Opt out: The trap that keeps on trapping
An old golf joke describes a guy poised to hit a drive, but just standing there and not moving. After a few minutes, an exasperated partner shouts, “For Pete’s sake, hit the ball!” At which point the guy says, “Yes! That’s it — the 50th thing I was supposed to remember.” Why a lame golf joke? Because travel is the same — everybody has a list of “musts” for you to do... READ MORE
Domestic travel prices are trending lower
Dining out is more expensive than ever. The cost of gas is fluctuating. And the price of travel — including airfare and hotels — has kept pace. Right? Not exactly. Airfare costs declined by 13% between September 2022 and September 2023, according to September 2023 Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Far from being an inflationary force, travel prices... READ MORE
No plan needed: Take a mystery day trip
The brown cardboard box that arrived in my mailbox labeled “Ready for a Road Trip?” instantly made me want to hit the open road. Inside were five booklets: “Before You Go” and four more describing stops for a six-to-eight-hour road trip to explore “Tiny Towns.” The box was from Guess Where Trips, a unique travel planning company founded in 2020. “Guess Where Trips will show ... READ MORE
Advice for taking a destination holiday
Yes, I know, Thanksgiving and Christmas are when the whole family gathers at grandma’s house, or some similar Norman Rockwell scenario. But not everybody plays by that script. Moving your holiday festivities, whatever they might be, to some vacation destination is becoming increasingly popular. And if you’re thinking about a destination holiday this year, and you haven’t already ... READ MORE
For nature lovers and ‘Dirty Dancing’ fans
It didn’t take long after arriving at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia, to realize that, despite the resort’s name, it has no lake. What it does offer guests is a long, colorful list of activities that can fill many a day. Then there’s that not-so-secret reason many people go there: Most of the popular 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, which supposedly took place at a vacation... READ MORE
How climate change is changing travel
Travelers encountered many weather surprises this summer, from wildfires in Europe to knee-deep mud at Burning Man. Indeed, it was the hottest summer on record around the globe, according to the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. “The dog days of summer are not just barking, they are biting,” said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in a prepared statement... READ MORE
Street food, friendly people in Osaka, Japan
“Why go to Osaka?” a fellow travel writer asked at an annual adventure travel conference. “It’s like San Bernardino.” To anyone from California or who knows its cities, that was not a ringing endorsement. Another travel writer spoke up and disagreed: “It’s the only place in Japan with soul.” My wife, Katherine, and I were attending the conference in Sapporo, Japan,... READ MORE
Friendlier skies for those with dementia
Andrea Nissen is trying to prepare her 65-year-old husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease, for a solo flight to visit family in Oklahoma. She worries about travelers and airport officials misinterpreting his forgetfulness or habit of getting in people’s personal space, and feels guilty about not being able to accompany him. “People say, ‘He has dementia. You can’t let him go by... READ MORE
A laid-back visit to elegant Victoria, BC
It’s easy to see why the Pacific Northwest city of Victoria is Canadians’ favorite retirement spot. A temperate climate, chill lifestyle, natural beauty and a favorable exchange rate make it a highly desirable destination for American travelers, too. Last June, my wife Katherine and I had the good fortune to discover the charms of this elegant, laid-back city in a too-brief... READ MORE
Reasons to love the Dominican Republic
My husband and I were drawn to the Dominican Republic last winter for the weather, white-sand beaches and golf courses. We left loving the food, the people and their commitment to the environment. I have to admit I had to check a map to locate the Dominican Republic, also known as the DR. I learned it’s between Puerto Rico and Cuba, shares the island of Hispaniola with its neighbor... READ MORE
