A Massive Shortage of Rental Cars Is Confronting U.S. Travelers
Posted on 03/17/2021, 3:00 PM
Thinking you’ll rent a car for your next trip? Think again. Shortages are slamming Florida right now, and industry insiders say the problem will only grow worse. Much, much worse. "It’s been really, really, really crazy," says Jonathan Weinberg, founder and CEO of the car rental discount site AutoSlash. Weinberg says staff noticed "crazy volume" in demand for the recent Presidents Day weekend—not...
The Best and Worst Passports on the Planet, By Cost and Power
Posted on 03/12/2021, 12:00 PM
Fewer than 50% of Americans have passports—a surprisingly low percentage. Some people blame the price of the document, which is currently $145 for a new application or $110 to renew. A fascinating survey by online lender CashNetUSA breaks down which citizens of the world are in the best position to afford a passport—and thus travel—and which ones must pay an unconscionable percentage of their week...
New Tourism Projects in Jerusalem Will Soon Enrich Historic Exploration
Posted on 03/11/2021, 9:00 AM
In January, the The Atlantic called Israel the "world's front-runner on vaccine distribution." Recently, it was able to not only lift many lockdown restrictions but also announce its government would be sharing 100,000 Moderna doses with friendly countries. During its no-travel period, Israel was also unusually proactive in expanding some of its most important historic sites and museums for future...
Historic Engineering Site and Immersive Light Show Opening at Niagara Falls
Posted on 03/10/2021, 9:00 AM
Not long ago, Frommer's made a case for visiting the underrated American side of Niagara Falls. We haven't changed our minds, but we sure hope Canada will open its borders by July 1, because an exciting new attraction is scheduled to open on that date on the Ontario side. The Niagara Parks Power Station should be a whizbang draw, combining fascinating engineering and cultural history with a sta...
If You Have This Credit Card, You Can Visit Museums for Free on Select Weekends
Posted on 03/05/2021, 7:00 AM
One out of every three museums in the United States could disappear because of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to research released last summer by the American Alliance of Museums. That would be a tragic outcome, not just for culture lovers but for the U.S. economy in general. Museums employ hundreds of thousands of workers and contribute billions to the economy. (Source: American Alliance of ...
In the Loire Valley, New Visions of Gardens and the Life of Leonardo da Vinci
Posted on 03/04/2021, 12:00 PM
With so many indoor amusements rendered verboten by the pandemic, even many confirmed urbanites got into nature this past year. Because of a new widespread appreciation for the open air, many are predicting that outdoorsy vacations will remain popular even after the pandemic is passed. I have a prediction of my own. I think places that are able to mix open spaces with cultural attractions and good ...
Classic Cars and Fine Craftsmanship: Pennsylvania's New Attractions for Spring
Posted on 03/03/2021, 12:00 PM
Horses and buggies. Those are likely what come to mind when many Americans picture Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Home to a large population of Pennsylvania Dutch (a group that comprises people of several religions, including the Amish, Moravian, Mennonite, and German Reformed), this is a region where many eschew the use of cars, phones, and other electronics; dress in old-fashioned, handmade cl...
Minneapolis Gets a New Park Celebrating Food From Its Native and Pioneer Past
Posted on 03/02/2021, 12:00 PM
The world did not freeze in place last spring when we were all sent to our rooms for a pandemic "time out." In fact, some destinations are changing quite drastically. Take, for example, the exciting addition of Minneapolis' Water Works at Mill Ruins Park, a new public attraction that pays tribute to both Native American history and the story of the city's meteoric rise as a manufacturing powerhou...
Immersive (and Socially Distanced) van Gogh Show Comes to Major U.S. Cities
Posted on 02/25/2021, 7:00 AM
On December 1, 1883, Vincent van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo, "But know this, brother, that I am absolutely cut off from the outer world—except from you." It was a common refrain in the artist's letters. He had a lifelong feeling of being isolated from those around him. "Indeed, this may be a small misery," he wrote in the same 1883 missive sent from the Dutch province of Drenthe, "but it is a...
Amtrak Introduces a Bidding System for Upgrades
Posted on 02/24/2021, 12:00 PM
In many ways, high-end train travel in the United States mirrors high-end plane travel. Amtrak doesn't have seats that convert into lie-flat beds in first and business class. But those categories do come with a lot of perks that recall expensive air travel, such as food and beverages, special lounges at stations, and more legroom than in coach (amenities vary by route). On trains, reserved seatin...
