Tagged: travel

What to Do in Marseille—and Planning Pitfalls to Avoid

As one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the world, the port city of Marseille in southern France has a long and colorful history—and for a good chunk of that time,…

Where is Everybody? "Humanless” Customer Service is Dominating Travel. Can We Be Heard as Consumers?

None of us voted on this, but like it or not, there’s been a tremendous shift in how we interact with travel companies. Speaking to a real live person can be tedious, time-consuming,…

American Airlines Raises Bag Fees, Will Ban Some Booking Sites from Points Eligibility

This news post was updated with new information after its original publication.It's almost as if the corporations dominating our lives are determined to make back whatever they missed…

Deal Alert: Hawaii Hotels Are Up to 30% Cheaper Than Normal Right Now

If you've ever wanted a vacation on Maui's famed Ka‘anapali Beach, this is the year to go. Occupancy and prices are down some 20–30% in the popular West Maui resort area, but those…

Hurricane Season Forecast: 2024 Could Get Most Storms Ever

This post, originally published April 22, has been updated with new information.The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is going to be a rough one, according to weather forecasters. For…

How to Get U.S. National Park Reservations if They're Sold Out

The U.S. national park system responded to the coronavirus pandemic by becoming more like everything else in our lives: cumbersome and overcomplicated.Such is life in 2024. At least 9…

Bike Tennessee with This Free Online Collection of Scenic Cycling Routes

Tennessee is making it easier to experience some of the state's best scenery and historic sites by bike. A partnership between the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and the…

The USA's Legal Recreational Weed States in 2024

In red states as well as blue states, the population has legalized stoned states. A little more than a decade ago, recreational pot was illegal in all 50 states. But Colorado and…

The News Said Two Airlines Just Scrapped Change and Cancel Fees—but the Truth Is Messier

Something notable is happening at American airports. Something that only happens once in a blue moon.Airlines are changing their positions on fees. In recent days, two major U.S.…

How to Avoid Ticks While Hiking, Camping, or Otherwise Enjoying the Outdoors

Tick season, which typically lasts from April through October, is expected to get pretty intense in 2024, and travelers need to be prepared to protect themselves. Mild winters and wet…

Study Finds Gig Drivers Still Earn Less Than Minimum Wage. Is Using Uber and Lyft Ethical?

Corporations are squeezing Americans for more cash everywhere. We're all feeling it, especially at the grocery store and at the gas pump, even as the big companies in those industries…

Taking Sand from the Beach as a Souvenir? That'll Be a €3000 Fine

The next time you're at a beach you love, fight the urge to celebrate the place by taking some of it with you. A single selfish tourist taking a small vial of sand would barely seem to…

The 10 Safest Countries in Africa to Visit in 2024

Among travelers interested in visiting Africa, some of the top safety concerns often cited include crime, political unrest, and the targeting of LGBTQ+ people. While it’s true that…

The Best Croissants in Paris (Sorry, Crookie Fans)

No matter how they’re eaten—plain, dipped in coffee, slathered with jam or chocolate spread, stuffed with ham and melted cheese—croissants are an integral part of a French breakfast…

Opening Dates for Orlando's Big Summer 2024 Attractions—and Should You Care?

This year, it's as if the USA's most popular tourist destination is holding its breath. Most summers, Orlando's theme parks construct a new blockbuster ride or two to attract families…

What Is the Legal Drinking Age in Spain? (And Other Alcohol Laws Tourists Should Know)

Studies show that young people are drinking less alcohol than previous generations did, suggesting that the hedonistic heyday of debauched spring breaks and other booze-fueled youthful…

Car Rentals in Europe: Travelers Have to Watch Out for These Pitfalls

Renting a car in Europe is subject to a slightly different set of default rules than renting in the U.S., so Americans have to be more alert during the rental process. This advice,…

Countries That Use the US Dollar as Currency

Exchanging currency is a perennial pain in international travel. Fortunately for U.S. vacationers, there are a bunch of destinations, including many tourism heavy hitters, where no…

The 7 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make on a Walt Disney World Vacation

Underplanning In Disney's drive to increase profit centers, the company has changed its basic theme park experience. Now every visitor must plan somewhat or pay a price. To eat at the…

Sun Princess Cruise Ship Review: What We Love—and What Needs Work

May 8, 2024 Sun Princess, the latest addition to the Princess Cruises fleet, is the line’s largest ship to date, weighing in at 177,882 gross tons and able to accommodate 4,300…

Biden Creates His First National Park Unit: Amache in Colorado

Update: Amache officially became a Natonal Historic Site on February 15, 2024. Here is its official National Park unit page.Last Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden signed the paperwork…

USA's Most Endangered Historic Places Now Include L.A.'s Little Tokyo and Concord, Mass., Revolutionary Sites

The site of the American Revolution's "shot heard round the world," the hometown of author Zora Neale Hurston, a lighthouse in the middle of the Hudson River, a long-standing Japanese…

What Is It Like to Fly French Bee? Our Airline Review

In the landscape of a vacation, air travel is just one small hill you need to climb before the real experience begins. That’s why I’ve always been a proponent of paying as little as…

DOT’s New Airline Refund Rules are a Godsend for Travelers

Last Wednesday at Washington’s National Airport, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced sweeping new protections for airline travelers.  Considering how stressful air…

Experts Reveal 11 Common Airfare Booking Mistakes That Prevent You From Finding Cheap Flights

1. Booking too early Most people know that booking a flight at the last minute is a costly way to travel—by then, the cheapest seats are likely to have gone. But booking too early can…