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Top 20 Places to See in Aley Lebanon

•  Aley Castle
•  Aley Grand Mosque
•  Aley Municipal Museum
•  Aley National Museum
•  Aley Old Bridges
•  Aley Old Cemeteries
•  Aley Old Churches
•  Aley Old Fountains
•  Aley Old Houses
•  Aley Old Markets
•  Aley Old Monasteries
•  Aley Old Mosques
•  Aley Old Ruins
•  Aley Old Streets
•  Aley Old Synagogues
•  Aley Old Town
•  Aley Public Garden
•  Aley Souks
•  Aley Waterfalls
•  Our Lady of Lebanon

•  Aammiq Wetland Nature Reserve
•  Anjar National Park
•  Beiteddine Palace and Museum
•  Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve
•  Jeita Grotto National Park
•  Jezzine Waterfall Nature Reserve
•  Qadisha Valley National Park
•  Tannourine Cedars Forest Nature Reserve
•  Tyre Coast Nature Reserve
•  Baalbek
•  Batroun
•  Bcharre
•  Beirut
•  Deir el Qamar
•  Faqra
•  Habboûch
•  Jbail
•  Jezzine
•  Jounieh
•  Kaslik
•  Kfarhbab
•  Kfarshima
•  Kfarzebian
•  Nabatieh
•  Sidon
•  Tripoli
•  Zahle
•  Aammiq Wetland
•  Anjar
•  Beit ed-Dine
•  Beiteddine Palace
•  Byblos
•  Cedars of God
•  Harissa
•  Jeita Grotto
•  Mzaar Kfardebian
•  Qadisha Valley
•  The Chouf Cedar Reserve
•  The National Museum of Beirut
•  The Roman Ruins of Baalbek

THE 10 BEST Hotels in Aley 2024

Aley Hotels

Property types, distance from, traveler rating, hotel class, popular hotels in aley right now.

• Best Value Properties ranked using exclusive Tripadvisor data, including traveler ratings, confirmed availability from our partners, prices, booking popularity and location, as well as personal user preferences and recently viewed hotels.
• Traveler Ranked Highest rated hotels on Tripadvisor, based on traveler reviews.
• Distance to city center See properties located closest to the center first with confirmed availability for your dates from our partners

1. Raj Hotel

2. Golden Lili Resort & Spa

3. L'Heritage Resort & Suites

4. City Suite Aley

5. Dynasty Suite

6. Kayan Hotel Apartments

7. AlSakhra Hotel

8. Aley Suites

9. Nice View Apartment

10. al safat suites hotel.

11. Dynasty Apartments

12. golden lili resort & spa, 13. highland hotel, 14. al moghtarebeen hotel, 15. l'emir faisal arslan stay at the museum, 16. luxury apartment in aley lebanon, monteverde hotel.

Carlton Bhamdoun Hotel

Al Bustan Hotel

Al bustan hotel & spa.

Safir Bhamdoun Hotel

Bhamdoun Suites Chouf

Hotel el sheikh bhamdoun, elite hotel, grand hotel naas.

Le Telegraphe de Belle-Vue

Le Caravelle Condominium

Le Caravelle Beirut

Arja apartments, the ray hotel and studios.

Aley Hotels Information

Visiting Iceberg Alley? Here's What To Know Before You Go

Iceberg Alley sees more than 400 massive pieces of ice each year, and that's only one fact out of many that make this destination so incredible.

Iceberg Alley has long been a destination for many people visiting the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. It's not the frigid temps that bring people so far north, though - it's the chance of witnessing an enormous iceberg floating past the harbor. While it sounds unusual, this is what the stretch between the towns of St. Lewis and Point Amour is known for. The land in between is what's known as Iceberg Alley, and those who watch in fascination each year have Greenland to thank for the massive structures that float by year after year.

There's plenty to know about how and when to see these enormous chunks of snow-covered ice, including tips on the best ways to observe them. Before planning a trip to any town along Iceberg Alley, this is what visitors should know beforehand.

Related:  Why You Should Be Visiting Newfoundland, If Only For These Unique Accommodations

The Ancient History Of Iceberg Alley

For starters, it's not like anyone could miss these icebergs as they forge along at sea, passing by small towns on their way through. They're no small thing to witness and they are, indeed, chunks of ice broken off from Greenland when summer temps begin warming up the Arctic. Thanks to the north-south currents, they follow a route that takes them right past the shores of Newfoundland and Labrador. As they float through Baffin Bay, their final destination is the Labrador Sea, and it's here that most of the icebergs eventually melt away. While not every iceberg comes from Greenland (some do pop off the icy coast of Canada), a majority of them come from across the pond.

What makes seeing these in person so phenomenal is the fact that the icebergs are estimated to be roughly 10,000 years old. Annually, anywhere from 400 to 800 icebergs float by Canada's coast, making quite the spectacle for onlookers. It's also important to note that while these icebergs look massive, they're even greater in size than what one can actually see from the shore. About 90% of the iceberg still remains underwater, which means it's truly tremendous in size.

Iceberg Terms

• Tabular Icebergs:  Pieces of flat-slab ice that are wider than their overall height.
• Blocky Icebergs:  Bear a resemblance to oddly-shaped pyramids.
• Wedged Icebergs:  An ice block with two sloping and steep sides.
• Dome Icebergs:  Ice with a rounded top.
• Pinnacle Icebergs:  Any shape with multiple peaks at the top.
• Dry Dock Icebergs:  Pieces of ice that are U-shaped.

Fast Facts About Iceberg Alley

• It was an iceberg from this route that caused the Titanic to capsize .
• The further south the icebergs are, the more unpredictable they become due to warmer waters and the rapid acceleration of the melting process.
• Icebergs have been known to get close to the shore but, thankfully, shallow waters usually stop them from going any further.
• They can be a hazard to smaller boats.
• The water from these glacial icebergs is used by local artisans in gin, rum, vodka, and beer.

When To See The Icebergs

Knowing when to book a trip to one of these coastal towns can be tricky but, luckily, there are hundreds of icebergs that visitors may have a chance to see. For the most part, the best time to see them is from the spring to early summer, when the temperatures are warm enough for them to break off but not warm enough for them to melt entirely.

The best two months to see Iceberg Alley are April and May; however, there is still a chance they won't complete their route due to additional ice in the sea along Newfoundland and Labrador. Newfoundlandlabrador.com recommends booking a trip during late May or early June for the best chance at watching these icebergs float by freely.

Tips For Watching The Icebergs

• There are several ways in which to watch these giant pieces of ice in Iceberg Alley. Taking to the water by kayak or boat tour are two of the best, but they can be seen just as easily from the shoreline.
• Boat tours can be booked easily in either Newfoundland or Labrador and allow visitors to see the icebergs up-close and personal (within reason, of course).
• When watching from the shoreline, visitors won't need to panic to rush down to the water's edge - icebergs do not move that quickly and they'll have plenty of time before the iceberg pass through.
• Boat tours also give visitors a way to see the marine life that lives on the coast of Newfoundland, including various seabirds and even whales, depending on the time of the year.

Iceberg Safety

As with anything that has an unpredictable nature, such as icebergs, visitors should keep their distance. It's advised that those in a kayak or boat maintain a distance that's roughly equal to the height of the iceberg or the length of it - whichever is greater. Since there's no way to tell how large an iceberg truly is underneath the surface of the water, maintaining this distance prevents those on the water from being hit with loose ice or being caught off-guard by a submerged portion of the iceberg.

Next:  Canada's New Skybridge Showcases A Waterfall And Mountain Views (From 426 Feet Up)

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Big Sky Travel Tips

My sister Hilary and I just got back from Big Sky and it was truly magical. It was my first time in Big Sky and my first time in Montana, and I definitely want to come back! Below is our trip itinerary and favorite spots in case you're planning a trip there.

Getting To Big Sky

We flew into Bozeman and took an Uber to Big Sky. Getting an Uber was easy and the drive was beautiful. That said, if you google "how to get to Big Sky" there are also a couple shuttle options. Our flight didn't line up well with the timing so we opted for Uber. Of course you can also rent a car - which would be absolutely necessary if you are staying off mountain. Getting back to the airport is a little trickier with Uber so we scheduled a pick up with Charlie at DeShield's.

Where To Stay

Big Sky Resort has tons of options for all types of groups. We stayed at the Huntley Lodge, which is at the Mountain Village base and is pretty much ski in, ski out. Huntley is basically like a hotel with a spa, hot tubs, dining room, and a coffee shop. The rooms and beds are very comfortable. But the location is what sets it apart. The walk from Huntley to a handful of restaurants, Huntley to ski rentals, and Huntley to the chair lift is no more than 50-100 yards. If you're going with a larger group, Big Sky Resort has tons of chalet/ house options as well. Some may require a shuttle to and from Mountain Village, which is easy, but at the end of a long ski day, I was happy not to have to wait in line for that. 

Getting Skis/Lift Tickets

I was so impressed with how easy getting our lift tickets and ski rentals was. We purchased both online ahead of time and we printed our lift tickets at a kiosk right at Huntley. No lines. Then we walked the 50 yards to the rental shop where it took no more than 15 minutes to get our gear. The best part though was the free ski valet that is right at base of the mountain. We dropped our skis and poles off at the valet and in return were given a lanyard with a number. The next morning all we had to do is show the lanyard to get our skis and hop on the chair lift. Again, no lines. Amazing!

The skiing itself at Big Sky is absolutely incredible. The view are stunning - at every turn I was in awe. Hilary and I are not expert skiers by any means, but we're also not beginners, and we thoroughly enjoyed the blues and greens. Some of our favorite runs were Calamity Jane, Crazy Horse, Lobo, Mr. K (all on the Swift Current lift), Cinnabar was delightful up the Iron Horse or Six Shooter lifts, Sacajawea was probably our favorite on the Southern Comfort lift, and Hangmans, Safari, and Ambush were our favorites up Ramcharger. 

Apres Ski & Food

On Mountain, Everett's is right off the Ramcharger lift and is a fancier (more expensive), but beautiful dining experience. They also have a lovely deck with a drink window so you can enjoy the sun with a drink. Over by the Six Shooter lift there is a cute little hut called Uncle Dan's with cookies, hot cocoa - perfect for kids or a little sugar break. At the base of the mountain (Mountain Village), we really enjoyed meals at Westward Social (definitely order a hot toddy!) and Yeti Dogs. There's also a little grocery store inside the Exchange (where Westward Social and a couple other restaurants are) that came in handy.

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Highways in the Sky: How Your Flight Gets Its Path Over the Ocean

Ever wondered what route your plane takes to fly across the Atlantic or Pacific, or how the pilots have the route chosen for them? Chances are you've followed your route along on the seatback screen. Here's how that route comes to be for the North Atlantic (with similar systems for the Pacific and Australia).

Highways in the Sky: The North Atlantic Organized Track System

Meet the North Atlantic Organized Track System, a coordinated system of efficient routes from North America to Europe (during the eastbound, evening flights) and the reverse (during westbound, daytime flights). These tracks are essentially highways in the sky.

The actual courses aircraft fly are modified daily by oceanic controllers, located in Gander, Newfoundland, and Prestwick, Scotland. The controllers factor the jet stream; in the North Atlantic it flows eastward at upwards of 150 mph between 30,000 feet and 40,000 feet. Planes and airlines like to fly here for the fuel and time savings on the way over and use the information to minimize headwinds on the way back.

"There is such a dense traffic," Guillaume Laffon, an Air France pilot , told TPG . "Generally, from flight level 340 until 430, there are planes every 1,000 feet. New improvements have been made to increase the traffic on those routes, including RLAT (Reduced Lateral Separation), which puts planes at 4 nautical miles apart."

The use of these flight levels is different than the jet routes across North America , which do not change daily.

The airspace is indeed busy. Each of Gander and Shanwick (an amalgam of Shannon, Ireland, and Prestwick, Scotland where two centers are now one) process up to 1,500 flights per day during the busy summer travel period.

"Dispatch and Air France operations play a big role in the preparation of a flight like this," said Laffon. "A computer system chooses the best one of the day, meaning with the lowest cost, including fuel, winds, weather, particularities on this route and destination." The operations team will make a request with Gander or Shanwick as the case may be earlier in the day. "We [pilots] decide if we are ok with the choice of the system and the dispatcher for this mission, because, in the end, we are the leaders of the mission and we have to ensure the maximum level of safety for our passengers," Laffon said.

The tracks are lettered, with northernmost westbound tracks Track A and the southernmost eastbound tracks Track Z. The eastbound tracks are reflected in the images below.

North Atlantic Tracks - Eastbound Day 1

North Atlantic Tracks - Eastbound Day 2

If you compare the above tracks, you can see that the tracks are slightly different the next day. Track Y is more southerly on Day 1, and there are slight distinctions between tracks Q and X.

Similarly, there are tracks that are flown from the west coast of the US to Asia and back called the PACOTS. The same goes for down under where the AUSOTS rule the day.

You may notice that the tracks above do not continue to LHR or show the departure from JFK. Indeed, they terminate at fixed waypoints that do not change each day. The waypoints are on-ramps to the North Atlantic Tracks, and an aircraft has to fly to the entry waypoint first before continuing across the Atlantic with clearance from Gander or Shanwick.

Since there's no radar coverage in the middle of the Atlantic, aircraft must report as they cross various waypoints along each track. These reports enable the oceanic controllers to maintain separation between aircraft. The reporting is done via computer, automagically, with "controller–pilot data link communications" or CPDLC.

"When you are about to enter the tracks — between 45 to 10 minutes before — you have to log you on the system on CPDLC," said Laffon. "There are automatic reports every five, 10, 15, 20 minutes, etc. from your plane to their system or each time they make a manual request. As a backup, we use High Frequency radio," he said.

Planning in Action

Let's consider a British Airways flight from JFK to LHR on a Boeing 747. The route was planned to depart JFK, via a variety of waypoints and routes.

As the flight calls for crossing the Atlantic, the crew and dispatcher know that the plane will need to transit the Atlantic via the daily tracks published online, here . They are somewhat difficult to decipher, but we'll take a crack at Track V, below:

V ELSIR 53/50 54/40 55/30 55/20 RESNO NETKI EAST LVLS 320 330 340 350 360 370 380 390 400 WEST LVLS NIL EUR RTS EAST NIL NAR N319A N495C-

In the first line, we see that the "on-ramp in the sky" to Track V is at the waypoint ELSIR, which is about 100 miles off of the coast of Labrador, Newfoundland. The plane would have to fly there first from New York. The next points on the track are the degrees of latitude/longitude across the Atlantic. Finally, a few hours later we would expect to fly to the RESNO waypoint, which is off the coast of Ireland, and then exit the oceanic route at NETKI, just a bit closer to Ireland.

The second line indicates the eastbound flight levels that are available, which range from FL320 (or 32,000 feet) to FL400 (40,000 feet). This allows the pilots and dispatchers to choose a flight level with a stronger tailwind (on the way to the UK), or to climb as the aircraft burns fuel, which is lighter and can benefit from the thinner air up there.

The third and fourth lines indicate that there are no westbound flight levels or routes available. This makes sense: this track is one-way at the moment; no commercial aircraft are heading the opposite direction on these tracks. Aircraft obviously can fly back the other way, just not on these tracks.

The last line, N319A N495C indicate the preferred jet routes for aircraft to approach Track V and the ELSIR waypoint from wherever they may originate — in this case, JFK.

The flight plan is then loaded into the flight computer. It reads and looks more confusing than it actually is.

BETTE ACK BRADD N319A ELSIR NATV NETKI LIFFY Q37 MALUD Q38 NUGRA BNN1B

Let's decode this.

First, BETTE is a waypoint just off the coast of Long Island, our first en route waypoint after departure from JFK. ACK is the VOR radar station for Nantucket, and is our next "stop." BRADD is a waypoint off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. Then, the aircraft is to fly N319A, a jet route that takes it to the ELSIR waypoint. From there, the aircraft will hop on to the North Atlantic Track V as described above. Finally, it'll pop out on the other wide as described above.

After an uneventful flight, the aircraft's passengers will be at a pub in London in no time.

Mike Arnot is the founder of Boarding Pass NYC , a New York-based travel brand.

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A Japanese Village Wants Tourists to Come for Heat, Soot and Steel

To lure visitors, residents of Yoshida, famed for its high-quality steel, are inviting tourists to help produce it.

The furnace in Yoshida reaches temperatures of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Credit...

Supported by

Photographs and Text by Craig Mod

• April 18, 2024

This past October, I found myself in Yoshida Village standing before a tatara, a giant open-top furnace that was filled with charcoal and raging with such controlled ferocity that it could have been a set piece in Lucifer’s bedroom.

Deep within the belly of those orange flames sat a growing and mangled ingot that contained some exceptionally high-quality steel called tamahagane, or jewel steel, from which Japanese swords have been made for much of the country’s history. The presence of a usable ingot seemed unlikely, and if true, downright alchemic. All we had been doing for the last 20 hours was gently shaking iron sand and fresh charcoal onto the flames at timed intervals.

Yoshida is nestled back in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture in central Japan, abutting the ever-turbulent Sea of Japan. For nearly 700 years, workers around Yoshida made jewel steel in places called tatara-ba (literally “furnace spots”) on a grueling schedule — one that reshaped mountains and rivers, that seared the brows of generations of sooty men shoveling charcoal in loincloths. Then, at the start of the 20th century, production all but ceased. Other methods were cheaper and more efficient.

At the height of its steel prowess, Yoshida swelled to nearly 15,000 people. Today, the population hovers around 1,500. As with many towns in the Japanese countryside, a mix of aging population, low birthrates and loss of industry has emptied its streets.

Recently, though, in a Colonial Williamsburg sort of way, 24-hour re-enactments of the old iron-smelting traditions began to be performed in Yoshida. The firings are managed by a man named Yuji Inoue, who works for Tanabe Corp., which owns the furnace. “We consider the tatara a symbol and a pillar of town development,” he told me, standing next to the flickering furnace. Mr. Inoue and Tanabe Corp. were trying to remake Yoshida into a kind of tatara village, which he hoped would create self-sufficiency, expand the population and revitalize the town.

And so with this notion of countryside regrowth in mind, a few times a year they fire up their furnace, invite tourists and birth an ingot weighing about 250 pounds.

The open-top blazing furnace was set on a concrete plinth in the center of a room. Flanking its longer sides were air intakes tubes, feeding the furnace, kicking it up to around 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Around it all hung Shinto purification ropes. Just before the fire was lit, a priest had blessed the whole place, for luck and safety.

Safety was paramount because around the flames, at various stations, milled a team of some 20 excited tourists, a mix of both Japanese and a few foreigners, all dressed in very hip dark gray jumpsuits. These were people paying roughly ¥200,000, or about $1,500, for the chance to be a worker in a tatara-ba for a day and night. (They would get to keep the jumpsuits and a small piece of raw steel as souvenirs.) Their faces and hands were streaked by charcoal.

Jewel steel is produced by sprinkling iron sand — alluvial (river-deposited) sand saturated with iron — slowly over a charcoal pit. The tourists spent hours chopping the pine charcoal to precise sizes. They used scoops woven from bamboo to gather heaps of charcoal and dump them atop the furnace.

Off to the side stood a man named Noriaki Yasuda. He was the designated conductor — called a murage — of this slow dance between heat, charcoal and dampened iron sand. Dressed in an electric blue jumpsuit, he stood out in beautiful, almost poetic, contrast to the licking orange flames.

Monitoring the airflow, the color of the fire and the height of the charcoal with paternal concern, Mr. Yasuda scowled and watched, sometimes retreating to sit in his dark alcove, his arms crossed, still scowling and watching. To produce steel using the tatara technique, it turns out, you spend a lot of time watching.

Outside the all-encompassing warmth of the tatara-ba, the October mountain air felt like prickles on the skin. The sky was abundant with shooting stars. Shimane Prefecture truly is in Japan’s hinterlands. You can take trains to Shimane, but from Tokyo it’s a fairly arduous journey. So it’s easier (and cheaper) to fly there. Of course, I rode the trains. The 500-mile trip took about seven hours.

The area is best known for its astounding Izumo Shrine, a foundational place in Japanese cultural mythology. Still, Shimane was one of the least visited prefectures in 2019. Only a sliver of all inbound tourists made their way that year. In contrast to sites like Gion in Kyoto, which is now overwhelmed by visitors, Shimane reminded me of Covid-era Japan when international tourism was effectively banned.

“Steel is just iron with a little bit of carbon,” Mr. Yasuda explained to me. When I finally built up the courage to talk with him, his face lit up in a wide smile from behind his mask. (Everyone was wearing masks, less out of Covid concerns and more because of the charcoal dust.) He casually led me to a blackboard in the back of his resting space and sketched out the basic chemical formulas of what was happening in the furnace, how charcoal serves two purposes. First, it burns much hotter than wood. And second, its carbon atoms are essential to the formation of steel; embedded between iron atoms, they increase the strength of the metal.

As I stood and watched that giant burning thing, I thought back to Akihira Kawasaki, the master Japanese swordsmith I had visited a few days earlier. I explained how I had never before held a Japanese sword, had never carefully looked at one up close. He nodded and removed one of his gleaming works from its scabbard and placed it on a piece of red felt.

I picked it up, and it felt like holding a black hole, as if light were disappearing into the ridge line of the blade, as if light was being flipped and flopped onto and into itself. My eyes couldn’t get a purchase on the thing. It glimmered and reflected like a mirror and simultaneously seemed to inhale the world. Held up to the lights, the blade seemed to glow as if lit from within.

I was mesmerized. It was a thing of extraordinary beauty: delicate yet strong, and terrifying in sharpness. An atavistic choir in the subcortical corner of my brain was screaming, “Stay away from that edge!” When I placed it back on the felt — warily, delicately, with great focus — I still accidentally sliced off a corner of the mat.

The gap between the smelting process and the end product of the sword was enough to make a thinking person faint. All this charcoal and sand, this heat, this sootiness, this periodic removal of slag — impurities that come out like molten lava, scooped up with shovels and carted away in beaten-up old wheelbarrows to be dumped outside in a smoldering heap — from the bottom of the furnace. That this process of utter rawness could result in a Japanese blade so pregnant with artistry and violence was a miracle of the highest order.

Back inside the tatara-ba, after 20 hours of feeding the furnace, the sand ran out and the process ended. A crowd of some 30 villagers, including several children, squeezed inside the furnace’s building. The concrete outer shell of the furnace was gingerly lifted with the help of a winch. The full force of the heat hit us all immediately. Inside still burned a mass of charcoal. Below the bed of charcoal was a floor of liquid slag. And in the middle of it sat what looked like a mauled rock — the ingot all this work had produced.

The crowd cheered. The ingot was brought onto the dirt floor, and we all gathered around it to take a family portrait.

Can you revitalize a town through steel-making in 2024? I don’t know. But Japan is dotted with this kind of history, culture and craft. The countryside is disappearing, but efforts like this are a worthwhile way to look back and honor what was — and to build something sustainable and future-facing.

There’s a practical element to it all, too: Tamahagane can’t be made any other way. “It seems that modern steel-making cannot produce the same thing,” Mr. Inoue told me when I asked why it was worth all the effort. “The tamahagane is right there, as the highest-quality pieces of the ingot,” he said. Those pieces will be broken off and shipped to a handful of swordsmiths across the country, and also to the museum shop in Yoshida. It turns out that tamahagane also makes amazing golf putters.

Craig Mod is a writer and photographer based in Kamakura and Tokyo. You can follow his work on Instagram: @craigmod . His previous book, “Kissa by Kissa,” chronicles a 435-mile walk along the Nakasendo Highway from Tokyo to Kyoto. His forthcoming book, “Things Become Other Things,” will be published by Random House in the spring of 2025.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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Sky Priority benefits

How to get sky priority, another way to fast-track sky priority, sky priority on delta recapped.

Delta Air Lines is a founding member of the SkyTeam alliance , and together with other member carriers, it has developed the Sky Priority brand — now available at nearly 1,000 airports worldwide. 

What is Sky Priority? It's a premium airport service that bundles together perks like priority check-in lines and security access (where available), extra baggage allowances, preferential boarding and expedited baggage handling.

Delta does an excellent job of instituting its Sky Priority program benefits to the delight of its frequent flyers. This guide will explain the available perks, who can take advantage of them and how you can get Delta Sky Priority benefits faster than usual.

When it comes to getting through the airport and onto the plane, Sky Priority can help you get there faster with less waiting. Here are the primary perks you'll receive when you access Sky Priority services.

Priority lanes for check-in, security and boarding

No one likes waiting in line. Sky Priority can move you closer to the front in no time. It starts with a dedicated lane for check-in. This is the same line that first class and Delta One passengers use, and it can be a real timesaver if you are in a hurry.

At many airports, there are dedicated security lanes for Sky Priority passengers. This can help travelers avoid long lines at crowded terminals. In addition, once at the gate, Sky Priority is one of the earlier boarding groups. This means those who don't purchase or get upgraded to a premium cabin seat can still board the plane earlier to find space for their carry-on bag.

» Learn more: Delta boarding order explained

Baggage priority and perks

When checking a bag, Sky Priority passengers get a priority bag tag that should expedite it through the bag channels and have it appear among the first delivered to the baggage carousel. In many airports, Delta even has a Sky Priority area where passengers can wait at the front of the carousel for their bags. 

If your bags don't appear within 20 minutes, take advantage of Delta's "Bags On Time" guarantee for domestic flights — you'll receive 2,500 miles.

SkyTeam Elite Plus members receive an extra baggage allowance for themselves and up to eight other people traveling on the same reservation (except for flights departing from Amsterdam and Paris). You'll receive an extra checked bag if the airline uses a piece system. If the airline uses a weight system for bags, you'll receive an additional 22 pounds (10 kgs) as allowed baggage weight. 

Priority waitlist and standby

If your flight is delayed or you need to change to a full flight, Sky Priority members enjoy a higher position on waitlists. This may not sound that important, but the perk can come in handy if you're trying to get on a full flight at the last minute.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of SkyTeam alliance

Delta Sky Priority is available to passengers who purchase first class and Delta One tickets and most Medallion members and SkyTeam Elite Plus travelers, no matter where they sit on the plane.

Eligible travelers for Delta's Sky Priority service include:

Delta One and first-class passengers.

Delta Premium Select passengers.

Delta Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members .

SkyTeam Elite Plus members of alliance carriers.

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members.

LATAM Pass Black Signature, Black and Platinum elite members.

WestJet Rewards Platinum and Gold elite members.

Keep in mind that Sky Priority does not include lounge access to the Delta Sky Club, but some of the elite members and premium class passengers listed above do get Sky Club access .

» Learn more: What is Delta status worth?

Anyone that pays for a first-class or Delta One seat is eligible for Sky Priority benefits.

Still, if you're not a frequent buyer of premium cabin fares, there's another way to zoom your way to Sky Priority: Delta co-branded credit cards from American Express . 

Some Delta AmEx cards offer a 2,500 Medallion Qualifying Dollars (MQD) bonus annually, plus 1 MQD for every $10 or $20 you spend on the card. This can expedite your path to Gold Medallion status, which is the starting point for Sky Priority benefits. Some cards come with a hefty welcome offer, too.

For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card earns 1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card and comes with the following welcome offer: Earn 50,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card , meanwhile, earns 1 MQD for every $10 spent on the card and has this welcome offer: Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: Benefits of Delta credit cards

On your next Delta or SkyTeam flight, having access to Sky Priority benefits can make the journey more comfortable and much more manageable. From faster check-in and boarding lanes to extra bags that come out before the rest, Sky Priority is a great asset.

You can buy access with a premium cabin ticket or earn it with Medallion status from flying or Delta co-branded credit card spending. No matter how you get there, you'll be glad you did.

Delta Sky Priority does not automatically grant Delta Sky Club lounge access. However, there is some overlap between people who qualify for Sky Priority and people who qualify for lounge access. For example, Delta One passengers receive both Sky Priority and Delta Sky Club lounge access. Learn more about how to access Delta Sky Clubs .

Delta Sky Priority does not automatically grant Delta Sky Club lounge access. However, there is some overlap between people who qualify for Sky Priority and people who qualify for lounge access. For example, Delta One passengers receive both Sky Priority and Delta Sky Club lounge access. Learn more about

how to access Delta Sky Clubs

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Review: Alley Theatre's revamp of Charlotte Bronte's 'Jane Eyre' is a breath of fresh air

I f you think the story of an orphaned and penniless governess, stranded in the middle of nowhere England, who has one trouble after another might make for a long and dreary evening, you would be totally wrong.

The Alley has totally upped its game with Elizabeth Williamson’s smart and poignant adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic 19th-century novel "Jane Eyre." With a deft combination of flashbacks, monologues and stirring scenes that include intense suffering, spooky surprises and romance, Eleanor Holdridge directs a stellar cast who handle multiple roles in a seamless fashion. And yes, even the costumes are wonderful — clever pieces that fit each dramatic moment with aplomb.

John Coyne's scenic design, Alberto Segarra's lighting design and Melanie Chen Cole's sound design work well together and all are transporting, whether Jane is sitting at a desk writing a letter, or cringing in a small bed as the audience sees, hears and wonders about the odd sounds and screams that defy explanation.

Brandon Weinbrenner’s casting is perfect. Houston favorites Susan Koozin and Todd Waite don’t have the leading roles, but they have multiple important ones, and their transformations are marvelous. Watching Koozin move from sweet Mrs. Fairfax to the mad woman in the attic is something to see. Ana Miramontes is convincing playing children (no mean feat!), and Melissa Pritchett, Joy Yvonne Jones and Gabriel Regojo ably round out the cast. The chemistry of all of actors seems effortless and allows viewers to concentrate on this long-ago world that still carries emotional resonance today.

And then there is the amazing accomplishment that this play achieves: the turning of a long, detailed and sometimes dry read, which may be cumbersome and dated to some contemporary readers, into a model of dramatic efficiency.

We care about these characters. We want to know or see what happens, even if we already know what is going to happen. Williamson’s adaptation is an object lesson in doing so: She chooses so carefully what to include that no one can miss how radical this novel was when Bronte wrote it. When Jane exclaims, “I wanted change!” we understand why, as her traumatic upbringing makes that completely understandable.

But what we also learn is that this is a character so low on the social ladder that her very desire for change is a revolutionary thought. Such governesses were not to even entertain such radical notions that “women feel the same as men do,” or that she is a person with thoughts and feelings who should be respected and considered. Bronte’s work broke the glass ceiling on the emotional temperature such women were allowed to have — and this play captures this subversive thread, even while Jane’s modesty and restraint is believably kept intact.

The play also infuses — in what is often considered to be a pretty joyless novel — a little levity and comic relief that makes the enigmatic Mr. Rochester an empathetic figure who is actually relatable (and even funny). Chris Hutchison is able to channel his talents into a role that fits him well, and let’s face it: If there is not a successful embodiment of Rochester on the stage, then everything else falls apart. Lucky for the audience, the show glimmers, no matter how intensely depressing the fog, moors and disappointments hanging around insist on being.

But here is the main thing: Melissa Molano, a fine actress who has excelled on many stages all over Houston, is superlative in the role of Jane Eyre. Molano finally has a role that allows her formidable talent to shine. She is not too mousy, never over the top. Her despair and passion is completely believable, her timing always right. Her expressions convey so much and every movement counts.

When she is speaking with passionate force, you listen. She is an actress who can make the unbelievable thought of a humble governess reaching some kind of happiness and equilibrium in a world that constantly pulls the rug out from underneath her completely believable and meaningful. And that is how you make a 19th-century novel that could buckle under the weight of despair something fresh, dramatic, relevant and inspiring on a 21st-century stage.

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This Remote Island in Lake Michigan Is the State's First and Only Dark Sky Sanctuary — With Stunning Views of Meteor Showers, Northern Lights, and Comets

Michigan's first dark sky sanctuary is a designated UNESCO biosphere, too.

Courtesy of Beaver Island Retreat

Even when the skies are cloudy, it's clear that 2024 is the year of astro-tourism. From solar eclipse mania to Dark Sky-certified accommodations , travelers can't get enough of northern lights and stargazing. Luckily, destinations are getting on board, too, working with organizations like DarkSky International (the former International Dark Sky Association) to combat the effects of light pollution, conserve wild spaces, and protect designated areas as dark sky places. 

DarkSky International recently announced the newest Dark Sky Sanctuary: the Beaver Island State Wildlife Research Area International Dark Sky Sanctuary . It is the 20th spot in the world to earn that label.

According to the organization, "a Dark Sky Sanctuary is public or private land that has an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment." Due to the remote nature of Dark Sky Sanctuaries, this designation is specially designed to increase awareness and conservation of these sites.

"Dark Sky Sanctuaries recognize and protect some of the most pristine skies in the world. We're honored to partner with advocates in Michigan to ensure that some of the darkest and most natural skies in the United States are preserved for future generations," Ruskin Hartley, CEO of DarkSky International, told Travel + Leisure . 

Maria Dal Pra, owner of the Beaver Island Retreat and member of the local Dark Sky Sanctuary task force, shared that achieving sanctuary certification took approximately five years to complete. "The awarding of a Dark Sky Sanctuary status on Beaver Island is a landmark achievement for the community and its conservation efforts. The designation underscores Beaver Island's commitment to preserving its exceptional night skies and the natural environment," she told T+L.

Dal Pra hopes the recognition will boost eco-tourism on the island and continue reinforcing residents' commitment to sustainable practices and environmental education.

As Michigan’s first certified International Dark Sky Sanctuary, the area is also part of the UNESCO Obtawaing Biosphere. "Michigan offers out-of-this-world stargazing opportunities," Kelly Wolgamott, VP of Travel Michigan, told T+L. "With three international Dark Sky Parks, six state parks with Dark Sky Preserves, and the newest sanctuary on Beaver Island, there's no doubt that Michigan is a premier destination for avid stargazers and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the beauty of the night sky."

Middle East: Is it safe to travel to holiday destinations as tension escalates?

Are you going to Turkey, Egypt or Israel on holiday? The Foreign Office has warned travellers to several countries to monitor advice after an Iranian attack on Israel pushed tension in the Middle East up another notch.

Thursday 18 April 2024 08:13, UK

Tension in the Middle East has ratcheted up again after Iran's attack on Israel, as the world waits to see how Benjamin Netanyahu's government will respond. 

With the threat of widening conflict, people due to travel through or over the Middle East may be asking if their plans may be impacted.

On Saturday, flight data showed dozens of journeys that would have travelled over the Middle East turned back after Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles into Israel .

Here is what airlines are saying and the latest safety advice to travellers.

EasyJet scraps Tel Aviv flights

EasyJet has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv over safety concerns.

The budget airline told Sky News it has grounded its flights until 27 October at the earliest "as a result of the continued evolving situation" in the region.

Wizz Air customers could see schedule changes

Wizz Air cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April before resuming its schedule.

But it said customers could experience schedule changes as it closely monitors the situation.

British Airways operating as normal

British Airways - which operates four daily return flights per week between Heathrow and Tel Aviv - said its flights were continuing to operate as planned, but it too was monitoring the situation.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey is a popular holiday destination for people from the UK with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism saying that last year 3.16 million Britons made the journey there, according to Travel Weekly.

Yet, it borders a number of countries that the Foreign Office advises against travel to.

The vast majority of the country is considered generally safe for tourists, with some exceptions.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria , and all but essential travel to the Sirnak and Hakkari provinces.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Some parts of Israel are considered "red zones" by the Foreign Office, with the government advising against all travel there.

For the rest of the country - including East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - the advice is to travel only if it is essential.

Tourist Israel says around 220,000 Britons usually go to the country every year and the Foreign Office is advising against travel close to the border with Gaza, within 5km of the border with Lebanon and within 500m of the border with Syria.

You can see the full updated list of "red zones" on the Foreign Office advice pages.

Occupied Palestinian territories

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

Don't travel to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon or Syria - Foreign Office

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

It advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where it advises against all but "essential travel".

Can I safely go on holiday in Egypt?

The main tourist areas in Egypt are generally considered safe, including the capital Cairo, cities along the Nile and Red Sea resorts.

Over 1.5 million British Nationals visit Egypt every year, according to analysts Gitnux, and the areas the Foreign Office warns not to travel to include the Governorate of North Sinai, where the Rafah crossing to Gaza is located, and within 20km of the border with Libya.

Read more: Are we heading for World War Three? Experts give their verdicts What are Iran's military capabilities - and where could it strike?

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Check advice on other Middle East states before you travel

Following Iran's attack on Israel, the Foreign Office issued a warning relating to several countries in the surrounding area, telling travellers to check for the latest information.

Included in this are popular destinations like Dubai (visited by more than a million Britons last year according to Travel Weekly) and Marrakech.

"On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast," the FCDO said in a statement.

The countries covered by the warning include Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan and Oman.

Anywhere else of concern?

Cyprus is near the region and has a large UK airbase but, as yet, there is no change in travel advice to the popular country.

Related Topics

• Israel-Hamas war
• Middle East