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  • Which Americans have passports, and which Americans don?t?

    Which Americans have passports, and which Americans don?t?
    30% of Americans have passports. But where do those Americans live? New Jersey takes the prize for the highest percentage of passports issued: 68.36%. At the low end: Mississippi, with just 19.86%. Via C.G.P. Grey, see the graphic below: For the “yes, but…” file: This dataset actually reflects addresses for issuance, not ownership of US [...]

  • Double up? Citibank?s American AAdvantage Visa comes with a connected Amex

    Double up? Citibank?s American AAdvantage Visa comes with a connected Amex
    The Citibank envelope that was in the mailbox when I returned home today contained two new American Airlines AAdvantage linked cards. But, in a first for me, I received both a replacement Visa and a new American Express. Huh? When I signed up for the card, it was just a Visa. How did I now [...]

  • Liquid scanner update: Maybe next year?

    Liquid scanner update: Maybe next year?
    Some optimism for you on a Friday afternoon: Researchers at the University of California at Davis seem to have come up with a liquid scanner that can tell explosives from hand creams or beverages. Good news, but it’s not ready for implementation yet, as the video below details. I particularly enjoy the two beverages that [...]

  • Do we really need smartphone apps for individual hotels?

    Do we really need smartphone apps for individual hotels?
    Perhaps it was inevitable: Smartphones now control about 35% of the US market, and in response to that growth, hotels are creating dedicated apps for their guests. But I’m not referring to apps by broad-based chains, like a Starwood or a Hilton app. No, individual hotels are contracting with programmers to create single-property apps. I [...]

  • Another thing to worry about?: Rental car recalls

    Another thing to worry about?: Rental car recalls
    Is your car rental company taking care of manufacturer recalls in a timely manner? Odds are, they’re not. For many recalls, it’s not a huge deal. But every now and then, something horrible happens — such as a PT Cruiser which caught fire, leading its occupants to lose control and crash. After five years of [...]
 
 
  • The Cranky Flier

  • Topic of the Week: Berlin Airport?s Big Delay

    Topic of the Week: Berlin Airport?s Big Delay
    With less than a month to go before Berlin’s new airport opening, it was revealed that it wasn’t ready to go. The delay is now rumored to stretch into 2013. This is hugely problematic since the new airport was replacing two separate airports with much greater capacity. Air Berlin and Lufthansa had ramped up their [...]

  • Delta Screws Up, Accidentally Shows Different Prices to Some Customers on Its Website

    Delta Screws Up, Accidentally Shows Different Prices to Some Customers on Its Website
    Everyone makes mistakes, but some mistakes are worse than others. Delta had one fall into the “pretty bad” category recently when it decided to try out some new search functionality on its website. In some cases, those who were logged in ended up getting different prices than those who weren’t. That’s not good. Fortunately, it’s [...]

  • A Working Trip to Vegas (Trip Report)

    A Working Trip to Vegas (Trip Report)
    Last week, Allegiant paid for me to come out to Vegas and speak to the attendees at its annual conference for the airports it serves. This is a great event that lets Allegiant talk about its own business to the airports so that it can further beat into them the importance of low costs. My [...]

  • The DOT Gets it Right With Washington/National Slot Awards

    The DOT Gets it Right With Washington/National Slot Awards
    There’s nothing I like more than ripping apart the Department of Transportation (DOT) for its poor rule-making abilities, but every so often, the department does something right. We might as well celebrate on the rare occasion when that happens. Yesterday was one of those days as the DOT doled out slots at Washington’s National Airport. [...]

  • No Honest Customer Will Pay $100 to Carry a Bag on Spirit

    No Honest Customer Will Pay $100 to Carry a Bag on Spirit
    You’ve probably seen at least one of the dozens of stories reporting on how Spirit is going to charge $100 for a carry on bag. Those stories are incredibly misleading at best. If you’re an honest customer, there’s no way you’re going to pay $100 to carry a bag on the plane. And that’s exactly [...]
  • Budget Travel Tips - EuroCheapo

  • Win a trip to Germany, courtesy of airberlin, A&O Hostels and EuroCheapo!

    Win a trip to Germany, courtesy of airberlin, A&O Hostels and EuroCheapo!
    The summer travel season is heating up, Cheapos, and what better way to celebrate than by winning a free trip to Germany? EuroCheapo has teamed up with airberlin and A&O Hostels to offer one very lucky Cheapo a freebie trip for two from New York City to Germany. Trip Details The grand prize winner will » Read more

  • Exile in Paradise: Americans in Florence

    Exile in Paradise: Americans in Florence
    A dense web of connections links America with Florence. Some argue it massively invigorates the Tuscan city, while others aver that Florentine life has been distorted by the American impact on the city. What view you take on the American influence on Florence, there is no doubt that the Italian city (as seen through American eyes) » Read more

  • Bad news for BERlin: Airport Edition

    Bad news for BERlin: Airport Edition
    While meeting an arriving friend at Berlin’s Tegel Airport last week, we both heaved an internal sigh over what would be our last trip to that airport. Tegel’s no more special than any other airport really (although its design *is* unique, if entirely impracticable in the current airport security climate), unless you count all the » Read more

  • Paris: Our 10 favorite shopping districts

    Paris: Our 10 favorite shopping districts
    By Theadora Brack in Paris? Tripping to Paris? Do you plan to shop? Well then, look and listen! Throughout Paris, there are shopping zones where you can buy anything, as well as scattered districts where clusters of stores carry similar items. Shopping fanatics, unite. Here?s a mini-guide. So dust off the printer! But first, a » Read more

  • Getting to Know France?s Gard Region

    Getting to Know France?s Gard Region
    By Terri Fogarty, publisher of EuropeUpClose.com? If you?ve fallen in love with France as I have, you have probably traveled there more than once. Now that you have seen Paris and beyond, including all the regular tourist attractions, its time to learn about the fabulous Gard region of France. The Gard is located just west » Read more
  • Go Green Travel Green

  • Summer Festival Guide 2012

    Summer Festival Guide 2012
    rose festivalNothing says summer like a great outdoor festival: sunshine, great company, and amazing food or entertainment. Whether you’re looking for a foodie extravaganza or a legendary music festival, check out our 2012 summer festival guide for the best festivals across the US. Our 2012 Summer Festival Guide 1. Rose Festival ? Portland, OR Even if you [...]


  • Where to Travel with Babies and Toddlers: Top 5 Destinations

    Where to Travel with Babies and Toddlers: Top 5 Destinations
    traveling with babies and toddlersThis post is Part 1 of our Where to Travel with Kids series. Watch for more articles about traveling with kids at every age. With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start planning family vacations. If you’re a parent with young kids, you’re probably starting to wonder where to travel with babies and toddlers. [...]


  • Best Digital DSLR Cameras for Every Traveler?s Budget

    Best Digital DSLR Cameras for Every Traveler?s Budget
    canon t3iWhether you are going on a staycation or planning a long-term overseas trip, it is definitely easier to capture those legendary travel moments with a great camera. Up until the last few years, it was difficult to get a great camera for a good price. Many professional DSLR cameras seemed off-limits for travelers. But thankfully, there are [...]


  • Best Farmers? Markets in the United States

    Best Farmers? Markets in the United States
    Union Square GreenmarketAs summer approaches, seasonal farmers’ markets are opening up all over the country. Whether you are looking for fresh produce or ready-made jams and artisan breads, local farmers’ markets are a great place to start. They are also a fun, green way to experience local culture if you are traveling. Here are my choices for the [...]


  • 10 Best Family Travel Blogs for Every Type of Travel

    10 Best Family Travel Blogs for Every Type of Travel
    favorite 10 family travel blogsAccording to recent family travel statistics, 33% of travelers visit online communities or travel blogs to seek information before they plan trips. But if you’re reading this, you probably already know that. What you may not know, if you travel with kids: which family travel blogs you can rely on for consistently great advice. I [...]


 
 
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  • Mahalo Frommer?s: Hawaii Day by Day Review

    Mahalo Frommer?s: Hawaii Day by Day Review
    Frommer?s new Hawaii Day by Day guide is all you will need to see the best of the islands on your next Hawaiian vacation.

  • Romantic Getaway to Aruba

    Romantic Getaway to Aruba
    This Dutch island offers laid-back luxury lodging, clean beaches and rustic, dining gems sure to enchant vacationing couples.

  • Gettysburg Family Vacation

    Gettysburg Family Vacation
    Tour the famous battlefield and stand in the spot where President Lincoln gave the ?Gettysburg Address.?

  • Digging History on a Naples Vacation

    Digging History on a Naples Vacation
    From Pompeii to Herculaneum, step back in time at the several archaeological sites near the city.

  • Naples? Surging Modern Art Scene

    Naples? Surging Modern Art Scene
    Italy?s southern city offers an eclectic array of contemporary galleries and modern museums sure to impress art aficionados.