The Golden Isles of Georgia and Florida
Vast saltwater marshes fringe southeast Georgia’s and northern Florida’s barrier islands, acres of luscious wetlands of thick golden reeds and grasses swaying in the gentle breeze as far as the eye can see. The Spanish dubbed them Islas de Oro (the Golden Isles) in the 1700s, even though they failed to find the hoped-for gold. But eventually the gold came to them, when northern... READ MORE
Beware of travel insurance from airlines
“Flyer Beware” is the heading of a new report on travel insurance, but that’s different from “Don’t Buy.” Although some writers have picked up on the report as a recommendation to avoid travel insurance, generally, that really isn’t the case. Instead, the report focuses on the insurance policies that airlines and online travel agencies (OTA) offer automatically during the... READ MORE
Visiting Israel’s ancient port city of Jaffa
Just south of Tel Aviv’s glass towers and concrete houses are the white stone buildings of Jaffa, the ancient port town. Jaffa has existed for thousands of years, but today it is one unified city with Tel Aviv, which was founded in 1909. Both Jews and Arabs live in Jaffa, and that’s reflected in the flavors of the neighborhood. Visitors will find a luxury hotel, the Setai, built... READ MORE
Delaware’s mansions, gardens and more
Some members of the large, wealthy family lived in a 175-room mansion set amid 1,000 acres of magnificent gardens, sprawling woodlands and splashing fountains. Others made their home in a chateau modeled after the palace where Marie Antoinette once hung out. Not far away, workers who toiled in the business that affluent dynasty was creating resided in more modest quarters. They included... READ MORE
The best scenic rides on public transit
Public transit operates mainly for local commuting, shopping and school trips. But some of those ordinary transit trips can be spectacular for visitors, too. Transit prices are a lot less than rates for commercial sightseeing, and you aren’t forced to stop at schlocky souvenir shops. You can find interesting transit rides in many places, but I have a favorites list of public... READ MORE
How to shorten the airport screening line
Waiting in lengthy security lines isn’t a great way to start a long-awaited vacation. But you can use the faster lanes if you belong to one of the expedited screening programs, which could essentially be free to join with the right credit card. The primary federal programs for air travel, TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry, cost $85 or $100 per traveler, respectively. That fee covers you... READ MORE
Montana: vanishing glaciers and grizzlies
I had a lot of expectations heading to Montana last summer. I expected to check off my bucket-list dream of driving Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road. I expected to be ready should I meet any bears because I’d brought “bear bells” to repel them. And I was sure I’d love the local meat pies called “pasties.” Wrong on all counts. The Going-to-the-Sun Road is... READ MORE
Enjoying the simple pleasures of Jamaica
One meal that my wife Fyllis and I will long remember was a five-course “surprise” dinner served in a lovely candle-lit outdoor setting. The other was a simple vegetarian lunch at a ramshackle lean-to perched precariously on a steep mountainside. It’s not often that two repasts encapsulate much that a destination has to offer visitors, but Jamaica is such a place. The Chef’s... READ MORE
If bumped off a flight, make it worthwhile
Allison Preiss became a hero to airline passengers this spring when she scored a $10,000 travel voucher for losing her seat on an oversold flight. Negotiating skill mixed with a bit of luck helped Preiss land the elusive payoff. There are two situations that passengers might find themselves in, and their rights — and bargaining power — vary greatly between them. In the first, an... READ MORE
Save on airfare, lodging and more in London
The sun-kissed scenes from Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s storybook wedding at Windsor may have put you in the mood to visit the Old Country. But what if you’re just looking to feel like a prince (or princess), not spend like one? Here are a few tips on enjoying London on a budget. (Just don’t count on the sunshine that blessed the royal wedding in a place where, on average,... READ MORE
