Articles

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

The Growing Strength of the U.S. Dollar May Turn 2015 Into a Halcyon Period for American Tourists

Although the remarkable recent rise in the value  of the U.S. Dollar has made headlines, hardly anyone has commented on the impact of that development on international…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Here's an Attempted Explanation for the Surging Popularity of River Cruises

The recemt and extraordinary popularity of river cruises--especially those of European rivers--is one of the great mysteries of travel.  River cruises have been…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Head to South Africa This Spring! Full Tours, Including Airfare from the US and Within Country, a Safari and More For Just $1499

Let me start by saying that we have no affiliation whatsoever with smarTours, the tour operator behind this deal. But when we get a press release that makes our jaws hit the…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

A New Monopoly on European Airport ATMs Means Lousy Exchange Rates for Travelers

I just had the pleasure of co-hosting our radio show with Samantha Brown, Travel Channel star par extraordinaire. (You can hear the podcast here). Whenever I chat with Samantha, I…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

In Sharp Contrast to the Thoughtless Acceptance of TripAdvisor in the U.S., the Europeans are Fining It Big Bucks for Allegedly Failing to Police the Posting of Fake Reviews

Five hundred thousand euros (or $610,000).  That's the fine recently levied on TripAdvisor.com by a regulatory commission in Italy. The famous website's violation? The…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Hooray for Hyatt! Its End-of-the-Year Announcement is "Free Wi-Fi for All"

It's nice to end the year on some good news!Hyatt Hotels, that massive chain that now consists of 573 properties in 43 countries, will be offering free Wi–Fi to ALL guests…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Some End-of-the-Year Musings on Current Developments—And Bitter Controversies—in Travel

As we move into 2015, a number of important travel issues seem unresolved and the subject of fierce controversy. Since both travelers and legislators are being asked to resolve…

Article / Hotels

Tips for Booking a Hotel in Amsterdam

Navigating all of the accommodation choices can be a bit confusing. Which neighborhood? How many stars? What’s in the rooms? What’s a good deal? We're here to help.

Article / Entry Requirements & Customs

Arthur Frommer's Reaction to the President's Announcement Regarding the Travel Embargo Against Cuba

"Although it will make headlines, the announcement of these embargo modifications is of far less substance than meets the eye."

Article / Passportable

Cuba Opens to Travel (Eventually)!

Some wonderful news for travelers today: U.S. President Obama has announced that for the first time since 1961, relations with the Caribbean nation will move toward normalization. As…

Article / Passportable

Adorable Hotel Brand Kimpton Sells Out

Travel can fill you with wonder or it can break your heart. Yesterday we learned that Kimpton, one of our favorite boutique hotel brands, has sold out.It now melts into the…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Bye-Bye, Economy! Delta Airlines Introduces Five New Classes of Seating

In 2013, Delta Airlines collected $1.67 billion dollars in so-called ancillary fees last year (mostly change fees and baggage fees), whupping its nearest competitor by almost $300…

Article / Passportable

Now You Can Stay the Night at Downton Abbey

A few years ago, the condition of the English mansion Highclere Castle grew so dire—after years of benign neglect from Earls who were more interested in horses or exploring—that…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Is It Still Possible to Find Vacation Space at Christmas? In Certain Limited Instances, The Answer Seems to be Yes

Barbados: You could be here this Christmas"I know I should have planned this months ago, but I was just too busy at the time. But now, we simply, desperately, want…

Article / Passportable

Volunteer Your Time and Get a Free Hostel Stay For Yourself and 9 Friends

Hostelling International USA announced this week that it will be doing a good deed for those who, well, do good deeds. For the months of January and February, it will be giving away…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

120 to the Dollar. That, Believe It or Not, is the Current Exchange Value of the Japanese Yen!

When the Japanese Yen fell to a rate of 100 to the dollar some months ago, one particular financial observer predicted it would eventually fall to a level of 125 to the…

Article / Passportable

A 12-Day Tour of India, Including Airfare, For Just $1499? Yes!

The one-time China specialist China Spree changed its name last year, but not its raison d'etre. And that seems to be to put out travel deals that make even the most cynical…

Article / Passportable

This Incredible Piece of Luggage Earned $1.3 Million in a Month: Want One, Too?

Check this out: A newly invented piece of luggage just collected an astounding $1.36 million in a little over a month on crowdfunding site Indiegogo—and when you hear what it can do,…

Article / Passportable

The World's Most Obscene Hotel Wi-Fi Charge

What would you do if you signed on to the Wi-Fi in your hotel room and saw a bill for €300 (US $391) the next morning?According to the Telegraph, that's what guests of the…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Point/Counterpoint: Pauline Frommer Gives Her Impressions of Colonial Williamsburg

I won’t lie: I was dragged, kicking and wailing, to Colonial Williamsburg. I thought the idea of spending Thanksgiving at the famed “living history museum” was a goofy one, and…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

We Visited an American Theme Park that Vanquishes Disney and Universal

Pauline and I, and our respective families, spent the Thanksgiving holidays at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia.  And because CW doesn't enjoy anywhere near the…

Article / Passportable

India Eases Its Visa Rules, While Russia May Be Closing Its Doors to Many Visitors

As per usual the news out of Russia is puzzling. Instead of easing restrictions on travelers and thus helping their sanction-damaged economy, the Russian government may be making…

Article / Cruise

Cruise Ships of the Future

Fifty years ago, no one thought cruise ships would evolve into 1,200-foot behemoths capable of carrying 5,000 passengers. And while we’re excited by the innovations on new ships…

Article / Arthur Frommer Online

Black Friday, Cyber Monday and All Those Travel Deals: Which Are Worthwhile (and Which Can Be Skipped)? We Have a Little List

According to the shopping experts who gab away on morning TV, TODAY will be the best day to shop if you're in the market for the usual gifts (sweaters, gadgets, toys, jewelry,…

Article / Road Trips

Gas, Food, Lodging, Payola: Why You Can't Trust Those Highway Signs

Signs along the Interstate tell you which restaurants and hotels are nearby—but how did those signs get there?