All About Kumbh Mela (world’s biggest religious festival)

All About Kumbh Mela!

Once every 12 years, tens of millions of pilgrims stream to the small northern city of Allahabad from across India for the Maha Kumbh Mela, or Grand Pitcher Festival, at the point where the Ganges and Yamuna rivers meet with a third, mythical river.

Officials believe that over the next two months as many as 100 million people will pass through the temporary city that covers an area larger than Athens on a wide sandy river bank. That would make it larger even than previous festivals.

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Traveling During Chinese New Year

By: Sara Naumann,

The biggest question people have when traveling to China during Chinese New Year is whether or not they’re going to be able to go sight-seeing and shopping. The good news is, yes! Tourist attractions, in fact, most service industry-related businesses, will not close over the holidays. Of course, there are going to be big crowds – this is the busiest travel time in the year. But it’s still fun to visit China during it’s most festive season. Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about traveling during the holidays. Read More »

New Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports the following countries have yellow fever (YF) vaccination requirements for people who are entering their country after travel from a country with risk of YF virus transmission.

Algeria, Anguilla (UK), The Bahamas, Barbados, Bhutan, Botswana, Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Costa Rica, Dominica, Easter Island (Chile), El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mayotte (France), Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Saint Kitts (Saint Christopher) and Nevis (UK), Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Syria, Thailand Read More »

Israel: Updated Travel Warning

Source: U.S. Department of State

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued June 22, 2011, to update information on the general security environment.

The Gaza Strip and Southern Israel
The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip, which is under the control of Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization. American citizens in Gaza are advised to depart immediately. Read More »