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2024
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Archives
Joe's Steals & Deals
TCM sponsors a cruise and land-based festival. Iberia's free Madrid stayover. Air France and KLM discount.
Firpo: Artistic Italian Hotels
As much as I love traveling for art, the best art experiences are sometimes at the hotels where I'm staying.
Danto: Car Rental Realities
I'm spending more on rental cars, and, surprisingly, I'm okay with it. Cheaper rentals just don't cut it anymore.
Baker: Camera for the Birds
I've been trying a new bird feeder with a built-in camera and I've been having a lot of fun with it.
Firpo: Glitz & Glam in Rome
Hollywood glitz meets Renaissance glamour at Palazzo Talìa, a gorgeous palazzo in the heart of Rome.
McGarvey: Agent Vs. AI
Human travel agents make mistakes, so how much worse could AI travel advice really be?
Baker: Sicily Is Special
Sicily wasn't on our bucket list, but a 12-day trip with a small tour company was truly spectacular.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Citi will be AAdvantage's sole card issuer. New international routes. The Waldorf reopens next year.
Firpo: Italian-Style Gifting
I've handpicked nine holiday gifts that celebrate Italian creativity, its heritage ateliers and charming design.
Danto: All Fall Down
A United overhead bin panel decided it was tired of holding on and it came crashing down … right onto my head.
Firpo: Venice Is Taxing
Venice doubles down on tourist entry fees. In 2025, the levy will be higher and required on 54 high-season days.
Danto: Avoid New York
I was born and raised in New York, but the Big Apple is now an overcrowded and overpriced pain in the rear.
Meena: Travel Anxiety
Travel experts offer proactive tips to help reduce your anxiety and avoid tense situations on the road.
Firpo: The Turmoil at Trevi
Rome's iconic Trevi Fountain is being glammed up just in time for the 2025 Jubilee. But visitors are confused.
McGarvey: Banning Airbnb
Fact: Europe’s urban housing is a mess. But Airbnb and the other home-share sites are not the cause.
Pucci: Delta Plays a Trump
Delta's boss wants the DOT to roll back its new consumer-protection rules. He thinks Trump will help.
Danto: Dull Hilton Diamond
Hilton made me a Lifetime Diamond Honors member. But perks continue to be frequently diluted.
Baker: Mobile Malarkey
There’s a good reason why we dislike our wireless carriers. They constantly try to scam us with phony promos.
Allen: RDU's Mixed Blessing
My home airport, RDU, is growing fast with more international service. It is a decidedly mixed blessing.
Firpo: Why I Love Airports
Waiting for a flight home, I'm thinking about how much I love airports even when I really don’t like them.
Danto: I Hate Airport Clubs
You can't ignore the reality: Airport clubs have lost their charm and their value for most business travelers.
Danto: My Heavy Lifting
The first thing doctors tell you after surgery is "no lifting over 10 pounds." But what about my carry-on?
Baker: Can I Hear You Now?
With a software upgrade, Apple turned AirPods Pro 2 into hearing aids. Now I am wondering about my hearing.
McGarvey: Smart Card Plays
Amex charges $695 for Platinum each year. Smart travelers should calculate whether they're getting value.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Airlines might rethink dead deals now that administrations will change. Who will run DOT and Homeland Security?
Joe: Asked and Answered
This week, I answer your questions about holiday deals, the crazy doings at European airports and many more.
Joe: Election Expats in Exile
Thinking of leaving if your candidate didn't win the election? Here's where to run and hide for the next four years.
Joe: Nobody Asked Me ...
"Secretary Pete" goes from corporate appeaser to consumer advocate. And plenty more travel links to click.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Lots more transatlantic flights. Hyatt and Marriott push their new brands. Southwest surrenders to hedge fund.
Allen: Upfront Fare Squeeze
International coach fares are cheaper, but upfront fares are squeezing flyers who want more space and perks.
Danto: Why Do They Do It?
The number of times I shake my head as I travel is enormous. Why are the bad decisions made in the first place?
Danto: The Dangerous TSA
This is not a new complaint: The TSA is not only annoying and frustrating, it also is downright dangerous.
Joe: Post-Pandemic Pacific
Europe has gotten all the attention after the pandemic. But airlines are now adding new transpacific flights.
Danto: Hotel or Apartment?
It's travel's new less filling/tastes great argument. Which is a better choice: a hotel or a short-term rental?
Baker: SAN Gets BIGger
San Diego Airport is doubling in size and a new terminal finally will offer travelers a better experience.
McGarvey: Trendy Travel
What is trendy in travel now? Not the destinations that were hot and trendy 40 years ago.
Joe: Our Overtourism Enemy
Overtourism may sound like an elitist complaint, but two incidents this week turned my head around.
Danto: Smile for Check-In
Biometric face scans are being tested at major airports. That will make flight check-in faster, but there are big risks.
Baker: Musk Is P.T. Barnum
Elon Musk, the modern P.T. Barnum, keeps promising driverless cars and the press keeps repeating his lies.
McGarvey: Expat Options
Thought of becoming an expat? My choice, Dublin, is way too expensive. Here are other options.
Barnett: An American Tale
A recent test roundtrip on American Airlines shows that it's really no worse (or better) than flying Delta or United.
Meena: Lapland With Santa
Of all the places where you can "visit" Santa Claus, Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is my favorite.
Berger: Letter From London
Of course I flew to London to watch my Jets play. And, of course, they got pounded and the season was lost.
Danto: Airlines Don't Care
Airlines don't care about customers. You knew that. But exactly how much they don't care is truly stunning.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Delta adds flights to Austin and Italy. Passport renewals now online. SAS returns to Sea-Tac. Cathay adds DFW.
Joe: Election Expats in Exile
Thinking of leaving if your candidate doesn't win next month? Here's where to run and hide for the next four years.
Danto: More Boeing Woes
Fearing a catastrophe, the NTSB has issued urgent recommendations about the Boeing 737 rudder system.
Vukelich: Minnesota Golf
Looking for a new golf destination for next year? Here is one you probably haven’t considered: Minnesota.
Joe: How to Get More
What we need now: more discounts, more status and more miles. Here's how to get them.
Danto: Oslo Right Now
Oslo surprises business travelers with its seamless blend of modernity, rich history and natural beauty.
Meena: Finnair's Not Flat
Finnair's new business class seat does not lie flat. It may be travel heresy, but it's incredibly comfortable.
Danto: Perks Vs. Dollars
I ignored my United elite "perks" and booked SAS in premium economy to Oslo. The results were mixed.
Baker: Savvy Scammers
I am extremely tech savvy and aware of many Web scams, but a well-written new one fooled me for a few minutes.
McGarvey: Heads in Clouds
Airlines say their frequent flyer plans are "beloved" and there's no need for the DOT to investigate.
Meena: Sharm el-Sheikh
There’s more to Egypt than Luxor and the pyramids. Sharm el-Sheikh along the shores of the Red Sea is divine.
Danto: This Blows ...
Why do 90% of hotel rooms aim the air conditioner vent right at the desk? It's one of many travel questions I have.
Meena: Eating Chicago
Chicago dining is more than deep-dish pizza. Here's where to try the best beef, jibarito, dogs and giardiniera.
Danto: Failed Innovation
History shows that innovative aircraft designs don’t always translate into a better flying experience for us.
Baker: A Better Upgrade
Now is when companies want us to dig deep to buy their fancy new phones. There's a better way to upgrade.
McGarvey: Travel Tragedy
Overtourism is destroying what we say we cherish and we are the ones doing the destruction.
Meena: Best of Barcelona
You can experience Sagrada Familia, the very best of Barcelona, without the crowds--and it's so worth it.
Joe: Why Flying Sucks Now
A confluence of loosely related issues has led to one simple and inescapable reality: Flying sucks.
Danto: Boeing's Greed
I can remember when Boeing was the crown jewel of American engineering. Now it must curb its greed to survive.
Meena: Falling for Victoria
Niagara Falls may leave you in awe, but it has nothing on Victoria Falls. It is the wonder of southern Africa.
Raffio: Tomato Time
It is, dare I say it, the best year ever for tomatoes here in my fertile ground on the Maine coast.
Firpo: Sicily Contemporary
In spite of what most think, Palermo and contemporary art were an easy connection for Francesco Pantaleone.
Pucci: Go Local in Europe
Overtourism is the problem as major European cities grapple with far too many visitors. Solution: Go local.
Baker: Apple Gives It Away
Apple rarely gives anything away. But next month's free iOS18 upgrade is packed with improvements.
Joe: Steals & Deals
Paris after the Olympics is cheap(er). Singapore posts more huge premium economy deals to Asia. And more.
Vukelich: I Hate Golf (Sorta)
Golf, how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways, the oh-so-many things that irk the golf curmudgeon in me.
Firpo: Fendi's Roman Passion
"Triple F" is Federica Formilli Fendi's Roman passion project of interiors and vintage design.
Joe: Worst. Week. Ever.
Lousy weather nationwide led to more than 7,800 cancellations and around 61,000 delays last week.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
We may never be rid of the carry-on liquids rule now that Europe has reimposed its restrictions.
Allen: Beat Travel Insurance
I didn't buy travel insurance on a pricy, complicated trip. When I cancelled, I spent less on fees than the policy.
Pucci: Seattle's Food Buzz
The buzz revolves around terrific food at the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle's Chinatown-International District.
Berger: Big Ship, Big Fun
The Queen Mary 2 is big. Very big. But I was surprised that the "crossing" from England to New York was quite nice.
Danto: For Thee, Not For Me
Delta wants special treatment from a supplier after its meltdown. Try asking Delta for special treatment.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
United's Down Under strategy goes south. Southwest dumps the cattle car. Amex adds Centurion Lounge at DCA.
Firpo: Comfort in Como
Jan Bucher protects a four-generation-old torch as general manager of Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio on Lake Como.
Raffio: Pesto alla Genovese
It isn't often that pasta and potatoes are paired in the same recipe. Then there's pesto alla Genovese.
Joe's Steals and Deals
Norse Atlantic and Neos deal on their Premium cabins. InterContinental cuts 20-25% off room rates. And more.
Joe: Delta Is Crowd Struck
A global software glitch causes a world of pain for Delta and its furious flyers are scattered everywhere.
Baker: Failing Imaginations
One bit of faulty software instantly transmitted around the world strands tens of thousands at airports.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Southwest is under siege. No soup for you on flights. Alaska Air adds seats up front. The Amalfi Coast gets an airport.
Barnett: Fly Guys
Once upon a time in the friendly skies: men-only flights. I talk to four "stews" who worked the wild service.
Danto: No Holiday This Year
I overlay my wife and my calendars and our business travel commitments mean no holiday this year.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Hilton adds hundreds of Small Luxury Hotels to Honors. JetBlue's changes. More PreCheck airlines. And more.
Firpo: Walking the Empire
Stephen Oddo's Walks Tours firm is a leader for dedication to regenerative tourism and infrastructure.
Baker: Ruining Southwest
Raiders want to turn Southwest into a clone of other airlines. That's not the improvement Southwest needs.
Firpo: Beating Rome's Heat
Rome in summer: Mid-morning feels like high noon in the desert and those beautiful sampietrini feel like hot coals.
Baker: Camera Tricks
Want to improve your image--literally--on Zoom calls? A new external camera may just be the perfect solution.
Allen: Delta 360 Equals 0
I'm grateful to be a Delta 360, the top loyalty tier. And Delta is proud of its perks. But upgrades? Not so much.
Firpo: Banfi and Tuscany
I went to Montalcino to talk family businesses and Tuscan heritage with Cristina Mariani May of Banfi.
Bernstein: It's in the Cards
The National Museum of the Playing Card in Turnhout, Belgium, sounded like a big yawn. Boy, was I surprised.
Joe: COVID and Travel--Still
I caught COVID last week in London. This nasty variant is still making life on the road tricky.
Baker: Digital Overkill
Do drivers really need digital license plates that cost a fortune and require their own apps and another battery?
Baker: Befuddling Research
Online appliance research leaves you befuddled while trying to make sense of so much conflicting information.
Joe's Steals & Deals
Winter business class deals to Milan and Paris. Premium economy deals to Asia. Hyatt and Choice hotel promos.
Baker: AI, Bugs and All
Companies that should know better are trying to one-up each other by offering untested, buggy AI software.
Joe: These Turbulent Times
Does in-flight turbulence scare you? It should. So buckle up and stop making lame excuses.
Barnett: SF's Slow Recovery
San Francisco is still shaky, but there's a slow, steady, mostly silent recovery under way. Honest.
Joe's Steals & Deals
Fly-Drive packages to Ireland for $600. Best Western global bonuses. 50,000 Marriott points for home rentals
Baker: Fake 'News' Reviews
"News" sites are desperate for revenue, hence a proliferation of phony reviews and lame listicles. AI makes it worse.
Firpo: Al Gatto Verde
A pilgrimage to lush Emilia Romagna brings me to Al Gatto Verde, Massimo Bottura’s newest dining outpost.
Danto: FAA Must Deliver
The newly funded FAA must enforce its rules and prevent the airlines from compromising safety and service.
Allen: Etosha Deteriorates
The roads, facilities and management of the Etosha National Park in Namibia have significantly deteriorated.
Baker: Charging Ahead
There’s good news for travelers when it comes to keeping their phone and other devices charged on the road.
Joe: Travel Tales by Others
Here are travel tales told by others. It's stuff I would have covered myself, but there's no need to recreate the wheel.
Baker: Virtual 'Service'
Virtual assistants are the latest excuse for avoiding human contact between a company and its customers.
Joe's Steals & Deals
Marriott's 50,000-point bonus. Norse Air's premium-class sale. How to get an Oxford education. And more.
Allen: Luxury in Namibia
Shametu is a truly luxurious lodge on the Okavango River just downstream of Namibia's Copa Falls.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Southwest's big cuts. Cruz is cancelled. Florida airport back on the map. Delta returns to Lagos. And much more.
Baker: GM Spying on Us
GM is secretly tracking the driving habits of customers and sharing that data with insurance companies.
Meena: Doing Chicago Right
Consider this your friendly guide to doing Chicago right: great hotels, fine dining, cool attractions.
Adam Platt: United v. Delta
Delta's Australia reward pricing is rapacious. United is much cheaper, but you also get what you pay for.
Baker: The AI Pin is Awful
The wearable AI Pin is a dreadful new product from a start-up company with smart minds and plenty of cash.
Allen: Turn Left at Elephant
Driving directions in Botswana: See that elephant? Drive to it and turn left on the track to the village.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Mideast travel in chaos (again). Delta scraps branded boarding. New routes from Turkish, Norse and BermudAir.
Joe: Context and Nuance
Life on the road needs more thought and reflection. So allow me to bring a bag full of context and nuance.
Firpo: Liberating Panettone
Roy Shvartzapel liberates panettone from its holiday confinement and turns it into a year-round treat.
Baker: Better Digital Audio
There’s a lot happening in the world of music reproduction that bodes well for better audio quality.
Allen: Weary Business Class
Sometimes an itinerary can be so long and wearying that even business class can’t make the journey tolerable.
Mister Meatball: Like Butter
Hand-churning your butter may sound quaint and be nostalgic fun, but there's a reason they made the electric mixer.
Joe's Steals and Deals
Singapore Air's big premium economy deals. Promos from Omni and Loews hotels. BA revives AARP discount.
Baker: Loyalty Off the Rails
Loyalty programs are off the rails and now rarely offer us the basic perks we expect in exchange for our loyalty.
Pucci: Emergency Visa Help
Travel emergencies do come up and that's when third-party visa services come to your rescue.
Allen: Zimbabwe Falls
I first visited Victoria Falls in 1991. It is still majestic, but Zimbabwe remains appallingly poor 30+ years later.
Rowell: The Sound of Music
More than two years after I left travel for radio, I'm back with Aria, a popular classical music service.
Danto: Travel Firms Go Bad
When things go wrong, the companies we use for travel and life show their true colors and it's not pretty.
Baker: EV Growth Cycle
EVs have the same growth issues as most new tech. The adoption curve is rarely linear or exponential.
Allen: Africa Airport Oasis
The Paragon Premium Lounge is the sole oasis for premium customers at the airport in Windhoek, Namibia.
Meena: New York Lodging
New York has a complicated lodging scene. Here are six hotels for everyone from solo traveler to theater lover.
Danto: Bad Communications
AI says "unified communications" has been around since the early 2000s. Great, except that’s incorrect.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
The FAA targets United. JetBlue cuts routes and cities. Will New York's air space be less crowded this summer?
Joe's Steals and Deals
Zipair has flat-bed seats to Tokyo for less than $1,500RT. InterContinental and Hyatt have targeted promotions.
Joe: Good, Bad, Travel Ugly
United starts--and ends--family pools. Alaska Air charging for sale info. And then the week really got weird ...
Baker: DOJ Versus iPhone
The DOJ says Apple's success comes from anti-competitive practices that hurt customers and app developers.
Bernstein: Tulip Time!
Spring is finally here and spring colors are everywhere. In the Netherlands, it means tulip time at Keukenhof.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Frontier adds Europe-style "premium" seating. Delta drops some LAX routes, but returns to Israel. And much more.
Joe's Steals and Deals
The French Riviera in business class for $2,400RT. Four-night free stays in Tahiti en route to New Zealand.
Joe: March Travel Madness
Want to be much more comfortable in coach? Buy the middle seat to keep the row empty during the flight.
Baker: Pickpocketed Phone
A traveler's iPhone was pickpocketed in downtown Cape Town. Here's the good and bad of what happened next.
Firpo: Modena Delights
Throw a stone in Modena and you hit a great spot to eat. That’s what to expect from Italy’s cornucopia of delight.
McGarvey: Camping Luxury
I find myself attracted to pushing my personal boundaries. Is camping--and dirt--the new luxury?
Pucci: Hanoi Home Cooking
Cooking with a host in a small village outside Hanoi teaches you a lot about how locals look at life and farming.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Wells Fargo's new $95 travel card. New Asia routes via London. Hyatt's annual award chart update. And more.
Baker: Swisher's Burn Book
The high-tech industry she loves has gone off the rails, noted journalist Kara Swisher says in her new book.
Pucci: Hanoi or Saigon?
Anyone planning a Vietnam trip faces a dilemma when they try to bookend visits to Saigon and Hanoi.
Allen: Havana Street Scenes
Here are some photos of Havana street scenes that give a flavor of daily life in the Cuban capital.
Lang: Global Telecare
Here's a useful discovery: efficient and inexpensive telehealth care in English for international travelers in distress.
Joe's Steals and Deals
Big bonus on Honolulu stays. Save 10% on Southwest fares. Finnair's business class sale. Cash-back Vancouver hotels.
Joe: 3 Cities, 3 Problems
Hyatt fumbles its Las Vegas presence. Hong Kong may be lost. The endless airport mess in Denver.
Baker: Apple Kills Its Car
Apple killed its ten-year-long electric car program, the biggest development project in company history.
Pucci: The 'Real' Cambodia
If you want to see the real Cambodia, please get out of the city. That's the advice I heard. So I listened.
Allen: Iceland's Long Holiday
Iceland keeps Christmas trees up and twinkling lights on well into January. Because it's tradition--and it's dark.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
United, KLM resume Israel flights. U.S. airlines' Australia payday. When your "flight" is a bus ride. And more.
Baker: POTS Is the Past
The latest AT&T network outage is worrisome. But we cannot go back to copper wire and POTS. They're gone.
Pucci: Fantastic Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is alive with modern and French colonial architecture, rooftop bars, street food and outdoor markets.
Allen: Seoul's Famed Market
Seoul's famed Gwangjang Market sells all manner of Korean delicacies from small eateries with al fresco benches.
Danto: Failures Big and Small
The travel industry is rife with issues both huge (planes that come apart in midair) and small (failed apps).
Joe's Tactical Traveler
More airport clubs are on the way. BA resumes Israel flights. Marriott grabs luxury hotels from Hyatt and more.
Baker: Apple Pro Potential
The new Apple Vision Pro has great potential for virtual travel, allowing you to experience new destinations.
Pucci: Cambodia's Future
Education is spawning an entirely new generation of leaders in Cambodia and we'll all be better for them.
Berger: Vegas Super Bowl
What's it like in Las Vegas during the Super Bowl? You've got $24 nachos and $2,499 hotel rooms.
Baker: Medical Tech
U.S. medical care has many faults, but it's finally taking advantage of tech to bring us new benefits.
Firpo: Capsule Power
Edward Buchanan powered Bottega Veneta's capsule collection into ready-to-wear success.
Danto: Meeting Alternatives
With business travel slow, conference organizers are scrambling for alternate (cheaper) destinations.
Pucci: Cambodia's Soul
Touching the soul of Cambodia: It's a reason to return to Southeast Asia and visit new places.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Odd new international runs. American adds a Brisbane route. The DOT ends the Delta-Aeromexico code-share.
Joe's Steals and Deals
Two to Paris or Milan in business class for $1,900RT each. Two stays equal a free night at Best Western. And more.
Joe: February Follies
Among other craziness this month: Global airports delay ending the 3-ounce water rule.
Baker: EV Range Wars
EV or PHEV? Too many reviews focus on range. There are many other factors besides how far you can drive one.
Meena: St. Moritz Après Ski
The most glamorous part of skiing in St. Moritz might just be what happens after you take off your skis.
Firpo: Milan the Modern
Milan, the Grey Lady, is a dynamic city that propels you into modern Italy and it doesn't get enough attention.
Joe's Steals and Deals
Big premium class deals on Singapore Air's long hauls. La Compagnie, TAP discounts on Europe business class.
Firpo: Italian Myths
There's a lot to be said about Italy, but not all of it is good. Let's deconstruct some of the myths.
Joe: Nobody Asked, But ...
There sure has been a lot of failure--big fails and little ones--on the road lately. What's that about?
Baker: Tech Helps Airlines
Airline travel has deteriorated over the years, but technology has helped make things a bit better.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
Spirit-JetBlue merger blocked. SAS will fly to Atlanta. United and WestJet add transborder flights. And more.
Meena: Floating City
Discovery Princess feels like a floating city built around a magnificent atrium instead of a town square.
Bernstein: Ice Caves
One of Wisconsin’s natural wonders: the breathtaking Apostle Island ice caves in Bayfield.
Joe's Tactical Traveler
The MAX could be down for a while. Southwest drops five Hawaii routes. LIAT folds. And more.
Baker: Hertz Dumps Tesla
Hertz's decision to buy 100,000 Tesla EVs was a really idiotic move. Now it's unloading 20,000 of them.
Joe: How to Save JetBlue
Reuniting JetBlue with its founder's new carrier, Breeze Airways, may save both airlines.
Bernstein: I Don't Miss This
People often ask me what I miss about living in the USA. There is one thing I don't miss: Minnesota winters.
Baker: Monarch of the Case
Urban Armor Gear's Monarch is one of the most protective (and expensive) of iPhone cases.
Danto: One 2024 Trip Down
I'm back from my first business trip of the year: my annual sojourn to the CES conference in Las Vegas.
Meena: Cheesy Dutch Travel
Alkmaar is cheese country, Edam and Gouda to be exact. And it makes for a perfect day trip from Amsterdam.
Meena: Manila's Moment
Others say skip Manila, but I'm here to tell you the capital of the Philippines is worth your time.
Allen: Airport Hotel Bliss
I came away from a night at the Grand Hyatt DFW wishing every experience was as pleasant and uneventful.
Our 2024 Archives
This was the year that was, week by week by week. Here's the good, bad and ugly of another wild year on the road.
Barnett: Flying Boys Club
Once upon a time in the friendly skies: men-only flights. I talk to four "stews" who worked the wild service.
Pucci: Hanoi Hopping
Hanoi blends peaceful lakes and a lively Old Quarter known for its warren of 36 streets tied to 15th-century trade guilds.
Joe: Saving JetBlue
Reuniting struggling JetBlue with its founder's new carrier, Breeze Airways, may save both troubled airlines.
Joan Lang: Global Telecare
Here's a useful discovery: efficient and inexpensive telehealth care in English for international travelers in distress.
Allen: Weary Wanderer
Sometimes an itinerary can be so long and wearying that even business class can't make the journey tolerable.
Baker: Electric Range Wars
EV or PHEV? Too many reviews focus on range. There are many other factors besides how far you can drive one.
Meena: Eating Chicago
Chicago dining is more than deep-dish pizza. Here's where to try the best beef, jibarito, hot dogs and giardiniera.
McGarvey: Dirty Stuff
I find myself attracted to pushing my personal boundaries. Is camping (and dirt) the new luxury?
Danto: Hilton's Dull Diamond
Hilton crowned me a Lifetime Diamond Honors member. But its perks continue to be frequently diluted.
Firpo: Why I Love Airports
Waiting for a flight home, I'm thinking about how much I love airports even when I really don’t like them.
Bernstein: Light Therapy
Light therapy with a daylight lamp has boosted my energy and enhanced my mood. It left me feeling less stressed.Meena: Finnair Business
Finnair's new business class seat does not lie flat. It may be travel heresy, but it is incredibly comfortable.Joe: Norse Premium
Norse Atlantic Premium isn't traditional business class, but the fares can be dirt cheap and it's surprisingly comfortable.Allen: Lufthansa PE
Beyond its bigger Premium Economy seats, Lufthansa didn’t seem to care about differentiating its PE product.Bernstein: Iberia Business
I'd never flown Iberia before, but I am happy to say business class has great seats, good food and cool amenities.Allen: Singapore PE
To get halfway around the globe and back, my wife and I enjoyed tremendous value for money in Premium Economy.Raffio: La Compagnie
Would I fly the all-business-class La Compagnie again? Absolutely. As long as the price is right.Allen: American PE to Asia
American Airlines hit it out of the park operationally on all four flights flying to Seoul/Incheon from DFW.Allen: American PE to Europe
American Airlines Premium Economy to London is quite roomy and comfortable. Light years better than coach.Joe: Aer Lingus Business
If you haven't flown Aer Lingus across the Atlantic lately, you won't recognize it, especially in business class.Allen: Air France Business
Sometimes an itinerary can be so long and wearying that even business class can’t make the journey tolerable.Allen: Air France PE
Air France's A350 Premium Economy cabin is configured 2-3-2 in 3 rows. Very comfortable width and pitch.Joe: Cathay Business Class
Cathay Pacific's business class is as good as you'll find. The beds are comfortable, the meals are fine and service is superb.Allen: Cathay PE
A recent roundtrip in Cathay Pacific’s Premium Economy cabin did not live up to its lofty first flying days.Barnett: Sky Airline
The trick to booking Chile's Sky Airline? Don't dawdle. Choose a flight, then act quickly. Low prices go to first callers.Allen: Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways, like most airline start-ups, is untrustworthy by nature. It cuts too many corners to be reliable.Baker: Qantas Business Class
Maybe it was a one-off quirk, but United outpaced Qantas in nearly all categories on a recent transpacific roundtrip.Raffio: TAP Air Portugal
I purchased tickets to Lisbon months in advance, but seat assignments were kept from us until 24 hours before departure.Platt: Sun Country
After decades of losses, Sun Country Airlines is now profitable and earning attention, respect and customers.Raffio: JAL Business
After 13 hours in the air I didn't feel a bit weary. Our business class cocoon had saved us from all of that.Allen: Icelandair
I have two Icelandair flights under my belt. My conclusion? The operation is finely tuned, efficient--and quirky.Meena: French Bee PE
French Bee Premium class to Paris is mostly comfortable and quite cheap. But there are trade-offs, too.Allen: Delta PE
Delta's Premium Economy is just okay. Better than flying economy for sure, but nothing to write home about.Barnett: JSX
JSX believes small aircraft with just 30 passengers a flight is the right formula for pandemic travel.Danto: SAS PE
I ignored my United elite "perks" and booked SAS in premium economy to Oslo. The results were mixed.Allen: United Business Class
I was appalled that in United’s much-bragged-upon Polaris Class, the menu was an ugly, cheaply printed sheet.Allen: United PE
United's premium economy seats are comfortable. It's the human element that makes it a sad, tiresome experience.Baker: Spirit & Frontier
I shuddered when my friend said that he would fly Frontier Airlines to Phoenix and connect to a Spirit flight to Newark.Allen: Air New Zealand
Based on my personal criteria, I'd fly Air New Zealand’s Premium Economy over its Business Class.Find What You Need Fast
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Firpo: Milan
Milan, the Grey Lady, is a dynamic city that propels you into modern Italy and it doesn't get enough attention.Pucci: Naples
Asked to name a favorite Italian city, few people would pick noisy, crowded and traffic-choked Naples. But it's my choice.Mister Meatball: Bologna
Bologna is the "fat" heart of culinary Italy. Here's where to eat all of the old-school classics.Firpo: Cinque Terra
Via dell’Amore, Cinque Terre’s iconic footpath that traverses the Ligurian coastline, finally reopens to visitors.Baker: Sicily Is Special
Sicily wasn't on our bucket list, but a 12-day trip with a small tour company was truly spectacular.Barnett: Doing Business
When in Rome (or Milan), do as Italian businesspeople do. Here's my guide for how to do it.Firpo: Forte Dei Marmi
There is something about Versilia in Tuscany that reminds me of Central California's coastal lineup of beaches.Pucci: Torino
Torino is an Italian city you don't hear about from travelers. But the culture and food are great and the prices fair.Firpo: Coffee Culture
Venice is steeped in the coffee culture and boasts some of the most beautiful and historic coffee shops in the world.Allen: Beyond Rome
How do the "less-popular" Italian cities of Bologna and Milan compete with the glories of Rome?Firpo: Lake Como
Jan Bucher protects a four-generation-old torch as general manager of Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio on Lake Como.Pucci: Genoa
Genoa is ignored by tourists. It means you will have its seafronts and stacked-atop-itself attractions to yourself.Firpo: Rome Food
When I plan my days meandering in Rome, I am led by my stomach. First food and then art. Well, duh ...Firpo: Venice Spritz
The Venetian spritz has taken over the world, but do you know the real story behind Venice’s iconic aperitivo?Barnett: Harry's Bar
Sitting at the plank in Harry's Bar, made famous by Fellini's classic La Dolce Vita, reminds me how special the place is.Firpo: Rome Hotels
A new galaxy of five-star hotels opens in Rome. They're stylish, impressive--and quite pricy even for the Eternal City.Firpo: Modena
Welcome to Modena and Italy's Motor Valley. It's where the world's best (and handcrafted) cars are made.
Lollar: Too Bad About France
Knocking the French is always a popular sport, even as we adore their cities, crave their food and mimic their fashions.Pucci: Paris in the Winter
Winter is my favorite time of year in Paris. Airfares drop, hotels are half-full and museums aren't too crowded.Pucci: Paris in the Autumn
When the summer crowds depart, Paris is Paris again. It may be my favorite big city, especially in the late fall.Pucci: Paris in the Spring
Away from the tourist sites, Paris was not nearly as crowded as I expected. Only the Olympic barricades spoiled the visit.Bernstein: Monet's Giverny
Few places are as magical as the quant village of Giverny, just 50 miles from Paris. Can you see what Monet saw?Raffio: Eating Lyon
Lyon is where the world's most revered chef in modern history, Paul Bocuse, left his greatest and most lasting mark.Bernstein: In Champagne
Start in Épernay, the world’s champagne capital. Then journey to the homes of all the great Champagne housesMeena: Paris Grand
There's nothing casual about the pricy InterContinental Paris Le Grand. But it offers priceless experiences.Allen: Living Large in Paris
A frustrating truth about business travel to places like Paris? No time during the work week to enjoy what’s around you.Matthews: Paris Wins
I'm no Francophile. The charming song notwithstanding, April in Paris just does not work for me. But my wife ...Firpo: The Cannes Festival
Cannes is nothing like Hollywood. It's a busy beach town, but, when the Festival is on, it’s an all-day/all-night scene.Pucci: Life in Lille
Lille has many fine museums, including the massive Palais des Beaux-Arts, and a small museum devoted to Louis Pasteur.Abatemarco: Vieux Amis
A friendship defined my first time in Paris. The last time I saw Paris, he was somehow still there.Meena: Paris for All Budgets
Paris is a tricky hotel town, but there is lodging for all travel budgets. You can book cheap to over-the-top luxurious.Deutsch: Barging France
I now can share a friend's enthusiasm for the navigable rivers and canals of France that crisscross the countryside.Meena: Paris for Veg Heads
Foodies love Paris, of course, but, if you prefer vegetarian fare, you'll need this list to find the best meals.Raffio: Dining and Drinking
Who gets to eat and drink at some of the best places in La Ville Lumière without ever making a decision? Me!Meena: Perfect Paris Hotel
Stepping inside Maison Mère is like walking into an immaculately styled French daydream.Lollar: Hardware Heaven
BHV insists that there is more hardware for sale in its sous-sol (basement) than under any other roof on the planet.Fawcett: Paris Ablaze
Who do you know who's come to Paris and hasn't seen Notre Dame? Thirty thousand tourists come every day.Barnett: A Paris 'No Star'
The purposely little-known, 45-room Hotel des Bains won't force you to take out a loan when you check out.Firpo: Leonardo in the Loire
Everything about Leonardo da Vinci and his art screams Italy. So why did I trek all the way to France to find him?Pucci: Bordeaux Reborn
With a riverfront promenade and local markets, Bordeaux feels a little like Paris, minus the crowds and the prices.
Pucci: Trabzon, Turkey
A visit to the Black Sea coastal city of Trabzon is an immersion in a part of Turkey few Westerners know.Meena: Lapland
Of all the places where you can "visit" Santa Claus, Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is my favorite.Pucci: Bucharest
Bucharest is cleaner than ever, much cheaper than some large cities and less crowded than other European capitals.Danto: Oslo
Oslo surprises business travelers with its seamless blend of modernity, rich history and natural beauty.Meena: Barcelona
You can experience Sagrada Familia, the very best of Barcelona, without the huge crowds--and it's so worth it.McGarvey: Madrid
Want to learn to love and understand a great city? Walk it and look around. It's why I now love Madrid.Meena: Victoria Falls
Niagara Falls may astound you, but it has nothing on Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls. It is the wonder of southern Africa.Allen: Namibia
Sadly, the roads, the facilities and the management of Etosha National Park in Namibia have significantly deteriorated.Bernstein: Keukenhof
Spring is finally here and spring colors are everywhere. In the Netherlands, it means tulip time at Keukenhof.Meena: Puebla, Mexico
Looking for the authentic Cinco de Mayo spirit? Head straight to Puebla, Mexico’s fifth-largest city.Allen: Botswana
Driving directions in Botswana: See that elephant? Drive to it and turn left on the track to the village.Pucci: Hanoi
Cooking with a host in a small village outside Hanoi teaches you a lot about how locals look at life and farming.Meena: Luxor
Two days in Luxor? That's not a lot of time to dive into thousands of years of Egyptian culture.Pucci: Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is alive with modern and French colonial architecture, rooftop bars, street food and outdoor markets.Allen: Reykjavik
Iceland keeps Christmas trees up and twinkling lights on well into January. Because it's tradition--and it's dark.Meena: St. Moritz
The most glamorous part of skiing in St. Moritz might just be what happens after you take off your skis.Pucci: Cambodia
If you want to see the "real" Cambodia, please get out of the city. That is the advice I heard. So I listened.Allen: Seoul
Seoul's famed Gwangjang Market sells all manner of Korean delicacies from small eateries with al fresco benches.Meena: Alkmaar
Alkmaar is cheese country, Edam and Gouda to be exact. And it makes for a perfect day trip from Amsterdam.Allen: Havana
Visiting Havana doesn't lend itself to easy explanation and being in Cuba is difficult to process.Meena: Sharm el-Sheikh
There’s more to Egypt than Luxor and the pyramids. Sharm el-Sheikh along the shores of the Red Sea is divine.Firpo: Monte Carlo
The tiny beachfront principality of just three-quarters of a mile is the perfect setting for a weekend retreat.Allen: Iceland
We did not find ice in Iceland. It was like a real-life version of the Monty Python Cheese Shop sketch.Meena: Manila
Others say skip Manila, but I'm here to tell you the capital of the Philippines is worth your time.Allen: Roatán Island
Roatán Island, part of the Honduran Bay Island chain, is two short flights away. It's a nearby tropical paradise.
Danto: Leaving Las Vegas
Las Vegas hotels have raised prices, eliminated customer-friendly services and are squeezing visitors for cash.Pucci: Seattle
Seattle's Wing Luke Museum is where visitors learn about the culture, art and history of Asian Pacific Americans.Meena: Chicago Deep Dish
Pizza may have been invented in Naples, but it was Chicago that turned it into the ultimate comfort food.Bernstein: Wisconsin
One of Wisconsin’s natural wonders: the breathtaking Apostle Island ice caves in Bayfield.Meena: New York Hotels
New York has a complicated lodging scene. Here are six hotels for everyone from solo traveler to theater lover.Pucci: Kingston, WA
A fast cruise from Seattle is a budget-friendly way to explore the walkable waterside town of Kingston.Barnett: San Francisco Now
San Francisco is still shaky, but there is a slow, steady, mostly silent recovery under way. Honest.Pucci: Mt. Hood, Oregon
Mt. Hood, Oregon's tallest mountain, is a year-round outdoor destination. It offers visitors a wide array of activities.Danto: Avoiding New York
I was born and raised in New York, but the Big Apple now is an overcrowded and overpriced pain in the rear.Meena: American Markets
You don’t have to cross the Atlantic to shop great Christmas markets. There are fabulous ones here in the states.
Golfing Northern Ireland
Two delightful days at Cairndhu and Ardglass golf clubs prove that hauling clubs to Northern Ireland is a fine idea.I Hate Golf (Sorta)
Golf, how do I hate thee? Let me count the ways, the oh-so-many things that irk the golf curmudgeon in me.Portmarnock Resort
A small town just a short train ride from downtown Dublin is about to become a golf destination in its own right.Golf in the Dark
As Total Solar Eclipse mania sweeps across America in advance of a celestial event next month, I'll golf in the dark.Golfing Minnesota
Looking for a new golf destination for next year? Here’s one you probably haven’t considered: Minnesota.Pinehurst's Bounty
With nine regulation courses--and ten when a new one opens next year--the Pinehurst resort is a golfer's paradise.
Clams and Kennedy Airport
The "perfect" clam sauce comes from Don Peppe's close to New York's JFK Airport. I can almost duplicate it.Cook. Serve. Love.
Some food is good not because of how it tastes, but because of how it makes you feel. And who you serve it to.Tomato Time in Maine
It is, dare I say it, the best year ever for tomatoes here in my fertile ground on the Maine coast.Pesto alla Genovese
It isn't often that pasta and potatoes are paired in the same recipe. Then there's pesto alla Genovese.Ligurian Swordfish
Livorno is on the Ligurian Sea and, if I lived there, I'd eat an awful lot of this traditional Livornese swordfish dish.Like Butter ...
Hand-churning your butter may sound quaint and be nostalgic fun, but there's a reason they made the electric mixer.Pesto alla Portland
I have traveled all over Liguria, but the very best pesto is in my own hometown of Portland thanks to a Ligurian chef.
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