Tag Archives: adventure

Venice, Italy to Charge Tourists a Fee to Enter the City

Planning a day trip to Venice, Italy? Starting in May you’ll have to pay an entrance fee in an effort to combat overtourism.

By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

As if visiting the historical Italian city of Venice wasn’t expensive enough, it’s now about to get pricier for certain tourists. Anyone who is day-tripping it to Venice will have to pay up to $11.00 officials confirm. The city’s mayor Luigi Brugnaro tweeted an announcement earlier this year stating there would be a tax for day travelers and now we know the details.

Conde Nast Traveler reports, “Starting this May, all day-trippers will have to pay €3 ($3.40) for access to the floating city, and in 2020, the fee will begin fluctuating between €3, €6 ($6.80), and €10 depending on the time of year and number of visitors. (The city sees around 24 million tourists who visit just for the day, without spending a night within the city center, each year.) All that revenue will be used to clean and maintain the city’s lagoons and public spaces, and to supplement more security officers.”

While local officials are in favor of the new tax law, collecting the fee could be rather challenging. Tourists can enter Venice by car, ship, train, bus, or plane.

The Daily Beast writes, “Last May, the Venice city council introduced turnstiles into the old city from the main square used by the hordes of cruise-ship passengers who are seen to be the most problematic tourists—and primary target of the new tax—to the city. The turnstiles are intended to ebb the flow of people into the city when it is impossible to move or when the number of people poses a security risk. The city can close the turnstiles and only allow citizens and those staying at hotels into the city. Those opposed to the turnstiles argued that it was one step closer to turning the canal city into a Disneyland. The new entrance fee will likely do nothing to calm those fears.”

Residents, tourists staying the night, employees who commute into the city for work, and students studying in Venice will be exempt from new tax.

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How to Explore Petra, Jordan in a Day!

Planning a trip to Petra? If you’re short on time it can be done in a day, so check out our tips on visiting.

The rose colored lost city in Jordan was once a forgotten civilization, but today Petra is one of the country’s most valuable treasures and greatest tourist attractions.

By: Heather Newgen | Twitter: @hnvoluntourist

Located amid majestic canyons and hidden behind a barrier of rugged mountains, Petra is full of mysterious charm. The structures, which are carved into the vibrant towering sandstone cliffs, are abandoned temples and tombs, and the breathtaking ruins are considered to be one of world’s most visually stunning archaeological sites.

2,000 years ago, Petra was created by the Nabataeans and was once a thriving trading center. Situated between the Dead Sea and Red Sea, it was primarily known as the capital of the Nabatean empire between 400 B.C and A.D. 106. It was completely untouched and overlooked until a Swiss explorer stumbled upon it in 1812.

Now, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in 2007, it was named one of the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” In the last few years, Petra has been appearing on countless adventurous travel must-see blogs, and rightfully so. And the Treasury Building is where “Indiana Jones” was filmed.

So, if you’re one of the many people dying to see the historical location, watch our vlog for helpful travel tips and to see what the awesome experience is really like.

For those visiting longer, which we recommend, there are hotel options nearby that cater to tourists heading to Petra. Consider buying the two or three day pass. It’s also suggested to purchase a separate pass for the Petra by Night event that places every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. And make sure to prep well with essential gear like comfortable walking boots or sneakers, camera, water, sunscreen and a jacket.

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