In late May, Charleston, South Carolina comes alive for the Spoleto Festival, a 17-day performing arts festival that’s among the biggest in the country.

Most events are ticketed, but there’s no cost for the opening ceremonies, a visual art exhibit at the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, and one-on-one interviews with festival artists.  So you can get a taste of the festival without having to spend a dime.

Coming up in July is Artscape, one of the largest free arts festivals in the country. That’s right, the entire festival is free.

It takes place in Baltimore, and we’re talking more than 150 artists where you can view outdoor sculptures, photography, performing arts, and concerts.

Art Basel in Switzerland is just around the corner, but we’ll have to wait until December for the big event in Miami. Most exhibition and events aren’t exactly cheap, but pay attention because every year the festival features public programming that’s entirely free.

For more information, visit the Culture & Festivals archives.

Click here to read more travel tips.

Perhaps you thought that United is the only airline whose pilots are flying without a contract. Not so! US Airways pilots have been without a contract since 2005 and American Airlines pilots have been without one since 2007.

Watch the CBS This Morning report as Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, Charlie Rose, Erica Hill, and Peter debate if it is safer to fly now than it was 10 years ago.  See how issues such as outsourcing, the use of regional carriers and airline management are standing in the way of a good airline safety culture.

For more history on United Airlines, check out:

• Travel Reporters Analyze Continental United Merger Effects
• United Pilot Says Goodbye to the 747
• Certificate of Failure in Customer Service Recovery
• The Travel Detective on United Airlines & Guitars

At this time of year, when many of us are planning our summer vacation travels, figuring out how to stay connected while overseas needs planning as well. Data usage and phone calls could exceed the price of your flight if you’re not careful. It’s not uncommon to see cellular bills of thousands of dollars. That’s because cellular carriers and airlines are a lot alike. They both relish the opportunity to pile on extra charges.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Visitors from most other countries pay only a modest premium over their local rates when they travel. I’ll explain to you what our carriers don’t want you to know.

Short trips

First, you don’t want to use your cell phone overseas with the SIM card provided, unless it’s for just a few days where you can limit your calls and avoid using the phone for data (receiving email, using Google maps, going onto the Internet, etc.). Calls typically cost $1.49 to $3 per minute and data is $20 per megabyte, the equivalent of sending or receiving a couple of dozen of photos. My advice is to turn off the phone’s cellular and roaming data connections and connect to WiFi once or twice a day and use Skype to make calls.

Long trips

For traveling for more than a few days, you can save hundreds of dollars by using an unlocked cell phone with a country specific prepaid SIM card that you can buy before leaving or from a cellular store in the country you visit. You’ll pay 20 to 50 cents per minute of talk time, instead of a few dollars per minute. Some don’t charge for incoming calls, while others have a small connection charge. The rates are low for both calling within the country or anyplace in the world.

MiFi portable WiFi hotspot

If receiving calls is not important, I recommend renting a MiFi data device from XCom Global. This creates a portable WiFi hotspot that connects your computer or phone to the Internet. It costs about $15 per day for most countries for unlimited data. I’ve used it to avoid WiFi charges in my hotel and to get email, access Google maps, and make Skype calls on my phone.

more>>

Like any host city during the Games, hotel rooms won’t be cheap. So think like a contrarian and stay away from hotels. Think apartment rentals through sites like AirBnB.com and Istopover.com.

The official site for VisitLondon 2012 is a great resource for options ranging from caravans to B&Bs.

You don’t even have to stay near the city center. Officials are already planning to increase train service during the Games. Do some research and check where the events you have tickets for are being held.

If the event is happening in Wembley, you can stay in Harrow; if it’s in Wimbledon, look for accommodation in Southfields. If it’s Stratford, consider staying in one of the eastern counties.

Or you can even stay at one of 19 campsites – north to the Olympic park is the Lee Valley area with direct trains to the Games. Another big campsite is Black Heath in Greenwich, where rates start at about £10 per person, per night.

For more information, visit our Olympics archives.

Click here to read more travel tips.

My affinity for Wales is often difficult to explain. I’ve tried to tell people why I love it so much, and in the end, it’s simply this: the air, the sky, the people and the history. I tend to see Wales in black and white, and so I appreciate the history. When the sun comes out, I appreciate the colors. And in the early morning and late afternoon sliding into evening, I appreciate the air. It’s one of the places I sleep the best,  always with the windows open.

Follow along to the broadcast from the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, Wales. And check out exclusive photos and stories from the weekend. You can live stream or download the full podcast right here on PeterGreenberg.com. Click here to see the guest list.

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 calls May 16 starting at 6pm.

Fairyhill

◄ Back

Next ►

Picture 1 of 3

Last week I had the chance to stay at an enchanting small hotel in Reynoldston, in the Gower peninsula, near Swansea. It's called Fairyhill, and for the past eight years it's been owned and run by Paul Davies and Andrew Hetherington. Imagine a place surrounded by 24 acres of unspoiled parkland, and only eight rooms, but these partners have a cutting edge attention to detail and quality. And that includes an amazing restaurant -- yes an amazing restaurant in an eight room hotel!. The hotel also boasts a world class wine list. I tried the house wine, the Briese de France, a stunning sauvignon blanc, and for those of you who know I hardly drink, trust me when I tell you this choice was worth it. And oh yes, free wireless. Type A's will be in heaven....

The Milestone Hotel

Every Thursday we share the latest hotel deals across the industry. But there is more to hotel news than packages and savings, so we’ve launched the hotel news-you-can-use column. What’s opening, who’s renovating,  what’s new to eat, what’s new to see, and who’s winning the hotel awards that matter to you, the consumer. Check out Lily J. Kosner’s roundup for the latest in spring to summer hotel news you can use.

Our favorite promotion of the week: The Milestone Hotel, located opposite Kensington Palace, is giving away some bling in honor of  the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. In June, guests have the chance to win a diamond necklace from the Berkeley Diamond Group as a surprise in their room at evening turndown. In addition, five visitors will find a semi-precious stone– amethyst, green quartz, aquamarine, iolite or rock quartz– waiting for them on turndown.

Openings & New Developments

Natural Retreats South Fork Lodge

In Snake River, Idaho, the Natural Retreats South Fork Lodge opened for the 2012 season on May 3. This year, Executive Chef Samuel Stringer joins the team, coming from the Park City’s Talisker Restaurant, plus the resort is offering African-style safaris among grizzly bears, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats and moose.

The Viceroy Hotel Group has become the hotel operator for the Nef Bebeköy development in Istanbul, Turkey. Scheduled to open in late 2012, the Viceroy Istanbul will be a 5-star urban resort on 16 acres of land with 10 buildings. This development is the Viceroy Hotel Group’s first European property, but it’s the second hotel project in Turkey–the Viceroy Bodrum is under development and slated to open in 2014.

In early 2013, Fairmont will open a new resort property in the United Arab Emirates–the Fairmont Ajman. The beachfront hotel will have 252 guestrooms and suites,  accessible from the Sharjah and Dubai airports.

more>>

Image Credit: Jim Twardowski

Historic cities often pose unique challenges for accessible travel. Our accessible experts Barbara and Jim Twardowski travel to San Antonio to navigate the Alamo and beyond with Barabar’s electric wheelchair and report back on the city’s challenges and rewards.

Lush green foliage and 300-year-old oak trees shade the meandering sidewalks and foot bridges that border the San Antonio River one story below street level.  The River Walk originally opened in 1941 with stairways to the street level, rock walls lining the banks and stone paths.  Built decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act, the city of San Antonio has been improving wheelchair accessibility along the River Walk by installing ramps, adding new paths, and providing elevators.

While the paths can become quite narrow, we found the River Walk to be extremely accessible.  Built along the River Walk is a plethora of restaurants, hotels, bars and shops.   The atmosphere is festive.

Before visiting the River Walk, be sure to download the accessible maps which show the best paths and locations of elevators.  Before we would venture out, Jim consulted the map and determine the most appropriate route. Many restaurants and shops look as though they are inaccessible, but often have an alternate entrance for wheelchair users.  We quickly learned that Jim needed to step inside and ask whenever the accessible entrance was not obvious.

Image Credit: Luan Tatum

Dozens of restaurants overlook the river where patrons sip margaritas as mariachi music drifts on the breeze. Our favorite spot for dining is anywhere outside. We stopped at the 50-year-old Casa Rio for Tex-Mex cuisine. The street level entrance to the restaurant has steps so we took a detour — walking across the street to catch an elevator that took us down to the river level and just a few feet from the host’s station. We were immediately seated at a table on the edge of the sidewalk.  Ducks diving for the remains of chips that bus boys toss into the water provided the entertainment as we waited for our meal.

For a complete list of events on the water go to their website. A wonderful way to become familiar with the River Walk is to take the 40-minute tour offered by the wheelchair accessible Rio San Antonio Cruises.  A boat captain explains the sights along a 2 1/2 mile stretch.  Cost for general admission is $8.25. The same company operates River Taxis to the Museum Reach (Rio Taxi Red) and the Downtown Reach (Rio Taxi Yellow). A combination Red/Yellow 24 hour ticket allows for unlimited rides and costs $15.

Keep reading for a full rundown of accessible hotels, restaurants and other services.

more>>

Ever heard of Porter Airlines? Probably not. It’s a small, regional service in Canada. But it has great service and just launched a route between Toronto and Washington, DC. And there’s also seasonal service to Mont Tremblant, Myrtle Beach, and Burlington, Vermont.

Best of all, it flies into Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport instead of Pearson, which gets you much closer to the city center.

In Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the town of Loreto was only accessible by limited service on Alaskan Airlines. But a new resort there has partnered up with Cal Jet Air to offer weekly charter flights from Los Angeles. After all, they can’t get customers without airlift

And then there’s one of the coolest seasonal routes out there: Icelandair from Minneapolis/St. Paul Washington, D.C., Orlando Sanford, Halifax,  and Toronto.

The best thing about this? You can fly Icelandair to cities all over Europe, and stop for free in Rekjavik for a few days. It’s one of the best secret deals out there.

For more information, visit the Airlines & Airport section.

Click here to read more travel tips.

Find out this and more in our roundup of the week’s news at PeterGreenberg.com.

Looking for a gift? Gadget guy Phil Baker’s rounds up some of this year’s coolest tools for moms on the road and at home. Check out his gift guide and click here if you’re looking to take advantage of last-minute travel deals.

This morning Peter joined Gayle King live in the greenroom of CBS This Morning for a Google+ Hangout. What as Peter shares The Top 5 Travel Websites You’ve Never Heard of But Should be Using.

Refusing to refund a dying veteran a refund?What was Spirit Airlines thinking?  Peter and George Hobica look for the lessons in last week’s Spirit Airline’s PR nightmare.

Peter recently traveled to Japan to Sendai, an area that was hit hard by the tsunami. Throughout the city, you can still see evidence of the natural disaster. Watch as Peter looks at the residue of the massive destruction as well as the country’s rebuilding efforts.

There are some new trends to watch out for in the cruise industry. Peter spotlights river cruising. Watch his video report to see if this option is right for you.

With the most recent bomb plot splashed across the headlines, it’s important to look beyond the facts and see what we can take away from this instance. Are we safer now than we were in 2009? Is airport security sufficient? Click here to read Peter’s Travel Detective blog to see what we can learn from this incident.

What’s the most famous thing to come out of an airplane bathroom? Turns out it just might be an art project. Click here to learn more about Nina Katchadourian’s work.

For our voluntourism spotlight this  week, we’re looking at agritourism and giving back through WWOOF.Originally known as Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms, WWOOF is a international volunteer organization that helps link volunteers with farmers around the world. Find out how to volunteer on an organic farm in Wales and throughout the UK.

The weekend is here and just in case you need a drink, Lindsay Taub shares 10 of the best cocktail bars across the U.S. Click here to get the party started.

School is almost out, which means plenty of open family time. Parents, now is the time to make the most of the summer months and start planning a few quick, fun and affordable outings. Window Seat or Aisle Seat columnist Kerri Zane shares this summer’s top 20 family activities. And the best part, many of the venues are offering exclusive deals for Peter Greenberg Worldwide readers. Click here to start planning.

On sale today is The Best Places for Everything. Peter has been been working on this book for nearly 30 years, and it represents the culmination of his travels around the world. Watch as he shares his an all-access pass to the best places for biking, volunteer travel, free public transit, drinking tequila, and much, much more.

After 30 years of world travel, Peter has finally put together his list of signature dishes — individual dishes at restaurants that represent his favorite foods from all across the globe. The Best Places for Everything has more than 25 signature dishes. Click here for a sneak peek at a select few.

This May, we’re giving away three spring/summer travel opportunities. Click here to see this week’s challenge. Impress us and you’ll take home two First Class Premium French Rail Passes.

Did you know that travel was at the center of John Travolta’s recent scandal? With employees from high-end hotels and cruise lines coming forward that’s just one of this week’s Icarus nominees. Find out all five travel failures in Lily J. Kosner’s Icarus Award: Innocents on Trial. And remember to cast your vote!

Remember to download the latest podcast of Peter’s radio show on PeterGreenberg.com, when Peter Greenberg Worldwide broadcasts from Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, Wales, UK. 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.

Plane tickets? Check.  Photo ID? Check.  Bathing suit?  Check.  Weather report?  Check.  Names of places to see and restaurants to try? Check.  Contact list for your doctors at home?  Hmmm.

Planning ahead is often the key to a successful trip, but even experienced travelers frequently neglect the most important consideration of all: their health.  When you leave home, even if it’s a short business trip, the availability and quality of health care at your destination can be uncertain.  Taking the time to prepare a health itinerary before you go can be crucial to ensuring a safe, worry-free trip.

1. Accurate information is key

Accidents and bad food reactions are just two of the possible challenges you might face while traveling.  To ensure that you obtain the best care no matter the situation, it is important that those who treat you can quickly determine any medical conditions you might have and how to reach those who can make informed decisions about your care.

Carry a list of all the medications you are taking (including dosage and frequency), any medical conditions, allergies and your primary doctor’s contact information in your wallet. Be aware that drug names change from country to country, so be armed with those translations in the event you need a refill.  Many of the “translations” are available on the web at sites like Drugs.com or you can ask your doctor.

If possible, have the list laminated.  Better still, arrange for your key medical data to be converted to a digital file and carry it with you on a thumb drive.

2. Have the Proper Supplies

Carry at least a 3-day extra supply of your medications in case you are delayed at your destination for more than 24 hours or over a weekend.

Whether traveling by train, plane or boat, you will be exposed to an array of unfamiliar bacteria, either in the air you breathe or the food you eat.  Ask your doctor for a prescription for broad-spectrum antibiotics to bring with you just in case.  Tales of lost suitcases are common, so always pack medicines in a carry-on bag, not in your checked luggage.  While the loss of clothing and shoes may compromise your style, the loss of medications can be a threat to your life.

more>>

No Kruse on Your Cruise

Dr. Jack Kruse, the neurosurgeon turned low-carb diet advocate, seems to have some carb-loving enemies. Earlier in the week, Dr. Kruse was kicked off the 5th Annual Low-Carb Cruise on the Carnival Magic before it was due to depart from Galveston, Texas. Prior to departure, staff learned of a threatening tweet alleging that the doctor was planning to use a “vial of Legionnaires for epic biohack” bio-terrorist attack on board. Perhaps the account name “@s***krusesays” might have been an indication of the phony threat, but the FBI, Homeland Security, the Galveston police and the U.S. Coast Guard were all notified. The doctor was removed from the ship, his possessions were searched and the ship left port without him. The ship’s Captain Giovanni Cutugno did apologized to passengers for the missed appearance.

Violating Voice Chat

VoIP (Voice-over-Internet-Protocol) is become more popular, but don’t plan on Skyping on your next fight. Founder of the VoIP app Viber, Talmon Marco, learned this lesson the hard way on a recent Delta flight. Marco was met by Port Authority Police in New York, after a flight attendant was displeased by him using GoGo in-flight Wi-Fi to make a Viber call. Marc ended his call immediately, but began a policy debate with staffers. While one flight attendant alleged that there was an FAA rule against VoIP use in the air, another accurately stated it was part of GoGo terms of service with the airline. Port Authority police don’t pursue policy debates so Marco was soon free to go.

credit Qantas

Third-Party Troubles from Travolta Travels

Two time Icarus nominee John Travolta, notably nominated for his attempt to reserve a table at KFC, has brought three travel employees into the spotlight with his latest scandal. All three alleged incidents of sexual harassment (some plaintiffs are also filing sexual battery and assault lawsuits) took place at different five-star destination. The first accuser alleges the incident took place in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel, the second still works at an unnamed Atlanta-area resort and the third and the most recent was a Royal Caribbean cruise employee. As of press time, it’s unclear if the third accuser has filed paperwork. All three men tell similar stories of massages or guest service jobs taking a sexual turn. Travolta’s lawyer, Marty Singer, has fired back against all three accusers. Both sides claim to have proof, and it seems like the cases will be decided by the court and not the media.

Toddler or Terrorist

On Tuesday, Riyanna, an 18 month-old child, and her parents were escorted off a JetBlue flight after boarding. Flying from the Ft. Lauderdale Airport the family was removed from the flight and told the TSA needed to speak with them. Both parents were born and raised in New Jersey, but the mother was wearing a hijab. Turns out it wasn’t a TSA issue, but the airline had mistakenly indicated the toddler was on a government watch list. The family was allowed to re-board the flight, but were too embarrassed after the incident to get back on the flight.

Murderous Mickey

A domestic dispute plays out in the airport in Providence, Rhode Island this week. There, airport screeners found a disassembled .40 caliber gun hidden inside the stuffed animals of a young boy  en route to Detroit with his father, who was unaware that three of his son’s toys contained separate parts of the gun. A teddy bear held the main frame, a bunny held a loaded magazine and Mickey Mouse held a firing pin. According to an airport statement, the loaded toys were part of a “domestic custody dispute.”

Looks like Spirit Airlines took home this week’s Icarus Award. It won 42 percent of the vote for “Honor our Troops with a Refund” and then took home another 38 percent for Quite the Costly Carry-On. From Spirit Airlines to Ryanair and beyond, see all the Icarus Award winners in our archives. Click here to vote in this week’s Icarus Awards:

By Lily J. Kosner for Peter Greenberg.com

Related links: Daily Mail, USA Today, Huffington Post, Gizmodo, Radar

Peter’s new book, The Best Places for Everything–available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indybound and your local bookstore–has more than 25 signature dishes. Today we’re giving you a sneak peek at a few. Check back every Friday for a different look at some of Peter’s best places.

1. Smoke Gouda & Artichoke Dip, Pumpkin Hill Bistro & Vineyard

Image Credit: Pumpkin Hill Bistro & Vineyard

In Aurora, New York, head to Pumpkin Hill Bistro & Vineyard for this seductive blend of four cheeses, spinach and roasted artichokes. It’s served bubbling hot with toasted pita.

more>>

The major contributor is decreased capacity. Couple that with increased demand for travel in the summer, and airfare has nowhere to go but up.

There’s also the issue of rising taxes and fees. England, for example, has an Air Passenger Duty tax that recently went up 8 percent. That can add on as much as 92 pounds—or almost $150—to your outbound ticket.

And here in the U.S., those a la carte fees just keep coming. There’s even the ultimate offense…Allegiant Air is following in the footsteps of Spirit and charging between $10 and $30 for carry-on luggage!

Of course, everyone is keeping their eye on potential mergers as another factor in increased fares. But but don’t expect a merger to take place anytime soon.

In the meantime, employ all the money-saving tricks. Book your summer tickets at least 45 to 60 days in advance, and plan to fly midweek. Aim for creative routes with stops, even if it seems counter-intuitive, because it could save you significantly.

For more information, visit the Airplanes & Airport section.

Click here to read more travel tips.

The Big Climb

When it comes to outdoor enthusiasts, it’s all about going big or going home. Nothing says “big” more than a climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro.   REI Adventures is offering fit travelers an exclusive 11-day Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari at a 20 percent discount from its regular retail price, saving you more than $900. The excursion includes a 6-day trek up the summit of Kilimanjaro followed by a 5-day safari through the Ngorongoro Crater and Serengeti National Park guided by expert local guides to ensure a personalized experience.  The trip dates are October 6-19, 2012 and must be booked between May 18-28.  Sale price is subject to availability and can be booked online or by calling 1-800-622-2236.

Explore Yellowstone

Summer is the opportune time to explore wildlife in national parks.  Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa in Jackson Hole, Wyoming is offering the National Explorer Package.  This location proves particularly convenient due to the close proximity to both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park for optimal enjoyment.  The package includes 3 nights lodging with a 7-day pass to GYNP/Yellowstone, a box lunch picnic for two, guidebook to both park, and a $50 gas voucher to get around in ease.  The package is valid May 15 -September 30, 2012 with rates from $567 based on 3-night stay with two children and adults. Visit their website for more information.

Happy 75th Birthday, Golden Gate

San Francisco is celebrating the 75th anniversary of the distinguished Golden Gate Bridge and is inviting guests to join in on the celebration centered around the Golden Gate Festival on May 27th.  Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa located in downtown Sausalito with a supreme view of the Richardson Bay is offering special deals in May.  With close proximity to Napa wine country, downtown San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, this hotel will give you the balance of quiet comfort and accessibility to the city.  In celebration of the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary, guests receive a $75 credit to use at the spa when they stay two nights throughout the entire month of May.  Discounts will be taken at time of check-in. Rates valid for dates throughout May 2012. For more information, visit them online.

Save the Forest, Then Hit the Spa

Eco-friendly Topnotch Resort and Spa in Stowe, Vermont introduces a new Tread Softly Package that will contribute $1 and match for each night of stay to Stowe Land Trust, an organization dedicated to conservation of scenic, recreational and productive farm and forest lands.  The package includes two nights accommodation in a deluxe room, a three-hour Green Mountain group trail hike led by a local naturalist, a $35 donation in your name to a local chapter of the Stowe Land Trust and much more.  The package starts at $629 based on double occupancy.  The package is available May 18 through September 9, 2012.  For more information visit the website.

Island Time

For those looking for family friendly excursions, the historical Nisbet Plantation Beach Club on Nevis in the Caribbean Islands is offering a Family Getaway package.  The package includes a 50 percent discount off a Second Garden Deluxe Suite for a 5-night stay, Nevis island tour with picnic lunch at the Botanical Gardens or Paradise Beach, choice of a rainforest hike or sailing cruise on a catamaran, as well as airport transfers.  The package is $5,035 from June 1- October 31, or $5,533 from now to May 31, 2012 for four people.  For reservations and details call (800) 742 -6008 or visit their website.

For more travel deals, check out:

• Travel Deals: Heating up for Summer
• Travel Deals: Mother’s Day Savings & Specials
• Travel Deals Section
• Budget Travel Section

By Collette Torunyan for PeterGreenberg.com

Find out the answers to these questions plus the latest travel news when Peter Greenberg Worldwide broadcasts from Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea, Wales, UK.

Click here to listen to the show streaming live from 10 am until 1 pm ET on Saturday, May 12, 2012.

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 standing by to take your calls live on Saturday.

Featured guests include:

Arnie Weissmann, vice president and editor in chief for Travel Weekly, lets us in on how CEOs of large companies such as Orbitz are using microsegmentation as a means of predicting customer preferences and gaining optimal revenue.

Jon Morgan, executive director for the Federation of Disability Sport Wales Ltd. (FDSW), elaborates on the history of the organization, which athletes it benefits, as well as the venues they use.

Jack Otter, executive editor of CBS MoneyWatch.com, talks about his latest book Worth It…Not Worth It, which shows the best ways to invest your money. Find out from whether it’s worth it to take an annual vacation or buy a new car.

Susan Rice, project manager for Wales Coast Path, drops by the office to fill us in on the office launch of the project to create a 1,030 mile continuous walking route around Wales. She discusses how the project came to be, who can access it, and little surprises along the path

Michael Boyd, president of Boyd Group International, discusses the 30th anniversary of the first big airline bankruptcy of Braniff International Airways and lets us in on the perfect job: Airline Consumer Advocate.

John Wake, FMR Detective Inspector in the South Wales, discusses his recent undertaking of a forensic examination into the origins of King Arthur and Merlin. He tells us how his investigation began, where he is researching, and whether Shakespeare ever wrote about King Arthur.

Nerys Howell, author of Wales on a Plate, fills us in on Welsh traditions, her favorite restaurant in Swansea, and some of the most surprising best foods of the region.

Michaela Guzy, travel evangelist and founder of Ohthepeopleyoumeet.com, reports from Durban, South Africa to tell us about her mission, the tips and tricks she has learned thus far, and how to follow and get involved in Michaela’s volunteer efforts.

Dan Askin, news editor of CruiseCritic.com, discusses some bizarre cruise stories, including a recent one where passengers got kicked off the ship for possession of tobacco.

Professor Peter Stead, cultural historian and author of So Much, So Little, tells us about documenting the life of Richard Burton, how Wales shaped him to become an international superstar, and the Richard Burton trail  to launch this summer.

By Collette Torunyan for PeterGreenberg.com