Posts by author:

Erin Raub

Five Tips to Avoid Frustrating Hotel Fees

November 12, 2008
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Hotels seem to have nickel-and-diming down to a science: they charge small fees here and there, eventually tacking a decent chunk of change onto your final bill. It’s no wonder — hotel guests use cell phone nows, so hotels can’t charge $1 per minute of local phone usage. The game is not to charge for [...]

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Travel Tip: Travel Cheap, House Swap!

November 6, 2008
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House swapping isn’t for the faint of heart — you’ll send keys to complete strangers and leave them alone in your house for days at a time! — but thousands of independent travelers are slowly discovering the joys of this inexpensive (and slightly voyeuristic) way to travel.

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Travel Product: Compressible Packing Bags

November 4, 2008

In the age of booked baggage fees, packing light is where it’s at. Of course, in practice, keeping your bulky bag down to size isn’t so easy. Enter plastic, vacuum-tight travel bags, which help you pack more into less space.

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Travel Tip: Prepare Your Appliances for Use Abroad

September 24, 2008
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As you pack for that winter skiing trip in the Swiss Alps or Australian summer vacation, you may throw your hair drier, laptop, or cell phone charger absentmindedly into your bag. Not so fast: though North America, much of South America, the Caribbean, and Japan use 100-125 volt appliances, most of the world does not. [...]

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Ingenious Travel Product: the Portable Book Light

September 20, 2008

When I was a little girl, my parents had a strict bedtime for me. When that time came around, it was lights out, no excuses. Luckily for me, I had a secret weapon at my disposal: my portable book lamp. Diving under the covers, I would read into the wee hours of the night — [...]

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Travel Tip: Machu Picchu Without the Inca Trail

September 16, 2008
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It’s a common traveler’s plight, but rarely do you hear about it: Peru’s famous Inca Trail fills up fast. It can be a sad disappointment, after months or even years of anticipation, but many Machu Picchu pilgrims face this problem every year. If this happens to you, or if you worry that it will, take [...]

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How to Survive a Too-Full Flight

September 13, 2008
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If you’ve traveled the not-so-friendly skies recently, you’ve likely noticed a rise in passenger density (not to mention diminished amenities and airline comforts). To help reduce costs and maximize fuel efficiency, airlines have switched to smaller airplanes and fewer flights, causing a large increase in overbooked and too-full flights. To survive these uncomfortable conditions, have [...]

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Postcards Struggle to Find Their Place in a Digital Age

August 11, 2008
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Postcards used to be every traveler’s favorite way of keeping friends and family updated on their trips with short prose and whimsical “wish you were here!”s. Today, though, the digital ages has threatened postcards with email, social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace, and even travel-themed ecards and digital postcards.

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No more ‘One Person, One Fare’

January 24, 2008

In a ruling that overthrows previous airline policies, Canada-based carriers are required to eliminate their “one person, one fare” policies.
From now on, if clinically obese or disabled travelers require transportation attendants or more than one airline seat, Canadian airlines are no longer allowed to charge them extra, says the Canadian Transportation Authority. Within the [...]

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Flight 001 offers one-stop shopping for travelers

January 18, 2008

The next time you’re in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Berkeley, Chicago, or Dubai and realize you’ve forgotten your toothbrush again, don’t fret: Flight 001 is there to rescue you. Selling everything from toiletries to fashionable luggage, the store is the brainchild of Brad John and John Sencion.
Designed as a one-stop shop for busy [...]

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Destination: Puerto Rico

January 17, 2008
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As you dig into a spicy, citrusy ceviche and down a typical rum drink, you’ll know that coming to Puerto Rico was a fantastic choice.

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Cruising for less

January 11, 2008

Though many of us dream of someday taking a cruise, sometimes our wallets don’t stretch that wide. Luckily, MSNBC has brought us 13 tips to save money on your next cruise.

Now’s the time to buy: We’re about to hit the cruising high season, so the best deals are available right now.
Buy your own airfare: Though [...]

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How to get the best hotel rates

January 10, 2008

Sleeping away from home can be a expensive undertaking, so spending each dollar well is an important part of every traveler’s plans. Searching for the absolute best hotel rates is your key to maximizing luxury and minimizing costs, and CNN has come up with tips on how to do just that:

Start using new search engines: [...]

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Planeguage: Etiquette for fliers

January 9, 2008

Nothing can sour a flight like a child kicking the back of your seat, a stranger falling asleep on your shoulder, or a loud and drunk passenger regaling the entire plane with stories only she finds funny. Flying is frustrating, at best, and passengers without manners only make it worse. Thankfully, Delta’s finally supplied us [...]

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Best ski resorts for non-skiers

January 8, 2008

Winter is a time of fantastic ski vacations, exhilarating trips to snowboarding parks, and delicious sips of hot chocolate in between ski runs… unless you’re not a fan of powdery, white snow. Skisnowboard.com has come up with the 6 best resorts for non-skiers:

Lake Placid, New York: The home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics [...]

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Keep guests in mind when planning your destination wedding

January 7, 2008

Though your wedding day is all about you, you friends and family will be there to love and support you. When planning your destination wedding, with its romance and magic, don’t forget to factor your guest’s needs into the equation.
Issues to keep in mind range from having kid-friendly food to whether a hotel will be [...]

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New travel fees for 2008

January 5, 2008

MSNBC reports on the eight changes for travelers to expect this year:

Convenience fees: You often pay them for event tickets, and now you must prepare to pay “convenience” fees to book hotel rooms, specific car rentals, and many other travel options.
Energy surcharges: Last year, we paid extra for plane tickets, shipping, and more services, [...]

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Before you travel, pack a sandwich

November 24, 2007

There are few things worse than waiting in an airport on a stomach so empty that you begin to daydream wistfully of airplane food. That’s why it’s important to think ahead and pack some travel comfort food to accompany you on your journey.
One of the easiest, most versatile, and tastiest treats to make ahead is [...]

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MGM Grand Las Vegas

November 22, 2007
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In the city that never seems to sleep, you’re still going to need a soft pillow to lay your head on. The 30-floor MGM Grand Las Vegas, is just the place.

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A Taste of New York in Vegas

September 27, 2007

Vegas is an adult’s dream playground, filled with spectacular sites, images, and recreations of the world’s most famous landmarks. Located on the famous Las Vegas Strip at 3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South, the New York New York Hotel & Casino features one of the largest casinos owned by MGM Mirage.
The incredible New York New York [...]

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Cruise New Zealand and Australia with Holland America

September 25, 2007

New Zealand has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful places on earth: comprised of two main islands, North Island and South Island, the country is nicknamed God’s Own Country and Paradise of the Pacific.

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Six Flags Great Adventure

September 22, 2007
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Located in , Six Flags Great Adventure is conveniently located just 67 miles from New York City, 58 miles from Newark, and 60 miles from Philadelphia. The park features incredible rides, themes, and adventures packed into a Wild Safari area, amusement park, water park, and Hurricane Harbor (think serious water park).

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Scuba Diving the Baja Peninsula

September 20, 2007

Though connected to the United States, the Baja California Peninsula, also called Lower California and simply the Baja Peninsula, is part of Mexico. It is connected to the U.S. state of California and stretches a length of 775 miles (1250 kms) from northern Mexicali to southern Cabo San Lucas.

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The Beautiful British Virgin Islands

September 12, 2007
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The British Virgin Islands, located in the cerulean-blue Caribbean Sea, just east of Puerto Rico, are a British overseas territory consisting of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost Van Dyke, and fifty other smaller islands and cays. None of the islands are particularly large, though, and Tortola, the largest island of the BVI, stretches a mere [...]

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Sutherland Falls

September 9, 2007

New Zealand offers some of the world’s most spectacular scenery and is the ultimate destination for the adventure traveler. The South island of New Zealand is home to the city of Queenstown, which is the top draw for tourism. The easy accessibility to the lakes and the mountains makes the region a hot sport for [...]

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Molokai’s Amazing Kahiwa Falls

September 6, 2007

Molokai, the fifth-largest Hawaiian island, is home to the state’s tallest waterfall, Kahiwa Falls. Sometimes reported as reaching 1749′ in height, the falls actually reaches an astonishing 2165′ feet and includes six tiered drops before finally emptying into the sea. Though Kahiwa Falls are often mistaken for their neighboring Papalaua Falls, they are located slightly [...]

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U.S. Tennis Open Begins Today

August 29, 2007

Today, on August 27th, The U.S. Open begins at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. Held over a two week period, the U.S. Tennis Open will end on September 9, 2007, after determining the best player in the country.
Tennis fans flock to New York City during these two weeks, hoping to catch a glimpse [...]

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A Growing Trend: Language Vacations

August 24, 2007

Have you ever dreamed of enjoying a refreshing gelatto under the Italian sun, running with the bulls in Pamplona, or participating in a Japanese tea ceremony while soaking up culture and learning a language? If so, then participating in a language school is an ideal vacation choice for you.
Surprisingly affordable, studying abroad is a growing [...]

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Taking a Sip of Coffee Tourism

August 19, 2007

Tourism isn’t limited to beaches, mountains, and pretty scenery: in today’s world, travelers traverse the planet to pursue all hobbies and interests under the sun. A growing industry is coffee tourism, dedicated to educating you on different types and various roasts of coffee.

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