Today's Featured Post
Dutch treat for teens in Alaska
The Alaska cruise season may be over, but it’s never too early to start planning for the next year. A 7-day cruise to Alaska’s Inside Passage may sound like the ultimate vacation, but imagine doing it with teenagers. Find out how Anita Dunham-Potter navigates the Alaskan waters onboard Holland America’s Oosterdam with two teens in tow.
Destinations
Maine — Foliage without hype or crowds
Vermont gets all the press — but it also gets gazillions of leaf peepers. If you want to enjoy the colors with fewer crowds, and perhaps get the bonus of those brilliant colors reflected in shimmering ocean waters, scoot up to Maine. But first, check the foliage report, then plan accordingly.
Tripso Traveler
Forget staycations — here come paintball-cations
A vacation is often a change of mind and a change in situation. The paintball phenomenon offers a chance to do something different (for most of us) normally a short drive from home. Just as hiking, mountain biking and canoeing provide outdoor recreation, paintball fields are offering the great outdoors. Here’s Peggy Shinn’s take on what she calls the modern version of cowboys and Indians.
Recent columns
Friday edition
Memo to airlines: stop whining about “high” fuel prices
The airline industry continues to whine about the high cost of fuel. Too bad no one is listening. Here’s why.
For depression-era vacationers, a bed and breakfast is just the thing
After this week’s stock market plunge, some people think they’ll never be able to retire — much less afford another vacation. Maybe not.
TSA wants to implement large aircraft security program
In a movie to prevent general aviation aircraft from being used to transport dangerous people or goods, the Transportation Security Administration has filed a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would effectively subject planes to the same scrutiny as commercial aircraft.
Naked tourist swims in Japan’s Emperor’s moat — we have the video
Every so often, in the midst of financial disaster, crumbling air traffic sytems, bankrupt airlines and tourism downsizing, bizarre news brings a smile to your face. This week a tourist was arrested for swimming naked in the moat surrounding the Japanese Emperor’s residence.
Chunnel trains still affected by Sept. 11 fire
The Chunnel and Eurostar trains have become the preferred method between London and Paris, Lille, Calais and Brussels for many travelers, carrying almost a million passengers a month. So when a fire broke out on a freight train Sept 11, 2008, and resulted in the closure of one of two tunnels, the ramifications were widespread. And many trains were canceled.
Airline stocks are in freefall … but wait, is that a bottom I see?
When I started my career on Wall Street back in 1992, one of the first things I learned is that even dead cats bounce. In other words, ailing companies sometimes twitch as they are breathing their last, leaving you with the impression they’re still alive. But is this a bounce … or a bottom?
Banning inflight pornography may be problematic — and irrelevant
This week, American Airlines announced its decision to filter out inflight pornographic Internet content. But if you’re flying on American’s flight 1960, or others like it, the restriction could be meaningless.
Las Vegas isn’t the only gambling city feeling the downturn
Reno, Nev., “The Biggest Little City in the World,” is feeling the pinch like its sister city, Las Vegas, Nevada. Circus Circus in Reno, owned by MGM-Mirage, is laying off 40 additional workers, bringing the total to 60.
Will tour operators be the next victims of the economic malaise?
As notices from a major tour company go, this one was not nearly as bad as it could have been. Creative Leisure, a high-end tour company that has been specializing in resort and villa bookings, has decided to downsize.