Archive for December, 2011
Travel Tip: War of 1812 Events
You’ve heard of events commemorating Civil War battles and the American Revolution. But not a lot of people talk about the War of 1812. Until now. This is, after all, the war that gave us the Star-Spangled Banner and the creation of the stars and stripes flag. And with the bicentennial approaching, the War of [...]
Travel Tip: Airport Concierge
If you want to fly like a VIP, hiring an airport concierge service can make the travel experience smoother and more streamlined. But is it worth it? The way these guys work is that they help expedite the check-in process at the airport–from the curb to the gate–so all you have to do is show [...]
Travel Tip: Scenic Helicopter Safety
A lot of destinations tout helicopter tours as a way to see the sights from a different perspective. But how can you make it a safe trip? Helicopter safety is serious stuff. In 2010, there were 134 civil helicopter accidents, with 44 fatalities. The good news? That’s the lowest number of accidents in at least [...]
Travel Tip: Tax Free Shopping
If you’re planning to shop when you travel, remember that where you buy is almost as important as what you buy. In the US Virgin Islands, U.S. residents can take home $1,600 worth of duty-free items. That’s why the cruise ship ports are filled with shops selling jewelry, perfume, liquor, and other goods. Then there [...]
Slideshow: Top 10 Travel News Stories of 2011
Travel was at the center of some of the biggest news stories of the year. July’s FAA shutdown, the implementation of the passenger bill of rights, and American Airlines filing for bankruptcy made the travel industry headline news. The tsunami that devastated parts of Japan, the death of Osama Bin Laden, the 10th anniversary of [...]
Travel Tip: Travel Gift Cards
If you’re like me and not the world’s best gift wrapper, then gift cards are a go-to gift. But this year, skip the iTunes and the Starbucks cards and give your loved ones something they really can use…the gift of travel. American Airlines, for example, let’s you purchase gift cards from $50- $1,500 online that [...]
Icarus Award: The Top Five Travel Failures of 2011
We launched our Icarus Award series in the middle of this year and so far we have chronicled more than 100 different travel failures. From passengers getting kicked off planes, to celebrity tantrums, to celebrity passengers being kicked off planes for having a tantrum, we’ve covered it all. Last week we highlighted the top 10 [...]
Travel Myths Debunked: A CBS Early Show Report
You probably know that cell phones won’t crash a plane even though you can’t use them during take off and landing, but did you also know that pilots are now cleared to use iPads in the cockpit? Quite the disconnect. As you’re renting a car this holiday season, do you think you’re covered just because [...]
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