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🛳️ Travel News This Week: Ski Deals, Cruise Changes, Temple Tours & a New Coaster
Published about 1 month ago • 6 min read
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 7, 2026
Happy Labor Day from the USA. We had an unusually cool and rainy day in Southern California yesterday, though we're bracing for a week of hot weather as our one-day respite fades away.
We enjoyed a fun weekend with friends - good food and wine. Today's plans include locking down details for our upcoming November getaways. And we're looking forward to a night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood at the end of this week.
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Travelers hoping to save on Christmas airfare should pay close attention to both when they book and when they fly. According to Dollar Flight Club, domestic U.S. fares have historically been lowest about 32 to 73 days before departure, with a sweet spot near 51 days out—making late September through October an important booking window. International travelers should generally start about four to six months in advance.
Flexibility can bring additional savings: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are often among the least expensive days to fly, while the weekend before Christmas and the first major post-holiday return days tend to be more expensive. Travelers who can shift their plans by even a few days, consider nearby airports, or return in early January may find noticeably better fares.
Ski travelers planning ahead for winter can save with Club Med’s “Ski Days” sale, available to book through September 15, 2026. The promotion offers up to $1,040 in instant savings on select all-inclusive stays at participating resorts in the French Alps and Club Med Québec-Charlevoix. Travelers booking flights through Club Med may also receive additional savings, transfers, and, on eligible flights to the French Alps, a complimentary checked bag. In Québec, select stays are discounted by 25%, with five-night air-inclusive packages starting at $1,849 per person from several major U.S. cities.
Princess Cruises is moving away from a longtime Bahamas tradition, removing Princess Cays from many upcoming itineraries after more than three decades of visits to the private destination on Eleuthera.
Published fall sailings are being shifted to RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay, while other itineraries are also showing visits to Carnival Corporation’s newer Celebration Key. Princess Cays, known for its white-sand shoreline, snorkeling, kayaking, and laid-back atmosphere, now appears on only a small number of upcoming cruises. F
or travelers booking a Princess sailing, it’s worth checking updated itineraries closely, especially if a private-island stop is an important part of the cruise experience.
Travelers will have a rare opportunity to tour the historic Salt Lake Temple during a public open house running from April 5 through October 1, 2027, following more than six years of major renovation work at Temple Square.
The free celebration is expected to draw millions of visitors, and timed tickets will be required, with releases beginning September 1, 2026. Beyond seeing the temple’s architecture and extensive seismic upgrades, visitors can explore Temple Square attractions, including the FamilySearch Library, Church History Museum, and Salt Lake Tabernacle, as well as downtown dining, hotels, and nearby mountain scenery. After the temple is dedicated, public access to its interior will end, making the 2027 open house a limited-time experience for travelers.
Universal Studios Hollywood will open “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” on September 16, bringing the park its first outdoor, high-speed roller coaster and the fastest coaster in the Universal Destinations & Experiences portfolio.
Inspired by the blockbuster film franchise, the attraction will reach speeds of up to 72 mph along 4,100 feet of track, with 360-degree rotating vehicles designed to simulate drifting. Riders can expect four launches, multiple inversions, forces up to 3.6 Gs, and themed cars modeled after favorites from the films. For travelers planning a Southern California theme park trip, the new coaster adds a major thrill ride to Universal’s lineup while giving Fast & Furious fans plenty of movie-inspired details to discover in the queue.
Why Visit? Death Valley is renowned for its dramatic extremes—it's the hottest, driest, and lowest national park in North America, featuring awe-inspiring landscapes like vast salt flats, colorful hills, rugged mountains, and mysterious moving rocks. Visitors are drawn to its unique geology and wilderness vistas.
Top Things To Do:
Badwater Basin: Walk on the salt flats at the lowest point in North America, 282 feet below sea level, and witness surreal, otherworldly terrain.
Zabriskie Point: Enjoy panoramic sunrise or sunset views over the golden badlands and multi-hued rock formations, perfect for photography and easy hiking.
Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes: Roam these iconic rolling dunes near Stovepipe Wells for sunset vistas, sandboarding, and the chance to spot desert wildlife.
Travel Tip: The best time to visit Death Valley is from mid-October through April, especially winter, when daytime temperatures are pleasant and crowds are thinner.
Avoid the summer months, as extreme heat—often exceeding 120°F—can make outdoor activities risky and uncomfortable; even simple walks can become hazardous. Always bring extra water, stay on marked trails, and plan outings for early morning or late afternoon to maximize comfort and safety.
We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on March 2027, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:
National Cherry Blossom Festival — Washington, D.C. - Washington celebrates spring and its historic friendship with Japan with cherry blossoms, cultural performances, parades, and special events; 2027 will mark the festival’s centennial. (March 20 to April 11, 2027)
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — Houston, Texas - One of the country’s largest Western celebrations combines championship rodeo competition, livestock exhibitions, carnival rides, live concerts, food, and Texas-style entertainment.rodeohouston (March 2 – Sunday, March 21, 2027)
St. Patrick’s Festival — Dublin, Ireland - Dublin hosts five days of parades, music, theater, cultural programming, and street celebrations culminating in St. Patrick’s Day. (March 13–17, 2027)
Las Fallas — Valencia, Spain - Valencia fills with enormous satirical sculptures, fireworks, marching bands, traditional costumes, and the dramatic burning of the monuments on the final night. (March 1 to March 19, 2027)
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