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🚗 Government Impacts Travel Again & Weekly Travel News Roundup
Published about 1 month ago • 7 min read
The Places Where We Go Travel Newsletter - February 2, 2026
Welcome to February. Today is Groundhog Day, Candlemas Day, and this week, the Winter Olympics begin.
In general travel news, we learned that Americans lost 1.5 million hours due to flight delays. There's a stunner of a number. We have more flight-related updates for you below to help you plan your upcoming flights.
A partial U.S. government shutdown officially began this past Saturday, but there’s no need to pause your travel planning just yet. While essential funding for the Department of Homeland Security is on hold until the House returns Monday, key travel personnel—including TSA agents and air traffic controllers—are still on the job to help you explore the world safely. Experts suggest that Winter Storm Gianna is the primary cause of delays, not the shutdown itself. If Congress resolves the funding gap quickly as expected, your upcoming journeys should remain seamless and stress-free.
💵 The Dollar is Down—Here’s What That Means for Your Wallet
The U.S. dollar has slipped to its lowest level in years, shaking up the budget for your next international adventure. If you locked in your travel rates a few months ago, you’re in the clear, but for those booking now, a weaker dollar unfortunately means your money won’t stretch as far in destinations like London or Lisbon.
While this makes hotels and dining abroad more expensive for American tourists, it’s a complex shift that actually benefits U.S. companies with overseas customers. If you're planning a trip soon, keep a close eye on exchange rates—your purchasing power is fluctuating!
Starting February 1, 2026, arriving at the airport without the proper identification could cost you an extra $45. The TSA is introducing a new fee for travelers who reach security checkpoints without a REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification, such as a passport or Global Entry card. Instead of being turned away, you will have the option to pay $45 to enroll in "TSA ConfirmID," a process that verifies your identity and is valid for a 10-day travel period. While 94% of travelers are already prepared, this is a crucial reminder to ensure your documents are up to date so you can save that money for your travels!
Southwest Airlines has officially launched its assigned seating policy, transforming the travel experience for loyal flyers. You can say goodbye to the stress of setting check-in alarms; your boarding pass will now indicate your assigned seat and one of eight new boarding groups.
This update ensures families and groups on the same reservation board are grouped together, while gate areas are being modernized with digital screens to replace traditional numbered stanchions. In the air, expect upgraded cabins featuring RECARO seats, power ports, and larger bins. However, this modernization also ends the "bags fly free" policy for checked luggage.
If you have upcoming plans involving the Middle East, it's time to check your itinerary. Due to rising geopolitical tensions and increased military activity in the Gulf, several major carriers—including KLM, Lufthansa, British Airways, and United—are suspending flights or rerouting to avoid specific airspace.
While regional giants like Emirates and Qatar Airways are still operating, expect delays of 30 to 90 minutes on longer routes. These changes are largely precautionary to ensure your safety, but with policies varying by airline and disruptions potentially lasting into spring, we highly recommend monitoring your flight status closely and allowing extra travel time for connections through hubs such as Dubai or Doha.
Heathrow Airport has officially lifted the ban on liquids over 100ml in carry-on luggage. Thanks to new high-tech CT scanners, you can now keep your full-sized toiletries (up to two liters!) and laptops inside your bag at security checkpoints. This upgrade promises to slash wait times and streamline your journey, letting you breeze through one of the world's busiest airports with ease.
Travelers looking to explore Pakistan should be aware that the U.S. Department of State currently advises reconsidering travel due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict.
While the country offers rich cultural experiences, specific regions including the Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, as well as areas near the Line of Control, have been designated as "Do Not Travel" zones.
Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
Protect Your Travel Investment with Insurance
Travel insurance often gets overlooked. A good policy can save you from hefty expenses from canceled flights to lost luggage.
Benefits include coverage for medical emergencies. While we may not anticipate getting sick or injured during our travels, it's always better to be prepared. Travel insurance can cover medical expenses, including hospitalization, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. Some policies also cover pre-existing conditions, making it easier for travelers with health concerns to enjoy their trip without worry.
Travel insurance also covers trip cancellations and interruptions. This is especially important for travelers who have invested significant money in trips. Suppose your flight is canceled or you must cut your trip short due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness or natural disasters. In that case, travel insurance can help reimburse your non-refundable expenses.
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Featured Place - Virginia City, Nevada
Why Visit? Virginia City, Nevada is a living Old West mining town built on the riches of the Comstock Lode, with wooden boardwalks, historic saloons, and Victorian buildings that make the whole place feel like a movie set. It’s known for its rich 19th‑century silver‑mining history, colorful local characters, and quirky events that range from ghost tours to camel and outhouse races.
Top Things To Do:
Virginia & Truckee Railroad: Ride the historic short-line railroad through old mining country and get scenic views plus a narrated history of the Comstock era.
Historic C Street & Saloons: Stroll the main street with its wooden sidewalks, antique shops, and authentic Old West saloons like the Bucket of Blood and the Washoe Club.
Mine tour (Ponderosa or Chollar Mine): Go underground with a guided tour to see original tunnels, timbering, and mining equipment from the silver boom days.
Travel Tip: The most comfortable time to visit is late spring through early fall, when mountain weather is mild, and most tours, trains, and events run on a full schedule. Parking is generally within walking distance from C Street, but the town is steep, so wear good shoes and be ready for hills and high-altitude sun.
We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on August 2026, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:
Solar Eclipse 2026 - The August 12th 2026 eclipse will be best seen along the path of totality that sweeps from western Greenland through western and northern Iceland (especially the Westfjords and Snæfellsnes Peninsula) and then across northern Spain and parts of Portugal, where cities such as León, Burgos, Valladolid, Bilbao, Valencia, Zaragoza, A Coruña, and Palma lie in or very near the center line and offer excellent viewing conditions if local weather cooperates.
Way Out West in Gothenburg, Sweden Music Festival, Gothenburg, Sweden - Annual three-day, eco‑minded, multi‑genre music and arts festival held each August in Gothenburg’s Slottsskogen park, with late‑night club shows around the city under the “Stay Out West” banner. (August 13-15, 2026)
Tillamook County Fair, Tillamook, Oregon – Classic American county fair with agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, live music, and quirky events on the Oregon Coast each August. (August 5-8, 2026)
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February 2026: We have a few Southern California road trips on the calendar.
Spring 2026: Camping and sightseeing in Las Vegas, Nevada.
January 2027: The NHL Winter Classic in Utah
Now is the time to start marking your calendar for your future bucket list adventures. If you have travel questions, feel free to reach out to us. You can reach us at comments@theplaceswherewego.com
Happy travels, and we hope to see you at The Places Where We Go.
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