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Here are the travel headlines from Asia, Africa and Europe to save you a trip around the web today.

Ecotourists still coming to Lebanon despite “garbage crisis” As politicians argue about how to choose a new garbage collection contractor, trash is piling up around Lebanon. There are worries that the unsightly rubbish piles will turn off ecotourists who have just started becoming interested in Lebanon’s Mediterranean coastline. Thus far, however, the stream of nature-seeking visitors hasn’t slowed. Source: Albawaba

Where to spend the holidays abroad Most people spend the holidays at home with family and friends. If you want to use your time off work to travel (or if you want an excuse to avoid your in-laws), there are plenty of places around the globe, from Austria to Antarctica, that are adept at celebrating the holiday season. Source: Traveller

Hopes for South African tourism after government overturns controversial visa laws Recent visa laws made it more difficult for many people to come to South Africa. Once it was clear that tourism numbers were down, however, officials made a U-turn and reversed the rules. Source: Telegraph

Apple Pay users get free Tube rides in London For the next four Mondays, commuters who use Apple Pay and Mastercard will get their subway fare for free. The goal is to get people use to using a contactless smartphone payment method instead of the popular Oyster Card. Source: The Independent

JUST THE LINKS

Vilnius is not on the radar for most tourists. However, beer lovers should give Lithuania’s capital a chance. The city is home to a thriving craft beer scene that features high quality suds at Bud Light-like prices.

British Airways is launching daily service to London from Singapore. The English carrier will use its new double decker Airbus A380 for the flights. Fares are surprisingly cheap when purchased round trip.  

Some people use their vacation as an excuse to indulge. For travelers in Europe, eating is becoming easier. The number of food-related tours have been increasing recently as gourmet-seekers look for a convenient way to find the best delicatessens and local restaurants that aren’t in guidebooks 

Macau has been hit hard by the economic slowdown and corruption crackdown in Mainland China. Casino brands have said that they are going to continue with their development plans, but Wynn recently announced that it will delay the opening of a multi-billion dollar hotel by three months. 

Ever wonder why certain snacks are served on airplanes? Part of it has to do with airlines cutting costs after deregulation in the 1970s, but part of it has to do with foods people crave when in a dry, pressurized environment like an airplane. Our taste buds actually function differently in the air.   

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