Each year, TSA makes public the amount of loose change left behind at screening checkpoints throughout the country. Last year, nearly $868,000.00 was forgotten by passengers at our nation’s airports. As is usually the case, New York and Los Angeles topped the list, but this year, there was no contest. While passengers at LAX left behind a solid $44,811.84, travelers at JFK forfeited a staggering $70,615.00!

TSA collects and accounts for this money through its financial office and stores these funds in an account until it is used, per Congressional authority, for improvements to civil aviation security.

With technology on the rise and its ability to track personal health, more and more travelers need hotel amenities that can cater to their healthy, balanced lifestyle. While many hotels are becoming more and more accommodating to this type of living, here are some tips on how to ensure you’re getting the best health and wellness perks wherever you are traveling:

Before arriving, contact the hotel to see what special wellness perks they offer. Some hotels will offer free exercise classes and work out studios, and some will even let you rent exercise gear in case you forget anything at home or don’t have room to pack it in your suitcase.

If you’re a runner, ask the concierge for a jogging map. Often-times a concierge will be able to suggest the best routes in the city with great views and sightseeing.

A substantial amount of sleep is necessary in maintaining personal health. With a variety of pillows and bedding to choose from, don’t be afraid to customize your hotel bed so that it works for you.

Finally, look at the room service menu before arrival and see if the food meets your health needs. If it doesn’t, request a list of local healthy dining options from the concierge to ensure you will have the best dining experience in whatever city you are traveling to.

Follow these easy steps on your next vacation and your health routine is sure to stay intact!

Delta and Aeromexico have begun a new joint cooperation agreement after the US Department of Transportation granted them antitrust immunity. The agreement means that the two airlines can begin working together and coordinating flights between the US and Mexico. Delta and Aeromexico plan on co-locating at the same airports and will begin renovating airline gates and lounges at select facilities, as well as coordinating on marketing and sales initiatives. Delta currently flies to Mexico from Atlanta, Detroit, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, while Aeromexico utilizes its hubs in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara.

AmaWaterways is taking travelers on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise through the history, beauty, simplicity, and joyful personality of Cambodia and Vietnam. Reaching areas along the shores of the Mekong River seldom visited on traditional land itineraries, while sprinkling in the must-see locations, the crew of the 124-passenger AmaDara has crafted a program tailor-made to just about anyone, from nature lovers and history buffs to the sometimes hardest-to-please travelers – kids!

The 7-night Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh City itinerary is aptly titled “The Riches of the Mekong.” The itinerary is also offered in reverse-direction, beginning in Ho Chi Minh City and ending in Siem Reap. While guests will certainly see their fair share of gold and other material riches throughout the palaces and monasteries, they will also experience riches of another kind – those of the people who call these countries home. From visiting a school and meeting its students to wheeling and dealing their way through the exciting floating markets and witnessing a Buddhist blessing, this itinerary is sure to bring about a change in perspective.

Nature lovers will marvel at the birds and wildlife along the Sap River and thoroughly enjoy the oxcart tour of the infamous rice paddies. While not humanity’s most shining moment, history aficionados will be captivated by a visit to Cambodia’s Killing Fields, along with a detention center (and now museum) of the Khmer Rouge regime.

While much of the natural beauty of these countries is best seen from remote areas, the cities are packed with history and splendor as well. You’ll visit the Royal Palace and National Museum in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, and the Buddhist monastery in Oudong (Cambodia’s former capital). For passengers with a passion for literature, a visit to noted French writer Marguerite Duras’ former home is included in this well-rounded itinerary, in the town of Sa Dec.

The ship itself, the two-year-old AmaDara, holds a modest 124 passengers and is staffed by 52 crew members. It features 2 restaurants, a fitness center, multiple spa locations, a hair salon, and a pool with sun deck. All suites and staterooms have private balconies, perfect for experiencing the immense beauty of this region.

Norwegian Cruise Lines has announced the headlining show aboard the Norwegian Bliss. When the ship goes into service in 2018, passengers will have the opportunity to see the 2006 Tony Award winning musical, “Jersey Boys.” The show, created by Warren Carlyle, and documenting the career of 1960s musical group, The Four Seasons, will play in the Bliss Theater aboard NCL’s newest ship.

Carlyle, who also directed “Hello, Dolly,” is contributing a second show for the NCL Bliss – a Cuban-themed, Broadway-style musical, with costumes by noted fashion designer Isabel Toledo.

Norwegian is no stranger to marquee entertainment. It has previously worked with Broadway revue “After Midnight,” which showed on the Norwegian Escape, Blue Man Group aboard the Norwegian Epic, and the ‘80s rock opera “Rock of Ages,” on the NCL Breakaway.\

In October 2017, Delta will unveil its new Delta One Suites and Delta Premium Select products along with its first Airbus A350, which will enter service from Detroit (DTW) to Tokyo-Narita (NRT). This billion-dollar project will introduce an upgraded passenger experience, including cabin modernization, new seats, upgraded entertainment systems, more overhead storage, and revamped meal options. Delta One Suites will feature a sliding privacy door and entertainment upgrades, giving the seats a more residential feel. Delta Premium select will offer more personal space and comfort options along with technology upgrades, as well as premium airline services, making boarding and check-in much smoother for flyers.

Provincetown, MA
Located on the northernmost tip of Cape Cod, Provincetown is a great escape during the month of July. With soft breezes and over 30 miles of beaches, this resort town will surely provide a much-needed summer escape.

Tuscany, Italy
July is peak season in Tuscany. The warmer temperatures are ideal for relaxing by the pool and exploring the history and culture that the city offers, ensuring an excellent choice for a European summer vacation.

Tokyo, Japan
While there is no bad time to visit Tokyo, July, one of the city’s slowest months, is an ideal time to visit if you are looking to bypass the crowds. With a plethora of exciting restaurants, cocktail bars, and entertainment options, visiting Tokyo is the perfect summer adventure.

Seattle, Washington
Seattle is home to some of America’s most coveted attractions. This eclectic city will keep you busy visiting places like The Space Needle and Pikes Place. Avid restaurants throughout town make Seattle a great contemporary, family friendly place to try this summer.

Barbados
With crystal, blue water and an abundance of beaches, Barbados is the perfect tropical getaway. During the summer months, Barbados is home to many Caribbean festivals and events that will surely create a memorable experience.

Fourth of July celebrations are not complete without a showcase of beautiful fireworks. Here are our picks for the best July 4th fireworks across America:

New York City: Macy’s takes the cake for the biggest Fourth of July fireworks show in the country. With over 50,000 effects packed in to a 25-minute show, this fireworks extravaganza over the East River draws nearly three million people annually.

Washington, D.C.: The nation’s capital is an exciting and patriotic place to celebrate America’s independence. If you find yourself in the D.C. area, you can watch an incredible fireworks show over the reflecting pool in front of the Washington Monument, with great views from all over the city, including the National Mall and the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials.

Dallas, TX: The saying “everything is bigger in Texas” holds true when it comes to Fourth of July fireworks in Dallas. Following an airshow at the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, the city uses over 3,500 pounds of fireworks during its 25-minute display! Those celebrating in Dallas have great views from just about anywhere in the city during this celebratory day.

Lake Tahoe, NV: The “Lights on the Lake” celebration occurs just above the crystal-clear water of Lake Tahoe, which straddles the borders of California and Nevada. With the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, this 25-minute show is claimed to be one of the most visually pleasing in the country.

Nashville, TN: “Let Freedom Sing!” is perfect for those that want to spend their Fourth of July listening to a variety of live music while watching an over-the-top fireworks display that has supposedly set off more fireworks than New York City. With fireworks choreographed to a live set from the Nashville Symphony, this exciting show and can be seen throughout the city of Nashville.

Royal Caribbean International is finally returning to the Port of New Orleans for the upcoming 2018-2019 winter cruising season. To make this happen, a few other RCL ships will be repositioned and refurbished. Here’s a quick recap of Royal Caribbean’s upcoming moves:

Vision of the Seas
The Vision of the Seas will embark on two 16-night itineraries that will transit the Panama Canal in both directions (Miami to Los Angeles, then Los Angeles to New Orleans). The Vision of the Seas will remain in the Port of New Orleans, and offer 7-night Bahamas/Mexico cruise itineraries during the 2018-2019 season.

Enchantment of the Seas
The Enchantment of the Seas, currently operating out of Miami, will reposition to Galveston, TX (the Port of Houston) and offer 4- and 5-night itineraries, beginning in June 2018.

*Passengers who are currently booked on the Enchantment out of Miami for sailings after June 23, 2018, will be contacted by RCL to make alternate arrangements (see below).

Liberty of the Seas
The Liberty of the Seas will remain in Galveston, along with the Enchantment of the Seas, but will offer longer Caribbean cruises, with durations of 7 nights.

Mariner of the Seas
The Mariner of the Seas will return to the United States, after several seasons in Asia, and will take over in Miami where the Enchantment of the Seas left off. It will offer 3- and 4-night cruises to the Bahamas, after undergoing a 32-day renovation.

*Passengers who were originally confirmed on the Enchantment of the Seas out of Miami after June 23, 2018 will be contacted by RCL, with the option to switch their bookings to an itinerary on the Mariner of the Seas.

Through the years, city parks in America have transformed from mere open spaces and swing sets to upscale gardens with intricate water displays and even some cafes, zoos, and other individual novelties. Here are some favorites we’ve found throughout our travels.

Griffith Park Los Angeles, CA: During the midst of LA traffic, this beautiful park offers visitors the chance to relax, get an amazing view of the city from the iconic Griffith Observatory, check out tons of exhibits, and even get a good look at the sky through the public telescope.

City Park New Orleans, LA: Not only is this park home to the largest and oldest collection of mature live oak trees, City Park is also home to the NOLA Botanical Garden, an open-air sculpture garden, and the Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, making it the stop when visiting the lively city of New Orleans.

Battery Park New York, NY: While New York City is home to an abundance of great parks, Battery Park encompasses the beauty and history of the city. Located right on the water, visitors can enjoy views of the city, have access to boat tours of both Liberty and Ellis Island, and just a short walk away lies the September 11 Memorial and Museum and the Freedom Tower.

Forsyth Park Savannah, GA: With a European feel, this charming park in the historic district of Savannah is great to stroll through on any occasion. Featuring activities for children, breathtaking gardens, inviting cafes, and the famous fountain, this park is a must see when visiting Savannah.

Millennium Park Chicago, IL: This Chicago hotspot is most well-known for its popular mirrored sculpture, The Bean, where hundreds of thousands crowd each year to photograph their reflection. During the winter months, visitors can enjoy ice skating at the park, and when it gets warm, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park holds concerts that can seat up to 11,000 people.

High-spend travelers may find themselves in First Class more often than not with American Airlines’ new upgrade procedure. Under American’s new upgrade policy, which went into effect at the end of May, flyers who spend more with the airlines on an annual, rolling basis will be prioritized higher for upgrades than other travelers when all other variables are equal. Upgrade requests will be prioritized within each elite status level, by upgrade product type, spend over the last 12 months, purchased booking code, and requested date/time. For example, if two top tier Executive Platinum members show up at the gate with identical tickets, the traveler who spent the most in the last year will get the upgrade first.

The growing number of millennial travelers has brought about a new trend in the hotel industry – communal space. Hotels have always had a lobby, bar or restaurant, and a pool, but they also gave guests the ability to return to the peace and quiet of their room and enjoy a possibly overpriced drink or two from the in-room minibar.

Many hotel brands have done away with this concept and invested more substantially on upgrading the communal spaces of their properties. Not to say this isn’t a good thing. The industry has witnessed some incredible hotel transformations in recent years, as well as the uptick in revenue that has accompanied it. Despite the New York Times urging travelers to “Drink Up” in May, many have made it clear that the mini bar is a welcome, and sometimes, necessary amenity.

For the traveler, however, who would rather enjoy a quiet night in the comfort of a hotel suite before an early morning flight home the next day, Marriott is bringing back the mini bar. Sort of.

Marriott has introduced the Build Your Own Mini Bar package, giving guests a $20 credit to Marriott’s on-property market for each night of their stay. Guests can choose what they would like in their mini bar (provided it’s available in the market) and return each evening to a fully restocked in-room mini bar!

The Build Your Own Mini Bar package is currently available at Marriott properties in Northern California, the Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest.

Hurtigruten’s next innovative hybrid expedition ship, MS Roald Amundsen, is scheduled to set sail next summer. For Hurtigruten, innovation is all about honoring the brand’s Norwegian explorer heritage and moving the industry forward by developing technology and solutions that will benefit both their guests and the environment. The revolutionary new ship is developed and designed by Hurtigruten, in cooperation with Kleven Yards, Rolls Royce Marine and Norwegian yacht designer Espen øino.

Powering an advanced 450-foot expedition ship with several hundred guests on board and through some of the world’s most pristine waters is no easy feat. Hurtigruten firmly believes the future is electric and emission free. The line is setting aside room to expand battery racks as technology evolves. A huge bonus of switching to battery power would mean all engine noise would be removed, allowing guests to view incredible natural habitats completely uninterrupted. Guests on board will know they’re on the world’s greenest, safest, and most advanced cruise ship in the world.

The hybrid engine solution alone is estimated to reduce Hurtigruten’s emissions by at least 20% compared to other ships of the same size, and that number will increase as battery power continues to evolve. In addition to the hybrid solutions, MS Roald Amundsen will feature the most energy efficient hotel operation ever on a ship, taking the cruising industry the first giant step towards Hurtigruten’s ultimate goal: a total emission free cruise ship.

On board the MS Roald Amundsen, passengers will be able to explore extensive indoor and outdoor explorer decks with spectacular views. The core of the experience will be an immersive high-tech activity center and the handpicked Expedition Team. Hurtigruten’s ships are moving the industry forward, and the MS Roald Amundsen will be a perfect match to the fast-growing global demand for sustainable adventure travel. Hurtigruten truly believes that if guests care about sustainability, the industry should too.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently cleared several airlines to again allow laptops and other electronic devices on aircraft bound for the United States from the Middle East and North Africa. As of Wednesday, July 12, 2017, six airlines have complied with directives set forth by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to allow for the transportation of laptops, tablets, and smartphones on flights to US airports.

Effective immediately, Emirates Airways (Dubai airport), Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi airport), Kuwait Airways (Kuwait City airport), Qatar Airways (Doha airport), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul airport), and Royal Jordanian Airlines (Amman airport) are once again allowing passengers to bring electronic devices onboard flights from the above-listed airports to the United States.

Tacos are all the rage right now, and exploring the taco scene throughout the nation is a must while traveling. Here are our picks for the best tacos in America:

La Taqueria San Francisco, CA: This spot is known for drawing a crowd with its delicious Mexican dishes. The Carne Asada Super Taco Dorado is a must get on the menu along with The Carne Asada Super Burrito.

Veracruz All Natural Austin, TX: The city of Austin is known for its abundant selection of tacos, and more specifically its breakfast tacos. Veracruz All Natural is an Austin hot-spot, featuring a local favorite, Migas Taco, made with homemade tortillas, soft-cooked eggs, veggies, and crispy corn tortillas chips topped with Jack cheese and of course, avocado.

The Shed Santa Fe, N.M.: Santa Fe is known for its green hatch chilies. The Shed cooks up fresh, spicy tacos with their noteworthy chili sauce that makes them truly stand out.

Mexicali Taco & Co. Los Angeles, CA: Though Los Angeles has an extensive food scene, this taco joint seems to have made a statement as being one of the best in the city. With a secret blend of spices and a smoking hot grill, this restaurant has LA locals believing that their Carne Asada is the best in the world.

ABC Cocina New York, NY: A New York City favorite, ABC Kitchen, opened a spin-off restaurant in 2017 that features Latin American dishes and tapas, including their critically acclaimed selection of unique tacos. Although these tacos may be a little more upscale than the others on this list, their sustainable and flavor-packed ingredients make them stand out in a city filled with so many outstanding restaurants.

Celebrity Cruises is hoping to change the way travelers view cruising, by emphasizing outdoor space and completely redesigning the cabin experience. Aboard their new Edge-class vessels, floor-to-ceiling windows will roll up like garage doors at the push of a button, leaving just the glass railing between your bed and the ocean. The effect is an infinite veranda, much like an infinity pool.

The new Edge-class ships will also feature a glass mini-deck known as the Magic Carpet, which will move up and down on vertical tracks like an elevator, 6 duplex suites what will feature patios with plunge pools and lounge chairs, and a glass-enclosed rooftop that will feature a huge pool and manicured gardens for jazz parties. Celebrity is expected to receive its first Edge-class ship in 2019 and has ordered 5 of them in total.

Jet-setting pets, bark for joy! Korean Air has debuted a new frequent flier pet reward system, SKYPETS. The program allows your furry travel companion to rack up points for every trip taken and redeem them for future free travel. One stamp will be earned for every flight a pet takes in Korea, and international trips will add two stamps to a SKYPETS’ profile. Once six stamps have been accumulated, owners can receive half off the animal fees for a domestic flight. It takes 12 stamps to get half off for international travel. A free pet ticket will cost 12 stamps for a domestic flight and 24 for international. Your pet’s stamps will last three years in its profile, and passengers can register a maximum of five of their lucky jet-setting pets (dogs, cats or birds) for the service.

As technology advances and our world becomes more interconnected, the future of travel means meeting consumers’ increasing demands for more routes at competitive pricing. As a response to this demand, airlines are now starting to connect more US cities to far-flung destinations for lower pricing. For Americans looking to jet off to South America or Europe sometime this year, these are the new routes becoming available.

TO EUROPE

Crossing the Atlantic is becoming more cost-friendly every day. Starting this September, Norwegian Air will connect Denver and Seattle to London. They will also launch routes to Rome from Los Angeles, Oakland and Newark in November.

TO SOUTH AMERICA

New York City will get new connections to South America. Starting in October, United Airlines will fly from Newark to Buenos Aires. Also in December, Delta Airlines will start service from New York’s JFK Airport to Rio de Janeiro.

TO MEXICO

Airlines are increasing their schedules to fly Americans back and forth to Mexico. Alaska Airlines will start service to Mexico City from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego this summer. AeroMexico will also connect Mexico City to Portland and Seattle, beginning in November of this year.

Emirates Airways has made several changes to the structure of its in-flight WiFi product, with some Skywards members now getting free WiFi for the duration of their flight. Platinum and Gold Skywards members, as well as any Skywards member traveling in first or business class, will receive unlimited data usage. Passengers flying in economy class, as well as non-Skywards members flying in any class of service, will receive 20MB of free data which must be used within two hours of logging on. Additional data packages are available for purchase, ranging in cost from $4.99 for 150MB to $15.99 for 500MB depending on the passengers Skywards status level. Emirates currently offers WiFi on over 200 of its aircraft.

Although international travel is fun, exciting and eye-opening, in some cases it can also be nerve-racking. If you’re headed to a country where you don’t speak the native language, there are a few ways for you to prepare yourself.

LEARN THE BASICS
You don’t have to be fluent, but knowing a handful of usable words and phrases will get you a lot further than you might think. “Please” and “thank you” and other simple greetings will prepare you to be a little more comfortable than going in with zero idea of what you’re doing.

TRANSLATION APPS
Apps like Google Translate, Ultralingua and Yan dex.Translate might not be 100% accurate, but they will certainly get the job done. The best part about these apps is that they work offline as long as you download the language packs to your phone while you have Wi-Fi.

THE POWER OF POINTING
Whether it’s at menus, places on maps or things on your phone, gesturing is often more efficient than trying to speak a language you’re not entirely comfortable with. It’s important to do some research ahead of time on common gestures in the country where you’ll be traveling in order to avoid accidently offending a local.

HAVE A LOCAL SHOW YOU AROUND
Want to find all the under-the-radar sights and restaurants that aren’t in your guidebook? Your FROSCH Travel Consultant can schedule group or private tours with a local-English speaking guide who will take you around and let you experience the country a bit more personally.

PLAN IN ADVANCE
If you get flustered in unfamiliar settings, work with your FROSCH Travel Consultant to chart out as much of your trip as possible before you leave home. That way, scheduling your tours, hotels, transportation, and dinner reservations will all be taken care of – in English! You won’t have to stress about finding someone in the country who can speak your language and help arrange important aspects of your trip. You’ll know you’re in good hands before you even leave home.