned, it has remained open. We stayed there for two nights, and were completely alone.

In Misrata: With our groups, we used to stay in Safari Hotel

In Al Baida: Al Baida is the base for exploring East Libya, and the hotel we stay is Hotel Marhaba

Views from Victoria Hotel

Solo female travel in Libya

Independent travel is not allowed in Libya, so solo women will always go with the local guide and the tourist police, making things much easier for them.

My local guide said he has had many female clients – some of them came alone, while others with a partner or friend – and he said all of them had a great time.

Have you been to Libya (as a solo female) and want to write a guest post for Against the Compass to tell us about the experience?

Then, kindly shoot me an email at joan@againstthecompass.com

More Information for traveling to Libya

In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

Travel guides to other countries in Africa

Ethiopia Travel GuideEritrea Travel GuideSomaliland Travel GuideTravel Guide to SudanTravel Guide to EgyptMali Travel GuideTravel Guide to MauritaniaTunisia Travel Guide

You will also like our Syria travel guideIraq travel guide and Haiti travel guide.

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By: Joan Torres
Title: How to Travel to Libya in 2024
Sourced From: againstthecompass.com/en/travel-libya/
Published Date: Tue, 30 Apr 2024 03:41:00 +0000

Over 2,200 Flights Canceled As Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall In Florida

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Over 2,200 Flights Canceled As Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall In Florida

Category-1 Hurricane Debby made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area earlier today, powered by winds of 80 mph. The phenomenon has brought “historic amounts of rainfall” and the cancellation of over 2,200 flights across the affected counties, authorities have reported.

Forecasters predict that wins will lose strength through the day, but heavy rain will remain a serious threat as the storm continues to the East Coast into the Carolinas and Georgia from tonight.

“This is going to be the story of this storm,” said Jamie Rhome, the deputy director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC). “Its slow motion is going to dump historical amounts of rainfall – potentially over 20 inches. You’re talking about catastrophic flooding.”

This has been the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the area in over 125 years, as per the NHC.

According to flight-tracking site FlightAware, some 2,200 flights were canceled on Sunday and 6,300 were delayed as of last afternoon and counting.

If you had a flight scheduled for this weekend or the next few hours, seven airlines are providing travelers with weather waivers so you can reschedule your flight without penalty.

These flight carriers include Southwest, Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Frontier and American.

American Airlines and JetBlue are the two carriers with the highest cancelation rate, up to 17% of the total operations.

Cruise passengers have also been impacted.

Cruise passengers have also been affected. The itineraries and routes of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Elation, Royal Caribbean International’s Symphony of the Seas, and Margaritaville at Sea’s Islander have had to modify their plans and calls.

“The safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. Along with our Chief Meteorologist, we are closely monitoring the progression of Hurricane Beryl, and are making adjustments to some of our Caribbean sailings for the comfort and safety of our guests and crew. Guests and travel advisors will be notified directly of any necessary changes,” told CNN, a Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson.

So far, massive flooding has impacted the Bradenton and Sarasota County areas up to North Florida.

According to the latest news, more than 248,000 Florida residents are without power right now, energy tracker PowerOutage.us revealed today.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed nearly 3,000 National Guard troops to help manage life-threatening situations, as well as over 17,000 energy workers to restore power once it’s safe to do so.

Georgia and South Carolina governors have declared a state of emergency in their states in preparation for the storm’s imminent arrival. More flight cancelations are expected.

The post Over 2,200 Flights Canceled As Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall In Florida appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Maria Valencia
Title: Over 2,200 Flights Canceled As Hurricane Debby Makes Landfall In Florida
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/over-2200-flights-canceled-as-hurricane-debby-makes-landfall-in-florida-on-monday/
Published Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2024 17:29:49 +0000

“MATILDA THE MUSICAL” is Coming to Bangkok for the Very First Time.

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

“MATILDA THE MUSICAL” is Coming to Bangkok for the Very First Time.

Tero Scenario and GWB Entertainment in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company is delighted to announce that the multi-award-winning production of Matilda The Musical will be touring to Bangkok at the Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre on 21 February until 3 March 2024.

“Matilda The Musical” is adapted from the classic children’s book by Roald Dahl. The fantasy musical brings a magnificent production and guaranteed fun for all the family. The show has won over 100 awards worldwide, including 24 awards for “Best Musical”. Over the past 12 years, the show has been seen by more than 11 million people in 90 cities across the globe and is now making its way to Thailand for an exclusive season of 15 performances at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre from 21 February to 3 March 2024. Don’t miss out!

The UK’s “TheTimes” described the show as “Spectacular, satirical and emotional,” while the “Independent” raved that the show is “Utterly exhilarating – Matilda explodes onto the stage!”. “Matilda The Musical” brings to life Dahl’s wonderfully imaginative story with outstanding performances from an amazingly talented cast. The show features magnificent sets and set-transitions as the action moves from Matilda’s home to school with oversized props – from giant books to machinery – adding to the wonderfully whimsical fantasy elements of the story. The show’s brilliant award-winning score, combined with the stunning lighting and sound design all add up to an unforgettable night of musical theatre for all ages and genders.

Get ready to be enchanted by this marvelous, fantastical story of an extraordinarily intelligent and imaginative young girl who uses her courage and smarts to change her life. “Matilda The Musical” will be live on stage for 15 performances only from 21 February to 3 March 2024 at Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre. Tickets start at Bt1,000 and are available at all ThaiTicketMajor outlets or via www.thaiticketmajor.com For more information, call 02 262 3838. Get all the latest updates at www.facebook.com/rachadalai

The post “MATILDA THE MUSICAL” is Coming to Bangkok for the Very First Time. appeared first on lifestyleandtravel.

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By: Lifestyle+Travel
Title: “MATILDA THE MUSICAL” is Coming to Bangkok for the Very First Time.
Sourced From: www.lifestyleandtravel.com/matilda-the-musical/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=matilda-the-musical
Published Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:27:41 +0000

7 Most Important U.S. Travel Advisories Issued In July 2024

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

7 Most Important U.S. Travel Advisories Issued In July 2024

During July, the US State Department reissued 21 travel security alerts for different reasons, particularly concerning terrorism and crime. We’ve brought you the eight most relevant ones.

If you happen to be an American citizen, consider the importance of registering in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to keep yourself informed and help the government locate you in an emergency.

Israel and Lebanon

A terrorist attack conducted by the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah and the subsequent retaliation from Israel this week have prompted an increasing number of countries to issue travel alerts encouraging citizens to avoid all travel to Lebanon and restrict their trips to Israel in the face of an imminent attack carried out by both sides.

On July 31, the US State Department updated its travel advisory for Lebanon to “Level 4: Do not Travel.”

Those who, despite the convincing advice, still decide to travel to or stay in Lebanon should avoid at all costs visiting Southern Lebanon, the border with Syria and the refugee settlements, or Northern Israel, Gaza, or the West Bank if they are in Israel.

In both cases, the government’s main concerns include armed conflict, terrorism, kidnappings for ransom or political reasons, and the current very limited capacity of government agencies to provide assistance to American citizens.

Taiwan – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

The US State Department determined on July 30 that the island country continues to be one of the safest places in the world for Americans to travel, ranking it at “Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions.”

However, in recent days the government has issued several weather alerts due to the current deadly typhoon season.

Last week, Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in Taiwan, killing over 22 people.

Jamaica – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

On July 25, the US government updated its travel advisory for Jamaica to reflect concerns regarding “crime and health care” issues.

This country ranks at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel,” which means you have to be extra aware of your surroundings because they may be dangerous.

In some areas crime is high and access to medical services is worryingly limited.

Be reminded that Jamaica doesn’t accept U.S. health insurance. So you should purchase comprehensive traveler’s insurance that covers medical evacuation, before departure.

Do not bring any type of firearm or ammunition since prison penalties for possessing those artifacts are severe.

Sweden – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

The security situation in Sweden hasn’t changed over the past couple of years, so the US government continues to express concerns regarding potential terrorist attacks.

The country ranks at “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution,” which suggests it is not particularly dangerous, but the threat is still there.

“A high terrorist threat, together with the status in general, means that the security situation in Sweden is serious,” said Charlotte von Essen, Head of the Swedish Security Service, earlier this year.

The country has managed to stop several terrorist attacks in 2024. Therefore, avoid crowds and report any suspicious activity.

Iran – Level 4: Do Not Travel

The US government is straightforward: Do Not Travel” to the Islamic Republic of Iran for any reason.

On July 15, the government reissued its travel advisory to reflect serious concerns regarding terrorism and the risk involved in participating in surrogacy tourism.

Be warned that Americans traveling to Iran are being victims of arbitrary arrests. The situation is aggravated if you are an American-Iranian.

The US government does not have any kind of diplomatic or consular relationship with Iran, so if you get in trouble, you are on your own. Dying or getting injured in a terrorist attack is a real threat.

Be aware that companies offering surrogacy services in Iran lie about the country’s security situation to protect their unregulated business.

If you still decide to travel to or are currently in Iran:

Develop a personal security plan.Openly discuss with your family back in the States plans regarding the custody of your children, your will and funeral wishes. (The same applies if you decide to travel to Gaza).

Maldives

On July 11, the US government reissued its travel advisory for the Maldives with minor changes.

The country continues to be ranked at “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution,” which is quite safe by US standards, but the terrorist threat remains active.

Be aware of your surroundings since terrorist groups may attack tourist and government venues, as well as transportation hubs and shopping malls.

Trinidad and Tobago – Level 3: Reconsider Travel

After a thorough evaluation, the US government determined that Trinidad and Tobago continues to have serious issues with crime, terrorism and kidnappings. Therefore, it decided to leave it at “Level 3: Reconsider Travel.“

U.S. government personnel are prohibited from traveling to the following areas so you should follow suit.

In Port of Spain: Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, Cocorite, and the interior of Queens’ Park Savannah during the day. And downtown Port of Spain, Fort George overlook, and all beaches after dark.

Be aware that shootings happen frequently in this country.

The post 7 Most Important U.S. Travel Advisories Issued In July 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Viktor Vincej
Title: 7 Most Important U.S. Travel Advisories Issued In July 2024
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/7-most-important-u-s-travel-advisories-issued-in-july-2024/
Published Date: Sat, 03 Aug 2024 13:05:59 +0000

Travel Tip: Taking Advantage of Marriott Dynamic Award Pricing

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

Travel Tip: Taking Advantage of Marriott Dynamic Award Pricing

There are still opportunities to take advantage of Marriott dynamic award pricing.  Many of us hate Marriott, after all, back in 2018, the most expensive Marriott property was 60,000 Marriott Reward points per night. 48,000 points, per night, if you took advantage of the fourth night free. Since then, we saw devaluations every year, sometimes more than once a year. Finally, Marriott went to dynamic award pricing. The highest priced rooms now go for 150,000 Marriott Reward Points per night, or 120,000 Marriott Reward Points using fifth night free. That is 2.5x the price since 2018.

I planned a European honeymoon with me and my wife. We started off our honeymoon in Paris. While this was my first time in Paris, it was my wife’s third time. I have always believed, the first trip to Paris, has to be with your wife, staying in France’s best hotel. There were two choices in Paris, that were available on points, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome or the Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel. I was more attracted to Park Hyatt Paris, as it was considered a palace hotel. However, the Prince de Galles ultimately won the battle, as it provided artistic rooms in the heart of Paris. I felt you could find a Park Hyatt equivalent anywhere in the world, but you could not find a Prince de Galles equivalent, anywhere in the world.

Original Booking of Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel

On April 2, 2024, I booked a room for 125,500 Marriott Reward Points.

Revised Booking(s)

April 11, 2024, I rebooked the room for 122,500 Marriott Reward Points.

April 27, 2024, I rebooked the room for 115,000 Marriott Reward Points.

May 10, 2024, I rebooked the room for 113,500 Marriott Reward Points.

May 22, 2024, I rebooked the room for 112,000 Marriott Reward Points.

June 12, 2024, I rebooked the room for 110,500 Marriott Reward Points.

June 24, 2024, I rebooked the room for 91,000 Marriott Reward Points.

Conclusion

After taking advantage of Marriott dynamic award pricing, I saved 34,500 Marriott Reward points for each night of my two-night stay. As an individual managing travel for seven people, every point saved is meaningful. Those 34,500 Marriott Reward Points? Well, I booked for 2 nights, so I saved 69,000 Marriott Reward Points. Those points, I will use to travel to JW Marriott The Rosseau Muskoka Resort & Spa or The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas with family.

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By: Maple Miles
Title: Travel Tip: Taking Advantage of Marriott Dynamic Award Pricing
Sourced From: travelupdate.com/travel-tip-taking-advantage-of-marriott-dynamic-award-pricing/
Published Date: Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:00:40 +0000

7 Great Weekend Getaways In Oklahoma For Summer 2024

TODAY'S ADVENTURE

7 Great Weekend Getaways In Oklahoma For Summer 2024

Whether you live in Oklahoma or have a vacation planned, OK summers are known for their heat. Fortunately, you know where to go. All you need is a swimming pool, shining lakeside, or a river to keep you cool and have a fantastic time. Oklahoma is full of wonderful places to swim, whether you prefer a lively water park, a peaceful resort, or a natural swimming hole.

Join us as we dive into 8 spectacular weekend summer getaways in Oklahoma to escape this year’s heat.

Table of contents

Water ParksSix Flags Hurricane Harbor in Oklahoma CityParadise Beach Waterpark in Tulsa, OKShawnee Splash Water Park in Shawnee OKHow About a Resort Pool Paradise?Shangri-La ResortYogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp ResortNatural Swimming HolesBath Lake Swimming Hole at Medicine Park, OKBlue Hole Park at Salina, OKLittle Niagara Falls at Sulphur

Water Parks

Water parks are a fantastic way to escape the summer heat with all-day fun. Each one is its little world of slides, snacks, pools, and lounging opportunities that will ensure everyone on your vacation finds something to love.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Oklahoma City

Everyone knows that Six Flags Hurricane Harbor is the country’s best chain of water parks. There are 14 of them throughout the US and Oklahoma City is one of the lucky locations for a truly grand water park experience. You can splash down epic water slides, play in the aquatic playgrounds, swim against the wave pool, or float down the lazy river. It’s a full day – if not a full week – of fun in your swimsuit solo, with a partner, or the whole family.

Paradise Beach Waterpark in Tulsa, OK

Paradise Beach Waterpark in Tulsa, OK is a homegrown extravaganza that has a cool local flavor that even Hurricane Harbor can’t rival. In addition to amazing water slides and a lazy river, there’s a petting zoo with ostriches, tortoises, and llamas. Have a snack, slide down a pirate ship, or climb a dinosaur. It’s all here, for kids and grown-ups alike.

Shawnee Splash Water Park in Shawnee OK

If you’re in Shawnee, you can’t miss the Shawnee Splash Water Park. This fantastic summer landscape of pools and play areas is sure to keep you cool for a full day of fun. There are splash playgrounds, a diving pool, swimming pools, water slides, and a climbing wall. Also, there are many floating balls to pitch at the basketball goals and shaded decks for lounging between swims.

How About a Resort Pool Paradise?

If you’re looking for a more refined way to escape the heat, you can’t miss Oklahoma’s spectacular waterside resorts and pool landscapes.

Shangri-La Resort

You will find Shangri La Resort located on Monkey Island on the shores of Grand Lake. It is 85 minutes from Tulsa and is an absolute dream. Not only is Shangri La lakeside for natural swimming and boating but it also has four pools, a lazy river, and water slides. The pools include an outdoor resort pool, an indoor pool, a kiddy pool (with a splash pad, water slides, and a wet playground), and a cozy hot tub near the main resort pool.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp Resort is a campground and resort set on the banks of Keystone Lake that is a paradise for RV travelers. The lake has an interactive floating pier playground, rentable kayaks and paddle boats, and a private water park with a splash playground, slides, and pool volleyball. It’s a great place to beat the heat on an RV vacation or you can swing by for a day in the water even if you don’t go RV camping.

Natural Swimming Holes

For those who adore being surrounded by nature and swimming in natural lakes and rivers, Oklahoma has a wealth of gorgeous parks where swimming, sunbathing, and snacks are all in one place.

Bath Lake Swimming Hole at Medicine Park, OK

Image Credit: medicinepark.com

Bath Lake Swimming Hole is one of the most popular natural places to swim and enjoy the water in Oklahoma. Located in Medicine Creek, which flows through Medicine Park, OK, you will love the shallow and deep swimming areas, boating channels, and the beautiful view of crisscrossing bridges over the natural shores of the creek. There are also shops and lunch areas within walking distance for an all-day adventure.

Blue Hole Park at Salina, OK

Image Credit: greencountryok.com

Blue Hole Park is aptly named after the water at the foothills of the Ozarks which boasts a beautiful azure blue color. This is a beachside delight with a snack shop and a lot of relaxed floating. Here, you can relax in calm waters with a cooler full of drinks and an opportunity to meet other families who know where to find the most beautiful swimming spots in Oklahoma.

Little Niagara Falls at Sulphur

Little Niagara Falls in the Travertine Island area is an idyllic swimming hole in the Oklahoma forest near Sulphur, OK. Travertine Creek is a wonderfully chilly flow of water on a hot day where swimming, rapids sliding, and fishing are all popular activities. It’s called Little Niagara Falls because there are so many little spots to slide down the slick rocks. Just bring your jean shorts.

Now you should be ready to discover your perfect swimmer’s getaway in Oklahoma this year and beat the heat in gorgeous surroundings.

Featured Image by Bill Henson (Google Maps).

The post 7 Great Weekend Getaways In Oklahoma For Summer 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Daniela Kaňková
Title: 7 Great Weekend Getaways In Oklahoma For Summer 2024
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/7-great-weekend-getaways-in-oklahoma-for-summer-2024/
Published Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:16:34 +0000

These Lesser-Known U.S. Islands Emerge As A New Tourism Leader In The Caribbean In 2024

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These Lesser-Known U.S. Islands Emerge As A New Tourism Leader In The Caribbean In 2024

The US Virgin Islands (USVI) have been rapidly positioning themselves as a new leading destination in the Caribbean in 2024.

The numbers back them up. In the first half of 2024, this American overseas territory saw a 26.5 percent jump in tourism arrivals over Q1 in 2023.

Trends predict that by the end of 2024, USVI will have an increase of up to 24 percent in air visitors, compared to last year.

In fact, St. Thomas has been designated as the top domestic destination for US travelers, according to a survey revealed by travel group Expedia a few weeks ago.

Part of this success is due to the increase in routes connecting the mainland to the islands, said Tourism Commissioner Joseph Boschulte. And more are coming up.

“One of the things I am very proud to say is we’re getting new lift coming into St. Croix… Frontier coming into St. Croix for the first time and JetBlue coming back. It’s important not only for helping to make connections back to the mainland but also through the Caribbean,” he said.

In a bid to boost the local tourism sector and position their brand as a strong player in the Caribbean, the USVI Department of Tourism hosted its first-ever summit at the Westin Resort at Frenchman’s Reef a few days ago.

“We continue to be a leader in regional tourism,” said Boschulte during the event.

For most of its history, the USVI had not received large masses of stayover tourists as the islands used to focus on cruise tourism.

But with the advent of the pandemic, the destination was forced to shift its target to stayover tourism, allowing it to experience a growth never seen before.

The main reason the government expressed for holding the summit was the need to accelerate the development of businesses that are part of or directly associated with the industry. A few weeks ago, Boschulte explained its importance.

“From the Department of Tourism staff to hotel, restaurant, boutiques, shops and attraction staff, taxi drivers, and everyone who shares a welcoming smile with visitors, the collaborative efforts do not go unnoticed and have reflectively shown in the constant increases in visitation numbers.”

But if the USVI want to position themselves as the undisputed leader in the region, they will have to overcome strong competitors.

So far in 2024, at least 11 islands have broken all records and surpassed the number of visitors they used to receive before the pandemic.

Some of these islands include Aruba, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Curacao, the Cayman Islands, Bonaire and Antigua and Barbuda.

The post These Lesser-Known U.S. Islands Emerge As A New Tourism Leader In The Caribbean In 2024 appeared first on Traveling Lifestyle.

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By: Luka Trcek
Title: These Lesser-Known U.S. Islands Emerge As A New Tourism Leader In The Caribbean In 2024
Sourced From: www.travelinglifestyle.net/these-lesser-known-u-s-islands-emerge-as-a-new-tourism-leader-in-the-caribbean-in-2024/
Published Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2024 14:37:19 +0000