Starting on July 1, Thailand plans to re-open its doors to international tourists – with a few caveats.

Although currently experiencing its highest rate of infections and deaths due to COVID-19 since the outbreak of the pandemic, the country plans to move ahead with its previously announced plans to reopen tourism. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has confirmed that from next month, the country will allow quarantine-free entry to vaccinated tourists from "low-risk" countries who enter Thailand via the island of Phuket.

While more details still need to be confirmed, including what countries are deemed "low risk", for now the TAT says arrivals must be fully vaccinated or have received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and must have tested negative not more than 72 hours before arrival.

Upon arriving in Phuket – which by July Thai authorities say will have reached herd immunity – visitors must stay in a hotel approved by the country’s Safety & Health Administration for the first seven nights. While on Phuket, visitors are not required to quarantine and are free to leave their accommodation and travel around the island with few, if any, restrictions, visiting beaches, restaurants and entertainment venues as per normal. Visitors will be required to register at a government website and use an app that tracks their movements. After seven nights on Phuket, visitors are free to leave the island to travel to other points in Thailand.

In preparation for tourists, many of Phuket’s pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the island’s tourist-oriented businesses have been allowed to operate more or less normally.

Until recently, Thailand seemed virtually pandemic proof, with very few infections and even fewer deaths due to COVID-19. But a recent surge has caused authorities to put the country into semi-lockdown. However, the tourism-dependent country is reeling from an almost total lack of visitors over the previous year, and the government is keen to reverse the country’s economic stagnation.

The government’s registration portal, www.gophuget.com, is still a work in progress, and some key details of the proposed plan, such as whether or not visitors will be allowed to transfer to Phuket via Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport, or if children will be required to be vaccinated, have yet to be determined. For updates, stay tuned to the TAT’s news feed on Twitter.

This article was first published on April 2, 2021 and updated on June 2, 2021.

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Exploring the USA by rail will get easier once again, as long-distance Amtrak routes begin to return to daily service after the COVID-19 pandemic caused schedule reductions in 2020.

The first phase of the plan launched this week, with the California Zephyr, Coast Starlight, Empire Builder and Texas Eagle returning to daily trips. This will be followed by the restoration of the Capitol Limited, City of New Orleans, Lake Shore Limited and Southwest Chief on May 31. The Crescent, Palmetto, Silver Meteor and Silver Star services will be restored in the third phase, on June 7.

Read more: 11 Amtrak routes with the most breathtaking views

All destinations and scheduled departure/arrival times served by the long distance network will be maintained, and it will continue to operate the Auto Train daily and the Cardinal and Sunset Limited trains tri-weekly.

This is not the only welcome news for travelers who love Amtrak—on April 30, during the celebrations for Amtrak's 50th anniversary— US President Joe Biden pledged to ask for an $80-billion investment in rail as part of his infrastructure proposal. Having earned the nickname “Amtrak Joe” as a young senator for his frequent trips between Washington DC and his home in Delaware, the current president has been a long-time supporter of rail travel.

Read more: How can I explore the US by Amtrak?

Both federal law and Amtrak policy require all customers and employees to wear a mask at all times when on trains and in stations—regardless of vaccination status or the state or local laws. Amtrak is no longer limiting the capacity on trains, but offers real-time information of seats sold, and customers are able to change their ticket if the "capacity exceeds comfort levels". Find out more about the company's COVID-19 policies here.

This article was originally published on March 12, 2021 and updated on May 26, 2021.

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This week actor Leonardo Di Caprio announced funding of $43 million towards an ambitious rewilding project in the Galápagos Islands that aims to protect its fragile ecosystem and reintroduce 13 locally extinct species, including the Floreana mockingbird—one of the rarest birds in the world.

The funding will go towards the launch of Re:wild, a global conservation charity that builds upon decades of work by local communities and conservationists, including the Galápagos National Park Directorate and Island Conservation. Working with these organizations, Di Caprio (a founding member of Re:wild) said the charity will "amplify and scale the local solutions being led by Indigenous peoples and local communities."

One of its first commitments is the introduction of 13 locally extinct species to the Galápagos, including pink iguanas, giant tortoises and the Floreana mockingbird, an incredibly rare bird which is said to have inspired Charles Darwin. Unfortunately, the bird has vanished from Floreana Island, mainly due to the introduction of invasive mammals such as feral cats and rodents through ship and air traffic. Not only do these species threaten the Galápagos' ecosystem, they also threaten local livelihoods by compromising food security, and reducing the number of endemic plants and species that tourists travel here to see.

Paula A. Castaño, a local wildlife veterinarian with Island Conservation, said time is running out for many species. "Galápagos’s pink iguanas, Floreana mockingbirds and other wildlife may soon be lost forever without action," she explained. Speaking about Re:wild, Castaño added "we know how to prevent these extinctions and restore functional and thriving ecosystems—we have done it—but we need to replicate these successes, innovate and go to scale."

Read more: Vaccinated travelers can enter Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands

Alongside efforts to control and eliminate introduced species and raise awareness among locals and tourists, Re:wild is also working to protect Galápagos' marine resources so that ecotourism can evolve in a more sustainable way; taking into account the needs and goals of the local community by offering them support through workshops and engagement. According to Castaño, the entire community needs to be involved for the project to work. "In this [scenario], you have to have the community as part of the project, otherwise you are not going to be successful mostly,” she said in a statement. "Once you remove invasive species, you need to protect the island and avoid new species coming back. The biosecurity aspect is very important, so if [people] are not involved on that, it will not happen."

There is nowhere quite like the Galápagos. It represents the ultimate natural paradise. Today, 98% of the the archipelago is a National Park, where you can see the very creatures that inspired Darwin to formulate the theory of evolution. This makes it one of the top natural tourist destinations in the world. But the Galápagos' delicate ecosystem is easily disrupted and conservationists say they have now reached a critical point in the biodiversity crisis.

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Europe is easing travel restrictions this summer, as the European Union (EU) agrees to open its borders to vaccinated visitors and those from COVID-safe countries.

Unnecessary travel from most countries outside the EU was curtailed over the past year to curb the spread of COVID-19. But on Wednesday, the EU agreed to open its borders to "not only for all persons coming from countries with a good epidemiological situation but also all people who have received the last recommended dose of an EU-authorised vaccine". Here's what we know about the situation so far.

When can vaccinated travelers visit EU countries?

Speaking at a press conference today, Christian Wigand, spokesman for the European Commission (the executive branch of the EU) said the EU "will now recommend that member states ease some of the current restrictions" for those who have been vaccinated. No precise timeline has been given and the Washington Post reports that "a formal final approval is still necessary" from EU countries.

However, president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said in an April 25 interview with The New York Times that vaccinated US travelers are expected to be permitted to travel to Europe this summer. As it prepares to open to visitors from countries with a good epidemiological situation, the EU is preparing to publish a list of those COVID-safe countries for reference.

EU suggests policy for its member states, but individual countries ultimately set out their own rules. For example, Italy is now welcoming American travelers on COVID-safe flights, and France is preparing to welcome vaccinated travelers from non-EU countries on June 9. Some European countries that are not EU members, like Iceland, have already opened their borders to vaccinated travelers.

Will I need to have received a specific vaccine?

It is important to note that the vaccines received must have been approved by the European Medicines Agency, which includes the Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. This could potentially be extended to vaccines approved by the World Health Organisation's emergency use listing process.

Do I need a vaccine passport?

This hasn't been clarified yet. It is expected that travelers will need to corroborate vaccination with documentation that is compatible with the EU's proposed Digital Green Certificate, which it estimates may be in use by June. In addition, French president, Emmanuel Macron, revealed that his government and the White House are finalizing the technical discussions around granting a "special pass" to allow US citzens to enter as part of a broader tourism reopening.

Read more: How the UK and Europe plan to launch vaccine passports

Are there any potential restrictions?

Due to the emergence of COVID-19 variants of concern, the Commission is proposing a new ‘emergency brake' mechanism to limit the risk of such variants entering the EU. This will allow member states to act quickly to prevent travelers from countries where variants of concern are spreading from entering, including those who are vaccinated.

What is the COVID-19 situation like in Europe?

The situation in Europe is still volatile in places thanks to a third wave of COVID-19 that swept over parts of the continent in spring. But the situation has improved in recent weeks as more vaccines become available. Indeed some countries, including France, Ireland and Italy, are easing lockdown restrictions already, opening tourist attractions and resuming hospitality services.

Are there flights available to Europe?

Airlines are gradually increasing their services to Europe from many countries as travel restrictions ease and it's likely that this will jump again as soon as there's an official date for Europe's reopening. In the meantime, United Airlines has added new flights to Croatia, Iceland and Greece. Delta is launching a direct flight between Boston and Iceland, New York and Croatia, as well as quarantine-free flights to Italy, alongside American Airlines. Passengers must provide proof of a negative PCR or antigen test taken no more than 48 hours before departure to Italy, regardless of their vaccination status.

As the rules and restrictions are frequently updated, please check with the relevant embassy for any country you hope to visit to obtain the most up-to-date travel information.

This article was originally published on April 26, 2021 and updated on May 19, 2021.

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As a recommendation to change the status of nightclubs and live music venues gathers momentum, Germany seems to be on track to acquire a swathe of new cultural institutions. This means that music clubs with a focus on artists, young talent and program curation would be placed in the same bracket as theaters, operas, museums and concert halls.

Confirming its agreement that "clubs are culture," the German Bundestag (federal parliament) has now passed a resolution requesting that the country's government recognizes music clubs and live venues under building law as facilities for cultural purposes. Berlin clubs, in particular, are a huge draw for travelers, and the sheer volume and variety of locations throughout the city has made it a key destination for music fans around the globe.

The change in legal status from "entertainment venues" to "cultural institutions" will protect certain clubs from gentrification, and means they will be permitted to open in more rural regions of the country. In confirming the cultural status of music clubs and live music venues, the Bundestag says it is confirming and honoring "the achievements of the operators, artists, employees and freelancers." They will also receive tax breaks. Noise protection solutions will be implemented to help to resolve conflicts of use between the clubs and approaching developments.

According to Live Musik Kommission, club culture is of great cultural and economic value to Germany. "The clubs are entrepreneurially, culturally, socially and architecturally unique open spaces that invite you to experiment, meet and experience" it says. "At the same time, they are an important part of the cultural and creative industries with around 50,000 employees and freelancers with an annual turnover of around €1.1bn ($1.1bn)."

Further information can be found on Live Musik Kommission's website here.

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Travelers with an adventurous spirit may be adding a new suspended pedestrian bridge in Portugal to their bucket lists. The 516 Arouca Bridge has opened to the public, and it has an open metal grid floor that allows those crossing it to see the Rio Paiva river beneath.

The 516m-long (1693ft) bridge is suspended 175m (574ft) above the river in Arouca Unesco Global Geopark just outside Porto. The bridge connects the escarpment of the Aguieiras waterfall and the area of the Paiva Gorge, two of the 41 geosites of the geopark. Its length makes it the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world, a record that was previously held by the Charles Kuonen Suspension Bridge in Switzerland.

Designed by Itecons and constructed by Conduril - Engenharia, SA, the bridge is supported by two V-shaped concrete towers. Its design combines elements of a Tibet-style footbridge, and its floor and side railings are made of metal grids to allow visitors to see all around. Construction started in 2017, but was delayed because the location of the bridge needed to be changed due to deployment difficulties and unforeseen geological problems. Construction completed last July, and the bridge has now opened to members of the public aged six and over.

This bridge aims to attract engineering lovers, nature connoisseurs and people who are fond of extreme experiences. Those who cross it will be able to see the Aguieiras waterfall, Paiva walkways, Alvarenga Bridge and Paiva Gorge. It costs €12 ($14.46) for adults and €10 ($12.05) for students, children and seniors. Further information is available on its website.

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Those hoping to visit Yosemite National Park in California should bear in mind that day visitors will need to have made advance reservations if they're planning to go between 21 May and 30 September.

The park, located in Sierra Nevada mountains, is a Unesco World Heritage site, and it normally welcomes over four million visitors annually. After its closure in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a phased reopening requiring permits began in June for day visitors. It was designed to cope with guest numbers as the park reopened, but that was lifted in November.

Although the permit system resulted in Yosemite’s visitation rates dropping by half, the system will now be implemented again this year for day visitors during the peak summer season. By limiting the number of visitors, the aim is to facilitate social distancing and curb the spread of the virus. The numbers permitted to enter will also depend on the tier that the county is in at the time. Once they are there, visitors can marvel at the granite monster of El Capitan, the precipitous drop of Bridalveil Fall, and the green, often-wildflower-strewn Half Dome.

Park shuttle buses will not run this summer, and each day-use reservation is valid for one vehicle for three days. Around the US, the National Park Service is using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. Guests at Yosemite are still urged to follow CDC guidance by maintaining a safe distance between groups, wearing a cloth face covering when social distancing cannot be maintained, and staying home if feeling ill or experiencing symptoms.

Reservations for the day tickets can be made here.

This article was originally published on 5 June 2020 and updated on 14 April 2021.

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An ancient pharaonic city built around 3500 years ago has been discovered near Luxor in Egypt. It has been revealed to be part of a palace built for the jubilee of the pharoah Amenhotep III at Malqata, who ruled between 1386 and 1353 BCE, approximately.

The city at the 'Palace of the Dazzling Aten' was uncovered in September 2020 near the Colossi of Memnon, the two massive stone statues of the pharoah, who was Egypt’s greatest builder. It is also located near to the Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, and the Ramesseum, the mortuary temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II. Along with the palace, the area housed other palaces, administrative buildings, a temple dedicated to the god Amun and a desert altar known as the the Kom al-Samak.

There was also a huge ceremonial lake known as the Birket Habu, and a vast settlement of houses and workshops to provision the palace, stretching along the Nile for a distance of over seven kilometers. Almost all of this was built from unbaked mud bricks that have now decayed. According to Peter Lacovara, director of Ancient Egyptian Heritage and Archaeology Fund, the new discovery is like an ancient Egyptian Pompeii, where you can walk down the streets of a village from 3500 years ago. "What is remarkable about the latest discovery is its amazing degree of preservation," he tells Lonely Planet.

"Some of the houses that were found were preserved up to a height of three meters and with much of the contents still intact, including tools, kitchens and pottery vessels - many with the beautiful blue painted decoration known as ‘palace ware.’ Inscriptions on some of the pots name the settlement as ‘the Rise of Aten’ and date them to Amenhotep III’s jubilee. Another inscription discovered records the name of the ‘the domain of the dazzling Aten,’ the name of a temple built at Karnak by Amenhotep’s son, Akhenaton, the “heretic pharaoh” who with his wife Nefertiti, ruled after Amenhotep III.

Peter says that this discovery demonstrates how rich the archaeology of this area was, and its need to be preserved and protected as a national park for Egypt. Further information on the Ancient Egyptian Heritage and Archaeology Fund can be found here.

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With the world opening up to remote workers and digital nomads, an increasing number of destinations are offering incentives to sweeten the packages. This includes West Virginia, which has announced that it will pay those who move there $12,000 (€10,084) and give them a year's free outdoor recreation worth over $2500 (€2101).

The Ascend WV program offers remote workers who move there $10,000 (€8404) in cash during their first year and $2000 (€1681) during the second year. They will be able to avail of a free co-working space to stay connected, and attend events to connect entrepreneurs with state business leaders. The ability to earn remote work certifications through West Virginia University and access to John Chambers College of Business and Economics’ entrepreneurship ecosystem will also be offered.

As the US state is known for its outdoor living, it is offering a recreation package for participants to encourage a healthy work-life balance. They can explore its 2032 miles of whitewater, 4000 rock-climbing routes, 1.5 million acres of public lands, 1500 miles of public trails and the newest US national park, New River Gorge Park and Preserve.

The package also offers guided excursions to experience West Virginia’s outdoor recreation venues and access to more than $1200 (€1009) in free outdoor gear rentals for use with family and friends. “We are rolling out the red carpet and inviting remote workers from across the country to make Almost Heaven, West Virginia their home,” says West Virginia governor, Jim Justice.

In order to be eligible for the program, participants must currently work remotely or have the ability to work remotely full-time at a business based outside of West Virginia, or be self-employed outside the state. Evidence of employment and income will be required prior to acceptance. They must reside full-time outside the state and have the ability to relocate to the greater Morgantown area within six months of acceptance. They are also required to be US citizens or permanent legal residents.

Applications are now being accepted for Morgantown, which will be the first of the state's participating cities, with others including Lewisburg and Shepherdstown. To learn more and apply to the Ascend WV remote work program, visit its website here.

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