Why Alaska’s Epic—and Affordable—Ferry System Will Be Harder to Use This Summer
Posted on 05/18/2022, 5:00 PM
Though many travelers think of Alaska as a destination best seen by cruise ship, there are many other ways to visit the so-called Last Frontier. There are even other ways to see the state by ship. An especially adventurous option is the Alaska Marine Highway System, one of the world's most expansive ferry systems, covering some 3,500 miles. Created to transport Alaskans and freight around the st...
Pro Tips for Saving on Hotels and Transport in Italy from the Authors of Our New Guide
Posted on 05/18/2022, 3:30 AM
In many parts of Italy, tourism could return to pre-pandemic levels this summer. But after two years containing more twists and turns than a drive along the Amalfi Coast, the tourism landscape in Italy—as in every other part of the globe—has changed significantly, from the introduction of new restrictions, such as Venice's impending entry fee, to the opening (or reopening) of cultural and historica...
For Americans, Europe Will Be Way More Affordable This Summer—Except for Getting There
Posted on 05/13/2022, 1:00 PM
As of this writing, 1 euro is valued at $1.04. That is the European currency's lowest rate against the U.S. dollar in years, and, in fact, some analysts predict that the two will soon achieve parity (i.e., €1 = $1) for the first time since 2002. Several factors are driving the dollar's surge, according to Bloomberg, including the Federal Reserve's aggressive interest rate hikes and the dollar's p...
How Airbnb's Revamp Could End Up Doubling Your Vacation Costs
Posted on 05/12/2022, 9:00 AM
This week Airbnb announced what the vacation rental giant is calling its “biggest changes in a decade.” That’s not hyperbole. Alas, the changes don't involve reining in fees (we wish!). But the company will be adding a layer of filtering that will utterly transform its search functionality. Airbnb has also created a promising new type of insurance that will be included with stays. Search by Home ...
Savor Arizona’s Natural and Culinary Wonders with Our New Guidebook
Posted on 05/11/2022, 7:15 AM
Arizona's embarrassment of riches in the natural wonders department exerts a pull on any traveler hoping to trek through, raft amid, or simply gawk at landscapes of astonishing, otherworldly beauty. It's the Grand Canyon State, after all. Not to mention the home of red-rock buttes, iconic cactus forests, candy-striped deserts, and many other marvels. But it's not just the scenery that elicits oo...
Just How Much Have Travel Costs Risen? Shocking Stats on Summer Travel
Posted on 05/03/2022, 2:00 PM
Prices for travel have been climbing at a breakneck pace in 2022—and they're about to get even worse, according to the travel booking and cost-tracking site Hopper. The company's analysts expect prices to rise 6% to 12% on average in the coming weeks, on top of already inflated rates, before peaking in late June. That doesn't mean you should put travel plans on hold for another year. But if you...
Amtrak Offers Summer Service from NYC to the Berkshires. Will It Be Worth It?
Posted on 04/29/2022, 10:00 AM
The picturesque mountains, charming villages, and top-notch performing arts venues of the Berkshires in western Massachusetts are only about 150 miles from New York City. But the scenic region—seemingly tailor-made for weekend getaways—isn't easy to access for carless New Yorkers, who, after all, make up more than half of the city's residents. This summer, though, the situation is set to improve...
What’s New in New Orleans? Appetizing Picks from the Authors of Our New Guide
Posted on 04/26/2022, 8:00 AM
Have you ever seen those video clips of cows leaving their barns in spring? Encountering green pastures again after months of winter, the animals jump and play, looking as happy as puppies. "That's how I feel right now," says Frommer's author Diana K. Schwam, summing up the mood of many newly sprung travelers who have had to stand around chewing their own cud for two years due to the coronavirus ...
Where You Can Still Book Short-Term Rentals Under Honolulu's Strict New Law
Posted on 04/19/2022, 5:45 PM
Honolulu is changing the rules for what qualifies as a short-term vacation rental on the Hawaiian island of Oahu—and the term isn't very short. By a vote of 8–1, the Honolulu City Council passed a controversial bill last week that would extend the minimum booking period for a short-term rental from 30 days to 90 days in residential areas. That's effectively a ban on short-term rentals on most of...
Say Aloha Again to Hawaii with These Expert Picks from the Latest Frommer's Guidebook
Posted on 04/14/2022, 8:15 AM
After finally lifting some of the pandemic's strictest domestic travel restrictions, Hawaii is undergoing what Frommer's author Jeanne Cooper calls a "semi-return to normal." And just in time to help visitors navigate the new (semi)normal comes the release this week of Frommer's Hawaii, the latest edition of our comprehensive guide to the land of leis and luaus. Coauthors Cooper and Natalie Schac...
