Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com and sponsored by Tours4Fun.com.

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Where to Get the World’s Best Service

Sometimes you don’t need to tip and can still expect great service. Shocking to us Westerners, but it is true. I remember restaurant owners refusing tips when I was in Bangkok. A plate of filling delicious food would be $2-$3 US and you want to show your gratitude by leaving something extra. That’s a no go in Thailand, Japan and many other places.

8 Ways To Secure Your Home While You Travel

These are all well and good but people better learn that social media can be your worst enemy when you travel. Going Europe for 6 six weeks? Don’t announce it to the world if you know your apartment will be empty. Might as well put a “ROB ME” sign on the door.

Travel Video of the Week
Crash course with a Priceline newbie

Using Travel Forums and Message Boards for Trip Planning

The best information comes from fellow travelers like yourself. Post a question, receive an answer. See a question you can answer? Go ahead and be helpful to someone else. The traveling public benefits from this type of sharing by making better trips for everyone.

Travel is Not a Contest (& Other Reasons to Embrace Slow Travel)

My round the world trip was built on speed. I had the opportunity and just had to hit all the spots I ever wanted to see. My second time around I would definitely go slower. Maybe stay a month in one location. One big benefit would be to save money. Constantly jumping into a plane, boat or bus to get to the next destination is very costly.

How to choose a reputable adventure travel company or guide

Ask ask ask a lot of questions and get recommendations if you can. This is where the blogs and message boards come in very handy. Why spend your money blindly when someone else has had the experience already?

Five Ways to Help Your Car Survive Extreme Heat

Summer is going to be hell on your car. No one wants to be on the side the of road with smoke billowing out from under the hood. Check your fluids and belts too. Best best is to take in you car in the spring for a good check up before hitting the roads in the summer.

Taking the stress out of summer travel with children

The kids are out of school. That does not mean you and your kids need to go to crazy trying to get to the family vacation. Take some easy tips to lessen the pressure of traveling with kids, and prevent the evil stares of other travelers.

How to vacation like the President

American Preisdents always seem to have the coolest vacation spots. Where do they go and what do they do when they get there? Now you can too…without the Secret Service protection and the weight of the world on your shoulders…

How to haggle to save money in Europe

I thought Europe was a no-haggle zone, much like the United States. Guess not. Every culture has their own way of doing it. Take some tips and save the cash.

How to Beat the High Costs of Dialing Abroad

How do you stay in communication when you travel internationally? The tech savvy probably have Skype or Google Voice set up. All they need is a WiFi connection and you’re set for cheap or free calls. Others opt for a cheap or unlocked cell phone and then buy SIM cards from local carriers. I’ve done both and work for your needs wherever you are.

8 tips to save you money on cruises

I keep saying I’m going to do a cruise, and I keep collecting posts like these hoping I’ll be able to use these tips myself. In the meantime, you use them and tell us how they work out for you.

Don’t steal the hotel towels… they’re electronically tagged with traceable microchips!

Is theft really that bad that they have to go to what I consider extreme measures to ensure towels don’t leave the building? For those of you who like to “collect” towels and robes from hotels, have you considered how many times that piece of cotton has been washed and touched the nether regions of hundreds of people prior to you?

Murder at the Met? Museum games lure would-be sleuths

Looks like fun for those of you who want to live your “Law and Order” detective fantasies…

Tours4Fun is your one stop shop for guided tours in the USA and round the world. Please support NoDebtWorldTravel.com by visiting our sponsor.

Best Travel Deals and News – August 9, 2011 – How To Save Money On Cruises, Vacation Like a US President, Using Priceline to Buy Travel, How to Hire A Travel Guide is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

The Joy of Getting Lost While You Travel

Getting lost in this case, means not memorizing all the facts and hotspots for a location before you get there. Hit the ground and then go with the flow. I always like to at least have a place to sleep when I arrive somewhere, but that’s about it. Unless you want to make sleeping in the airport or in a park part of your adventure…

Top 10 Hottest New Travel Gadgets from CES 2011

Why didn’t I think of that? Carry-on luggage that turns into a seat?! When you’re on the line waiting for that delayed flight why should your body suffer. Transform that luggage into furniture. Love it.

Travel Video of the Week
Vera Silva, Portuguese Flight Attendant, Gets Proposed To On An Airplane
Cute.

Some good news –> No U.S. airline fatalities in 2010

The lack of control in the air always makes people feel like they could die when they take a plane ride. And technically they are right. But they would be better off saving the extra prayers and nervous stomachs for their next car trip. You are much more likely to die in a passenger car than in a plane. But it’s hard to get away from that feeling of being so high when in car you can stop and get out.

Top 10 Museums in the US for Families

The Smithsonian Air and Space in DC is one of my favorite museums in the world. Historic planes and other vehicles fill the halls. As a traveler I think you really have to appreciate all the machines that actually transport you to those wonderful places you visit around the world.

Cause even Kim Jong-il wants to have fun… Inside North Korea’s Theme Parks

Not like I’m booking a flight to visit North Korea and its amusement parks, but I find it intereting that some semblance of ‘fun’ is attempted in a country in reportedly such dire straits. I know that foreigners are not allow to roam the country and talk to people by themselves, but the author could not even get on the rides by himself. He had a North Korean handler with him everywhere. What did he think the roller coaster was going to give up state secrets?

Best Destinations for Solo Women Travelers

Solo women travelers are concerned about their safety. The successful solo woman traveler understands where she is and adjusts but does not let that stop her from traveling. Some good tips to prepare the ladies for hitting the road.

20 of the world’s greatest travel adventures

Genghis Khan warrior training in Mongolia. Gorilla watching in Rwanda. Skydive in the face of Mount Everest. Not exactly budget options but if you save enough on budget travel, you can sprurge on something more expensive every once in a while.

What Are the Rules When You’re Getting Crushed in Your Seat by the Passenger Next to You?

Most airlines have the rule that a passenger who can’t clip a seat belt extender around them must buy two seats. But what happens to you, the person who is jammed into the window or armrest when someone overflows into your chair. You can obviously to be moved but if the plane is full like many are these days, you may really be stuck, literally and figuratively.

How to Meet People on the Road Without Staying in a Hostel

I love hostels because they are the easy way to meet new people. It’s just the way they are built. Common areas, lots of flyers with things to do, a shared kitchen, they just lend themselves to conversation. But what if you’re not staying in one. Back in a hotel? Maybe you’re camping or staying with family? Renting a house or apartment? You don’t have to lose out on the great social interaction that comes from being in a hostel.

Advice for getting single supplement waived when you travel

Great advice to keep more money in your pocket when you decide to do that trip by yourself. The travel industry is slowly recognizing the single traveler, but you can’t wait for them to wake up. Use the tips and get that trip in.

Ten Places You Never Thought You Could Afford but Probably Can

ANY place is affordable. Some places just require a little more work to find the best deals. I can tell you from personal experience that Hawaii and Morocco, both mentioned in the article, are very affordable. Two big factors: where will you stay and what will you do when you get there. If you decide to stay in a chic hotel and eat in a metal utensil establishment every night, of course you won’t come home with any money. The question is are you willing to put your money into a hotel room or expensive meals or bypass that and focusing more on experiences with other people, eating where the locals are, etc.

5 Things Airfare Shoppers Need to Know to Find Cheap Flights

Tuesday afternoon at 3PM Eastern. That’s when you should buy a plane ticket. This and four other easy to follow tips should help you to maximize your savings when purchasing plane tickets.

Is it really dangerous to use a cell phone on a plane?

There will be debates about this until we are all blue in the face. I think the airlines could see this as a revenue stream. Charge people for using their cellphones. They do it already for Internet access, though the jury is out on how many people actually use the service. I still see the days of ‘air rage’ coming when someone’s inane conversation will cause a passenger to snap and beat someone with a food tray.

iPhone Apps for Cruise Information

For those of you who are cruise fanatics, some iPhone apps to help you enjoy the experience even more.

Best Travel Deals and News – January 25, 2011 – iPhone Apps for Cruises, Best Travel Gadgets, Avoid the Single Supplement When You Travel Solo is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Europe Without Hotels
From loyal reader Karen

This could have been titled ‘Anywhere without Hotels’ because the principles are the same. You rent an apartment, condo, house or even a single bedroom from a homeowner who has the spare space. The renter gets a comfortable place at a significant discount, the owner get money in his/her pocket. This is a great win/win situation for everyone involved. The hospitality industry doesn’t like it because they are losing business and have started to lobby against it in New York. As the concept picks up steam, except more protests from the industry.

Three Cruise Lines for Solo Travelers

Solo travelers always seem to get the short end of the stick whenever group trips or cruises are involved. Cruises ships are built for two people per cabin and have to charge you the single supplement or double to make for the lost revenue. Cruise lines are now catering to the single traveler with cabins for singles and events and activities to bring them together on board. Just because you board the ship alone doesn’t mean you have to leave alone, and pay an arm and a leg for the experience. The global recession has taught everyone that you have to cater to every market. Solo travelers are usually folks who plan their own trips and normally don’t do cruises. Cruise lines are hoping that changes.

Bangkok update: is it safe to go now?

I posted my thoughts about Thailand before and here is a more recent summary of the situation and one opinion about whether to visit now. It’s a contentious issue depending on who you talk to. It all goes back to the comfort level one feels. As of this writing, things are quiet in Bangkok, but the underlying issues remain.

Travel Video of the Week
Honduran Adventure
Fellow travel blogger Daniela of Diaries of a Backpacker documents her global adventures in video format. Here is her latest, a trip to Honduras. It is amazing that anyone with a computer, some time and a vision can create video that look as good as what you see on broadcast television. Everyone can record in HD with a simple $100 camera.

Order a pizza, become an airport security screener

The sheer number of airports and fliers in the United States means you can’t really be picky when looking for TSA screeners. But to put it on pizza boxes just means you’re looking for someone who is upright and breathing. Not the best way to ensure that our flights are safe or that folks hired will get/comprehend the proper training to make them an effective front line defense for the airways.

15 Practical Tips for Families Traveling Abroad

For all my parents out there (hey Adia!) you’re not stuck only going on road trips or flying within your own country. With a little planning…OK, a little more than a little planning…you can head anywhere in the world. Great practical ideas like power of attorney, letter of consent, what to bring and even schooling if you’re going to be away that long.

The Best Geek Hotels in the World in 2010

I love this post as a geek and I think I’ll have to hit some of these spots myself. My needs are real basic at this point. Free WiFi and a clean bed/room. That’s it. Really. Start me there and everything else is gravy. But some of this stuff is pretty hot. Telescopes for rent for the budding astronomer, flat screen TVs and BlueRay players, Netflix and Hulu. How about using your smartphone to open your door as opposed to a key or swipe card? I could probably write an entire blog post about that…

Best (and Worst) Travel Discount Programs

CityPass is a great deal in major metropolitan areas, granted that you can get enough time to see everything to make it worth the money. This story also goes over other programs to give a yea or nay. As with most blog posts, you’ll find alot of great information in the comments. Take the time and read them. I find you’ll get alot a great tips from the comments generated off the post you’re reading.

Travel Deals and News – July 20, 2010 – Tips for Family Travel, Traveling Honduras, Geek Hotels, Solo Travelers Can Cruise Too is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

23 Reasons to Hit the Road Again

Do you really need any reason to travel? Perhaps. Let this list help you move your body to your next destination.

Common Pick-Pocket Schemes

I love the diagrams in this post and sometimes visualizing it helps make the concepts clearer. One of the commenters noted that in Guatemala someone used pepper spray to distract/blind the victim to steal. To me that is grounds for a beating by the victim if the perp(s) is ever caught. Water, soda, ketchup, mustard but pepper spray??? Taking it too far to steal my wallet!

Travel Video of the Week
Spanish Bullfighter Gored
WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES
I think that is the first time I’ve used that phrase on this blog. Don’t click through if you have a weak stomach.
Bullfighter Julio Aparicio was gored through the throat during this match in Madrid. This speaks to how different cultures react to the same event. Many Spaniards consider this another day in the life of a bullfighter. Other outside of Spain consider this karma for the torture the bull goes through as the spears are jabbed into his back during the bullfight.

Travel and the Thirty-Something Midlife Crisis

This post speaks to a lot of people who say: Is this all there is? School, work, apt/house, get married, work work some more until your retire (if you can retire), then die. Have these thoughts crossed your mind? This post is for you.

Crazy cruise: 7 absurdities of the seas

Some things you should consider before your next cruise. Whatever you do, don’t miss the cruise ship’s departure. If you’re in the US, you could held up by an old outdated law that prevents you from boarding the ship any place but the original intended departure point.

How to take your first road trip with a newborn baby

What happens when a happy traveler has a baby? Well nothing really. You should be able to still travel with your new bundle of joy. You have to plan a little more, but having a child does not mean your travels will/should be curtailed. In fact, it can spur you to different places you might not have considered.

TSA Response to “Pushy fliers may show up on TSA’s radar”

There was a story about the TSA creating a list of folks who causes trouble at airports. The initial report brought a rush of questions: Who’s on this list? Who gets to see the list? Will raising your voice or arguing with a TSA agent get you on the list? What are the consequences of being on the list?

The TSA saw all the rumors and tried to correct it in a post on their own blog. You don’t get put on the naughty list unless the police is called or you get arrested at the terminal. Either way, the key is: Behave yourself at the airport and on planes.

Royal Caribbean employee allegedly broke into homes of passengers

You can never tell who you are giving your information to. This travel agent, who actually worked for Royal Caribbean, knew exactly when you’d be out of town on a cruise, and would rob your home.

Top Six Reasons to Fly on Your Summer Vacation Travels

With all the news of fees, delays and lines, some good reasons why you should take off.

Airline Crash Update: Time for a Global Blacklist?

The number of airline fatalities has stopped falling and leveled off. In response many are calling for a global blacklist of airlines that have a higher accident/fatality rate. The European Union already has a blacklist but there is no globally recognized list so far. That might continue until there is a rash of crashes that make people rethink that.

Tips for Avoiding the Masses at National Parks This Summer

For folks who are visiting the US or traveling through, national parks are a great diversion from the big cities. Simple, easy ideas on how to make your national park experience more enjoyable.

6 Bizarre Eating Rituals Around the World

Love this article. Want to get to know a culture? HOW they eat is just as interesting as what they eat. We are different, but we are the same. Just remember to drink some extra soda in Egypt and leave something on the plate in China, amongst other things.

Best Travel Deals and News – June 15, 2010 – Bizarre Eating Rituals, Reasons to Hit the Road, Tips for Cruises, TSA Naughty List, How to Travel With a Baby is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Five far-flung tourist gems you can only get to by boat

So much is done by air we forget that boating is one of the basic forms of human travel.

South Africa Scores!

South Africans talk about the best places to visit. The World Cup begins and so do all the stories about South Africa. Good luck SA, I hope you pull off the games without a hitch.

The Most Unusual Dunkin Donuts From Around The World

Time to make the doughnuts!
Much like McDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts has specialty items for different parts of the USA and the world. Dry Pork and Seaweed in China?

10 Ways To Get Yourself Mugged While Backpacking…

So true. Flashing cash and having a camera dangling fron your neck might as was well have a neon sign above your head saying mug me.

Five More Travel Myths You Should Ignore

I tend to agree with this, but one I won’t is driving in a foreign country. Road signs in a foreign language, driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road, animals popping out for road kill surprise, there are a lot of reason I avoid driving abroad.

What really happens aboard a ‘cougar cruise’?

Oh boy…

British Airways lets Osama Bin Laden try their new mobile boarding pass solution

Bad decision BA. John Smith didn’t suffice? Sally Jones?

Travel Video of the Week
Hawaii Parkour Mascot – Unleashed HD
Technically not a travel story, but something that caught my eye…

Tips for Teaching English in Brazil

I came across this article and it is agreat info for anyone who has Brazil on the brain and has thought about relocating to teach English.

Just How Big is Australia Anyway?

Australia is about the size of the United States, with a population of 20 million vs. over 300 million for the United States. Plenty of room to spread out.

10 of the Best Places to go in the Philippines

If the Philippines is not on your list of places to visit, consider it.You’ve got to be able to find something to do in a country comprised of 7107 different islands.

Best Travel Deals and News – June 8, 2010 – World Cup South Africa, Cougar Ships, What to See In the Philippines, Dont Get Mugged When Traveling is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Here is PART 2 of my review of the 2010 New York Times Travel Show at the Javits Center in New York City.

Here’s PART 1 if you missed it.

The Frommers had another session later on in the afternoon called

“What’s Right and What’s Wrong in Travel”

5 things Arthur Frommer liked

Airline Aggregators
Related to the video I posted before. The advantages cheaper prices and impartiallity because these sites don’t book for you. The two mentioned were Momondo and Dohop.

Hostels
Hostels are a cheap way to save, avoid the hotel costs and fees and interact with more people. Frommer mentioned Hostelbookers. I have used Hostelworld [aff link] with much success.

Amtrak
Comparing the American railway system to the European is like apples and oranges. The Europeans are interconnected not only through discount airlines, but an extensive rail system. Amtrak is making moves to bring the level of service up to par with the Europeans, especially with the population of the United States expected to increase by over 100 million people in the next 30 years. All these people can’t be on the highway or in the air…at least hopefully they won’t. This is where Amtrak should/would come in.

Elimination of Museum Fees
The UK is famous for having most of its museums and galleries open and free at all times for everyone. Arthur Frommer really likes this idea and hopes it will spread all over the world, especially to the United States.

Survival for budget airlines
Many people complain that the quality of air travel has gone down, partially because air travel was once limited to the elite. The lowering of prices means everyone can fly. Prices are low, but that means things won’t be perfect. OK, a lot of things won’t be perfect…

5 things Pauline Frommer liked

Alternative Accommodations
The use of vacation homes and condos as rentals is big now. Especially with the glut of properties built during the global real estate boom. Now all those homeowners need to pay the mortgage or lose it in foreclosure. Better to rent out than to lose it completely. Some sites recommended are Vacation Rentals By Owner, FlipKey.com and Rentalo.com

Willing Workers on Organic Farms is one that mentioned for doing work for accomodations.

Sleep in the Hay is the equivalent to find a farmstay in the United States.

For hotel reservations she recommends Hotels Combined and Dealbase to get the best prices.

Vacation/Hospitality Exchange
If you have an apartment or home and you’re on vacation, why not trade with someone else? For examples you stay in their home in London, while they stay in your home Brazil. Home Exchange is an example of this. Couchsurfing.com and GlobalFreeloaders.com provide you the means to connect with someone and sleep on a couch or spare bedroom. The great thing is you get to live and interact with locals on a deeper level than just passing them in the street on the way to the hostel/hotel.

Volunteer Vacations
Use your time to not only be a tourist, but do good wherever you are in the world. Two examples.
Love sea turtles – SeaTurtles.org
As mentioned before WWooF.org

Small Group Adventure
As mentioned before by Arthur Frommer getting a group of less than 12 people with a guided tour and using small buses or even public transportation is the way to go. Some organizations Pauline listed for you to check out include
Gap Adventures
Intrepid Travel
Djoser
Adventure Center

Cruise Prices Drop
The reason for the prices drops is that when the world economy was rolling, cruise lines ordered mega ships with a ton of rooms. Now they have to fill those cabins in a global recession. How do you do that? You drop the price until people start showing up at the docks ready to hit the open seas.

Never book from the cruise lines directly. Use a cruise specialist travel agent or a site like CruiseCompete.com

OnlineVacationCenter.com this another site used to book cruises.

Now for the bad…Things Arthur Frommer didn’t like about travel…

Cruise Ships as Amusement Parks
Arthur Frommer went into a LONG 10 minute rant about cruise ships being turned into amusement parks on water. He’s wholly against the zip lines, climbing walls, casinos and essentially anything that takes away from the ability to lay out on lounge chair in the sun with a book, or better yet, interacting with your fellow passengers.

Lack of Vacation Time
Frommer wants to start the ‘League for Longer Vacations’, a lobby group to persuade US legislators to make a minimum 3 week vacation MANDATORY for all Americans. Compared to Europeans and Australians who generally start with 4 weeks minimum and up, Americans are in the Dark Ages when it comes to time off.

Airport Security
Not much needed to explain there, do we? Long lines, body scanners, sometimes rude guards…

Rise in Hotel Fees
Hotels charging you for anything and everything they can get away with. Fees for Internet access, bellhops you didn’t use, the room safe you never used, etc. Start using the alternative accomodations we’ve talked about.

Corporate Jets
Jets of big business execs and wealthy individuals, according to Frommer, are clogging the air and slowing down traffic at the airports. He advocates more regulation of them.

The things that Pauline Frommmer didn’t like about travel

Overwhelmed Tourists Sites
Pauline relates being in Greece at the Parthenon in summer and unable to move because it was so crowded. She’s a big advocate of going in the offseason of the country you want to visit. Smaller crowds, cheaper prices and a more enjoyable experience.

Cuba Restricted for Americans
Still legally closed off to Americans, but there are ways around it. Read on.

Car Rentals
Car rental companies are getting as ridiculous as hotels in terms of fees. Pauline advocates using Priceline.com and Hotwire.com to get the best prices on a rental car.

Visa Fees
The USA is charging $130 to enter and other countries are charging US citizens reciprocal fees to enter their countries. The fees should be dropped to make it easier for tourists to enter. For a family of 4, that is another $500 on top of everything else you’ve paid to enter the good ole US of A.

“Travelers 411″ 

with Stephanie Abrams talked about airport customs, airline regulations and the like.

Her suggestions

Her mantra for travel – Flexibility, Wisdom and Patience

If you have problems at a hotel, don’t talk to the manager. Talk to the General Manager.

Instead of using the airport parking lots which charge $25 and up per day, use the nearby hotels. They charge half what the airports do, provide free shuttles to terminals and can even wash and detail your car. Check out LongTermParking.com or AirportParking.com for coupons and deals.

When your flight is delayed, Abrams recommends the following

- Check in anyway or you may be at the bottom of the list when they do eventually board
- Don’t walk away from the gate in case the situation changes
- If you know for sure that you’re not going to be leaving anytime soon, go to a hotel lobby and sleep as opposed to on the terminal floor

“Travel Writing 201″ 

with Max Hartshorne and Kent St. John of GoNomad.com and Julia Dimon of Travel Junkie Julia discussed something many travelers think about: How do I do make money off of travel? The first thing people think of is writing. The takeaway is that it is difficult to break into the industry, but with social media and blogs, you have to be consistent and persistent to get your name out there.

Print media is much harder to get your foot in the door. If you want to published, use of the travel websites first –> 50 Travel Magazines That Want to Publish Your Writing

“Cuba: Opening the Door for U.S. Travelers”

was a panel discussion that basically told us what most of us know: you can go to Cuba, but you’re not suppose to spend any US dollars there. The hypocrisy of the situation is lost on no one, since other countries fly to Cuba and the US allows travel to Communist countries without any problems.

The way Americans get around it right now is by not getting their passports stamped by Cuba. Flying in from Jamaica, Mexico, Canada and other Caribbean countries is not restricted. Simple as that.

Panelist John McAuliff from the Fund for Reconciliation and Development wrote me and asked that I make the corrections below. In his words:

Pauline Frommer is the source of the 6 years without a prosecution by the US govt on an American visitor to Cuba.  The information I have is no individual travelers in at least two years have been sanctioned, and no cases resolved that appealed for a hearing.  Also I did not advise that people admit it if asked by the Treasury Department.  I think they should refuse to acknowledge anything to OFAC (U.S. Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control) if it starts going after violators again and ask for a hearing.  I said people should say on their immigration form that they had been to Cuba in fulfillment of their rights as an American.

Some on the panel expect the ban to be lifted by next year…but then again some thought it would have been lifted last year, when the restrictions were taken off of Cuban family members in America.

Go to Open Cuba to sign a petition to lift the restrictions and let all Americans drop in and pay Fidel a visit - opencuba.org

So there you have it. Some of the more interesting tidbits from the New York Times Travel Show 2010. Of course I couldn’t cover everything myself, so if you were there and have some great information you’d like to share or agree/disagree with something said, drop it in the comments below.

Photo Credit Danielle Scott
Photo Credit Global Jet
Photo Credit MattPhipps

Couldn’t Be There? New York Times Travel Show Review – Part 2 is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

I have never been on a cruise. *GASP* I know, I feel like the only person who hasn’t. And I would have never figured I could get on cruise to continue my round the world trip. But there is a way anyone can cruise the Seven Seas, and save a tremendous amount of money to boot.

Cruise lines have what they call “repositioning cruises” in the spring and fall. This means the ship moves to warmer weather when the sailing season for one part of the world is over.

For example, a ship that normally cruises the Mediterranean for the summer may go to Florida or South America to avoid the European winter and cruise the Caribbean or Brazil. A ship that tours Alaska may head out to Hawaii, the California coast or the Mexican Rivera for the winter and go back to Alaska when things thaw out.

There are even trans-Pacific repositioning cruises – from Vancouver to Beijing!

Cruise lines HAVE to move their ships regardless. So they cut prices to fill the ship for a ONE-WAY voyage.

These ships still make stops at ports of call along they way. Look at the end of the post for examples.

An Alternative to One Way Flights – Repositioning Cruises is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Travel news and deals of interest to YOU from around the Web compiled and edited by NoDebtWorldTravel.com

If you know any great travel stories or tips we all should read, please send it to me and I will put an acknowledgment of your contribution in the posting.

Help Haiti through your travel connections: donate miles, points, money

Some more ways you can help Haiti. There will be more creative ways to help the people of Haiti, as this process of recovery and healing for the island nation will be happening for years to come.

Blame Canada: The Travel Detective on New Security Rules

Has anyone else encountered this? Canada limiting you to one small carry-on…and that’s it. In other words, no normal sized briefcases, no carry-on luggage that was fine a few weeks ago.

This forces you to check items you planned on taking on board with you, notably laptops, netbooks, cameras and other electronics. Bad for you, good for luggage handlers who would “misplace” your equipment. Briefcases though? Really?

Let’s see if this holds up with the Winter Olympics in Vancouver in a few weeks.

Blame it all on the Crotchbomber!

10 tips for avoiding the single supplement

If you travel solo you’ve run into the ‘single supplement’ when you’ve taken a group or package trip. It’s a fee tacked on because you’re not sharing a room in a hotel or cruise ship. Most accommodations were meant for double occupancy, and travel firms will get their money one way or another.

Obviously the best way to avoid this is to travel independently and book everything yourself. Sometimes you don’t have the time or the inclination to do that. Some other ideas on how to get around this extra cost.

This Week’s Travel Video
Namibia is one of those countries that didn’t come up on my radar until I had a friend start working there. Then I started seeing more about it. I always like to encourage people to visit countries on the African continent besides the usual suspects: Egypt, South Africa, Morocco, Kenya – all great places but there is so much diversity you are missing. Check it out.

Meet Mikey, 8: U.S. Has Him on Watch List

Just shows the issue with watch lists. If your name matches someone who is on a watch list, you are automnatically selected for additional screening EVERYTIME you fly, even though you’ve been repeatedly proven to not be the person they are looking for.

An 8 year old Cub Scout is obviously a different person than the one deemed a potential threat. Is there any way to have a picture, a birthdate, a description of the person with airport counter agents and security so that the innocent are not needlessly pulled aside everytime? Make no sense.

Delta and Continental to Charge More for Checked Bags

Remember the airlines like to play copycat. If you hear your favorite airline is raising prices on checked luggage you know which airlines started it first, so you know who to blame.

How to travel in style from Italy to Brazil for under £270? On an 18-day cruise…

This story talks about “repositioning cruises”, which are one-way trips ships need to do at the start and end of cruise season. So a ship that cruises the Mediterranean during the summer heads to South America for the winter and won’t come back to Europe until the next spring. Rather than steam south empty, cruise lines cut prices to fill the ships and drop passengers on a one way ticket to Brazil.

FYI – £270 = ~$450

A Gangland Bus Tour, With Lunch and a Waiver

I am conflicted about this. Why would I consider touring the favelas of Brazil but I don’t think I would tour these same types of areas of Los Angeles. Is it because Brazil is different and more ‘exotic’? Or is it because I don’t want to be reminded of these conditions in my own country?

Top Ten Tricks for Getting the Flights You Want with the Miles You Have

Excellent way to cut the cost of your next flight is to utilize those frequent flier miles. Airlines make it harder to redeem and sometimes let them expire if you don’t use them within a certain amount of time or follow some other arcane rules.

Businessman sues BA ‘for treating men like perverts’

This is something new. British Airways patrols the aisles before flights and if there is a male passenger sitting next to an unaccompanied child, BA asks the male passenger to move to a different seat. Presumably to prevent child abuse?

Best Travel News and Deals – January 19, 2010 – Haiti, Beat the Single Supplement, See Namibia, Frequent Flyer Miles, More Charges for Checked Bags is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel