It was a very busy— and exciting— week for global travel news. Whether you’re headed to Europe, Asia, Africa, the Arctic Circle, or New York City, there’s something here for everyone. And travelers to the United Kingdom or Spain, in particular, should be aware of new requirements now in effect. Even if you just want help finding lost luggage more easily, I’ve got that, too. Here’s the latest travel news worth your attention…
New International Airport in Greenland
Greenland opened its first international airport on November 28. Located in the capital, Nuuk, it’s the first of three international airports scheduled to open in the country by 2026. Situated between Canada and Iceland, Greenland is an autonomous region of Denmark and the world’s largest island. And even before the new airport opened, experts predicted it would soon rival its Icelandic neighbor as a hot spot for tourism.
Now Greenland can accommodate larger planes on direct routes from Iceland, Denmark, and— beginning in June 2025— the United States. That’s when United Airlines will launch non-stop, 4-hour flights from Newark to Nuuk. Other airlines around the world are sure to follow. So now may be your last chance to visit Greenland before the crowds.
Grand Egyptian Museum Opening
Fans of the Pharaohs waited a long time to hear this travel news. Nearly 20 years ago, Egypt began construction on the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) near Giza. It’s billed as the world’s largest archeological showcase. Among its 100,000 artifacts— some never before seen in public— will be the entire collection from King Tut’s tomb.
Some small sections of the museum opened on a trial basis in 2022. And in October 2024, officials opened 12 exhibit halls— but not the King Tut exhibit or the boats gallery— to a limited number of daily visitors. But the GEM’s full opening is expected any day now. Visit the GEM website for the official announcement and to book your visit. It’s sure to be the hottest ticket among museum-goers in 2025.
Notre Dame Cathedral Reopens
Admittedly, this announcement received a lot of news coverage. But in case you missed it, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris— gutted by fire and closed in 2019— reopens this weekend (December 7-8) after extensive restoration and cleaning. Following a series of VIP events, the first Mass open to the public will be held Sunday evening.
The towers remain closed for now. But you can still visit the rest of the Cathedral for free. Just be sure to book your timed entry slot (up to two days in advance) at the Cathedral’s website. Daily visitors currently are capped at 3,000, so the place will be less crowded than in the past— and they say it’s never looked better.
30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City
I’m putting this one on my near-term bucket list. “Top of the Rock”— the observation deck at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City— has two uber-cool attractions, including one that just opened eight weeks ago. (I first learned about it this week, so it still counts as current travel news!)
Top of the Rock at 30 Rockefeller Plaza
The “Top of the Rock” is an indoor/outdoor observation deck overlooking New York City on the 70th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The viewing platform— and the two add-ons mentioned below— are open daily from 08:00 to midnight, with last entry at 23:10. Top of the Rock tickets range from $34 to $61 per person depending on your age, the day of the week, and time of day. Prices are highest at dusk and on weekends. Purchase all tickets here. But the two “extra’s” mentioned below are what I want to draw your attention to…
The Beam at 30 Rockefeller Plaza
Remember that iconic 1932 photo “Lunch Atop a Skyscraper”? It featured ironworkers sitting on a beam 850 feet above New York during construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
Now, you can star in a recreation of that photo. Top of the Rock’s version of “The Beam” hoists seven people twelve feet in the air using a hydraulic pole. (You’ll be mixed with other visitors if your group has less than 7 members.) Don’t worry— you’re safely strapped to a seat. At full height, the beam rotates and a camera snaps your photo with that incomparable view as a backdrop. The experience costs $25 per person and is available only as an add-on to your Top of the Rock general admission. More details here.
The Skylift at 30 Rockefeller Plaza
Top of the Rock’s newest attraction is The Skylift— an open-air, circular glass platform that rises three stories above the 70th floor observation deck. Visitors enjoy an unobstructed, rotating view of New York City. And when the platform reaches its zenith, it takes your picture with that iconic skyline as the background. At night, The Skylift is illuminated by colorful LED lights.
The Skylift accommodates 13 people plus the attendant. At $35 per person for a 5-minute ride (in addition to your Top of the Rock admission), it’s pricey. But where else can you take photos like that?! More details here.
If money is no object, consider a VIP package for $190 per person— available daily from 10:15 to 21:15. It includes admission to Top of the Rock and private experiences on The Beam and The Skylift. You also get expedited entry and access to a private elevator, plus other perks.
Track Lost Luggage More Easily
I previously recommended Apple Air Tags as one of my travel essentials. I hide one in my backpack, carry-on, and camera bag and link each air tag to my Apple account. My iPhone then tracks the location of each item— anywhere it may go, using signals that Apple devices worldwide detect and feed to the larger Apple network.
Historically, only the tag’s owner could track its precise location. But the imminent iOS 18.2 software update allows owners to share their tags’ locations with third parties via a secure link. The link leads to a website where the tag’s precise location is shown on a map in real time. Major airlines are already working with Apple to incorporate the technology into their automated systems and accept the links directly from customers. Now that’s travel news you can use. (Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualified purchases.)
New Rules for Entering the UK
Know someone headed for England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland? Then you’ll want to share this latest travel news. Beginning January 8, 2025, all U.S. citizens (and citizens of many other countries) transiting through or traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business, or study for 6 months or less must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to travel.
An ETA is required for all persons, regardless of age, and costs £10. The authorization links to a specific passport number and is valid for two years. So if your passport number changes, you’ll need a new ETA. More details about the new requirements and how to apply for an ETA are posted here.
New Rules for Travelers in Spain
And Spain has new requirements for travelers, too. Beginning December 2, Spanish law requires anyone who pays for lodging or rents a car to provide certain personal details to the vendor. The business is then required to submit the information to the government. Lodgers must provide their name, gender, date of birth, home address, phone number, email address, passport number, nationality, the number of people they’re traveling with, and their relationship to any companions under the age of 14. Car renters must also provide their driving license, payment information, and even vehicle GPS data. The law applies to Spaniars, too. Welcome to the age of big brother, all in the name of national security.
(Still willing to visit Spain?! Check out my list of the top things to do in Madrid, my article about Spanish Civil War sites, my guide to the running of the bulls, and reasons to visit Córdoba. And don’t miss the Festival of Pilar in Zaragoza!)
New Bullet Train in Vietnam
And finally, you may have heard Vietnam recently approved construction of a high-speed rail line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The new bullet train will cut the journey from 30 to just 5 hours and link 20 cities. But you’ll have to wait a while for the privilege. If all goes to plan, the new train service will launch in 2035.
That leaves you plenty of time to check out Greenland, the Grand Egyptian Museum, the restored Notre Dame Cathedral— and of course, 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York!
I hope you found something useful in this roundup of the latest travel news. And if you discover something else worth mentioning, please post it in the comments.
