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In travel updates this week: Time Out’s list of the world’s 50 finest cities, grand religious celebrations in Italy and India, plus a little blue bus that stood its ground against wildfires and is set to roam again.
In one of the most remarkable scenes resulting from the ongoing disaster of the Los Angeles wildfires, a vivid blue classic Volkswagen van stands out, remarkably unharmed amidst the devastation in Malibu.
The owner of the van, surf and skateboard designer Megan Krystle Weinraub, mentions that her friends have always called the fortunate vehicle “the magic bus.”
“I simply cannot believe that … my bus is the sole item that survived on the street that I strolled past with my dog every single day,” she told CNN’s Erin Burnett. “I’m at a loss for words seeing all the houses burned, and I can’t fathom that Azul the bus — that’s what we named it — endured,” she stated.
The 1977 van, named after the Spanish term for “blue,” was formerly owned by her friend Preston Martin, who resided in it for a year. The duo had surfed in the legendary leisure vehicle the Sunday preceding the outbreak of the fires, parking it in the Malibu area, reported The Associated Press.
“It’s incredible that it has become this beacon of hope,” Martin remarked. “Everything surrounding it was scorched, utterly destroyed. And then here’s this vivid blue shiny van, just sitting there,” Martin shared with AP.
Publishing titan Time Out has disclosed its 50 top cities for 2025, where an African city boasting a breathtaking natural backdrop, vibrant architecture, and a unique penguin colony tops the list.
Nevertheless, several deserving names in its ranking — such as Lisbon, Amsterdam and Barcelona — are already overrun with tourists, hence, we have alternative suggestions that didn’t appear on Time Out’s compilation.
Ho Chi Minh City is the vibrant commercial hub of Vietnam, where relishing the chaos is part of the excitement.
Almaty in Kazakhstan transformed from a dull Soviet city into Central Asia’s new trendsetting center.
In Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh is referred to as the “Paris of Appalachia” and extends a warm embrace to its hilly landscape adorned with Golden Age architecture.
While exploring unfamiliar areas as a traveler, it’s always prudent to be considerate of safety. Our collaborators at CNN Underscored, a product review and recommendation hub owned by CNN, have compiled this list of the top money belts available today.
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Discover why half a million individuals are gathering at the Vatican
Over 35 million individuals are anticipated to visit Rome in 2025 as its year-long Catholic Jubilee festivities commence. The highlight for pilgrims is the opportunity to walk through the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
Check it out here as CNN embarks on a Vespa tour around the city to observe the preparations.
Meanwhile, in India, the world’s
“`largest religious celebration is occurring in the city of Prayagraj. The Maha Kumbh Mela festivities continue for six weeks and is anticipated to attract 400 million attendees, many of whom will have traveled to cleanse themselves in the holy waters where three sacred rivers converge. Witness the remarkable display in this video.
Pakistan’s flag carrier is facing issues over a troubling social media advertisement.
The ill-conceived graphic seems to reference a terrorist attack in Paris.
Italy will require evidence that your hotel was genuinely that terrible.
The nation is set to enact legislation aimed at ensuring review platforms are more accurate.
Her spouse passed away after they relocated to Spain.
Now this American woman declares she’s committed to carry out their dream.
Two individuals found themselves trapped on a train for two days in 1990.
Here’s how they ultimately became married.
CNN’s Dalia Faheid assisted in this report.