Bask in Barbados’ beaches, gardens, warmth
When my wife Fyllis and I landed in Barbados this winter, we asked a man outside the airport for directions to our hotel. To our surprise, he didn’t give them to us. Instead, he insisted on leading us there in his vehicle. Throughout our trip to the Caribbean island — our second in 20 years — we were impressed by the friendly, warm people we met. After I unknowingly dropped some... READ MORE
Is ‘premium economy’ seating worth it?
A recent report from IdeaWorks Company describes the airlines’ premium economy offering as “an upper- middle-class seat priced for the upper-middle class” designed for, and marketed to, “upper middle-class consumers who seek an upper middle-class travel experience.” The report’s author, Jay Sorensen, is bullish on premium economy. Should you be? The... READ MORE
Historic D.C. restaurants brim with tales
In a tiny half-booth in Martin’s Tavern in Georgetown, nicknamed the “rumble seat,” John F. Kennedy perused the Sunday morning newspaper after attending mass. Nearby is Booth Three, where he and Jackie Bouvier were seated when he proposed marriage to her in 1953. Harry and Bess Truman and their daughter, Margaret, often dined in another cubicle, which Margaret later incorporated... READ MORE
Chill out in London, strollin’ and cruisin’
I lie on my back on the cool grass, the sound of quacking ducks and raucous frisbee players wafting my way on the soft breeze drifting across the meadow. Sheer bliss! A welcome respite from the crowds cramming Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and St. Paul’s Cathedral. Worn out from several days of tourist attractions and museums, I was taking advantage of the unseasonably warm... READ MORE
Escape to Portugal’s coastal hideaway
Since Phoenician times, octopi have been the main catch for the villagers of Salema, located on a still-sleepy patch of the Algarve, Portugal’s popular south coast. And the fishing process has changed little in several thousand years. At the crack of dawn, I wait at the beach for my local friend, Sebastian, who’s agreed to take me out to check the pots. As Sebastian pushes his boat... READ MORE
Opt out: The trap that keeps on trapping
An old golf joke describes a guy poised to hit a drive, but just standing there and not moving. After a few minutes, an exasperated partner shouts, “For Pete’s sake, hit the ball!” At which point the guy says, “Yes! That’s it — the 50th thing I was supposed to remember.” Why a lame golf joke? Because travel is the same — everybody has a list of “musts” for you to do... READ MORE
Domestic travel prices are trending lower
Dining out is more expensive than ever. The cost of gas is fluctuating. And the price of travel — including airfare and hotels — has kept pace. Right? Not exactly. Airfare costs declined by 13% between September 2022 and September 2023, according to September 2023 Consumer Price Index data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Far from being an inflationary force, travel prices... READ MORE
No plan needed: Take a mystery day trip
The brown cardboard box that arrived in my mailbox labeled “Ready for a Road Trip?” instantly made me want to hit the open road. Inside were five booklets: “Before You Go” and four more describing stops for a six-to-eight-hour road trip to explore “Tiny Towns.” The box was from Guess Where Trips, a unique travel planning company founded in 2020. “Guess Where Trips will show ... READ MORE
Advice for taking a destination holiday
Yes, I know, Thanksgiving and Christmas are when the whole family gathers at grandma’s house, or some similar Norman Rockwell scenario. But not everybody plays by that script. Moving your holiday festivities, whatever they might be, to some vacation destination is becoming increasingly popular. And if you’re thinking about a destination holiday this year, and you haven’t already ... READ MORE
For nature lovers and ‘Dirty Dancing’ fans
It didn’t take long after arriving at Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke, Virginia, to realize that, despite the resort’s name, it has no lake. What it does offer guests is a long, colorful list of activities that can fill many a day. Then there’s that not-so-secret reason many people go there: Most of the popular 1987 movie Dirty Dancing, which supposedly took place at a vacation... READ MORE
