Friday around the planet: A roundup of news and inspiration for the week ending April 1

Welcome to Friday Around the Planet, a roundup of some of the travel-related news and inspiration you may have missed this week.

No fooling — it is April. And, to start with some fun, check out these facts you may not know about Paris’ Eiffel Tower. They're all true, yes it does shrink in winter, no April Fools' jokes here.

Before we get into some of the travel-related news and inspiration you might have missed, here are a few upcoming dates you should note.

April 1 marks the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan, which will last until May 1.

Earth Day takes place later this month on April 22.

And, if you’ve been wanting to hike Zion National Park’s iconic Angels Landing, you now need a permit. The lottery is now open until April 20 to get a permit to hike dates between June 1 and August 31.

Changes in COVID-19 travel requirements

Just ahead of what could be the return of the transatlantic summer travel season, the European Union has introduced more flexible travel rules for children under the age of 18.

As the rollback of COVID-19 travel restrictions continues, here are some more of the changes we have seen this week:

Sweden to lift final travel entry ban
Cruise ships have returned to Cayman Islands. What you need to know to disembark
India resumes international flights
French Polynesia relaxes entry requirements

Inspiration to get outside

We now know an opening date for the Presidio Tunnel Tops, which will become part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. From the creators of New York’s High Line, this outdoor space in the historic Presidio neighborhood will open to the public on July 17.

If you've wanted to get outside to sleep under the stars, but have been hesitant to take the first step outdoors, our beginner’s guide to backcountry camping might help you finally make that leap into camping.

Meanwhile, here are some other stories to inspire you to get outdoors:

Best national parks in Cambodia
Guide to Crater Lake National Park
7 rewilding projects you can visit in Europe

Inspiration of where to go

If the indoors is more your thing and you’ve been binging Bridgerton on Netflix, this list of real-life manor houses where you can stay may help you live out your Regency-era period drama. (Disclaimer: Just like this season of Bridgerton, Regé-Jean Page is not included.)

For something a bit more modern, check out Annie Greenberg's stay in Costa Rica at Auberge Hacienda AltaGracia.

Some other stories we have published this week that might inspire your next adventure:
8 eco-friendly destinations where sustainability is a priority
The best motorcycle trips in Cambodia
Europe’s best night trains
Getting around Japan
8 incredible ocean pools around the world
11 places that highlight Black culture in Los Angeles

Inspirations of things to do

If you've ever wondered what it would be like to travel to the future, Dubai's newest museum hopes to transport you there. Housed in a stunning new building decorated in Arabic calligraphy, the Museum of the Future's collection hopes to inspire us to imagine what the future might hold technologically.

Meanwhile, Australia’s newest museum is set to shake up Sydney’s art scene so that might be one to flag for your itinerary if you are planning a trip to Australian now that it is back open to foreign visitors.