(CNN) — In travel news this week, Spain offers free train travel, Southwest Airlines makes its vouchers valid forever, and we take a look at the world’s longest hiking trails and Iceland’s best swimming spots.
Wild world
As Shark Week draws to a close, we’ve got some tips for avoiding an attack from one of our sharp-toothed friends. Don’t wear bikini bottoms in the sea, avoid estuaries and fishing areas, and if one of the big guys starts circling you, make sure you maintain eye contact. If you’re brave enough, you can watch this video showing a diver’s close call with a huge Great White. And in another video from Hawaii this week, a woman was attacked by a monk seal while swimming. Meanwhile, in Israel, rising water temperatures have created ideal conditions for swarms of beautiful but poisonous jellyfish, costing the tourism industry millions in lost revenue. Watch here.
Bridges and trains
Europe is getting a little easier to navigate. A long-awaited bridge has just opened in Croatia, connecting two parts of the country’s Adriatic coastline and reducing the need for border controls through Bosnian territory. There is also a push to expand the continent’s high-speed rail network to provide a reliable and viable alternative to air travel. Here is the progress on it so far.
One step ahead
Taiwan invites visitors to close their mouths and open their ears by walking the world’s first “certified quiet walking trail”, around the country’s Cuifeng Lake. The lowest measured volume on the trail is less than 25 decibels, allowing walkers to tune in to chirping birds, humming instincts, frog calls and wind rushing through rustling leaves. Further west in the Land of the Thunder Dragon — better known as Bhutan — the 250-mile Trans Bhutan Trail has opened to travelers for the first time in 60 years. The historic pilgrimage route traverses the Himalayan kingdom from its Tibetan border to the edge of India. And rounding off our hiking stories for the month, we’ve taken a look at 23 of the world’s best trails, from Spain’s Camino de Santiago to Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.
Aviation news
The strike that hit Germany’s national airline Lufthansa this week saw more than 1,000 flights canceled and more than 130,000 passengers affected. Texas Southwest Airlines had a better customer relations week: It announced that, starting July 28, all of its airline coupons will be valid forever. And finally, an unruly passenger on a Virgin Atlantic plane from London to Los Angeles caused the flight to divert to Salt Lake City. The 39-year-old man allegedly tried to bite a fellow traveler.
Iceland
Iceland has underground volcanic springs to thank for its endless supply of geothermal water. Here are the best bathing spots to enjoy, all year round.
In case you missed it
A pilot captured video of a mysterious red glow over the Pacific Ocean. Warning sirens have sounded regularly across France since the Cold War. Colorado start-up Boom Supersonic has unveiled the new design for its supersonic jet. The Overture craft is expected to fly its first passengers before the end of the decade.
Snack decisions
Rumbling tummies are a risk while traveling, but eating on the go isn’t always easy. Greasy, sticky fingers, melted chocolate or crushed treats — it’s a big old headache. Our partners at CNN Underscored, a CNN-owned product review and recommendation guide, have selected 24 of the best travel snacks to bring with you on your next vacation.
