Travel News

Drought and heatwaves in summer 2026 caused historic low water levels on the Danube and Rhine, disrupting river cruise itineraries. Cruise lines like Uniworld and Viking adjusted routes with bus excursions and ship swaps to accommodate changing river conditions.

Lemon Tree Hotels announced plans to expand into the UAE, Thailand, and Maldives on August 10, 2026. The company targets Indian travelers abroad, building on existing operations in Nepal and Dubai.

Abu Dhabi has launched a pilot offering up to 20,000 free UAE entry visas to Indian tourists booking at least three nights between August and October 2026. The DCT fully covers or reimburses visa costs through designated Destination Management Companies.

The International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City 2026 will be held August 27-29 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre with over 520 exhibitors and 260 buyers. Vietnam Airlines supports the event with expanded air links and tourism activities.

Rome Fiumicino Airport cancelled approximately 205 flights on 10 August 2026, causing nearly 2,500 flight delays across Europe. Secondary hubs including Milan, Vienna, and Munich experienced knock-on impacts from aircraft and crew mispositioning.

Train services on the Rome-Florence route will be suspended from August 10 to 28, 2026, for a €6 million maintenance program. The work focuses on the Chiusi-Orvieto section and will impact high-speed, intercity, and regional trains.

Celebrity Cruises revealed its 2028-29 global itinerary, covering all seven continents. The deployment features four Edge Series ships sailing Europe and expanded cruises in Alaska, Asia, and South America.

Chicago O'Hare led U.S. airports with 87 flight delays and 48 cancellations on August 10, 2026. FAA ground stops amid severe weather caused widespread disruptions starting August 9.

More than 2,000 U.S. flights were delayed and 263 canceled on August 10 following FAA ground stops at five major airports. Chicago O'Hare recorded the highest cancellations over August 9-10.

In late July 2026, the Viking river cruise ship Viking Ullur ran aground on the Danube River with 186 passengers and 52 crew amid record low river water levels. Passengers were safely evacuated without injuries, while cruise lines adjusted operations to cope with ongoing drought conditions affecting European rivers.