Tagged: trips

Blowing Into the Windy City: Pauline Frommer to Speak in the Chicagoland Area on January 9 and 11

I'm excited--make that thrilled--to announce that the second leg of our book tour, celebrating the launch of the NEW Frommer guidebooks, will kick off in the Chicago area  on January…

And Now, For a Change of Pace, Let's Look at All the Good Things That Are Happening in the World of Travel.

The holidays are here, and for many, that means counting blessings. So instead of devoting a column to the problems of travel—and there certainly are many—I’d like to celebrate…

Study Finds Remarkable Benefits For Educational Travel by Teens and Tweens

In 2000, Reid Bramblett, a writer and long-time scout leader in Pennsylvania, took 9 members of his Boy Scout troop to Europe for nearly a month (along with two other adults). One of…

We've Told You Where to Go in 2014, But Which Destinations Were Most Searched in 2013? The Answers May Surprise You

Let me start this blog by stating that there's no evidence that the number of searches for a destination will translate into more visits for said destination. But it is a fascinating…

Why Just Take a Vacation When You Can Work Your Way Around the World....And Travel Indefinitely

Travel doesn’t have to be pricey. Thanks to the internet, an entire class of working travelers has emerged, men and women who trade “sweat equity” for free room and board on the…

Decoding Three Common Travel Tips on Dining, Timing and Packing

When it comes to tips on how to travel better and more affordably, there are some old-chestnuts that always apply. But though they sound obvious, many actually require insider…

The How-To's of "Couch Surfing" From a True Expert

Last September, I got a call from a dear friend who’d just gotten a job playing harp in the orchestra of a Broadway touring production. Erin was hoping to save money on the road by…

What’s the Best Vacation For Your “Stage of Life”? How Age Can—and Should—Affect Your Travel Plans

“Man is by nature a social animal”, wrote Aristotle. And though he wasn’t commenting on vacations, his observation certainly applies:  who one travels with can be as important to the…

Way To Stay Classy, Ryanair! Wait Until You Hear What's In The Airline's Training Manuals

The same airline that once declared it would install pay toilets (that didn't happen), has been instructing its flight attendants to avoid making change for passengers when they buy…

Looking Ahead to Fall Travel: Places To Head and Strategies for Saving Money

Forget what your kindergarten teacher taught you, at least where travel is concerned. There aren’t four seasons, there are three: high season, low season and the period we’re about…

Scrimp vs. Splurge: When Does Spending More Actually Improve a Vacation?

Several years ago, an author I’d hired to do a chapter in a guidebook returned it to me with a major tourist sight missing from the text. He explained that he’d left this particular…

The Ever-Growing Popularity of Multi-Generational Travel

Few organizations are as savvy as Disney when it comes to anticipating travel trends. So when its tour arm, Adventures By Disney, announced that it would be offering its first tours…

Solo Travel: New Resources and a Few Tips

I’m a big fan of solo travel, but that may be because I don’t have to travel alone all the time. I have a husband and kids, so they come along when they can. But as a travel writer,…

The Elimination of Room Service, Top Sheets, and More: Worrisome Changes Coming to a Hotel Near You

Those over the age of 45 will remember when flying was a glamorous, or at least an amenity-laden activity. Attractive flight attendants would flit up and down the aisles, delivering…

My Knee-Jerk (Ouch!) Reaction to American Airlines' Plans to Add Even More Seats to Its Planes

My knees are aching just writing this. And my laptop's cover is quivering in fear. But here goes:In a regulatory filing yesterday, AMR Corp disclosed its plans to add more seats…

That's Ridiculous! Can Breastfeeding Activists Have It Both Ways on a Plane?

One of the hot discussions this summer centered around the rights of mothers to nurse their babies on a plane. Breastfeeding advocates weighed in on the issue in the comments section…

The Able Traveler: Wheelchair-Accessible Ballooning and Wine Tasting in Northern California

Hot air ballooning is a very popular activity in Sonoma County; and admittedly there's no shortage of outfitters that offer scenic flights over the Northern California vineyards,…

Wheelchair-Accessible Cabins Offer Comfortable Camping Alternative

Summer is prime time for outdoor fun, and in many cases that fun also includes an overnight stay at a campground. And although many folks like to rough it and sleep under the stars,…

Travel Safety: The Economic Situation in Greece

Greece's economic troubles today are a cautionary tale that proves the truth of Shakespeare's aphorism: Neither a Borrower Nor a Lender Be. In this case, Greece is the borrower, and…

Cruise Trends: New Kid-Friendly Perks & Parties

Cruise lines have been catering to kids for years now, and the perks keep getting better. The latest improvements are the optional add-ons that parents can purchase when dropping…

Travel Tips: What to Do When the Weather Doesn't Cooperate

My sister called me from her vacation, disgruntled. She had planned a long weekend in Gettysburg with her boyfriend, a history buff who wanted to walk the battlefields. They hadn't…

Park of the Week: Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park

The "greatest generation," as some historians have named it, will soon begin dying out, so it is important to recall its contributions -- individually and collectively -- to winning…

Park of the Week: Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

The first president of the United States actually born in the U.S. was Martin Van Buren. (Presidents before him were born British subjects in the colonies that preceded the…

Park of the Week: Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Back in 1926, Congress passed an act authorizing parks to preserve forests and natural scenery. Today, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is one of those parks that show visitors…

A Three-City Ireland Vacation, from $699 With Air and Car

Ireland is a fairly temperate place, so anytime we see a package that's priced well for late fall travel, we pay attention. This week's Smart Deal comes from Sceptre Tours (tel.…