Friday around the planet: Travel news and inspiration for the week ending April 29

The flip of the calendar to May always feels like the summer milestone to me. Warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere ushers in festival season and summer vacations.

With COVID-19 cases far fewer than in years past, I expect to see a robust return of travel this summer. This is your quick reminder to add "make reservations to some of the popular attractions or restaurants I want to visit on my trip" to your to-do list.

A lot of places are emerging from the pandemic with a new mission to prevent the overtourism that previously overwhelmed their communities. From entrance to US National Parks to a day trip to Venice, a lot of popular places are managing crowds by requiring reservations.

The latest? Hawaii's Diamond Head State Monument will now require a reservation to visit.

Need some inspiration for summer travel: Check out these 10 best US islands camping destinations for 2022

Trending destination: The Eurovision Song Contest kicks off May 9, and the spotlight will fall on Turin, Italy which is hosting the festivities. Here are some ideas on how to do Turin on a budget as well as things to do when you’re not attending the show.

The guide to bookmark: Following Coachella, “Festival Summer” is already upon us. We’re just weeks away from Glastonbury, a six-day mega-watt festival with a lineup that includes names like Paul McCartney, Megan Thee Stallion, Billie Eilish, Dianna Ross, Kendrick Lamar and Olivia Rodrigo. If you’re headed to the event starting June 22, here’s our survival guide to attending the event.

Ever dreamed of traveling around the world? Passport DC, the popular free month-long event celebrating the embassies and diplomatic life in Washington, DC, returns this year. In just an afternoon, you can tour open houses at embassies and take in cultural events hosted by multiple different countries. Here’s how to experience the beloved event.

Notable changes in travel logistics

As momentum builds for climate change-conscious travel options, two of Europe’s largest rail operators, Eurostar and Thalys, are merging in hopes of expanding high-speed rail service across the continent.

If you’re a UK citizen and planning to travel to the EU, you may want to double-check your passport. Wait times to renew have increased drastically as people realize their passports lapsed during the pandemic.

Changes in COVID-19 travel restrictions this week:
Greece’s entry rules explained as it enters the busy summer season
Canada’s eased restrictions may make it easier for families to visit
Thailand has also eased its entry rules to make it easier for people to visit
What do I do if I get COVID-19 while I’m traveling abroad?

Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the UK

If your plans include the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne this year. Several unique events will commemorate her anniversary as monarch this summer – from rooftop tours and afternoon teas at Westminster Abbey to a superbloom planted in the moat at Tower of London – and yes, you might want to make a reservation in advance to check one of those out.

Use your miles to help migrants

Finally this week, as the war in Ukraine rolls into its third month, our thoughts continue to be with the millions of Ukranians who have had to flee the violence in their home country. Many of them now need to find more permanent places to call home and getting to those places may be an added financial challenge.

In an effort to help them make it safely to their new homes, Lonely Planet and The Points Guy have launched a campaign to help through the nonprofit Miles4Migrants. We invite you to join us. Here's how you can join us by pledging your support through miles or a cash donation.