If you’re looking for a culinary experience that takes you back to nature, how about something known as foraging?

My four-month study abroad sojourn in Stirling, Scotland was just like the pamphlets claimed: an educational immersion into a local university.

But, for all the counselors, books and informational sessions meant to make my adjustment easier, nothing prepared me for being chased from pubs by men in kilts, from offending locals when I declined a cup of coffee, and all the other misadventures I experienced as a college student let loose in Europe.

While I still maintain that experience is the best teacher, here are a few tales of caution from those of us who have been there:

Between bed bugs and blacklight exposés, hotel cleanliness has become a hot topic.

The truth is, it usually doesn’t matter how nice your hotel is, the very nature of hotels makes them susceptible to all manner of germs, dirt, and general grossness.

Fortunately, you don’t have to avoid hotels and public accommodations. There are plenty of rather simple things you can do to make your hotel room cleaner.

Find out what they are in this video–and what to watch out for–after the jump. (click “More Travel” below)

Although I have visited Ireland more than any other country on the globe, my first stint there was not a pretty sight. I was traveling alone and trying to convince myself that this was a good thing.

But the truth was I was miserable. My sister and I had traveled through Scotland and Wales and England together and when we got to Ireland she announced that she wanted to go off on her own.

Which worked fine for her—my sister has always been infinitely braver and more adventurous than me. But I was pissed and terrified.

Luckily, I had also been an English major. Faced with no idea whatsoever what to do with …

April 12, 2008
Captiva Island, Florida

Peter’s broadcasting from the South Seas Island Resort on Captiva Island, Florida.

He’ll talk with Vince McGrath, senior naturalist at South Seas Island Resort, about Captiva’s rich wildlife and natural history—including the fact that more than 50 percent of the 330-acre island is a wildlife preserve and estuary.

Matt Flannery, co-founder and CEO of KIVA, will chat about the charitable organization that allows individuals to loan money to entrepreneurs in the developing world. And Bruce Beckham, CEO of Tourism Cares, discusses a volunteer program in New Orleans.

You may have heard of something called secret flights: These are unusual routes flown by airlines that you would never expect. Find them, and you may have a much better flying experience.

Want to fly to Europe in style? Indian airline Jet Airways flies from Toronto, New York or New Jersey—non-stop— to Brussels.

Flying from Los Angeles to London usually means a layover in New York. But not if you fly Air New Zealand, which has a daily non-stop flight on its way from Auckland.

If you want to get from New York to Frankfurt, sure you could take Lufthansa, Delta or Continental. But you can also fly the award-winning Singapore Airlines.

Foreign carriers often provide better customer service, more comfortable seating, and better …

The statue of David? Already seen it.

The Uffizi Gallery? Check.

The Ponte Vecchio, the Duomo, and the Pitti Palace? Done, done and done.

If you’re a traveler who loves the “must-sees,” but also wants to get a true sense of a city by discovering its hidden gems, Florence has some real rubies and diamonds.

Florence is a walker’s paradise; a small, charming city with classic Italian architecture and all major sights within short distance of each other. The narrow, winding alleys and streets that mysteriously split in two were purposely designed in 59 BC to confuse any attackers invading the city.

Traveling with your dog can be a hassle, but some cities are more accommodating than others when it comes to schlepping your pet on public transportation.