Tagged: vacations

Time to Rethink Tropical Travel Plans for Summer? Federal Forecasters Issue Their Hurricane Predictions

"This is your warning," said Kathryn Sullivan, administrator of the The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.And what a warning it is: today, the NOAA is prediced 13-20…

Maybe Alec Baldwin Was In the Wrong: There Seems to Be Solid Evidence That Cellphones and Other Hand-Held Devices Interfere with Airplane Navigation Systems

The first sentences in a recent Bloomberg News article on cellphones on planes is chilling. "The regional airliner was climbing past 9,000 feet when its compasses went haywire,…

Carry Less, Board First: American Airlines Revises Its Priority Policies Once Again

Boarding a plane nowadays is like being caught in a Saturday Night Live skit. You patiently wait, as the "platinum" and the "double platinum" and the "elite this and that" passengers…

Cruise Travel Tips: Why All Cruisers Should Carry Valid Passports

When Antonia Giannasca called Carnival Cruise Lines (www.carnival.com) this year to book a vacation to Mexico for her extended family, the sales representative assured her that she…

Travel Troubleshooter: Where Did This Resort Fee Come From?

When William Pou reserves a room at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort using his frequent-stayer points, he's surprised by a $10-a-night resort fee, disclosed only after…

Lights, Cameras, Dolphins: Clearwater, FL Gets Ready for Its Close-Up

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium (www.seewinter.com) has the slightly dilapidated look of a one-time municipal sewage treatment plant, which, by the way, it is. While the holding pools…

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…

Summer Road Trip: Tips for Driving to Canada

As we packed for a recent road trip to Vancouver, I gave my bags an extra look. Something seemed to be missing. But what? "Did you remember our passports?" my husband called out.…

Park of the Week: Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site, St. Louis

Everyone knows which president's face is on the dollar bill, but George Washington has some competition now that the U.S. Mint has issued a one-dollar coin with the visage of Ulysses…

Hotels Don't Always Change the Sheets Between Guests

Glenn Robins is grossed out. As a frequent traveler, he assumed the sheets on hotel beds are changed between guests. But a new TV ad by the Hampton Inn (www.hamptoninn.com) chain…

Tap Expat Knowledge for a Better Family Trip

"Dad, I want to play with some kids who speak English." It was a reasonable request, and maybe you've heard it if you've traveled abroad for more than a few days with your family. My…

Travel Tips: How to Overcome the Language Barrier

If you restricted your movements to the parts of the world where people understand you, you might not get too far. After all, it's hard enough for an American to decipher directions…

10 Royal Wedding Celebrations You Can Actually Get Into

If you want to celebrate Will and Kate's big day, but don't want to do it in your living room, you are not alone. People all over the UK are coming up with inventive, sweet and…

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…

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.…

Park of the Week: Ice Age National Scenic Trail

If, like me, you don't know much about the Ice Age -- such as that it was a mere 15,000 years ago -- you might enjoy a learning experience on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which…

Greenland: A World of Icebergs and Food

When worrying about global warming, Greenland is where the world looks for icebergs. As many already know, the icebergs here and the nearby glacier are melting far too fast. To say…

10 Tips for Visiting Disney World with Kids

When it comes to Disney World, every family hopes to get the most fun out of every hour, and the most value for their buck. The readers of WeJustGotBack.com share 10 ways to maximize…

North American Ski Report: Seasonal Specials and Anniversary Celebrations

Seasonlong Specials at Whitefish Mountain Resort Montana's Whitefish Mountain Resort (tel. 877/SKI-FISH; www.skiwhitefish.com) has released a flurry of special offers that all seem to…

3 Stops Along British Columbia's Wine Trail

Who could guess? For only C$18.99, you can buy a bottle of wine that the Canadian prime minister served President Obama on a state visit in February, and in the same marvelous town…

This Land Is Your Land: A Conversation with Ken Burns about "The National Parks: America's Best Idea"

Perhaps Woody Guthrie said it best in his folk song "This Land is Your Land," but director Ken Burns's series The National Parks: America's Best Idea, certainly pictures it best.…

New Orleans Beyond the Beads and Bourbon Street

On first impression, New Orleans comes across as a semi-artificial city, set up for big drinkers, revelers, and those who like to party all night. Almost like a spring-break…

'No Waivers, No Favors' Reaches New Highs (and Lows)

The specific promotions described in this article have now passed, but it remains online so that the resources named will be of future use to travelers.The check-in time at the…

Stockholm Designs for Less Than You'd Expect

It's all-but-impossible to visit Stockholm without stuffing your carry-on with Scandinavian designs. Highly coveted among interior aficionados, these form-minded,…

3 Off-the-Beaten-Path Sights Worth the Effort

It's easy to tire of the road most traveled: it's crowded, frenetic and -- oftentimes -- less interesting than off-the-beaten-path destinations. Whether you head to a serene,…