Tourism has always been one of the Egypt’s biggest economic industries, but since the revolution began in early 2010, the industry has suffered — and so has the country’s bottom line.

Recently, Peter Greenberg and his team traveled to Egypt to experience first-hand how the nation has been affected by the drastic drop in income.  Cruises haven’t left the docks in months, the once-crowded pyramids are almost empty, and hotels are, on average, at half occupancy.

Translation?  This is the perfect time to travel to Egypt.

Peter Greenberg travel correspondent Alyssa Caverley reports on how the country is coping and how the few Americans who have made the journey feel about their stay.

You can talk to Peter at 1-888-88-PETER (1-888-887-3837), email peter@petergreenberg.com, or tweet questions to @petersgreenberg (use #askPeter)

Peter will be standing by to answer your questions live on Monday, February 13 and Tuesday, February 14 between 6:30pm and 7:50pm ET.

This week Peter offers advice on Civil War sites, alcohol on cruises, foreign car rental insurance, and group travel to Ireland.

Jan from Duluth, Minnesota asks: My husband is a war buff and is looking forward to the Civil War events happening this year.  He’s not interested in reenactments but wants to learn more about the war.  What do you recommend we do?

Peter replied: You’ve got three states that are great for Civil War travel: Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio.  Pennsylvania is a great destination no matter when you visit because they have the historic battlefields, the official stops along the Underground Railroad, the Civil War trail, the National Civil War Museum, and of course the Gettysburg National Military Park which is a must-see.

In Maryland, there’s a lot of Civil War trails, which follow the routes taken by the Union and Confederate soldiers during that same Gettysburg campaign and you can actually drive it in a couple of days along with walking tours.  Check out Civil War Traveler’s website.

Most people don’t associate Ohio with the Civil War, but believe it or not 300,000 people from Ohio participated in the Civil War and there are over 250 monuments dedicated to the war in that state alone.  There are plenty of sites to explore.  I know you’re not interested in reenactments, but there will be a lot of them.  Check out www.ohiocivilwar150.org, which will help you in figuring out what you do and don’t want to do there.

For more information on Civil War Travel, check out David Latt’s journey through Loudon County, Virginia.

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In France, a program called WICE, was founded by English speakers of Paris.  There’s an annual fee, but that gets you access to a conversational group every Tuesday and Friday.

Or you can exchange language tips with a program called “Parlez Parlour.” where classes are 45 minutes of English and 45 minutes of French.

Then there’s something called Spanish abroad. They have fun immersion programs like a language a surf camp in Costa Rica, but my advice is to pick a more culturally intensive program in a place like Madrid.

The groups are small and you are encouraged to practice your conversational skills with staff outside the classes as well.  You never want school to interfere with your education.  You have to speak outside of class.

Get more ideas for learning foreign languages in our etiquette section.

And check out the rest of our Daily Travel Tips here.

As details surrounding last month’s Costa Concordia cruise ship disaster emerge, several questions remain: who is responsible, how will the victims be compensated and who should pay? In an international shipwreck, where conflicting laws and processes of various countries may apply, these seemingly simple questions become much more complex.

Discussion of these questions requires some understanding of “legalese” – legal terms or concepts that are probably foreign to the non-lawyer. Here are a few basic concepts you should know:

Passenger Ticket Contract: Generally, when booking a ticket, one does not realize that a binding legal contract is being formed. In reality, this is exactly what happens; the passenger ticket is a contract between the passenger and the cruise line, which lays out each party’s respective rights and obligations to one another.

Relatively speaking, passengers are provided thin protections that severely limit compensation for injuries, lost articles, trauma and other damages incurred during a voyage. Conversely, cruise lines – which largely dictate the terms of the contract – are afforded wide protections that limit their responsibilities and obligations to passengers.

As a result, the Passenger Ticket Contracts – can and will present strong obstacles to those seeking to obtain relief outside of and beyond what is stated.

Choice of Forum: A “forum” is where a legal action can be started. For example, several reports indicate that U.S. lawyers are filing actions in U.S. courts on behalf of passengers claiming injuries. However, a basic issue arises where, as with Costa Concordia ticket holders, the contract mandates that claims must be brought in the courts of Genoa, Italy.

Whether or not an action brought in a forum outside of Italy will be allowed will depend on the strength of the provisions in the ticket contract (most of which have been upheld as fair in U.S. courts) and the types of claims that are ultimately brought.

Choice of Law: Once the forum is selected, the court must choose which law to apply to resolve the claims. This can at times lead to the odd result of a court in one country being forced to understand and apply the laws of another.

For example, the Costa Concordia ticket contract dictates that Italian law be applied to any claims relating to the voyage. Even if claims are able to be brought in the U.S., those courts may be faced with applying Italian law and, where applicable, maritime or the Law of the Sea which are separate sets of laws governing international bodies of water – an exercise which may not be appealing to an American judge.

Keep reading to sees Nicole Coward recent interview with Vanity Fair’s Victoria Mather and Peter Greenberg. 

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Most people think of Valentine’s Day as a holiday just for couples, but romance can spoil fast if you spend the whole trip worrying about your children. Instead, Kerri Zane suggests bringing the family along. This month’s Window Seat or Aisle column teaches how to find romance on a family trip.

Nearly 1 billion will exchange cards this year for Valentine’s Day, 35 million will give someone a heart-shaped box full of chocolates and 189 million roses will be purchased (including the 15 percent of women who send roses to themselves that day).  And millions of couples around the world take a romantic trip.

Remember Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to just be for couples. Instead, think of the day as an opportunity for family members to say, “I love you one and all.” The key to family travel over Valentine’s Day is to find properties that offer supervised kid’s activities while mom and dad share some romantic time along.

According to Karinna Kittles-Karsten, relationship expert and founder of the Sacred Love, “Most couples need some extra time for themselves to rekindle their romance, relax and have some fun together. At the same time, if children are left at home, the couple may spend more time thinking about what is going on there rather than being present with each other.”

Kittles-Karsten suggests,  “a getaway that includes a little couples time as well as time with the children can be the perfect blend.” 

A Family Affair

Many resorts and vacation destinations are savvy to this Valentine dilemma and have created special family packages that can accommodate everyone!

Sorrel River Ranch Resort & Spa in Moab, Utah has put together a special package just for PeterGreenberg.com readers. And the best part it comes with supervised kids’ activities.

The “Family Affair” Valentine’s Day Package, only available during the month of February, includes three nights in a mountain view room, family dinner in River Grill one evening, breakfast daily, roses for mom, a Hummer tour for the family, cider, champagne and chocolate strawberries, guided Arches National Park hike, a kids’ geocache adventure and wrangler demonstration (roping lesson, crafts and branding demonstration). Plus s’mores by the fire for the family! Click here for your special PGW offer. Rates starts at $2,625.74 double occupancy in a mountain view room.

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From the Vienna symphony to the annual opera ball, Peter shares his favorite activities and the events that make feel like he’s stepped back in time when he returns to Vienna. But Vienna is not all about the past. Peter speaks with chefs, curators and winemakers to learn about the city’s new attractions and why it’s now considered one of the undersung wine and food regions in Europe.

If you missed this weekend’s Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio broadcast from The Hotel Imperial in Vienna, we’ve got it right here on PeterGreenberg.com. Click here to see the guest list.

As always, Peter answers your calls and emails on the show. Check out our recent Ask Peter to see his answers to you questions. Then talk to Peter!  call 1-888-88-PETER (1-888-887-3837), email peter@petergreenberg.com, or tweet Peter @PetersGreenberg (#askPeter).

Peter will be standing by to take your call on Monday and Tuesday February 13 and between 6:30pm and 7:50pm est. Then on Saturday February 18, he is available from 10am until 12pm est.

When you head to the ski slopes, keep in mind that fresh winter snow can reflect as much as 80 percent of UV rays.  That’s several times more than water or sand.  Not only are those rays harmful to your skin, there’s also a danger to your eyes – leading to conditions such as clouded lenses and cataracts.

Remember that good quality ski goggles with UV protection are a much better option than sunglasses.  And because the air is a lot dryer in winter, especially in higher elevations where the atmosphere is thinner, it’s important to reapply that sunblock frequently.

And here’s a tip you can use any time of year.  It’s called the shadow rule, which means that the longer your shadow, the lower your UV exposure.  So plan accordingly whether your hitting the slopes, the beach, or just strolling around town.

Get more ideas for staying safe in winter in our Health & Fitness section.

And check out the rest of our Daily Travel Tips here.

Find out why the DOT’s fee transparency legislation has many airline carriers upset. Plus, the CEO of Spirit Airlines and the president of the Business Travel Coalition debate the various changes.

For more on these stories and to view foodie David Latt’s slideshow on Spokane’s best farm-to-table restaurants, read on for the weekly roundup on PeterGreenberg.com.

American Airlines announced this week that they would be cutting jobs in order to lower costs. Peter explores how the changes will affect consumers in a CBS This Morning Report.

After Barbara Boxer’s recent comments on Spirit Airlines’ pricing procedures, CEO Ben Baldanza responds to the senator’s statements.

From Napa Valley to Botswana, Kerri Zane shares some of the best vacation destinations to help you escape the winter cold.

Tawnya Rush takes you on a safari adventure in Uganda’s Murchison Falls National Park.

Check out David Latt’s slideshow on the delicious food-to-table dishes Spokane’s restaurants have to offer.

If you want to avoid the cookie-cutter hotel experience, look for an eco-lodge, where each property and owner has a different story. Meg Pier continues her Pier to Peer interview series in Tobago with a conversation with Ean Mackay and Adventure Eco Villas.

If our Icarus Awards teaches you anything, it’s that crime doesn’t pay. This week’s nominees swindle, steal, displace, and cheat innocent travelers.  Click here to read about it all and vote for the guiltiest party.

Peter answers your travel questions on Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio.

Remember to download the latest podcast of Peter’s radio show on PeterGreenberg.com, broadcasting from Hotel Imperial Vienna. Check out the guest list here.

Listening to the show the old-fashioned way is easy.  Just click here for a radio station near you.

Did you know you can keep up with Peter in real-time?  “Like” his Facebook fan page   and follow him on Twitter.

Visit Peter’s official YouTube channel for the latest travel news.

Check out Weekly International Travel News Roundups from previous weeks.

By Michal Schneider for PeterGreenberg.com

Meg Pier: When did you open Adventure Eco Villas?

Ean Mackay: My father started Adventure Farm in 1972. His concept was to plant every type of tree that was on the island, mainly fruit trees. However, over the years we’ve had challenges with bush fires so farming is really not a profitable venture.

When I retired from running two of the hotels I had opened, I started the eco project. For many years it was just myself and my wife and my family enjoying it. But a few years ago we opened it up to the public, to sustain the property. I went into ecotourism and agrotourism.

We have the farm, which attracts the birds and all the wildlife. We built two villas, which give visitors to the island an opportunity to experience Tobago’s natural habitat.

We have schools coming here as well–we try to help the next generation to save the environment. And the kids here are very enthusiastic.

Meg: Speak of birds, what was that we just heard?

Ean: That’s a Chachalaca. It’s our national bird of Tobago. It’s like a large pheasant or a small turkey.

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Stranded with Spanair

Last Friday, Spanish airline Spanair abruptly announced that it was ending operations–not at some indefinite point in the future, but right then and there. Over 20,000 passengers who held tickets to over 220 flights the airline were abandoned with no instructions on how to seek reimbursements. Despite the fact the Catalonia government had given the airline over €150 million, it was unable to stay afloat. Now instead of receiving money, the Spanish government is considering fining the airline €12 million for ceasing operations and thereby violating aviation regulations. Of course, how they expect the bankrupt airline to pay is another story…

Dirty Diaper Debacle

Not a crime of the law but perhaps a crime of parenting occurred this week on a Qantas flight from Brisbane to Darwin when a passenger attemped to flush an extremely smelly diaper in the toilet. According to a statement from the airline, passengers complained about the odor, which “unfortunately turned out to be a very smelly nappy dumped in the fwd toilet.” Following procedure, the plane made an emergency landing in Mount Isla. The passengers were transferred to a new plane and the original plane was thoroughly checked before continuing its journey with the passenger’s luggage.

Campaign Finance Suitcase Reform

Mexican political rivalry is centering around a state official’s suitcase found with $1.9 million at a central Mexico airport. This find does little to allay fears that organized crime or illegal campaign funding will influence the July elections. The money is suspected to come from the Pena Nieto’s Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). In theory a state official claims he was using the money to make a hurried payment for legitimate consulting services. However, the National Action Party called that explanation “an insult to the intelligence of Mexicans.” Currently the government, which is made up of members of the National Action Party, has said it will not return the money until PRI government of Veracruz removes any suspicions about it.

Tweet and Trash

President Obama may be working to attract foreign visitors, but the department of Homeland Security is keeping a close eye on who’s coming in. Two UK tourists, Leigh Van Bryan and Emily Bunting, were intercepted upon arrival in Los Angeles as a direct result of their tweets. The offensive tweets suggested they would “destroy” America (a British euphemism for hard partying) and would dig up Marilyn Monroe’s grave (a quote from a Family Guy episode). The tweeting Brits were questioned for five hours, held in jail for another 12 and then flown back to London.

Sticky-Fingered Security

Two TSA agents are making the headlines for pocketing the finds from their security checks. In Dallas -Fort Worth, Texas, a screener was arrested on suspicion of stealing eight iPads. Clayton Keith Dovel worked in the “resolution room” where check luggage is screened. Police found Dovel, who is currently on administrative leave, when a stolen iPad was electronically located in his home. Then in New York’s JFK International Airport, TSA Agent Alexandra Schmid is accused of taking $5,000 in cash from a passenger’s jacket on the security conveyor belt on February 1. Surveillance video places the agent with the cash and taking it to the bathroom where it may have been passed to an accomplice. Though the money has yet to be recovered, Schmid has been charged with grand larceny.

Taxable Rewards won last week’s Icarus Award. Check out more nominees in our Icarus Award section. Vote for this week’s worst offender in our poll.

By Lily J Kosner for PeterGreenberg.com

Related links: USA Today, Huffington Post, MSNBC, Daily Mail, Hollywood Reporter, WFAA

Cancellation waivers are not the same thing as travel insurance. These are so-called guarantees from travel providers that you can cancel your trip and get your money back. Sort of.

In most cases, the way it works is they refund your deposit and other payments in the form of a travel voucher, which you can redeem for travel with the same company in the future.

Now here’s the fine print: In many cases, there’s a cutoff date to the policy, so no last-minute cancellations allowed.

The vouchers usually have a time limit of one year from the date of issue. If you don’t redeem it, you’re out of luck. And if the only upcoming trips in that time period are more expensive, guess who’s paying the difference?

You’re better off protecting your trip with traditional travel insurance, but read the fine print there as well. And never purchase a policy from your travel provider; get it from a third party instead.

For more information check out our daily travel tips here.

Visit the Watch and Listen page of CBSNewYork.com. Just click on Audio on Demand.

Find out all this and more on Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio, broadcasting from the Hotel Imperial Vienna. Just click here to listen to the show streaming live from 10am until 1pm EST.

Have a travel question, then ask Peter. Call 888-88-PETER (888-88-383), email him at peter@petergreenberg.com, or tweet your questions to @petersgreenberg (include #askPeter). Peter will be standing by to take your calls on Sunday February 5 between 8pm and 10pm.

Guests include:

Ben Mutzabaugh, travel editor for USA Today, discussed the latest smartphone apps created for travelers and break down Royal Caribbean CEO’s response to the Costa Concordia accident.

Gerhard Strassgschwandtner, owner and founder of the Third Man Museum, is in studio to speak about what made The Third Man such a classic film and the hidden sewer tours of Vienna you can take yourself.

Thom Dammrich, President of the National Marine Manufacturers Association, discusses the boating industry’s impact on the economy.

Florian Holzer, journalist and food critic, highlights some favorite dishes of the Vienna food scene that travelers must have and his favorite off the beaten path destinations in the city.

David Wilkening, North American editor for TravelMole, talks TSA reform and the potential impact of a US Airways and AMR’s American Airlines merger.

Fritz Wieninger, winemaker and founder of “Wien Wien,” delves into Vienna wine culture and what makes the city a wine mecca.

Christoph Thun-Hohenstein, director of the MAK, shares his insights into Austrian culture and the importance of the MAK museum.

Danielle Spera, director of the Jewish Museum, talks Jewish Vienna and heritage.

Julia Cosgrove, vice president and editor in chief of AFAR, shares some highlights from a recent trip to Cairo.

Peter Havlicek, Schrammel musician, tells us what it means to be a Schrammel musician and discusses the Viennese folk music scene.

By Steve Breazele for PeterGreenberg.com 

If you want to preserve France’s history and architecture, then La Sabranenque, a non-profit organization created in 1969, has room left in its spring and fall volunteer programs in Provence, France. Locals as well as international volunteers work to restore ancient French castles. All participants acquire knowledge of traditional building techniques used in constructing rural architecture.

The programs has volunteers work on the restoration sites in the morning with the afternoons free. This is a great opportunity to participate in preserving an ancient piece of history, as well as exploring a picturesque village.

For over 40 years, their summer restoration sessions have been available, welcoming volunteers of all nationalities. There is space available in the May 7-13 and the May 21-26 programs that focus on cooking and wine exploration, respectively. Rates are between $900 and $750 per person and include housing and activities.

October “volunteer and hike” or “volunteer and visit” sessions run between the 1-6 and the 8-13. Rates are $710 per person and also includes housing and activities.

For more information, visit La Sabraneque’s website.

By Tara Ekmekci for Peter Greenberg.com

Private Beach, Budget Price

With a private beach and all-inclusive services, a stay at the Lifestyle Crown Residence Suites in the Dominican Republic might be just the ticket back to a more Zen mindset. It’s a 3.5 star hotel offering a rate of $25 per person per night or $54 for two people per night including tax through Expedia.com. The deal is available for booking through February 20, 2012 and travel between April 9, 2012 and December 20, 2012. Guests must stay for a minimum of four nights or three nights if booking with a package, the maximum number of nights is seven. Click here for more information.

Caribbean Cruise Specials

For less than $100 per day, feel like you’ve got the entire Caribbean to yourself on your own private balcony. The Liberty of the Seas departs February 27^th on a 5 Night Western Caribbean Cruise. Sail out of Fort Lauderdale and hit Haiti and Jamaica in five nights. Available through Tuesday February 7, 2012. To book, call 1.800.668.6414 or check online.

Northern Lights 

Montreal lights up the city during the dreariest winter days during their February Festival Montréal En Lumière. The Hyatt Regency in Montréal, Canada offers festival goers – families of two adults and up to two children – a festival package starting at $222 per night, plus taxes, based on a two-night minimum stay. It includes two nights’ accommodation in the downtown hotel, breakfast for four, a voucher for the dairy bar le Lait (for two people), a $10 gift certificate from Les Délices de l’Érable, and scarves and bags with the festival’s logo. For reservations call 855-864-3737 or visit them online.

Winter Inn Indulgence

The Inn at Perry Cabin on Maryland’s Eastern shore is offering guests a winter retreat. From now until March 31,  guests can book the Winter Indulgence Offer, which includes a room upgrade upon arrival, daily breakfast and a $50 resort credit. Rates start at $225 per room, between Sunday and Thursday. Or taken advantage of the Suite Escape Offer, which includes 50 percent off a second night in one of the inn’s suites. Rates start at $229 per room, per night, with a minimum of two-night stay.  Reservations can be made online or by email at reservations@perrycabin.com

Desert Discount

Encantado in Santa Fe, New Mexico offers a Winter Escape deal now through March 31, 2012. Book any Casita or Suite for travel January 5, 2012 thru March 31, 2012 at the Best Available Rate for minimum of two nights or more. And if you’re worried about backlash from forgetting a valentine’s day gift, guests receive a romantic gift of chocolates or flowers upon arrival and breakfast for two every morning as well as a $100 resort credit per stay, and complimentary room upgrade at time of booking. Space is limited and subject to availability. For reservations call 877-262-4666 or visit their website.

By Lauren Herstik for PeterGreenberg.com

For more travel deals, check out:

• Travel Deals: January Athletic and Adventure Travel Specials
• Travel Deals: Historic Trips & Military Discounts
• Travel Deals Section
• Budget Travel Section

Prior to the announcement the airline met with its its three largest labor unions: Allied Pilots Association, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and the Transport Workers Union. The airline is looking for union approval to replace the traditional pension plans, which cover 130,000 employees and retirees, with 401(k)-type plans.

These cuts come at a time where consumer confidence in American Airlines is at a record low. According to a recent survey from Airfarewatchdog, 48 percent of travelers do not feel comfortable booking with the airline.

While the recent round of layoffs will do little to rebuild confidence, Peter breaks down how these cuts will impact consumers and if there’s a real cause for concern in his CBS This Morning report.

For more information, check out:

• Peter and Terry Maxon look Behind the Scenes of American Airlines’ Bankruptcy
• Peter’s Travel Detective blog on American Airlines’ Bankruptcy, Mileage Programs & Industry Changes
• Peter and Terry Maxon question if Fliers Will Feel the Pinch As American Airlines Loses, Money, Pilots and Capacity
• Peter’s CBS News Report on American Airlines Announcing the Largest Order in Aviation History