When times are tough, sometimes a little R&R is just what the doctor ordered to get your spirits up and your mojo flowing again.

But it needn’t cost you a bundle.

Find out how travelers in need, from cancer survivors to uninsured individuals, can take advantage of promotions being offered throughout the U.S.

Here’s an off-the-beaten path travel idea: Stay in a fire lookout tower where you can really get away from it all and get some of the best views in town. Here’s how it works:

On November 28th, 2009, Peter was broadcasting his radio show from The Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Guests from the first hour include:

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of CruiseCritic.com, sharing more details about the largest cruise ship in the world, and revealing the winners of the Cruise Critic Editor’s Picks Awards. Find out which cruise line has the best cabins, where singles can find the best nightlife, and which family-friendly ships win first prize for kids activities.

Terri Marceron, forest supervisor for the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit of the U.S. Forest Service, discussing activities in South Lake Tahoe beyond skiing and snowboarding, and lesser-known hiking trails for nature enthusiasts;

Keith Bellows, editor in chief of National Geographic Traveler, talking about his delicious new coffee table book, Food Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 Extraordinary Places to Eat Around the Globe. Find out where to find the one of the best Irish stews in Dublin, the spiciest Creole in New Orleans, the finest vintages in French wineries, and much more;

 

 The Best Cruises, Lake Tahoe Outdoors & Food Journeys - Hour 1 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On November 28th, 2009, Peter was broadcasting his radio show from The Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Guests from the second hour include:

David Wilkening, North American Editor for TravelMole.com and freelance writer, reporting on the latest travel news, including why “naked airline scans” aren’t as bad as we think, and why more and more families are looking toward packaged travel tours;

Todd Offenbacher, rock climber and avid outdoorsman, explaining why people never want to leave South Lake Tahoe, and the top spots for rock climbing all year long;

David Borges, Lake Tahoe historian, recalling his years driving horses on sleigh rides, sailing on the Tahoe Queen, and explaining Tahoe’s pioneer and Native American history.

 

 Naked Airline Scans, Climbing Tahoe and Lake Tahoe History - Hour 2 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On November 28th, 2009, Peter was broadcasting his radio show from The Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Guests from the third hour include:

Matt Gross, “Frugal Traveler” for The New York Times, giving us his take on finding budget accommodations with Couchsurfing.com and AirBnB.com, and how to survive a discount bus ride with a 10-month-old baby in tow;

Ed Hewlitt, editor for IndependentTraveler.com, revealing need-to-know secrets on how to avoid getting sick on airplanes, and why you should never travel without a 3-ounce bottle of mouthwash;

Curtis Fong, local radio/TV host and avid bicyclist, telling us the most amazing places to ride in South Lake Tahoe, and what makes the area so unique for cyclists;

Allen Biagi, director at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, discussing how fragile Lake Tahoe’s ecosystem can be, and what travelers need to know when they visit this magnificent body of water.

 

 Finding Budget Hotels, Travel Mouthwash, Cycling Tahoe & the Ecosystem of Lake Tahoe - Hour 3 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dear Peter,

The rain in Spain stayed mainly at the mall and I escaped—off to London for an overnight and then onto Oxford, with its university, High Street and yup, the factory outlet mall.

The pound may be high these days, but that’s why they invented outlet shopping.

We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving weekend. If you braved the malls, airports or in-laws, you deserve a break.

That’s why we did the legwork for you and rounded up all the top travel stories of the week in one nifty post. Enjoy!

This weekend, Peter is broadcasting his radio show from Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe.

Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, which straddle the border between California and Nevada, Lake Tahoe is both an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise and a place to indulge in high-altitude art, food and shopping.

To find out the best places for indoor and outdoor recreation, we asked some local residents to share their picks.