The hantavirus scare on board the MV Hondius revived COVID-era questions about elite mobility, disease transmission and who bears the risks during global health scares. No one can stop the wealthy from taking their holidays. Whether coasting down snowy mountains or rubbing shoulders with fellow elites on luxury cruises, they will always find a way to indulge in leisure and excess, sometimes even on the cusp of an outbreak.
Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach sports a sweeping, kilometer-long curve of golden sand, between two headlands, lashed by surf waves. What makes this Eastern Beaches wonder even more unusual is it's an urban affair, combining swimming and surfing with big-city buzz. Locals love it, tourists flock here, and Bondi's massive on Instagram. Even on crowded summer weekends, you'll find a spot on the shore or lawns fringing the beach (there are barbecues at the northern reserve).
Venice is struggling under the weight of tens of thousands of daily visitors, with infrastructure and hotel bookings under extreme pressure, leading to last-minute visitors being turned away.