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.

Happiness May Mean Not Being Home for the Holidays

Need another reason to get away? How about your sanity? Some of you dread the holidays because you have to be around family that you can’t get along with or just plain can’t stand. Do yourself a favor and get away. Give your family enough advance notice to realize that you won’t be there and take off to some place far away…or at least far away from them.

Tips for Traveling Couples

Want to bring you and your boo together? Go someplace neither one of you have been. No one in the couple has the advantage of knowing more than the other and NEW experiences will give you plenty to share and talk about. Build the bonds while traveling.

Travel Video of the Week
Solo Travel Safety Tips
Safety of solo travelers, especially of solo females, is always a top concern, and one of the biggest reasons many won’t travel. But I like to say that if you’re waiting for a friend or family member to come along, you may never leave. Keep these tips in mind as you plan your next trip alone. There are never guarantees in life. Just prepare as best you can, and take the trip you’ve always wanted.

10 Days in Japan With No Bags: Final Thoughts

If you’re not doing anything formal, it is quite possible to travel without any baggage, checked or carry-on. That is probably an extreme for most people but it just goes to show how much we overpack to begin with. When it isn’t clothes we are starting to get bogged down with electronics. Cell phones, laptops, netbooks, iPads and tablets, all things that need to be tracked and have their own travel cases and chargers.

If you’re on this list, you won’t get screened by the #TSA – Do you qualify?

The list grows longer and longer as individuals and interest groups say that they shouldn’t have to be screened. OK, but who’s controlling the list and where do you draw the line?

Ask a Critic of the T.S.A. to Suggest His Own Method for Thwarting Terrorism in the Skies, and You’ll Usually Be Met with Utter Silence

Are you a chicken or fine with living in terror if you support the TSA and their methods for screening passengers? Apparently you are, if you read some of the comments on Arthur Frommer’s blog. I think alot of people look at the Israeli method of screening passengers as the way America should do it, but there is some major differences. Israel has fewer airports, fewer passengers and needs fewer HIGHLY trained screeners at airports. US airports handle 1-2 million people a day.

Tips for Traveling with Children Who Have Allergies

I think adults with allergies would learn from these tips too.

How can you tell which @TripAdvisor reviews to trust?

That seems to be the question as TripAdvisor wields a lot of power among travelers looking for an opinion from what they assume are other impartial travelers. But what happens when hotels and other travel companies plant good reviews? Or when travelers with an axe to grind plant bad reviews? How do you discern reasonable reviews from those that are faked or over the top critical?

Report: Royal Caribbean considering cabins for singles on cruise ships

And I say about time! The cruise industry is realizing they are missing out on solo travelers who would love to take a cruise but who don’t want to pay a single supplement or share a room with a stranger.

A List of US and Canadian Airports (Plus Some Others) with Full-Body Scanners

The vast majority of airports in the US still don’t have the full-body scanners, so the vast majority of Americans probably haven’t been through one yet.

Americans Have Few Rights Traveling Overseas

Be careful and have travel insurance. Those are your two main guards against trying to file a claim against a foreign entity. When you want to take a claim to court, you are at the mercy of a foreign court system, that may not follow what you deem to be ‘fair and blind justice’.

Jet-lag causes long term memory loss: study

I can absolutely believe this. Read on for ways to slow jet lag’s effect on your body and brain.

How to get through airport security fast

Belts off, jewelry off, piercings out, loose change out of pockets – BEFORE you get to the security line. You’d think people would know this by know. But apparently they don’t….

Job loss leaves fliers desperate for a refund

In this case, the couple was lucky that they had a consumer advocate from USA Today on their side. You and I probably wouldn’t be so lucky. Your best bet is travel insurance, which can cover financial hardship, as well as missed flights and medical emergencies.

Babies on Airlines: Safety Seats Are Safer Than a Lap…But Much More Expensive
Babies on laps are cheaper, but ultimately more dangerous. With finances the way they are, more parents and guardians will take the chance that nothing will happen on a flight, as opposed to paying for another seat.

Best Travel Deals and News – November 30, 2010 – Which Airports Have Full-Body Scanners, Why You Should Get Away from Your Family for the Holidays, Tips for Traveling Couples, Solo Travel Safety Tips is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

The expected protest over the TSA’s full-body scanners and enhanced pat-downs seems to have completely fizzled. But not necessarily for the reasons you think. Many reports say that the full-body scanners at many airports were turned OFF for Thanksgiving Eve.

So was the TSA not concerned about an explosive getting on board a flight during one of the biggest flight days of year or are the full-body scanners not really needed at all?? If you can turn them off one day can’t you turn them off everyday? Hmmmm….

Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com went to LAX and went throught the pat-down and the body scan. He was able to record it for the cameras. Once you get past the initial commercial in the video, you can see what you may experience the next time you head to the airport.

People worried about TSA agents having some fun with your photos? These are outlines of your body. Nothing recognizable in the traditional sense will be available.

The concern about radiation – That could be a legitimate concern, especially for people who have/had cancer or in some type of chemotherapy right now. Pilots, flight attendants and frequent fliers who would be subject to the screenings many more times than the average traveler may be concerned. But this is like the debate about whether cell phones cause cancer. We really won’t know the answer for another 10-20 years.

The TSA is really on top of social media and is out there on Twitter and with their own blog. They address what they deem myths about pat-down and full body scanners here at TSA Myth or Fact: Leaked Images, Handcuffed Hosts, Religious Garb, and More!

So…everyone says that the USA should follow the Israeli model of airport screening. Highly trained professionals who look for physical and psychological signs that you may be a problem rather than being as invasive as a full body scan or a pat-down – Why the Israeli airport security model can’t work for the U.S.

And finally there have been rumblings about moving screening not from just airports, but all types of public transportation within the United States. Secretary of Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said we may have to secure other points of public transportation. She never outright said that full-body scanners and/or pat-downs would be deployed in new places. Check the video here and skip to 12:28 of the video.

The Aftermath of National Opt Out Day – What a TSA Enhanced Pat-Down Looks Like – The Truth About Airport Body Scanners? 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.

Tarmac-delay rule gives air travelers more respect

After a JetBlue flight was held 9 hours on a runway in New York with little food or water and poor bathroom conditions, a groundswell of support for a “Passengers Bill of Rights” came about. This is one of the effects. Passengers do not worry about waiting on the tarmac for takeoff. Airlines know that they will be heavily fined on a flight held for 3 hours or more. More flights are being cancelled, but at least fliers are back at the terminal, where they can wait comfortably or make other arrangements.

Vegas hotels want you to pimp their deals on Twitter to get rewards

Send out a bunch of tweets for a company and you may get rewards for it. Why that any different that someone paying you to keep a sign on your car? I don’t think it is that much different. If your Twitter followers don’t like it they can/will unfollow you.

Travel Video of the Week
Cebu Airlines Dancing Flight Attendants
If you want passengers to pay attention to your safety demonstrations, you better do something unusual. I do believe this counts as unusual…

15 Ways to Fly Like a VIP (Without Paying VIP Prices)

Some of these tips are counterintuitive, like travel at peak times with the hopes of being bumped to the next flight with better seats, maybe even some cash in your pocket for your troubles. Not all the other tips are that unorthodox, but you’ve got to be willing to do some new things to get the coveted upgrades.

Time to Tell the Truth – China was the most Frustrating Travel Experience of my Life

Travel is not always perfect and stressfree. This was so the case with this traveler, who’s experience in China was marred by two main issues – a language barrier and a food barrier – she is a vegetarian. Being a vegetarian can be difficult anywhere but to be in a country where there always seems to be some type of animal on your dish must throw you off. If you have allergies or food you won’t eat, read her article to see how she got around it and never had a problem ordering a meal again.

Five Hard Truths About Long-Term Travel

While long term travel is the dream for many, it does have it’s drawbacks. I’d be willing to say the pros outweigh the cons and I’d bet other long terms travelers would say the same. But you should go in with your eyes wide open.

iPhone? Fly often? Use Delta, AA iPhone apps and win a million frequent flyer miles

Frequent flyer miles are harder to accumulate and redeem but American and Delta Airlines are trying to give you a chance to jumpstart your opportunity for free tickets, upgrades and all the advantages of lots of miles. The catch is that you must use their iPhone apps, which means they will be able to collect information on you to sell you more tickets.

Top 5 Countries to Visit on the U.S. State Department’s Warning List

The US State Department’s warnings should be looked at but always taken with a grain of salt. The five countries listed are all interesting and beautiful in their own right, but have some type of internal strife that would scare off a lot of travelers. Nothing to be ashamed of, but always try to understand the circumstances and see whether they apply to you.

How To Travel For Free in the U.S.A.

Sure there is such a thing as free transportation in the United States. You just have to know where to look for it. Well… now you know where to look.

Flying Safely With Small Children

Passengers are not required to buy seats for children until they turn 2 and airlines do not charge passengers for checking car seats to use on planes. So why don’t more parents use this to their advantage to protect children on flights? Probably because the odds of something happening are so small that they feel it is not worth the hassles of carrying a car seat with a small human who can alternate between drooling, screaming and cooing at any moment.

Best Travel Deals and News – September 28, 2010 – Dancing Flight Attendants, Bad Side of Long Term Travel, Flying with Small Kids, Frustration in China, How to Get Airline Upgrades 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

Volcanic Dangers: Why It Has to Be Avoided

The Iceland Eyjafjallajökull volcano is causing havoc with everything from flowers from Kenya not being sold to British students not being able to get back to school. With losses in the millions per day, the fear is that some of the weaker airlines may not be able to survive the lost revenue much longer. That and the fact there are so many people still stranded may be forcing the airlines to try to force the EU to open up the skies to traffic.

But past experiences with planes and volcanic ash show that engines can be shut down from the debris in the air. The last thing any passenger wants to hear is silence on a plane. In other words, NOT hearing the engines running.

Your plane turns into a GIANT GLIDER…

Iceland Volcano Spews Consonants and Vowels

If you wondered how to pronounce the name of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, you can hear people butcher it and then the last sound bite has a native Icelander saying it correctly.

Eyjafjallajökull = EY-ya-fyat-lah-YOH-kuht – try saying that fast 10 times

Travel Video of the Week
Swimmer Mugged by Octopus for Camera
Man freediving in New Zealand, minding his own business, when his underwater camera is literally ripped from his hands by an octopus. Me, I would have about said let the octopus have the camera, but this guy is able to get it back without harm to himself or the animal. He narrates the action with text and music.

Paris on a Shoestring

Fantastic ideas for the ‘City of Light’. Free dance and theater, inexpensive accommodations, a pretty complete list of things to see and do without the expected cost

Don’t let bag fees make you nostalgic. Airlines’ golden age wasn’t so golden.

Adjusting for inflation, a $168 NY to LA flight in 1959 would cost over $1200 in 2010. Flights to even popular destinations were hard to come by back then. And yet we still complain about air travel (I raise my hand as being one of those people). But just goes to show that everything is relative and people will complain when they don’t know how far we’ve come in terms of air travel in 50 years.

Though Current Tourists to Bangkok Have Lambasted Me for My Worries About Safety, I Continue to Have Those Fears

Arthur Frommer responds to the criticism that I and other bloggers heaped on him about his recommendation to avoid Thailand at all costs. He stands by his advice and says that violence could break out at any time. This is very true but it has been like that in Thailand for the past few years. The situation in Thailand is not going to change anytime soon. So when would he recommend going back there? Never?

Flight Memory

Fellow travel blogger Fly Brother put me on to this site. You put in your travel info and it calculates distance traveled, airlines and types of planes used and puts it all on printable maps. Very cool resource for the travel geek in you.

Struggling with Sexual Harassment by Egyptian Men

An American ex-pat in Egypt relays her tales of being harrassed by men in Egypt on a constant basis. I went to Cairo with a tour back in 2007 and didn’t notice anything except when we went to Giza and the security guards were being a little overzealous talking to a married member of the tour, with her husband right there!

But this is a real issue that I’m not sure Egypt can address because it is more cultural than anything else.

Any ladies who have been to Egypt would like to chime in on your experiences there?

20 Ideal Day or Seasonal Jobs for Travel Writers

The title of this article really should have been “How You Can Make Money While Traveling” because many of these ideas are not just for writers.
How about diplomat? Chef? Cruise ship musician? Or you can go for the old tried and true method – English as a Second Language teacher.

What Not To Do In New York City

A nice list of the famous tourist spots in the Big Apple and alternatives that most people never thought of. I especially like the list of film shoots around the city. Maybe you can get a glimpse of yourself in a motion picture or meet a movie star. That would be a novel way to spend time.

Best Travel Deals and News – April 20, 2010 – How Do You Pronounce Eyjafjallajökull, Sexual Harassment in Egypt, Arthur Frommer and Thailand is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Loyal reader Cherish sent me the following question:

Hey, I hope all is well with you!

I have a friend who was scheduled to travel to Thailand at the beginning of May. It’s his first time going to Asia and his buddy is pretty scared and wants to re-route the trip. Do you have any suggestions (other than the travel.state.gov) for where he can get realistic/up-to-date information on Americans travalling to bangkok… maybe a local blog site or something that I can send him? You’re the travel-guru, so I figured I’d ask!

Thanks,
Cherish

This is a real concern for people who are heading to Thailand or any other hotspot.

Mexico had travel plans cancelled when swine flu broke out and more recently after violence in border towns related to drug trafficking.

Kenya had riots in late 2007 over their presidential elections that caused many trips to be rerouted to Tanzania.

Paris has had youth riots with rock throwing and burning cars in 2005 and 2009.

The USA had the Rodney King verdict sparked LA riots back in 1992.

Credit: Flickr/SpecialKRB

No country is immune from civil unrest. So what can you do if you have travel planned for a locale where the usual images of sunny beaches, great food and interesting artifacts is replaced with shouting protesters and burning cars and dead in the streets?

Thailand Protests 2010 – When Violence Breaks Out, Can/Should You Still Travel There? is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

On the Road: Traveling with Kids

This link from my good friends at @CareerBreakHQs leads to two great articles about traveling with children. I know there are readers who have children who think that long term travel is impossible and even a week with the fruit of your loins is a hassle bordering on terror. Not the case, according to the two families in the article. A good read for the solo travelers too.

Flight attendants union wants combat training

Has it really comes to this? I guess it has. Pilots carrying guns into the cockpit and flight attendants union wanting hand to hand combat training.

Finally an Idiot Proof Plane

Airline painted over a plane to point out where everthing is. I mean everything…I can’t explain it in words, just click for the pictures to see for yourself.

Travel Video of the Week
Bale Folclorico da Bahia
I was cleaning up and found a ticket from a performance I went to in Salvador, Brazil back in 2006. Salvador is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture, as it was the main point drop-off point for Africans during the slave trade in the ‘New World’, besides the Caribbean and the American South. One of the best tour trips I took and the performance by this dance troupe was one of the many highlights.

For more videos, check their website Bale Folclorico da Bahia

7 Activities That Could Get You Jailed (or Killed) While Traveling

I don’t mean to scare anyone, because the same things can happen in your home country. But being aware of the local customs or laws goes a long way. For instance, don’t go to India asking for the nearest barbeque…

10 Guerilla Airline Travel Tips for the Geek-Minded Person

Not just for geeks trust me. The biggest thing you can learn from this and the comments is to get with one airline and stick with them if you can. You get priority if you can show if you are a frequent flier or have points from a credit card, miles you’ve saved up over the years or some other reward system. This helps if your flight is delayed and you need to get rescheduled. Even if you aren’t in a bad weather area, inclement conditions in other places domino and can affect flight schedules all over the world.

Paris: Shoe shopping survival guide for Paris

Traveling around a particular theme is always a good idea. You could travel around the USA just visiting the best barbecue spots. Or visit Japan with the intention of visiting Buddhist temples. Or travel to Central America and hike as many volcanoes as you can. For the shopaholics and fashionistas among you, this is a theme for you for the City of Light – Paris.

Bizarre Traveler Behavior

I wrote a blog post about getting robbed while in the air, and here is a compilation of other weird stories, primarliy from the skies. How about a guy caught trying to smuggle pygmy monkeys in HIS PANTS? Yes, you read that right.

Best selling round the world tickets in 2010

This UK firm has a sampling of round the world tickets for you to preview. I like to highlight these whenever I get the chance to show the affordability of these types of trips. If you have the time, you can travel around the world. Money, in a relative sense, is not the biggest issue blocking you.

₤999 is about $1500US, which is the general starting point for round the world tickets. It all depends on where you want to go and what time of the year you decide to take off.

Best Travel News and Deals – March 16, 2010 – Sample RTW Tickets and Prices, Traveling with Kids, Shoe Shopping in Paris, Weird Travel Stories, Flight Attendant Combat Training, Dancing in Salvador, Bahia is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Can’t Get on the Amazing Race – Try Competitours
Global Scavenger Hunt
From loyal reader TJ
I’ve mentioned this before but with the new season of the Amazing Race starting last week here in the US, it is always good to remember that for those of us who will never get a chance to be on the show (that’s most of us), there are options. You won’t get $1,000,000 for winning, but ‘winning’ can mean different things for different people.

Sites That Do Your Fare Digging

From loyal reader Karen
There are many websites that will show you airfares beyond the usual suspects: Orbitz, Travelocity and Expedia. This article tries to capture the good and bad in booking your airfare online and tips on the best deals.

Travel Video of the Week
Stories from Around the World
Journalist Steve Hartman had a project where he traveled around the US and randomly picked a person from the phone book and did a story about them. It was an extremely popular series and he decided to do it on a world scale. See his stories from Oman, India and Latvia. The story in India is really touching.

Best Travel News and Deals – February 23, 2010 – Amazing Race Alternative, Avoiding Travel Scams, Stories From Around the Globe, The Ugly American is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel

Q&A with Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of CruiseCritic.com

Cruises are more and more popular and for good reason. For those going on pre-packaged trips, cruises provide the best value. For $50-$70 per day, you can get room and board along with food and transportation to different ports of call.

Of course remember that you can’t come with empty pockets. Drinks and some meals may be extra. On shore excursions when you reach dock are not included as well as some tips.

Travel Video of the Week
Flying with a Foreign Language
In another reason why the 2016 Olympics went to Brazil and may never come back to America, a student was handcuffed and detained by the TSA for 4 hours for having Arabic flashcards. The questions that the TSA agent asked to try to incriminate him are so ridiculous and off the mark that my head began to hurt watching this video.

I hope he wins his lawsuit with a big settlement.

If you’re carrying an Arabic phrasebook through an American airport, be afraid. Be very afraid…

Is This How Cleopatra Felt?

Organizing a family reunion or trip for strangers is usually bad enough. When you organize a trip for 80 people, friends and family, in a foreign country, that is either bravery, or stupidity. This organizer is the brave one and pulled off a successful cruise in Egypt on the Nile with people flying in from all over the world.

The 20 best European hostels for couples

It may be too late for Valentine’s Day but how about next weekend for you and your boo. Saving money while you travel is very sexy…

Insider travel tips from 10 experts

These tips relate to England so if you’re going to be there or live there currently, you will find some useful ideas there.

A List No Hotel Wants to Be On

TripAdvisor came out with its annual list of the worst hotels, and now have it by region. Some of the comments from some of the places you should avoid:

“I don’t think I can say anymore than this is the worst place I have ever stayed in my whole entrie life. Cockroaches…smelly…….yuk!”

“On our last night we had someone break into our room whilst we were fast asleep in the room.”

“…the room smelt of urine, the towels smelt musty, there was mold on the walls and curtains, the lift was literally right near our heads so we didn’t get a decent nights sleep over the course of the break….I thought it was a disgrace, it should be condemned!”

With the Internet there is NO need to have the experiences of these travelers or to be booked in any of these places. Learn from the mistakes of others and read about places you shouldn’t book online.

Baggage Fees for US Based Airlines

Fees are going up again and this handy chart will give you the ability to know which US carrier is charging what. Airlines are bringing us in with low advertised fares and then charging for everything they can get away with. Note the charge by American for a pillow and blanket. Understand that if American gets away with it, other airlines will do it to.

Spirit Airlines Shows Fuel Costs

Not that it makes much difference to you, but interesting to see how much of the fuel cost goes into your ticket.

What else can airlines charge us for?

Funny skit on a pilot telling the passengers what they can and will be charged for. If you don’t want to listen to the whole entire podcast you can scroll down and read the text.

Best Travel News and Deals – February 16, 2010 – Detained for Learning Arabic, Cheap Cruises, Hostels for Couples, Dirty Hotels, Baggage Fee Chart is a post from: NoDebtWorldTravel