Latest news with #summergetaway
CNET
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNET
Get a Free Worldwide Ubigi eSIM Data Plan for Your Summer Travel
Summer is the time to roam. According to Deloitte, more Americans plan to travel in 2025 than 2024, and a recent poll by Allianz found that 70% of Americans under 35 are planning a summer getaway. With prices rising worldwide, travelers are cutting costs wherever they can — including data, a must-have for local recommendations and easy navigation. But roaming doesn't have to mean roaming fees. One easy way to trim your travel budget is to opt for an eSIM plan like Ubigi, which works seamlessly in over 200 locations worldwide — including 5G in over 60 destinations — all without having to pay your carrier's data fees or switch SIM cards in different countries. For a limited time, Ubigi is offering 500MB of data when you make a free account to try the service, as well as 10% off your first purchase. An eSIM makes crossing borders easy You're probably familiar with a traditional SIM card — that tiny chip you can pop in and out of your phone to switch carriers. When traveling internationally, using a physical SIM means you have to stop and wait in line at airport kiosks or stores to buy a mobile plan and swap out your SIM cards. But with an eSIM, you can skip all that hassle: it loads directly onto your phone. Changing mobile carriers becomes as easy as a tap or a swipe, with no risk of losing your old SIM card. A vacation should feel like a vacation, not a list of errands. But with an eSIM, it's easy to get everything ready before you take off. Make sure your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked, then choose your data plan and install your Ubigi eSIM before boarding your flight. Once you arrive, simply activate mobile data on your Ubigi line, and you'll be all set to find your hotel and discover great local spots to eat. An eSIM gives you more data for less Ubigi offers affordable packages from 1GB to unlimited data, with seamless 5G and 4G coverage in over 200 locations across the world. With Ubigi's SmartStart feature, your eSIM data plan activates only when you arrive and connect to a cell tower at your destination, so there's no risk of your plan starting before you leave. Plus, the app makes adding data on the go as easy as topping up a metro card, with no Wi-Fi or data credits required. Ubigi A travel eSIM provider like Ubigi eliminates any roaming surprises or charges. With Ubigi's data-only service, you only need to focus on gigabytes, no SMS or voice fees to worry about. Their straightforward pricing makes managing your data simple and transparent. Get 500MB of free data for your summer travels today We all know summer passes in a blink. Create your free Ubigiaccount today and receive 500MB of free data, as well as 10% off your first purchase. After that, you're all set to relax, no matter where the journey takes you.
CTV News
4 days ago
- CTV News
Summer scams: what to watch out for
Whether it's some fun in the sun, a road trip or a flight somewhere, many of us have plans for a summer getaway and book those plans online. And with this week marking the first official week of summer, cybersecurity experts - and people who have been victimized - are sharing tips on how people can protect themselves from scams spoiling their summer experiences. Luke Wells from St. John's, N.L., bought tickets to a professional soccer match during a recent trip to England. However, he was surprised and disappointed when he was denied entry at the door because the tickets had already been scanned. '[It had been a] pretty normal process, through StubHub International, which I figured would be alright,' Wells said. 'Especially with StubHub too, I had been using them to buy and sell tickets for years. I was told at the gate, when I was being denied, that they see it a fair bit.' Tony Anscombe is a cybersecurity expert based in Calgary, who said people also can get swindled when trying to book summer accommodations. 'If you're looking for a cottage rental - is it real? Is it fake?' he said. Anscombe said one significant red flag to watch out for is if the seller is asking for the payment urgently. 'Look out for that urgency, and they'll look for a payment through a non-normal way,' Anscombe said. 'Not a credit card payment, or such. They're looking for gift cards or cryptocurrency transfers.' Anscombe added that from flight tickets to concert tickets, it's safest to buy directly from the airline or the venue when possible. 'There are lots of other red flags that you should look for,' he said. 'The payment method, and the urgency, and the fact that they've got something that nobody else apparently has access to.' Destination Cape Breton CEO, Terry Smith, said though he hasn't heard of too many people visiting the island and falling victim to scams, they did have one bad experience fairly recently. 'A couple of years ago, we were running a social media contest and we had a fake account that [someone had] set up,' Smith said. 'We reported it through Facebook, and unfortunately their customer service 'bot', or whatever, didn't accept our complaint.' Wells said his advice to others so they don't end up falling victim like he did would be to buy from primary sources when possible. 'This [soccer] match happened to be sold out, so I didn't really have that option,' he said. 'But if you do go through this kind of thing, reach out to them right away because they were pretty good. I had my money back within a couple of days.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Arabian Business
10-06-2025
- Arabian Business
Schengen Visa: UAE travellers' guide to hidden summer 2025 destinations beyond Europe
As the summer of 2025 approaches, many UAE residents are seeking budget-friendly travel options beyond the usual European destinations. While the Schengen visa is well-known for granting access to 29 European countries, fewer realise it can also serve as a gateway to lesser-known, budget-friendly destinations outside the Schengen zone. Popular Schengen destinations can be expensive and crowded during the summer months. Fortunately, your Schengen visa can unlock a range of equally stunning and more affordable places—both within Europe's fringes and beyond—that are often overlooked but perfect for your summer getaway. When UAE residents secure a Schengen visa, their minds often go straight to iconic cities like Paris, Rome, or Amsterdam. However, savvy travellers are now using this visa to venture to alternative destinations that welcome visitors holding a valid multiple-entry visa. This little-known benefit can save money, reduce crowds, and create unique travel experiences. Rules and regulations 1. Multiple-entry visa required To travel to many of these alternative destinations, you must have a multiple-entry Schengen visa. Single-entry visas expire as soon as you leave the Schengen Area, preventing re-entry or access to non-Schengen countries that recognise the visa. 2. Prior use of the visa inside Schengen Some countries require that you have already entered at least one Schengen country using your visa before they allow entry. This means simply holding the visa isn't enough—you must have activated it at least once in Europe. 3. Visa validity throughout your stay Your Schengen visa must remain valid for the entire duration of your visit outside the Schengen Area. Check carefully to avoid overstaying or having your visa expire while abroad. 4. Compliance with additional entry requirements Even with a valid Schengen visa, certain countries may ask for: Proof of sufficient funds Confirmed accommodation Return or onward tickets Always check the embassy or consulate websites before travelling for the latest regulations. 5. Nationality-specific conditions Visa exemptions or simplified procedures linked to Schengen visas often depend on your nationality. Confirm the specific rules for your passport to avoid surprises at immigration. Destinations by visa rule grouping Destinations allowing entry with a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa, often requiring prior entry into the Schengen Area: Albania: Up to 90 days, provided the visa has been used once in Schengen. Bosnia and Herzegovina: Stay up to 90 days within 180 days. Montenegro: Entry for up to 30 days or visa validity length if less than 30 days. Serbia: Visa-free stay up to 90 days within 180 days. North Macedonia: Visa must be valid for at least five days after exit; stay up to 15 days per visit, max 90 days in 180 days. Kosovo: Up to 15 days with a valid multiple-entry visa. Destinations that accept travellers holding a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa without necessarily requiring prior use: Cyprus: Up to 90 days within 180 days, even though not part of Schengen yet. Mexico: Up to 180 days, provided you've used the Schengen visa at least once. Colombia: Visa exemption for select nationals holding a Schengen visa valid for six months or more. Sao Tome and Principe: Often waives the tourist visa for Schengen visa holders. Destinations with simplified visa procedures or visa-on-arrival options linked to holding a valid Schengen visa: Turkey: Eligible for an electronic visa (e-visa) for stays up to one month; not visa-free but easier process. Antigua and Barbuda: Possible visa on arrival for Schengen visa holders. Dominican Republic: Eligible for a tourist card upon arrival when holding a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. Microstates functioning as part of the Schengen Area (no separate visa required if you have entry to the neighbouring Schengen country): Andorra Monaco San Marino Vatican City Schengen visa cost and application fees for UAE residents Here's what it costs to apply for a Schengen visa from the UAE: Visa application fee: Approximately AED 380 ($103). (This includes the standard visa fee of AED 320 plus a service fee of around AED 60 charged by the visa application centre.) Reduced fee for children aged 6 to 12: Around AED 190 ($52). Children under 6 years: No visa fee required. Applications typically take about 15 calendar days to process, so applying early is recommended. Final reminders for UAE travellers: Always check the latest rules from official embassy sources before travelling. Make sure your multiple-entry Schengen visa is valid and that you comply with all entry requirements. Plan your itinerary carefully to maximise the benefits of your visa and discover these hidden gems beyond the usual European tourist trail.
CNA
31-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
A selection of new and restored hotels and luxury villas await in Tuscany, Puglia and beyond
A raft of new and renovated properties is opening in Italy just in time for the lazy, sun-drenched days of summer. From Tuscany to Puglia, here are a handful of newcomers and thoughtful restorations, including a boutique hotel in a 16th-century Baroque mansion in Lecce and a collection of luxe villas in the mountains of Chianti. FORTE DEI MARMI, LUCCA Pensione America Dating to the early 1920s, this one-time Tuscan villa, and then pensione (or boarding house), by the Ligurian Sea has been transformed into an adults-only beach escape. Where there were once dozens of rooms, there are now just 18 rooms and suites. All have terraces or verandas; bamboo furniture that lends a breezy, seaside feel; and products from Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, the venerable Italian fragrance and personal care brand. If you really want to spread out, consider booking the two-story casita, La Villetta, which has a garden and a plunge pool. Created by Collezione Em (whose hotels include the Grand Hotel Minerva in Florence and the Violino d'Oro in Venice), Pensione America is part of the Leading Hotels of the World collection of luxury properties. You can delight in la dolce vita amid the gardens, on a tennis court and in the pool decorated with Sicilian tiles. Go for a stroll or ride on one of the free bikes to the nearby beaches for which the area is known. Begin each morning at the hotel's restaurant and indulge in sweet crepes or eggs in tomato sauce. At lunchtime, you'll find a menu inspired by the surrounding waters, with seafood dishes such as ravioli with shellfish and spaghetti with arselle (little clams). The restaurant is also open for dinner. Prices from €1,600, or about US$1,800 (S$2,322) a night. PORTO ERCOLE, GROSSETO La Roqqa On the harbour of Porto Ercole on Tuscany's Argentario peninsula (about an hour-and-a-half-to-two-hour drive from Rome), La Roqqa underwent a three-year renovation and is now a 50-room-and-suite boutique hotel designed by the Milan-based Palomba Serafini Associati studio. Bold lighting and furniture from the 1960s and '70s add nostalgic touches to the common areas, while many of the minimalist guest rooms are awash in the colours of the surrounding land and sea. Suites, in contrast, sport lighter hues. All rooms have outdoor spaces with views of hills and trees, or the sea. But why just look from afar when you can get up close? Stretch out under an umbrella at Isolotto Beach Club, part of La Roqqa, on a sandy stretch of beach amid the otherwise rocky coast. Take in the Mediterranean air by hiking, cycling or horseback-riding. Treat yourself to a massage or a facial, or spend some time in the sauna. The hotel, part of Miramis Hospitality, has its own yacht that can take you to nearby islands, such as Giglio and Giannutri, and can arrange experiences like wine tasting and cooking lessons. If you'd rather someone else did the cooking, order seafood by the water at Isolotto Beach Club, or head over to the hotel's Scirocco restaurant for family-style Tuscan dishes (and wines, of course) including homemade pastas and dumplings like gnudi with sheep ricotta and nettle, cacio e pepe sauce and fermented lime. Watch day turn to night at the Scirocco Rooftop Bar, where you can sip a cocktail — the hotel has several that it says were inspired by Caravaggio paintings — as you gaze out over the Corsini Botanical Garden and the harbour. Prices from €380 a night. The historical centre of Lecce, in the Apulia region, is rife with Baroque buildings, including this boutique hotel in a limestone mansion that dates to 1557. After a four-year renovation, the property is now an 18-room-and-suite getaway that mixes contemporary design with vaulted ceilings and graceful arches. The rooms are elegant and spare, with 18th-century wooden doors, and each nods to the building's past, with different touches, including stone walls, brick-and-lime floors, and walls adorned with frescoes. For a special occasion, book the more-than-1,000-sq-ft Suite Zimara, with a balcony, two bathrooms and your own hammam, Jacuzzi and fireplace. Palazzo Zimara is in the heart of the city, so you can go out for a meal or dine al fresco at the hotel's La Bocca restaurant. In the mornings, sip caffe leccese, iced coffee sweetened with almond syrup, and sample pastries and local cheeses. Later, try Italian dishes that change with the seasons, like a misticanza salad with peach, walnut and cocoa; and croaker fish, puttanesca style. Unwind with a glass of wine while people-watching from the terrace at Radino Wine Bistro. The hotel, part of the D'Angelo Family Collection, a family-run hospitality group, has plans to also open a rooftop bar next year. Prices from €240 a night. CHIANTI REGION This summer, the luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent is rolling out five estates for families and groups seeking plush villas in Chianti, the Tuscan region beloved for its mountains and wine. The properties include renovated farmhouses and wine estates with romantic views of hills, olive groves and vineyards. Your trip begins at the airport, where a private car will pick you up. Rates include a case of Tuscan wine and a hamper of food — think homemade bread, local olives and cheese — as well as breakfast, housekeeping and experiences, which include welcome and farewell dinners, a wine-tasting on the estate (or in the winery on your property), a cooking class with — who else? — an Italian chef and a photography session, as well as private return airport transfers. Ranging from five to 10 bedrooms, the estates have amenities such as pools, outdoor kitchens, gyms, wine cellars and a concierge who can book restaurants and private chefs, and arrange car rentals and spa appointments. Prices start at US$55,000 a week for up to 10 people at Villa Pianvecchio, a five-bedroom farmhouse on a wine estate. (If you were splitting that among 10 people it would be about US$786 per person a night.) The other Chianti estates are Villa Castiglioni, with six bedrooms from US$65,000 a week; Villa Il Santo, with eight bedrooms from US$70,000; Villa Tavernaccia, with eight bedrooms from $90,000; and Il Cellese, with 10 bedrooms from US$90,000. The new estates are currently available for 20 per cent off those prices. By Stephanie Rosenbloom © The New York Times.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- CTV News
Tips for exploring the region on a bike
Ottawa Watch Is it time for another summer getaway? Ditch out car and hoping on a bike for a fun adventure.
