This 4-star property is located on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan between East 30th and East 31st Streets. That makes it’s a stone’s throw from the Empire State Building, Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, Macy’s, and the West 34th Street shopping district. It’s also quite close to Times Square.
Apple AirTag news, gunfire in the air, new Chase airport lounges, canned air from Lake Como, a Wicked inspired hotel suite, and more.
Liverpool has plenty of Beatles memorabilia to lure you, but you might be surprised to learn that it has much more to offer the traveler – even those who aren’t fans of the Fab Four. An old city with both new and historical architecture, Liverpool is big enough to give you plenty to do but small enough that you don’t have to endure London-like congestion.
The Langham Hotel in London is as close to perfect as you can get. A 5-star property that could easily be given 6 stars, my experience there – from the facilities to the staff – was nothing short of exquisite. And I don’t use such words frivolously.
Notre Dame reopening in Paris. After the devastating fire in 2019, the famous Notre Dame cathedral in Paris will reopen December 8, 2024! Notre Dame in Paris. Photo by Melanie Votaw. Las Vegas Sphere news. You might have heard about The Sphere in Las Vegas. Well,...
The Delta Sky Lounge in the Kansas City airport is fairly new – opened in February 2023. The entire airport was refurbished not long ago, and this is its only lounge. The space spans more than 11,000 square feet to hold 200 guests, but the Monday morning I was there recently, it was virtually empty. I have to admit that was a treat, as most of the lounges I’ve visited in other airports, whether Delta or otherwise, have been packed.
Read the latest travel news from new borders being drawn in Europe, to new high tech trains in Spain to new United Airlines routes to new Einstein museum and more!
This beautiful 4-star hotel in Kansas City is located downtown right across the street from the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. It’s surprisingly large for an inner city hotel with a sprawling lobby that contains many comfortable seating options, including a partially enclosed space with a fireplace.
News from Delta, SAS, American Airlines, JetSmart, JetBlue, British Airways, and Eurostar.
Most tourists stay in midtown when they come to New York City, but even if you’re not in town for business, you might want to consider staying in other areas of Manhattan, including the Financial District. This area is where you’ll find the current World Trade Center and Trinity Church, where Alexander Hamilton among other luminaries is buried. You’ll also find the Artezen Hotel, dubbed the newest 4-star property in the Financial District.
Unfortunately, bedbugs are a reality these days, and they can be very difficult to get rid of them. But don’t panic! I even got them in my apartment (presumably from a package that was delivered, as I hadn’t traveled recently), and spraying killed them.
Tea in the Sahara? Well, I didn’t have tea, but I did enjoy myself in the remarkable desert of Morocco. It was a landscape out of the movies, and the bright colors of the guys leading the camels just made it all the more beautiful.
If you’ve ever watched the TV show, The Zoo, on the Animal Planet channel, you’ve seen behind the scenes at the Bronx Zoo, which is currently celebrating its 125th year. Covering 265 acres, it’s one of the largest and oldest zoos in the United States. But did you know that you can go there and have an in-person experience behind the scenes?
American Airlines and Delta Airlines news, the truth about plane safety, what’s up with free Wi-Fi on planes, a new tourism tax in Greece, and an iceberg collision.
There is a lot to love about Monastero Santa Rosa, the luxury hotel on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. It’s the gardens that are my favorite part of this property, however. They’re spectacular, and I don’t use that word frivolously.
I’ve seen the Rockies, the Andes, and the Himalayas, but honestly, Morocco’s Atlas Mountains may be the most beautiful range of them all. Judge for yourself!
I just published a piece about the Harriet Tubman historical sites in Auburn, Cayuga County, New York, including her home, church, and gravesite. Besides visiting the numerous wineries in this Finger Lakes region, there are many wonderful restaurants where you can sample some truly special cuisine.
I’m sure you know about Harriet Tubman, who famously saved many enslaved people during the Civil War Era by personally transporting them through the Underground Railroad. But I’ll bet there’s a lot you don’t know about her, such as the fact that she settled in Auburn, New York in Cayuga County and lived there until her death in 1913.
Tourists are often unaware that they can often see some of their favorite Broadway stars up close and personal in small cabaret rooms in Manhattan.
A lot of visitors and locals aren’t aware that you can watch whales from Manhattan and Brooklyn in NYC. And I’m talking some major whale watching!
Want to see North Korea? Will Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines merge? What new international routes have just begun? What airport has the worst TSA experience? How can you know if you’re too close to an animal in a national park? Read our Travel News to find out.
I just discovered a new service called Bounce that has a luggage storage network around the world. They work with local businesses that are willing to hold your bags for a set period of time.
Dispute with a travel-related company? Whenever you have a problem with a travel-related company that you're struggling to resolve, check out the contact information for executives in Christopher Elliott's handy list. Don't waste more time - go right to the top!...
Check out our latest travel news. How did Delta mess up after the power outage? How can you avoid the worst turbulence and stay safe in extreme heat? Where are bedbugs showing up these days? Would you have a robot massage?
I have dreamed for decades of seeing a blue whale – the largest animal that’s ever lived (as far as we know at least). When I first investigated the possibility, the only places to see them were remote and usually in very cold waters. Since then, they have become much more widespread, increasing in numbers in southern and northern California.
Conde Nast Traveler has named its top 100 restaurants in the world, and Nuema in Quito is number 61. Nestled in the Illa Experience Hotel, I had the extraordinary opportunity to experience this restaurant firsthand.
The 5-star Illa Experience Hotel opened its doors in December 2017 by Latin Trails in the historic part of Quito just a few blocks from the Plaza Grande and surrounded by artists’ workshops.
If you’re looking for something fun to do in New York City this summer, try the One World Observatory, which boasts the highest observation deck in the city with three floors and 360-degree views (sorry, Empire State Building). And this summer, it’s collaborating with the Museum of Ice Cream so that you can buy a single ticket for both.
Read the latest airline news, find out the cheapest place to visit in the world, look into helicopter flights between the Greek Isles, discover why you shouldn’t fly at night in summer, and much more.
If Washington State wines are not on your radar, they should be. It has a particularly ideal climate for winegrowing with 17 hours of sunlight and cool nights that help maintain the acidity of the grapes.
When I want a fine dining experience in Manhattan that's still within reason from a price perspective, La Grande Boucherie is my go-to restaurant - and has been for years. The French menu changes periodically, but everything we've ordered has been excellent without...
I see almost all shows on Broadway (some more than once), and I can rattle off the names of numerous Broadway creatives from actors to choreographers to ensemble dancers to composers and more. I also used to photograph the Tony nominees every year for another publication. So I thought you might find it useful to hear my recommendations for Broadway shows to see this summer if you’re coming to New York.
I sat down to watch the Tony Awards Sunday night, June 16, with trepidation. It had been a particularly stuffed season, especially with musicals, which is my favorite genre. I expected to be disappointed by some of the decisions.
Read the latest travel news from a new hiking trail in Italy’s Dolomites to why you shouldn’t drink the water on airplanes (including tea and coffee) to the new cheese museum in Paris and more.
When you think of Louisville, Kentucky, you probably think horses and bourbon, but the city has a great deal to offer the traveler at any time of year – not just during the Kentucky Derby. You might be surprised to learn that it’s a large metropolitan city with a long tradition of supporting the arts. It has its own award-winning orchestra, opera, and ballet companies, as well as one of the country’s top regional theatres, Actors Theater of Louisville.
I have struggled with motion sickness my whole life, and sometimes, I can be miserable on a boat, even while others think the water is nice and smooth. So over the years, I have found that a triple threat strategy works well for me.
I have been plagued with severe ear pain and popping on airplanes for many years, so I’ve found a few tricks that work well for me. Hopefully, they’ll work for you, too.
Read the latest travel news about American tourists being arrested for traveling with ammunition, Georgia’s possible first national park, a lawsuit over an airport name change, Paris’s high line, better meals on Alaska Airlines, deadly turbulence, and more.
Lisbon, Portugal has many wonderful museums, but my two personal favorites are the National Coach Museum (Museu National dos Coches) and the Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha).
Read the latest travel news about the Mona Lisa moving, the cleanest airports in the world, the only airport that’s never lost a bag, airlines behaving badly, the upcoming tallest building in the world, and a possible train between two continents!
The day I had to leave Rapa Nui, I teared up. I so wanted more time there. While the island is part of the country of Chile, it’s actually in Polynesia and is similar to Hawaii in that it’s tropical, very green, and filled with volcanos. But it also has the amazing Moai statues that are not to be missed!
The 5-star resort property of Nayara Hangaroa on Easter Island, which I will call Rapa Nui for the rest of this article, is an exceptional experience that I can’t possibly recommend enough.
Read the latest travel news about the new Department of Transportation rules, the new bullet train coming in the U.S., “smooch cabins” on German trains, Bark Air for dogs, lifetime bans at Disney, and more.
I visited Iguassu Falls in the late 1990s, and I have wanted to go back ever since. I finally got my chance. As someone who has traveled the world and seen many awe-inspiring places, I have to say that Iguassu is still one of the most spectacular of them all.
Not only is Hotel das Cataratas the only hotel within the national park where you find Iguassu Falls, but it goes beyond five-star service for a luxury-plus experience.
Monterey Bay Aquarium is perhaps the most celebrated aquarium in the U.S. and for good reason. Not only are there rare animals and other sea life on display, but all you have to do is walk outside and look out on Monterey Bay to see an area that is teeming with life because it’s a protected sanctuary.
It’s hard to imagine that there was no museum about the history of Broadway until late 2022, but that’s the truth. Thankfully, we now have the Museum of Broadway to commemorate the wonder of New York’s theater and located in the Times Square theater district where it belongs.
Even my Lyft driver didn’t know about the Hollywood Cars Museum in Las Vegas, which is just a short drive from the strip. This little-known museum has a host of vehicles from TV and movies, as well as a room filled with cars and costumes once owned by Liberace.
Read the latest travel news from TSA PreCheck scams to American Airlines AAdvantage Miles changes to an alert about Cozumel to increased baggage fees and more.
Philadelphia’s Museum of the American Revolution opened in the spring 2017, focusing on the movement and the war that resulted in the United States. Considering that some people didn’t recognize the Declaration of Independence July 4th when National Public Radio tweeted it 140 characters at a time, this museum is needed! I hope those who are unfamiliar with our country’s history will visit it.
My friend and I were wandering around Lisbon one day and stumbled upon a beautiful Italian restaurant called La Mafia se Sienta a la Mesa. We couldn’t have made a better choice for lunch.
United Airlines news – safety incidents and the ability of customers to combine miles with others. An assassination in Ecuador. New airlines added to TSA PreCheck, and Four Seasons gets ready to enter the cruise market.
The ultra-modern, 5-star Capitol Hotel Tokyu is located in the trendy Akasaka area of central Tokyo, not far from the Imperial Palace. The locale couldn’t be more convenient. There’s a subway station just under it where several Metro lines converge, so you can take an elevator or escalator from the subway to the hotel.
The latest in travel news! When will Notre Dame Cathedral reopen? What has Boeing done now? Why is Paris upset about wild rabbits? JetBlue cuts some of its flights.
It was a dizzying way to start our trip – especially after a late night landing in Quito and only four hours of sleep. But here we were standing on a mountain more than two miles high. We were on a slope of the Pinchincha Volcano, part of the Yanacocha Reserve in the Ecuadoran Andes. It was our first stop on the way to a week at Tandayapa Bird Lodge, an all-inclusive accommodation built precisely for bird enthusiasts like me and my traveling companion, Jean.
The Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel is true to its name in more ways than one. Not only are the building and grounds palatial, but so is the ambience and the service. Of all the fine hotels I have had the good fortune of experiencing across the world, the Ciragan Palace is the finest. The property is allowed to call itself “5-star luxury,” but it is far superior to most 5-star hotels.
I did the “trifecta” in Ecuador, visiting the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon, and the Andes. It was my second time in the Andes region (the first time was about 13 years before), and it didn’t disappoint.
The main draw of Tokyo’s Hotel Chinzanso is its 17-acre garden, and while that garden is nothing short of spectacular, there’s certainly a lot more to love about this hotel. Formerly a Four Seasons, Hotel Chinzanso has quite a history. The area was known for its wild camellias for six centuries, and the word “Chinzanso” means “guest house on Camellia Hill.”
In only a few days, I covered a lot of terrain in Jordan. I was able to see several historical sites. Petra isn’t all there is to see by a long shot! It’s a stunning country with friendly people who are deeply saddened by the turmoil happening in the countries that surround them. My guide told me that he used to take tourists into Syria, for example, on a regular basis. He misses being able to go there.
January may be an odd time to visit Beijing because it’s very cold and dry, but the plus side is that the crowds are seriously reduced from the warmer months, when I’m told you can barely walk at the most popular sites. Since crowds are not my thing, I was happy to visit the city in January (even if my toes felt numb by the end of the day).
Don’t use Google to look for airline phone numbers! It turns out scammers are putting bogus numbers on Google and posing as airlines. When you need a number, ALWAYS go to the official website of the airline!
If you’ve never been to Asia, Singapore is a great introduction to the continent. I think of it as “Asia Lite.” Yes, you’re in Asia, but English is universally spoken and written on signs. Some Asian cities have given me a bad case of culture shock, so there’s a lot to be said for a city that’s easily navigated on foot, by taxi, or public transport – even if I sometimes felt more like I was in Europe than Asia.
A couple of my friends have told me they wouldn’t want to visit Japan because of how the country came across in the 2003 Bill Murray film “Lost In Translation.” Well, I had the opportunity to go to Japan, and I can say from first-hand experience that the film did the country a grave disservice.
Bunk beds in the air? A cruise that will go to all 7 continents! a new Centurion lounge. A crime alert for Mexico during spring break. and more…
This is a recipe handed down in my family from my paternal grandmother. It’s an unusual version of bourbon balls. While I know we usually make these candies during the Christmas holidays, I enjoy them at any time of year.
This is my mother’s recipe and the only brownie recipe we ever made in our family. If you like your brownies chewy, you’ll love this one.
Read the latest travel news from TSA PreCheck scams to American Airlines AAdvantage Miles changes to an alert about Cozumel to increased baggage fees and more.
Before traveling to Japan, I highly recommend that you do considerable research. Otherwise, you’ll waste a lot of time trying to figure things out. I did a lot of research, but there were still moments when I found myself confused. I can’t imagine the amount of time I would have lost if I’d done no research at all. This article is my effort to spare you some of the confusion I experienced while there, thus allowing you to spend more time enjoying Japan rather than wandering at random. I also hope to save you some stress!
Most of the time, when tourists tell me how much they’ve paid for Broadway tickets, I cringe. Yes, sometimes, you have to shell out the big bucks if you only have a few days in town and want to see shows that are usually sold out. But if you plan ahead, you can pay a lot less by checking out just a few resources.
Read the latest travel news from new rules in Italy to a new tourist levy in Bali to maggots on a Delta flight.
Those Boeing 737s are in the news again. But you can now filter out flights that use them. And where will the new season of “White Lotus” be filmed? What are the longest flights and the world’s most welcoming cities? What’s the latest scam on hotel guests? Read now!
Are you ready to get back on a Boeing 737 Max 9? Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are going to resume service soon on the Boeing aircraft that recently lost a door. If this makes you nervous, check what kind of aircraft your next flight will be on.
On Sunday, January 21, 2024, the National Building Museum in Washington, DC opened its new, multigenerational exhibition called Building Stories. The exhibition, which will be on display for ten years, is an immersive exploration of the world of architecture, engineering, construction, and design found in the pages of children’s books.
Romania and Bulgaria are joining the Schengen Area at the end of March 2024. This means we can travel between these and other Schengen countries without passport checks.
Is it too much to ask for our airplane doors to stay ON while in flight? I assume you heard about the Alaska Airlines accident in which a Boeing Model 737-9 MAX aircraft lost a passenger door.
Check out the latest travel news from around the world!
To a Brit, the only thing better than fish ‘n chips is fish ‘n chips with a pint. That’s why Grosvenor F’sh Bar in Norwich, England partnered with The Birdcage across its cobblestone street in the picturesque medieval city in Norfolk. Both businesses are housed in historic buildings at St. Gregory’s Green, Pottergate, in the heart of the well-known Norwich Lanes.
When I told friends I was planning to tour Alabama, some of them said, “Really? Why?” The belief that the state has little to offer the traveler could not be further from the truth. I found out what the song, “Sweet Home Alabama,” really means.
I was excited to learn today that the Illa Experience Hotel in Quito, Ecuador won the 2021 Travvy Award for Best Luxury Hotel in South America. In December 2017, I was the very first guest at this wonderful 5-star hotel opened by Latin Trails in the historic part of Quito just a few blocks from the Plaza Grande and surrounded by artists’ workshops.
During my almost 2-week trip to Japan in the spring, I visited Ashikaga Flower Park, a botanic garden that is filled with color. Even though I loved every day I was in the country, my day at Ashikaga was my favorite. I chose my dates of travel specifically to get to see the wisteria festival at Ashikaga.
Some hotels deserve superlatives, and Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski Dresden is one of them. The original building was built by Saxon king August the Strong in the 18th century to pledge his love to his favorite mistress, so it’s quite literally an opportunity to stay in a palace. No surprise that it’s a coveted wedding location. Any bride who arrives there in a horse-drawn carriage will fulfill her childhood Cinderella fantasy.
Nara, Japan is one of the most popular day trips from Kyoto. Should you bother? In my opinion, yes! Nara is mostly famous for two things – wild deer and a large Buddha.
Indiana might not cross your mind first when you think of wine or fine chocolate, but the state is making a mark in both arenas. Country Heritage Winery & Vineyard in LaOtto, Indiana has developed a partnership with DeBrand Fine Chocolates based in Fort Wayne, and they recently gave me a chance to sample some of their delicious wine and chocolate pairings.
The Ornithological Park of Pont de Gau in the Camargue region of southern France is a bird paradise in the spring. I had always wanted to visit it, and I finally got my chance. It did not disappoint.
The number one spot to visit in Memphis is, of course, Graceland – Elvis’ home. It’s so much more than his mansion, however, or even his estate. There are several exhibits, restaurants, a theater that holds live concerts, a soundstage, and an exposition center that houses exhibits unrelated to Elvis. When I was there, it had a space exhibit and dinosaur exhibit.
One of the main advantages of visiting cold Oslo, Norway, in winter (on the way to the even colder Tromso in the arctic circle) is that you get to visit the Christmas markets and see all the festive decorations. When I arrived at the Grand Hotel in Oslo, I was greeted by two nutcrackers at the doorway and a Christmas tree and gingerbread replica of the building in the lobby.
“Who’s your favorite blues singer?” Abe Hudson, the owner of Real Delta Tours, LLC, asked me when he picked me up from the Clarksdale, Mississippi Greyhound station.
Berlin is a city with a rich history, some of it truly horrific, of course, but it’s also a city of modernity, culture, and energy. It has more than 175 museums, seven symphony orchestras, and three opera houses, besides a vibrant nightlife.
What if you could take a walk down Diagon Alley? Well, you can! I did, and it was a thrill. Warner Brothers Studios Studios just outside of central London opened its doors on March 31, 2012 so that fans can experience the world of Harry Potter up close and personal.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have mobile apps that can help you stay safe when traveling, especially when in developing countries.
The Muhammad Ali Center had a star-studded opening in November 2005 attended by Brad Pitt, Jim Carrey, and Bill Clinton, among other celebrities. Of course, now that Ali has passed away, the center will take on even greater significance as part of the legacy for someone who should never be forgotten.
The One Aldwych Hotel in London has a unique restaurant called “Indigo.” It’s the only restaurant I’ve ever heard of, in fact, that serves an entirely gluten-free and dairy-free menu. No, it isn’t vegan. There is meat on the menu, but no gluten and no dairy products.
During a recent layover in Tokyo’s Narita Airport, I rented a day room for four hours to get a snooze and a shower before heading off on my 17-hour journey from Japan to New York City. Oh, how I wish all airports had these available!
While staying at the Corinthia Hotel in London, I had a meal at The Northall Restaurant, which is helmed by Executive Chef Garry Hollihead, who has won Michelin stars at three different establishments including L’Escargot.
Australia is positively teeming with birds. If you go there only to see the opera house, Uluru (Ayers Rock), Bondi Beach, and a didgeridoo, you’re missing out. Whatever part of the country you visit, check out the parks, botanic gardens, and nature reserves. Then, just pay attention. Take binoculars if you can. You’ll be amazed at the unseen dramas you miss without the aid of those lenses.
In Egypt, the ancient meets the modern more intensely than anywhere I’ve been on the planet. Besides the temples and hieroglyphs, you’ll see cars parked next to carriages drawn by horses or donkeys. You’ll see women in jeans walking next to women in full burkas with only their eyes exposed. These kinds of contrasts are only a few of the reasons why Egypt is one of the most fascinating countries I’ve ever visited.
The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City is a playground for lovers of aviation, space exploration, and naval history. Besides World War II history, you’ll find the Space Shuttle Enterprise, a submarine, drones, and an array of aircraft, including a British Airways Concorde.
Quebec City’s annual Winter Carnival is what they mean when they use the phrase “winter wonderland.” I experienced it this January, and while the temperatures were frigid, the hospitality was anything but.
Anyone who has been to the Galapagos will tell you that it’s the trip of a lifetime. But cruising the Galapagos on a luxury yacht is the trip of a lifetime times ten. For five nights and six days, I had the opportunity to experience the Latin Trails Sea Star yacht,...
Hotel ratings sometimes perplex me. Case in point: Hotel Napoleon in Memphis, Tennessee. This property is listed as 3-star, but it had all of the amenities I’m used to getting from a 5-star hotel, including a plush bathrobe and slippers. Most 4-star hotels don’t even include slippers.