Travel Dispatch: A Hidden Camera in an Airbnb

October 11, 2025

A path that leads toward the ocean can just be seen in long grass.

A dune trail at Fanore Beach, on the west coast of Ireland. Karen Cox for The New York Times

Dear Travel Fan,

As I think you know, we are big fall travel fans here at Times Travel. The weather can be great, it’s often less crowded and prices can be lower. So this week, we have four compelling fall destinations to explore.

In Ireland, the Burren is a vast, rocky area with scenic mountains, lovely beaches, grassland valleys and, around its perimeter, small but lively towns. It’s a place you can wander for hours on your own and its landscape can be a spur for creativity.
Many travelers don’t even consider Taiwan’s east coast, but we found it to be remarkably accessible and full of premier outdoor experiences like hiking, cycling, surfing, diving and canyoning.
Turkey may not come to mind as a wine destination, but Urla, with dry summers and a soil mix of limestone and clay, is an ideal place to make wine. We visit this growing Turkish Napa.
And, finally, our 36 Hours column visits Madison, Wis., a college town that offers plenty of outdoor recreation, good food and, of course, football.

Have you ever dreamed of staying in a treehouse? We’ve got a list of some high-design ones that don’t skimp on comfort.

The rules around taking batteries and power banks on planes have been changing and we’ve laid out what you need to know. We’re also keeping you up-to-date on how the government shutdown is affecting travel.

Also this week, Seth Kugel, our Tripped Up columnist, takes on the case of a traveler who discovered a hidden camera in the bathroom of her Airbnb rental, something that the company strictly prohibits. But when she asked for the house listing to be taken down and to be refunded for her stay, the company stonewalled. Then Seth got involved.

Wishing you safe and happy travels,
Amy Virshup

OPEN UP YOUR WORLD

Two people seen from behind walk along a rocky path toward a mountain side that is an enormous swoop of rock.

Drawn by a Vast Rocky Landscape on Ireland’s West Coast

Though it looks forbidding, the Burren, where you can walk for hours among the rocks and valleys with only your thoughts for company, can be fertile ground for creativity.

By Warren Berger and Karen Cox

A walking suspension bridge stretches across a thick green forest on a hillside.

Taiwan’s Underrated East Coast Is a Gem for Nature Lovers

The island’s lesser-known rugged side delivers staggering natural scenery and a range of outdoor experiences.

By Christine Chung and Chang W. Lee

An adult and child walk on a paved path in a bright garden with a large sculpture comprising metal spheres.

Lucy Hewett for The New York Times

36 Hours

36 Hours in Madison, Wis.

Embrace this beer-and-cheese-loving Midwestern capital with farmers’ markets, cozy supper clubs and picturesque lakeside strolls.

By Peter Cameron

Napa on the Aegean: A Turkish Wine Region Re-emerges

Urla, a lush district in western Turkey, is bursting with promise, with easy access to beaches, an up-and-coming gastronomy scene and a well-marked vineyard route.

By Katie Nadworny and Bradley Secker

THE CHANGING WORLD OF TRAVEL

An illustration of an three-pronged electrical outlet with an open eye in the background.

Charlie Padgett

Tripped Up

Help! We Found a Hidden Camera in the Bathroom of Our Airbnb.

When a couple alerted Airbnb to a spy cam in an outlet extender, they thought the listing would be yanked and they’d get a full refund. Wrong on both counts.

By Seth Kugel

Travelers walk with their luggage through a security checkpoint line at an airport.

Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

What Travelers Need to Know About the Continuing Government Shutdown

So far, an uptick in absences by air traffic controllers has slowed flights at some airports, though some services, like passport processing, are unaffected.

By Christine Chung and Gabe Castro-Root

A three-story structure made of wood with a staircase winding around it sits in a lush green jungle.

Nayara Bocas del Toro

6 Tree Houses You Can Rent for Glamour With a Rustic Vibe

From Botswana to Sweden and from Tennessee to Italy, these accommodations make the dream of sylvan slumber come true.

By Charu Suri

A phone plugged into a power bank sits on top of a roller suitcase.

Oleksandr Lypa/Alamy

Can I Take Batteries on a Plane? What to Know Before You Fly.

Is it OK to check your phone’s power bank? Can you charge your tablet in the overhead bin? What about a cordless hair dryer? The rules have changed this year. Here’s what to know.

By Claire Fahy

Feedback, thoughts, tips? Email the Travel desk at travel@nytimes.com.

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