Europe Summer 2026 Highlights:
Starting from iconic cities such as Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Athens (Piraeus), and Southampton, travelers will have the option to embark on voyages lasting from 2 to 14 nights on five premier ships: Harmony of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas. Each itinerary offers a distinct set of experiences, from world-class dining to thrilling onboard entertainment.
Croatia has taken the spotlight in 2024 as a top year-round destination, welcoming an impressive 19.3 million visitors by the end of September, resulting in 102.5 million overnight stays. With a 3% increase in arrivals and a slight rise in overnight stays, Croatia’s appeal continues to grow among global travelers. Among those fueling this growth, U.S. visitors played a standout role, with nearly 700,000 Americans visiting Croatia, a growth of 8% from last year, resulting in 1.9 million overnight stays.
Norse Atlantic Airways has announced plans to introduce a new seasonal route between Los Angeles (LAX) and Rome starting next summer. Beginning May 22, the budget transatlantic airline will offer flights three times per week on this route.
The airline operates Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, which feature both premium economy and economy seating. This new service will put Norse in direct competition with Italy's ITA Airways on the popular transatlantic route.
The European Commission has postponed the debut of its new Entry/Exit System (EES), which was originally scheduled for November 10. This marks the latest in a series of delays for the biometric border control system, with no new launch date announced.
The EES is designed to streamline border crossings by using biometric identification to track the entry and exit of non-European Union nationals into the 27-country Schengen Area, gradually eliminating the need for traditional passport stamps. The system would also monitor visa overstays.
The SkyTeam airline alliance has announced partnerships with two major high-speed rail operators, Eurostar and Trenitalia, to offer single-booking intermodal journeys that combine air and rail segments. This move aims to streamline travel across Europe, giving passengers greater flexibility and convenience.
Croatia is introducing a new range of boutique hotels designed to immerse travelers in the rich stories of the country's cultural and historical heritage. With over 17 properties spread across key locations like Pula, Dubrovnik, Sibenik, and Cavtat, the Impresia Hotels collection offers a unique travel experience deeply rooted in local traditions.
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is set to introduce a new seasonal route connecting Copenhagen and Seattle, starting on May 21. The service will operate five times per week, offering travelers a direct link between Denmark and the U.S. Pacific Northwest.
This marks Seattle as SAS's 10th U.S. destination from Copenhagen, adding to its existing routes to Atlanta, Boston, Newark, New York, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, Chicago, San Francisco, and Miami. Additionally, SAS operates flights from Stockholm to both Newark and Miami, as well as a route from Oslo to Newark.
Starting in 2025, travelers from the U.S., Europe, and various other countries will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter the United Kingdom. Initially launched in 2023 for several Middle Eastern nations, the ETA program is set to expand to include non-Europeans from January 8, 2025, and European travelers from April 2, 2025. The application process opens on November 27, 2024, for non-Europeans and March 5, 2025, for Europeans.
Luxury travel brand Abercrombie & Kent (A&K) has announced the debut of A&K Private Estates, a carefully curated collection of upscale villas set in the picturesque Tuscan countryside. The exclusive portfolio will be available for summer 2025, offering travelers a choice of restored farmhouses, historic towers, and lavish estates designed for multigenerational families and special celebrations.
Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue loyalty program has been named the best airline rewards system globally, according to a new ranking by Point.me, a company specializing in searching award availability across airlines. The rankings, which evaluated 62 airlines, placed Air Canada’s Aeroplan and United’s MileagePlus in second and third, respectively.