Articles

Local Experiences

Article / Local Experiences

Travel Troubleshooter: No Refund for the Wrong Chichen-Itza Tour

Our reader pays Gray Line for an overnight tour to Chichen-Itza, but when she arrives she's given a day trip. Now the operator is refusing to refund the difference between the tours.

Article / Local Experiences

Market Report: Eat Your Way Through Madrid for Less

When time (and money) is of the essence, shopping at the city's public markets provides a delicious alternative to more expensive sit-down meals at restaurants.

Article / Local Experiences

Paris Neighborhood Discovery: Butte aux Cailles' Small-Village Feel

Every corner of Paris has its charms, but the Parisian neighborhood of Butte aux Cailles is unique because it retains a small village ambiance in the midst of this bustling metropolis.

Article / Local Experiences

Greenland's Northern Lights and Outdoor Adventures

Greenland isn't just ice, whales, and seals -- though they are the main reasons for coming here. You come here to enjoy the Northern Lights, outdoor adventure and sports, and access to…

Article / Local Experiences

Danish Treats: Having Fun and Getting Happy in Copenhagen

From new museums and theaters to a revitalized waterfront to just plain good attitudes, the Danish capital is great at showing off why it's one of Europe's best cities.

Article / Local Experiences

The Fall of the Berlin Wall -- 20 Years Later

With the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall upon us, I considered myself lucky to be seeing the sites connected to this event just a few days ago.

Article / Local Experiences

Shop Smart: Discount Shopping Streets Across Paris

Though boutiques throughout Paris might seem uniformly expensive, there are a few discount-packed streets where those in the know go to stock their wardrobes and apartments with…

Article / Local Experiences

Recycled Cities: Three Great Post-Industrial Destinations

In this era of reusing and recycling, more cities are looking at their old stuff -- industrial buildings, abandoned neighborhoods and leftover rights of way -- and coming up with…

Article / Local Experiences

Banff's Rugged Elegance in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies

One of the great destinations in the world, Banff National Park offers magnificent mountain scenery, lush wilderness, awesome lakes, and by contrast, world-class dining and…

Article / Local Experiences

Last-Minute Halloween Haunts in England, Ireland, and Romania

It isn't too late to book a quick jaunt to Europe to experience Halloween in a haunted hotel or a castle with a gory history. Several castles offer specially designed tours to get you…

Article / Local Experiences

A Different Side of Spain: Majorcan Monastery Stays

If you're looking to escape from the concrete behemoth hotels that line some of this Mediterranean island's coasts, you're going to need divine assistance. Here's where to find it.

Article / Local Experiences

October's Prize: Win a Trip for Two to Ireland

Frommers.com and Aer Lingus Vacation Store are sending one lucky winner and a guest to Ireland. Register now to win this vacation.

Article / Local Experiences

Scary Sleeping at Haunted Houses: Where to Lay Your Head, Tempt the Spirits

If you've ever stayed at a bed and breakfast, you may have thought you heard something go bump in the night. Here are a handful of places that aren't afraid to argue that 'bump' ma be…

Article / Local Experiences

Get Attention for Your Writing: New Key West Class

Want to catch the attention of editors and readers with your writing? Our own Bob Fisher is holding his annual Travel Writing Workshop down in Key West this February.

Article / Local Experiences

Back to Basics with Agritourism and Farm Vacations Across the U.S.

Looking for a greener vacation idea that will be both rewarding and affordable? The answer may lay only a short drive or flight away at the nearest farm.

Article / Local Experiences

The Able Traveler: A Touch of Nostalgia in Eastern Tennessee

The secrecy of WWII Oak Ridge is gone, but a nostalgic air remains. It's a great place to step back in time, learn a little history and just enjoy the ambiance of this all-American…

Article / Local Experiences

Walk This Way: Five Great Sunday Strolls in Paris

There are many great Paris Walks, but you really need to pay attention along the way. Strolling through the city's streets lets you soak up the Parisian ambiance like a native.

Article / Local Experiences

New Orleans Beyond the Beads and Bourbon Street

Escape from the French Quarter and New Orleans becomes a city where people are genuinely hospitable, where the adversity of Katrina has strengthened their resolve to show off their…

Article / Local Experiences

From Espresso to Champagne: Sofia's Best Watering Holes

Whether you're up for a morning coffee, a beer in the park, or a late-night drink, these six watering holes encompass Sofia's ambiance, character, and history.

Article / Local Experiences

Americans in Paris: Eat, Drink, Pray & Explore in English

While in Paris it's important to immerse yourself in the local culture. But certain English-language places are so iconic they've become downright Parisian, and you shouldn't feel…

Article / Local Experiences

Join the Revolution! 25 Ways to Take Action in Williamsburg

At the most popular destination in Virginia, a family can pack an awful lot of fun into three or four days around Williamsburg.

Article / Local Experiences

London and Sochi Ready for Their Olympic Moment

The next two Olympic competitions seek to set the tone for the next century of global competition.

Article / Local Experiences

August's Prize: Discover 500 Places and Win $500

One lucky winner will receive $500 and three 500 Places guidebooks. Register now to win this prize.

Article / Local Experiences

How to Get Up, Up and Away in Barcelona

Just a few minutes' train ride from the center of town can put you hundreds of feet above Barcelona, with stunning views and a great cup of coffee at the end of it.

Article / Local Experiences

Sun, Sand, and Sports in the Heart of Paris

Paris has some of the best museums in the world, but if you start to experience overload or your family threatens a mutiny, it's time to discover some of Paris' other recreational…