December 2025 Travel News

Christopher and Ashleigh guide you through December’s most practical travel updates, from shifting airline routes to festive European destinations, with their trademark blend of honest insight and flexible planning tips.

• FAA launched $32.5 Billion overhaul of US Air Traffic Control systems
• Ryanair cutting 1 million seats in 2026
• AerLingus launching Dublin to Pittsburgh flights in 2026
• The American Express Centurion Lounge tops JD Power’s 2025 airport lounge rankings—worth considering for your next layover
• Don’t forget the Real ID fee hike for US domestic travelers in 2026

This episode’s wine break skips the glass and instead offers practical gift-giving tips. Christopher and Ashleigh suggest picking wines adjacent to the recipient’s favorites (think French Chardonnay for an American Chardonnay fan) and recommend seeking advice from knowledgeable staff at local wine shops or large retailers like Total Wine. If you’re unsure of someone’s preferences, a little insight into whether they enjoy drier or sweeter wines can go a long way.

• Kauai bans disposable body boards, aiming to reduce plastic waste
• CDC issues a chikungunya virus alert for multiple international destinations
• UK hotel stays to get pricier with new nightly tourism taxes
• UNESCO spotlights the communal spirit of Italian cuisine
• Amtrak records record ridership in 2025
• Europe's Christmas markets anticipate nearly €1 billion in visitor spending for 2025.

Tune in for a practical, up-to-date roundup to help shape your next adventure. Listen to the Go See Do Explore Podcast for honest travel news and tips to make your trips more meaningful—and a little more spontaneous.