Our weekly newsletter provides the latest travel news highlights. Plus, stay up-to-date on our newest blog posts, travel videos and podcast episodes.
Share
Fuel Shortages & Your Summer Travel plus Weekly Travel News Roundup
Published 3 days ago • 6 min read
The Places Where We Go Travel Newsletter - April 20, 2026
Happy National Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Day - a USA day that celebrates a sweet cake that contains pineapples and cherries. Americans have been enjoying this springtime cake since the early 1900s, when many cakes were made in cast-iron skillets.
The chaos continues in our home as the renovation project feels as it has reached the halfway point. We've got our fingers crossed that we'll be able to put things back in their place after a full floor replacement and kitchen remodel by the middle of May.
In personal travel updates, we booked several camping trips for the summer over the last few days, so we have that to look forward to coming up soon. We'll pick up our Airstream from the shop this week, and she'll be ready to roll out to the campground equipped with a new 12-volt refrigerator, new tires, and a 3-inch higher profile, as we gave her a much-needed lift.
A growing jet fuel shortage tied to conflict near the Strait of Hormuz could create serious headaches for international travelers this summer, especially on routes to and from Europe. Airport and airline officials are warning that if fuel supplies remain tight, travelers could see higher ticket costs, added airline fees, schedule reductions, and more cancellations in the weeks ahead.
Triggered by supply disruptions tied to the U.S. war in Iran, jet fuel costs have climbed sharply, pushing some airfares to double last year's levels. Airlines are also adding or raising fuel surcharges and scaling back routes—especially in fuel-sensitive regions like Asia—thereby making travel more expensive and potentially less convenient.
For travelers, this means planning ahead, budgeting for extra fees, and expecting fewer flight options in the months ahead.
A new WalletHub study ranking the largest U.S. airlines puts Spirit Airlines in the top spot for reliability, based on factors travelers care about most: delays, cancellations, mishandled bags, and denied boardings. The report also named Spirit the best overall airline in the country for 2026 and the most affordable, suggesting that low fares do not always come at the expense of dependability. For travelers navigating today’s unpredictable air travel landscape, the rankings offer a useful snapshot of which airlines may deliver the smoothest experience, while JetBlue, Hawaiian, American, and Southwest also stood out for comfort, and Frontier earned top marks for safety.
Travelers flying through Chicago O’Hare International Airport this summer may notice fewer flight options—but potentially a much smoother experience. The Federal Aviation Administration is capping daily operations between May 17 and October 24 to prevent the severe delays and cancellations that plagued last summer, when fewer than 60% of flights were on time. By limiting traffic, adding air traffic controllers, and optimizing routes, officials hope to balance demand with what the airport can realistically handle. For travelers, that could mean more reliable schedules and less time stuck in terminals during peak travel season.
Opening on 18 April 2026 in East London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the new V&A East Museum is positioning itself as more than just another grand cultural institution. Built with input from local communities and designed to feel emotionally connected to the people it serves, the museum combines permanent galleries on creativity and design with major temporary exhibitions, starting with The Music is Black: A British Story, a powerful look at 125 years of Black music in Britain. For travelers, this is a compelling new reason to explore East London: a major museum that pairs world-class objects with a fresh, inclusive perspective on culture, identity, and creative ambition.
The U.S. has reissued its Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Trinidad and Tobago with no change in overall risk level, but with several notable updates travelers should be aware of.
The “kidnapping” risk indicator has been removed, while a new note highlights increased risks in certain areas and emphasizes limited healthcare access in rural regions.
The advisory also underscores a continued, though unspecified, risk of terrorism. For travelers, this means carefully reviewing restricted areas, staying alert, and planning ahead for safety, health access, and insurance coverage before visiting.
Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
Maximize Your Vacation Days For More Travel
Here are some top tips to maximize your vacation days and experience more travel adventures:
Combine paid time off with holiday weekends
Explore alternative work schedules like four-day workweeks to create longer breaks
Consider extending work trips with personal time for extra exploration
Distribute your time off throughout the year to avoid burnout and keep your travel spirit alive, whether through several short getaways or one extended trip
Take advantage of remote work or half days to make travel transitions smoother and more affordable.
By using these strategies, you can turn even a limited PTO balance into a year filled with enriching journeys and unforgettable memories.
The Places Where We Go contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you when you purchase using one of these Amazon links. Read our disclaimer and privacy policy for more information.
Why Visit? Zion National Park is known for its stunning red rock cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and diverse wildlife. It is a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering breathtaking views and unforgettable experiences.
Top Things To Do:
The Narrows: A popular hiking trail through a deep canyon carved by the Virgin River.
Angels Landing: A challenging but rewarding hike that offers panoramic views of the park.
Emerald Pools Trail: A family-friendly hike that leads to beautiful waterfalls and pools.
Travel Tip: For practical tips, it's best to visit Zion National Park during the shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) to avoid crowds and extreme temperatures. Additionally, taking the shuttle around the park is highly recommended as parking can be limited, and the shuttle provides easy access to various trailheads.
We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on October 2026, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:
Lone Pine Film Festival (California) - The Lone Pine Film Festival is an annual celebration in California’s Alabama Hills that honors classic Western films and movie history with screenings, celebrity appearances, and tours of iconic filming locations. (October 8-11, 2026)
Happy travels, and we hope to see you at The Places Where We Go.
P.S. We'd appreciate it if you could share the newsletter with your friends who are also passionate about travel. Let's spread the word and inspire others to explore the world with us! - New subscriptions are free and easy with this link
The Places Where We Go Travel Newsletter - April 13, 2026 Happy National Scrabble Day - celebrate by calling a friend to play a game or two of the world-famous game. We're back after a week off, celebrating during a busy Easter week. We also took a few days away from our home renovation project to enjoy a day at Disneyland with family, made our first-ever visit to Christ Cathedral in Orange County (highly recommended), and watched the Anaheim Ducks snap their recent losing streak to keep...
The Places Where We Go Travel Newsletter - March 30, 2026 Happy National Virtual Vacation Day, the day that reminds us all to relax, recharge, and rejuvenate, no matter where we are. While our home is in disarray with our kitchen remodeling project, we took the weekend to visit Disneyland to celebrate a birthday for one of the littles in the family. A reminder that in the coming weeks, our production schedule for the podcast, YouTube videos, and blog posts is under the banner of "we'll...
The Places Where We Go Travel Newsletter - March 23, 2026 Happy National Tamale Day from the USA. We're back from a weekend attending the Los Angeles RV Supershow. It's the first time since 2019 that we've had a large RV show in L.A. Hopefully, we'll have a video recap on our YouTube channel next weekend. Demolition of our kitchen started last Monday as we're underway with our renovation project at the house. That will keep our travel limited until June. As a result, the podcast, YouTube...
