Traveling Internationally from Newark NJ – Expectations & Surprises

November 16, 2025November 16, 2025Travel tips, World Travel

A real traveler’s guide to navigating Newark Airport’s terminals, security, lounges, and airline quirks.

✈️ Terminal B (Gates 60–68): What to Expect

If you’re flying internationally on airlines like TAP, Lufthansa, SAS, or other non-U.S. carriers, you may depart from Newark Terminal B, Gates 60–68. While functional, this section brings a few surprises travelers don’t expect.

🚨 No Separate TSA or CLEAR Lanes

Terminal B does not offer separate lanes for TSA PreCheck or CLEAR. All passengers funnel into the same general security line regardless of status or cabin class.

🛂 Passport Control Priority Lanes (Sometimes)

A “priority” passport lane may appear for premium passengers, but:

It depends entirely on the officer
It is not consistently enforced
After passport inspection, everyone merges back into the same general line

👜 TAP Portugal Weighs ALL Carry-Ons

TAP Portugal is known for strict carry-on enforcement at Newark:

They weigh both your carry-on and your personal item
They enforce combined weight limits even for business class
Repacking or gate-checking may be required

🛋 Lounge Options in Terminal B

Most travelers only notice the Lufthansa Lounge, but there is also a Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) Lounge in the same B3 satellite.

✨ Lufthansa Lounge

Located near Gate 60
Basic food and beverage options
Often crowded
Closes at 9:30 PM

✨ SAS Lounge

Located nearby in the same concourse
Compact and with similar limited amenities
Access depends on airline, cabin, and alliance status
Not significantly better than Lufthansa’s lounge

🧍 Gate Area Crowding

The waiting area around Gates 60–68 is one of Newark’s busiest:

Seating fills up quickly
Lines grow long close to departure times
Food and shopping options are limited

🟦 Terminal C: The Better Option (If Flying United)

If you’re flying United internationally, you’ll enjoy a much smoother experience in Terminal C.

🔐 Organized & Efficient Security

Terminal C offers:

Standard TSA checkpoints
PreCheck lanes
CLEAR
“Travel Ready” lanes for document pre-verification

Security is faster, cleaner, and more predictable.

🛋 Excellent Lounge Options

Terminal C includes:

Two large United Clubs
The United Polaris Lounge — one of the top business-class lounges in the U.S.

🍽 Better Dining & More Space

Terminal C is more modern and comfortable, with more restaurants, more seating, better charging stations, and a more relaxed atmosphere during long waits.

💬 Final Thoughts

Traveling internationally from Newark can feel like two completely different airports depending on your terminal.

Terminal B: crowded, limited lounges, inconsistent priority lines, strict carry-on enforcement (TAP)
Terminal C: smooth, modern, excellent lounges, efficient security

Knowing the difference helps you plan smarter — and travel with much less stress.

🌐 Helpful Travel Resources

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Aveiro, Portugal – Things to Do, History, Travel Tips & Photo Guide

November 13, 2025November 16, 2025Travel tips, World Travel

Aveiro, Portugal – The Venice of Portugal | Things to Do, History & Travel Tips

Aveiro, Portugal – The Venice of Portugal

Discover canals, Art Nouveau charm, and sweet traditions in one of Portugal’s most unique coastal cities.

Moliceiro boats on Aveiro canal at night with reflections of city lights

Moliceiro boats at rest on Aveiro’s canals at night – calm water, glowing lights, pure magic.

🌊 A Glimpse into Aveiro’s History

Often called the “Venice of Portugal”, Aveiro is a colorful coastal city located about an hour south of Porto. Its history dates back to Roman times when it was known as Aviarium—a name inspired by the abundance of birds in the nearby lagoon. By the 10th century, it had become a thriving fishing and salt-trading town on the Ria de Aveiro, a lagoon system connected to the Atlantic.

The 16th century marked a golden age for Aveiro thanks to cod fishing and maritime trade. However, after a devastating storm in 1575 blocked access to the sea, the city faced economic decline until the 19th century, when a new canal restored its connection to the ocean.

🚤 Moliceiros: The Painted Boats of Aveiro

The city’s charm revolves around its network of canals lined with elegant Art Nouveau buildings and its iconic moliceiro boats—colorful, hand-painted vessels that once carried seaweed used as fertilizer. Today, these boats transport visitors through the canals, showcasing the city’s maritime traditions with vibrant artwork, often depicting humorous or cheeky folk scenes.

🏛️ Art Nouveau Architecture

Aveiro is one of Portugal’s Art Nouveau capitals. In the early 1900s, wealthy locals returning from Brazil built ornate mansions along the canals, blending European elegance with tropical inspiration. Many of these buildings are beautifully preserved and can be admired along the Avenida Dr. Lourenço Peixinho or inside the Museu de Arte Nova.

Aveiro historic square at night with lights, cobblestone pavement and people walking

Evening in Aveiro’s historic center: twinkling lights, cobblestone streets, and cozy cafés.

🧂 The White Gold of Aveiro: Salt

Salt has shaped Aveiro’s identity for centuries. The traditional salinas (salt pans) were already in use during Roman times, and the practice of hand-harvesting salt remains alive today. Visitors can tour the Salinas de Aveiro and even float in saltwater pools, experiencing natural buoyancy similar to the Dead Sea.

🍬 Ovos Moles: Aveiro’s Sweet Treasure

Aveiro’s signature sweet, Ovos Moles, originated in local convents where nuns used leftover egg yolks with sugar to create delicate treats shaped like shells or fish. These sweets are now protected by EU Geographical Indication (PGI) status and are a must-try for anyone visiting the city.

🏖️ Costa Nova: Striped Coastal Paradise

Just a short drive from Aveiro, Costa Nova enchants visitors with its iconic striped wooden houses, originally painted by fishermen to make their homes visible from sea. Today, these palheiros are one of Portugal’s most photographed coastal sights—perfect for a day trip, beach walk, or seafood meal.

🕊️ Nature and Modern Vibes

The Ria de Aveiro lagoon is a haven for birdwatchers, home to flamingos, herons, and storks. The University of Aveiro, founded in 1973, gives the city a youthful, modern edge with stunning architecture and vibrant energy.

✨ Why Visit Aveiro

Explore charming canals on a moliceiro boat ride
Wander through Art Nouveau streets
Taste Ovos Moles and local seafood
Relax on the beaches of Costa Nova
Capture amazing photos of colorful architecture and atmospheric nights

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New tourist changes coming to Venice in 2024

March 10, 2024October 4, 2025World Travel

Upcoming Tourist and Visitor Rule changes in Venice, Italy

From June 1, the Venice City Council will limit walking tours to a maximum of 25 people per group, bringing them into line with the maximum size of tour groups in Venice’s museums. Tour groups will also be banned from stopping on bridges or in narrow streets and passageways. The city has also prohibited the use of loudspeakers.

Here’s everything you need to know about Venice’s new tourist rules for 2024.

What is the city tax in Venice 2024?

Venice is set to introduce a €5 entry fee for day visitors from April 25, 2024, in a bid to combat overtourism. The entry fee must be paid by everyone over 14 years old.

When does the Venice entry fee come into effect?

Day trippers will need to pay an entry fee on days in 2024. This is during the first peak tourism period of 2024 (April 25 to May 5), each weekend in May and June, plus the first two weekends of July.

The day-tripper entry fee will only apply during peak hours from 8:30am to 4pm. Those arriving later for dinner or a concert won’t have to pay.

Who has to pay to enter Venice?

All day-trippers over the age of 14 must pay the fee. Those staying overnight in Venice accommodation will not have to pay but will still need to register via the new system.

Residents of Venice and the wider Veneto region (and their relatives) will not have to pay an entry fee. People with disabilities, students enrolled to study in the city, and those visiting the city for the day for health reasons or a sporting event or concert are also exempt.

Do I need to register to enter Venice?

Yes. All visitors, including day-trippers, will need to pre-book their visit through an online booking platform that launches on January 16.

Even those exempt from paying the day-tripper fee will have to register to enter Venice. That includes people who are staying in accommodation in the city.

Upon booking, visitors will receive a QR code that they can then scan at electric turnstiles located at Venice’s main access points, including the main train station, to gain access to the city. Officials say they will also check people’s QR codes at random.

Authorities say this new system will allow them to have a better understanding of how many people will be coming and going and prepare accordingly. The idea is that they will be able to apply more resources in areas like waste management and traffic control on busy days.

Category: World Travel