Los Cabos, Mexico Hits Record Tourism Numbers—Here’s Why


Los Cabos is located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, in the state of Baja California Sur. It’s where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. The region has long since been a favorite destination place for American travelers, so it’s not surprising that the destination has quickly recovered post covid pandemic. We talked to Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board, about travel trends and the changing demographic of the Los Cabos traveler.

Record Number of Travelers

Are travelers returning to Los Cabos post-pandemic? How are visitor numbers?

Los Cabos is doing great and is experiencing a historic growth in demand and arrivals of international travelers.

Los Cabos not only recovered 100% of all of its travel active in 2021, but is on track to achieve a remarkable growth. Year-to-date, the U.S. market has presented a record growth of almost 15% in arrivals when compared to 2019. With over 2.8 million visitors in 2021 and record growth of 47.3% in visitation from the U.S. during the first six months of 2022 compared to the same time in 2021, Los Cabos has established itself as a preferred travel destination for U.S. travelers.

The destination’s fast recovery can be attributed to two important factors. One is people’s desire to travel and to experience new activities in a safe and secure environment. To that end, Los Cabos has been the choice to loyal and repeat visitors that were familiar with the destination and trusted Los Cabos due to the destination’s quick response to the pandemic. Additionally, Los Cabos has been a preferred destination for new travelers looking for destinations in close proximity to the U.S. with personalized experiences that would guarantee a level of confidence during the current travel turmoil. Los Cabos’ close proximity to the US and air connectivity via commercial or private aviation has allowed travelers of all types to visit the destination with confidence.

The second factor can be attributed to Los Cabos’ response protocols to crisis. COVID-19 brought challenges to the travel industry but it was also an opportunity for the destination to strengthen its safety and security protocols, that were established even before the pandemic to ensure business continuity during challenging times. During COVID, Los Cabos focused all of its private and public efforts on improving its product offering with a safety-first approach that allowed the destination to continue welcoming travelers in a secure environment.

Luxury Travel in Los Cabos

Talk about the demographic of your visitors. Who is traveling to Los Cabos?

The pandemic has propelled the arrival of affluent travelers looking for unique and tailored experiences in our safety-first centered destination. There are abundant luxury-focused options for in the destination for these travelers. For example, in May 2022, Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts announced the acceptance of Nobu Hotel Los Cabos into its signature list of luxury hotels, positioning Los Cabos as the only destination in Mexico, Latin America, and the Caribbean with 13 Virtuoso properties and the one with most luxury rooms per square feet in Mexico.

Many of our luxury travelers start their luxury experience even prior to arrival – Los Cabos has become Mexico’s busiest travel spot for private aviation and the destination of choice for international travelers traveling via private flights. Notably, Los Cabos recorded a nearly 80% growth in arrivals of international travelers via private aviation in 2021 when compared to 2019, representing a 26% of all air travel activity.

From luxury travelers looking for personalized services to conscious visitors looking for authentic wellness and sustainable experiences that allow them to disconnect and recharge, Los Cabos have continued to see a high demand from U.S travelers that are willing to stay for longer periods of time and spend more on experiences.

Last Minute Bookings, but Longer Stays

What travel trends are you seeing in Los Cabos?

Overall, travelers are staying longer and demanding more personalized services that range from private accommodations, exclusive transportation via private aviation to authentic experiences with a high level of customer service.

One trend we’ve seen in the destination is that tourists are booking trips closer to the date of departure, but are staying for longer. For example, in May 2022, 29.1% of flight ticket purchases to Los Cabos were made two months in advance, an increase from 23.8% in May 2019. On average, bookings were made 52 days before the travel date, which is 20 fewer days compared to the average in May 2019. In July 2022, the average stay was 6.5 days.

Travel Post Covid

How has covid affected things?

COVID-19 has accelerated a trend for sustainability in general and in the travel industry, and I think it’s going to be one of the most favored things that we see develop further.

After COVID-19, everyone is focused on making sure that tourism activity is sustainable not only in the short term but also the long term. This is no longer the traditional understanding of sustainability with “environment” as the main focus, but sustainability at a deeper level – it’s a cohesive look at the total well-being of the destination, including the environment, community, and the travelers with a look how sustainable you are living in a community that interacts with tourism.

Travelers now look for a more meaningful connection between the community and the environment, so I think that over the next few years, everyone is going to implement more measures to make sure that sustainability and balance is achieved.

New Hotel Openings in Los Cabos

Are there any new hotel or restaurant openings?

We have excited about hotel growth with 540 new rooms to be added from 2022 to 2024. This includes the St. Regis Los Cabos at Quivira, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Cabo San Lucas at Cabo del Sol in 2023, Park Hyatt in 2023, Vidanta East Cape in 2023, Amanvari in 2024 and Soho House & Beach Club in 2024.

We have a gastronomic area named 23400 District in downtown San José del Cabo. This is a traditional Mexican town with plazas, churches and markets. Almost every restaurant is within walking distance. This past year, the destination developed “Tasty Tuesdays” where they offer special menus and feature the chefs and local recipes, local ingredients. We want to create a synergy in the area, around the restaurants, around the art galleries and around a community, that offers a unique experience as visitors explore the area.

We are also developing a few projects around the community in the more rural areas. There are some historic destinations at a very close distance to Los Cabos that you can visit and learn more about traditional missionaries in the Baja California Sur Peninsula.



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Should You Tip Your Food Driver If You Are Already Paying Delivery Fees?


When you’re out for dinner, tipping your waiter or waitress is expected of you. As per American custom, the average amount restaurant-goers tip is about 15 to 20 percent of the bill.

But, when it comes to delivery drivers, social customs don’t seem to be as clear. So, should you tip the delivery driver, and if so, how much?

A new survey shows that on average, only 15.7 percent of Americans tip their driver when getting food delivered, and 64 percent of them tip a percentage of the food cost versus a flat amount.

People are evenly divided on how they tip, with over half of the respondents, 52 percent, tipping in cash and 46 percent tipping via the app they ordered with.

Newsweek has gathered information from delivery drivers and delivery service providers, to find out whether or not you should tip your delivery driver.

Should You Tip Your Delivery Driver?

driver delivering pizzas
A stock image shows a delivery driver delivering pizzas. Newsweek has gathered information from delivery drivers and delivery service providers, to find out whether or not you should tip your delivery driver and how much if so.
Getty Images/Getty

Most food delivery providers encourage customers to tip drivers, even if they’re paying delivery fees, especially if the driver had to ride in the rain or if they had to put in some extra effort delivering an exceptionally large order.

A spokesperson for food ordering and delivery platform Grubhub told Newsweek: “Our drivers are a top priority for us, and tipping allows diners to show appreciation for the hard work that goes into delivering every order. That’s why we give diners the opportunity to easily add a tip at checkout in our app, and we encourage consumers to tip 20 percent for meals that arrive on time and as ordered.

“Diners are always welcome to tip drivers in cash if that’s their preference. We also encourage more generous tips for drivers who deliver large orders, have to drive or travel in inclement weather, or have to climb a few flights of stairs.”

For drivers, a tip on each order can make a big difference. In fact, they even try to avoid tipless trips whenever they can.

What Drivers Think About Tipping Culture

If you’re trying to order food but no driver is picking up your order it may be because you’re not a tipper, and as Ray, a delivery driver for Walmart explained, sometimes the driver would actually lose money picking up a tipless delivery.

He told Newsweek: “Myself and my daughter deliver food. I deliver for Walmart and she delivers for DoorDash. We rarely accept no tip orders, because 99 percent of the time, it would cost us to deliver. I’ve also noticed that the no-tippers request more and are more likely to leave a bad rating for absolutely no reason. My time, effort, and gas are most definitely deserving of a tip.”

Ray’s daughter, Lisa, also had a lot to say about this issue, pointing out that the situation for them is only getting worse.

She said: “I’ve been dashing for nearly three years and it’s getting much worse. DoorDash cut our base pay from $3.00 per order to $2.50 per order during the pandemic, and without the customer tipping, it’s simply not worth it with the outrageous gas prices.”

She added: “It’s a convenience service and should be treated as such. I am a former waitress and made very good tips walking the food from the kitchen to customer’s tables, so I’m really not understanding how anyone doesn’t tip when we wait for their orders and drive it to their house.”

DoorDash previously told Newsweek: “Nationally, on average, Dashers earn over $25 per hour they’re on a delivery, including 100 [percent] of tips, and work fewer than four hours a week.

“Dashers are always shown a guaranteed minimum amount they will earn for completing a delivery before they even accept the delivery, as well as the location and name of the restaurant, and estimated total mileage for the delivery so that they can make the best decision for themselves while dashing.”

Delivery
An image sent by Lisa, delivery driver for DoorDash, shows a delivery she refused to pick up because of the low pay.
Lisa Wilson

Mark, a delivery driver from Georgia, who’s been working for Pizza Hut for roughly three months, told Newsweek that delivering food for a living is a very unhealthy profession, calling it a “roller coaster for tips.”

He said: “If the company paid delivery drivers a decent wage, it would be different. But, the wage they pay us drivers is very terrible. I make roughly $7.25 an hour to upwards of 10 dollars depending on what I am doing. If I am in the store, it’s $10, but if I am on the road it’s $7.25 an hour.

“They pay for mileage but even that is very hard to work with, as you literally have to drive their route or you end up spending gas instead of making back what you put in gas. Where I am it’s 40 cents a mile, so roughly 50 miles earns me $20 for the night.

According to figures from Talent.com, the average U.S. pizza hut delivery driver is paid $36,387 per year, or $18.66 per hour, with entry level positions starting at $29,250 annually.

“Tips is the worse of it, the most expensive delivery I have done was near $110, and got a 2-cent tip, the change of the money given, and it’s common where I live to get none to maybe 5 or 25 cents for the change out of the dollar. If you have a fuel-efficient vehicle, it’s worth it, but most kids and adults who are doing this job have the gas-guzzling old vehicles.”

“Some nights I make good in tips, well good for me is over 30 dollars in tips, but a lot of slow nights I make 5 to 10 dollars for 7 to 10 deliveries. So yes, delivering food no matter what it is, can really be a terrible way to live. Not getting a tip and having to drive 10 miles round trip really affects people.”

How Much You Should Tip A Delivery Driver?

According to Ridester, when you’re ordering food online, tipping etiquette usually falls right in line with the standard 15 percent, which it says is fine for standard or small orders that are easy to pick up and drop off, but not enough for larger orders.

When it comes to large orders, like requests that involve more than two bags, they recommend a base tip of at least 18-20 percent, “to ensure your driver is well-compensated for their efforts.”

What Percentage Of The Tip Actually Goes To The Delivery Driver?

A spokesperson for DoorDash told Newsweek that delivery drivers earn over $25 per hour when they’re on delivery, including 100 percent of tips.

“Dasher pay is based on base pay, customer tips, and promotions. Base pay is calculated based on the estimated time, distance, and desirability of an order. Applicable promotions such as Peak Pay and Challenges are added to base pay after the order is accepted, as well as 100 percent of customer tips, always,” said DoorDash, adding that “every dollar customers tip is an extra dollar in the Dasher’s pocket.”

“The Essential Guide to Tipping Your Delivery Driver” found on the Grubhub website, explains that while its tips always go to drivers, delivery fees don’t.

“When tipping on Grubhub, the tip money goes straight to the delivery drivers, as it should. Some orders may include an additional ‘delivery fee’, but this is not a tip (drivers do not receive this money), so make sure not to deduct this charge from your tip amount.”

But the way tips work is not a one-size-fits-all scenario, and Pizza Hut is a prime example.

According to the restaurant chain’s website, when you tip your drivers in cash, they keep the full amount, while tips paid through cards and Apple Pay are split, with 70 percent going to your server and the other 30 percent being distributed among the other team members working in the restaurant.

Do you have a similar monetary dilemma? Let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured on Newsweek.



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40 Back to School Gifts


Solo3 Wireless Headphones

They’re hands-free, allowing activation thanks to Siri, and allowing them to be used without laying so much as a finger on their phone. They offer great sound quality, and are plenty loud. You’re going to be listening to your favorite tunes for a pretty long while thanks to the outstanding battery life.

 

Get a pair at Walmart.

 

Marvel Favorite Heroes Hoodie

This unique hoodie makes a great gift for your favorite superhero fanatic. They can go through the Marvel periodic table with all their favorite heroes and villains on it. Enjoy a great fit and plenty of comfort with a unique hoodie from marvel. A stylish hoodie that’s also great for any occasion 

 

Get one at Target.

 

Powerbeats Pro

Enjoy your favorite songs, TV shows, and conversations with the Powerbeats Pro wireless buds. These headphones also come with active noise cancelation, which is great because of all the remote learning being done these days. 

 

Get a pair on Amazon.

 

Quad Chunky Ring Set

If your kid is into fashion, they’ll definitely appreciate a set of super trendy chunky jewelry. They come in several colors matching up to the rainbow. Rest assured you’re getting exactly what you bargain for. The seller cares and will even go the extra mile to make sure the rings are just right for you.

 

Get them on Etsy.

 

Loki Slippers

A comfy pair of slippers can be worn all year round. They’re great indoors and outdoors and come in all sorts of sizes for kids of all ages. They hold up nicely against the elements and are also water-resistant.

 

Get a pair on Amazon.

 

We’re Not Really Strangers Card Game

A great gift for sleepovers, girl’s nights, or hanging out with her new boyfriend. This box of question cards will help them get to know each other better by inciting deep conversations to build up meaningful connections. 

 

Get one on Amazon.

 

Smoko Toasty Heatable Plushie

She’ll love this snuggly stuffed animal, which comes in a range of cute designs including a sloth, croissant, corgi, koala, boba, and more. You can heat it in the microwave and it comes with a lavender-scented pouch. It’s great company when you’re watching a movie, or studying for a test. 

 

Get one on eBay.

 

Novel Duffel Bag

Great as a weekend bag for the gym. This duffel bag even comes with a separate compartment for your shoes. This duffle bag features a timeless look and utility style that makes it a great companion for the gym and long trips. It’s got plenty of carry options and storage space, including your shoes.

 

Get one on Amazon.

 

“Things They Don’t Teach You In School” Game

Why doesn’t the Mona Lisa have eyebrows? In what year was shampoo invented? What is the maximum number of holes a bowling bowl is allowed to have? These are just some of the questions you can expect in an unconventional trivia game with more than 400 questions and answers you’ll never see coming.

 

Get one on Amazon.

 

Quip Smart Electric Toothbrush

This brush has timed sonic vibrations and allows them to track their oral hygiene habits with an app. It includes things like duration of brushing, coverage and brush strokes. 

 

Get one at Best Buy.

 





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Swimply side hustler made $195,000 renting out his pool


On the surface, Jim Battan’s side hustle seems like an American dream: He’s made $195,379 in revenue since September 2020 by renting out his amenity-packed backyard pool to over 10,000 people.

But Battan, a 58-year-old IT consultant, says he cautions others against mimicking his side hustle, even though he is Swimply’s highest earner out of 25,000 pools in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.

“If people think they’re going to build a pool and turn it into something that will earn $200,000 in two years, it’s a little bit of a fantasy,” warns Battan. “I’ve put a ton of work into it, and you have to have the right mindset. You have to have the right circumstances and a competitive advantage no one else has,” he says.

Here are the three reasons why Battan’s six-figure side hustle isn’t for casual pool owners.

1. Renting out your pool as a side hustle is competitive

When Battan joined Swimply two years ago, the Covid-19 pandemic had shut down public pools and there were only about seven other Swimply pools near West Linn, Oregon, the town of 27,000 people where Battan and his wife live. Now, there are at least 88 pools available to rent near the Portland, Oregon suburb, according to the site.

Battan says that number is growing — and the competition has more than halved his pool’s traffic.

“[Demand] is down even more than 50% over the last couple of months,” Battan says. “Kids are back in school and at soccer practice. On Swimply, there’s been phenomenal growth on the host side, so people have a [larger] array of pools to choose from.”

Despite decreasing demand, Battan continues to out-earn all other pool-owners on Swimply. He pulled in $117,000 last year, according to documents reviewed by CNBC Make It, but that number has dropped to $58,500 in 2022.

In July, Swimply co-founder and CEO Bunim Laskin told CNBC Make It that increased competition just means the platform is growing, and that successfully run pools will always have swimmers.

“As with any marketplace, there are ups and downs for individual hosts,” Laskin said at the time. “As the word gets out about Swimply, and we add additional hosts to the platform, we are also adding just as many additional users.”

Battan doesn’t regret joining the platform, though some side-effects of Swimply’s growth — from increased competition to occasionally slow customer support — have been frustrating. “It’s been a challenge for me,” he says.

2. Maintaining the pool is expensive

Battan’s 26-foot by 18-foot pool was built in 2012, when his three daughters lived at home and could enjoy it during summers. But Battan, who says he never shies away from a project, wanted the pool to be a luxury experience. He spent $110,000 on its construction, which includes a pool house and attached spa pool that he keeps at 130 degrees year-round.

“I do think of it as an investment,” Battan says of the pool. “When we moved in, I knew that would add to the value of the home. And this home has more than doubled in price in the last few years.”

Battan’s backyard set-up comes with a pool house and spa, which is kept at 103 degrees year-round.

Courtesy of Swimply

Maintenance is costly: He says he’s spent $41,344 on disinfecting and leveling the pool’s chemistry since launching on Swimply.

Keeping the pool in tip-top shape is what keeps customers returning, he says, which is particularly important given that Battan estimates roughly 35% of his swimmers are returning guests.

Still, Battan says the pool has paid for itself and then some: With his extra earnings, he built a “man cave” in his house.

3. It’s time consuming

Because Battan and his wife enjoy vacationing in luxury resorts, they want their pool to mimic a five-star experience. Along with its nearby amenities, he keeps pool toys and towels — plus heated blankets in the winter — within arm’s reach.

They also try to check in with every group of swimmers to ensure a positive experience.

The pool is also near the family’s rescue farm, where Battan’s wife cares for animals like pigs, raccoons and llamas.

Courtesy of Swimply

37-year-old retiree shares the two things you should know before retiring early



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Where To Go And What To Do


There may be no more trendy European travel destination this fall than Dubrovnik, Croatia. Its narrow, cobblestone streets and almost perfectly preserved Gothic, Renaissance and late Romanesque buildings continue to draw visitors long after the summer travel season ends.

Crowds of visitors shuffle along the old town’s historic esplanade under an unforgiving late-summer sun, ducking into gelato shops and pizzerias to escape the oppressive heat. The bravest among them climb the city wall, which affords a stunning view of a turquoise Adriatic.

This year, it feels like summer may never end. At least that’s the assessment of Maris Picunic of the Villa Orabelle, a boutique hotel just outside the city walls.

“We’re getting close to where we were in 2019 in terms of visitors,” she says. Since Dubrovnik is so far south, it has a longer season, so there’s still time to match — and maybe even exceed — the 2019 visitor levels.

This is part two of a series on fall travel to Europe. Here’s part one with the outlook for fall travel.

Graham Carter, founder of the luxury travel operator Unforgettable Croatia, agrees. He says he’s never seen anything like this.

“We expect the upcoming season to be much busier than previous fall seasons in Europe, with companies perhaps still struggling to meet ongoing demand,” he told me.

That’s good news for Croatia’s tourism industry. But for visitors looking for a deal, maybe not. Picunic says prices have come down “a little” from the end of the traditional summer travel season, but Dubrovnik remains one of the most expensive places in Croatia to vacation. Still, with the euro at parity, it is more affordable than it has been in years.

A new poll by Medjet suggests Europe is a hot destination this fall and winter. In its survey, 91% of respondents said they intend to travel by the end of this year, and 62% plan to travel internationally. The top region is Europe.

But where is everyone going — and where should you go? Once you get there, what should you do? More importantly, how do you find the best deals in Europe?

Where is everyone going in Europe this fall?

So, where’s everyone going this fall? It depends on who you ask.

Demand from U.S. travelers for European vacation homes has more than doubled compared to the same period last year, according to Vrbo. This fall, Paris tops the list of most popular European destinations. It’s followed by Rome, London, Florence, Lisbon and Barcelona.

World Nomads Group looked at its policyholders’ destinations and found that Italy, Greece, Croatia and Austria topped the list of European fall destinations.

“Travelers are less interested in visiting Spain and Germany,” says Christina Tunnah, general manager of global marketing at World Nomads Group. “There’s also been a slight drop in interest in France as a destination.”

Fall bookings to Europe are up 16% from last year, according to Travelport. For the U.K., they rose an eye-popping 70%. In fact, many European destinations were busier than they were in 2019. For the recent Labor Day holiday, Travelport found visits to Italy were up by 8%, Greece by 23%, Portugal by 25% and Turkey by 44%.

It’s difficult to gauge where people are going now because fall travel doesn’t usually attract a lot of attention from statistics-gatherers After all, it’s shoulder season — and it’s supposed to be dead quiet. But not this year.

Pro tip: I’ve interviewed dozens of travel experts about where to go and what to do in Europe this fall. There’s a consensus that choosing a less popular destination will give you the most bang for the buck. So if the prices in Dubrovnik are too high, go to Split. If Paris is too much, check out Nice. (It’s nice there this time of year.)

What to do in Europe this fall

Europe is a draw for all kinds of reasons, say experts. Kim Parizek, a travel advisor specializing in Europe, says her clients returning to countries they’ve visited, but not for the same old experiences.

“I’m spending a lot more time working with destination suppliers to look for new experiences that are off the beaten path,” she says. “The clients are returning to France or Italy for the fifth and sixth time — but now want to explore new and unique excursions, places to stay and restaurants.”

The hope is that they’ll be able to do it without the massive summer crowds that made many European destinations almost unbearable.

“Off the beaten path” seems to be a theme. I spoke with several tour operators who said their clients were looking for solitude — and maybe a place where winter doesn’t start too soon.

Turkey and southern Spain are particularly appealing. “Weather can still be lovely into November, while the crowds tend to disappear,” says Kelly Torrens, vice president of product for Kensington Tours. But, she adds, “It’s important to pack your patience as you set off on your trip.” That’s always good advice.

What are the pros doing? Limor Decter, a travel advisor with Embark Collective, is headed to Sicily in October to enjoy the cultural and natural attractions. She says the hoteliers she’s spoken to are hoping for a quieter fall. “They are looking forward to sharing their hospitality with travelers who patiently waited and avoided the summer of frenzied travel to enjoy a fall visit,” she says.

Pro tip: Many Americans have written off COVID in Europe this fall. But that’s a mistake, says Kate Fitzpatrick, regional security director at World Travel Protection. She notes that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still lists the United Kingdom and much of Europe as a “moderate” COVID threat. The CDC advises you to get up to date with your vaccines before traveling to a Level 3 destination. “This means that you have had not only the full initial vaccinations but any boosters for which you’re eligible,” she says. Here’s my free guide to planning a trip.

How to get the deals to Europe

The sooner you book your fall trip to Europe, the better, according to experts.

“My best advice would be to plan and book your trip well in advance to get the best deals for every stop along your preferred itinerary,” says Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage.com, a travel insurance marketplace.

Prices tend to drop for the fall travel season, but airlines have already begun pricing their tickets for the holidays.

Prices are all over the map, and you have to look carefully for the best deals. For example, I recently rented a car in Split, Croatia, for a week. On most U.S. travel sites, I couldn’t find anything for less than $600 — not a terrible price. But I found an upgraded car for just $160 when I rented at an off-airport location.

Pro tip: If you’re looking for a lower airfare, shoot for the week of October 10, says Expedia. “Average ticket prices are projected to be 20% lower than during summer for international flights,” says Christie Hudson, an Expedia spokeswoman.

Ready to visit Europe? Now may be the time to go

Despite higher prices and crowds, the fall of 2022 may be one of the best times to visit Europe. The euro is at par with the dollar, which means prices are lower. The crowds have thinned from the frenetic summer travel season. And the weather is cooling off. Even the locals I spoke to in Dubrovnik say the fall weather is here. (“You wouldn’t have wanted to be here in June,” Picunic confided. “It was way too hot.”)

Remember, prices will start to rise again as the holiday travel season approaches. And unless you’re lucky enough to be in a place like Portugal’s famous Alentejo region or Cyprus, you’ll need to bundle up.



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How to find cheap flights, according to Google Flights


Comment

Ever wonder how to game Google Flights? Us, too.

To help us on our quest for cheaper travel, Google Flights published five years’ worth of airfare data on Wednesday.

The research supports some classic travel wisdom — like the myth we busted that Tuesday isn’t the best day to find cheap flights. But there are also some results that may surprise well-informed travelers — like prices for domestic flights are lowest between 21 and 60 days out.

The engineers looked at average round-trip airfares on Google Flights between Aug. 1, 2017, and Aug. 1, 2022, for six- to nine-day trips and 13- to 16-day trips departing from 4,000 markets in the United States.

The rules of flying like a decent human

James Byers, Google Flights product manager, says they hope their findings will answer users’ top questions, like when to start shopping, particularly as they consider Thanksgiving and Christmas travel.

“We know that holidays this year are extra important to a lot of travelers who might have had to skip them in past years,” Byers said.

Of course, the findings aren’t ultimate truths; they’re patterns. Your best bet is to set up price alerts early, and jump on good fares when they’re available.

How do you actually get those $49 flights? There’s always a catch to airline sales.

Google Flights data showed prices for domestic flights have usually been their lowest between 21 and 60 days out. Those prices tend to bottom out around 44 days before takeoff.

Look for flights that depart in the middle of the week instead of weekends. Flights early in the week are 12 percent cheaper than weekend ones, and Sundays are particularly pricey.

If you’re willing to take a little longer to get to your destination, opt for a layover to find a better deal. Nonstop fares have been 20 percent higher than ones with stops.

Aim to get way ahead of your European travel plans. Prices are lowest between 50 and 179 days before takeoff. The best of those deals tend to pop up 129 days out.

7 Italy vacations that check every travel style

For Mexico and the Caribbean

Set your shopping window for travel to Mexico and the Caribbean between 37 and 87 days out. The lowest prices were found about two months from departure.

For Thanksgiving and Christmas

For Thanksgiving and Christmas, they looked at trips departing before and returning after the holiday. The results showed you don’t have to lock something in a year in advance, but you shouldn’t wait until the last minute.

Look for domestic Thanksgiving flights within 36 to 74 days ahead of time. The lowest prices were found 52 days out.

For domestic Christmas travel, price drops have occurred within 20 and 88 days before the holiday. early. The lowest average prices showed up 22 days beforehand, although it may be stressful to wait until December to book.

Spring break data was taken from trips beginning in March or April, and showed domestic travelers should look to book flights 23 to 59 days (nearly two months) before their trip. The Google Flight trends shows they tend to hit their lowest price 38 days out.

Google Flight engineers calculated summer data for trips beginning in July or August. Their results found booking flights for those months are lowest on average 21 days out.



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Alternative guide to Mallorca – through the eyes of those who know it best | Mallorca holidays


Mallorca has fought hard against its sun, sea and sand stereotype and now tries promote itself more as a year-long travel destination, offering summer and winter sporting options, a burgeoning gastronomy scene and a long-established arts tradition.

I spent three years co-writing and and taking photographs for Faces of Mallorca a new book featuring 59 island characters. I would like to introduce you to five, to experience the essence of Mallorca through their eyes.

Tomeu Arbona, bakery owner

Tomeu Arbona: ‘I became a real food archaeologist.’
Tomeu Arbona: ‘I became a real food archaeologist’

Tomeu worked with “kids on the street” as a social worker, later retraining as a psychotherapist, but lost his job after just four years as a result of the economic crisis. Needing an income to pay for his children’s university fees, he and his wife decided to open a small bakery, Fornet de la Soca, focusing on traditional recipes.

A freshly baked ensaïmada.
A freshly baked ensaïmada

“We were lucky, as people immediately liked our idea of reviving old Mallorquín recipes – I became a real food archaeologist. One important insight I gained was the history of the ensaïmada. Very few people know that ensaïmades [sweet spiral pastries] and panades [little meat pies] come from Jewish culture.”

In addition to owning one of Palma’s most exquisite bakeries, Tomeu also sings traditional Mallorcan songs at special events. Every afternoon he cycles through the downtown area. He’s “in love” with the areas of ​​Pla de Mallorca, Sineu, Pina and Lloret, places that retain a great essence and a certain primitivism, and he likes to to go to the alternative Cineciutat cinema. He recommends that all visitors see the Tramuntana mountains: “It is my little paradise that transcends beauty.”

With his eye for stunning vistas, Tomeu says the Ermita de la Trinitat in Valldemossa is well worth the trip: “I love the peacefulness and the beautiful view of the coastline.”

To eat on a special occasion, he recommends Montimar, “a small restaurant of high-quality traditional cuisine, with a stunning landscape”. Other favourite restaurants include Ca Na Toneta, Botànic and Dins de Santi Taura – “they each represent different, authentic aspects of Mallorcan cuisine”.

Francesca Martí, international artist

Francesca Martí: ‘A good gallery brings energy to our soul.’
Francesca Martí: ‘A good gallery brings energy to our soul’

Francesca expresses herself through sculpture and multimedia to convey her unique societal reflections. She is perhaps best known for Dreamers, a set of sculptures dotted around Mallorca “shining in solitary contemplation”.

One of Francesca Martí’s Dreamers, at Sóller train station.
One of Francesca Martí’s Dreamers, at Sóller railway station

“I live in Sóller and love to visit the Ecocirer hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious and healthy breakfast. In Port de Sóller, there are several restaurants facing the sea. Pick any of these to eat fresh fish – you will not be disappointed! To relax, I like to be out on the water having a picnic or fishing around the coast. Two restaurants I absolutely love, which combine great food with beautiful sea views, are Sa Foradada and C’as Patro March in Deià; they are just super authentic!”

Palma is a cultural city. A visit to a good gallery “brings energy to our soul”; try Gallery Kewenig, Gerhard Braun Gallery or Es Baluard museum. Museu Can Marquès offers a fusion of past and present.

Maria Gibert, cook and YouTube sensation

Maria Gibert: ‘I am a bit of a local celebrity!’
Maria Gibert’s has become a YouTuber thanks to advice from a grandson

Maria, 84, is a custodian of traditional Mallorcan cooking and a media sensation with a YouTube audience of more than 43,000 and numerous TV appearances. Her first cooking experience as a child was when she stole some dry pasta from her mother’s pantry and attempted to cook it. It didn’t turn out well but her mother made her eat the whole plate of pasta as punishment: “That might have been the moment I decided to become a better cook!”

Seven years ago, her grandson, who lives in Japan, had the idea of making videos in her kitchen and publishing them on YouTube. “Little did we know that this was going to get so much attention. Now I am a bit of a local celebrity!

“I love preparing authentic Mallorcan dishes like sopes mallorquines [bread and vegetable soup], which is one of my favourites, or escaldums [turkey stew with tomatoes and herbs] and I am happy I get to share these original recipes, so they are not forgotten. Few people have the patience for slow cooking – everything has to be fast – but I have a feeling that the meditative experience of taking time to cook dishes in the traditional way is starting to appeal again.”

Maria likes to wander down to the “incredible” restaurant, Bodega La Rambla – “I have to say, Mallorcan variats [Mallorcan twists on tapas] are the best.” She is often to be found walking around the city. “I’m a walker and my passion is to relax by strolling along the promenade of Palma. The old town hides many stories and I find it very beautiful. The Paseo del Molinar and Portixol areas take me back to my childhood.”

Maria also recommends a visit to Palma’s Teatre Principal, and a trip to the village of Deià: “These are beautiful corners of magic and history in our little paradise”.

Nuria and Mikel, sailors

Nuria: ‘We always wanted to live life on our own terms, feel free.’
Nuria: ‘We always wanted to live life on our own terms, feel free’

Nuria and her partner Mikel are owners of the beautiful Rafael Verdera, used for sailing trips around the island. Built in 1841, it is the oldest operating boat of the Spanish naval fleet. The couple have lived on board for the past 40 years and Nuria gave birth to their children, Sara and Iñaki, on the boat. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch Sara and Iñaki practising acrobatics on deck.

Iñaki and Sara.
Iñaki and Sara’s onboard acrobatics

“I first met Mikel on this very boat, many years ago, and we have been living together on it ever since. I guess there are people who think we are crazy, but we wanted to live our lives on our own terms; we wanted to always feel free.”

Nuria suggests taking advantage of the dolphin and whale watching around Mallorca: “Not so many people know about this.” For keen swimmers, she recommends heading to the beach at El Toro. “The waters are always so calm, and I always have the best swims there.”

She strongly recommends a trip to Cabrera, a tiny island 10 miles off the southernmost tip of Mallorca. It is “an unspoilt oasis with the most aquamarine blue seas – and you have the best view of the stars at night”. Joan Aguiló, street artist

Joan Aguiló: ‘I am proud I helped to bring street art to the island’
Joan Aguiló: ‘I am proud I helped to bring street art to the island’

Joan’s huge murals can be found all over the island. They are easily recognisable as his style is unique, typically featuring Mallorcan childhood experiences.

“I discovered street art in Berlin and was immediately fascinated. When I came back here, I thought it would be easy to find other street artists in Mallorca, but this scene barely existed. I am proud that I helped to bring this culture to the island. The annual street art festival I have created in Can Picafort has become quite popular, and it excites me that many of the best street artists from various countries come together for this event.”

Joan Aguiló in front of one of his creations, Calvià.
Joan Aguiló in front of one of his creations, Calvià Photograph: Mark Julian Edwards

Joan’s go-to place in Palma for a good exhibition or interesting cultural event is the CaixaForum Gran Hotel. “It feels like it’s from another era; you can’t tell what century you’re in, and that’s spectacular.”

Out of town, he suggests going to Ermita de la Victoria, with a view of the bay of Alcudia, and hike for about half an hour to the Atalaya, the highest point, to see the bay of Pollença and visit Caló D’Es Cans beach near Colonia de Sant Pere: “It’s a delight!”

Faces of Mallorca by Mark Julian Edwards and Stephanie Schulz is published by Triangle Postals (£31.99).



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India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Dream11 Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update- India Tour of West Indies, 2nd T20I


India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips Dream11 Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update of the match between India and West Indies. They will play against each other for the second time in the three-match T20I series between them.

India vs West Indies Match Details India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

The 2nd T20I match between India and West Indies will be played on 1st August at Warner Park, Basseterre, St Kitts.

For all the Dream11 Tips and Fantasy Cricket Live Updates, follow us on Cricketaddictor Telegram Channel.

This game is scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST and live score and commentary can be seen on FanCode and CricketAddictor website.

This whole series will be a live telecast on DD Sports. DD Sports is the official and exclusive broadcaster of the India tour of West Indies 2022. The live streaming will be presented by the Fan Code app.

India vs West Indies Match Preview India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

India and West Indies played one match against each other in this three-match T20I series so far where India won that game and is currently leading the series by 1-0.

In the first T20I match, India beat West Indies by 68 runs. In that game, West Indies won the toss and decided to field first. Coming to bat, India posted 190 runs on the board where Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik smashed 64 runs and 41 runs respectively for the team. Alzarri Joseph took 2 wickets for West Indies.

Coming to the chase, West Indies failed to chase down the target and managed to put just 122 runs on the board where none of their batters was able to cross even the 20-run mark. Arshdeep Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravi Bishnoi grabbed 2 wickets each for India.

India vs West Indies Match Weather Report India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

The temperature is expected to hover around 27°C on the matchday with 79% humidity and 6-8 km/hr wind speed. There are no chances of precipitation during the game.

India vs West Indies Match Pitch Report India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

Warner Park provides a neutral wicket where both the departments are expected to earn a reasonable amount of help from the surface. Spinners will play a decent role in the middle overs.

Average 1st innings score:

The average first innings score on this wicket is 143 runs.

Record of chasing teams:

The team batting second has great records here. They have maintained a winning percentage of 60 on this ground.

India vs West Indies Match Injury Update India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

(Will be added when there is an update)

India vs West Indies Match Probable XIs India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

India: Rohit Sharma ©, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi

West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (c & wk), Rovman Powell, Jason Holder, Odean Smith, Keemo Paul, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy

Top Picks For Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer from India. He took 1 wicket in the last game and can come in handy once again here.

Hardik Pandya is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium fast bowler from India. He scored only 1 run in the last game but can score big in the upcoming match.

Akeal Hosein is a left-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spinner from West Indies. He marked 11 runs and grabbed 1 wicket in the last game. He will be a safe pick to consider for this match.

Nicholas Pooran is a left-handed batsman from West Indies. He smashed 18 runs in the last match and will look to capitalize on the start here.

India vs West Indies Match Captain and Vice-Captain Choices India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

Captain – Nicholas Pooran, Hardik Pandya

Vice-Captain – Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Akeal Hosein

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for India vs West Indies Dream11 Team:

Keeper – Nicholas Pooran (C), Rishabh Pant

Batsmen – Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Kyle Mayers

All-rounders – Jason Holder, Hardik Pandya

Bowlers – Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (VC), Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph

India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Cricket Tips Dream11 Team India Tour of West Indies
India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for India vs West Indies Dream11 Team:

Keeper – Nicholas Pooran, Rishabh Pant

Batsmen – Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Shamarh Brooks

All-rounders – Jason Holder, Hardik Pandya (C), Odean Smith

Bowlers – Ravichandran Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Akeal Hosein (VC)

India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Cricket Tips Dream11 Team India Tour of West Indies
India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction

India vs West Indies Match Expert Advice India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

Nicholas Pooran will be a good captaincy choice for the small leagues. Hardik Pandya will be a decent captaincy choice for the grand leagues.

Shamarh Brooks and Odean Smith are among the punt picks here. The best-suggested fantasy/Dream11 combination for this game is 2-3-2-4.

India vs West Indies Match Probable Winners India Tour of West Indies 2nd T20I:

Considering the team combination, India is expected to win this match.





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India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Dream11 Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update- India Tour of West Indies, 1st ODI


India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips Dream11 Team, Playing XI, Pitch Report, Injury Update of the match between India and West Indies. They will play against each other for the first time in the three-match ODI series between them.

India vs West Indies Match Details India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

The 1st ODI match between India and West Indies will be played on 22nd July at the Queen’s Park Oval.

For all the Dream11 Tips and Fantasy Cricket Live Updates, follow us on Cricketaddictor Telegram Channel.

This game is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM IST and live score and commentary can be seen on FanCode and CricketAddictor website.

This whole series will be live telecast on DD Sports. DD Sports is the official and exclusive broadcaster of the India tour of West Indies 2022. The live streaming will be presented by the Fan Code app.

India vs West Indies Match Preview India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

India is on a tour of the West Indies for a three-match ODI series, followed by a five-match T20I series. The ODI series will begin on the 22nd of July and all the matches of this series will be played at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad.

India is currently placed at the third position on the ICC Men’s ODI rankings while West Indies is placed at the ninth spot on the rankings.

India won four matches out of their recent five ODI matches while West Indies failed to win a single game of their recent five ODI games.

These two teams have played 136 matches against each other in this format so far where India won 67 matches while West Indies managed to secure 63 wins.

India vs West Indies Match Weather Report India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

The temperature is expected to hover around 28°C on the matchday with 77% humidity and 13 km/hr wind speed. There are no chances of precipitation during the game.

India vs West Indies Match Pitch Report India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

The pitch at the Queen’s Park Oval is a batting-friendly surface and is expected to aid the batters once again here. Pacers might get some help towards the latter half of the match while spinners will play a good role in the middle overs.

Average 1st innings score:

The average first innings score on this wicket is 246 runs.

Record of chasing teams:

The team batting second has great records here. They have maintained a winning percentage of 80 on this ground.

India vs West Indies Match Injury Update India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

(Will be added when there is an update)

India vs West Indies Match Probable XIs India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

India: Shikhar Dhawan ©, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidhh Krishna, Arshdeep Singh

West Indies: Kyle Mayers, Shai Hope, Brandon King, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Shamrah Brooks, Jason Holder, Alzarri Joseph, Akeal Hosein, Jayden Seales, Gundakesh Motie

Top Picks For Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:

Ishan Kishan is a left-handed batsman from India who will open the innings for them. He has marked 88 runs in his 3 matches ODI career so far and will be aiming to make a good impact here.

Suryakumar Yadav is a right-handed batsman from India. He has smashed 310 runs in his 10 matches ODI career so far. He will be among the top fantasy picks here.

Shai Hope is a right-handed wicketkeeper-batsman from West Indies. He has hammered 4071 runs in his 98 matches ODI career so far and will be a terrific choice to consider for this match as well.

Alzarri Joseph is a right-handed batsman and right-arm medium fast bowler from West Indies. He has smacked 263 runs and picked up 78 wickets in his 48 matches ODI career so far. He will be a pretty safe pick to consider for this game.

India vs West Indies Match Captain and Vice-Captain Choices India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

Captain – Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav

Vice-Captain – Shai Hope, Alzarri Joesph

Suggested Playing XI No.1 for India vs West Indies Dream11 Team:

Keeper – Shai Hope (VC), Ishan Kishan (C)

Batsmen – Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav, Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda

All-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Jason Holder

Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, Alzarri Joseph

India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Cricket Tips Dream11 Team India Tour of West Indies
India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction

Suggested Playing XI No.2 for India vs West Indies Dream11 Team:

Keeper – Shai Hope, Ishan Kishan

Batsmen – Suryakumar Yadav (C), Nicholas Pooran, Deepak Hooda, Rovman Powell

All-rounders – Ravindra Jadeja, Jason Holder

Bowlers – Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Alzarri Joseph (VC)

India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction Fantasy Cricket Tips Dream11 Team India Tour of West Indies
India vs West Indies Dream11 Prediction

India vs West Indies Match Expert Advice India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

Ishan Kishan will be a great multiplier choice for the small leagues. Suryakumar Yadav will be a decent captaincy choice for the grand leagues.

Rovman Powell and Shardul Thakur are among the punt-picks here. The best-suggested fantasy/Dream11 combination for this game is 2-4-2-3.

India vs West Indies Match Probable Winners India Tour of West Indies 1st ODI:

Considering the team combination, India is expected to win this match.





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