Whales and wonder in icy Antarctica
One after the other, humpback whales arched their backs and slid into the frigid waters of Antarctica. As they flicked their tails in the air, rivulets dripped from the edges before they disappeared below the surface. I stood up in the Zodiac, a small inflatable boat with an outboard motor, my camera poised for the next opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime shot. I didn’t have to wait... READ MORE
Visiting Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands
There are many good finds in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands, an undulating countryside 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Visitors to the 3,000-square-mile region, which encompasses Westmoreland, Somerset and Fayette Counties, will find Pennsylvania’s highest peaks, rolling hills, small towns, covered bridges and dense verdant forests that burst into blazing colors in the... READ MORE
When you need to change an airline ticket
Many of your best airfare deals are “nonrefundable.” Once you pay, you don’t get your money back if you have to cancel. Although the very cheapest advance-purchase tickets started out as completely nonrefundable, most big U.S. airlines switched to a policy that when you cancel a nonrefundable ticket for any reason, the airline will allow you to apply the cash value toward a future... READ MORE
Riding the rapids of the Sierra Nevadas
You’re never too old for adventure, but on a spring trip on the American River in California, I was thankful for my younger traveling companions. As my fellow rafters and I whooped and thrust our paddles in the air to celebrate a successful run through the roaring rapids, our raft snagged on a rock, sending me flying into the water. I bounced off the river bottom, popped to the... READ MORE
Diverse Panama offers more than a canal
An American traveler, adventurer and author named Richard Halliburton swam the length of the Panama Canal a few years after it opened in 1914. He was charged 36 cents for the trip. Today, ships that follow in his footsteps — or, rather, his wake — pay $200,000 to $300,000 for the privilege. The average toll for the largest vessels, which use wider locks that began to operate in 2016, ... READ MORE
Which are the best hotel chains today?
The best U.S. multi-brand hotel chains are Hilton and Marriott, tied at a score of 80 out of 100 in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Hyatt at 79 and InterContinental at 78 follow closely, and Best Western scores above the industry average at 77. Chains scoring below average run from Choice at 74, La Quinta at 74, Wyndham at 70, down to Motel 6 at 64. Aggregate... READ MORE
How to get a good last-minute travel deal
Budget-minded travelers often plan their vacations months in advance so they can find the best deals. But if you’re yearning for a last-minute summer or early fall getaway, there’s good news: Fuel prices are relatively low, and you can find good deals on airfares, as long as you know where to look. You have more options for places to stay, too. Kiplinger expects gas prices to run... READ MORE
Classic resort offers nostalgia weekend
The 200-year-old Omni Bedford Springs Resort, a luxury hotel in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, is well known for its state-of-the-art golf course, mineral springs spa treatments and scenic hiking trails. But what guests discover upon arrival is that Bedford Springs offers more than just a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The hotel lobby provides a... READ MORE
Travelers: don’t forget ‘overhead’ costs
Over the years, you’ve probably seen many “tips” about avoiding high city-center hotel prices by staying in suburban hotels. But when you factor in the “destination overhead,” you often conclude that rather than fight the hassle and time of commuting, you’re better off finding a cheaper hotel in the city. By “destination overhead,” I mean the daily or hourly out-of-pocket ... READ MORE
