Travel Alerts

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Major nor’easter off the North Carolina and Virginia coast may affect travel plans

by

If you are traveling by air this weekend, we want you to be aware of possible disruption of your plans. A major nor’easter has developed off the North Carolina and Virginia coast and is forecast to bring hurricane‑force winds, heavy rain, coastal flooding, and rough surf from the Mid‑Atlantic into New England. The storm formed early this week just offshore of the Carolinas and Virginia and is expected to strengthen as it moves north along the Atlantic coast. Meteorologists warn it could deliver wind gusts up to 50–60 mph and waves of 15–18 ft.

Impacts begin midweek (Sep 23) along the central Atlantic coast, spreading to New England Friday (Sept 25) and lasting through the weekend in some areas. Northeast coastal winds gusting up to 50 mph through Thursday; and possible 60–70 mph gusts if the low pressure shifts close to Boston. Boston metro could see 5–8 inches of rain between Friday and Sunday; Cape Cod may experience tropical‑storm‑level conditions. High tides combined with strong winds will cause minor to moderate tidal flooding in most tidal areas from northeastern North Carolina through Massachusetts.

Risk areas

Mid‑Atlantic: Coastal North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland.

Northeast: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and especially Massachusetts (Boston metro, Cape Cod).

New England: Southeastern Massachusetts, parts of New Hampshire and Maine.   

Coastal flood warnings and advisories are in effect for most tidal areas through Thursday night or Friday. Residents in affected zones should prepare for multi‑day disruption and possible power outages.

This is a long‑duration, high‑impact storm with the potential for severe coastal flooding, dangerous surf, and damaging winds. If the low pressure moves close to Boston, conditions could be catastrophic.

Mariners, coastal residents, and anyone in the storm’s path should monitor official forecasts and follow local emergency alerts.

Needless to say, if you are traveling from the Mid-Atlantic or Northeast Coast of the U.S. this weekend, your plans could…and likely will, be disrupted.

If you are traveling with a group, you will probably be contacted by the tour operator to let you know of any changes to the itinerary.

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Delta and United Resume Nonstop New York–Tel Aviv Flights

by

The situation in Israel has greatly improved. People are returning to the Holy Land, and flights from the U.S. are as well! Delta resumed nonstop service from New York to Tel Aviv and so has United. 

Delta’s restart followed a security review and is its primary transatlantic gateway to Israel; other Delta Israel routes (e.g., Atlanta, Boston) remain suspended.  Delta Airlines will offer daily service from New York using the Airbus A330‑900neo (neo stands for “new engine Option”), offering Delta One®, Premium Select, Comfort, and Main Cabin. 

Delta flight #234 departs JFK at 3:40 p.m.(15:30) local time, arrives TLV at 9:25 a.m. (09:25) the following day,

The return flight, Delta flight #235  leaves TLV departs 11:35 a.m. (11:35) local time and  arrives JFK at 5:00 p.m. (17:00).

United Airlines began two daily Newark–Tel Aviv flights on September 8. United’s Newark–Tel Aviv service had been suspended since March 2026 amid regional conflict; this restart is part of a broader U.S.–Israel service rebuild. Service resumed on September 8, 2026, with two daily flights from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Tel Aviv using a Boeing 787-10, which seats 318 passengers.

United flight #84 departs Newark (EWR) at 3:55 p.m. (15:55) and arrives Tel Aviv (TLV) at  9:20 am (09:20) the following day.

United flight #90 departs Newark (EWR) at 11:35 pm (23:35) and arrives Tel Aviv (TLV) at 5:00 p.m. (17:00) the following day.

Both airlines’ schedules are subject to security and operational conditions; check Delta.com or United.com for the latest updates.

Other airlines, including European carriers, are also planning Tel Aviv returns later in fall.

El Al, Israel’s flag carrier, has continued service from New York’s JFK Airport with no interruption. You can visit their website here.

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Why is Poland such a hot destination?

by

No, we’re not talking about the temperature…..summer is relatively mild: August temps in Krakow average high 76F, low 58F (24c high to 14c low).

What we are talking about is the fact that Poland has surged in popularity in 2026. It is recording record-breaking visitor numbers, thanks to a strong value-for-money, and a mix of cultural, natural, and seasonal appeal. Poland attracted over 21 million international tourists in 2025, the first time that figure has been exceeded, and total accommodation stays rose 11% year-on-year.  This year is shaping up to be even better.

This growth has made it one of Europe’s fastest-growing tourism markets, ranking second only to Malta in EU growth rate. Hotels are seeing a quarter of all guests as foreign tourists, with Germans, Britons, and Czechs leading arrivals. Travelers are increasingly choosing Poland over crowded southern European destinations because of cooler summer temperatures, lower costs, and easy access to lakes, mountains, and Baltic beaches. Poland’s medieval cities like Kraków and Warsaw, UNESCO-listed Old Towns, vibrant markets, and rich cuisine are major draws.

And, with its rich Catholic history, Poland offers many sites that will make your trip memorable, so check out these locations.

When winter comes, you will find major draws in Christmas markets, festive traditions, and seasonal foods like pierogi and makowiec.

Airline networks have expanded, making it easier to reach Poland from across Europe and Asia. This has reduced reliance on traditional travel corridors and brought in more visitors from Western and Southern Europe, North America and even Asia.

Poland offers a blend of history, nature, and modern culture—from alpine air in Zakopane to the sea breeze of Gdańsk—while still being budget-friendly. It’s also popular for short breaks, multi-stop itineraries, and group travel.

In short, Poland’s combination of affordable prices, diverse attractions, improved infrastructure, and seasonal appeal has made it one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations in 2026.

 

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

New entry requirements for the European Union

by

If you plan to travel to Europe from the U.S., Canada or many other countries after April 10, you need to be prepared for the Entry Exit System, or EES. While most major airports in the EU have already gone online with this program, the system will be fully operational by April 10, 2026.

The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) is in effect, having started its gradual rollout on October 12, 2025. It operates at external borders of 29 European countries, replacing physical passport stamps for non-EU travelers with digital biometric scans (fingerprints/facial images). Full, mandatory implementation is expected by April 9, 2026.

The system is designed to enhance security and track compliance with stay durations. being introduced in phases, meaning not all border points (airports, sea ports, land borders) are fully automated immediately. While operational, some border points may still use traditional, manual stamping for a limited time during the transition period ending in April 2026.

Used in 25 EU member states (excluding Ireland and Cyprus) and 4 Schengen-associated countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland), the EES is a biometric screening requirement for entry into the EU. What does that mean? It means that upon arrival, you will need to go to a kiosk and have your picture or fingerprints taken before proceeding to passport control. This system is compulsory. Unlike in the US, where you can bypass the facial recognition scan when going through security.

There have been some reports of delays with the system upon arrival, but it seems that most airports have adjusted and are processing people quickly at this point.

This is the first step in a two-step security enhancement for entering the EU.

The next rollout, called ETIAS, will require travelers from many countries (including the USA) to pre-register for entry via a government website. This is coming online in the fourth quarter of 2026, but official dates are not yet available.

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Behind the Scenes: Finding Faith in the Face of Crisis

by

We are reprinting this article by Matt Maszczak, Vice President of Select International Tours, with their permission.

Behind the Scenes: Finding Faith in the Face of Crisis

The day started like any other Saturday, until the buzz of my phone sliced through the 7 AM silence. It was Edita, the President of Select International Tours. Four words: “Turn on the news.” I knew instantly. We had 500 pilgrims preparing to depart for the Holy Land, and military action had just shut down travel. Again!

While the East Coast was just waking up to the alarming headlines, our team was already in motion, connecting with our partners on the ground in Israel. The relief of confirming their safety was quickly followed by a striking realization: unlike COVID-19 or the October 7 attacks, our contacts saw these new events not as a setback; but as a difficult, necessary step toward a safer, more stable future. They were optimistic. With no groups currently in the region, all our focus immediately pivoted to upcoming departures.

What happened next was a powerful testament to the deep faith of our group leaders: they were overwhelmingly supportive. Less than 24 hours after the crisis began, the first scheduled priest convened his pilgrims. Together, they decided to proceed with the April trip unless travel was absolutely impossible. The next three group leaders echoed this resolve, a steady refusal to let fear take root.

When we arrived at the office on Monday morning, our staff was fully engaged, braced for panic, but instead, we were met with an unexpected calm. Most pilgrims set to depart in April and May had reasonable questions, which were answered with care and reassurance. We shared the conviction that our Lord is in control, even amid the most unsettling uncertainty.

While part of our team fielded these calls, others plunged into critical, hour-by-hour discussions with overseas partners, the State Department, airlines, and the countless services that weave our pilgrimages together. This task of information gathering and planning is inherently time-consuming, but after six years of recent crises and 38 years of overall experience, one truth has been proven repeatedly: rash decisions in the face of global events are almost always the wrong ones.

Every single one of our trusted contacts agreed: This is not the time to make big changes. This is the time to wait, see, and trust. They believe this military action will be short-lived, that life in Israel will return to normal, and travel will resume in no time.

One of the core benefits of selecting Select International Tours for your pilgrimage is the ability to rely on our extensive experience and established network. This ensures that all decisions are grounded in real-time information, moving beyond conjecture or reactive decisions.

Today’s news cycle makes waiting difficult. Headlines are designed to keep us anxious. But pilgrimage has never been about certainty. In times like these, we reflect on the medieval pilgrims who set out for the Holy Land or Rome with very little expectation of returning. Their journey was a difficult, serious commitment. By contrast, modern pilgrimages are often approached with an expectation of comfort and certainty. Have we lost something in that approach?

While assessing risk is necessary—and Select International will never knowingly expose anyone to danger—we must guard against allowing fear to dictate our lives. For now, we continue to monitor events, stay closely connected with our partners, and pray together. God is in control, He loves us deeply, and He’s waiting to meet us on pilgrimage, regardless of where we ultimately go to meet Him.

You can find out more about Select International Tours here.

 

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Say goodbye to getting your passport stamped in Europe…

by

Getting a stamp in your passport as you enter a country has been a long-standing tradition….and a source of pride for those who love to boast about how many countries they have visited.

Europe, with 50 countries,  is compact in most cases so that distances between countries are really quite small; especially compared to the U.S., Canada or Australia, for example.

Well, the ritual of having your passport stamped is about to go away in the European Union.

A start date for the European Union’s much-delayed new system of automated border crossings has been announced. Known as EES (Entry/Exit System) it will finally begin rolling out in various countries on Sunday, October 12th. It is expected to be fully implemented in all E.U. countries by April 10th, 2026. This system will be used to register non-EU nationals for short stays.

The 29 countries participating in the E.U.’s Entry/Exit(EES) are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

The system will use travelers’ biometric data to register the border crossings of non-EU citizens, including Americans, Canadians and Australians.

Travelers will have to scan their fingerprints and allow a facial photo to be taken at the first European border crossing point they encounter. That biometric data is then stored by the EES for the next three years, tracking the traveler’s entries, exits, and any refusals of entry.

You’ll only have to do this the first time you cross a E.U. border.

But, be informed, there are two exceptions: Cyprus and Ireland will continue to stamp passports manually.

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Trump’s idea to buy Greenland…is it as crazy as it sounds?

by

The idea of buying territory is foreign to our U.S. way of thinking in the 21st century…..foreign, except for Donald J. Trump, who suddenly stunned the world by proposing that the U.S. should buy Greenland (currently a possession of Denmark).  Love him or hate him, we are all used to the sudden statements coming from the mouth of Mr. Trump.  Obviously those outbursts haven’t hurt him, since he was inaugurated (for the second time) as President of the United States.

But is it really such a crazy idea?  Are there any precedents for this?

Over the course of time, the United States has acquired territory through purchase, conflict, and compromise.

Some of the territories the U.S. has purchased include:

Louisiana (1803): Purchased from France for $15 million   (doubling the size of the U.S.)

Florida (1819): Purchased from Spain (in the land deal of the century, Spain received no compensation…United States merely agreed to assume liability for $5 million in damage done by American citizens who had rebelled against Spain.)

Gadsden Purchase (1853): United States agreed to pay Mexico $10 million for a 29,670 square mile portion of Mexico that later became part of Arizona and New Mexico.

Alaska (1867): the purchase of Alaska from the Russian Empire for a sum of $7.2 million. It was dubbed “Seward’s Folly” at the time, after the Secretary of State who put the deal together. The purchase was controversial because many Americans thought the land was worthless and uninhabitable.

U.S. Virgin Islands (1917): Purchased from Denmark for $25 million (yes, the same Denmark that now owns Greenland).

In addition, The U.S. has also acquired territory through conflict, for example Texas (1845), Hawaii (1898) and Guam (1898).

So, perhaps this suggestion is not quite as crazy as it sounds.  Greenland is actually closer to the U.S. than Denmark and the rest of Europe, which makes it a possible partner in national defense (there is already a U.S. Air Force Base on Greenland) but perhaps equally important is the possible mineral wealth (especially rare earth metals) underneath the permafrost that covers much of Greenland.  The battle over these world-wide promises to increase every year.  And, it looks like the U.S. has done business with Denmark in the past…the U.S. Virgin Islands being an example.

So, what has all this to do with Catholic travel?

Well, it has brought public interest in Greenland, a territory of Denmark, which we suspect many people are not very well familiar.    Yes, Greenland is an island (the largest in the world), with a surface area of 836,330 square miles (2,166,086 square kilometers), making it dwarf the country of France (551,695 square kilometers or 213,011 square miles) or the State of Texas (268,597 square miles).

Some 75% of Greenland is covered in ice, which would account for its low population density.  The entire population of Greenland was 56,865 in 2023, according to World Bank records.

The whole island is under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Despite its geographic size, there is only one Catholic church on the island…..you can read about it here:  The Church of Christ the King in the capitol city of Nuuk.

 

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Are there new rules for luggage in 2025? What are they?

by

There’s a lot of confusion over luggage limitations when flying, particularly for passengers from the U.S.A.  Changes are inevitable, and it can be difficult to plan for your trip when you don’t quite know the rules.

If you have been on social media lately, you have probably seen a lot of talk about changes to airline carry-on rules. Many posts say things like, “60% of all carry-on luggage no longer meets the airline restrictions” or “TSA Banning New Items.”

There’s nothing worse than having to unload your carry-on while standing in line to check in at the airport and then stuff most of it in your checked bags..or even worse, having to throw it away  (not to mention the looks you get from the people behind you!).

Some airlines have changed the dimensions of acceptable carry-on luggage and may be stricter about enforcing carry-on rules, including weight limits.

However, this is not universal, and you should be certain to confirm your airline’s rules close to travel for the best guidance.most of the information we’ve seen floating around online is clickbait at best and downright misinformation at worst.  Reliable sources are hard to find.

So, what’s the truth, and where do you find it?

Once again, our friends at Select international Tours give us the low-down on luggage rules for 2025.

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Jubilee Year 2025..here’s what to expect

by

2025 Will be a Jubilee Year……here’s what to expect

It’s been announced that the year 2025 will be a Jubilee Year (also known as a “holy year,”).  An ordinary Jubilee Year is a special year in the life of the church that is only celebrated every 25 years.

Jubilee years have been held on regular intervals in the Catholic church since 1300, but they trace their roots back to the Jewish tradition of marking a jubilee year every 50 years.

According to the Vatican website for the jubilee, these years in Jewish history were “intended to be marked as a time to re-establish a proper relationship with God, with one another, and with all of creation, and involved the forgiveness of debts, the return of misappropriated land, and a fallow period for the fields.”

The most recent ordinary jubilee was in 2000; however, Pope Francis called for an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy in 2015-2016.

Jubilee 2025 LogoThe theme of the Holy Year is “Pilgrims of Hope.” The papal bull, issued May 9, 2024 that introduced the coming Jubilee Year is titled “Spes Non Confundit,” or “Hope does not disappoint,” drawn from Romans 5:5. “Everyone knows what it is to hope,” Pope Francis wrote. “In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring.we expect that Italy will be high on everyone’s list of destinations.

Jubilee 2025 opened Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024 at 7 p.m. with the rite of the opening of the Holy Door at Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican immediately before Pope Francis celebrated midnight Mass.

Holy Doors will also be opened at Rome’s three other major basilicas:

Saint John Lateran on December 29

Saint Mary Major on January 1

Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls on January 5.

A Holy Door was also opened December 26 at Rebibbia Prison, a Roman prison Pope Francis has visited twice before to celebrate Mass …… and wash inmates’ feet on Holy Thursday.

The doors represent the passage to salvation Jesus opened to humanity.  In 1423, Pope Martin V opened the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. John Lateran — the Diocese of Rome’s cathedral — for the first time for a jubilee. For the Holy Year of 1500, Pope Alexander VI opened Holy Doors at Rome’s four main basilicas. At the end of a holy year, the Holy Doors are formally closed and then bricked over.

We expect even larger crowds than normally, but don’t let that deter you.  If you are considering going to Italy for the Holy Year 2025, as we are, there are some things that will help prepare you for the experience and make your trip enjoyable.  Whether traveling individually or with a group, planning ahead can make any trip more enjoyable.

To help you prepare for the Jubilee Year 2025 we recommend this article: (courtesy Select International Tours)

You can earn a plenary indulgence by traveling to one of these churches in Rome….or even in your own country.

And here is an article from Alateia that will help in your planning.

 

Home » Breaking News » Travel Alerts

Check those gun laws when you travel

by

A warning for Americans who own guns…or ammunition…. traveling to other countries:

Many countries have much stricter gun control laws than the U.S.  We encourage those of you who own guns…especially hunters..to double check, and triple check your baggage before leaving the country.  Even one overlooked bullet or shotgun shell can cause a great deal of trouble.  And (hopefully) it goes without saying….leave any weapons you own at home.

A warning for Americans traveling to the Turks & Caicos:

The territory of Turks and Caicos has enacted strict new laws, with a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 12 years for carrying guns or ammunition.  Here is an example of how a simple mistake can land someone in prison for a very long time:

Article courtesy of Fox News:

Ryan Watson from Oklahoma is behind bars there and has a bail hearing on April 25. The Oklahoma man was arrested when airport security found bullets in his luggage, which he says he brought by mistake.  He is now facing up to 12 years in prison for having ammunition in his carry-on bag at a Turks and Caicos airport, according to a GoFundMe page for his family.

Ryan and Valerie Watson, the parents of two young children, were flying home from their island vacation, where they were celebrating a friend’s 40th birthday, on April 12 when they were arrested at the airport.

“They had their lives turned upside down when they tried to return home, as local airport security found four rounds of ammunition unknowingly left in a duff[le]bag from a deer hunting trip,” a description on the family’s GoFundMe page states. “It was not noticed by TSA when leaving America. Now, they are facing a legal system that is unfamiliar, daunting, and expensive that operates differently than the American Justice System.”

The U.S. Embassy in the Bahamas issued a travel alert in September 2023 telling Americans not to bring ammunition to the islands.

One tip for U.S. gun owners traveling abroad that we like:

For hunters and shooters in general….have a separate bag for guns and ammunition….and be sure to leave that bag at home! That way you are unlikely to end up in the situation described above.