Tagged: travel

Park of the Week: Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

The first president of the United States actually born in the U.S. was Martin Van Buren. (Presidents before him were born British subjects in the colonies that preceded the…

Travel Troubleshooter: Do I Have to Pay For That Ding on My Rental?

When Lidia Conte returns her Avis rental to Frankfurt, Germany, a representative points to a small ding on the car. Even though another employee lets Conte off the hook, she gets a…

3 Family Travel Packages: Deal or No Deal?

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: you just won't know if that tempting special offer is a deal until you crunch the numbers and see the savings for yourself. Or, you could…

Park of the Week: Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

Back in 1926, Congress passed an act authorizing parks to preserve forests and natural scenery. Today, Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens is one of those parks that show visitors…

Disneyland Paris: Top Tips from the Experts

Getting the most out of your Disneyland Paris experience is a science. It's an art as well, sure, but if you want lots of fun rather than sore feet, tears before lunchtime, and a head…

Travel Troubleshooter: Help! The Airline Canceled My Honeymoon Flight

Loyd Jobe's honeymoon doesn't get off to a good start when his flight is canceled. His airline sends the newlyweds on their vacation the next day, but they must pay for an extra night…

How to Travel with a Newborn: Look for an All-Inclusive Package

If you're up to the challenge of taking your newborn on an island vacation, consider escaping to Runaway Bay, Jamaica with an all-inclusive family travel package. The kid-friendly…

How to Avoid Buying Unwanted Travel Insurance

Terri Widder hesitated seconds before she booked a recent flight from Chicago to Tulsa. Something felt wrong.She scrolled up on her computer screen and noticed an option to buy a…

What New York State's Illegal Hotels Law Means for Travelers

New York governor David Paterson signed a law on July 23 that banned "illegal hotels," giving New York City authorities new powers to shut down a range of hotels and hostels around…

How to Plan a Volunteer Vacation in 6 Steps

Integrating any amount of volunteer time into your next trip requires some research before you leave. But as countless volunteer veterans will tell you, it's worth the planning. You…

How to Do Charity in the Caribbean: Don't Send Money, Bring Crayons

Melody Wren rarely goes on a trip these days without stuffing scores of diapers, books, crayons, and Teddy bears into her luggage. Wren, a Canadian travel journalist, hand-delivers…

Last-Minute Travel Deal: Three Nights in Hawaii from $459 With Air

Dying for a Hawaii vacation? This week's Smart Deal comes from Pleasant Holidays (tel. 800/742-9244; www.pleasantholidays.com) and starts from just $459 for three nights and airfare.…

How Bad Companies Turn Customers Into Critics: It's in the Fine Print

As a lawyer, Sam Wyrick is no stranger to fine print. So when Spirit Airlines canceled his flight during its recent strike, he did what any respectable attorney would do: He read…

The Gulf of Mexico Needs Tourists to Swim Against the Tide

No one wants to be called a tragedy tourist. Not Van Badham, a London-based playwright who spends her vacations visiting such places as Ground Zero in New York and Nazi concentration…

The Best Museums of Bremerhaven, Germany

If you like seaports, you will love Bremerhaven's new Havenwelten, which means Harbor Worlds. In a small area, you'll find Klimahaus, the German Emigration Center, the German Maritime…

Park of the Week: Ice Age National Scenic Trail

If, like me, you don't know much about the Ice Age -- such as that it was a mere 15,000 years ago -- you might enjoy a learning experience on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail, which…

Fly Safe, Fly Smart: When Kids Fly Alone

Kids fly. Alone. In a nation of far-flung families, kids frequently shuttle between Mom, Dad, and the grandparents. Unfortunately, parents can't always accompany them. But kids can…

Travel Troubleshooter: A Canceled Disney Vacation, a Missing Refund

After Terry Thompson's daughter runs away from home, she cancels her Disney World vacation. But her travel insurance company refuses to refund $588 in airline tickets. Can't Disney…

How to Protect Yourself Against Travel 'Phishing' Scams

A stolen bag. Lost cash. A missing passport.It had all the hallmarks of a trip from hell. And the e-mail, which ostensibly came from a reader I had corresponded with back in 2008,…

Lessons Learned From Your Worst Travel Gaffes

Forgetting to read the fine print. Not packing a change of clothes. Confusing a.m. and p.m.In a previous column, I asked you to tell me about your worst travel mistakes. Did you…

Greenland: A World of Icebergs and Food

When worrying about global warming, Greenland is where the world looks for icebergs. As many already know, the icebergs here and the nearby glacier are melting far too fast. To say…

8 Foolproof Ways to Save on a Summer Vacation

For families contemplating how to take an affordable summer vacation this year, the economy still poses some major hurdles. In a TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com) family travel survey…

10 Tips for Better Family Road Trips

Summer is on its way, which means that families are gearing up for road trips. WeJustGotBack.com readers share 10 easy ways to smooth out the journey and banish backseat boredom. Tip…

New York's Fire Island Is For Birders and Sunbathers Alike

As one of New York City's most popular summer playgrounds, Fire Island National Seashore is easy enough to reach. But once you're there, it can be fairly difficult to get around,…

Volcano Eruption Grounds Cruise Travelers, Disrupts Sailings

If the explosion of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano earlier this month has proven anything, it's that the world has become too reliant on the airplane. I mean, really: Should a…