Now More Than Ever, The American Traveler Will Find Additional Reasons for Scheduling a Stay in Belgium on their Next European Trip
Posted on 03/31/2016, 8:45 PM
Bruges, Belgium (Photo credit: Neilhooting/Flickr) The tragedy of terrorism in Brussels is what comes to mind, unfortunately, when we now think of the Belgian capital. Some 35 persons were killed, and more than 311 injured, by bombs set off in recent days at the Brussels airport and one of its subway stations. I have a different recollection of that city and its su...
Cynical Eastern City Gal Goes To Nashville…and Converts to Country
Posted on 03/31/2016, 9:30 AM
Go to Nashville, and you’re going to come home a fan of country music. I know—it happened to me. And I’m from New York City, for Pete’s sake. That’s not to say that all Nashville has are shrines to crooners in cowboy boots. Its robust music scene embraces many genres, from classical to blues (the latter scene, in particular, is hot, hot, hot). Multiple universities keep the population you...
You Don’t Have to Leave North America To Have An Exotic Vacation: Meet Eeyou Istchee Baie James
Posted on 03/24/2016, 8:15 AM
Eeyou Istchee Baie James—that’s not the name of the latest hip-hop star or a phrase in Norwegian. It’s an area right in North America that few have discovered…but those who have, can’t stop raving about. You see, Eeyou Istchee Baie James is a Canadian territory that’s the size of Germany, but with 0.04% the population. Boreal forest covers most of it, with its northern edges fading into the ...
Last Call for Shamu: SeaWorld to Phase out Orca Whale Performances—Meet the Man Who Made that Call
Posted on 03/17/2016, 2:30 PM
Soon to be history: The Shamu show at SeaWorld Orlando. (Photo: Jason Cochran) SeaWorld has announced that it will no longer breed orcas in captivity at its theme parks. At a future date that has not been announced, it will end the classic performance shows featuring killer whales—an essential SeaWorld attraction for half a century—and replace them with attractions that only display the cr...
Starting Now, Solo Travel to Cuba Will Be Explicitly Legal for Americans
Posted on 03/15/2016, 12:00 PM
The news out of Cuba is coming fast and furious. Not only are a number of airlines close to being able to offer direct service from various U.S. gateways to the Caribbean island, but Marriot and Starwood hotels will soon be housing guests there. In addition, AT&T will join Sprint and Verizon in offerring roaming service in Cuba. (For more on all these developments, take a look at this artic...
Is It Possible that a Remedy Has Been Discovered for Travelers' Diarrhea?
Posted on 03/13/2016, 10:00 PM
Quinn Dombrowski/Flickr Most of the physical ailments associated with travel (travelers' diarrhea, jet lag, and the like) have no known cure. Over the years, I've tried every conceivable remedy for jet lag, and none of them work. In under-developed nations I have also been cautious at meals and snacks, passing up street food, eating no uncooked salad ingredients, peeling the fruit served t...
Still Hoping to Get Away for Spring Break? There Are Some Deals Out There
Posted on 03/11/2016, 3:00 PM
Good things probably came....to those who booked early this year for spring break. Alas, airfares are only down 4% from last, despite much lower fuel costs for the airlines. And those trying to score a last minute deal may come away empty handed, if it involves domestic airfare, as planes are already pretty full for March and April. It your plans don't include a flight within the U.S., however,...
Rising Fees Ahoy! New Gotchas From the Cruise Industry
Posted on 03/09/2016, 4:00 PM
It’s been a rough winter for the cruise industry. One of its most celebrated newer vessels was tossed around like a cork in a Jacuzzi by a major storm, and then had to return early on a cruise a month later due to threats of another serious gale. And in early March, a Texas man either fell or jumped from the deck of a Royal Caribbean vessel. With all of this happening, not many people notice...
Michael Moore's "Where to Invade Next" is Very Much a Travel Film, Introducing Americans of All Political Persuasions to Provocative European Practices and Beliefs
Posted on 03/03/2016, 12:45 PM
On the eve of massive publicity for his new documentary movie, "Where to Invade Next", film-maker Michael Moore was struck down with a severe case of pneumonia. Hospitalized for several days and then required to stay in bed at home for additional time, he was unable to appear on several of the most heavily-viewed, national television shows, ranging from The Today Show, to Late Nig...
Since Disney's Latest Decision to Raise Ticket Prices Will Obviously Bar Entrance to Children of the Poor, Shouldn't We Use Public Pressure to Create an Exception for Low-Income Families?
Posted on 03/01/2016, 6:00 PM
Photo credit: Disneyland Resort Why am I so upset about the recent increase in admission prices at the Disney theme parks in Orlando and Anaheim? As you read on this blog, that organization has adopted a form of "surge pricing", increasing its already-high one-day ticket prices by about 20% on weekends and during periods of high demand. The result is that some parents bringing ...
