Visiting Ancient Roman Ruins—North Africa Edition

Everyone knows that the Roman Empire was expansive.

If you’ve traveled around Europe, you might have encountered ruins from this antiquated civilization in major cities. That’s because Ancient Romans founded some of the world’s greatest European cities during their colonial campaigns into central and northern Europe.

London began as Londinium. Barcelona as Barcino. Zurich as Turicum. Cologne as Colonia Agrippina. Vienna as Vindobona. Budapest as Aquincum.

The list goes on and on.

But they’re far from the only cities harboring buried Roman ruins. And if you’re someone who’s on the hunt for Roman ruins or other ancient archaeological sites, you need to focus beyond Europe’s borders.

Specifically, you should be looking into sites in North Africa, home of the Carthaginians. Not only can you find Carthaginian ruins in countries like Tunisia and Algeria, but you can also find Romain sites. And some of them are better preserved than Italy’s best ruins.

Here’s what you need to know about visiting Roman ruins and other ancient sites in North Africa. First up: Algeria.

Roman Ruins in Algeria

When it comes to finding Roman ruins in North Africa, Algeria and Tunisia are the best options. Algeria, for example, is home to close to a dozen visitable sites. They line its northeastern coasts where ancient Romans would have landed and conquered.

Timgad

Timgad is a well-known and well-preserved former colony. The small outpost retains its grid-like shape. Even the library is partly visible, while the Trojan Arch remains almost fully intact millennia after its construction. No tourist lines, no degraded structures.

Explore tours of Timgad here

Djemila

Djemila is another Roman ruin worth visiting—one that recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, you can still wander through a large forum, Trojan arch, and dozens of cobbled streets. Its market event includes ‘measuring cups’, which were carved into a stone table to make measurement easy for merchants.

Explore Djemila here

Calama

Calama, hidden within the modern city of Guelma, is home to a 4,500-person amphitheater that’s in remarkable shape. A few other notable spots dot the theatre, including baths. But I think the amphitheater is jaw-dropping enough.

Explore Calama here

Roman Ruins in Tunisia

If you enjoy history, you can probably guess what our first stop in Tunisia is—the ruins of Ancient Carthage, located just outside the capital of Tunis.

(Remember that elephant-riding madman named Hannibal who decided to attack Rome from the north? He was from Carthage.)

Carthage

Carthage is the most well-known of North Africa’s ancient ruins. Like Djemila, it’s a protected UNESCO World Heritage site. Prior to the Roman takeover of Carthage, the city served as an important trading center for the Mediterranean for centuries. That means that visitors can note Carthaginian elements and Roman elements throughout the site.

Explore tours of Carthage here

Dougga

Dougga (Thugga) is described by UNESCO as a ‘small Roman town on the fringes of an empire’, which paints a lovely, if slightly intimidating, picture. Like Carthage, visitors might notice a few callbacks to its Carthaginian era. Dougga was once the Carthaginian capital city.

Explore tours of Duogga here

Bulla Regia

Bulla Regia is by far the coolest Roman ruin I’ve ever encountered. What sets it apart is its underground villas, many of which retain original mosaicwork. Like many other ruins, this city was influenced by the Romans, Carthaginians, Berbers, and Numidians. This area also has a vast amphitheater that’s still largely intact.

Explore tours of Bulla Regia here

Fly Rights: Inside the US’s New Flight Compensation Policy

Flying in the United States anytime soon? You’ve got brand new rights you might not know about.

Flight rights (or Fly Rights, officially) is a new regulation that outlines an airline’s responsibility toward its passengers. It covers what happens when flights are delayed, canceled, or rescheduled at the last minute.

Historically, Americans haven’t had too many options when things go wrong at the airport.

Even when facing issues like missed connecting flights due to previous delays, passengers haven’t had much recourse. My official advice? Be nice to gate agents, smile and show courtesy, and hope for the best.

And for a long time, that wasn’t just the best course of action—it was the only course.

This recently changed thanks to policy updates from the Department of Transportation. New regulations define a new set of rules that airlines operating in the US must follow.

More specifically, it covers passenger compensation as a result of delays caused by airlines.

But what’s actually included in the Fly Rights consumer protection approach? And what information is the most immediately impactful for passengers? Let’s explore this new era of commercial air travel.

The new flight rights policy

The Fly Rights Consumer Guide to Air Travel lays out helpful information related to airfares, baggage, overbooking, travel scams, frequent-flyer programs, and more. The goal is to educate passengers on what’s normal in the airline industry.

As someone who writes about airlines and flies with multiple companies frequently, I was pleasantly surprised while reading through the guide. It’s short and sweet in all the right ways. If you need any type of refresher on how airlines and airports work, give it a quick read-through.

Here’s what I think you need to know—

One of the primary goals of the Fly Rights campaign is to educate us passengers by laying out the norms. The second goal is to hold airlines accountable for delays, disruptions, and cancellations.

More importantly, the Fly Rights rules dictate when and how airlines must compensate passengers with refunds.

No more vouchers. No more discounts. No more begging at the counter. No more waiting in hours-long lines. No more terrible airport snacks.

Just cold hard cash. (Well, in most cases.)

Who gets refunds according to the Fly Rights program—and for what?

Let’s get to the fun stuff. So, when are you guaranteed compensation for a mix-up at the airport?

When your flight is canceled or significantly delayed. A significant delay covers domestic flights that are delayed at least three hours and international flights that are delayed at least six hours.

Airlines can offer alternative transportation or travel credits in these cases. However, its up to the passenger to choose how they’d like to be compensated.

And that’s not all.

Significant delays also cover outcomes such as increasing the number of connections, changing the departing or arriving airport, being downgraded to a lower class, or rebooking a disabled passenger on a less accessibility-friendly plane.

And that’s still not all.

Aside from significant delays or changes to a flight, airlines are also required to offer compensation when baggage is returned at least 12 hours late for domestic flights and up to 30 hours for international flights.

Additionally, airlines owe compensation when they fail to provide extra services that passengers paid for, like extra legroom.

How are passengers compensated?

The final goal of the Fly Rights program is to make it easy for passengers to make their claims and receive financial compensation. According to the rules, compensation should be pretty seamless for the passenger.

When a flight has been significantly delayed or canceled, airlines must:

Automatically issue refunds without any prompts from passengers.
They must issue these refunds within seven business days for credit card purchases or 20 days for other forms of payment.
Refunds must be provided in cash or via the passenger’s original payment method. Passengers can choose to accept other forms of payment.
Refunds must include all taxes and fees imposed by the government and airline.

So, what do you do if your flight is delayed or mismanaged? Find another way to get where you’re going—and keep a lookout for that refund. It should be deposited back to you with no added work on your part.

4 Stopover Programs Worth Your Time & Money

I’ve personally never been excited for a stopover.

After all, stopovers mark a break in transit—one that could last a few hours or a whole night depending on circumstances. They might even signal a serious delay that results in a sleepless night in a cold hotel room.

But that’s not the full story.

Back in the day, stopovers were a lot more common. Travelers couldn’t book flights on a mere whim—especially long-haul international flights. Routes were fewer and far between.

It wasn’t uncommon to have to wait a few days for your scheduled flight to take you around the world. This interim gave travelers the chance for a true stopover adventure—one in which they’d leave the airport and set up shop at a hotel for a day or two.

Given the immediacy with which we expect to book airfare and fly around the world, these types of multi-day stopovers aren’t usually on our radar. Some travelers might actively get anxious by the idea of bundling a stopover trip into their main adventure.

But what about a seamless stopover—one that’s already pre-planned by an airline, for example?

Would you be more willing to explore a city if you knew that your hotel and activities were already baked into the agenda?

That’s the idea behind airline-led stopover programs. They’re designed to keep travelers occupied for a few days by offering steep deals on lodging, dining, and more.

Let’s take a closer look at a few stopover programs that have popped up on my radar that I think are worth exploring.

Turkish Airlines

Get a free hotel stay & city tour in Istanbul

Economy class passengers who fly into Turkey from the US are eligible for two free nights at certain four-star hotels in Istanbul. (Or three free nights at a five-star location for business class flyers.)

Turkish Airlines also partners with a tour group that offers eight unique tours every day. These explore the city’s historical and cultural districts—along with a selection of its popular shopping areas.

That’s a pretty stellar offer considering Istanbul’s history and significance.

Istanbul is one of the world’s oldest cities in the world with sites that date back millennia. It straddles the continents of Asia and Europe, making it culturally distinct. On top of that, Turkey is home to some of the most renowned eats and drinks in the world.

Explore Turkish Airlines’ stopover program

Icelandair

Stay for up to a week with no additional airfare charge

In terms of popular travel destinations, Reykjavik is probably an easier sell than Istanbul. For the last decade, Iceland’s tourism department has been working overtime to attract Americans, meaning we’re a bit more inclined to visit.

And this is one of the best ways to explore the capital city—with Iceland Air’s stopover program.

Americans flying transatlantic with the airline can stay for a day or even up to a week with a unique stopover selection. But there’s one noteworthy catch: hotels aren’t included, nor is transportation.

The savings here comes from the airfare. There’s no additional charge on airfare for up to a week. In other words, you get to bundle a mini-trip into your longer travel journey. But if you’re doing a stopover program simply based on savings, look elsewhere.

Check out Icelandair’s stopover program

Qatar Airways

Explore Doha with steep discounts

I’m highly intrigued by Qatar’s capital Doha, along with other Middle Eastern hotspots like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways has a pretty stellar stopover program designed to introduce visitors to the Qatari way of life.

Flyers can select a range of hotel packages from Qatar, some of which are as cheap as $15/night. The stopover program runs for up to four nights. After selecting the hotel, flyers can also shop around for unique packages and excursions.

These showcase Doha’s coolest experiences, from museum tours to dune surfing to beach visits.

If you’re like me and have limited experience traveling in the Middle East, these types of programs can go a long way in introducing you to a new culture and lifestyle.

Check out Qatar Airways’ stopover program

Iberia

Explore Madrid with a list of curated offers and deals

Americans who have a stopover in Madrid on an Iberia flight can explore this cultural hotspot with ease. The caveat? The savings aren’t necessarily steep here.

Though Iberia offers discounts and promos across solid hotel brands, flyers are still going to pay a good amount to stay in the city.

That being said, the Stopover Hola Madrid program offers dozens of experiences—including museums, bars, shops, day trips, and more. Every single offer has a promotional price tag, which adds up to a lot of savings for those jaunting around the city for a few days.

Checkout the Stopover Hola Madrid program

Medical Tourism: Which Countries Have the Best Reputation?

I imagine many Americans know someone with a stockpile of antibiotics they bought during their last trip to Mexico. (Or is that just me?)

Along with antibiotics, other popular buys include arthritis medication like Humira and diabetes medication like insulin. Unlike in the US, these medications can be bought over the counter—and, most importantly, at a more reasonable price.

I’m not going to go into the state of healthcare in the US. But it might not come as a surprise that Americans are some of the most active medical tourists in the world.

Medical tourism involves traveling to another country or region to obtain cheaper and/or more reliable medical care. (In some cases, travelers might also feel more comfortable returning to a familiar culture and language to receive care.)

According to the CDC, the most common procedures that Americans seek out are cosmetic surgery, dental procedures, fertility treatments, organ transplants, and cancer treatment.

From pharmacies in Tijuana to luxury hospitals in Bangkok, millions of Americans travel each year for reliable care.

But which countries offer the best in cutting-edge medical tourism?

Singapore

Specialties: Advanced diagnostics, cosmetics, orthopedic, oncology, cardiac, neurosurgery

Few places have a reputation as sterling as Singapore. This nation-state is a world-class zone for finance, technology, economics, and even healthcare.

While medical tourists are going to pay a pretty penny for their procedures, they’ll do so with total confidence and faith in Singapore’s doctors.

That makes Singapore one of the best medical destinations in Asia and the world. Not only are its doctors highly qualified and its facilities modern, but Singapore also specializes in robot-assisted surgery and the latest advances in neurosurgery.

The more complex the problem, the more likely you are to find a solution in Singapore.

Japan

Specialties: Cardiovascular, oncology and radiation treatment, fertility treatments, regenerative medicine

Japan goes above and beyond to offer a holistic and relaxing experience with its medical treatments. That’s because medical care is handled differently in Japan (and even in neighboring countries like Korea), with a stronger emphasis placed on atmosphere and calmness.

Tranquil treatment centers aside, Japanese doctors are pulling on the country’s thousands of years of medical practice.

Combined with its approach to technology, that experience translates into cutting-edge care. Similar to Singapore, many Japanese doctors have access to treatment procedures that haven’t been developed elsewhere.

UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi)

Specialties: Cosmetics, cardiac, cancer, fertility treatments, oncology, and dermatology

The UAE’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi are some of the most highly sought-after medical destinations in the Middle East and South Asia. This shouldn’t come as a surprise given the country’s emphasis on technology and modern amenities.

Its medical facilities are mostly brand-new and decked out with the latest in medical tech. Similarly, its doctors are some of the best in the world—and they’re attracted to the country for its emphasis on wellness and, more specifically, aesthetics.

Similar to Canada (below), visitors can expect to fork over a pretty penny for their procedures.

Costa Rica

Specialties: Cosmetics, dental care, bariatric surgeries, and orthopedics

I spent almost a year living in a small suburb of Costa Rica’s capital San Jose. Given my landlocked position, I spotted quite a few tourists who weren’t heading to the coasts. Instead, they were flying in just for medical care.

Most people came for dental work and/or cosmetic surgeries. Unsurprisingly, given the country’s focus on tourism, it has looked to boost its medical tourism offerings.

That means there are state-of-the-art facilities around San Jose and beyond—along with a growing number of research facilities.

Canada

Specialties: Cardiac, orthopedic, cancer, and cosmetics

Canada is high on the list for medical tourists thanks to its clean environment, developed medical infrastructure, and high quality of its medical facilities.

That shouldn’t come as a total shock given Canada’s comprehensive healthcare system. Canada invests pretty heavily in research and development, meaning it offers some of the most cutting-edge medical procedures on the planet.

While Canada isn’t the cheapest option on this list by a long shot, its facilities and doctors are trusted—which is something that many will pay top dollar for when traveling around the world for a major procedure.

What Are Semi-Private Airlines? Here’s What You Need to Know

Have you heard of semi-private airlines?

If you’re anything like me, you may have thought there were two worlds in terms of airfare.

The first covers the overwhelming majority of flyers: Commercial. Commercial airlines, from Spirit to Qatar, are how the vast majority of people get around. But even first-class passengers might dream of a private jet.

That’s the other well-known form of air travel: Private jets. Whether chartering a private jet for a trip or owning one, private jets are the uppermost echelon of comfortable travel.

But let me open up a brand new horizon for you.

Semi-private airlines. And don’t worry—they’re more affordable than you might think.

What are semi-private airlines like?

A semi-private airline is a company that owns smaller aircraft that usually max out at 30 seats. And those 30 seats are comfortable, with plenty of space, great views of the window, and even added features like chargers and functional tables fit for working.

But that’s just the basics.

Aside from more comfortable flights than the standard commercial fare, semi-private airlines also offer more in terms of personalized service and privacy.

Most don’t operate at airports, for example. Instead, most semi-private airlines have their own private terminals that include separate security and even passport control.

No long lines, no stressful waits, no rushing through border control.

But wait—it gets better

Guests can also expect more personal care. Depending on the company and the journey, some flyers have their own personal concierge that’s responsible for meeting their needs. That might be handling checked luggage or making sure their pet is flight-ready.

And there’s no need to worry about safety standards, either.

Though planes are much smaller than the average commercial airplane, semi-private airlines must meet the same safety regulations as their peers. And yes—private terminals have their own air traffic control authorities.

I’m sure I’ve sold you on semi-private airlines—but I haven’t got to the best part yet. As mentioned up top, some airlines are actually affordable, meaning you might not be priced out for a semi-private experience when flying between certain destinations.

Best semi-private airlines

Aero

Active in the US since 2021, Aero offers one of the most comprehensive semi-private airline setups. Just select airfare for a direct flight between its private terminals.

At the moment, the company is expanding its North American offerings, which are based in places like Los Cabos, Napa Valley, Sun Valley, and Dallas.

Aero’s focus is very much on luxury, which means seats aren’t cheap. The airline even offers flights from the LIV Golf Championship in Dallas, which signals a pretty tight target demographic.

Book a flight

JSX

Meet the brand that introduced me to semi-private airlines.

Unlike other semi-private airlines, JSX is looking to stay semi-affordable. For years, it has offered both the most extensive flight routes and the most affordable tickets. That’s partly thanks to its larger planes, which usually seat a maximum of 30 passengers.

The popularity of JSX has helped the company expand its reach. At the moment, it offers regular service between nineteen locations across the US and Mexico, along with a handful of season routes.

But that list is constantly expanding. So if you have a few extra dollars to spend on domestic airfare and can’t stand another trip through the airport, go with JSX.

Book a flight

Surf Air

Similar to JSX, Surf Air is looking to pull out all the stops when it comes to accessible semi-private airfare. Part of its success comes from its partnership with Southern Airways Express and Mokulele Airlines, which removes the stress of managing its own fleet.

While Surf Air doesn’t have an extensive route network, its platform makes it easy to shop around for available flights. But flyers need to sign up for this members-only arrangement.

Members can choose between a monthly fee that covers unlimited flights or the standard membership fee of $199/month. Despite the monthly membership fee, flights are actually cheap. For example, flights between Los Angeles and nearby Mexicali are only $80.

Book a flight

Advanced Air

Advanced Air began as a private jet chartering service but recently expanded its offerings to include commercial routes between regional airports. They just added Crescent City, California to their list of available flights, for example.

And its offers, similar to JSX, are actually affordable—no membership fee involved.

A flight from Crescent City to Los Angeles starts at around $270… which is what I recently paid for a flight between Barcelona and Milan on a basic commercial airline.

Book a flight

Themed Bars: Top Picks in SF, NYC, & Chicago

What makes a bar great?

The answer probably depends on why you’re drinking.

Looking to catch up with friends and have a few beers before going home? Head to your local dive bar.

What about sampling new cocktails and nailing a few photo ops? You’re better off at a daring new cocktail lounge.

How about people celebrating a birthday with a big group of friends? Look for the biggest and emptiest bar in sight.

Then there are themed bars.

As someone who tends to avoid bars, a well-executed theme actually goes a long way in getting me through the front door. Themed bars, though not as common as their mixology-focused lounges or homely local counterparts, offer some of the coolest experiences in nightlife.

In Barcelona, we have one of the best in the world. It’s called the Dow Jones Bar. The stock market theme is pretty thorough—every order changes the stock of a drink, which affects its price. I don’t know anything about Wall Street, but after a few drinks at the Dow Jones Bar, I was involved in a lot of inside trading. (I thrived.)

My point is that a great theme—similar to something like a themed picnic or an escape room—is a great way to generate interest. In the case of themed bars, that interest translates directly to people like me buying more drinks.

So if you enjoy bars more for the good time than the booze itself, I recommend penciling down these highly-rated themed bars from across the US. (And even if you’re there to drink more than revel, I still think they’re solid choices.)

Smuggler’s Cove

San Francisco

Ever wondered how the past, present, and future become one through the lens of rum? Me, neither—but I’m excited to learn more!

Smuggler’s Cove is a pirate-themed bar that’s truly dedicated to its rum-based craft. The décor is religiously pirate-themed, including plenty of Tiki fare—and that’s just the start.

Smuggler’s Cove excels in its rum offerings. Guests can choose from rum cocktails that actually date back to the peak of Caribbean piracy. That’s the crux of Smuggler’s Cove’s long-running success—behind all the wild pirate frill are some seriously delicious and well-balanced rum drinks. The bar’s book even nabbed a James Beard award.

Check it out

BeetleHouse NYC

New York City

Every day is Halloween at BeetleHouse. Based on the cult hit Beetlejuice and all things Halloween, this spot goes above and beyond in terms of memorable, mouthwatering spectacles. There’s also a three-course meal available that’s on-theme, which sounds like a solid option for anyone who enjoys ghostly bites.

It might not be a bad idea if you want to sample all the cocktails available. Like any great themed bar, the drinks are imaginative and reflect the overall emphasis on Halloween. They run a pretty wide range of tastes, too, from the chocolate chocolate martini to the old-fashioned-esque headless horseman.

Miracle

Nationwide

Many themed bars start as pop-ups (that’s the case with BeetleHouse, above). A pop-up is (usually) a temporary bar that’s testing out its business plan, waiting for a permanent home, or taking advantage of a limited rent offer.

Miracle is a moving pop-up bar, meaning that the company is constantly partnering with bars around the world to deliver unique experiences. Miracle’s focus is on Christmas magic. The company transforms bars and lounges into snowy wonderlands.

The over-the-top decoration and drink list (and general experience) has proved so popular that bars around the US are waiting for their chance to host a Miracle pop-up. That means you can find Miracle pop-ups around the country—but you’ll need to wait for the holiday season.

Check out this year’s Miracle-themed bars

Wilson & Wilson Private Detective Agency

San Francisco

A speakeasy within a speakeasy? (What are they putting in the water in San Francisco?)

This theme bar is tucked away inside the highly-rated Bourbon & Branch. And that’s where its leading bartenders usually spend their time. The Wilson & Wilson is renowned for its high-profile spirits—and its murder mystery challenge.

This themed bar offers reservations for up to four and no more. After sitting down, guests embark on a true crime challenge to solve the mysterious 1932 disappearance of a woman named Lorraine Adeline Wilson.

The goal? Find Lorraine before you black out.

Monk’s Pub

Chicago

From the outside looking in, I would have pegged Monk’s Bar as an Oktoberfest-themed spot. On closer inspection, it’s actually a callback to a monastery where the owner, Mike Shaker, once spent a summer.

By 1978, he’d turned that wayward adventure into a bar experience in downtown Chicago with the opening of Monk’s Pub.

The interior is a kitschy callback to Central Europe and its beerhalls—and I mean that in the best way possible. But let’s not forget the core of a great themed bar: its menu.

Monk’s Pub is a beer-drinker’s paradise, with some of the best names in American and European beer represented on its draughts. You’ll have over 200 to choose from.