Diverse Panama offers more than a canal
An American traveler, adventurer and author named Richard Halliburton swam the length of the Panama Canal a few years after it opened in 1914. He was charged 36 cents for the trip. Today, ships that follow in his footsteps — or, rather, his wake — pay $200,000 to $300,000 for the privilege. The average toll for the largest vessels, which use wider locks that began to operate in 2016, ... READ MORE
Which are the best hotel chains today?
The best U.S. multi-brand hotel chains are Hilton and Marriott, tied at a score of 80 out of 100 in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Hyatt at 79 and InterContinental at 78 follow closely, and Best Western scores above the industry average at 77. Chains scoring below average run from Choice at 74, La Quinta at 74, Wyndham at 70, down to Motel 6 at 64. Aggregate... READ MORE
How to get a good last-minute travel deal
Budget-minded travelers often plan their vacations months in advance so they can find the best deals. But if you’re yearning for a last-minute summer or early fall getaway, there’s good news: Fuel prices are relatively low, and you can find good deals on airfares, as long as you know where to look. You have more options for places to stay, too. Kiplinger expects gas prices to run... READ MORE
Classic resort offers nostalgia weekend
The 200-year-old Omni Bedford Springs Resort, a luxury hotel in Pennsylvania’s Allegheny Mountains, is well known for its state-of-the-art golf course, mineral springs spa treatments and scenic hiking trails. But what guests discover upon arrival is that Bedford Springs offers more than just a relaxing getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The hotel lobby provides a... READ MORE
Roadtrips worth taking with grandkids
If you’re like many grandparents who can’t get enough of their adorable grandchildren, nothing could be better than an overnight trip with them. But vacations can also be tricky and even stressful, especially when traveling with a wide range of ages. There can be meltdowns, fights and temper tantrums. (And the grandchildren can have them, too!) When friends ask me about... READ MORE
Travelers: don’t forget ‘overhead’ costs
Over the years, you’ve probably seen many “tips” about avoiding high city-center hotel prices by staying in suburban hotels. But when you factor in the “destination overhead,” you often conclude that rather than fight the hassle and time of commuting, you’re better off finding a cheaper hotel in the city. By “destination overhead,” I mean the daily or hourly out-of-pocket ... READ MORE
Feeding stomach and soul on Italian trail
Long ago, religious pilgrims trudged up and down the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the Kumana Kodo Trail in Japan, and other lengthy footpaths to achieve spiritual enlightenment. Many still do. Not only do these trails lead to sites of profound religious significance, but the physical challenge, even suffering, is believed to help pave the way to enlightenment. Similarly, the... READ MORE
Miami’s South Beach is funky, funny and fun
Miami’s South Beach — a 10-mile stretch of fine, white sand and sparkling, turquoise water along Ocean Drive — is the setting of seemingly endless happy hours, a bohemian playground for all ages, nationalities and ethnicities. SoBe, as locals call it, has attracted celebrities like Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Marilyn Monroe, Princess Di and Michael Jackson. Desi Arnaz got his... READ MORE
Car rental gotchas and how to avoid them
Renting a car, like buying most travel services, exposes you to a few gotchas that can make your experience more expensive, less pleasant or both. But you can also avoid most of them, most of the time, by vetting your rental company and reading the fine print before you put down your credit card. Insurance catches Insurance has always been the main minefield of renting a car. The rental... READ MORE
Grandparent’s quandary: What’s my name?
We’re about to become grandparents! And to be honest, since we are the last of our friends to have that honor, I’ve heard some unique stories about choosing a name. Not the baby’s name. Thank goodness that’s not our problem. My husband and I are trying to figure out what we will be called by the grandkids. It seems that whenever I get together with my peers, this topic always... READ MORE
