Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/silk-logic-travel-daily/id1842162269
Travel Daily Podcast — December 11, 2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Holiday travel boom: Over 122 million Americans set to travel during Christmas and New Year amid cheaper gas, pricier flights
New data points to a potential record season, with 122.4 million Americans planning trips of 50 miles or more over the holidays. Most travelers are expected to drive thanks to cheaper gas, while pricier airfares signal crowded airports and fuller flights. If you’re heading out, book early and allow extra time on the road and at the airport.
Il borgo segreto tra i Monti Lepini dove il tempo rallenta e la bellezza è ovunque
Prossedi, a medieval gem in Lazio’s Monti Lepini, offers slow-travel charm—think stone lanes, hilltop views, and Romanesque-to-Baroque architecture without the crowds. Highlights include Porta Maggiore, centuries-old walls and towers, and easy nature escapes like chestnut forests and the Grotta degli Ausi. It’s a smart pick for a low-key weekend blending history, short hikes, and honest local food.
Music tourism booms as over 5.6 lakh Indians travel for concerts in 2025: Report
BookMyShow’s Throwback 2025 report shows concert travel taking off, with 560,000+ Indians crossing cities for shows as live-event attendance rose 17%. Premium experiences surged, and state partnerships with Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, and Delhi signal official backing for the sector’s growth. The upshot: gigs are becoming micro-economies, boosting hotels, transport, and local dining.
Condor begins daily flights from Berlin and Frankfurt to Abu Dhabi and Etihad tie-up
Condor will launch daily Abu Dhabi services from Frankfurt (A330neo, starting May 1, 2026) and Berlin (A320neo, starting June 15, 2026) alongside a new strategic partnership with Etihad. The codeshare expands connectivity and allows Etihad Guest members to earn and redeem on Condor flights. It’s a notable boost for Germany–UAE links and Etihad’s broader network reach.
Full festive bus schedule for Dublin announced as additional Nitelink services confirmed
Transport for Ireland has published Christmas and New Year bus timetables: normal service on Christmas Eve (with early last departures), no service on Christmas Day, and Sunday/Public Holiday timetables on St. Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day. Dublin Bus will run extended Nitelink on select dates in December, with most other routes finishing around 11:30 PM. Travelers should check operator sites for the latest updates before heading out.
Aloft energizes Shanghai Hongqiao transport hub with new hotel opening
Marriott’s Aloft Shanghai Hongqiao debuts near the National Exhibition and Convention Center and the Hongqiao transport hub, offering 295 tech-forward rooms and easy access to Metro Lines 2 and 17. Social spaces include the W XYZ bar, Depot by Aloft restaurant, and Re:fuel for 24/7 bites, plus roughly 1,000 sqm of meeting space. Family- and pet-friendly touches round out a convenient base for business and leisure travelers.
Hilton & SLH partnership additions and removals, December 2025
Hilton’s tie-up with Small Luxury Hotels adds 15 properties and drops two this month, expanding choices across markets like Belgium, France, Japan, Spain, South Africa, and more. Crucially, Honors points, credits, and limited elite benefits apply only when SLH stays are booked via Hilton. As always, compare rates and inclusions before you book.
European Hotels Destination Index
CBRE launches its first European Hotels Destination Index, benchmarking 66 markets on key pillars and economic fundamentals to gauge resilience, liquidity, and investment potential. With travel demand strong and supply growth muted, the index gives investors a structured way to compare destinations and prioritize opportunities. It’s a timely tool for aligning hotel location strategies with long-term growth drivers.
Taken together, these stories chart a busy holiday season and a sector in motion: record road trips, late-night city services, new air routes, and fresh hotel openings meeting demand that’s increasingly experience-led. From India’s concert tourism to Europe’s data-driven investment lens, travel is flexing across infrastructure, hospitality, and entertainment. Wherever you’re headed, plan ahead—and enjoy the journey.
