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7 Countries That Will Jail You For Insulting Their Leaders

7 Countries That Will Jail You For Insulting Their Leaders

Whenever you’re traveling, avoiding politics is a pretty smart rule of thumb. Especially when you’re visiting countries with less than stellar notions of free speech, it’s a good idea to steer clear of protests, demonstrations, or even heated personal debates about issues. It can get you in trouble with your hosts or with the government of the country.

We all know you can’t go to North Korea and talk politics, but some of the countries where you can be punished or even jailed for criticizing heads of state will truly surprise you. The archaic concept of lèse-majesté (offending majesty) is alive and well all over the world.

Here are 10 countries where you could face serious repercussions for attacking those in power. Loose lips sink ships…

1. Saudi Arabia

If you know anything about the venal and capricious House of Saud, you won’t be surprised that trash-talking them in their own country can land you in a world of hurt.

As part of a new tranche of anti-terrorism laws in 2014, the Saudi government stepped up punishments for anyone daring to speak ill of the King or Crown Prince in public. That offence can net you 5 to 10 years in prison — and Saudi prison is probably not the kind of place you want to spend an extended sabbatical. In some cases, due to the ahem somewhat arbitrary nature of Saudi justice, the sentences can be even more draconian, going as far as public lashing or even the death sentence.

It’s unclear how seriously the government would attempt to enforce this law on foreigners, but they’ve been fairly stringent in applying it to their own people. Back in 2015, a prominent Saudi writer was arrested for insulting a dead former King. Talk about grave consequences.

2. Thailand

Thailand has an ‘anything goes’ reputation, one that it’s trying to shed. But as a matter of fact, the country has the strictest lèse-majesté laws in the world. Insulting the King, Queen, regent, or heir to the throne can land you in prison for 3 to 15 years. Per charge.

Worse, the law does not define what constitutes and insult, so that word can be interpreted as broadly as the King pleases. In recent years, enforcement has surpassed the farcical. One man was fined USD $14,000 and spent 86 days in jail for making fun of the King’s dog on Facebook.

In 2014, the Thai government further embarrassed itself by declaring comedian John Oliver a threat to the monarchy. Oliver came to the attention of the governing junta after poking fun at the Crown Prince, who made his poodle Foo-Foo an Air Chief Marshal in the air force.

Maha Vajiralongkorn, King of Thailand in uniform.

Maha Vajiralongkorn, current King of Thailand. Wikimedia Commons

3. Spain

This one might surprise you a bit, but Spain does indeed still have a King (Felipe VI). Even more surprisingly, it still has lèse-majesté laws on the books, which it has attempted to enforce fairly recently.

The King of Spain is largely a figurehead, much like Queen Elizabeth in the UK. However, the King is still commander-in-chief of the armed forces and the highest representation of the state itself, symbolic of Spain’s sovereignty and dignity. As such, the law forbids anyone from denigrating or damaging the reputation of the King or other members of the royal family. Violation can carry a penalty of up to two years imprisonment.

Catalan separatists and anti-monarchists have been tried and convicted on lèse-majesté rules, and the Spanish government has been cracking down on free speech since 2015.

However, in March of 2018, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that burning images of the King and Queen is free speech, putting the future of Spain’s lèse-majesté regime in doubt.

4. Switzerland

Yes, Switzerland!

You may be asking: “Does Switzerland even have a King or Queen?”

Nope. They’re more famous for their direct democracy, yodeling, and passionate neutrality. But they do have pretty damn strict laws protecting foreign heads of state and officials from public rebuke.

According to Article 296 of the Swiss Criminal Code, “Any person who publicly insults a foreign state in the person of its head of state … is liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding three years or to a monetary penalty.”

To be honest, jail in Switzerland is probably preferable to freedom in many other countries.

Ski chalet in the Swiss Alps

Presumably what a Swiss prison looks like… Wikimedia Commons

5. The Netherlands

Come on, Europe! You seem progressive and permissive on so many issues. Why can’t you just leave this monarchy stuff in the past?

The Netherlands retains its (admittedly fairly benevolent) royal family, along with laws dating back to the 19th century which specially prohibit any defamation hurled at the crowned heads of Holland. Slandering a Dutch monarch can technically land you up to 5 years in prison and/or a USD $20,000 fine.

In practice, public distaste for such anti-free speech measures has prevented harsh sentences from being handed down, though 18 individuals were prosecuted under the law between 2000 and 2012.

Granted, some of the things these folks said about the royals were so distasteful and lewd (and totally unsupported by evidence) that I won’t repeat them here. But why should these dudes and dudesses have their own special defamation laws?

The good news is that the left-wing D66 Party has pledged to roll back the Netherlands’ lèse-majesté legislation.

6. Kuwait

You may be operating under the assumption that all these laws apply only to residents of the countries in question — when they even apply at all. But that isn’t true.

In 2009, an Australian woman found herself in a dispute with Kuwaiti immigration officials in that country over the status of members of her family. She was subsequently investigated for insulting the Emir of Kuwait, and sentenced to two years imprisonment on that charge.

The Australian government refused to intervene, reminding its citizens that they must adhere to foreign laws when they travel. It’s a lesson worth repeating — however absurd those laws may be.

Canal of Amsterdam at night, lined with boats

You’re allowed to do a lot of things in Amsterdam. Insulting the royal family is not one of them! Pixabay / 1919021

7. Morocco

King Mohammed VI of Morocco takes very seriously any utterances which may offend his royal person, and that means the government does as well. However, in 2017, Morocco passed landmark reforms to its speech laws that have at least ended the practice of sending people to prison for saying things that might hurt the King’s feelings.

In 2012, 24-year-old Abdessamad Haydour was sentenced to three years in prison under the old law for criticizing the King in a conversation he didn’t realize was being recorded.

Back in 2008, a court actually handed down the same punishment to a 95-year-old man in a wheelchair for allegedly insulting the King under his breath. The man died 5 months into his sentence.

Well, there you have it. We hope this list helps you stay out of official trouble, wherever you may roam. If nothing else, it should make us appreciative of the country we get to live in, where we are no longer beholden to the whims of half-mad hereditary dictators.

The 10 Best Airlines Of 2018

Flying is exciting the first handful of times you get the chance. What a miracle it seems, to be up above the clouds, above the birds, the skyscrapers, the hot air balloons, up where our ancestors could only dream of venturing.

But the more you do it, the farther afield you roam, the more flying seems like a hassle. Getting there is the boring part, something to be endured. But with a good airline, the whole ordeal can be substantially less taxing.

In that spirit, here are the 10 best airlines of 2018.

For the past six years, AirHelp has compiled lists of the world’s best (and worst) airlines by grading them across three categories. These are:

On-Time Performance — What are the odds this airline is running on time, based on their own statistics?

Quality of Service — How friendly, efficient, and accommodating airline staff, both in flight and at the airport?

Claim Processing — Does the airline fairly compensate passengers for delays and cancellations? How quickly do they process these claims?

Want to read about the airlines you should avoid? Check out The 10 Worst Airlines Of 2018.

10. Virgin Atlantic

On-time: 8.2/10

Service: 8/10

Claims: 7.9/10

Overall score: 8/10

The UK’s Virgin Atlantic rounds out the top ten with strong numbers in all categories. Owned by the famous investor and philanthropist Sir Richard Branson, the fleet primarily operates out of London and Manchester. Most destinations serviced by Virgin are in the Americas (Boston, New York, Orlando, Los Angeles, Cancun), but it also offers flights to Nigeria, South Africa, Dubai, and the far east.

Passengers on TripAdvisor are generally complimentary about the service they receive on Virgin, though some note that the fleet has gotten older and economy sections are fairly cramped. Then again, you could say that about almost any airline.

A Virgin Atlantic jumbo jet taking off

Wikimedia Commons

9. Air Malta

On-time: 8.6/10

Service: 6.5/10

Claims: 9.1/10

Overall score: 8/10

In the past decade, Malta, a small island nation in the heart of the Mediterranean, has emerged as a premium destination. So it’s only fitting their flagship airline has broken out as one of the best in the world as well, though its service is mainly local, focussing on Europe, North Africa, and the near east.

Service — in the customer sense — is also the factor holding the airline back from being even better. Customers opine that there are few in-flight entertainments or amenities, and that everything onboard seems to cost extra money.

8. Quantas

On-time: 8.9/10

Service: 8.0/10

Claims: 7.5/10

Overall score: 8.1/10

If the kangaroo in the logo didn’t tip you off, Quantas is an Australian airline, and one of the best in the world. It’s also the third oldest, having been founded all the way back in 1920. (I guess that makes sense since Australia is enormous and treacherous to cross without flying.)

Although it is the leading domestic carrier in Australia (its name being a quasi-acronym of ‘Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services’), Quantas services travel hubs all over the world.

Passengers are generally impressed with the punctuality of Quantas, its spacious seating, its quality service, and its free WiFi.

7. Aegean Airlines

On-time: 9.0/10

Service: 8.3/10

Claims: 7.4/10

Overall score: 8.1/10

Greece may not be doing so well these days finance wise, but they still have one of the best airlines you’ll find anywhere.

As we all know, many people who take the time to write an online review of an airline or a restaurant are doing so because they had an exceptionally distressing experience. Which is why it’s pretty impressive than over 80% of reviewers on TripAdvisor rated Aegean Airlines as either ‘Excellent’ or ‘Good’. In fact, 51% of those writing described their trip as ‘Excellent’!

Customers note that staff are friendly, the planes are clean and on time, and the food is decent. However, Aegean’s network is mostly limited to Europe and the Middle East, and their prices may strike some as expensive. Still, you’re gonna get what you paid for.

Aegean airlines plane in flight seen from the ground

Wikimedia Commons

6. Austrian Airlines

On-time: 8.0/10

Service: 8.0/10

Claims: 8.9/10

Overall score: 8.3/10

Austrian Airlines is the flag carrier for that picturesque European nation, and also a subsidiary of the more well-known Lufthansa group — more on them later. AA flies into more than 55 countries in North America, North Africa, Europe, and Asia, so you don’t have to be summering in Vienna to try them out.

Customer comments are generally complimentary about flight attendants and in-flight meals, with one passenger remarking that there was an actual real-life chef aboard the flight. However, some others note that they paid for ‘premium’ economy tickets, but were seated in regular coach seats anyway, so that perk may not be worth paying for.

5. South African Airways

On-time: 8.5/10

Service: 7.8/10

Claims: 8.7/10

Overall score: 8.3/10

South African Airways flies into 26 countries all over the world, and also operates a low-cost domestic subsidiary called Mango. Its home port is Johannesburg.

According to passengers, the thing that really sets SA Airways apart is the amount of space and leg room in the cabin. But if you’re on a long flight (and if you’re flying from North America to South Africa, you surely will be), that’s no small luxury.

However, some also noted that they were flying on planes that seemed to be outdated. Air travel in South Africa can be a bit sketchy, even on one of the best airlines in the world. But with South African Airways, you’re at least assured of good service and a little room to spread out.

South African Airways plane on the tarmac.

South African Airways. Wikimedia Commons

4. Singapore Airlines

On-time: 8.5/10

Service: 9.8/10

Claims: 6.8/10

Overall score: 8.3/10

Now we’re getting into some high quality air miles. On TripAdvisor, 83% of reviewers describe their experience with Singapore Airlines as either ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent,’ with fully 58% saying the latter.

Passengers consistently rave about spacious seating (even in coach), great food, modern planes, and service that goes above and beyond.

3. Etihad Airways

On-time: 8.6/10

Service: 9.3/10

Claims: 7.5/10

Overall score: 8.4/10

When you think of the United Arab Emirates, you probably think of wealth and the luxury that attends it. If you’re willing to pay top dollar on Etihad, you can even get your own private pod complete with TV and room service. If not, well…

The jury is out where the online reviews are concerned, with some claiming that Etihad’s business class is overpriced, or that for a supposedly elite airline its amenities are somewhat lacking.

Still, the overall numbers don’t lie. Etihad will get you there on time, and their in-flight service is second-to-none.

Etihad plane on the runway, snow-covered grass

Wikimedia Commons

2. Lufthansa

On-time: 7.6/10

Service: 9.5/10

Claims: 8.6/10

Overall score: 8.6/10

It’s especially impressive that Lufthansa managed to rank so highly on this list, given that it’s actually the largest airline in Europe (taking its many subsidiaries into account). I mean, nothing against Air Malta, say, but the more you fly the more likely you are to encounter problems. Nevertheless, Lufthansa seems to handle those problems fairly well.

The most common complaints are delays, and that’s reflected in the numbers. But passengers are very impressed with the way Lufthansa staff organize boarding and disembarking — or maybe that’s just a German stereotype!

The airline is also well-known for its professional and courteous staff. A personal story: once, a Lufthansa flight I had booked was delayed for an hour because of ice on the wings, so the flight attendants gave us all chocolate. Nothing brightens up an extra hour in Frankfurt like a little sugar rush, I’ll tell ya.

1. Qatar Airways

On-time: 8.9/10

Service: 9.5/10

Claims: 8.9/10

Overall score: 9.1/10

Qatar is perhaps most famous for its corrupt World Cup Bid, its ‘foreign worker program’ that borders on slavery, and for its perpetual beef with neighbors Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But here’s something positive to toss on the pile: the far and away best airline of 2018.

One passenger wrote on TripAdvisor: “In an 8hrs journey, I got a countless and endless offer of services. Stewardess go back and forth making sure that passengers were all hydrated.”

That seems to be the consensus, with customers gushing about the decor, the staff, the food, the wine list — everything really! If you’re looking to make your flight as comfortable, safe, and timely as possible, you just can’t do any better than Qatar Airways.

Qatar Airways cargo plane on tarmac.

Wikimedia Commons

Well, that rounds out our list. What do you think? Do the scores accurately reflect the best airlines of the year? Do you agree with the ranking? Be sure to let us know. As always — happy trails!

How To Spend A Day At Arizona’s Mogollon Rim

Less than one hundred miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona, giant rocks and towering pines replace the desert scenery of the Valley of the Sun, and the rugged escarpment of the Mogollon Rim offers up its expansive views for miles around. If you’re in Phoenix and looking to get away for a day, this is an opportunity you can’t miss!

The backdrop of the drive to the Rim is also spectacular. The Beeline Highway, State Route 87 between Greater Phoenix and Payson, climbs and snakes its way through mountain terrain and diverse landscapes. The elevation of Phoenix as measured at the Sky Harbor Airport is 1,124 feet. During the first part of the drive, saguaros, other cacti, and low desert shrubs pepper the mountains around you. As you ascend in elevation, the saguaros thin out and eventually disappear. By the time you reach Payson, at the edge of the Mogollon Rim at an altitude of almost 5,000 feet, you’ll be hugged by evergreen forests.

When you turn east onto Arizona State Route 260 at Payson and continue toward the Rim itself, you’ll pass campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts. This is a popular vacation area for Phoenix area residents, who come to escape the heat of summer, admire the fall colors, or experience snow in winter.

Here’s everything you’ll want to know about the Mogollon Rim, one of the best day trips you can take from Phoenix.

Panorama of the Mogollon Rim.

Coconino National Forest / Flickr

The Mogollon Rim

The Mogollon Rim is a roughly 200-mile-long limestone and granite cliff carved diagonally across the state of Arizona, reaching 7,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level. It was formed by upheavals followed by flooding and erosion during the Mesozoic Era (252-66 million years ago). Although ponderosa pine forests dominate its slopes and plateau, you can also find oak, chapparal, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. The area offers many recreational opportunities, with campgrounds, lakes, trails, and lookouts.

There are two stories as to how the Mogollon Rim got its name. One story claims it was named after Juan Ignacio Flores Mogollon, the Spanish colonial governor of New Mexico from 1712 to 1715. According to the other story, the name comes from the Spanish word for mistletoe, an invasive plant in the area that can harm ponderosa trees. Whatever the true story of the origin of its name, the Rim’s scenery is dramatic.

Forest Road 300 along the Mogollon Rim.

Robert Hergenrather / Shutterstock

Scenic Rim Road

Thirty miles past Payson you come to Rim Road (Forest Road 300). You needn’t drive very far along the road to be treated to breathtaking views. It is just a few miles to Military Sinkhole and Rim Lakes Vista, where you’ll find expansive unobstructed views. Standing on a rugged cliff overlooking forests and hills dropping thousands of feet below you can fill you with awe. It can also be a bit unnerving if you have any fear of heights. If you want to take some time to walk while enjoying the view, Rim Lakes Vista Trail #622 is a popular, mostly paved hiking trail running just a few feet from the Rim’s edge. The trail is 3.5 miles long, making for a round-trip of seven miles, but if you want a shorter hike you can turn back at any point along the trail.

After you’ve had enough of enjoying the view and breathing in the fresh, clean scent of the air, you can continue the drive on Rim Road or head back to Route 260 to return to Payson.

Rim Road (Forest Road 300) continues in a westerly direction for about 40 miles until it joins State Route 87. The eastern end of the Rim Road is in the western edge of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. As you travel west, you’ll enter the Coconino National Forest. The road takes you through pine forest and grassy meadows, along drop-offs with spectacular views, and past campgrounds, lakes, and hiking trails. You may see wildlife along the way.

The road follows closely what was once part of the Crook Trail. General Crook took charge of the Arizona Territory in 1871 and waged a series of Indian campaigns to force the Apache onto reservations. He built the original trail, which was about 200 miles in length, between 1872 and 1873 to get supplies from Fort Whipple near Prescott to Fort Verde and Fort Apache.

You’ll also pass turn-offs to a number of recreational areas, including the Woods Canyon Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, and Knoll Lake. Kehl Springs Campground is a scenic spot for a picnic.

The road is well-graded gravel. The drive will likely take around two hours. Check road conditions before heading out. Snow and other winter weather conditions may result in road closures.

When you reach State Route 87, you can turn south and head back to Payson.

Kayakers on Woods Canyon Lake.

TygerGilbert / Shutterstock

Best Things To Do Near Mogollon Rim

There are a number of opportunities to get active in the Mogollon Rim. The rugged forested escarpment contains a large system of hiking trails ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous and in distance from half a mile to 32 miles. The trails take you through forests, grasslands, and valleys where you’ll see wildlife, old cabins, and spectacular mountain-edge vistas. Check the USDA Forest Service site for trail information in the Black Mesa Ranger District of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest and trail information in the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest. Note that many of the trails are not open in winter months.

Woods Canyon Lake

Several lakes in the area offer opportunities for boating, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife viewing, as well as access to hiking trails. Note that Arizona fishing regulations apply at all lakes and all anglers must hold valid Arizona fishing licenses. Each lake has its own restrictions as to the type and size of boats allowed.

Woods Canyon Lake, at an elevation of 7,510 feet, is set in a heavily forested area. Trout fishing is popular here. Woods Canyon Lake Store and Marina rents boats and sells fishing licenses and supplies.

Knoll Lake

Secluded Knoll Lake, also surrounded by dense ponderosa pine forest, is a scenic setting for a canoe or small boat ride. Fishing for rainbow, brown, and brook trout is good here. Roads to this lake are closed in winter.

Bear Canyon Lake

The narrow, canyon-bound, deep Bear Canyon Lake draws visitors despite being several miles down a dirt road with limited amenities. It is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and is accessible by snowmobile in winter.

Willow Springs Lake

Willow Springs Lake is located off Route 260 a few miles beyond the Rim Road intersection. It is a trout fishing lake set in tall pines. Ice fishing is popular in winter, but be sure to check official reports on ice conditions before venturing onto the lake.

The view along the Christopher Creek Loop.

Aimee Fitz / Shutterstock

Christoper Creek Loop

Christoper Creek is a short, scenic road running off Route 260 about 14 miles west of Rim Road. It makes for a pretty diversion on your way to Rim Road (or on the way back to Payson if you choose not to drive the full Rim Road). The road passes through the mountain village of Christopher Creek, which sits on the banks of a creek and boasts wide-open views of the jagged cliffs of the Mogollon Rim, before rejoining Route 260.

Things To Do In Nearby Payson, Arizona

Payson is a modern town very near the geographic center of Arizona. If you have time on your way back to Phoenix, stop and visit the art galleries and antique stores on Historic Main Street. The Beeline Cafe on Route 87 in Payson is a good place to stop for a bite to eat. The family-owned restaurant serves basic American food in a diner that still features a lunch counter. It is known for its pies.

Rim Country Museum And Zane Grey Cabin

While in Payson, you may wish to visit the Rim Country Museum, where you’ll find displays about the Apache people, the Payson Rodeo (the world’s oldest continuous rodeo), the history of early loggers, blacksmiths, miners, and pioneers in the area, and the Zane Grey Cabin.

Zane Grey was a storyteller of the American West. Between 1903 and his death in 1939 at the age of 67, he published almost ninety books: 60 westerns, 24 that have Arizona as the primary setting, and 14 that are set above or below the Mogollon Rim.

Grey first came to Rim Country in 1918. He built the original Zane Grey cabin, which he called his hunting lodge, in 1921. He came to that cabin in the fall to hunt and to write. A disagreement over a hunting license in 1929 led to the cabin being left abandoned for 30 years, but in 1963, Bill Goettl purchased and restored the cabin. After his death, his family turned the property into a private museum.

Sadly, the cabin burned to the ground in the Dude Fire of June 1990. The Dude Fire also destroyed 58 other homes and 28,000 acres of forest land and took the lives of six firefighters. The Zane Grey Museum, dedicated in 2005, is housed in a Zane Gray cabin replica made from local ponderosa trees.

The Rim Country Museum is located in Green Valley Park on West Main Street in Payson. The museum is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The temperature in the Mogollon Rim can be 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than Phoenix. Dress accordingly. Take a sweater or jacket, water, and good walking shoes. And don’t forget your camera!

Looking for more ideas for Arizona outings? Check out our tips on driving the Apache trail.

The 5 Best Ways To Spend A Day In Charlotte, NC

Have you ever heard the saying “Rome wasn’t built in a day?” Normally when you hear that, someone is urging you to slow down your endeavors and remember that it takes time to make change.

I propose to you that, in Charlotte, NC, you can build Rome in a day, because this is the perfect city to take a fabulous daycation. Here are 5 amazing ways to spend an unforgettable day in Charlotte.

1. Charlotte Beach: Ramsey Creek Park

Charlotte is recognized for its closeness to Myrtle Beach, SC, Hilton Head beach resorts in Hilton Head, SC, and Wrightsville Beach in Wilmington, NC to cite a few. These wonderful beaches are just about a 3.5 hour trip to enjoy. But why make that trek when Charlotte has a beach all its own? If you need a restful, recuperative day at the shore, then The Beach at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman is where you need to be.

About 20 minutes from the city center, Ramsey Creek Park is a 46-acre stretch that offers sand, swimming, a boat launch, a dock, a playground, picnic shelters, nature trails, a fishing pier, and a dog park. In fact if you bring in your furry kid along with you, your park entrance is FREE. It’s the perfect opportunity to give your dog a special daycation — particularly if she needs to work on her doggy paddle.

The beach is accessible from May until Labor Day.

Old wooden motorboat on a glassy lake, trees in the background.

Uwe Gross/Shutterstock

2. Lake Norman

If water sports are more your idea of a perfect getaway, then Lake Norman is the perfect place to soak yourself to the skin — even if you don’t have a sailboat of your own. Lake Norman is about 20 miles north of Charlotte. It is the largest man-made lake in North Carolina, with 520 miles of a shoreline.

There are several things to do at “the Lake”, as it is affectionally known by those who make their homes municipality of Charlotte. You can fish, charter a cruise, or rent Pontoon boats and jet skis. (Rentals range from hourly to several days.) There is even a pedal-powered BYOB, tour boat that can carry up to 15 individuals. You can be the skipper of your daycation while simultaneously allowing someone else to be the Captain of your ship. One day is all you need to make lasting memories on “The Lake.”

3. Ballantyne Resort and Spa

If peace and tranquillity is more your bag, consider spending your afternoon in Charlotte at the Ballantyne Hotel Resort and Spa. Located in South Charlotte, this spa offers luxury accommodations, 18 spa treatment areas, a steam room, an indoor and outdoor pool, poolside dining service, male and female relaxation lounges, and a sauna. Really, all they’re missing is an elephant graveyard and a squash court filled with jellybeans.

This is not your average day spa. The resort itself looks regal from the interstate. Looks can be deceiving, but not in this case; the facade of this building is as heavenly as what transpires within. You could devote a full day to being pampered here, visiting a land far far away from the stress of everyday life.

4. Museums

If you are into race cars, you must take a day to explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame museum. There is a multitude of NASCAR memorabilia for fans of the sport. If you aren’t a racing fan, you might be surprised to find yourself becoming one during your visit.

Still, maybe museums that portray cultural narratives are more up your alley. If so, the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture museum is sure to impress. You will find historical exhibits that showcase the influence of African-American culture in the U.S.

If you are a colossal fan of flight and can get lost just watching planes land and depart, then you will wish to devote part of your day to the Carolinas Aviation Museum. This museum is housed on the grounds of the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. You’ll have the freedom to move inside the cockpits of planes and pretend to be the pilot you always dreamt of being.

Don’t fret: budding Science, technology, and nature nerds also have a place to forget themselves. Discovery Place has museums throughout Charlotte that introduces STEM to young people, and provides hands on experiences. Parents are not left out and can get in on the fun as well!

NASCAR Hall of Fame, front window and sign, Charlotte, NC

The NASCAR Hall of Fame. Wikimedia Commons

5. Golf

How many times have you sat, distraught at your desk, dreaming of spending the whole day playing golf? Well, if you’re in Charlotte and seeking the perfect Golf daycation then you won’t be disappointed. The 5 public golf courses in Charlotte can change a dull day into a scenic adventure on the greens. There is a course for every handicap and every experience level. No matter which side of town you’re in, you can turn up a tee-time. Your golf clubs have a place to call home on the links in Charlotte.

Rome may not have been built in a day, but one day in Charlotte is enough time to build an extremely memorable getaway. Happy trails!

6 Ways To Beat Boredom On A Long Flight

With dozens of flights now clocking in at 16 hours, 17 hours, and even approaching 18 hours, a savvy traveler knows to think ahead when it comes to entertainment and passing the time. But there are only so many movies you can possibly watch before even that gets boring. Even wining, dining, and napping it off becomes a repetitive hassle after a while.

To help make your next long-haul flight more bearable, here are 6 creative ways to pass the time while you’re up in the air.

Get ready for your destination.

Read through your guidebook — even the boring chapters about where to find the pharmacies and post office! — so you’re ready to hit the ground running. Pre-flight, you can also download an app to help you learn the basics of a new language. Just a few basic phrases will help enhance your trip, and even if you don’t speak the language perfectly, most people appreciate visitors’ efforts to communicate.

Some of the best (free) language-learning apps for travelers include Duolingo, Babbel, and TripLingo. No need to carry around those cheap, old-fashioned, oft-mistaken phrasebooks.

Open your mind to something new.

We all get stuck in a rut from time to time. Why not change that up when you’re looking to pass time in-flight? At the airport kiosk, grab some magazines and newspapers that you’ve never read before. Checking out new writers and subjects is a great way to return from a trip with a fresh perspective — and to kill a few hours when you’re in transit.

Plane's wing seen through fuselage window

Unsplash / William Bayreuther

Create your own spa service.

Celebrities are famous for applying elaborate face masks when they travel. I guess they’re trying to protect their skin from the dry recycled air on commercial flights? No reason you can’t do the same. Why not give yourself the star treatment?

Grab some free samples from the duty-free section of the airport and stash them in your bag. Early in the flight (before the bathrooms have been too well used), apply some luxury face cream, use a fancy hand scrub, and cover your feet with thick lotion and heavy socks. Finish up by asking the staff for some herbal tea! You’ll arrive well-hydrated and with silky soft skin, having easily passed some of the time.

Plus you’ll feel like an Academy Award winner.

Mine the in-flight magazine for sneaky tips.

Did you know that most in-flight magazines have a map section toward the back that covers their carrier’s most commonly used airports? A quick flip through the back pages can help you save time and frustrations on the ground. Most such publications also carry details about ongoing airline contests. Maybe it’s taking a great “over the wing” photo or perhaps it’s telling management why the staff on your flight were great. Chances are, there’s a contest going on, with some pretty swanky prizes up for grabs! Why not pass the time by preparing your own entry? After all, someone has to win!

Clear your to-do list.

You don’t need WiFi to make massive progress on your to-do list. And you might not even need a computer! You have a seat and a mini desk — go to work! Make a grocery list and a meal plan for when you return home. Generate a list of new priorities for the interns at work. Start brainstorming Christmas gift ideas. Draft emails that you can send upon landing and finally make the notations you’ve been putting off on that boring report. It’s not exactly glamorous, but it passes the time. Ironically, it also saves you time when you arrive at your destination or back home.

Get some rest and relaxation.

Nothing can make the time on an airplane drag quite like trying to force yourself go to sleep when it’s just not on the cards. Instead of trying to sleep on a schedule, focus instead on rest and relaxation. Put on your eyeshades, get out your earplugs, and commit to a 30-minute rest segment. You can meditate, listen to an audiobook, mentally work your way through a lingering problem, or try out a new playlist. Whatever you do, don’t think about sleep! Instead, let your focus be on rejuvenation. If you drift off, great. If not, you’ve killed some time and cleared your worries. After all, isn’t travel all about having a great time? Enjoy every moment of the journey!

We hope these tips will help you get through your next lengthy flight. What do you do to pass time in transit? Do you have a secret strategy? Let us know. Happy trails!

UK Airline Called Out For Sexism Over Stickers Handed Out To Kids

When I was a kid, on a flight from New York to Orlando (or possibly the way back), I received a plastic wings pin from the Delta flight attendant. In my mind, for a brief time, I was an honorary Delta pilot. It was a pretty great feeling at the time, and it never for a second occurred to me that, as a girl, I couldn’t be a pilot. Decades later, I still remember that pin and that awesome feeling. Unfortunately, some TUI UK passengers aren’t feeling nearly as satisfied by the way the “future captain” and “future cabin crew” stickers are being distributed to the children passengers on recent flights. Apparently, at least in some cases, the stickers that said “future captain” were being given out to boys, while the girls received the “future cabin crew” stickers.

According to Metro, Dame Gillian Morgan told them she noticed the “deeply sexist” practice when she was going through passport control for a TUI flight from Bristol to Paphos, Cyprus. She saw the flight attendants handing out the stickers on board and later noticed that all of the boys had captain stickers while the girls had cabin crew stickers. As she pointed out to the news outlet, “We desperately need more women to do science, maths and engineering but little things like this take us backwards by providing restricting roles.”

Whether it was intentional or not, that these gender neutral stickers were seemingly distributed with gender in mind implies that the captain position is for boys and the cabin crew position is for girls. Understandably, the internet is having none of this…




Of course, there are two sides to every story, and there have been some passengers who’ve witnessed different behavior with the sticker distribution…



Based on what Tui told Sky News, this was all a big mix-up. According to their statement,” “We think it has just been a simple mix-up since our future pilot and cabin crew stickers are designed for use for any child regardless of gender.”

So this situation may be overblown, at least a little bit, especially if the practice isn’t an official policy on behalf of the airline. Maybe some flight attendants are showing a bias, while others are being more open-minded about who gets what sticker. At the very least, the whole ordeal is a reminder that seemingly harmless things like stickers can send a message to children, however subtle it may be.

In other news: Read about the flight that had to turn back partway across the ocean because someone broke a toilet.