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Article / Passportable

Marriott Gives Up Trying to Block Your Wi-Fi—Other Hotels Better Not Try, Either

Marriott tried very hard to get the government to allow it to block your Wi-Fi signal. The hotel brand attempted to justify the act as a "security" measure, but in practice, doing so…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

The Luck (And Deals) Of The Irish: A Head-Turning Fare Sale from Aer Lingus to Ireland and Beyond

Head across the pond for a quick, and inexpensive, pint of GuinnessThe euro is currently trading at a jaw-dropping…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

A Major Airline Drops the Hated Fuel Surcharge! So Why Won't the Rest of the Industry Follow?

One of the greatest lies foisted upon the American public—right up there with "this won't hurt a bit" and "New Coke will be better"—was crammed down travelers' throats a half…

Article / Passportable

Bad News, Anglophiles: Hershey's Bars British Cadbury

British Cadbury bars are officially something you can only buy on vacation.Those of us who got a taste for British chocolate on our trips to the U.K. have enjoyed the ability to…

Article / Passportable

Newscast Blows the Lid off Fake Online Reviews

Do you trust the reviews you find online? You shouldn't. Watch as PBS' NewsHour exposes user-generated review sites—that is, sites where you primarily find reviews written by past…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Planning a Quick Trip to Havana? The "Casa Particular" May be the Answer to Your Housing Needs

The new and greatly broadened rules that permit Americans to make trips to Cuba have just gone into effect, and a great many of our fellow citizens are now…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

By Converting the Norway Pavilion to a 'Frozen' Attraction, Epcot's World's Fair Concept Dies

On his deathbed, Walt Disney had a dream for his ultimate legacy. He wanted to create a living community in Central Florida where companies could use residents to try out new…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

In a Momentous Development, Regulations Have Just Been Announced That Will Greatly Expand the Number of Americans Able to Visit Cuba

The floodgates have opened.  Starting now, any determined American will be able to travel, without hindrance, to Cuba.  That’s the meaning of the regulations just…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Last Weekend's Street Demonstrations by a Million Parisians Have Served to Remind Us of Our High Regard for France and the French

Thomas Jefferson is supposed to have said (though some scholars deny he did) that “Every man has two countries--his own and France”.I thought of that famous…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Decisions, Decisions: Here Are Some That Will Confront You As You Plan Your Forthcoming Vacation Trip

In travel, there’s always an alternative to consider when you plan your next vacation.  Here are some of them:(1)  Cruises vs. all-inclusive resort hotels:…

Article / Passportable

The World's First Drone Film Festival is Actually a Travel Film Festival

Everyone talks about drones—those small unmanned flying robot cameras—as if they're predominately a technology story. But when you look at the sort of footage that comes out of them,…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Spend Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at a National Park: It's the First Free Entry Day of 2015

Not that the United States' National Parks are all that pricey to begin with. In fact, most don't charge entry fees and the most pricey—places like Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

The Growing Strength of the U.S. Dollar May Turn 2015 Into a Halcyon Period for American Tourists

Although the remarkable recent rise in the value  of the U.S. Dollar has made headlines, hardly anyone has commented on the impact of that development on international…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Here's an Attempted Explanation for the Surging Popularity of River Cruises

The recemt and extraordinary popularity of river cruises--especially those of European rivers--is one of the great mysteries of travel.  River cruises have been…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Head to South Africa This Spring! Full Tours, Including Airfare from the US and Within Country, a Safari and More For Just $1499

Let me start by saying that we have no affiliation whatsoever with smarTours, the tour operator behind this deal. But when we get a press release that makes our jaws hit the…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

A New Monopoly on European Airport ATMs Means Lousy Exchange Rates for Travelers

I just had the pleasure of co-hosting our radio show with Samantha Brown, Travel Channel star par extraordinaire. (You can hear the podcast here). Whenever I chat with Samantha, I…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

In Sharp Contrast to the Thoughtless Acceptance of TripAdvisor in the U.S., the Europeans are Fining It Big Bucks for Allegedly Failing to Police the Posting of Fake Reviews

Five hundred thousand euros (or $610,000).  That's the fine recently levied on TripAdvisor.com by a regulatory commission in Italy. The famous website's violation? The…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Hooray for Hyatt! Its End-of-the-Year Announcement is "Free Wi-Fi for All"

It's nice to end the year on some good news!Hyatt Hotels, that massive chain that now consists of 573 properties in 43 countries, will be offering free Wi–Fi to ALL guests…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Some End-of-the-Year Musings on Current Developments—And Bitter Controversies—in Travel

As we move into 2015, a number of important travel issues seem unresolved and the subject of fierce controversy. Since both travelers and legislators are being asked to resolve…

Article / Passportable

Cuba Opens to Travel (Eventually)!

Some wonderful news for travelers today: U.S. President Obama has announced that for the first time since 1961, relations with the Caribbean nation will move toward normalization. As…

Article / Passportable

Adorable Hotel Brand Kimpton Sells Out

Travel can fill you with wonder or it can break your heart. Yesterday we learned that Kimpton, one of our favorite boutique hotel brands, has sold out.It now melts into the…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Bye-Bye, Economy! Delta Airlines Introduces Five New Classes of Seating

In 2013, Delta Airlines collected $1.67 billion dollars in so-called ancillary fees last year (mostly change fees and baggage fees), whupping its nearest competitor by almost $300…

Article / Passportable

Now You Can Stay the Night at Downton Abbey

A few years ago, the condition of the English mansion Highclere Castle grew so dire—after years of benign neglect from Earls who were more interested in horses or exploring—that…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Is It Still Possible to Find Vacation Space at Christmas? In Certain Limited Instances, The Answer Seems to be Yes

Barbados: You could be here this Christmas"I know I should have planned this months ago, but I was just too busy at the time. But now, we simply, desperately, want…

Article / Passportable

Volunteer Your Time and Get a Free Hostel Stay For Yourself and 9 Friends

Hostelling International USA announced this week that it will be doing a good deed for those who, well, do good deeds. For the months of January and February, it will be giving away…