New Zealand, Japan and Samoa reopen to visitors

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(DailyExpertNews) — This week in the travel news: the best hotels in the world, the tastiest sandwiches and the most spectacular train journeys. Also pilot emergencies in Florida and London and the latest countries to ease their entry restrictions.

News from the air

A passenger with no flying experience landed a plane at a Florida airport on May 10 after the pilot became incapacitated. An air traffic controller took the call and guided it step by step.

That news came after a Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York had to return from London after it was found that the first officer, while fully qualified, had failed to complete Virgin’s latest flight test.

Earlier this month, a United Airlines passenger was arrested after opening an emergency exit and walking on the wing, and a man was arrested in Bangkok after allegedly carrying out an armed robbery at the country’s largest airport.

Spectacular stays

The world’s most beloved hotel for 2022 is a Costa Rican resort with more than 50 bungalows and villas and a private beach, according to Tripadvisor’s annual Travelers’ Choice Awards. Spots in Brazil, Greece, Turkey and Switzerland also made the top 10.

For something even fancier, a lucky few will be able to book a night at Paris’ famed Moulin Rouge in June, in a secret room in the windmill itself. It will be available through Airbnb with a token price tag of one euro, and potential guests will be able to submit their booking request from May 17.

However, if your lodging preferences are simpler and lean more back to nature, take inspiration from these travelers who have converted their own cozy RVs.

Food and drink

France is facing a foie gras crisis, and this time it’s not because of pressure from animal rights activists, but because of an avian flu epidemic.

Next door in Italy, we took a look at Nutella’s classy ancestor gianduiotto: a melting blend of cocoa and the premium hazelnuts grown in the Langhe region of Piedmont.

Further south in Umbria is the Lake Trasimeno region, which is known for its traditional dishes that are vastly different from its neighbours. Forget pizza and pasta: we’re talking fish friends like bass, pike and eel.

And finally, an unassuming stodgy staple loved by people of all countries: we’ve rounded up 23 of the world’s best sandwiches.

Travel rules changes

New Zealand has announced that it will fully reopen to international visitors on July 31, two months ahead of schedule. Japan has also announced that it will relax its strict border measures in June, although the dates and details are yet to be confirmed.

The Polynesian island of Samoa is set to open its international borders in August, though further details are yet to follow. Earlier this week, its neighbor Fiji went from level 3 (“high”) to level 2 (“moderate”) on the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s travel advice for Covid-19 risks. Only one destination – a Caribbean favorite – advanced to level 3.

Railway Adventures

From China’s “Railway to Heaven” to The Ghan’s Australian Outback adventure, these are some of the world’s most incredible train rides.

In case you missed it

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Don’t provoke and don’t panic.

From hip, vibrant Lima to pre-Columbian Peru.

When Anthony Bourdain visited Peru for ‘Parts Unknown’, now available as a podcast.

Best travel pillows

There’s nothing like starting a new adventure with your head squeeze, by which we mean your favorite travel pillow, of course. Our partners at DailyExpertNews Underscored, a guide to product reviews and recommendations from DailyExpertNews, have selected their best travel pillow for 2022.