Articles

Zac Thompson

Article / Slideshows

How to Get the Most from a Great Wolf Lodge Vacation

If you’ve never heard of Great Wolf Lodge , you probably don’t know many 9-year-olds. This pack of wilderness-themed water-park resorts has been steadily expanding since the 1997…

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American Airlines Reducing Legroom in Economy Class

American Airlines is taking away some more legroom in the economy cabin.The carrier's new Boeing 737 Max jets, which are set to begin arriving later this year, will have a "seat…

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U.S. Government Issues Travel Alert for Europe in Wake of Terror Attacks

The U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert for Europe, following recent terror attacks in France, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and Russia.The alert, which went into…

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First Cruise Ship Crosses New Panama Canal Locks

A new, wider set of locks is open for business at the Panama Canal, and over the weekend the first cruise ship passed through them.Disney Cruise Line's 2,713-passenger Wonder…

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Non-New Yorkers Could Soon Have to Pay to Visit the Met

Admission at New York City's Metropolitan Museum of Art has been free since it was established in 1870—though a "suggested" entrance fee has been, well, suggested since the early…

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A Mandatory Fee at NYC's Met?, Europe Travel Alert, and an Expanded Panama Canal: Today's Travel Briefing

Travel news from all over

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United Announces Customer Service Changes

This week United Airlines released its Review and Action Report relating to the violent removal of passenger David Dao from an overbooked flight in Chicago on April 9 (you've…

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United's Ongoing PR Nightmare

United Airlines continues to have nightmarish PR troubles.The carrier's barrage of bad press began earlier this month, when cell phone footage of physician David Dao being…

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In Hawaii, an Increase in Rare Brain Parasite Disease

In Hawaii so far this year there have been 11 confirmed cases of rat lungworm disease, which is caused by a potentially deadly brain parasite with one of the ugliest names in…

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Brain Parasites in Hawaii and United's PR Woes: Today's Travel Briefing

Travel news from all over

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Celebrate John Wayne's Birthday in His Iowa Hometown

You probably associate John Wayne with the American West. But the film legend was actually born in Iowa. His hometown, Winterset, is the site of the John Wayne Birthplace Museum,…

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Bangkok's Famous Street Food Stalls Targeted for Removal

The days appear to be numbered for Bangkok's storied street-food scene.In an effort to clean up the city's thoroughfares, Thailand's government has begun removing the beloved food…

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The Latest Trend Aboard Cruise Ships: Lifeguards

Something that might surprise you if you're not a regular cruiser: As recently as five years ago, lifeguards were nowhere to be found at the pool areas of the major lines' ships.…

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Cruise Ship Lifeguards, Bangkok's Street Food Ban, and John Wayne's Birthday Party in Iowa: Tuesday's Travel Briefing

Travel news from all over

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Emirates Cuts Flights to U.S., Citing Drop in Demand

The Dubai-based Emirates airline is reducing the number of flights it offers to the United States.As a reason for the change, the carrier cited a drop in demand among consumers…

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The World's Safest Country for Tourists

Finland has been named the world's safest country for travelers in this year's edition of the highly regarded Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report from the World Economic…

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Plan to Build Trump Hotel in Dallas Falls Through

Dallas won't be getting a hotel under the Trump Organization's new Scion brand after all.Through a spokesperson, the president's company announced that the project's developer,…

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Trump Hotel Deal Off in Dallas, World's Safest Country Named, and Emirates Cuts Flights to U.S.: Today's Travel Briefing

Travel news from all over

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Spirit Airlines Ending Flights to Cuba

Spirit Airlines is ending its flights to Cuba, the carrier announced last week.That makes it the third U.S. airline to halt service to the island, after Frontier and Silver…

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Ban on In-Flight Phone Calls Here to Stay

A proposal to relax the ban on in-flight phone calls has been dropped by the Federal Communications Commission, which since 2013 had been mulling over the idea of allowing more…

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How to View Sea Turtles in Florida—Without Disturbing Them

Spring is the season when sea turtles start showing up on Florida beaches to nest and lay eggs at night—an annual ritual that carries into the fall. Baby turtles hatch after 60 days…

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Sea Turtles in Florida, In-Flight Phone Calls, and Spirit Leaving Cuba: Monday's Travel Briefing

Travel news from all over

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Britney Spears Ending Vegas Run

After four years almost to the day, pop star Britney Spears will end her show at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.Launched in December 2013, Britney: Piece of Me features more than…

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VIDEO: Europe's Fastest Roller Coaster Debuts at Ferrari Land in Spain

Ferrari Land, a theme park dedicated to celebrating the iconic Italian sports car, has opened within the larger PortAventura World in northeastern Spain.Visitors can get behind…

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Hamilton Tours at Thomas Jefferson's House

Thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit Broadway musical, Alexander Hamilton has stolen the spotlight from his fellow Founding Fathers. Now the ten-dollar Federalist is even making…