Travel Reviews + Breaking News
Welcome to our travel site where we write up travel news of interest, and review hotels and restaurants that we have visited in our travels. In the past we stayed in a lot of hostels and a number of these properties have changed names several times and more than a few no longer exist. We will look to cover more content around Street Art as that is one of our favourite items to find in our travels around the world.
- Cathay Pacific temporarily suspends Riyadh & Dubai flights
Latest update: 03 Mar 2026 15:55 HKT (GMT+8) source In view of the developing situation in the Middle East, all Cathay Pacific flights to and from Dubai from 28 February up to and including Saturday, 14 March have been cancelled. In view of the developing situation in the Middle East also all Cathay Pacific flights to and from Riyadh from 28 February up to and including Saturday, 14 March have been cancelled. Customers affected by… Read more: Cathay Pacific temporarily suspends Riyadh & Dubai flights - United Airlines Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Last updated on March 2, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. CST source United Airlines have canceled flights between the U.S. and Tel Aviv and Dubai due to unrest in the Middle East. Cancellations through Sunday, March 8, 2026, are now in place. Check your flight status or use the United App to see if your upcoming flight was affected. There’s also a travel waiver in place through March 31 if you’d like to proactively change your travel plans. United Airlines continuing to monitor… Read more: United Airlines Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Qatar Airways Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Updated 3 March 2026, 09:00 GMT+3 source Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided on 04 March by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC). All passengers are advised to monitor the latest flight information via qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app. Qatar Airways booking assistance If… Read more: Qatar Airways Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Etihad Airways Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
All Etihad Airways’ scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Wednesday 4 March. Passengers should not travel to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad Airways and advised to do so. Guests are advised to: Etihad Airways are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and appreciate your patience as it may take longer than usual for calls to be answered. Guests seeking a refund… Read more: Etihad Airways Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Emirates Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Last updated: 3 March 2026, 09:55 Dubai (GMT+4) source All scheduled Emirates flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until 2359hrs UAE time on 4 March 2026, due to airspace closures across the region. Emirates continues to operate a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights on 3rd & 4th March 2026. Emirates airlines are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority on these limited flights. Please do not go to the airport unless you have… Read more: Emirates Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Virgin Atlantic Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Middle East Airspace – Travel Update Current as of 3/3/2026 11:31am Source Due to the escalation of conflict in the Middle East, Virgin Atlantic have rerouted some flights and taken the decision to cancel some of their upcoming services between London Heathrow and Dubai, as well as services between London Heathrow and Riyadh. The safety and security of Virgin Atlantic customers and crew is always their number one priority. This remains a dynamic and fast-moving situation,… Read more: Virgin Atlantic Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Singapore Airlines Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
First posted on 1 March 2026, 1300hrs (GMT+8) source Due to the geopolitical situation in the Middle East, the following Singapore Airlines (SIA) flights will be cancelled from 28 February to 7 March 2026: · SQ494 departing Singapore for Dubai · SQ495 departing Dubai for Singapore As the situation remains fluid, other SIA flights may be affected. Customers may visit SIA’s Flight Status page for the latest information on their flights. Customers affected by the flight cancellations… Read more: Singapore Airlines Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Qantas Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Update on the Middle East Last updated: 3 March 2026, 12:20pm source Qantas are closely monitoring the evolving situation and any potential impact to Qantas international flights. QF9 from Perth to London may operate via Singapore for a fuel stop due to adjustments required on flight paths. There are no other impacts to Qantas operated flights, including flights between Singapore and London. The safety of Qantas customers and crew is their highest priority, and where necessary Qantas may… Read more: Qantas Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - KLM Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Last updated on Monday 02 March 2026, 21:30 (Amsterdam time) Source Middle East region – Travel and Security Advisory Due to the security situation in the Middle East, KLM has adjusted its flight schedule in the region. We are closely monitoring developments and will update KLM schedules where possible. KLM are doing their very best to help you on your way again. Current schedule KLM is currently not flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq,… Read more: KLM Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Air France Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Updated : March 2, 2026, 23 h 00 Paris local time. source Due to the security situation at destination, Air France has canceled its flights to/from Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai, and Riyadh until March 5, 2026, inclusive. The resumption of operations will remain subject to an assessment of the situation. Air France regrets this situation and reminds that the safety of its customers and crew is its top priority. Commercial measures Recommendations As military operations are still… Read more: Air France Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Lufthansa Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Current as of 3/3/2026 11:01am Source Due to the current situation in the Middle East, Lufthansa Group airlines will suspend flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Amman, Erbil, Dammam, and Tehran until March 8. The following airspaces will also not be used until March 8: Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, and Iran. In addition, Lufthansa Group airlines will suspend flights to and from Dubai until March 4. Furthermore, the airspace of the United… Read more: Lufthansa Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - TUI Middle East Flight & Travel Updates
Updated: 01/03/2026 11:30 Source TUI are currently monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East region and the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). As of the 1st March the FCDO now advise against all but essential travel to the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. FOR CUSTOMERS CURRENTLY IN THE UAE OR QATAR The safety of TUI customers is their highest priority and we are closely monitoring the evolving situation in the… Read more: TUI Middle East Flight & Travel Updates - Novotel London Excel (flooded room)
The staff were wonderful on check-in and provided me with an upgraded room to a suite 248 which was appreciated. It was late and I watched a bit of TV and sat on the couch and talked to some friends on the phone when I was getting ready for bed I took off my shoes only to discover that I was standing in a pool of water. The carpet was soaked on both sides of… Read more: Novotel London Excel (flooded room) - Hilton Berlin Review
The Hilton Berlin is located across from one of the most beautiful historical squares in Germany the Gendarmenmarkt situated in the district of Mitte. The hotel is a perfect location if you are in town for business or attending a event at the hotel. The hotel also has a reasonable number of facilities for an inner-city location with a 800 m² Health Club with 24 hour fitness center, Sauna & Indoor pool. When you check-in to the… Read more: Hilton Berlin Review - Cambrils Park Resort Review
Starting off it’s a wonderful location on the coast of Spain and the multiple options for swimming pools were amazing. The location is 14 minutes drive from Reus Airport and 1 hour from Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport with plenty of free parking onsite. The slides weren’t really suitable for anyone larger or taller but the kids seemed to enjoy themselves a lot. The site had a wonderful on-site bakery and supermarket with reasonable prices.… Read more: Cambrils Park Resort Review - Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan
I stayed in Room 3506 at the Residence Inn by Marriott New York Downtown Manhattan/Financial District back in Feb 2023. It’s located at 215 Pearl St, New York, NY 10038, USA in the same building as the Four Points by Sheraton Downtown and Courtyard New York Downtown and is a 3 star property. Please don’t get confused with the 4 star Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan/World Trade Center Area which is located at 170… Read more: Residence Inn New York Downtown Manhattan - Amsterdam travel guide
Amsterdam is an amazing city and I thought after living hear for over 2 years it would be a good time to share some tips that I’ve discovered myself or learnt when friends have visited me during this time. The tips are designed to make you feel more comfortable with a holiday in Amsterdam and ensure that you have a great time while here. Why Walk? Get a bike! While Amsterdam is not the biggest… Read more: Amsterdam travel guide - Courtyard Parsippany
So I stayed here in April 2023 and the location was selected due to proximity to local offices and there are a handful of restaurants nearby but typically you need to organize a hotel shuttle transfer or catch an uber to visit them. This 3 star Marriott property is located out in New Jersey halfway between Parsippany-Troy Hills, Denville and Mountain Lakes. The hotel is 28 miles or about 35 minutes in an uber from… Read more: Courtyard Parsippany - Westin Warsaw
In September 2023 I stayed in the Westin Warsaw room 1412 a luxurious but aging 20 story 5 star hotel located in the heart of Warsaw, Poland. The property is surrounded by a number of luxury hotels such as the Radisson Collection Hotel Warsaw, NYX Hotel Warsaw and the Intercontinental Warsaw. Getting to this hotel is easy as the Westin is just a few minutes walking distance from the Rondo ONZ metro stop which is… Read more: Westin Warsaw - Hilton Cairns
The Hilton Cairns Hotel is a 5 star hotel located on the southern end of The Esplanade opposite the Sofitel & Reef Hotel Casino. The location is great as it’s just 400 meters from the Reef Terminal one of the main departure point for Great Barrier Reef and Island cruises. I stayed in a hotel room that had a water view which was simple a beautiful way to end or start your day. As part… Read more: Hilton Cairns - SkyLounge Amsterdam
Wow what an amazing view of the city and watching Sunset with a cold beer and some good company is epic, but damn the prices for a pint or beer or a burger is something that puts similar venues in London or New York in the budget bracket. Don’t be a hero and shout your mates a drink, you will need to take out a personal loan if you are dumb enough to start a… Read more: SkyLounge Amsterdam - Hostels in London
London is still a bit hit and miss when it comes to hostels, there are amazing hostels, cheap hostels that are brilliant bargains and a handful of hostels that need to be shutdown. There are around 91 hostels listed on HostelWorld from just €5/night but you can always find new ones popping up and old ones being re-branded. The top things to think about when you are booking a hostel in London is Want to… Read more: Hostels in London - London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf bed bug bites
So I had high hopes at this property in August having walked past it hundreds of times when I lived in London or I visited Canary Wharf. The hotel was near London City Airport so also made for an easy location as I flew in late in the evening and didn’t want to have to face travelling across London with my luggage. When I checked into the hotel the Marriott staff were friendly and welcoming… Read more: London Marriott Hotel Canary Wharf bed bug bites - STRAAT Museum for Street Art
The 8000m2 former warehouse located at NDSM wharf houses STRAAT a world class museum for street art & graffiti with over 180 art works on display from atleast 170 artists from around the world. The surrounding area of NDSM features NDSM walls which is a legal area for street artists from around the world to create 24/7. STRAAT is curated by a world class team of street art enthusiasts and recently hosted an amazing exhibition… Read more: STRAAT Museum for Street Art - Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental Review
If you are booking a trip to Lisbon be aware that there are actually 7 Holiday Inn locations across the city. The location I stayed at is officially called Holiday Inn Lisbon – Continental but Campo Pequeno is one of the more popular locations for people doing short stop overs due to it’s proximity to the Humberto Delgado Airport. It’s just 15-20 minutes away from the airport by taxi and far enough of our town… Read more: Holiday Inn Lisbon Continental Review
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David Iwanow
I have been travelling around the world since I was young and travel is in my blood. I've travelled to almost 40 countries around the world and can now be found based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I've visited over 8,100 places with 16,236 checkins on Foursquare/Swarm and I'm a level 10 Google Local Guide with 911 reviews and having posted 18,571 photos which have been viewed 195 million times.