THE WORLD
 Alaska |
 Botswana |
 Hawaii |
 Katmandu Valley |
 Malacca, Malaysia |
 Scottish borders |
 Syria |
 Utah Highway 12 |
 Valparaiso, Chile |
 Warsaw |
Susan Spano picks 10 places around the world you should visit in 2009. >> Read more
Globetrotting with a toddlerMy boss handed me a fortune cookie on my last day of work. "Ideas that may seem absurd ultimately lead to success," read the tiny slip of paper.
It was an omen for what was to come. Just days after cleaning out my desk, I began an around-the-world trip with my wife, Amber, and our 16-month-old daughter -- something that sounds crazy but turned out to be quite the opposite. >> Read more Keeping travel expenses in check Round-trip Los Angeles-London flights for less than $400. Mediterranean cruises for $100 a day. Six-day air-hotel packages to Hong Kong and Singapore for less than $1,500 per person.
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Avoid weight gain while on vacation The candy bars in the hotel room mini-bar.
The glazed pastries at the free breakfast buffet. And, finally, the biggest hurdle to keeping fit and eating healthfully while traveling -- the Cinnabon kiosk at the airport, those 730-calorie glazed swirls of baked dough that can add 2 inches to your waistline on sight alone.>> Read more Make passport plans now If you're traveling outside the U.S. this year, here are two pieces of advice: Get or renew your passport now, and think twice before planning a car trip to Mexico or Canada in June. >> Read more
Going on a trip? Pack lightly Reduce, reuse, recycle. It's not just the mantra of the eco-conscious anymore. In the pursuit of efficiency and sanity, frequent travelers are abiding by the same vows. >> Read more
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CALIFORNIA
Land, sea and gusty winds meet along the Pacific coastline, as seen from Rocky Point between Big Sur and Carmel. More photosDriving California's coast in 10 days It's a scenic adventure that just begins to cover the high points. Early on the first day of 2009, a gold Toyota Corolla exited Interstate 5 in southern San Diego County and headed west, dodging puddles and "SUBJECT TO FLOODING" signs until it reached Border Field State Park, the coastal reserve where California's coastline begins. That was me, on the brink of something big. >> Read more
Luxury hotels going ahead with renovations
What a difference a year makes.
For the last few years, travelers could expect to find a new or remodeled hotel opening or reopening seemingly every month in Southern California. That dizzying pace of development has slowed, although projects planned during the flush years are crossing the finish line in 2009. |
Trace Chris Reynolds' 10-day coastal journey.
L.A. filming locations take on starring roles
It's only a matter of time before local film and TV buffs experience a sense of déjà vu around Los Angeles. That place looks familiar. Did you see it on the way home from work, or when you checked in with your favorite characters? Could be both.
Most productions not filmed on studio lots are shot within the 30-mile zone (known as the TMZ) from Beverly and La Cienega boulevards, with some locations more popular than others. We asked location managers, as well as Tony Reeves, author of "The Worldwide Guide to Movie Locations," for some of the most well-recognized filming spots around Southern California. |
CRUISING
Before booking a cruise, a few words of advice
Once upon a time, I was talked into taking a Windjammer Barefoot Cruise in the Caribbean. Much to my surprise, it included toga parties and nude beaches. It was, shall we say, an epic mismatch. >> Read more
Classy old liner dodges the icebergs around Greenland
Sailing from Liverpool, England, the Saga Rose, a 43-year-old liner that is aging with considerable grace, called at the Irish port of Cobh before heading northwest to Greenland and Iceland, its main destinations for this July trip. >> Read more
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Cruise lines introduce ships big and small, and drop prices
Vacationers who hit the high seas this year will find a treasure-trove of bargains -- and that's not all. At least 14 new ships, including the world's biggest behemoth and two intimate luxury vessels, plus innovative facilities and more U.S. departures, are on the way. >> Read more
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Theme cruises go with the flow
Theme cruises allow passengers to immerse themselves in their passions and interests. Jazz, antiques, baseball -- you name it -- there is a cruise vacation that seemingly deals with the topic. The cruises allow passengers to pursue their common passions with performances, lectures and hands-on activities. >> Read more
A sea of cruise ship bargains Pop open the Champagne and break out the streamers: If you have ever contemplated taking a cruise, 2009 is your lucky year. Prices are stunning, experts say. >> Read more |
WEB ONLY
London on the cheap
A day in the English city doesn't have to be expensive. Take in a few sights, hoist a pint, go to the cinema, enjoy a 'fry-up.' Spend 24 pounds or less.
Tips on tipping: How much and to whom
A handy guide on gratuities for the cab driver, hotel maid, bartender, cabana attendant and more.
How to contact major hotel chains
Major lodging companies' phone numbers and websites are listed below.
Tourism offices in U.S. states, territories
States and many U.S. territories have tourism offices to help visitors. When requesting travel literature, be as specific as possible.
A roundup of rental car agencies
Contact information for rental car agencies, here and abroad.
Airlines that fly out of the U.S.
Here is a list of selected national and international airlines that offer flights out of major cities in the United States. In some cases, an airline may not have its own mileage-reward program, but it may partner with another airline.
Go native in Europe and Japan -- take the train
Who rides trains these days?
Europeans, for starters. And the Japanese, of course. And maybe you, if you're looking to discover new places and save some money while you're in Britain or Ireland, on the Continent or in Japan.
Foreign tourist boards
For tourist information on selected foreign destinations, contact the government offices below. For information about a country not listed, call the United Nations at (212) 963-1234, dial 0 and ask for the number of the country's U.N. mission or delegation. A helpful website is the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory, www.towd.com.
A day in the English city doesn't have to be expensive. Take in a few sights, hoist a pint, go to the cinema, enjoy a 'fry-up.' Spend 24 pounds or less.
Tips on tipping: How much and to whom
A handy guide on gratuities for the cab driver, hotel maid, bartender, cabana attendant and more.
How to contact major hotel chains
Major lodging companies' phone numbers and websites are listed below.
Tourism offices in U.S. states, territories
States and many U.S. territories have tourism offices to help visitors. When requesting travel literature, be as specific as possible.
A roundup of rental car agencies
Contact information for rental car agencies, here and abroad.
Airlines that fly out of the U.S.
Here is a list of selected national and international airlines that offer flights out of major cities in the United States. In some cases, an airline may not have its own mileage-reward program, but it may partner with another airline.
Go native in Europe and Japan -- take the train
Who rides trains these days?
Europeans, for starters. And the Japanese, of course. And maybe you, if you're looking to discover new places and save some money while you're in Britain or Ireland, on the Continent or in Japan.
Foreign tourist boards
For tourist information on selected foreign destinations, contact the government offices below. For information about a country not listed, call the United Nations at (212) 963-1234, dial 0 and ask for the number of the country's U.N. mission or delegation. A helpful website is the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory, www.towd.com.
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