In today’s world, it’s difficult to unplug for a week while traveling. We are more and more connected and as a result, all that technology can inadvertently make us more attractive targets for crooks. It’s not enough anymore to watch your wallet and be conservative about the jewelry you display–thieves have gotten smarter, and in order to protect your possessions and identity, you’ll have to travel smarter too. Here are some tips to help keep …
Author: John Frenaye
There is nothing like traveling internationally. For me, I love the thrill of seeing new people, learning new cultures, butchering a new language and living the history of the world! Of course the best part of an international trip for me is coming back home—for me returning home always puts things in perspective. However, traveling abroad is not without some perils. A good travel agent can guide you through them, but there are some passport …
Think a cruise is a problem-free, no-hassle vacation? Think again. While the recent accident with the Costs Concordia was an extremely rare occurrence, cruises are ruined for people every day for varying reasons.
As with any uncharted waters, danger lurks below the surface. The websites may advertise smooth sailing — after all, they’re flashy websites created by the marketing department — but as a travel professional, I have had many cruises go down the drain.…
Most of the bases for cruising have already been covered: We know how to keep your floating vacation afloat, how to find the best ships for singles, how to survive a cruise with Norwalk virus and how to cruise with the kids. But, as recent news stories have warned us, there may be a dark side to cruising for those who are not prepared.
Terry Riley, Ph.D., author of the book Travel Can Be Murder…
If you have ever done any air traveling in a post-911 world, the three most dreaded words tend to be “TSA Security Checkpoint”. Well, fear no more. The agency, in a recent press release, has offered some relief to travelers who are wary of taking off their shoes and being groped just to fly home to visit grandma.…
Welcome to the wonderful world of crowdsourcing. Everyone is an expert on everything and thanks to sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Angie’s List there are now platforms for everyone to display their expertise. Well, sort of.
First of all, let me be clear, TripAdvisor can be an incredibly valuable tool for today’s traveler. But like any tool, for it to be effective, it needs to be handled properly. Not many nails get driven with the …
Summer officially started just a few weeks ago; but before you know it, the days of sunshine, sand and surf will be nothing more than a memory. For those who are vacationing this summer, the plans have been made and perhaps the bags have been packed. With the economy in a slow recovery, many families have reluctantly decided to hold off on a summer vacation. But there is still hope for a last minute summer …
Fourth of July. Independence Day. July 4th. Whatever you call it, it is one of the few truly American holidays and the Brits are still a little miffed! While the big cities and metropolitan areas put on spectacular shows, the true taste of Americana lies in the small town celebrations that take place all across the country. You are never far from a bicycle parade, a baby-kissing politician, some fireworks, and the bright …
Getting away from the daily grind always has a reinvigorating effect on the psyche. Sometimes all it takes is an hour or two and other times it might take several weeks! I have a friend who is still “reinvigorating” for a third year as he sails the world. With Father’s Day coming up, why not consider reinvigorating yourself a little bit. The ladies are never shy about splurging on a spa treatment, so why not …
Hotels are a necessary part of the travel experience. Be it one night or several months, a hotel is your temporary home away from home. But the difference between a hotel and your home is that a hotel can be fraught with danger. I don’t mean to be an alarmist, but we all know that there are bad people in the world—and a hotel might just be a good breeding ground for them. Let me …
“Psst, hey buddy, come here, I got a great deal on a brand new Rolex.” If you are an experienced traveler or have visited a large city in the United States, you have probably been approached with a similar line. Of course, the guy in the trench coat is not selling the real deal—they are knockoffs and it is a scam. People have a tendency to become complacent and think they are too smart to …
According to the U.S. Travel Association, active family travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the $554 billion dollar travel market! Gone are the days when the family vacation where you packed up the woody and headed to the beach. Today’s family is packing the SUV or minivan setting out for adventures—not vacations! They are windsurfing, dude ranching, bicycling, backpacking, scuba diving, white water rafting, mountain climbing, fly fishing, ice fishing, and driving …
Hello and welcome to Travelhoppers! I am thrilled to have been asked to participate in this project as the Ombudsman for the travel woes of our readers. But, before we get into problem solving, I wanted to take a few moments to outline exactly how I feel an Ombudsman comes into play.
Don’t Wait
When a travel issue crops up, the time for action is when it crops up. Not after you have spent a …
The first St. Patrick’s Day Parade was celebrated in New York City, not Ireland, in 1762. That first parade consisted of a band of Irish ex-patriots and Irish military serving with the British Army which was stationed in New York City. The wearing of the green was a source of Irish pride; but at the time was banned in Ireland. The participants in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade reveled in their ability to freely speak …