Traveling the globe has never been more accessible than it is in the present day. An extensive network of flights now connects a vast array of destinations, fostering unprecedented cultural exchanges. However, not all attractions that were once available continue to be part of the modern traveler's itinerary. In 2024, several landmarks and establishments vanished, casualties of natural disasters, economic struggles, or shifting tastes. Here is a curated list of destinations that are off-limits in 2025, and likely forever.

While many destinations can adorn themselves with festive lights and proclaim a holiday celebration, true Christmas enthusiasts seek something more profound. They are drawn to places where the charm of Christmas markets is palpable, the radiance of lights is omnipresent, the allure of holiday feasts is irresistible, and traditions like Advent are deeply ingrained. From the shores of England to the islands of the Philippines, here are 15 global locales that are renowned for their festive spirit, offering an immersive Christmas vacation experience.

The St. Pauli Bunker, a monolithic sentinel standing at 58 meters above the ground in Hamburg, Germany, has been a dominant feature of the city's skyline for over eight decades. This colossal structure, slightly taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is not merely a massive edifice but also a symbol of Germany's somber past, constructed with conscripted labor during Adolf Hitler's Nazi era. However, this concrete giant has undergone an unexpected metamorphosis, reemerging as a vibrant hub of activity.

Wilfried Gebhardt vividly recalls his inaugural submersion at Apo Reef, a dive that occurred more than three decades ago. The former German geographer had recently relocated to Sablayan, a town situated on Mindoro island, to the southwest of Manila, to provide aid to those affected by the catastrophic 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo. During his stay, whispers of a mystical underwater realm nearby piqued his interest. "The visibility was a staggering 60 meters—it was utterly breathtaking," Gebhardt, now 68, reminisces about his maiden dive. "I encountered hammerhead sharks, Napoleon wrasse, and sea turtles gracefully gliding past a coral wall."

On a chilly December afternoon, with the ground covered in ice, throngs of tourists flocked to Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park situated tantalizingly close to the Arctic Circle. Amidst the snow, visitors reveled in activities such as sleigh rides pulled by reindeer, enjoyed cocktails in an ice bar, and even had the chance to encounter Saint Nicholas himself in Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland, which proudly dubs itself the "official hometown of Santa Claus." The Santa Claus Village theme park, which draws over 600,000 visitors each year, sees a surge in popularity especially during the festive season. "It's like a dream come true," exclaimed Polish tourist Elzbieta Nazaruk, her excitement palpable. "I'm truly thrilled to be here."

The Fehmarnbelt Tunnel, set to become the world's longest immersed tunnel, is currently under construction beneath the Baltic Sea, reaching depths of up to 40 meters. This monumental infrastructure project will connect Denmark and Germany, significantly reducing travel times between the two nations, with an anticipated completion date set for 2029. The initial segment of the tunnel was ceremoniously inaugurated on June 17 by King Frederik X of Denmark, marking a significant milestone four years after the commencement of construction in 2020, which followed over a decade of meticulous planning.

Upon hearing the term "Kallax," individuals worldwide, especially outside Sweden, are likely to think of a specific IKEA storage solution. However, similar to many products from the Swedish furniture behemoth, this shelving unit's name is derived from a geographical location in Scandinavia—a village close to Luleå in Swedish Lapland.

Half a century ago, members of Jim Jones' Peoples Temple in San Francisco embarked on establishing a rural settlement in Guyana, South America. The Jonestown venture concluded four years later with one of the most sorrowful and peculiar mass deaths in American history. On November 18, 1978, over 900 individuals perished, including U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan. As Guyana contemplates a proposal from a state-supported tour agency to open the now-neglected site to tourists, it sparks a compelling discussion on the allure, ethics, and sensitivities of "dark tourism"—the act of visiting places linked to tragedy. Why do sites of past atrocities, natural disasters, notorious deaths, and imprisonments attract visitors? What does our fascination with these epicenters of disaster and malevolence reveal about us? What responsibilities do governments have in granting or withholding access? Who has the authority to determine how history is presented to visitors? And what are the effects of such events and subsequent visits on local residents? There are no straightforward answers, yet it's crucial to delve into these questions.

Marseille, a bustling Mediterranean harbor city with a rich history and a reputation for its vibrant, diverse culture, has recently gained significant attention. Once overshadowed by other French destinations, this coastal metropolis is now in the global spotlight. The fashion world took notice when Chanel chose Marseille's Radiant City Art Centre for a major summer fashion show. Additionally, one of its districts was acclaimed as the trendiest in the world, catapulting the city to the top of weekend getaway lists. A visit to Marseille reveals its appeal, with its blend of historical and modern architecture, from Byzantine-era structures to the post-war modernist design of a residence by famed architect Le Corbusier, now a hotel and museum.

Embrace the exhilarating experience of skiing across international boundaries—enjoying breakfast in one nation and effortlessly gliding into another for lunch. The European ski realms that span across countries redefine the concept of cross-country skiing. The thrill of skiing into unexplored territories, transitioning between languages, culinary delights, and even currencies, is hard to resist. Thanks to the Schengen Area in Europe, which saw 29 countries eliminate border controls in 1995, skiing from one nation to another has become a seamless adventure. The Portes du Soleil ski domain offers the unique opportunity to ski from France into Switzerland, linking 12 resorts. The Espace San Bernardo, comprising La Rosière in France and La Thuile in Italy, transforms two modest resorts into a vast playground. In the Southern Alps of France, Montgenèvre stands as the French presence in the predominantly Italian Via Lattea, while the Swiss and Italians share the iconic Matterhorn across their borders. In Austria, the lively Ischgl is connected to the tranquil Samnaun in Switzerland. Remember to catch the last lift back to your starting point to avoid costly taxi rides or hotel stays, and for safety, carry your passport.

It appears that the skies have become increasingly crowded and flights more frequent over the past year, a sentiment particularly resonant for residents of Hong Kong and Taipei. The travel intelligence firm OAG has unveiled its latest annual ranking of the world's most trafficked flight paths, with the 105-minute journey between these two cities securing the top spot on the international routes list, offering nearly 7 million seats in 2024. The route, which saw 6,781,577 passengers, has regained its pre-pandemic status as the busiest, having also led the charts in 2019. It was ranked third in the previous year's list. In contrast, the top route of the previous year, Singapore-Kuala Lumpur, had a comparatively modest 4.9 million seats available.

Elon Musk, the renowned tech entrepreneur, revealed on social media that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had presented him with a settlement demand. This disclosure was accompanied by a letter from Musk's legal representative, Alex Spiro of Quinn Emanuel, addressed to SEC Chairman Gary Gensler. The correspondence detailed that the regulatory body had exerted pressure on Musk to accept a settlement agreement, which included a financial penalty, within a 48-hour timeframe or risk facing multiple charges related to "certain transactions and disclosures of Twitter shares." The SEC has been probing potential securities fraud by Musk or his associates in 2022, as the Tesla CEO disposed of shares in his electric vehicle company and increased his stake in Twitter prior to his leveraged acquisition of the platform, now rebranded as X.

On February 20, 2024, Adobe's Chief Executive Officer, Shantanu Narayen, addressed the media during an interview at the New York Stock Exchange. However, the following day brought a significant challenge for Adobe's investors as the company's stock price plummeted by 14%, marking its most substantial decline since September 2022. This downturn was triggered by Adobe's release of underwhelming revenue projections.

On Friday, OpenAI responded to its co-founder Elon Musk's legal challenge, which sought to halt the company's transition to a fully for-profit entity. In a detailed blog post titled "Elon Musk's For-Profit Vision for OpenAI," the company claimed that Musk had not only desired but actively established a for-profit structure for OpenAI back in 2017. The post stated, "When he failed to secure majority equity and complete control, he abandoned the project, predicting our failure." It continued, "Now, with OpenAI leading the field in AI research and Musk at the helm of a competing AI firm, he is attempting to use the courts to impede our progress in fulfilling our mission."

Before hitting send on your next text, consider the security of your message. It's advisable to opt for end-to-end encryption to enhance privacy. Many people rely on messaging services from tech giants like Apple, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms, which include iMessage, Google Messages, WhatsApp, and SMS. However, the level of security provided by these services can vary significantly. The U.S. government has raised concerns following a recent massive cyberattack on the country's largest telecommunications companies. In the previous month, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) exposed a cyber campaign by Chinese-linked hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, which targeted AT&T, Verizon, and others, marking one of the most extensive hacks of U.S. infrastructure in history. Following this revelation, CISA, the National Security Agency, the FBI, and international partners released a joint guide to assist Americans in protecting their digital communications. One key recommendation is the adoption of end-to-end encryption, a technique that bolsters the security of messages.

In the grand theater of American politics, where fortunes and friendships can turn on a dime, a new act unfolds with Amazon's announcement to contribute $1 million towards the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. The company's founder, Jeff Bezos, is expected to engage in a personal meeting with Trump, part of a broader effort by tech industry leaders to establish stronger ties with the incoming administration. This financial support, split between a cash donation and an in-kind contribution through live streaming the inauguration on Amazon Video, marks a significant thaw in relations after years of public sparring.

In the intricate dance of power and influence in American politics, a new chapter unfolds with Meta's substantial contribution of $1 million to the inaugural fund of President-elect Donald Trump. This development, confirmed by the company, follows a private meeting between Meta's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and Trump at the Mar-a-Lago estate, as reported by The Wall Street Journal . It signifies a remarkable shift in the relationship between the tech giant and the incoming administration.

Lila Ibrahim's initial passion may come as a surprise to some, especially considering her role as the inaugural COO of Google DeepMind. Contrary to expectations, her love does not lie with computers, artificial intelligence, or even coding. Instead, Ibrahim's first love is engineering, a field she believes has been instrumental in her success in a domain dominated by computing. "My journey into engineering was driven by the allure of a discipline that melds mathematics, creativity, and scientific inquiry," Ibrahim shared with Anna Stewart in a recent conversation at Google DeepMind's London headquarters. "Throughout my career, I've relished the opportunity to collaborate with others. The engineering profession has instilled in me the importance of questioning—what, why, and what are our goals? Understanding a problem thoroughly is the key to identifying the most appropriate solution, rather than indiscriminately applying solutions to an ill-defined issue."

Sony, the 78-year-old conglomerate that revolutionized the Walkman and PlayStation, has seen its stock market value soar to levels not witnessed since the Clinton presidency and the imminent launch of the PlayStation 2. Over the past two and a half decades, Sony has faced significant challenges as a trailblazer in consumer electronics. Despite the profitability of the PlayStation franchise, the company has grappled with rising production costs and waning demand for other electronics, while also missing out on the mobile phone revolution. However, with the emergence of streaming services, Sony is pivoting from a traditional electronics manufacturer to a content and entertainment powerhouse. This strategic shift has paid off, as Sony's stock has recently achieved record highs not seen since March 2000, reflecting investor confidence in the company's ability to diversify its gaming portfolio and expand into entertainment. According to Damian Thong, a research equity analyst at Macquarie, "If you look back 30 years, Sony was primarily an electronics company, renowned for its hardware sales. Today, however, the majority of its profits stem from entertainment sectors, including gaming, music, and TV and film production." Sony Group, the third most valuable company in Japan by market capitalization, has managed to reinvent itself by innovating in gaming beyond traditional consoles and through strategic acquisitions to bolster its intellectual property (IP) portfolio. Joost van Dreunen, an adjunct assistant professor at NYU Stern who specializes in the video game industry, notes that Sony's acquisitions of Crunchyroll, an anime giant, in 2021 and Bungie, an American video game developer, for $3.6 billion in 2022, are part of this transformation. Beyond Sony Interactive Entertainment, the creator of the PlayStation, the Sony Group also encompasses Sony Pictures, known for producing the Spider-Man film series, and Sony Music, which includes Columbia Records. Sony is striving to create synergies across its subsidiaries to produce original entertainment content for consumers, as van Dreunen explains. This strategy was evident at the 75th Emmy Awards, where the TV series "The Last of Us" garnered eight primetime awards, marking the first time a TV show adapted from a video game received significant recognition at a Hollywood awards show. Sony initially published "The Last of Us" as a video game in 2013 before it was adapted into a TV series that premiered on HBO and Max in 2023. Lacking its own streaming platform, Sony is licensing its IP and original content to compete with streaming titans such as Netflix, Disney, and Amazon. Robert Lawson, the chief communications officer for Sony Group, stated that since acquiring EMI publishing in 2018, making Sony Music the world's largest music publisher, the company has invested approximately 1.5 trillion yen into content IP across various entertainment sectors. Lawson highlighted the company's focus on "new collaborations between Sony sister companies," with a particular emphasis on the anime genre. In the fiscal year ending in March, Sony's entertainment division, which includes music, films, and games, accounted for 60% of total revenue, doubling from 30% a decade prior. This strategic emphasis on entertainment represents a departure from Sony's origins as Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Corporation, founded in 1946 by Akio Morita and Masaru Ibuka, which released Japan's first magnetic tape recorder in 1950 and later became Sony Corporation in 1958. Sony established its presence in the U.S. in the 1960s and over the next three decades became a household name in consumer electronics, producing iconic products such as the Trinitron color TV, the Walkman cassette player, and the world's first CD player. Sony's involvement with music dates back to the 1960s, with a joint venture with CBS that evolved into Sony Music Entertainment in 1991. However, it was the 1990s that marked a high point for Sony as it entered the gaming console market with the release of the PlayStation in 1994, disrupting the arcade and gaming industry. Since then, Sony has been a dominant force in video game consoles, with the PlayStation 5 outselling competitors like Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Nintendo's Switch, according to Ampere Analysis. Van Dreunen suggests that Sony is exploring new avenues in gaming beyond consoles, seeking new audiences and distribution methods. "We're currently in a softer period for gaming, which raises the stakes for companies to innovate and grow," he said. Thong notes that Sony has been successful as a profitable platform for third-party publishers to sell video games. Sony has diversified its gaming strategy, including the release of "Helldivers 2" across PlayStation 5 and PC, which sold over 12 million copies within three months of its release, according to Anna Kerr, a research manager for games at Ampere Analytics. In November, Sony reported a 69% increase in net quarterly profit, partly driven by its gaming segment. The company has experienced consistently strong financial quarters this year, fueled by the profitability of its games. Sony is also in discussions to acquire Kadokawa, a Japanese video game powerhouse known for producing the popular game "Elden Ring." Despite some setbacks, such as the underwhelming reception of the "Concord" video game and the latest Spider-Man film, these are seen as trial and error efforts and manageable costs for a company that has allocated 1.8 trillion yen ($11 billion) for acquisitions and stock buybacks through March 2027. At Sony's annual investor conference in May, Chief Executive Kenichiro Yoshida emphasized the company's embrace of a "creative entertainment vision." Sony's transition to an entertainment company was not guaranteed, with Thong acknowledging the company's "substantial pain" over the years. However, van Dreunen points out that Sony has seized opportunities to bring more of its IP to the big screen, as evidenced by the success of "The Last of Us" and the film adaptation of "Uncharted," a video game franchise first published by Sony in 2007. Sony also plans to adapt the "God of War" video game franchise, first published in 2005, into a film next year. While Sony remains in the electronics business, particularly with its image sensors used by companies like Apple and its high-end cameras, it has moved away from being a mass consumer electronics company. By 2025, Sony intends to spin off its online banking and insurance units, further focusing on its entertainment offerings. Sony's stock has risen almost 18% in the past month, outperforming entertainment giants like Disney and Netflix, and has been boosted by investor interest in the Nasdaq, which recently crossed the 20,000 mark for the first time.

Residents of New Jersey have been expressing alarm over recent nighttime sightings of what they claim to be "enormous drones" soaring through the skies. While local authorities have dismissed some of these observations as ordinary commercial flights, there are several applications available that could help dispel such uncertainties. Tools such as Flightradar24, Plane Finder, and FlightAware offer real-time tracking capabilities, allowing users to monitor the aircraft in their vicinity, including a myriad of commercial and private flights as well as helicopters that may be airborne at any given moment. In certain instances, these apps are also capable of identifying unmanned aerial vehicles, like commercial drones that broadcast their positions using the same technology as airplanes.

New Jersey has recently been abuzz with reports of large drones, akin to small cars in size, soaring through the night skies. Locals have been left puzzled and intrigued by these mysterious aerial visitors, with officials struggling to determine whether these sightings are indeed drones or perhaps a case of misidentification with regular aircraft. Regardless of the nature of the New Jersey phenomena, it is undeniable that large drones are a reality and possess a vast array of potential uses for enthusiasts, commercial entities, and military applications, as explained by unmanned aerial vehicle specialists. Ryan Wallace, an associate professor of aeronautical engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, emphasized the expansive utility of these devices, stating, "The applications are nearly boundless."