New: A Literary Walking Tour of the Great Writers of Amherst, Massachusetts
Posted on 11/09/2021, 10:00 AM
Seeing as how Amherst, Massachusetts, produced Emily Dickinson, the Pioneer Valley college town's literary reputation is pretty solid already. But the most perceptive and inventive poet of 19th-century U.S. letters (fight me, Walt Whitman fans) isn't the only noteworthy author to have called Amherst home at one time or another. The UMass Public History Program and the Amherst Historical Commiss...
After 50 Years, England Reopens Train to Dartmoor, Delighting Campers
Posted on 11/08/2021, 10:00 AM
There's a reason most tourists to England stick to the country's cities and don't visit some of its most spectacular scenery: It's not easy to get to rural places anymore. Until the 1960s, many places in Great Britain, even the most sheep-filled and somnambulant villages, were served by some sort of train service, breathing life into every corner of the nation. But that changed in 1963, when Rich...
Which U.S. Airline Is Safest for Pets? Government Data Shows Top Dog
Posted on 11/02/2021, 3:00 PM
Each year, U.S.-based airlines transport hundreds of thousands of pets, and the vast majority of those dogs and cats reach their destinations with no trouble. When something goes wrong during air travel, the U.S. Department of Transportation requires carriers to report any losses, injuries, or deaths of animals—figures that are compiled by the government and made publicly available, along with inf...
Thailand Returns for Full Tourism with New, Easy-to-Follow Rules
Posted on 11/01/2021, 11:00 AM
Update: As of December 21, 2021, Thailand has temporarily brought back mandatory quarantine for tourists again.For the first time since near the start of the global pandemic, Thailand is reopen to tourists. Yeah, it's been a while. Remember Thailand? Unbelievable food? Friendly and outgoing people? Secret beaches? Resorts and ruins (like Ayutthaya, pictured above) and astounding architecture? Pr...
JetBlue's Current Flash Sale Is Impressive—But Has Big Limitations
Posted on 10/27/2021, 7:00 AM
OK, I'm writing this blog post quickly since this sale ends soon—at midnight on Friday, October 29, to be precise. But if you can get your fall/winter plans in order by that time, you could be winging your way to a top destination for as little as $31, including government taxes and fees. Sorta. You see, the problem with this promotion is that it's for JetBlue's lowest fare class, Blue Basic, wh...
Why Your Dog Can’t Fly into the U.S. from More Than 100 Countries Right Now
Posted on 10/27/2021, 6:00 AM
Pandemic lockdowns prompted a surge in pet adoptions as Americans stuck at home scoured the internet for furry friends to relieve the monotony. When local shelters don't have any dogs to spare, you can always broaden your search to include international canines, but not all pooch importers are honest about the pup's health records. In 2020, as a matter of fact, the Centers for Disease Control a...
In New York City, You Can Climb Up the Exterior of a 1,200-Foot Skyscraper
Posted on 10/26/2021, 1:00 PM
The cityscape of New York is a breathtaking sight. But to see it from the most elevated spots, Manhattan's five observation decks will charge you around $40 a pop. Consequently, most tourists opt for the experience only once during the course of their visits. That has set off a kind of arms race among the skyscrapers competing to be the go-to observation deck. Earlier this month, the newest en...
Pauline Frommer: Atlanta Is One of the Best Places in the USA for a Weekend Getaway
Posted on 10/22/2021, 5:00 AM
In National Geographic’s latest 3-inch-thick coffee table book, 1000 Perfect Weekends: Great Getaways Around the Globe, the city of Atlanta doesn’t appear once. Not once. I know because I have a copy of the book, which I bench-press to build my triceps. OK, actually, I have one because soon I’ll be doing an interview with its editor, Allyson Johnson, on my podcast. Do you think it would be rude t...
Hawaii Welcomes Tourists Back Starting in November
Posted on 10/20/2021, 12:00 PM
The state of Hawaii will open once again to nonessential travelers. That may be an odd statement considering it never technically closed. But on August 23, Governor David Ige made a very public plea asking would-be vacationers to stay away because of the state's spiking Covid-19 rates. This week's announcement was a happier one. "I think we are all encouraged by what we’ve seen over the last sev...
Princess Cruises Expands Onboard Gambling—To the Entire Ship
Posted on 10/19/2021, 1:00 PM
According to the North American Foundation for Gambling Addiction Help, 2.6% of adult Americans, or about 10 million people, struggle with a gambling addiction. For them, a Princess Cruises vacation may now be a non-starter. This week, the line announced that its first passenger placed a real-time bet using the new Ocean Sportsbook aboard the Majestic Princess. The new wagering service, which Pri...
